Age Relaxation for Reserved Category Candidates in GATE ME Eligibility

Introduction
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level examination conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on a rotational basis. It serves as a gateway for aspiring candidates to pursue postgraduate programs and secure jobs in various public sector undertakings (PSUs). While the eligibility criteria for GATE remain the same for all candidates, there are specific age relaxations provided for reserved category candidates.

Age Relaxation
The age relaxation for reserved category candidates in GATE ME eligibility is as follows:

1. SC/ST Category: Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories are eligible for an age relaxation of up to 5 years. This means that the maximum age limit for SC/ST candidates is extended by 5 years as compared to the general category candidates.

2. OBC-NCL Category: Candidates belonging to the Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) category are eligible for an age relaxation of up to 3 years. This means that the maximum age limit for OBC-NCL candidates is extended by 3 years as compared to the general category candidates.

3. Persons with Disability (PwD) Category: Candidates with disabilities are eligible for an age relaxation of up to 10 years. This relaxation is applicable to candidates with a minimum of 40% disability as certified by a competent medical authority.

Note: It is important to note that the age relaxation is applicable only to the upper age limit for GATE ME eligibility. The lower age limit remains the same for all categories.

Conclusion
Reserved category candidates in the Mechanical Engineering (ME) discipline appearing for the GATE examination are provided with specific age relaxations. SC/ST candidates are eligible for a relaxation of up to 5 years, OBC-NCL candidates are eligible for a relaxation of up to 3 years, and PwD candidates are eligible for a relaxation of up to 10 years. These relaxations aim to provide equal opportunities to candidates from diverse backgrounds and enable them to pursue their educational and career aspirations.