Only 16% of the Registered Candidates Qualified GATE 2017
In 2017, only 16.40% of the candidates who had registered were able to qualify GATE. A steady decline has been observed in the number of applicants registering for GATE.
A lot of statistics have come forward with the announcement GATE 2017 result on March 26. Analysis of the past few years show that there has been a drop in the number of students passing the GATE entrance exam for postgraduate programmes.
The number of students applying for the exam has also declined as compared to the past few years. The organisers of GATE believe that the fall in GATE pass percentage is a matter of concern as it directly questions the quality of education in technical colleges.
GATE statistics of the past few years:
| Year | Registered | Appeared | % Appeared | Qualified | % Qualified |
| 2017 | 922167 | 787148 | 85.35 | 129149 | 16.4 |
| 2016 | 971831 | 818850 | 84.26 | 135392 | 16.53 |
| 2015 | 927580 | 804463 | 86.73 | 121060 | 15.05 |
| 2014 | 1033625 | 889157 | 86.02 | 149694 | 16.84 |
| 2013 | 1200728 | 984855 | 82.02 | 136699 | 13.88 |
| 2012 | 777134 | 686614 | 88.35 | 108526 | 15.81 |
| 2011 | 612568 | 558480 | 91.17 | 96239 | 17.23 |
| 2010 | 460541 | 420596 | 91.33 | 59853 | 14.23 |
| 2009 | 230341 | 212130 | 92.09 | 35273 | 16.63 |
| 2008 | 184672 | 166027 | 89.9 | 31694 | 19.09 |
| 2007 | 168917 | 153822 | 91.06 | 44387 | 28.86 |
| 2006 | 184308 | 170252 | 92.37 | 33813 | 19.86 |
In 2017, only 16.40% of the candidates who had registered were able to qualify GATE. A steady decline has been observed in the number of applicants registering for GATE. There can be various reasons including the raising difficulty level of the exam or the lack of interest in pursuing master’s courses.
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Out of the 7,87,148 students who appeared for GATE 2017, only 1,29,149 students qualified the exam including all student categories. Stating the reason behind the drop in qualifying students, Prof G.J Chakrapani, GATE organising Chairman, said that the reason can also be the lack of proper preparation or the fact that students are not taught appropriately in their colleges.
He also added that the paper was set so that maximum number of candidates could qualify the exam. The exam had a mix of complex and easy questions to enable the applicants to perform. The qualifying marks are 25. Students not being able to answer the questions in this scenario is a big concern.
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Prof Chakrapani was also added that despite the common belief, GATE is a rather student friendly entrance exam. The IITs are also making various attempts to reach out to students and provide all possible information about the exam to enhance results.