What is the salary of a GATE Topper in a Month: Know Topper's Salary Insights, Trends, and more

What is the salary of a GATE topper in a month? We all know that cracking GATE with a perfect percentile is a dream goal of thousands of engineering aspirants. It is mainly because qualifying for GATE with a top score opens doors to several alluring career paths. From PSU recruitment to MTech admissions with stipends, fellowships, and more. However, one of the most googled questions lies in, How much does a GATE topper earn in a month? Well, not exact numbers, but we’ve got a well-researched answer for you. Read below for more.

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is national entrance test for admission to M.Tech courses at various engineering colleges. Every year lakhs of students take this test and secure admission in the best colleges. After graduation, what does it pay?

• AAI recruitment through GATE started: apply before September 27
• GATE 2026 application form releasing today: check details here
• UCIL recruitment through GATE started: check dates, vacancies and other details

If you are wondering, “What is the salary of a GATE topper in a month?”, this detailed blog will break it down based on the three most popular outcomes after clearing GATE -

• PSU jobs through GATE
• MTech admissions with stipend in IITs, NITs, and other prestigious institutions
• Research fellowships and government scholarships

Let’s explore and understand each in depth -

 Salary of a GATE Topper in a Month in PSU Jobs

Joining PSUs is one of the lucrative career paths after qualifying for GATE. Many companies like GAIL, NTPC, ONGC, NALCO, GRID-INDIA, BSBE- IIT Kanpur, NPCIL, etc. accept GATE scores for recruitment. 

Also read:

Post-GATE Career Tips: How to build a strong LinkedIn Profile to boost networking and career opportunities

PSU Salary Structure in 2025

Also read:

• Why GATE data science and AI are emerging as the new-age CSE: Here's what experts say
• GATE 2026 eligibility: know who can apply, dates, fees and more
• Most Underrated GATE Branches that can lead to high-paying careers: check cutoff, placements, career opportunities

GATE PSU Salary Breakdown

These GATE PSU salaries include the following-

• Basic pay
• Dearness Allowance (DA)
• HRA (or accommodation)
• Performance-based incentives
• Medical, transport, and LTC perks

GATE Topper's PSU Salary Revealed

Here is an approximate salary range of a GATE Topper in a month (company-wise). 

Real Insights from GATE Rank Holders in PSUs

Here’s what GATE toppers have shared about their GATE salary insights on student forums and communities -

GATE-Based M.Tech Admissions: Monthly Stipend

Another major option after GATE is pursuing M.Tech from IITs, NITs, or IIITs. This path comes with a monthly GATE scholarship stipend provided by AICTE and other bodies.

• Financial Assistance given to M.Tech students is Rs. 12,400 per month and generally paid for 22 months. 
• Financial Assistance given for Ph.D. programs (Direct PhD after B.E./B.Tech/M.Sc equivalent with a valid GATE score) is Rs. 37,000 per month for the first two years and Rs. 42,000 per month from the third to the fifth year. 

Important: To continue receiving this stipend, you must meet attendance, academic performance, and thesis submission criteria.

Ideal for Students Who:

• Prefer academic and research careers
• Want to build a PhD profile
• Aspire for faculty roles or R&D positions

Research Fellowships and Central Government Roles via GATE

GATE score is also valid for various fellowship programs, PhD entries, and research jobs. You can join ISRO, BARC, DRDO, or IIT research projects.

Monthly Salary in Research-Based Jobs

• JRF roles- 31,000/month
• SRF roles- 35,000/month
• DRDO/ISRO Research Jobs- 80,000 – 1.25 lakh/month
• PMRF Fellows- 70,000 per month + contingency grant

Research jobs may offer lower in-hand pay compared to PSUs, but are highly respected academically.

GATE Topper Monthly Salary Vs Career Option

Choosing the Right Path After GATE

The best salary after GATE doesn’t just mean the highest number. Here’s how to choose based on your career goals-

Is the GATE Topper Salary Worth It?

Yes, absolutely, achieving a top GATE score under 100 or even under 1000 in GATE, you can open opportunities to high-paying PSU jobs, like GAIL, AAI, ONGC, etc. Overall, the starting salary of the GATE toppers can upto 2.5 lakh above (depending on your skills and branch).

GATE Toppers Can Also Get into FAANG and Top Tech Companies

We all know that GATE is a pathway to PSU jobs and MTech admissions. Do you also know that, GATE aspirants can also get into FAANG companies - Facebook (Meta), Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google, and other top tech companies like Microsoft, Adobe, etc. 

How to get into FAANG companies through GATE

• With a good GATE rank/score, you can get into elite institutions, like IITs and crack college placements. 
• Build your understanding in topics like operating system, DBMS, and computer networks
• Get into internships to gain experience. 

Salary Package in FAANG via GATE Pathway

Also read:

• How to get a job in FAANG Companies through GATE
• Why are GATE DSA and CN hot topics in students' communities and forums?

Even if FAANG companies don’t directly hire based on the GATE score, GATE can be your ticket to elite tech campuses where they do. A GATE topper’s journey can very well end with a dream job in the global tech industry, not just government or academia. Whether you’re aiming for financial independence or a career in academia, the GATE exam rewards merit like few other exams in India.