GATE NM (Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering) is a GATE paper run in collaboration with IIT Kharagpur, aimed at ship design, marine engineering and ocean-engineering careers. It tests ship geometry and hydrostatics, applied mechanics and structures, marine hydrodynamics, resistance and propulsion, and marine engineering systems.

What is the GATE NM qualifying cutoff?

General qualifying marks: 33.7 (2026), 25.1 (2025) and 25.1 (2024). The cutoff moves with paper difficulty — NM papers have varied more than most GATE papers so far.

Which organisations recruit through GATE NM?

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Cochin Shipyard, Garden Reach Shipbuilders (GRSE), the Indian Navy (technical entries value the qualification), DREDGE shipyards, and classification societies like IRS — plus MTech/PhD routes at IIT Kharagpur/Madras.

Can mechanical engineers take GATE NM?

Yes — mechanical engineering graduates are eligible and the mechanics/thermofluids overlap is substantial. Ship-specific topics (hydrostatics, propeller theory, ship structures) need dedicated study.

What MTech programmes accept GATE NM?

Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur are the flagship programmes; ocean engineering departments at other IITs and the Indian Maritime University also admit via GATE NM.

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GATE NM Preparation Guide

IIT Madras (organising institute for GATE 2027)

Your Complete Preparation Guide for GATE NM 2027 — strategy, study plan, tips & more.

DifficultyHard

Total Marks100

Duration180 min

Start Practising Now →Free Mock Tests

Exam Overview

Mode

Online (CBT)

Frequency

Annual (February)

Next Exam Date

6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 Feb 2027

EEligibility Criteria

BTech/BE in Naval Architecture, Marine, Mechanical or Ocean Engineering or equivalent

ANumber of Attempts

No limit

Study Plan by Subject

Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering

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

Engineering Mathematics

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

Hydrostatics calculations (KB, KM, GZ curves, TPC) are the backbone — drill stability numericals until they are automatic

Resistance components (frictional, wave-making) and Froude scaling appear nearly every year — know the derivation logic

Marine engineering overlaps with GATE ME thermofluids — reuse those resources for diesel/steam plant questions

Solve the available NM papers (2024-2026) multiple times; the question pool is small and patterns repeat

Learn MARPOL and SOLAS highlights for the ship-safety oriented questions

Exam Pattern at a Glance

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration (est.)
Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering	22	33	60 min
Engineering Mathematics	22	33	60 min
General Aptitude	22	33	60 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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