Commerce & arts students too can take GATE now
Image is used for representational purpose only. MUMBAI: The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)-a qualifying exam for those seeking admissions to masters and PhD programmes in science & technology and placements in PSUs-will see a significant shift in the coming year with the inclusion of subjects in humanities and social sciences. So, students from commerce and arts background, too, can opt for GATE 2021 in February that IIT-Bombay will conduct.
The eligibility criteria, too, has been modified from 10+2+4 to 10+2+3, enabling students in their third year of undergraduate studies to appear for the exam.
GATE aspirants can appear for 2 subjects
Recognizing the global concern over environmental issues, environmental science and engineering, too, has been introduced, taking the total subject papers to 27. With fewer job opportunities due to the pandemic, many are likely to pursue higher education and GATE will add to their options.
"With the introduction of subjects in humanities and social sciences, IIT-Bombay, as the organizing institute, wanted to make GATE more inclusive. Many premier institutes, including IIT-Bombay, currently use UGC-NET scores or internal exams for admissions to masters in humanities. These students are not eligible for ministry of HRD scholarships. With GATE scores, they will have an added advantage of government scholarships. Since PSUs recruit aspirants using GATE scores, it will open up avenues for arts and commerce students too," said professor Deepankar Choudhury, the organising chairman of GATE 2021. Under humanities, English, economics, linguistics, psychology, sociology and philosophy will be offered in the first year, he said.
Subhasis Chaudhuri, director of IIT-Bombay, said, "This will create much-needed career opportunities for those in humanities and social sciences areas as this may serve as one single standardized criterion for admission to various masters and doctoral programmes in various IITs and other universities in India."
IIT is expecting the number of aspirants to rise in 2021 with the new reforms. Close to 10 lakh students usually take the test. The exams, scheduled in February, will be spread out over a longer duration, over six days instead of four, due to the pandemic. The dates are February 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14. Students will also get to appear for two subjects, unlike one so far, but only a prescribed set of combinations will be allowed in the first year. The idea is to boost opportunities to study in inter-disciplinary areas.
The eligibility criteria, too, has been modified from 10+2+4 to 10+2+3, enabling students in their third year of undergraduate studies to appear for the exam.
GATE aspirants can appear for 2 subjects
Recognizing the global concern over environmental issues, environmental science and engineering, too, has been introduced, taking the total subject papers to 27. With fewer job opportunities due to the pandemic, many are likely to pursue higher education and GATE will add to their options.
"With the introduction of subjects in humanities and social sciences, IIT-Bombay, as the organizing institute, wanted to make GATE more inclusive. Many premier institutes, including IIT-Bombay, currently use UGC-NET scores or internal exams for admissions to masters in humanities. These students are not eligible for ministry of HRD scholarships. With GATE scores, they will have an added advantage of government scholarships. Since PSUs recruit aspirants using GATE scores, it will open up avenues for arts and commerce students too," said professor Deepankar Choudhury, the organising chairman of GATE 2021. Under humanities, English, economics, linguistics, psychology, sociology and philosophy will be offered in the first year, he said.
Subhasis Chaudhuri, director of IIT-Bombay, said, "This will create much-needed career opportunities for those in humanities and social sciences areas as this may serve as one single standardized criterion for admission to various masters and doctoral programmes in various IITs and other universities in India."
IIT is expecting the number of aspirants to rise in 2021 with the new reforms. Close to 10 lakh students usually take the test. The exams, scheduled in February, will be spread out over a longer duration, over six days instead of four, due to the pandemic. The dates are February 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14. Students will also get to appear for two subjects, unlike one so far, but only a prescribed set of combinations will be allowed in the first year. The idea is to boost opportunities to study in inter-disciplinary areas.
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