As per the latest notification, the GATE Physics(PH) exam will be conducted in February 2026 by IIT Guwahati. The exam will consist of 65 questions for 100 marks to be answered in 3 hours.

  • General Aptitude will ask 10 questions for 15 marks.
  • The Core Physics subject will ask 55 questions for 85 marks.
  • Engineering Mathematics is excluded from this paper.
  • Negative marking of (1/3) for 1-mark MCQs and (2/3) for 2-mark MCQs applies, but there is no negative marking for MSQs and NATs.

You can download the official GATE Physics syllabus and exam pattern from its official website.

GATE Exam Pattern for Physics 2026

Key Summary

  • The GATE Physics exam pattern is released by IIT Guwahati for February 2026.
  • The GATE Physics exam pattern will be of 65 questions, for 100 marks total.
  • Negative marking of (1/3) for 1-mark MCQs and (2/3) for 2-mark MCQs applies, but there is no negative marking for MSQs and NATs.
  • General Aptitude will have 15 marks, and Core Physics will have 85 marks.

Also Read:

What is the GATE Exam Pattern for Physics 2026?

The GATE exam pattern for Physics(PH) 2026 describes the number of questions, division of sections, and the marking scheme.

  • A total of 65 questions for 100 marks will be asked.
  • 55 questions from Core Physics and 10 questions from General Aptitude will be asked.
  • The exam will have questions across MCQs, MSQs, and NATs.
  • No negative marking will be there for MSQs and NATs.

Also Read:

GATE Exam Pattern for Physics 2026: Highlights

A table below highlights the GATE exam pattern for Physics(PH) 2026:

PARTICULARS DETAILS
EXAM NAME GATE Physics(PH)
ORGANIZING INSTITUTE IIT Guwahati
MODE Computer-Based Test (CBT), i.e., online on a computer.
DURATION 3 hours (i.e., 180 minutes).
TOTAL QUESTIONS 65 questions.
TOTAL MARKS 100 marks.
TYPE OF QUESTIONS
  • MCQ
  • MSQ
  • NAT
MARKING SCHEME
  • Positive marks for a correct answer
  • -1/3 for 1 mark wrong answer
  • -2/3 for 2-mark wrong answer
GATE Exam Pattern for Physics 2026: Highlights

Also Read:

Ques. Who will organise the GATE Physics exam for 2026?

Ans. Every year, a different IIT organises the GATE exam.

  • For 2026, IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE Physics 2026 exam.
  • The IITs who have organised the GATE exam for the last 5 years are listed below:
Year Conducting Institute
GATE 2026 IIT Guwahati
GATE 2025 IISc Bangalore
GATE 2024 IIT Kanpur
GATE 2023 IIT Kanpur
GATE 2022 IIT Kharagpur
GATE 2021 IIT Bombay

Ques. When will the GATE 2026 Physics exam be conducted?

Ans. The GATE Exam 2026 will be conducted following the schedule below:

PARTICULARS DETAILS
GATE PHYSICS EXAM DATE 2026 FEBRUARY, 2026
GATE PHYSICS EXAM REGISTRATION 2026 AUGUST- SEPTEMBER, 2026

GATE Exam Pattern for Physics 2026 Analysis

In the following video, Collegedunia describes what big changes have been introduced in the GATE Physics Exam pattern. You can refer to this video for a detailed explanation of the new changes in the exam.

