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GATE Exam Pattern for Instrumentation Engineering 2025, Total Marks, No. of Questions, Negative Marking, Weightage

GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering Exam Pattern- GATE IN paper includes important sections such as Engineering Mathematics, General Aptitude, Measurements, Analog Electronics, Electrical Circuits, Control Systems, Digital Electronics. As per GATE 2023 IN Exam Pattern, there are a total of 65 questions i.e. MCQs, MSQs, and NATs in the question paper. There will be no negative marking in the case of MSQs and NAT questions. 72% weightage is given to the Instrumentation Engineering section, 15% to General Aptitude and 13% to Engineering Mathematics. Check GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering Syllabus

  • Candidates applying for GATE 2023 IN paper can also appear for EC, EE or PH paper as their second paper. 
  • Also, if you are appearing for GATE EC or EE or PH as your first paper then you can opt for IN as your second paper. 
  • The candidates planning to appear for the GATE 2023 IN paper are advised to go through the latest syllabus and exam pattern while preparing for the test. Candidates obtaining high marks in GATE 2023 can apply for admission in various MTech colleges such as IITs, NITs, etc. 

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Highlights of GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering Exam Pattern 

  • In GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering exam, 72% weightage is given to the Instrumentation Engineering section, 15% to General Aptitude and 13% to Engineering Mathematic.
  • There will be no minimum or a maximum age limit to appear for the GATE 2023 examination.
  • The eligibility to get admission in M.Tech course through GATE score differs from the participating institute to institute.
  • The candidates are allowed to appear for the exam unlimited times as there is no limit on the number of attempts to appear or apply for GATE.
Feature Description
Mode of the exam Online
Duration of the Exam A total of 3 hours (180 minutes)
Number of Questions 65
Total Marks 100 Marks
Question Type
  • MCQ 
  • MSQ
  • Numerical based Questions
Total sections
  • General Aptitude
  • Engineering Mathematics
  • Subject-specific part (Instrumentation Engineering section)
Marking Scheme
  • For 1 Mark MCQs (1/3rd marks will be deducted for wrong answers)
  • For 2 Mark MCQs (2/3rd marks will be deducted).
  • There will be no negative marking

Why Knowledge of Exam Pattern is important?

Knowing the latest exam pattern of GATE 2023 is important as it can prove beneficial for the candidates planning to get a seat in the top-most engineering colleges and universities across the country. The official brochure released by IIT is useful for the candidates and it will help them in preparing as per the latest exam pattern, also the candidates can take the reference of the last years’ sample paper as well so that they can prepare more productively.

GATE exam is designed to shortlist the candidates for various master’s programs in engineering.

  • The instrumentation engineers are expected to learn a lot of theories and formulas so they can get a basic understanding of all the concepts which will help them in clearing all their concepts and topics as per the GATE IE syllabus.
  • The more you give GATE Instrumentation Engineering practice papers, the better understanding you will develop. The candidates can also take more mock tests so that they can understand their weaknesses and stronger points as well.
  • The students must have a focus on their weaknesses which is only possible in case you are familiar with the latest exam pattern.

Knowledge of the GATE syllabus helps the students to move in the right direction and moving on the path of success will become easier in case you are completely aware of the GATE Instrumentation Engineering.


GATE IN Exam Pattern

Details of GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering Exam Pattern

Time Duration:

  • GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering will be a 3-hour long computer based test. 
  • The exam will be conducted in English language only.

Total Marks:

  • The total marks in GATE CE are 100 and the total number of questions is 65.

Type of Question: 

  • There will be three types of questions that will come in the exam including MCQ, MSQ and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions.
  • The paper will comprise a general aptitude section that all the candidates have to attempt. It will have 10 questions out of which half of the questions carries a weightage of 1 mark while the other half will be of 2 marks.
  • In MSQs, questions will have a choice of four answers. Out of which, one or more than one choice(s) are correct.

