GATE Ecology and Evolution 2027
IIT Madras (organising institute for GATE 2027) · Online (CBT) · Annual (February)
Key Dates
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GATE EY 2027 — Quick Answer
GATE Ecology and Evolution (GATE EY) 2027 is conducted by IIT Madras (organising institute for GATE 2027) in online (cbt) mode. The next GATE EY exam is scheduled for 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 Feb 2027, with registration 2 Sep - 5 Oct 2026 (late fee until 12 Oct 2026). The paper has 65 questions for 100 marks in 180 minutes (Ecology, Evolution, Mathematics & Quantitative Ecology, Behavioural Ecology, Applied Ecology), with +1/-0.33 (1m); +2/-0.66 (2m); +1/+2/0 (nat). In 2026, the qualifying cutoff for the top category was 40. HenceProve offers free GATE EY mock tests, previous year papers, syllabus and cutoff analysis on this page.
Facts on this page last reviewed October 2026 against the sources cited below.
GATE EY Next Exam Date & Registration
| Next Exam Date | 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 Feb 2027 |
| Registration Window | 2 Sep - 5 Oct 2026 (late fee until 12 Oct 2026) |
| Conducting Body | IIT Madras (organising institute for GATE 2027) |
Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Ecology | 13 | 20 |
| Evolution | 13 | 20 |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Ecology | 13 | 20 |
| Behavioural Ecology | 13 | 20 |
| Applied Ecology | 13 | 20 |
| Total | 65 | 100 |
Syllabus Highlights
2026 Cutoff Snapshot
| Category | Marks | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| General | 40 | — |
| OBC-NCL/EWS | 36 | — |
| SC/ST/PwD | 26.6 | — |
Table of Contents
About GATE Ecology and Evolution (GATE EY) 2027
The GATE Ecology and Evolution (GATE EY) is one of the most competitive entrance exams, conducted by the IIT Madras (organising institute for GATE 2027). Preparing for the GATE EY requires systematic practice, conceptual clarity, and regular self-evaluation. Our platform offers dynamic mock tests, previous years' resolved papers, and AI-enabled analysis to help you secure a top rank.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GATE EY syllabus?
GATE EY covers Ecology (populations, communities, ecosystems), Evolution (selection, drift, speciation, phylogenetics), Mathematics and Quantitative Ecology, Behavioural Ecology, and Applied Ecology (conservation, climate impacts, restoration). There is no separate Engineering Mathematics section — quantitative ecology is tested within the paper.
Who can appear for GATE EY?
Any graduate in science or engineering — the eligibility list is deliberately broad. The paper attracts BSc life-science students, BTech graduates switching to ecology, and wildlife researchers.
What is the GATE EY qualifying cutoff?
The General cutoff is consistently high because applicant numbers are small: 40 (2026), 39.5 (2025) and 35.8 (2024). A raw score of 45+ usually translates to a strong GATE score above 650.
Where does GATE EY lead?
PhD and integrated PhD in ecology/evolution at IISc, NCBS, IITs, IISERs and CES-style centres; wildlife research organisations (WII, ATREE, NCF); and conservation-science fellowships. It is one of the main entry routes to Indian ecology research besides CSIR-NET.
Is GATE EY harder than CSIR NET Life Sciences?
Different focus: GATE EY goes deep on ecology and evolution with quantitative problems, while CSIR-NET spans all of life sciences broadly. Serious ecology aspirants often write both — GATE EY for IIT/IISc PhDs, NET for JRF funding.
How to Prepare for GATE EY
Practise population and competition model numericals (Lotka-Volterra, logistic growth) — quantitative ecology questions are formula-driven
Read Odum and Begon for ecology fundamentals; Futuyma for evolution — previous GATE EY questions map closely to these texts
Build species-interaction and speciation concept maps — conceptual cross-links are the most-tested pattern
Solve previous GATE EY papers (2015-2026) — the paper is stable and question styles repeat
Stay current with conservation policy (WLPA, protected-area categories) for applied ecology questions