Registration process was opened on 30 August 2023 and the last date to submit GATE 2024 application was 29 September 2023 initially which was extended to 6 October 2023 for the first time.

Schedule

The rectifications in GATE 2024 application can be done from 19 to 24 November 2023. Admit card will be made available for download from 3 January 2024 onwards.

Answer keys are to be available on the website on 21 February 2024. Candidates can submit challenges to the answer keys from 22 to 25 February 2024.

The results for GATE 2024 will be announced on 16 March 2024 and score cards would be available for download from 23 March 2024 onwards.

Corrections in GATE 2024 application

Candidates are allowed to make corrections with regards to a few particulars in their GATE 2024 application. The duration in which, applicants would be able to make corrections is mentioned above.

They will not be able to undertake rectifications in all the fields. The areas which they can be corrected are mentioned below:

# Name of the candidate

# Date of Birth

# Gender

# Category

# Country of Residence

# Parent/Guardian’s Mobile Number

# Correspondence Address

# Exam centre and exam city details

# Qualifying Degree Details

Fees

Candidates wishing to rectify the particulars in their GATE 2024 application have to pay the fees.

Amount to be paid would depend on the correction candidates wants to make in the application. Details are mentioned below for their sake:

CHARGES FOR CHANGES/ MODIFICATION IN GATE 2024 APPLICATION

How to download the admit card?

The process to download admit card for GATE 2024 is online.

Candidates have to visit the official website to download the hall ticket with the help of URL ‘https://gate2024.iisc.ac.in/’

1. The URL mentioned above has to be typed into the browser and submitted to allow the website to download.

2. Once the website is ready, candidates have to click the link to download the hall ticket.

3. After clicking the link, they can enter their roll number/GATE 2024 application number and other required details and submit them to obtain the hall ticket.

Point to remember

Candidates who have successfully completed their GATE 2024 application submission will alone be able to download the admit card.

The link to download hall ticket will be made active at the appropriate time, a few days before the commencement of the exam.

The duration of the exam will be 3 hours and number of subject papers are 30. Those who have submitted GATE 2024 application can focus on exam preparation.

Also read – NMC’s MARB Unveils Game-Changing Guidelines for Medical Education 2024-2025

The questions will be asked in two sections, while one section has questions related to General Aptitude which may be common to all candidates.

Next section has questions from the subject chosen by candidates while submitting GATE 2024 application. More details are provided below in a tabular format:

The study, based on eight years of ambulance registry data from Tamil Nadu’s 108 emergency response system, found that the state recorded faster ambulance response times, better emergency transfers, reduced maternal mortality and major improvements in newborn health during the post-pandemic period.

Covering data from 2017 to 2024, the research offers one of the most detailed views of maternal emergency care in India. It shows how sustained public investment in emergency medical services, maternal care and healthcare staffing can help a system become more resilient even after a major crisis.

A Large-Scale Study Based on Real Ambulance Data

The study examined real-world data from Tamil Nadu’s 108 ambulance emergency response system. This makes the research especially important because it is not limited to one hospital, one city or a small sample group. Instead, it covers all 42 districts of Tamil Nadu and a population of more than 84 million people.

This approach helped researchers understand how the system performed during the first wave, the second wave and the recovery period. It also allowed them to compare emergency medical service performance with actual maternal and newborn health outcomes.

What the IIT Madras Study Found

The findings show that pregnancy-related emergency calls increased sharply during the pandemic. This was expected, as movement restrictions, fear of infection and pressure on hospitals affected routine healthcare access.

However, despite these challenges, Tamil Nadu’s emergency healthcare system improved several operational indicators over time. Ambulance response time, patient transfer time and hospital handoff time became more efficient after the first COVID-19 wave and remained strong through 2023–2024.

These improvements are important because emergency response time can directly affect maternal and neonatal outcomes. Faster ambulances, smoother referrals and better coordination between emergency teams and hospitals can help save lives during pregnancy-related complications.

Major Improvement in Maternal Health Outcomes

One of the most important findings of the study is the reduction in maternal mortality during the post-pandemic phase. According to the research, maternal mortality fell by 19% to 37 deaths per 100,000 live births. This is significantly lower than India’s national average of 97 deaths per 100,000 live births.

The study also found that home deliveries dropped by more than 36%. This is a positive sign because institutional deliveries are generally safer, especially when complications arise during pregnancy or childbirth.

Other maternal health indicators also improved. Miscarriages declined by 28%, while complicated vaginal births reduced by more than 19%. These figures suggest that stronger emergency care, better access to hospitals and improved maternal health programmes helped reduce risks for pregnant women.

Newborn Health Also Improved

The study also reported meaningful progress in newborn and infant health. Neonatal mortality declined by 17%, while infant mortality fell by 19% during the post-pandemic phase.

These gains suggest that Tamil Nadu’s emergency healthcare system played a major role not only in supporting mothers but also in protecting newborns. Timely ambulance services, better referrals and improved hospital coordination can make a major difference in the first hours and days of a newborn’s life.

