Are you aspiring to study at one of the world’s most prestigious technology institutes while living or studying abroad? The Combined Admission Entrance Test (CAET) 2027 is your gateway to undergraduate engineering programs at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi – Abu Dhabi (IIT Delhi – Abu Dhabi).
Whether you are an international student, an Indian expatriate, or a UAE national, understanding the roadmap for CAET 2027 is essential to securing your spot in cutting-edge programs like Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Energy Science and Engineering.
What is CAET 2027?
The Combined Admission Entrance Test (CAET) is the official entrance examination designed for admission into the undergraduate programs offered at the IIT Delhi – Abu Dhabi campus. Conceived through a collaborative leadership vision between the UAE and India, IIT Delhi – Abu Dhabi brings the world-class academic legacy and research rigor of IIT Delhi to the Middle East.
Eligible Nationality Categories:
- UAE Nationals: Citizens of the UAE with valid proof of citizenship.
- International Candidates: Non-Indian, non-UAE citizens, alongside OCI/PIO cardholders (subject to specific criteria regarding JEE paths).
- Indian Expatriates: Valid Indian passport holders who have resided outside India for the last 5 years and completed Class/Grade 8 to 12 schooling entirely outside India. (Note: Resident Indian Nationals are required to apply through JEE Advanced 2027).
Key Exam Dates & Multi-Session Structure
| Session 1 Activities | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Start of online registration for Session 1 | On or before October 14, 2026 |
| End of online registration for Session 1 | November 14, 2026 5:00 p.m.* |
| Test card (test admit card) download | November 19-22, 2026 |
| CAET Session 1 | Sunday, November 22, 2026 10:00 a.m.* to 1:00 p.m. |
| Reporting time at the centre | 9:00 a.m.* |
| Display of provisional answer key & Opening of portal for feedback - Session 1 | November 26, 2026 |
| Closing of portal for candidate feedback - Session 1 | December 01, 2026, 5:00 p.m. |
| Final display of answer keys Session 1 | December 05, 2026, 5:00 p.m. |
| Result CAET 2027 Session -1 | December 08, 2026, 5:00 p.m. |
*If you have selected a centre in India, Singapore, Japan, the corresponding local Standard Time will be used. Note that 10:00 a.m. (GST) = 11.30 a.m. (IST) = 2:00 p.m. (SGT) = 3:00 p.m. (JST)
CAET 2027 offers flexibility through four separate test sessions. Candidates are permitted a maximum of two attempts across these sessions, and the higher score of the two will be considered for final evaluation.
2027 Examination Schedule:
- Session 1: November 22, 2026 (Registration closes November 14, 2026)
- Session 2: January 31, 2027
- Session 3: April 18, 2027
- Session 4: July 18, 2027 (An additional special drive for UAE Nationals may be hosted on August 12, 2027, if required).
Eligibility Criteria for CAET 2027
To successfully register and secure admission, candidates must meet clear academic, age, and board criteria outlined below:
- Board Exam Appearing Year: Must have appeared or be appearing for Class/Grade 12 (or equivalent) for the first time in either 2026 or 2027. Students whose first appearance was in 2025 or earlier are ineligible.
- Age Limit: Must have been born on or after October 1, 2002 (subject to national mandatory service relaxations).
- Prior IIT Admissions: Must never have been admitted to any Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) previously, regardless of acceptance status.
- Board Exam Marks: Must achieve a minimum of 75% marks in at least two of the core subjects (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) AND an aggregate score of at least 80% in the Class/Grade 12 board examination.
Exam Pattern, Syllabus, and Marking Scheme
The CAET 2027 examination is conducted in English via a pen-and-paper format using OMR sheets.
Structure of the Test:
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (Equal weightage)
- Total Questions: 60 Questions (20 questions per subject)
Question Types & Marking Scheme:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): 8 questions per subject.
- Marking: +4 for correct, 0 for unattempted, -1 for incorrect.
- Single Digit Non-Negative Integers (SDI): 6 questions per subject (Answers ranging from 0 to 9).
- Marking: +4 for correct, 0 for incorrect/unattempted.
- Paragraph Based Questions (PBQ): 3 paragraphs per subject, featuring 2 questions each (one MCQ and one numerical rounding value).
- Marking: +4 for correct, 0 for incorrect/unattempted.
How to Apply for CAET 2027 (Step-by-Step)
Submitting a clean and error-free application is the first step toward success. Follow these steps:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi Admissions Portal.
- Register/Create an Account: Sign up using a valid email address and phone number to generate your login credentials.
- Fill out the Application Form: Enter your personal information, academic qualifications, and choice of program accurately.
- Upload Documents: Attach scanned copies of your passport, photograph, signature, and qualifying mark sheets.
- Pay Application Fee: Complete the secure online payment to finalize your submission.
- Download Confirmation: Save a printout or digital copy of the confirmation page for future tracking.\
CAET 2027 Syllabus & Exam Pattern
While exact weightages vary by year, preparation should broadly cover senior secondary-level STEM concepts:
- Physics: Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Optics, Modern Physics, and Thermodynamics.
- Chemistry: Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry fundamentals.
- Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, and Vectors/3D Geometry.
- Logical & Analytical Reasoning: Problem-solving aptitude and critical thinking skills.
Tips to Crack CAET 2027
- Understand the Blueprint: Review previous years’ patterns or sample assessment papers released by academic mentors.
- Focus on Core Concepts: Rote memorization won’t work; IIT-level exams test deep conceptual clarity, particularly in Mathematics and Physics.
- Time Management: Practice mock tests under timed environments to improve your speed and accuracy.
