GATE ECE Subject Wise Weightage 2026 - Important Chapters, Topics

GATE ECE Subject Wise Weightage 2026 - Important Chapters, Topics

Team Careers360Updated on 26 Nov 2025, 10:07 AM IST

GATE ECE Subject Wise Weightage 2026

Understanding the subject-wise weightage for GATE ECE 2026 is essential for smart preparation and strategic study planning. By analyzing the GATE chapter-wise weightage from previous years, candidates can identify subjects that carry the most marks and prioritize them accordingly. This enables aspirants to allocate more study hours and resources to high-weightage topics, ensuring a well-balanced preparation that maximizes their scoring potential. The official notification has been released on the official website, detailing the syllabus, eligibility, and application process. The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. While the official admit card release dates will be announced later, early preparation guided by weightage analysis can give candidates a significant edge. This strategic approach not only boosts preparation efficiency but also enhances confidence and performance on exam day, ultimately increasing the chances of securing a top rank.

GATE ECE Subject Wise Weightage- Previous 5 Year

Understanding the subject-wise weightage of GATE ECE from previous years is essential for effective preparation. For GATE ECE 2026, we have compiled a dedicated weightage table based on the analysis of past exam trends. This table will help you identify high-priority subjects and plan your study schedule strategically. Check the details below:

Chapter Name

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

Total of 5 year

Weightage

Aptitude

10

10

10

10

10

50

15.87%

Signals and Systems

6

7

10

7

8

38

12.06%

Analog Circuits

9

8

7

8

4

36

11.43%

Engineering Mathematics

8

7

8

8

5

36

11.43%

Communications

8

5

3

6

8

30

9.52%

Control Systems

6

6

5

5

5

27

8.57%

Electronic Devices

4

7

5

6

4

26

8.25%

Digital Circuits

6

6

4

6

3

25

7.94%

Networks, Signals and Systems

4

4

6

5

5

24

7.62%

Electromagnetics

4

5

7

3

3

22

6.98%


Here is the detailed distribution of weightage you can refer to:

1754979155210

GATE ECE 2026 Subject Wise Weightage

Effective preparation for GATE ECE 2026 requires a clear understanding of the GATE ECE 2026 subject-wise weightage, which helps in ranking topics according to their importance in the exam. While the syllabus generally remains the same, the distribution of marks across subjects can vary slightly each year. By analyzing previous years’ trends, candidates can focus more on high-weightage subjects like Networks, Signals & Systems, Control Systems, Electronic Devices, and Communications.

Chapter Name

Number of Questions asked

Aptitude

10

Signals and Systems

6

Analog Circuits

9

Engineering Mathematics

8

Communications

8

Control Systems

6

Electronic Devices

4

Digital Circuits

6

Networks, Signals and Systems

4

Electromagnetics

4

Grand Total

65


Which Topic Has the Highest Weightage in GATE ECE?

Based on the last five years’ analysis, Signals and Systems with 12.06%, and both Analog Circuits and Engineering Mathematics, each carrying 11.43%. These subjects alone make up more than 50% of the paper, making them critical for achieving a high score. Other significant contributors include Communications (9.52%), Control Systems (8.57%), Electronic Devices (8.25%), and Digital Circuits (7.94%). Together, these high-weightage technical areas form the core of the GATE ECE syllabus, and mastering them can substantially improve both speed and accuracy in the exam.

These are few important topics of high weighatge chapters which are frequently asked in exam:

Subject

Important Topics

Analog Circuit

Diode circuits-Clipper,Clamper,Voltage,Biasing and Stabilisation of BJT,Biasing and Stabilisation of MOSFET, Amplifiers: Mid and High frequency analysis,Operational Amplifier , Multivibratores and Oscillatores

Electromagnetic Waves

Electric Flux and gauss law,Reflectrion and refraction of waves, polarizatio of waves, Transmissions lines -Impedance and Antenna

Communication System

Random process, inter Symbol interference, probability of error, Information Teory,Hammming code, Power requirement in amplitude modulation

Signal and System

Classification of System,Discreate Time convolution,CTFs and CTFT,z Transformation and DFT

Control System

Transient Parameter,Steady State errors,and State Space analysis.


