Delhi University to accept GATE scores for MTech admissions for first time

The University of Delhi will accept Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) scores for admission to its Master of Technology (MTech) programme in Microwave and Communication Engineering from this academic session, marking the first time the national engineering entrance examination will be used for admission to a postgraduate degree course in the university.

The move follows approval from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), according to a university notification.

Haneet Gandhi, Dean of Admissions at Delhi University, said the university had earlier used GATE scores for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) admissions, but not for postgraduate programmes.

“We have used GATE score for PhD admission before, but this is the first time it is being used for a PG course. We will use the GATE score first, but if the seats do not get filled, then we will also use CUET-PG scores for the next round,” Gandhi said.

GATE candidates to get first preference

The university clarified that candidates with a valid GATE score will be given priority during admissions.

“Candidates with a valid GATE score will be given first preference, based on merit in their respective categories. If any seat in any category remains vacant, the same will be filled by candidates through CUET (PG) 2026-27, as per the merit, in their respective category,” the notification stated.

This means candidates applying through the Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate programmes (CUET-PG) will only be considered if seats remain vacant after the GATE-based admission round.

The university also clarified that admissions for the programme will not be conducted through the Common Seat Allocation System for Postgraduate admissions (CSAS-PG) portal. A separate admission portal will be opened for the programme.

Course eligibility and seat matrix

According to the notification, applicants must hold a Bachelor of Technology (BTech), Bachelor of Engineering (BE), Master of Science (MSc), Bachelor of Science in Engineering, or an equivalent degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised institution.

Eligible disciplines include Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, and Radio Physics and Electronics Engineering.

The MTech programme has a total intake of 30 seats. Of these, 13 seats are unreserved, eight are reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC), four for Scheduled Castes (SC), two for Scheduled Tribes (ST), and three for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

A shift in DU’s postgraduate admissions process

While the MTech programme itself is not new, the admission route is changing this year.

The decision also reflects a gradual shift in how Delhi University is positioning specialised technical programmes. Until now, postgraduate admissions in the university have largely remained tied to CUET-PG or department-level processes. The inclusion of GATE introduces a national engineering entrance score into that system for the first time.

(with PTI inputs)

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