The GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026 was released by IIT Guwahati on the official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. As per the GATE exam pattern for previous years, the examination will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode.

  • The GATE 2026 examination will be conducted for 30 test papers, and each paper will include 65 questions to be solved in 3 hours.
  • In the GATE ECE Exam Pattern, the question paper consists of three sections: Engineering Mathematics with a weightage of 13%, General Aptitude with 15%, and the ECE syllabus with 72%.
  • GATE 2026 ECE question paper will have three types of questions, i.e, Multiple-choice (MCQs), multiple-select questions (MSQs), and numerical answer type (NAT).
  • The GATE marking scheme includes +1 or +2 marks for each question. With negative marking of ⅓ for 1 mark questions and ⅔ for 2 mark questions.
  • If you are appearing for the GATE 2026 ECE paper as their primary paper, then you can also appear for IN, PH, EE, CS, or GE paper.

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GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: Check Marking Scheme, Types of Questions, Negative Marking, Weightage, & Preparation

Key Summary

  • this article, we talk about the GATE ECE Exam Pattern for 2026, including the marking scheme, types of questions, negative marking, weightage, and preparation tips.
  • The GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026 was released by IIT Guwahati on the official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
  • As per the GATE exam pattern for previous years, the examination will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode.
  • The GATE 2026 examination will be conducted for 30 test papers, and each paper will include 65 questions to be solved in 3 hours.
  • In the GATE ECE Exam Pattern, the question paper consists of three sections: Engineering Mathematics with a weightage of 13%, General Aptitude with 15%, and the ECE syllabus with 72%.
  • GATE 2026 ECE question paper will have three types of questions, i.e,. Multiple-choice (MCQs), multiple select questions (MSQs), and numerical answer type (NAT).
  • The GATE marking scheme includes +1 or +2 marks for each question. With negative marking of ⅓ for 1 mark questions and ⅔ for 2 mark questions.

What is the GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026?

The GATE 2026 examination will be conducted for 30 test papers, and each paper will include 65 questions to be solved in 3 hours.

  • ECE Sections Weightage: Engineering Mathematics with a weightage of 13%, General Aptitude with 15%, and the ECE syllabus with 72%.
  • Question Types: The GATE 2023 ECE paper has 3 types of MCQs, MSQs, and NAT.
  • Total Marks: 100 marks, including Engineering Mathematics has 13 marks, General Aptitude has 15 marks, and Core ECE has 72 marks.
  • Marking Scheme: -1/3 and -2/3 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer to an objective-type question, according to the marks assigned.

What is the GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026

GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: Overview

Feature Details
Exam Conducting Body IIT Guwahati
Exam Mode Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Total Duration 3 Hours
Total Marks 100
Total Questions 65
Sections
  • General Aptitude (GA) – 15 marks
  • Engineering Mathematics & Core ECE Subjects – 85 marks
Question Types
  • MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
  • MSQs (Multiple Select Questions)
  • NATs (Numerical Answer Type)
Marking Scheme
  • +1 or +2 marks per question
Negative Marking
  • Applies only to MCQs:
  • 1 mark question → –0.33
  • 2 mark question → –0.67
  • No negative marking for MSQs or NATs
Total Sections 3 (General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, Core ECE)
Allowed Second Paper IN / EE / CS / PH / GE
GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: Overview

Source: gate2026.iitg.ac.in

Check GATE Subject-Wise Exam Pattern

GATE Exam Pattern for Civil Engineering GATE Exam Pattern for CSE
GATE Exam Pattern for Mechanical Engineering GATE Exam Pattern for Electrical Engineering
GATE Exam Pattern for Instrumentation Engineering GATE Exam Pattern for Production and Industrial Engineering
GATE Exam Pattern for Biotechnology GATE Exam Pattern for Biomedical Engineering
GATE Exam Pattern for Textile Engineering

Ques. How is the GATE ECE 2026 exam structured?

Ans. The exam consists of 65 questions to be solved in 3 hours in computer-based test (CBT) mode.

  • Questions are divided across Engineering Mathematics, General Aptitude, and ECE core subjects, with core ECE topics carrying the highest weight.

Ques. What types of questions appear in the exam, and how does negative marking affect the total score?

Ans. Incorrect MCQs directly reduce total marks, so accuracy is crucial, whereas MSQs and NAT do not reduce marks, so attempting them carefully is safer.

Question Type Description Negative Marking
MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) Select one correct answer from four options Yes, -1/3 for 1-mark, -2/3 for 2-mark questions
MSQs (Multiple Select Questions) Select one or more correct options No negative marking
NAT (Numerical Answer Type) Enter the numerical answer using the virtual keypad No negative marking

GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme

The IIT Guwahati has also released the GATE 2026 Marking scheme along with the GATE Exam Pattern and other important information.

