MTech Exams other than GATE: Dates, Admission Process, and Eligibility
MTech exams other than GATE: Looking for other MTech exam options other than GATE 2026? There are several institute and state-level MTech engineering entrance exams, such as TS PGECET, AP PGECET, BITS HD, etc., that are conducted yearly. The difficulty level and competition is low compared to GATE, and can be highly beneficial for students with low score in GATE 2026. Read below to know more.
MTech exams other than GATE: We are all aware of the popularity and competitiveness that Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering exam holds in India. The entrance test holds reputation in India as well as abroad for higher and research studies. So, in short, due high demand, number of test takers and high cutoff rank, not everyone is able to bag a seat in their desired college through GATE.
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In addition, PSU recruitment through GATE, has low student to seat ratio.
Candidates, after qualifying for CEETA PG, can get admission in the following universities and institutes -
University Departments of Anna University, Chennai-25, Anna University Regional Campuses and University Colleges of Engineering.
Annamalai University and
Government & Government Aided Engineering Colleges
Technical Institutions funded by the Central Government affiliated with Anna University
Candidates can also apply to the self-financing engineering colleges
The official website to apply for Andhra Pradesh PGECET is cets.apsche.ap.gov.in. AP PGECET official notification will be released soon. For now, APSCHE has released AP PGECET exam dates for 2026-27 session. The CBT will be held on April 29, April 30, and May 2, 2026.
Now, real question lies: what happens to candidates who were not able to secure a seat in GATE counselling? Do they have any alternate options? So to clear the confusion, here are a list of alternate MTech exam options that you can take other than GATE. The benefits might not be as broad as GATE, but with the right mindset and dedication these state- level MTech entrance exams might make your dreams come true.
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MTech Entrance Exams other than GATE
Aspirants who want to pursue MTech can check alternative PG entrance exams other than GATE below-
Explore more Engineering exams with upcoming dates
GATE
15 Feb '26 - 19 Feb '26
3 Feb '26 - 3 Mar '26
7 Mar '26
31 Mar '26
15 Feb '26
6 Feb '26 - 6 Mar '26
12 Mar '26
7 Jun '26 - 23 Jun '26
TS PGECET
Telangana Post Graduate Engineering Common Entrance Test is a state-level engineering exam that offers admissions to ME, MTech, MPharm, MArch programmes. JNTU, Hyderabad is the conducting body. Admissions usually start in March, followed by an entrance test, and counselling rounds depending on seat availability. Qualified students are offered admissions to MTech colleges in Telangana. Candidates can check TS PGECET registration and exam timeline below -
- Online Registrations - March third week
- Exam dates - June third week (conducted on multiple dates) in Hyderabad and Warangal. As per the latest update, the TS PGECET exam dates have been announced and will be conducted from May 28 to 31, 2026
Best Colleges Accepting TS PGECET Scores in Telangana - JNTUH College of Engineering, Hyderabad, Anurag University, GRIET Hyderabad, and Vardhman College of Engineering.
AP PGECET
Andhra Pradesh Post Graduate Common Entrance Test is yet another state-level entrance exam conducted by Andhra Pradesh University on behalf of APSCHE. The exam offers admission to MTech and MPharm. Selection process includes registration, followed by appearing in test and counselling. Qualified students are offered seats in MTech colleges of Andhra Pradesh. AP PGECET admisision and registration date can be checked below
The Vellore Institute of Technology mentions the VITMEE eligibility criteria in the information brochure. The VITMEE eligibility is different for each course/discipline. Candidates willing to apply for the VITMEE exam 2026 must go through the criteria carefully. However, apart from the educational qualifications, here are some other eligibility that applicant must satisfy before filling the form.
- Must have an Indian nationality and must have graduated from institutions located in India with a minimum qualifying percentage of 60%.
- Foreign or NRI/POI candidates must apply separately.
- Final year students can also apply for the exam.
- Must have acquired a minimum of 60% in their class 12th and diploma exams.
You can apply for two GATE papers (maximum). While filling out the GATE application form, you need to select the primary and secondary paper. The GATE secondary paper must be from the subject list prescribed by the GATE authorities. Before adding the paper, go through the subject combination list and GATE paper codes.
Candidates opting for two GATE papers will have to pay double the fees mentioned -
For example,
- If a general category candidate is applying for two GATE papers, then he/she has to pay a fee of INR 4000 (during the regular timeline) and INR 5000 (during the extended period).
- The same applies to the female, SC, ST, and PwD category candidates, INR 2000 (during the regular time period) and INR 3000 (during the extended period).
Candidates who want to apply for AP PGECET exam must check eligibility. They must have passed BE or BTech exam and be permanent residents of Andhra Pradesh or Telangana. General category must have secured 50% marks in their qualifying exam, whereas category candidates must have passed 45% marks.
- Online Registrations - Feb 6 to March 6 (without late fee)
- Exam dates - The authorities have announced Andhra Pradesh PGECET exam date. The entrance test will be conducted on April 28 to 30.
Best colleges that accept AP PGECET scores for admission - JNTU Kakinada, KL College of Engineering, KL University, and Godavari Institute of Engineering and Technology
CEETA PG
Common Engineering Entrance Test and Admissions is a state-level entrance test conducted by Anna University to offer admissions to ME, MTech, MArch, MPlan, etc at University Departments at Anna University, Chennai, Annamalai University, and Government and Government Aided Engineering Colleges. Candidates can check CEETA PG admission timeline below -
- Registrations - January/February
- Exam dates - March third week
OJEE MTech
OJEE MTech or OJEE is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the OJEE Cell (Odisha Joint Entrance Examination Board- OJEEB). Admission is done annually to offer MTech programmes in various private and state colleges in Odisha.
- Online Registrations - January
- Exam dates - May first week (conducted on multiple dates)
Institute Level MTech Entrance Examinations
Several institutes also conduct entrance examinations for MTech admissions. Check below
| MTech entrance test other than GATE |
Conducting Body |
Admission Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Vellore Institute of Technology |
Online registrations - OPEN Exam dates - April 28 and May 3, 2026 |
|
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology |
Online registrations -ongoing Exam dates - Phase 1 exam date (March 14) |
|
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science |
Online registrations - February 2026 Exam dates - May 2026 (multiple dates) |
|
| International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad |
Online registrations - February 2026 Exam dates - April 2026 |
MTech Exams Other than GATE Eligibility
| MTech exams |
Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Karnataka PGECET |
BE or BTech degree from a recognised institute with a minimum of 50% marks |
| TS PGECET |
Nationality must be Indian, Must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum qualifying mark of 50%, Only for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh residents |
| AP PGECET |
Must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised university, Minimum age should be 21 years |
| OJEE MTech |
Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks in qualifying exam |
| CEETA PG |
Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks in qualifying exam |
| SRMJEEE PG |
Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with 60% marks in qualifying exam |
| IIITH PGEE |
Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks in qualifying exam |
| BITS HD |
Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with 60% marks in qualifying exam |
Candidates willing to register for above exams must be aware of their application form release dates, along with registration fees and pattern.
Upasana Pradhan is an Mtech graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering from DTU who specialises in curating postgraduate and undergraduate engineering entrance exam content, such as GATE, TS PGECET, KCET,
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Minimum qualifying mark or score to obtain a rank in AP PGECET is 25%, which is 30 marks out of 120 marks. There is no negative marking. Candidates will be able to check AP PGECET qualifying score on result scorecard.