Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has restructured GATE 2027 papers. Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF) is no longer a standalone paper. TF has been folded into the Engineering Sciences (XE) paper. It now appears as an optional XE section coded XE9. The change is listed on the official portal at gate2027.iitm.ac.in.
The revised list includes 30 test papers for GATE 2027. Robotics and Automation (RA) has been added as a new paper. IIT Madras has also revised the full syllabus after five years. Candidates targeting textile roles must now register for the XE paper.
What Changed for Textile Engineering Aspirants?
Earlier, TF ran as a full 100 mark standalone paper. Now XE candidates must pick two optional sections. Each optional section carries 35 marks in the paper. XE9 is the new Textile Engineering and Fibre Science section. It is one such optional choice within the XE paper. General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics cover the remaining marks.
GATE 2027 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens on GOAPS | 14 August 2026 |
| Last date without late fee | 21 September 2026 |
| Last date with late fee | 30 September 2026 |
| Exam Week 1 | 6 and 7 February 2027 |
| Exam Week 2 | 13 and 14 February 2027 |
| Exam Week 3 | 20 and 21 February 2027 |
| City allotment notification | 4 January 2027 |
| Result declaration | 19 March 2027 |
GATE 2027 Application Fee
| Candidate Category | Regular Fee (per paper) | With Late Fee (per paper) |
|---|---|---|
| Female, SC, ST, PwD | Rs 1,000 | Rs 1,500 |
| All other candidates including foreign nationals | Rs 2,000 | Rs 2,500 |
Candidates opting for two papers must pay double the applicable fee. Payment is accepted through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.
How to Apply for GATE 2027?
The application window opens on 14 August 2026 through GOAPS. Candidates must complete verification via DigiLocker and facial authentication. Only one application per candidate is allowed by IIT Madras. Duplicate forms will be rejected without a fee refund. TF aspirants must select the XE paper and pick XE9 among the optional sections.
The GATE syllabus has been revised after five years. TF's shift to XE aligns textile aspirants with a broader engineering sciences pool. It may reshape M.Tech admission counting at IITs and NITs.
Action Plan for Candidates
- Visit gate2027.iitm.ac.in and read the updated paper list.
- Download the revised XE syllabus, especially the XE9 section.
- Pick a second XE optional section that matches your background.
- Note the deadlines and arrange the application fee in advance.
- Register on GOAPS between 14 August and 21 September 2026.
The detailed XE9 syllabus and mock test release schedule from IIT Madras. City allotment is scheduled for 4 January 2027.