Number of Sections: 

There will be three sections in the question paper including:

  • General aptitude
  • Engineering Mathematics
  • Subject selected by the candidates (Instrumentation Engineering)
  • Engineering Mathematics carrying 13% of the total marks, General Aptitude carrying 15% of the total marks, and Instrumentation Engineering subject carrying 72% of the total marks.

Know More  GATE 2023 Exam Pattern 


Details of Marking Scheme

GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering Marking Scheme

  • For the MCQs that hold one mark; 1/3rd marks will be deducted for the incorrect attempts while the MCQs questions carry 2 marks, the deduction will be of two-third marks.
  • Negative marking: No marks will be deducted in case the candidates give wrong answers in Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
  • Zero marks will be deducted for unanswered/unattempted questions
  • In GATE 2023, General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics will be compulsory sections which together hold 28% weightage.
  • The Instrumentation Engineering holds the major 72% weightage in the GATE Mechanical Engineering exam.
Paper Exam pattern Number of Questions Marks
Instrumentation Engineering (IE) GA (General Aptitude) 10 15
Engineering Mathematics 10 13
Instrumentation Engineering 45 72
Total 65 100

Marking scheme:

Type of Question Negative marking for wrong answer Marking for correct answer
MCQs ⅓ for 1 mark questions ⅔ for 2 marks questions 1 or 2 marks
NATs/MSQ No Negative Marking 1 or 2 marks

List of Important Topics

Important Topics of GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering Paper

The whole syllabus of Instrumentation Engineering syllabus is divided into different sections including Engineering Mathematics, Measurements, Analog Electronics, Electrical Circuits, Control Systems, Digital Electronics, Signal and Systems, Sensors, and Industrial Instrumentations & Communication and Optical Instrumentation.

Different topics come under each of the sections out of a few important topics are mentioned below.

Subject Syllabus
Engineering Mathematics
  • Algebra Linear
  • Differential Equations
  • Analysis of Complex Variables
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Numerical Methods
Circuits Electrical Voltage and current sources, inductor, mutual inductor and capacitor; transient analysis of RLC circuits with dc excitation. Impedance and admittance, realization of main filters with R, L and C elements, driving point impedance, admittance, open-, and short circuit parameters.
Signals and Systems
  • Periodic, aperiodic and impulse signals
  • Fourier and z-transforms
  • Frequent response of main linear time-invariant systems,
  • Impulse response of systems; convolution, correlation. Discrete-time system: impulse
  • Response
  • Frequent response
Control Systems Feedback principles, Routh and Nyquist criteria, root loci, design of lead, state-space representation of systems, time-delay systems, hydraulic and pneumatic system components, etc.
Analog Electronics Main features of applications of the diode, Zener diode, small-signal analysis of circuits, amplifiers feedback, applications of op amps, etc.
Digital Electronics Combinational logic circuits,sequential circuits, multi-vibrators, sample-and-hold circuit, Multiplexer,sequential circuits,Schmitt trigger, minimization of Boolean functions, analog digital,integrating, flash and sigma-delta) and digital-to- analog converters, etc.
Measurements Systematic and random problems in measurement, expression of uncertainty - accuracy and precision index, propagation of errors. bridges of measuring R, L and C, Q-meter, Measurement of voltage, current and power in single and three phase circuits, etc

Check GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering Syllabus 


Weightage of Important Topics

Subject Wise Weightage of GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering Topics

Topic GATE 2020 GATE 2019 GATE 2018
Engineering Mechanics 15% 10% 14%
Network Theory 8% 8% 9%
Signals & Systems 8% 8% 8%
Control Systems 13% 14% 13%
Analog Electronics 9% 11% 9%
Digital Circuits 8% 8% 8%
Measurements 12% 5% 10%
Transducers 8% 9% 8%
Optical Instrumentation 4% 7% 6%

Topics wise weightage

Topics Expected Number of questions Expected Marks
Engineering Mechanics 4 6
Mechanics of Material 7 11
Machine Design 2 3
Theory of Machines 5 8
Heat Transfer 4 7
Fluid Mechanics 6 9
Manufacturing Engineering 8 11
Industrial Engineering 2 4

Besides the above-mentioned topics, many other topics are important and students must study dedicatedly.

