Quoting a source from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the report had claimed that students pursuing a technical course in the academic year 2019-2020 might have to take the GATE as an exit exam, after a resolution to the same extent had been passed by the AICTE at a meeting.

The report had further claimed that a student would be awarded a degree in engineering only if they cleared the exam. The move was reportedly done in a bid to curb the increase in unemployed graduates and to keep a check in the quality of education in engineering institutions.

On 20 November, the AICTE issued a notice rubbishing the report, stating that no decision had been taken regarding the GATE as a mandatory exit exam.