GATE

It is a good programme but it totally depends on you whether you are interested in research or you want to do a job after cracking GATE or M.Tech.
Pros:-
1. It is one of the best research programs available in the country.
2. It will give you 2 degrees.
3. It will provide the best outcomes if you get selected.
Cons:-
1. You will have to repeat your 2nd year.
2. If the MS is not done successfully then you will land with the B.Tech degree only and that too after 2-3 years of normal course completion. Thank you. Hope this helps.

No, you can't not even if you have internationally published and recognized projects. They want GATE. I don't know if it's an IIT thing or an MHRD thing but a person who spends most of his/her day doing really good projects has little time to prepare for exams like GATE and are usually not the type who sit idle and study for an exam for a year after finishing their degree.
So if you're bright, a hard worker, and doing good research/project work, in India you are out of luck.

Hi there,
GATE is an exam which can obviously clear with self-study only as you are already at college level must be fully matured, also all the subjects are related to 4 years of your engineering so the only self-study will work, also be attentive during your regular classes in engineering it will help you a lot. Before exams, you can buy some test series and also you should practice some other books for GATE.

Yes, GATE is quite important exam as a good score not only ensures your admission in IITs but also gives you a chance to get into PSUs.

You can try Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology. First, preference is given to GATE qualifiers but after that vacant seats are filled by students who haven't appeared GATE as well. Plus, you have experience so that would give you an edge.

Yes, you may apply for admission on the basis of graduation's percentage. Some good universities conduct their own entrance exam so, you can apply for the same. Some good universities are Christ University, Lovely Professional University, DTU, Anna University, Jadavpur University.