Check  GATE Instrumentation Engineering Paper Analysis

Sample Questions from important GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering major topics

Ques 1. The fishermen, _______ the flood victims owed their lives, were rewarded by the minister.

(A) whom

 (B) to which

 (C) to whom

 (D) that

Correct answer: (C) to whom

Ques 2. A few students were not involved in the strike. If the mentioned statement is right, which of the following conclusions is /are logically correct?

1. Some that were linked in the strike were students.

2. None of the students were involved in the strike.

3. Some who were not involved in the strike were students.

4. At least one of the students was involved in the strike. 

(A) 1 and 2

 (B) 4

 (C) 3

 (D) 2 and 4

Correct answer: (B) 4 

Ques 3 The radius as well as the height of a circular cone increases by 10%. The percentage hike in its volume is ______.

(A) 17.1 

(B) 21.0 

(C) 33.1 

(D) 72.8

Correct answer: (C) 33.1

Ques 4. A piezoelectric transducer with sensitivity of 30 mV/kPa is expected to be used in the range varying from 0 kPa to 100 kPa. The readout circuit has peak noise amplitude of almost 0.3 mV and measured signals more than the full pressure ranges are encoded with 10 bits. The smallest pressure which emits a non-zero output, in units of Pa, would be almost

(A) 10

(B) 100 

(C) 240 

(D) 300

Correct answer: (B) 100

Ques 5. A 100 W light source produces uniformly in all directions. A photodetector with a circular active area whose diameter is 2 cm is placed 1 m away from the source, normal to the incident light. If the responsivity of the photodetector is 0.4 A/W, Calculate the photo-current generated in the detector, in units of mA?

(A) 1 

(B) 4 

(C) 100 

(D) 400

Correct answer: (A) 1

Ques 6. A resistance-meter consists of five measurement range-settings that varies from 200 Ω and 2 MΩ in multiples of 10. The meter calculates resistance of a device by calculating a full-range voltage of 2 V across the device by passing an appropriate constant current for each range-setting. In case a device having a resistance value ranging between 8 kΩ to 12 kΩ and a maximum power rating of 100 μW is to be measured safely with this meter, the option for range-setting on the meter for best resolution in measurement, in kΩ, is

(A) 2 

(B) 20 

(C) 200 

(D) 2000

Correct answer: (C) 200

Download  GATE Instrumentation Engineering Practice Papers


Best Books for GATE IN

Books Recommended for GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering

During preparation for the GATE exam, it is important that the candidates must choose the right kind of books for studying. The list of the referred books for Instrumentation Engineering is mentioned below:

  • Mathematics- Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Erwin Kreyszig, Gate Engineering Mathematics by Made Easy (Authors)
  • Network Theory (Engineering Circuit Analysis - Steven M. Durbin)
  • Analog Electronics - Behzad Razavi; GATE - Electronics & Communication (by R K Kanodia)
  • Digital Electronics- Solved last year questions - EC and IN streams

What is Instrumentation Engineering and its scope?

Instrumentation engineering is a part of the engineering and the instrumentation engineers work for the industries to improve productivity, reliability, safety, optimization, and stability. The instrumentation engineers are mainly responsible for integrating the sensors with the recorders, transmitters, displays or control systems. They can design or specify installation, wiring, and signal conditioning and are responsible for calibration, testing and maintenance of the system as well.

  • The candidates getting high marks in their GATE exam can apply for admission at various engineering colleges that play an important role in having a futuristic career ahead.
  •  Also, the instrumentation engineers can pursue postgraduate engineering courses (MTech) in Instrumentation Engineering so that they can boost their expertise in this particular field. 
  • There are wider job opportunities for instrumentation engineers in India and abroad in industries like Public/Private firms, R&D organizations, steel plants, cement manufacturing companies, among others. Check  COAP Counselling

Scope for GATE 2023 IN

  • Instrumentation Engineers may design devices like dynamometers for measuring aircraft sensors, blood glucose monitors, torque, and smoke detectors.
  • They may also develop electrocardiograph equipment and computed tomography scanners or may work on security systems.
  • They also play an important role in every successful aeronautical research project.
  • There are various employment opportunities in manufacturing firms, biomedical companies, defense contractors, government, or private engineering firms.

