MTech Exams other than GATE: Admission and Registration Timeline, Eligibility, and More
Are there any alternate MTech exams other than GATE? Yes, besides GATE, there are several other entrance tests that offer admission to MTech. So, if you want to explore alternate options for MTech programmes, go through the article below.
MTech exams other than GATE: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, being most recognised entrance exams for higher studies and research. Due to its demand, increase in competition, and number of test takers, not everyone can bag a seat in their desired college. Even though some top GATE rank holders opt for PSU jobs, the seat to student ratio is quite low.
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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? Thus, clearing confusion, here is 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 right mindset and dedication these exams might make your dreams come true.
Hold a bachelor's degree in the relevant field with min 50% (General) or 45% (Reserved)
- BE/BTech/BArch
- Master's in relevant Science/Arts
- BPharm
- 10+2+AMIE (2 years experience)
- 10+3-year diploma+AMIE (2 years experience)
Final year students of 2023-2024 academic year eligible. Candidates from other states may be eligible subject to conditions set by admitting authority/university.
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
MTech Entrance Exams other than GATE
Aspirants who want to pursue MTech can check alternative PG entrance exams other than GATE below-
TS PGECET
Telangana Post Graduate Engineering Common Entrance Test is a state-level engineering exam that offers admissions to ME, MTech, MPharm, MArch programmes. It is conducted by JNTU Hyderabad annually. 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 -
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
12 Mar '26
1 Apr '26 - 30 Apr '26
7 Jun '26 - 23 Jun '26
- Online Registrations - March third week
- Exam dates - June third week (conducted on multiple dates) in Hyderabad and Warangal
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 admissions 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. The AP PGECET admission and registration timeline can be checked below -
- Online Registrations - April first week
- Exam dates -June first week (conducted on multiple dates)
Karnataka PGECET
The Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test is conducted annually by Karnataka Examination Authority to offer admissions to MTech, MBA, and other postgraduate courses. Check admission timeline 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.
Candidates must have a minimum of 60% marks and above or equivalent CGPA in 10th/12th/Diploma/UG/PG degree from a recognised university/institute. Interested candidates must check their eligibility before applying for the VITMEE examination. The details will be available in the information brochure.
Candidates with a B.E/BTech/BArch/BDes/MCA/MSc degree or equivalent in the relevant field can apply for the VITMEE exam. In addition, the applicants need to have a minimum qualifying percentage of 60 in the specified programme. In addition, final-year students can also apply for the VITMEE 2026 application form.
- Online registrations - April 2026
- Exam dates - May 2026
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 - January 2026 Exam dates - April 2026 |
|
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology |
Online registrations -ongoing Exam dates - OUT (in three phases) |
|
| 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.