GATE 2026: GATE Exam vs Placements, Which is better for aspirants, benefits, salary, and more
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2025 ( GATE )
Admit Card - 2 Jan '26
GATE Exam Vs Placements: For engineering students in India, making a decision between campus placements and preparing for the GATE exam is difficult. Both the routes have their own benefits and can offer amazing career paths. Read below to know more about the GATE exam vs campus placements.
GATE 2026 Exam Vs Placements: For engineering aspirants, choosing between GATE and campus placements is one of the toughest decisions. Your brain might get fogged with many questions like where should I invest - should I prepare for GATE to aim IITs and NITs or grab a job through campus placement? Both are promising, however, the right decision, depends on long-term goals. Let's understand -
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Latest Updates:
- GATE 2026 registration link OUT at gate2026.iitg.ac.in: Apply now at the GOAPS portal
- AAI recruitment through GATE started: Register before September 27
GATE 2026 Exam: Route to Higher Studies and PSU Jobs
The GATE exam is one of the toughest competitive exams for engineering students, testing conceptual knowledge, analytical skills, and problem-solving. But what about the benefits after qualifying for GATE? Honestly, there are many. Candidates can check the benefits after qualifying for GATE 2026 -
The GATE marks is the actual marks obtained by the candidate. It is calculated out of 100. On the other hand, the GATE scores is calculated out of 1000 using a formula of GATE normalisation process. The GATE result will be released on March 19.
IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi both offer BDes course. Below is the comparison of BDes course of top IITs based on fee and ranking parameters:
| IITs | Total Tuition Fee* | NIRF Overall Ranking (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Bombay | INR 8 Lacs - INR 11.6 lakh | 4 |
| IIT Delhi | INR 8 lakh | 3 |
*The fee is taken from an unofficial source. Hence, is indicative.
What are the Benefits after qualifying for GATE?
- A good GATE score gets you admission into top institutions like IITs, NITs, IIITs, etc. It helps you building technical expertise and skills.
- Many PSUs offer jobs through GATE. These provide you job security with interesting salary and attractive perks
- Candidates can get into research fellowships
- Achieve scholarships to become financially independent.
- Many international universities accept GATE scores for admission.
Advantages of Campus Placements
Getting into campus placements gives early job security, hands-on experience and skills in the relevant industry, and experience the corporate culture with an attractive salary package.
Who Should Prepare for GATE Examination?
Preparing for the GATE can be useful for those who want to go for higher studies in IITs or NITs, or get into PSU jobs, or work in academi research, teaching, etc.. GATE offers a long term career plan and stability.
| PRO TIP - If you’re in 3rd or 4th year, appear for GATE once. Even if you don’t score well, you’ll gain experience for the final attempt. IIT Guwahati has started the GATE registrations. Aspirants can apply at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. |
Who Should Choose Campus Placements?
Students who want to earn immediately and become financially independent, or want to enjoy corporate culture, or are more inclined into business roles, consulting, or management can choose campus placements.
| PRO TIP: If you’re confident about placements and still attempt GATE, it adds credibility to your resume. |
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Also read:
- What is the salary of a GATE topper in a month?
- How to get into FAANG companies through GATE?
- Post-GATE career tips: How to build a strong LinkedIn profile for career opportunities and networking
Can I prepare for GATE with Job Placements?
Yes, with the right strategy, you can easily prepare for GATE exam with campus placements. Here's how -
- Grasp strong fundamentals. Take your lectures seriously. Building concepts can help both in GATE preparation and technical interviews.
- Dedicate your weekends and evenings to GATE preparation by learning coding skills and new languages.
- Attempt full-length mock tests and previous year's question papers to test your analytical skills that can help in placements.
| PRO TIP: Even if you secure a placement, keep your GATE score valid, as it remains useful for higher studies or PSU opportunities later. The GATE scorecard is valid for three years. |
Conclusion: Which one is the best?
- If your plan is for higher studies, then go for GATE. Build your concepts and achieve AIR and get into top institutions for research work.
- If you are immediate financial independency, then look for campus placements.
In short, GATE gives long-term growth and prestige, placements give immediate stability and experience. "Don’t think of it as GATE vs Placements. Think of it as GATE and Placements, and how you can use both to your advantage."
The decision also depends on your goals: Are you chasing knowledge, research, and security, or do you want experience, money, and corporate growth? Either way, both roads lead to success if you walk them with clarity and preparation.