  • The paper consists of 65 questions totaling 100 marks, divided into three main sections.
  • General Aptitude carries 15 marks, Engineering Mathematics carries 13 marks, and the Core ECE subjects make up the largest portion with 72 marks.
Discipline Subject Number of Questions Marks
Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC) General Aptitude 10 15
Engineering Mathematics 10 13
Electronics and Communication Engineering Subjects 45 72
Total 65 100

GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: Negative Marking

  • MCQs are objective questions presented in all sections, bearing 1 or 2 marks each. Each question will have 4 options, with 1 being the correct answer.
  • NAT questions carry 1 or 2 marks in all sections. The answers to these questions are numerical values that are to be entered using a virtual keypad. No choices are given for these questions.
  • In MSQs, questions will have a choice of four answers. Out of which, one or more than one choice(s) are correct.

The table below shows the GATE 2026 Marking Scheme:

Question Type Correct Answer Incorrect Answer Negative Marking
MCQ (1 Mark) +1 -1/3 Yes
MCQ (2 Marks) +2 -2/3 Yes
MSQ Varies 0 No
NAT Varies 0 No
GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: Negative Marking

Source: gate2026.iitg.ac.in

GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: Types of Questions

Questions in GATE 2026 are broadly divided into three categories:

  • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
  • Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)
  • Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
Question Type Description Options Negative Marking
MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) You can select one correct answer from 4 choices 4 choices, 1 correct Yes, 1-mark MCQ: –0.33, 2-mark MCQ: –0.67
MSQ (Multiple Select Questions) One or more correct answers out of 4 choices 4 choices, 1 or more correct No
NAT (Numerical Answer Type) You must enter a signed real number as the answer No choices No
GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: Types of Questions

Ques. What is the best strategy to attempt MCQs?

Ans. Attempt easier MCQs first, and avoid guessing to minimize negative marking. Focus on accuracy rather than attempting all. The best strategies are given below:

Strategy Aspect Tips
Order of Attempt Attempt easier MCQs first to secure marks quickly.
Guessing Avoid random guesses to minimize negative marking.
Focus Prioritize accuracy over quantityIt’s better to attempt fewer questions correctly than all questions incorrectly.

Ques. How to manage time during the exam?

Ans. Attempt high-confidence questions first, then move to moderate ones. Leave difficult MCQs for later to avoid losing marks due to negative marking.

Time Management Aspect Tips
Order of Attempt Start with high-confidence questions to secure easy marks.
Moderate Questions Attempt moderate-difficulty questions next once easy ones are done.
Difficult Questions Leave tough MCQs for later to avoid negative marking and stress.
Overall Strategy Balance speed and accuracy; don’t spend too much time on a single question.

GATE Syllabus 2026: Download Paper-Wise PDFs

The GATE Syllabus 2026 will be released by IIT Guwahati along with the official notification and brochure. You can check the latest paper-wise GATE syllabus for 2026:

GATE Syllabus for Aerospace Engineering (AE) GATE Syllabus for Agriculture Engineering (AG)
GATE Syllabus for Architecture and Planning (AR) GATE Syllabus for Biomedical Engineering (BM)
GATE Syllabus for Biotechnology (BT) GATE Syllabus for Civil Engineering (CE)
GATE Syllabus for Chemical Engineering (CH) GATE Syllabus for CSE
GATE Syllabus for Chemistry (CY) GATE Syllabus for Humanities and Social Sciences (XH)
GATE Syllabus for EE GATE Syllabus for Environmental Science and Engineering (ES)
GATE Syllabus for Ecology and Evolution (EY) GATE Syllabus for Geomatics Engineering (GE)
GATE Syllabus for Geology and Geophysics (GG) GATE Syllabus for Instrumentation Engineering (IN)
GATE Syllabus for Mathematics (MA) GATE Syllabus for Life Sciences (XL)
GATE Syllabus for Mining Engineering (MN) GATE Syllabus for Metallurgical Engineering (MT)
GATE Syllabus for Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering (NM) GATE Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering (PE)
GATE Syllabus for Physics (PH) GATE Syllabus for Production and Industrial Engineering (PI)
GATE Syllabus for Statistics (ST) GATE Syllabus for Textile Engineering and Fiber Science (TF)
GATE Syllabus for Engineering Science (XE) -

GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: Topic-Wise Weightage

The GATE 2026 examination will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode. The GATE 2026 examination will be conducted for 30 test papers, and each paper will include 65 questions to be solved in 3 hours.

