GATE 2027 Robotics and Automation (RA) Paper: Who Should Take It
Key takeaways
- Robotics and Automation (RA) is a new GATE paper introduced by IIT Madras for GATE 2027 (notice dated 20 July 2026).
- RA has 15 marks of General Aptitude, a 60-mark common Part A, and a 25-mark Part B where you choose B1 Electrical or B2 Mechanical during the exam.
- Officially allowed pairs: RA can be combined with CS, DA, EC, EE, IN or ME as a two-paper combination.
- RA is a first-year paper: there are no previous papers, cutoffs or toppers, and IIT Madras has not published a list of institutes or PSUs that will accept RA scores.
- You choose RA in your GATE application; regular registration now closes on 5 October 2026 and late-fee registration on 12 October 2026.
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GATE 2027 Robotics and Automation (RA) is a brand-new paper from IIT Madras. It has a 60-mark common section on maths, mechatronics, programming and robotics, plus a 25-mark Electrical or Mechanical option. It suits mechanical, electrical, electronics and instrumentation students who are serious about robotics.
Below you will find the official RA syllabus, the marks split, the papers you can combine with RA, who should and should not choose it, and the risks of writing a first-year paper. You pick your paper in the application, which you can now submit until 5 October 2026 at the regular fee.
What is the GATE 2027 RA paper?
RA is the paper code for Robotics and Automation, a new GATE test paper announced by IIT Madras on 20 July 2026. It is one of the 30 GATE 2027 papers. Like every GATE paper, it is a 3-hour, 100-mark computer-based test in English, with 15 marks of General Aptitude.
RA draws on several branches at once. The common part mixes engineering maths, circuits, sensors, actuators, mechanics, Python programming and core robotics. Then you pick an Electrical or a Mechanical option. For a full list of papers and the other code changes this year, see our guide to GATE 2027 paper codes and syllabus changes.
What is the GATE 2027 RA exam pattern?
The RA paper has three parts: General Aptitude (15 marks), Part A (60 marks) that everyone answers, and Part B (25 marks) where you answer either B1 Electrical or B2 Mechanical. You choose B1 or B2 during the exam itself, not in the application form.
| Part | Questions | Marks | Who answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 10 | 15 | Everyone |
| Part A (common) | 39 (18 of 1 mark, 21 of 2 marks) | 60 | Everyone |
| Part B1 Electrical or Part B2 Mechanical | 16 (7 of 1 mark, 9 of 2 marks) | 25 | Your choice, made during the exam |
| Total | 65 | 100 | 3 hours |
Source: GATE 2027 information brochure (section 7.3.5) and question paper pattern page. Wrong MCQs lose 1/3 mark (1-mark) or 2/3 mark (2-mark). MSQ and NAT have no negative marking. RA gets one overall score and rank; the brochure says no section-wise score or rank will be given for RA.
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What is in the official GATE 2027 RA syllabus?
The official RA syllabus PDF has Part A with three sections (Engineering Mathematics, Basics of Mechatronics, and Principles of Robotics and Automation), Part B1 Electrical with three sections, and Part B2 Mechanical with three sections. Here is a short summary; read the full PDF for every topic.
| Section | Main topics (summary of official PDF) |
|---|---|
| A.1 Engineering Mathematics | Linear algebra, calculus, differential equations, probability and statistics, numerical methods |
| A.2 Basics of Mechatronics | Network elements and theorems, digital circuits, sensors and transducers, actuators (hydraulic, pneumatic, DC, stepper, servo motors), engineering mechanics, Python programming, data structures |
| A.3 Principles of Robotics and Automation | Serial and parallel manipulators, degrees of freedom, rotation matrices, homogeneous transformations, forward kinematics, end-effectors, accuracy and repeatability; PLCs, automated material handling and storage, CNC, positioning systems |
| B1.1 Analog Circuits and Embedded Systems | Filters, amplifiers, op-amps, oscillators, A/D and D/A converters, SMPS, microprocessors and microcontrollers, data acquisition |
| B1.2 Signals and Systems | Continuous and discrete signals, LTI systems, Fourier series, sampling theorem, Fourier, Laplace and Z transforms |
| B1.3 Control Systems | Transfer functions, block diagrams, stability (Routh-Hurwitz, Nyquist), Bode plots, root locus, compensators, P, PI and PID controllers |
| B2.1 Mechanics of Materials | Stress and strain, Mohr's circle, bending, deflection, torsion, columns, strain gauges, material testing |
| B2.2 Kinematics and Dynamics | Plane mechanisms, gears and gear trains, balancing, gyroscope, vibrations |
| B2.3 Machine Design and CIM | Static and fatigue design, joints, shafts, bearings, brakes, clutches, springs, CAD/CAM, additive manufacturing |
Source: official RA syllabus PDF, read on 29 September 2026. Notice that Python programming and data structures are part of the common section, so even mechanical students must prepare basic coding.
Because Part B is chosen in the exam hall, you can prepare both B1 and B2 and decide after seeing the questions. Most students will do better by mastering one option fully rather than half-preparing both.
Which papers can you combine with RA in GATE 2027?