  • The exam pattern remains the same with 65 questions for 100 marks for 3 hours.
  • The exam paper is divided into two sections:
    • General Aptitude
    • Core Physics Syllabus

An analysis of the change in trend of questions from the last two years and an expected question paper trend for 2026 is given below for you to follow:

  • A notable trend over recent years is the gradual rise in MSQs focusing on deeper conceptual clarity because they often require identifying multiple correct answers.
  • The proportion of NAT (Numerical Answer Type) questions has remained steady but slightly increased in complexity.
  • Topics like Quantum Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, and Thermodynamics have consistently carried higher weight (around 11–16% each), but subtopics within them may vary.
Feature Older years (2022-2023) Changes seen in 2024-2025 Expected Trend for 2026
Question Types MCQs and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) were always present; Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) became more common. Inclusion of MSQs (questions with multiple correct options) is more regular. Same three types: MCQ, MSQ, NAT.
Number of Questions / Subject Questions Subject questions ~55; GA ~10 (so 65 total) in 2022-2024. Same as before. Expected to be the same: 65 questions total (10 GA + 55 Physics core)
Marking scheme / Negative marking
  • For MCQs: a deduction for wrong answers (1/3 for 1-mark MCQs, 2/3 for 2-mark MCQs).
  • No negative marking for NAT & MSQ where not applicable.
 Same as before. For 2026 also confirmed: same negative marking scheme.
Weightage of topics Certain topics had more or less emphasis; e.g., Quantum Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics often have ~11-16% each. Weights seem to hold broadly, though question counts may vary slightly. Likely similar, though slight variation each year.
New additions Earlier, core discipline + GA only. No major structural shifts in the Physics subject paper, but across GATE, there are some new optional subjects, new papers in other streams. For Physics, the pattern seems stable; overall, GATE has added Energy Science option under Engg Maths cluster in 2026.

Also Read:

Ques. How has the GATE Physics exam pattern changed in the past three years?

Ans. The core structure has remained the same—3-hour CBT mode, 65 questions for 100 marks.

  • However, the number of MSQs (Multiple Select Questions) has increased in recent years, emphasizing conceptual clarity and analytical problem-solving.
  • The number of NATs has also increased significantly.

Ques. Are there any new subjects or changes planned for GATE 2026?

Ans. While the Physics overall paper structure remains unchanged, some minute changes have been made:

  • GATE 2026 has introduced new interdisciplinary subjects (like Energy Science).
  • These additions don’t affect the Physics exam directly but expand opportunities for candidates interested in cross-disciplinary fields.

GATE Exam Pattern for Physics 2026: Marking Scheme

A table for the marking scheme for the GATE exam pattern for Physics 2026 is given below.

An official marking scheme released by IIT Guwahati should be followed to excel in the upcoming exam.

SUBJECT NO. OF QUESTIONS MARKS DISTRIBUTION MARKS WEIGHTAGE% NEGATIVE MARKING TOTAL TIME
General Aptitude 10
  • 5*1
  • 5*2
 15
  • -1/3 for 1 mark wrong answer
  • -2/3 for 2-mark wrong answer
  • No negative marking for MSQs and NATs
 3 hours
Physics 55
  • 25*1
  • 30*2
 85
Total 65 100

Also Read:

Ques. Is there any negative marking for the GATE Physics 2026 exam?

Ans. Yes, there is negative marking for every wrongly answered question. The negative marking scheme is as follows:

  • -1/3 for 1 mark wrong answer
  • -2/3 for a 2-mark wrong answer
  • No negative marking for MSQs and NATs
Type of Question 1 Mark Questions 2 Mark Questions
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 1/3 mark 2/3 mark
Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) No negative marking No negative marking
Numerical Answer Type (NATs) No negative marking No negative marking

Ques. What are the qualifying marks for the GATE 2026 Physics exam?

Ans. The cutoff and qualifying marks for the GATE 2026 Physics exam have not been released yet. Although a prediction can be made on the basis of previous years' cutoffs.

YEAR CUTOFF MARKS
General SC/ST/PwD
2026(Expected) 29 22
2025 26.8 17.8
2024 32 21.3

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026

You must follow the GATE Physics Syllabus for 2026 to excel in the examination. The entire syllabus is divided into two sections of General Aptitude and Core Physics subjects.