  • ECE Sections Weightage: Engineering Mathematics with a weightage of 13%, General Aptitude with 15%, and the ECE syllabus with 72%.
  • Total Marks: 100 marks, including Engineering Mathematics has 13 marks, General Aptitude has 15 marks, and Core ECE has 72 marks.

GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: Core ECE Syllabus Weightage

The table below provides a clear overview of the major core topics in the GATE ECE 2026 syllabus, along with their approximate weightage in the exam and the average marks expected from each section.

Core Topic Weightage (%) Average Marks
Networks, Signals & Systems 10–12% 10–12
Electronic Devices 7–9% 7–9
Analog Circuits 10–12% 10–12
Digital Circuits 8–10% 8–10
Control Systems 6–8% 6–8
Communications 15–18% 15–18
Electromagnetics 8–10% 8–10

GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: GA & EM Weightage

The table below provides a clear overview of the major core topics in the GATE ECE 2026 syllabus, along with their approximate weightage in the exam and the average marks expected from each section.

Core Topic Weightage (%) Average Marks
General Aptitude 15% 15
Engineering Mathematics 13-15% 13-15

Check:

Ques. Which core subjects carry the highest weightage?

Ans. The high-weightage topics that frequently appear in GATE exams are given below. Prioritize these areas for maximum scoring potential.

Core ECE Topic Approx. Weightage (%)
Communications 15–18%
Networks, Signals & Systems 10–12%
Analog Circuits 10–12%
Digital Circuits 8–10%

Ques. Does weightage affect preparation strategy?

Ans. Yes, weightage should guide your preparation. The details are as follows:

Section Weightage (%) Preparation Strategy
Core ECE Subjects 72%
  • Spend most of your time on high-weightage topics like Networks, Signals & Systems, Communications, and Analog/Digital Circuits.
General Aptitude (GA) 15%
  • Allocate consistent time daily.
  • Practice Numerical Ability, Verbal Ability, and Data Interpretation to score easily.
Engineering Mathematics 13%
  • Focus on key topics like Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Probability & Statistics.
  • Practice problem-solving to boost marks.

GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: Important Topics

This table highlights the important topics across all sections of the GATE ECE 2026 syllabus, focusing on areas with higher weightage and frequent appearances in previous exams.

Section Important Topics
General Aptitude
  • Numerical Ability
  • Data Interpretation
  • Verbal Ability
  • English Grammar
Engineering Mathematics
  • Linear Algebra
  • Calculus
  • Differential Equations
  • Probability & Statistics
  • Transforms
Networks & Signals
  • Network Theorems
  • RLC Circuits
  • Transient Analysis
  • LTI Systems
  • Fourier & Laplace Transforms
Electronic Devices & Circuits
  • Diodes
  • BJTs
  • MOSFETs
  • OP-AMPs
  • Amplifiers
  • Filters
Digital Circuits
  • Boolean Algebra
  • Combinational & Sequential Logic
  • Flip-Flops
  • Counters
Control Systems
  • Time & Frequency Domain Analysis
  • Stability
  • Root Locus
  • Bode Plots
Communications
  • Analog & Digital Modulation
  • Noise
  • Information Theory
Electromagnetics
  • Maxwell’s Equations
  • Transmission Lines
  • Waveguides
  • Antennas

GATE ECE Exam Important Books

Some of the GATE 2026 important books for those who are preparing for the GATE ECE exam 2026 are given below for your reference:

Book Author
Advanced Engineering Mathematics Erwin Kreyszig
Quantitative Aptitude R.S. Aggarwal
Objective English Hari Mohan Prasad
Network Theory Alexander Sadiku
Engineering Circuit Analysis Hayt & Kemmerly
Semiconductor Devices David Neamen
Integrated Electronics Millman & Halkias
Microelectronic Circuits Sedra & Smith
Digital Logic and Computer Design M. Morris Mano
Modern Control Engineering Katsuhiko Ogata
Principles of Communication Systems Taub & Schilling
Elements of Electromagnetics Matthew N.O. Sadiku

GATE Question Papers- Download Previous Year Question Paper PDFs

You can check the previous year's GATE Question Paper to get a better understanding of the GATE Exam Pattern.

