GATE GG Preparation Guide
IIT Madras (organising institute for GATE 2027)
Your Complete Preparation Guide for GATE GG 2027 — strategy, study plan, tips & more.
Exam Overview
Mode
Online (CBT)
Frequency
Annual (February)
Next Exam Date
6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 Feb 2027
EEligibility Criteria
MSc/BSc/BS-MS in Geology, Geophysics, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or equivalent
ANumber of Attempts
No limit
Study Plan by Subject
Part A (Common): Earth & Planetary System
Week 1-4: Foundation
Core concepts & basics
Week 5-8: Deep Practice
Advanced problems & revision
Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision
Full-length tests & weak-area focus
Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list
Part B Option 1: Geology
Week 1-4: Foundation
Core concepts & basics
Week 5-8: Deep Practice
Advanced problems & revision
Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision
Full-length tests & weak-area focus
Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list
Part B Option 2: Geophysics
Week 1-4: Foundation
Core concepts & basics
Week 5-8: Deep Practice
Advanced problems & revision
Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision
Full-length tests & weak-area focus
Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list
General Aptitude
Week 1-4: Foundation
Core concepts & basics
Week 5-8: Deep Practice
Advanced problems & revision
Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision
Full-length tests & weak-area focus
Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list
Expert Preparation Tips
Part A decides your baseline — master planetary science, earth interior and plate tectonics cold
For Geology option: practise stratigraphic tables of India and structural-geology map problems weekly
For Geophysics option: potential-field theory (gravity/magnetic) and seismic refraction numericals are the core calculators
Solve 15 years of GATE GG papers — mineral identification and geophysical method comparisons repeat
Keep an atlas of Indian mineral belts and oil fields — applied questions often reference Indian provinces
Exam Pattern at a Glance
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A (Common): Earth & Planetary System | 16 | 25 | 45 min |
| Part B Option 1: Geology | 16 | 25 | 45 min |
| Part B Option 2: Geophysics | 16 | 25 | 45 min |
| General Aptitude | 16 | 25 | 45 min |
| Total | 65 | 100 | 180 min |
Important Dates
Registration Opens
2 Sep - 5 Oct 2026 (late fee until 12 Oct 2026)
Next Exam Date
6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 Feb 2027
Conducted By
IIT Madras (organising institute for GATE 2027)
Frequently Asked Questions
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