RA can be paired with six papers: CS, DA, EC, EE, IN and ME. The rule works both ways in the official table, so if your main paper is one of these six, you may add RA as a second paper, and if RA is your main paper, you may add one of these six. No other RA combination is allowed.
| Your primary paper | Can you add RA? | Good fit if |
|---|---|---|
| ME (Mechanical) | Yes | You plan B2 Mechanical and like machines, design and manufacturing |
| EE (Electrical) | Yes | You plan B1 Electrical and are strong in control systems |
| EC (Electronics) | Yes | You like embedded systems, signals and control |
| IN (Instrumentation) | Yes | Sensors, transducers and control are already your core subjects |
| CS or DA | Yes | You want robotics software or AI, and can learn mechanics or circuits |
| CE, CH, XE and others | No | RA is not an allowed pair for these papers |
Source: gate2027.iitm.ac.in/two_paper_combinations, checked on 29 September 2026. The second paper costs extra, and its exam centre may be different but in the same city.
Who should take the GATE RA paper, and who should not?
Take RA if you are sure you want an M.Tech, PhD or career in robotics, mechatronics or automation, and your B.Tech is in mechanical, electrical, electronics, instrumentation or mechatronics. Avoid making RA your only paper if you mainly want PSU jobs or the widest set of M.Tech options.
RA can make sense for you if:
- You are a mechatronics or robotics B.Tech student; RA may match your course better than ME or EE.
- You have done robotics projects, competitions or internships, and your target programmes are in robotics or automation.
- You are already writing ME, EE, EC or IN and want a second shot with overlapping topics.
Think twice if:
- Your main goal is a PSU job. PSUs announce eligible papers in their own recruitment notices, and none has yet been confirmed for RA on the official GATE site.
- You are targeting a specific IIT M.Tech that has only ever listed core papers such as ME or EE.
- You are weak in both circuits and mechanics. Part A needs both, plus Python.
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What are the risks of choosing a first-year GATE paper?
RA is new, so there are no previous question papers, no past cutoffs, no toppers' scores and no admission history. You will not know how hard it is, or how scores are distributed, until after the February 2027 exam. That uncertainty is the main cost of choosing RA as your only paper.
- No previous cutoffs: any "expected RA cutoff" you see online is a guess.
- Acceptance is not yet known: IIT Madras has not published a list of institutes or PSUs that will accept RA scores. The official opportunities page lists PSUs that use GATE in general, not paper by paper.
- Admission rules come later: IITs usually publish M.Tech brochures, with eligible GATE papers for each programme, in early 2027. Check them in our IIT M.Tech admission 2027 guide on COAP and CCMT.
- PhD admissions: departments set their own paper rules. Track them through our IIT and IISc PhD deadline tracker.
The practical answer for most students: write your core paper as the primary paper, and add RA as a second paper if your interest is real and the extra fee is manageable.
What is the last date to choose RA in GATE 2027?
You choose RA while filling the GATE 2027 application. IIT Madras has officially extended regular registration to 5 October 2026, and late-fee registration runs until 12 October 2026. The brochure also allows paper changes, and adding a new paper, until 21 October 2026 for registered candidates, with a fee where applicable.
The RA exam date is not yet known; GATE 2027 runs on 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027, and the paper-wise schedule is awaited. City allotment is on 4 January 2027, and the admit card date is TBA. See all dates in our GATE 2027 schedule, fees and result date and the IIT exam dates 2027 calendar.
What should you do next?
Decide on GATE 2027 Robotics and Automation before your registration deadline. Read the RA syllabus PDF against your B.Tech courses, pick RA as a main or second paper, and submit your form early.
- Download and read the official RA syllabus PDF this week.
- Choose B1 Electrical or B2 Mechanical as your main preparation track.
- If your primary paper is ME, EE, EC, IN, CS or DA, consider RA as a second paper.
- Apply by 5 October 2026 at the regular fee, or by 12 October with a late fee; see our GATE 2027 registration extension update.
- Watch IIT M.Tech brochures in early 2027 for programmes that list RA.
- Still choosing a B.Tech college for a younger sibling? A strong B.Tech base matters for GATE; start with our colleges for a low JEE Main rank.
Frequently asked questions
What is the GATE 2027 RA paper?
RA stands for Robotics and Automation, a new GATE test paper introduced by IIT Madras for GATE 2027. It covers engineering mathematics, basics of mechatronics, programming, robotics and automation, followed by an Electrical or Mechanical option. It is one of the 30 GATE 2027 papers and carries 100 marks in 3 hours.
What is the exam pattern of GATE 2027 Robotics and Automation?
RA has General Aptitude (15 marks), Part A common to all (60 marks, 39 questions) and Part B (25 marks, 16 questions). Part B is either B1 Electrical or B2 Mechanical, and you choose it during the exam. Questions are MCQ, MSQ and NAT, with negative marking only for wrong MCQs.
Who is eligible for the GATE RA paper?
The official eligibility rules apply to GATE as a whole, not to individual papers. If you are in the third or higher year of an undergraduate degree, or have completed a degree in engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce, arts or humanities, you can choose RA. Admission eligibility is decided separately by each institute.
Which papers can be combined with RA in GATE 2027?
As per the official two-paper combination page, RA can be taken with CS, DA, EC, EE, IN or ME. If your primary paper is CS, DA, EC, EE, IN or ME, RA is allowed as your second paper. No other combination with RA is allowed in the regular and extended registration windows.
Which IITs accept GATE RA score for M.Tech?
No official list exists yet. IIT Madras has not published which institutes or PSUs will accept the RA score. Each IIT decides the eligible GATE papers for each M.Tech programme in its own admission brochure, which usually comes out in early 2027. Check those brochures before relying only on RA.
Should I take RA or ME/EE in GATE 2027?
If you want PSU jobs or the widest choice of M.Tech programmes, your core paper (ME, EE, EC or IN) is the safer main paper. RA suits students who are sure about robotics or automation. Many students can take RA as a second paper, since it pairs with ME, EE, EC, IN, CS and DA.
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