The links below can be used to download GATE Question Papers for 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

Year PDF Link
2024 Download GATE 2024 Question Papers
2023 Download GATE 2023 Question Papers
2022 Download GATE 2022 Question Papers
2021 Download GATE 2021 Question Papers
2020 Download GATE 2020 Question Papers
2019 Download GATE 2019 Question Papers
2018 Download GATE 2018 Question Papers
2017 Download GATE 2017 Question Papers

 GATE ECE Question Paper with PDF

GATE ECE Exam Preparation Tips

The table below shows the GATE exam preparation tips for those who are appearing for the GATE ECE exam 2026:

Preparation Area Action Points Suggested Time Notes/Focus
Understanding Exam Pattern & Syllabus
  • Analyze syllabus
  • Check weightage
  • Know question types
 2–3 days Helps prioritize high-weightage topics like Communications, Networks, Signals & Systems
Study Plan & Scheduling
  • Make a weekly and monthly timetable, and divide subjects
 1–2 days Balance between ECE subjects, Mathematics, and GA
Core Concepts Mastery
  • Strengthen fundamentals, clear concepts in Networks, Analog/Digital Circuits, Signals & Systems
 2–3 months Focus on theory + problem-solving; use standard books
Problem Practice
  • Solve the previous 10–15 years’ GATE papers
 1–2 months Focus on numerical questions and high-weightage topics
Mock Tests
  • Attempt full-length timed tests
 Last 2 months Analyze performance, improve speed and accuracy
Revision
  • Make short notes, formula sheets
  • Do weekly revisions
 Ongoing; intensify last month Prioritize high-weightage topics and weak areas
Time Management (Exam Day)
  • Attempt easy questions first, moderate next, toughest last
 Exam duration: 3 hours Helps maximize score; avoid negative marking

FAQs for GATE ECE Exam Pattern

Ques. What is the question pattern of GATE 2026?

Ans. The question pattern for the GATE 2026 exam is of computer-based test with a duration of 3 hours. The details are given below:

Feature Details
Exam Conducting Body IIT Guwahati
Exam Mode Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Total Duration 3 Hours
Total Marks 100
Total Questions 65
Sections 1. General Aptitude (GA) – 15 marks2. Core Subject (ECE) – 85 marks
Question Types 1. MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)2. MSQs (Multiple Select Questions)3. NATs (Numerical Answer Type)
Marking Scheme +1 or +2 marks per question
Negative Marking For MCQs only:– -1-mark Q → –0.33– -2-mark Q → –0.67No negative marking for MSQ/NAT

Ques. What is the weightage for ECE in GATE 2026?

Ans. The weightage for ECE in the GATE 2026 exam is given below with approx weightage, total marks, and level of difficulty in the exam:

Section Approx. Weightage Marks Level of Difficulty
General Aptitude (GA) 15% 15 Easy–Moderate
Engineering Mathematics 13%–15% 13–15 Moderate
Core ECE Subjects 70%–72% 70–72 Moderate–Difficult
Total 100% 100 —

Ques. What is the rank for 40 marks in GATE ECE?

Ans. The rank for 40 marks in the GATE ECE 2026 exam is around 1500-3500, which average. The table below shows the marks range and expected rank range with performance level for your reference:

Marks Range Expected Rank Range Performance Level
80 – 85+ 1 – 50 Outstanding (Top IITs)
70 – 79 50 – 200 Excellent
60 – 69 200 – 600 Very Good
50 – 59 600 – 1500 Good
40 – 49 1500 – 3500 Average
30 – 39 3500 – 7000 Below Average
Below 30 7000+ Low

Ques. How many 2-mark questions are in GATE ECE?

Ans. The 2-mark questions in the GATE ECE 2026 exam are 35 questions with a total mark of 70, and that is numerical-based. The details are as follows:

Marks per Question Number of Questions Total Marks Remarks
1-mark 30 30 Mostly theory/conceptual
2-mark 35 70 Numerical + application-based
Total 65 100 —

Ques. Is it easy to score 70 in GATE?

Ans. Yes, you can score 70 in the GATE 2026 exam with consistent preparation; the details are given below:

  • GATE ECE is considered moderate to tough.
  • Scoring 70+ (out of 100) places you in the top ~1–2% of candidates.
  • Deep conceptual understanding, strong problem-solving, and extensive practice of past papers.
  • Possible with consistent preparation (6–9 months of dedicated study).

Ques. How many test papers do you want to appear for in GATE 2026?

Ans. You can appear for a maximum of 2 test papers in GATE 2026, provided they are from the approved list of paper combinations (e.g., ECE + EE or ECE + IN).

Parameter Details
Maximum Papers Allowed 2 papers (from approved combinations)
Primary Paper Your core discipline (e.g., ECE – EC)
Optional Second Paper From allowed combinations (e.g., EE, IN, PH, CS)
Example for ECE Students EC + EE or EC + IN or EC + PH