The GATE – Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is a professional entrance examination conducted and administered in eight different zones in India. This exam is conducted by the GATE committee consisting of faculty from the seven IITs and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore for the Ministry of Human Resources Development – MHRD and the Department of Education of the Indian Government and National Coordinating Board – GATE.
Students who qualify through the GATE exam can get admission to the post graduate engineering courses like M.E., M. Tech and M. Pharm in top institutes in India like IITs, IISc – Bangalore, NIPER and NITs.
The GATE qualified candidates are eligible for the award of Junior Research Fellowship in CSIR Laboratories. Even, some government organizations impose GATE qualification as a need to apply for the post of an Engineer or a Scientist.
GATE exam is conducted in 21 different streams and they are as follows:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Aerospace Engineering
- Engineering Sciences and Life Sciences
- Textile Engineering and Fiber science
- Geology and Geophysics
- Electronics and communications Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Production and Industrial Engineering
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Architecture and planning
- Mechanical Engineering
- Agricultural Engineering
- Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Instrumentation Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
GATE score will be valid for two years and so even students in the third year of their degree course can apply for GATE exam so that they will be able to get admission in the top institutes in India for doing post-graduation, if they succeed.
Candidates applying for the GATE exam should choose the right paper of their choice for the GATE exam so that they will be able to get admission to their dream course on the successful completion of the GATE exam. For the year 2010 the GATE exam is decided to be conducted at the IIT, Guwahati.