Job opportunities for Instrumentation Engineers

 Instrumentation Engineers may find employment in industries that improve stability, efficiency, and safety of automated processes. Apart from the below mentioned industrial sectors, they also find employment in companies that utilize specialized instruments for their day-to-day operation. Check  GATE PSU Recruitment 

Public/Private Firms Steel Plants
Thermal Power Plants Cement Manufacturing Companies
R&D Organizations Chemical Companies and similar industries

Important Instructions for candidates

Important Instructions for candidates

  • GATE 2023 exam will be an online exam (Computer Based Test mode).
  • The entire duration of the GATE 2023 will be 3 hours and all the questions will be based on the latest exam pattern.
  • The candidates appearing for the GATE 2023 need to carry an Admit Card in addition to the original valid photo identity proof with them at the examination hall.
  • Scribble pads will be offered to the GATE 2023 candidates inside the examination hall by the invigilators for doing rough work. Make sure that the candidates are writing their name and registration number on the pad given to them.

Things not allowed inside GATE 2023 exam center

  • Carrying a mobile phone or any other electronic device inside the examination center is not allowed.
  • Also, carrying any kind of printed or hand-written textual material, inside the exam center is prohibited.

All these guidelines will help the GATE candidates to give their exam smoothly, all the GATE aspirants must adhere to these instructions carefully so that they can accurately give their exam. The candidates appearing for the GATE exam are suggested to carefully check the GATE exam pattern.

Hard work, dedication, and efforts are the keys to prepare effectively for the exam that can GATE aspirants to reach to the heights of success. So start preparing yourself for the GATE 2023 exam and leave no stone untouched to taste the sweetness of success

Frequently Asked Questions

GATE 2023 IN Exam Pattern FAQs

Ques: What will be the marking scheme in GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering paper?

Ans: For the MCQs that hold one mark; 1/3rd marks will be deducted for the incorrect attempts while the MCQs questions carry 2 marks, the deduction will be of two-third marks. Negative marking: No marks will be deducted in case the candidates give wrong answers in Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Zero marks will be deducted for unanswered/unattempted questions.

Type of Question Negative marking for wrong answer Marking for correct answer
MCQs ⅓ for 1 mark questions ⅔ for 2 marks questions 1 or 2 marks
NATs/MSQs No Negative Marking 1 or 2 marks

Ques: What will be the major section for GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering paper?

Ans: There will 3 major sections in GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering paper: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Core subject. Further, these 3 major sections will be divided into sub-sections. The majority of syllabus and questions will be asked from the core subject that is 70% and the remaining 30% will be from general aptitude and engineering mathematics. Candidates can refer to the table below to know more about the exam pattern:

Paper Exam pattern Number of Questions Marks
Instrumentation Engineering (IE) GA (General Aptitude) 10 15
Engineering Mathematics 10 13
Instrumentation Engineering 45 72
Total 65 100

Ques: What will be the type of questions in GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering paper?

Ans: There will be three types of questions that will come in the exam including MCQ, MSQ and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions. The paper will comprise a general aptitude section that all the candidates have to attempt. It will have 10 questions out of which half of the questions carry a weightage of 1 mark while the other half will be of 2 marks. Engineering Mathematics is a compulsory section containing 10 questions that carry a total of 15 marks. Remaining 70 marks will be given to the core subject questions.

Ques: What books should I refer for GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering preparation?

Ans: Candidates can refer to their graduation books or notes because the syllabus of GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering paper will be based on the level of graduation. However, for better preparations candidates can also refer to these books:

  • Mathematics- Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Erwin Kreyszig, Gate Engineering Mathematics by Made Easy (Authors)
  • Network Theory (Engineering Circuit Analysis - Steven M. Durbin)
  • Analog Electronics - Behzad Razavi; GATE - Electronics & Communication (by R K Kanodia)
  • Digital Electronics- Solved last year questions - EC and IN streams

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

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