The GATE PH Syllabus is listed below:

GATE PH Syllabus for General Aptitude (GA)

General Aptitude of 15 marks comes from 10 question,s and its syllabus is listed below:

Subject GATE Physics Syllabus
Verbal Aptitude English grammar – articles, verb-noun agreement, tenses, adjectives, conjunctions, prepositions, other parts of speech, etc.; vocabulary – words, phrases, idioms; comprehension & reading; narrative sequencing.
Analytical Aptitude Logic – Induction & Deduction; analogy; number relations & reasoning.
Spatial Aptitude Shape transformation – mirroring, rotation, translation, grouping, assembling, and scaling;Papercutting, folding & 2-D and 3-D patterns.
Numerical Aptitude Elementary statistics & probability; geometry; data and graphs (bar graph, histogram, pie chart, and other data graphs), 2- and 3- dimensional plots, maps, and tables; mensuration; numerical computation & estimation – powers, exponents, percentages, permutations & combinations, ratios, logarithms, etc.

GATE PH Syllabus for Physics

The core physics syllabus for GATE 2026 includes topics from diverse areas of Mathematical Physics, Classical Mechanics, and other core areas, listed below:

Subject GATE Physics Syllabus
MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS
  • Vector calculus
  • Linear differential equations
  • Basic ideas about tensorsLaplace transform
  • Cauchy’s theorem
CLASSICAL MECHANICS
  • Lagrangian formulation
  • Hamiltonian & Hamilton’s equations of motion; symmetry & conservation laws
  • Liouville’s theorem; canonical transformations
  • The special theory of relativity
ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY
  • Images method; variable separation
  • Coulomb & Lorentz gauges; dielectrics & conductors
  • Poynting vector, theorem, energy
QUANTUM MECHANICS
  • Quantum mechanics postulates
  • Dirac Bra-Ket notation
  • Schrodinger’s equation; one-dimensional potentials
  • Born approximation; angular momenta addition
  • Variational method & approximation of WKB
THERMODYNAMICS & STATISTICAL PHYSICS
  • Thermodynamic laws, partition function, free energy
  • Bose-Einstein condensation; degenerate Fermi gas
ATOMIC & MOLECULAR PHYSICS
  • Zeeman & Stark effects
  • Raman effect; electronic transitions in diatomic molecules
  • ESR, EPR, X-ray, and NMR spectra.
SOLID-STATE PHYSICS
  • Theory of free electron; crystallography elements; lattice vibrations & thermal properties of solids
  • Conductivity, effective mass & mobility; solid’s dielectric properties
  • Kramer-Kronig’s relation, intraband & interband transitions
ELECTRONICS
  • Semiconductors in equilibrium (flip-flops, timers, counters, registers
  • A/D and D/A conversion, digital logic circuits
  • Ohmic & rectifying contacts; metal-semiconductor junctions
NUCLEAR & PARTICLE PHYSICS
  • Nuclear, liquid drop, and nuclear shell models
  • Nuclear radii & charge distributions, nuclear binding energy, electric & magnetic moments
  • Rutherford scattering, nuclear reactions, conservation laws
  • Quark model
  • Fission & fusion; particle accelerators and detectors

Also Read:

Ques. Which topics carry the highest weightage in GATE Physics?

Ans. Based on previous year papers and analysis, the following topics generally carry higher weightage. These weightages may vary slightly each year, but the overall pattern remains consistent.

  • Quantum Mechanics: 12–15%
  • Electromagnetic Theory: 10–12%
  • Mathematical Physics: 10–11%
  • Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics: 10–11%
  • Classical Mechanics: 8–10%
  • Solid State Physics: 8–10%
  • Electronics and Nuclear Physics: 6–8% each

Ques. Is Engineering Mathematics part of the GATE Physics syllabus?

Ans. While Engineering Mathematics is not a separate paper component in GATE Physics:

  • Mathematical Physics includes many mathematical tools such as differential equations, vector calculus, complex analysis, and linear algebra.
  • These topics play a vital role in solving advanced Physics problems.

