GATE 2026 Question Paper - The GATE is the entrance examination taken by engineering graduates who wish to pursue further studies or secure a job at Indian Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). To crack GATE 2026, the best method is to solve previous year papers. This helps us understand the exam pattern, identify the types of questions asked, recognize trends, and see which topics are frequently covered. In this article, we have provided GATE previous year question papers along with their solutions, details about the exam pattern, the marking scheme, and some preparation tips. To learn more about GATE exam 2026, read the article.
The official website to download the GATE 2026 admit card is gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The hall ticket link will be activated on the GOAPS portal.
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The GATE 2026 question paper will consist of 65 questions, including multiple choice questions (MCQs), multiple select questions (MSQs), and numerical answer types (NATs). The distribution of marks as per the GATE exam pattern is as follows:
Particulars | Weightage of Marks |
General Aptitude | 15% |
Engineering Mathematics | 13% (if present) |
Core Subject Papers | 72% |
Also Read: How to Prepare for GATE
Solving previous year questions (PYQs) is one of the smartest ways to prepare for GATE 2026. It helps you understand the exam pattern, focus on important topics, and practice real exam-level questions effectively. You can download question paper from the link given below:
GATE 2025 question papers are useful to enhance your preparation. Check it below:
The following table helps you under the marking scheme of each paper code of GATE 2026 exam:
Paper Code | General Aptitude (GA) Marks | Subject Marks | Total Marks | Total Time (Minutes) |
AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, CY, EC, EE, ES, EY, IN, MA, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PH, PI, ST, TF | 15 | 85 | 100 | 180 |
AR [Part A + Part B1 or B2 (B1: Architecture or B2: Planning)] B1 or B2 can be selected during the Exam. | 15 | 60 + 25 | 100 | 180 |
GE [Part A + Part B1 or B2 (B1 - Surveying and Mapping or B2 -Image Processing and Analysis)] B1 or B2 can be selected during the Exam. | 15 | 55 + 30 | 100 | 180 |
GG [Part A + Part B] (Section 1: Geology or Section 2: Geophysics) | 15 | 25 + 60 | 100 | 180 |
XE (Section A + Any TWO Sections) Sections can be selected during the Exam. | 15 | 15 + (2 x 35) | 100 | 180 |
XH (Section B1 + Any ONE Section) | 15 | 25 + 60 | 100 | 180 |
XL (Section P + Any TWO Sections) Sections can be selected during the Exam. | 15 | 25 + (2 x 30) | 100 | 180 |
Understand the Exam Pattern – To crack GATE 2026, the first step is to understand the exam pattern. The best way to do this is by solving previous year papers, as they help us identify the types of questions asked and the level of difficulty
Focus on Repeated Topics – By solving previous year papers, we get to know which topics are frequently repeated and which are not. This helps us decide which topics deserve more focus and which require less time, ensuring better time management during preparation.
Improve Speed and Accuracy – When we regularly practice previous year papers, it helps us improve our problem-solving skills. Our speed increases, allowing us to manage time effectively, and we also avoid making silly mistakes.
Build Exam Strategy – When we regularly solve previous year papers, we build a clear exam strategy. We understand which section to attempt first, which to attempt later, which sections are time-consuming, and how much time to spend on each question. All this strategy develops naturally when we make solving previous year papers a regular habit.
Also Read:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, solving previous year papers helps in understanding question patterns, difficulty levels, and time management. It also highlights important topics frequently asked in the exam and boosts problem-solving confidence.
The GATE question paper consists of 65 questions divided into MCQs, MSQs, and NATs. The total marks are 100, and the paper duration is 3 hours. General Aptitude carries 15 marks, while the rest is from core subjects.
Yes, the GATE 2026 question paper will follow the same syllabus. Any change in it will be announced on the website beforehand.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
The link to the question paper is attached here. You can access the question papers along with the answer key on the careers360 website. Careers360 also provides students with preparation tips that will help them in preparing and the mock test and analyse their in-depth performance.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/last-15-years-gate-papers-solutions
Thank you.
Hello,
Here is a link for the sample papers for GATE Exam with DA subjects. Tap on the link given below to open it:
Thankyou.
Hello aspirant,
If you missed the correction window for GATE 2026, the portal will not allow changes right now. Usually, IIT opens a correction period only once. Since you need to change your surname, the best option is to contact the GATE organizing institute through their official support email or
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