The improvement in neonatal and infant health also points to the importance of integrated healthcare. Emergency transport alone is not enough. It must be connected with strong antenatal care, hospital readiness, trained medical staff and effective public health planning.

Why Tamil Nadu’s Model Stands Out

Tamil Nadu has long been recognised for its public health systems, and this study adds further evidence to that reputation. The state’s model stands out because it combines emergency transport, maternal care, healthcare planning and government support at scale.

The 108 ambulance network acts as a critical link between households and hospitals. For pregnant women, especially those in rural or underserved areas, this link can be life-saving. When an emergency occurs, timely transport can decide whether the patient receives care early enough.

The study suggests that Tamil Nadu’s investment in ambulance infrastructure, healthcare staffing and maternal health schemes helped reduce the impact of the pandemic and supported a strong recovery afterwards.

Public Health Investment Played a Key Role

The researchers concluded that consistent government investment helped Tamil Nadu’s health system withstand the shock of COVID-19. Ambulance infrastructure, trained staff, better coordination and maternal health programmes all contributed to improved outcomes.

The study received data support from Emergency Medical Services and the National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu, under the state Health and Family Welfare Department.

Prof. P. Kandaswamy, a retired IPS officer and Professor of Practice at IIT Madras, led the research along with Ashwin Prakash of Moody’s Analytics. According to Prof. Kandaswamy, Tamil Nadu faced severe disruptions in maternal healthcare during the pandemic, particularly during the second wave. Home deliveries increased and maternal mortality rose sharply during that period.

However, the post-pandemic recovery tells a different story. Rather than showing long-term damage, the data shows a system that adapted, recovered and improved.

A Counter-Narrative to COVID-19 Healthcare Disruption

Globally, COVID-19 is often discussed as a crisis that weakened healthcare systems. That is true in many ways. Hospitals were overwhelmed, routine care was interrupted and emergency services faced enormous pressure.

However, the IIT Madras study presents a more hopeful counter-narrative. It shows that when a healthcare system receives sustained investment and policy support, it can emerge stronger after a crisis.

This does not mean the pandemic was not damaging. Tamil Nadu also faced serious challenges, especially during the second wave. But the state’s recovery shows that strong public systems can absorb shocks and later deliver better outcomes.

Lessons for Other Indian States

Tamil Nadu’s experience offers a practical blueprint for other Indian states, especially those with higher maternal mortality rates and weaker emergency transport systems.

The key lessons are clear. States need strong ambulance networks, risk-based antenatal care, efficient referral pathways and better coordination between emergency services and hospitals. Maternal care should not function in isolation. It must be connected to emergency transport and public health planning.

The study also highlights the value of data. By using eight years of ambulance registry records, researchers were able to identify trends, measure performance and connect emergency service efficiency with health outcomes. Other states can use similar data-driven approaches to improve healthcare delivery.

Why This Study Matters

This research matters because it connects operational performance with real health outcomes. It does not only ask whether ambulances arrived faster. It also looks at whether mothers and newborns benefited from a stronger emergency care system.

For policymakers, this is valuable evidence. It shows that investments in emergency medical services are not only useful during disasters but can continue to improve healthcare outcomes long after a crisis has passed.

The researchers also caution that the study shows strong associations rather than direct causation. This means more long-term research will be needed to fully understand all contributing factors. Even so, the findings strongly suggest that consistent investment in emergency healthcare and maternal services can produce transformative results.

Conclusion

The IIT Madras study on Tamil Nadu’s emergency healthcare system offers an important message for India’s public health future. COVID-19 created severe disruption, but Tamil Nadu’s response shows that strong systems can recover, adapt and improve.

With faster ambulance response, lower maternal mortality, fewer home deliveries and better newborn health outcomes, Tamil Nadu has demonstrated the value of sustained public investment in healthcare.

For other states, the lesson is clear: resilient healthcare systems are not built overnight. They require planning, funding, trained personnel, reliable emergency transport and strong public health programmes. When these elements come together, the results can save lives and create a stronger future for mothers and children.

FAQs

1. What is the IIT Madras study about?

The IIT Madras study examines Tamil Nadu’s emergency healthcare system using eight years of ambulance data from the state’s 108 emergency response service. It focuses on maternal and newborn health outcomes before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. What period does the study cover?

The study covers the period from 2017 to 2024. It analyses pre-pandemic years, different COVID-19 phases and the post-pandemic recovery period of 2023–2024.

3. What were the major findings of the study?

The study found that Tamil Nadu improved ambulance response time, patient transfer time and hospital handoff time after the first COVID-19 wave. It also reported lower maternal mortality, fewer home deliveries, reduced miscarriages and improved neonatal and infant survival.

4. How much did maternal mortality decline in Tamil Nadu?

According to the study, maternal mortality fell by 19% to 37 deaths per 100,000 live births in the post-pandemic phase. This is much lower than India’s national average of 97 deaths per 100,000 live births.

5. Why is Tamil Nadu’s emergency healthcare model important?

Tamil Nadu’s model is important because it combines ambulance services, maternal healthcare, referral systems and public health planning at scale. It offers a practical example for other Indian states looking to strengthen emergency care and improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.