GATE Physics 2026 Preparation

Here are the most effective preparation tips for GATE Physics 2026, based on the latest exam trends, topic weightage, and guidance:

  • A successful GATE Physics preparation requires an early focus on conceptual clarity because the exam increasingly tests multi-concept applications rather than direct formulas.
  • Priority must be given to high-weightage subjects such as Electromagnetism, Quantum Mechanics, Mathematical Physics, and Classical Mechanics, as these topics consistently dominate the question paper.

Given below is a strategy table for you to follow:

Strategy Area What To Do How To Execute
Know the syllabus & weightage Identify high-yield topics (Quantum, EM Theory, Mathematical Physics, Classical Mechanics) Use past year weightage charts and mark topics as A/B/C priority
Concept clarity first Build a strong theory before solving problems Use standard books (Griffiths, Sakurai, Ghatak, Arfken)
PYQs are compulsory Solve the last 10–15 years PYQs chapter-wise Schedule daily 10–15 PYQs + weekly full PYQ test
Practice numerically daily Solve both short and multi-step derivation-based numericals Do timed practice; maintain error log
Mock tests & revision cycles Attempt full-length tests after covering 60–70% syllabus One full mock each week → increase to 2–3 per week near exam

Also Read:

Ques. Can I complete the GATE Physics syllabus in 6 months?

Ans. Yes, with a structured plan. A disciplined study schedule can cover the syllabus effectively within 6 months.

  • Dedicate 2–3 hours daily to core topics
  • Focus on high-weight areas first
  • Spend the last 2 months on revision, PYQs, and mock tests.

Ques. How tough is the syllabus compared to other GATE subjects?

Ans. Sources from Reddit state the difficulty level and factors of the GATE PH exam:

  • For the most part, on average, the paper is more theoretical.
  • More analytical solutions are being introduced, and it can be expected for 2026 too.

GATE Physics 2026 Previous Year Questions

A table below shows the GATE PH Question papers for the past sic years. You must refer to these to get an idea of what you might expect in the exam.

YEAR QUESTION PAPER
2025 Check Here
2024 Check Here
2023 Check Here
2022 Check Here
2021 Check Here
2020 Check Here

GATE Exam Pattern for Physics 2026 FAQs

Ques. Which subject can be taken along with GATE for Physics 2026?

Ans. Candidates who have chosen GATE Physics as their first subject can choose from the following as their second paper:

  • EC
  • GG
  • IN
  • MA
  • MT
  • ST

Ques. Who is eligible for GATE physics?

Ans. To be eligible for the GATE PH 2026 paper, you need to be:

  • Enrolled in the third or higher year of any undergraduate degree program

OR

  • Finished any government-approved degree program in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, or Arts.

Ques. What is the use of GATE Physics?

Ans. GATE Physics 2026 will open up several arenas for students, namely:

  • GATE certificate for admission and/or financial aid to Master's programs and direct Doctoral programs in Engineering, Technology, and Architecture.
  • Doctoral programs in important fields of art and science are available at universities subsidized by the Ministry of Education and other government bodies.

Ques. Is GATE PH tougher than JEE?

Ans. Yes, the GATE test is more difficult than the JEE (Advanced or Mains) examinations.

  • The JEE papers examine 11th and 12th-grade topics and questions
  • The GATE exam tests undergraduate subject knowledge as well as the student's general aptitude.

Ques. What is the key to scoring well in GATE Physics?

Ans. To score well in the GATE Physics 2026 exam, you must follow these tips:

  • The key lies in conceptual clarity, numerical accuracy, and smart time management.
  • Regularly solve previous year papers, take mock tests to analyze weak areas, and avoid random guessing in MCQs to prevent negative marking.
  • Focus on strong fundamentals across all nine syllabus sections.

Ques. How should I manage time between the Physics syllabus and the GA section?

Ans. Managing time between the two sections of the GATE PH exam can be difficult. The following tips can be maintained:

  • Devote around 85–90% of preparation time to Physics and 10–15% to GA.
  • The Physics syllabus demands conceptual understanding, while GA questions can be mastered through short daily practice sessions.