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GATE

The GATE 2009 examination is scheduled to be held on February 8, 2009. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all-India examination conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science and the Seven Indian Institutes of Technology.

Who can apply for GATE?

To apply for GATE, you should have any one of the following qualifications:

a) A four year bachelor's degree in engineering, technology, architecture or pharmacy. Those who are in the final or pre-final year of such programs can also apply.

b) A master's degree in any branch of science, mathematics, statistics, computer applications or an equivalent program. Those who are in the final or pre-final year of such programs can also apply.

c) Qualifications obtained through examinations conducted by professional societies recognized by UPSC/AICTE ((e.g. AMIE by IE(I), AME by ICE(I)) as equivalent to BE/B.Tech.

d) You may also appear if you are in the second or higher year of the four year integrated Master's degree program in engineering/technology or in the third or higher year of the five year integrated Master's degree program in engineering/technology.

Why should I appear for GATE?

Those who qualify through GATE are eligible for admission to the post graduate programs at the engineering institutes in the country. You will also be eligible for MHRD and some other government scholarships or assistantships.

GATE qualified candidates are also eligible for the award of Junior Research Fellowship in CSIR Laboratories and CSIR sponsored projects. Candidates are also required to have the GATE qualification for applying for the post of scientist/engineer at some government organizations.

Some institutions in the country specify GATE as the mandatory qualification even for the admission of self-financing students to post-graduate programs.

Test Format

The GATE consists of a single paper of three hour duration. There will be sixty questions. The highest possible score is 100 marks. The GATE is a multiple choice objective type examination. Each question will have four choices for the answer. Only one will be correct. There will be negative marking for wrong answers. You will find specific details of the examination in the information brochure.

Subject choices

Candidates should choose any one of the following subjects from among the following.

Aerospace engineering
Agricultural engineering
Architecture and Planning
Civil Engineering
Chemical engineering
Computer science and information technology
Chemistry
Electronics and Communication Engineering
Electrical engineering
Geology and geophysics
Instrumentation engineering
Mathematics
Mechanical engineering
Mining engineering
Metallurgical engineering
Physics
Production and industrial engineering
Pharmaceutical sciences
Textile engineering and fibre science
Engineering Sciences
Life Sciences

You can choose any one of the above subjects, but ideally you should choose the subject appropriate to the discipline of your qualifying course.

The results will be announced on March 15, 2009. The GATE 2009 score will be valid for only one year from the date of announcement of the GATE 2009 results.

How to apply?

The application form can be purchased from the designated bank branch or zonal office on cash payment/demand draft. You can also purchase the application form online. Duly filled in application forms must be sent to the respective zonal offices.