The course outline of mechanical in IIT Delhi or IIT Bombay is similar and is quite well aligned with the course structure of top ranked international universities and the mechanical is one of the most desired and demanded branches in the IITs. The universities stand on similar QS ranking level and the facility and quality of infrastructure on average is almost the same in both the campuses, IITB has a lake, a pretty larger campus than that of IITD whereas IITD stands in a very desired location of Delhi ( in Hauz Khas) which stands very close to the international airport and various railway stations and is comparatively very green and clean than the outer Delhi. The trends of placement or students going for further studies differ very less and if you are really relying on placements to be a deciding factor, you'll still be in doubt. If we look at the opening and closing ranks of the department in both the colleges, the mechanical in IITB opens before it starts at IITD and also closes some numbers before, but the range is quite same. Many people choose IITB for its past trend or some local variables and similarly people also choose IITD if they aspire to go for civil services as Delhi is the hub for the preparation for UPSC and other civil services and again the accessibility of the nearby regions. I'd say both of the campus stand on the same level if the department is considered, the selection is totally depend on the individual depending on the local variables that affects him/her.
Candidates can check out the ROI calculation based on the course fee and average package to decide, which is better among IITD and IITB. A comparison between both the institutes is presented below based on NIRF ranking and fee:
| MTech Institutes | NIRF Ranking 2023 | Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Delhi | 2 | INR 3 Lacs - INR 8.7 lakh |
| IIT Bombay | 3 | INR 1.2 Lacs - INR 10 lakh |
NOTE: The fee mentioned above is taken from an unofficial source. Hence, is indicative.
For 2022, cut off was 61 for General category candidates in All India quota for B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering in IIT Bombay - Indian Institute of Technology. For female candidates in general category under All India quota, 305 was the closing rank. B.Tech cut off varies depending on the category and domicile/quota of the applicant.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks ago
The GATE exam is conducted once a year. The entrance test takes place on multiple dates and shifts for 30 test papers. For 2026, IIT Guwahati is conducting the exam on February 7, 8, 14, and 15.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Yes, IIT Guwahati has extended the GATE 2026 registration date with late fees. The new GATE 2026 registration date is October 13.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
If you notice an error or discrepancy after submitting your GATE form, don't panic. Once the application correction window opens, log in via GOAPS using your credentials and make the corrections. Details like category, gender, exam city, paper choice, date of birth, etc., can often be edited — usual
D
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
The GATE cutoff changes every year depending on seat intake, number of applicants appeared in exam, toughness of question paper, and previous cutoff trends. Candidates who meet cutoff score can participate for counselling.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Based on the previous year's trends, the GATE 2026 expected cutoff for computer Science and engineering can be checked below-
- For General category it might go around 30 to 31.0
However, the GATE cutoff varies every year, depending on the difficulty level, number of applicants appearing for the exam,
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
No, a duplicate GATE 2026 admit card will not be provided at the test center. Candidates must carry their own admit card along with the mentioned documents and items to the GATE exam center. IIT Guwahati will release the GATE admit card on January 2.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates will get only one scribble pad at a time. They must write their name and registration number before using it. If the rough sheet gets filled, then they can ask for another one scribble pad after returning the previous one to the invigilator. After the exam concludes, candidates must retur
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, candidates will get a scribble pad in the GATE exam 2026 to do the rough work. Candidates have to write their name and registration number on the scribble pad before using it. However, the rough sheet must be returned after the completion of the exam.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The barcode present in the GATE admit card 2026 carries the candidate's information. It is required for a faster verification process and fraud prevention. So, make sure it does not get tampered. Carry multiple copies in case your GATE 2026 hall ticket is torn or tampered.
T
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates who are appearing for the GATE exam must carry a valid ID proof along with a passport-size photograph, transperant water bottle, and pen (blue or black) along with GATE 2026 hall ticket. We advise to carry atleast two to three copies of admit card to the centre.
A
Contributor-Level 7
This year, IIT Guwahati is conducting the GATE 2026 exam. IIT Guwahati conducted the GATE exam in 2018. Based on the GATE 2018 and past year paper format, the GATE 2026 is expected to be moderately difficult. The question paper is expected to have higher weightage on concept-based questions, blending numerical and practical analysis. Candidates are advised to practice the previous year's question paper as many times as possible to understand the difficulty level of the question paper.