A candidate is eligible for Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) Scholarship / Assistantship in Engineering/Technology/ Architecture/ Pharmacy/ Sciences at engineering colleges/ institutes in the country only if he/she qualifies in GATE-Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. To avail the scholarship, additionally, the candidate must secure admission to such a postgraduate programme, as per the prevailing procedure of the admitting institution. GATE qualification does not guarantee admission. GATE qualified candidates in Engineering disciplines are also eligible for the award of the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in CSIR-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories. Some government organizations prescribe GATE qualification as a requirement for applying to the post of a Scientist/Engineer. As per the directives of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Govt. of India, the following procedure is to be adopted for admission to postgraduate programmes (Master's and Doctoral) with MHRD Scholarship/ Assistantship.
The GATE performance of the candidate is considered for admission. If the candidate is to be selected through interview for postgraduate programmes, minimum 70% weightage is to be given to the GATE performance. The remaining weightage (30% maximum) can be given to the marks obtained by the candidate in his/her qualifying examination or interview. Candidates opting for a general paper (Engineering Sciences (XE) or Life Sciences (XL)) should be further examined (by interview/written test) by the admitting institute. In such cases also the weightage for GATE score should not be less than 70%. The admitting institute will prescribe minimum passing percentage of marks in the interview. Some Colleges/Institutes specify GATE as mandatory qualification even for admission without MHRD Scholarship/Assistantship. Candidates can seek details about admission procedures and availability of MHRD Scholarship/ Assistantship from the department of their interest/postgraduate office of the concerned institution. GATE offices do not entertain any enquiry about admission and award of Scholarship / Assistantship. While qualifying in GATE is essential for all candidates seeking admission to postgraduate programmes with MHRD Scholarship/ Assistantship, the management of the postgraduate scholarship / assistantship is the responsibility of the admitting institution. The GATE Committee has no role in the award or disbursement of scholarship / assistantship. Similarly, reservation of seats under different categories is as per the policies and norms prevailing at theadmitting institution.
According to MHRD rules, the award of postgraduate scholarship/assistantship to GATE qualified candidates is for a maximum period of 24 months for Master's degree programmes in Engineering / Technology/ Architecture/ Pharmacy and Science (M.Tech.).
Every qualified candidate receives an original GATE Scorecard valid for two years. Additional Score Cards, up to a maximum of two,will be issued on request and on payment of Rs 250/- per card. These cards will be labeled as Additional Score card -1 and Additional
Score card - 2 at the top. However, if the candidate changes his/her admitting institution, he/she is required to clarify the matters related to his/her admission and Scholarship/Assistantship with the new institution. At present, students in the Integrated Master's Degree and Dual Degree programmes in Engineering/Technology are eligible to appear in GATE in order to qualify for the postgraduate scholarship in their own institutions only. They are not eligible for admission to a fresh M.E. / M.Tech. programme.
