Forms for GATE 2025 registration are about to be released. Aspiring candidates must understand the GATE Eligibility Criteria 2025 - age limit and qualifications- to apply for it successfully.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2025: Candidates applying for the GATE exam must have completed or be in the final year of a bachelor's or master's degree in the relevant field. There is no age limit for the GATE exam for both Indian and international candidates.
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually for students seeking admission into postgraduate engineering programs. It is also open to various postgraduate programs in engineering, technology, architecture, and science. GATE allows admissions to various programs, including PhDs, in prestigious institutions such as IITs and other universities. The exam is jointly conducted by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and seven IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, and Roorkee).
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2025
IIT Roorkee has published the eligibility criteria for the GATE exam 2025 on its official website, gate2025.iitr.ac.in. The eligibility criteria are the minimum requirements that candidates must achieve before applying for the GATE exam. These criteria include education qualifications, age, domicile, and much more. The candidates must check them to know if they fulfill all the requirements for the GATE Exam.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Educational Qualification
According to the GATE eligibility criteria for 2025, candidates who are in their third or higher year of an undergraduate degree program or who have completed any government-approved degree program in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities are eligible to take the GATE exam.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Paper wise
The table below shows the paper-wise eligibility criteria for GATE 2025.
| Degree/Program | Qualifying Degree/ Examination | Eligibility criteria |
| B.E./B.Tech./B.Pharma. | Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc./ Diploma in Engineering/Technology) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| B. Arch. | Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (5-year course) /Naval Architecture (4-year course)/ Planning (4-year course) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| B.Sc. (Research)/B.S. | Bachelor's degree in Science (post-diploma/ 4 years after 10+2) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| Pharm. D. (after 10+2) | 6 years degree program, consisting of internship or residency training, during the third year onwards | Currently in the 3rd/4th/5th/ 6th year or already completed |
| M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc. | Degree holders of M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc. and those who are in the 5th/6th/7th semester or higher semester of such program. | 5th/6th/7th or higher semester or already completed |
| M. Sc./M.A./M.C.A. or equivalent | Master’s degree in any branch of Arts/Science/ Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent | Currently in the first year or higher or already Completed |
| Int. M.E./M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.) | Post-B.Sc Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering/Technology (4-year program) | Currently in the 1st/2nd/3rd/ 4th year or already completed |
| Int. M.E./ M.Tech./M.Pharm. or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Integrated Master’s degree program or Dual Degree program in Engineering/Technology (5-year program) | Currently in the 3rd /4th/ 5thyear or already completed |
| Int. M.Sc./Int. B.S./M.S. | Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S.-M.S. program | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| Professional Society Examinations (equivalent to B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch.) | B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognised by MoE/UPSC/ AICTE (e.g. AMIE by the Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India, and so on) | Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) | 4-year program | Currently in the 3rd/4th year or already completed |
Also Read: GATE 2025 Preparation Tips from Toppers & Experts
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Age Limit
There is no age requirement, thus candidates who meet all the other stated eligibility criteria can take the GATE 2025 exam.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Nationality
Nationality is an important factor in deciding eligibility for the GATE examination. While international candidates may participate in the exam, this opportunity is limited to those from specified nations. The following is a full list of countries from which applicants can apply for the GATE exam.
- India
- Nepal
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Singapore
- Ethiopia and
- United Arab Emirates (U.A.E)
Also Read: GATE Qualifying Marks: Passing Marks, Admission Cutoff
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2025 For International Students
Candidates who have received or are pursuing their qualifying degree from countries other than India must meet the following eligibility conditions to appear for GATE 2025-
- Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in engineering and technology and must be in or completed their final year or pre-final year.
- Candidate must hold a postgraduate degree in a comparable science discipline and must be in or completed their final year or pre-final year.
Also Read: What is a Good GATE Score 2025?
Overview of GATE Exam 2025
GATE is a national-level entrance exam that allows admission to various post-graduate programs in engineering, technology, architecture, science, and many more. Find below the details of the GATE Exam 2025.
| Topic | Details |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration of Exam | 3 hours |
| Number of Papers | 29 papers |
| Total Marks | 100 marks |
| Total Questions | 65 questions |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), Numerical Answer Type (NAT) |
| Number of Sections | General Aptitude (GA), Subject-specific section |
| Number of questions in General Aptitude | 10 questions (15 marks) |
| Number of questions in Subject-Specific | 55 questions (85 marks) |
Also Read: Important & High Scoring Topics for GATE 2025
Important Dates for GATE Exam 2025
Aspiring candidates must stay updated with the important dates for the GATE Exam 2025 so they do not miss anything important. Some of the most important dates that the candidate must take note of are given below.
| Event | Date |
| Online Application Processing System for GATE | August 2025 |
| Last date of registration with late fee | October 2025 |
| Last date of online registration/application process (Without Late Fee) {Regular} | October 2025 |
| Last date of online registration/ application process (With Late Fee) {Extended} | October 2025 |
| Changes or modifications to GATE Application form 2025 | November 2025 |
| Release date for GATE Admit Card 2025 | January 2025 |
| Exam date for GATE 2025 | February 2025 |
| Release of Answer keys | February 2025 |
| Answer Key objections | February 2025 |
| GATE 2025 Results | March 2025 |
Also Read: What Does it Take to Become a GATE Topper? Tips, Strategies
The GATE 2025 eligibility criteria vary depending on the paper and the common eligibility criteria is that the candidate must have secured atleast 50% marks in an undergraduate program in emgineering or Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc./ Diploma in Engineering/Technology).
