GATE-DETAILS-PAGE-1

Overview for GATE


Many students may not be aware that there are several institutions in this country, offering specialized postgraduate programmes in various disciplines. Attractive scholarship / Assistantship for postgraduate courses in engineering / Technology / Architecture /Pharmacy at Engineering colleges / institutes in the country ,are available to those who qualify through GATE. Some Engineering colleges / institutes specify GATE as a mandatory qualification even for admission do students to post graduate programmes. The candidate is required to find the procedure of final selection and award of scholarship / Assistantship from the respective Institution to which the candidate seeks admission. GATE qualified candidates in Engineering subjects) will also be eligible for the award of junior research fellowship in CSIR Laboratories.
What is GATE ?

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all-India examination administered and conducted in eight zones across the country by the GATE Committee comprising faculty from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and seven Indian Institutes of Technology on behalf of the National Coordinating Board - GATE, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), Government of India.

Objective


To identify meritorious and motivated candidates for admission to Post Graduate Programmes in Engineering, Technology, Architecture and Pharmacy at the National level. To serve as benchmark for normalisation of the Undergraduate Engineering Education in the country.


Why should we take GATE?

1. M.Tech degree leads to specialization and furthering of interest in a certain area which may lead to Ph.D
2. M.Tech degree is best for those wishing to apply for Faculty/Research positions in educational Institutes/R&D centers.


Examination Details


1. The examination is a single paper of 3 hours duration and generally consists of Section A (Objective Type) which is of 75 marks and Section B (Problem Type) which is of 75 marks. Total: 150 marks.
2. You have to opt for your subject and study as per the syllabus mentioned in the GATE brochure.
3. The subjects of our interest are Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering., Electrical Engineering and Instrumentation Engineering. Other subjects are also available such as Mathematics, Physics, etc.
4. Results of qualified candidates in GATE will give All India Rank and indicate percentile score. For example, a percentile score of 99 means you are in the top 1% category of the candidates who appeared for GATE.
5. Candidates who get less than 70 percentile get no score card.
6. GATE scores are valid for 2 years. You may reappear the GATE exam if you are not satisfied with the earlier score and the new score (if better than the old one) will be used for admission purposes.

After the Exam, what next


1. After publication of GATE results, students must apply to individual Institutes to get their application forms.
2. Institutes advertise M.Tech admissions in leading newspapers from 1st April till end July. However some Institutes do not advertise and therefore students have to get the forms themselves.
3. In the application forms, you have to mention your GATE score alongwith other details.
4. The concerned Institute may conduct written test and/or interview for the purpose of admission.
5. General thumb rules: If your Gate score in Computer Science is 96 percentile or more then you can try for IITs, if between 85 - 96 percentile, then apply for top RECs, JADAVPUR, SHIBPUR, ROORKEE, etc. If less than 85, you have to look for appropriate institutes.

Scholarship


During the pursuit of M.Tech, you are paid a scholarship of Rs. 5000.00 per month by the Government of India. This amount is enough for living expenses including purchase of books, etc. The scholarship is paid for the entire 18 months M.Tech period.

SPECIAL


3rd year students are also encouraged to appear GATE alongwith Final Year students since:

1. GATE score is valid for 2 years.
2. The syllabus as required by GATE is generally over by 5th semester.
3. Anyway, it will be a good try ! If it is a bad score you can always try again.

The GATE 2008 examination consists of a single paper of 3 hours duration and carries a maximum of 150 marks.

The question paper of GATE 2008 will be fully objective type.

Candidates have to mark the correct choice by darkening the appropriate bubble against each question on an Objective Response Sheet (ORS).

There will be negative marking for wrong answers. The deduction will be 25% of the marks allotted.
A candidate will have to choose any one of the papers listed below:

Aerospace Engg. AE
Information Technology IT
Agricultural Engg. AG
Mathematics MA
Architecture and Planning AR
Mechanical Engg. ME
Civil Engg. CE
Mining Engg. MN
Chemical Engg. CH
Metallurgical Engg. MT
Computer Science & Engg. CS
Physics PH
Chemistry CY
Production & Industrial Engg. PI
Electronics & Communication Engg. EC
Pharmaceutical Sciences PY
Electrical Engg. EE
Textile Engg. & Fibre Science TF
Geology & Geophysics GG
Engineering Sciences XE
Instrumentation Engg. IN
Life Sciences XL

Papers XE and XL are of general nature and will comprise the following Sections:

Engg. Mathematics (Compulsory) (A)
Food Technology (I)
Computational Science (B)
Chemistry (Compulsory) (J)
Electrical Sciences (C)
Biochemistry (K)
Fluid Mechanics (D)
Biotechnology (L)
Materials Science (E)
Botany (M)
Solid Mechanics (F)
Microbiology (N)
Thermodynamics (G)
Zoology (O)
PolymerScience and Enginerring (H)


Candidates appearing in XE or XL papers are required to answer three sections . Sections (A) and (H) are compulsory in XE and XL respectively. Candidates can choose any two out of the remaining sections mentioned against the respective papers.

The choice of the appropriate paper is the responsibility of the candidate. However, some guidelines are suggested below:

Candidates are expected to appear in a paper appropriate to the discipline of their qualifying degree.

However, the candidates are free to choose any paper according to their admission plan, keeping in mind the eligibility criteria of the admitting institute.