Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all India entrance Examination conducted jointly by IISc and seven IITs, every year in the month of January/February. The GATE score/Rank is used for admissions to Post graduate Programmes (ME, M.Tech, MS, direct PhD) in IISc, IITs and other prestigious Institutes / Universities in India, with financial assistance provided by MHRD. The GATE Score may also be used by PSUs for recruitment of candidates for prestigious jobs with attractive salary packages. Some of the PSUs which use GATE score for providing jobs include BARC, BHEL, IOCL, HPCL, NTPC, Power Grid, NHPC etc. GATE exam primarily tests the comprehensive understanding of the candidate in various undergraduate subjects in Engineering. The GATE score reflects the relative performance level in a particular branch. GATE score is valid for three years.