Key benefits of GATE ECE Weightage

1. Smarter Time Management
Understanding weightage allows you to divide your preparation time according to the marks potential of each subject. For instance, focusing more on high-weightage topics like Signals & Systems, Analog Circuits, and Engineering Mathematics ensures maximum output from the time you invest.

2. Targeted Revision Strategy
With weightage data in hand, you can create a revision plan that gives priority to subjects carrying the most marks. This means revising high-weightage areas multiple times while still covering low-weightage topics to secure every possible mark.

3. Maximizing Score Potential
Some subjects, such as General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics, are relatively easier to prepare yet carry a significant percentage of marks. Prioritizing such scoring-friendly areas helps in boosting your overall score with less effort compared to complex topics.

4. Predicting Exam Focus Areas
Analyzing past weightage trends helps you identify subjects that consistently appear with higher marks. This enables you to predict probable focus areas for GATE ECE 2026 and adjust your study plan accordingly.

5. Reducing Exam Stress
When you know exactly which subjects contribute the most marks, your preparation becomes more structured and purposeful. This clarity reduces last-minute confusion, enhances confidence, and improves accuracy during the exam.

Also Read How to Prepare for GATE

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can the weighting percentages change from year to year?
A:

Yes, weightage percentages can vary slightly each year, so it's important to stay updated with official announcements.

Q: What if I have limited time to prepare?
A:

Focus on high-weightage subjects but don’t neglect lower-weightage topics; a balanced approach will help cover the syllabus effectively.

Q: Where can I find the most accurate weightage distribution?
A:

Refer to the official GATE website or exam notifications for the latest and most accurate weightage information.

Articles
|
Upcoming Engineering Exams
Upcoming Dates
SRMJEEE PG Application Date

9 Mar'26 - 9 Mar'26 (Online)

Upcoming Dates
MET M.Tech Application Date

15 Mar'26 - 15 Mar'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Basic Programming using Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Introduction to Biostatistics
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Programming Basics
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
C-Based VLSI Design
Via Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
MERN Stack Developer
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Udemy
 1525 courses
Swayam
 817 courses
NPTEL
 773 courses
Coursera
 697 courses
Edx
 608 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

Hi Aanchal,

Balancing Engineering semester exams with competitive exam preparation can feel confusing but with right and realistic routine makes it very achievable.

Start by dividing your day into two parts: use college hours and afternoons for semester prep and keep early mornings or late evenings for GATE prep.

Make weekly targets instead of daily pressure, revise class notes on the same day.

Use weekends for mock tests, previous year papers and deeper revision.

Try to limit social media, study in 40 to 50 mins focused blocks and take short breaks.

Most importantly stay consistent and give yourself patience.

With consistent timetable and steady effort you can manage both in smooth. All the best Aanchal!

If you are interested in Development Studies and planning to appear for GATE XH C6 (Sociology), then you are already moving in the right direction. Having a backlog does not disqualify you from pursuing higher studies, as long as you clear it before the admission process begins. Since you mentioned that you can clear the backlog before February 2026, it should not affect your eligibility for PG admissions. Most universities require a completed bachelor’s degree with no active backlog at the time of admission.

Your CGPA of 6.9 is acceptable for many institutes, although some top institutes may have higher cutoffs. Your interest in sociology and Development Studies will be helpful because the GATE XH paper tests conceptual understanding. If you prepare consistently and score well in GATE, you can apply to reputed institutes offering Development Studies such as IITs, TISS, JNU, Azim Premji University, and others.

Focus on clearing your remaining backlog and continue your GATE preparation strongly. If you balance both, you can build a good academic profile for admission into Development Studies. All the best.


Hello,

You can change your category in the GATE application by logging into the GOAPS portal during the correction window and using the "Edit GATE Application Form" option to make the change. You will likely need to pay an additional fee for the change and may need to provide a valid category certificate.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello,

Other than the GATE exam, admission to MTech programs in Data Science/AI for 2026 includes university-specific entrance tests like VITMEE, BITS HD Entrance Test, and SRMJEEE PG, as well as state-level common entrance tests such as Karnataka PGCET and TS PGECET.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-da-data-science-and-artificial-intelligence-question-papers

Just visit the link I am attaching below, so that it will help you to download and practice the papers, so that you can practice well and score well.

Hope it will help you!!!