UPES M.Tech Admissions 2026
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GATE Exam Date:07 Feb' 26 - 08 Feb' 26
GATE Exam Pattern for ECE 2026 - IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 ECE exam pattern on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can check the GATE exam pattern for ECE 2026 on this page. The paper pattern includes details about the marking scheme, types of questions, total marks, and much more. The GATE ECE question paper will have a total weightage of 85% in Electronics and Communication Engineering and 15% in General Aptitude. Students preparing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering must prepare for the test, keeping in mind the GATE paper pattern for ECE. The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026.
The GATE 2026 Electronics and Communication paper pattern includes eight major sections of Engineering Mathematics, Networks, Signals and Systems, Electronic Devices, Analog Circuits, Digital Circuits, Control Systems, Communications, and Electromagnetics. The GATE ECE question paper will feature three types of questions, including Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple-Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. There will be a total of 100 questions in the GATE ECE exam. Candidates preparing for the GATE 2026 exam for Electronics and Communication Engineering can check the detailed syllabus and exam pattern here.
Students preparing for the GATE exam 2026 must know the exam pattern, marking scheme, weightage, sections, and the number of questions. Check the details below.
There will be a total of 100 marks on electronics and communication question papers.
The exam will be conducted in online mode, CBT (computer-based test).
The GATE question paper of ECE will contain 3 types of MCQs, MSQs, and NAT.
There will be 1-mark and 2-mark questions in the exam.
The GATE 2026 ECE question paper will contain a total of 65 questions, with 10 questions on general aptitude and 55 questions on electronics and communication engineering.
The total time duration will be 3 hours (180 minutes) in the exam.
The 1/3 and 2/3 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer. There will be negative markings in objective-type questions only.
The candidates appearing for the GATE 2026 ECE paper have the choice to choose IN, PH, EE, CS, or GE as their second paper.
Gate exam pattern for Mechanical Engineering | Gate exam pattern for Textile Engineering | Gate exam pattern for Physics |
Gate exam pattern for Chemistry | Gate exam pattern for CSE | Gate exam pattern for ECE |
GATE 2026 ECE Paper Marking Scheme
Candidates are advised to make a preparation strategy based on the GATE syllabus for ECE with weightage. Check out the complete details regarding the syllabus weightage below:
Subject Code/Name | No. of Questions | Marks Distribution | Mark's percent weightage | Negative Marking | Total time |
General Aptitude | 10 | 5 x 1 5 x 2 | 15 | 1/3 for 1 mark Que in MCQ 2/3 for 2-mark questions in MCQ No Negative marking in MSQ and NAT | |
Electronics and communication engineering (ECE) | 44 | (25 x 1) (30 x 2) | 72 | ||
Engineering Mathematics | 11 | 13 | |||
Total | 65 | 100 | 180 Minutes |
Also Read: GATE exam pattern for Civil Engineering
The GATE exam syllabus for ECE 2026 is available online on the website. Candidates appearing for the entrance test can check the GATE syllabus for ECE 2026 to know the important topics section-wise. Check the table below for the GATE 2026 ECE syllabus.
Sections | Important Topics |
General Aptitude |
|
Engineering Mathematics |
|
Networks, Signals and Systems |
|
Electronic Devices |
|
Analog Circuits |
|
Digital Circuits |
|
Control Systems |
|
Communications |
|
Electromagnetics |
|
Also Read: How to Prepare for GATE Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE)
Candidates can check all the important details carefully to know the GATE exam pattern for ECE 2026.
The GATE ECE exam 2026 will be a computer-based exam. The total time will be 3 hours.
The GATE paper total marks for ECE will be 100 marks.
There will be 1 and 2-mark questions. For MCQ questions, candidates will have 4 options, out of which 1 will be the correct answer.
The General aptitude section will have a total of 10 questions with 15% weightage.
The Engineering Mathematics and core subject electronics engineering will contain 55 questions with a total of 72% marks.
The GATE exam pattern for ECE electronics and communication will have multiple-choice questions, Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
For MSQ questions, candidates will have 4 options, out of which candidates can choose one or more correct answers.
For NAT questions, candidates have to enter the numerical values using a virtual keypad. No choices will be given for these questions.
Also Read: Download Free ECE GATE Previous Year Papers
Best books for GATE 2026 preparation, students must have:
Book Name | Author |
Network Theory | Alexander Sadikuv |
Electronic Devices | Jacob Millman & Christos C. Halkias |
Analog Circuits | Donald A. Neaman |
Digital Circuits | Ronald J. Toccii, Pearson Publications |
Control System | Nagarath and Gopal |
Read Also: Best recommended books for GATE ECE Preparation
Candidates will be able to access the GATE 2026 cutoff for ECE on the official website. For admissions to M.Tech at the IITs, NITs, IIITs, other centrally funded institutes, and private institutes, candidates have to qualify for the GATE score. Students can analyze the GATE exam pattern for ECE and can solve the previous year's GATE cutoff to prepare and have an overview.
Year | General | OBC-NCL | SC/ST/PH |
2025 | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
2024 | 25 | 22.5 | 16.5 |
2023 | 29.9 | 26.9 | 19.9 |
2022 | 25 | 22.5 | 16.5 |
2021 | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
2020 | 28.8 | 25.9 | 19.2 |
2019 | 26.7 | 24 | 17.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The authority has released the GATE syllabus for ECE 2026 on the official website.
The GATE exam pattern for ECE electronics and communication has a total of 3 sections. The General aptitude contains 15% weightage, Engineering Mathematics will contain 13%, and ECE Electronics and Communication will contain 72% weightage.
There will be only one paper in GATE ECE 2026. GATE exam pattern for ECE Electronics and Communication consists of 3 main sections. General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and core subject (Electronics and Communication Engineering).
GATE ECE question paper will have three types of questions. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT).
There will be a total of 65 questions in the GATE ECE exam: 55 questions from the core subjects, including Engineering Mathematics, and 10 questions from the General Aptitude section.
There will be three sections General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE). The core sections of the ECE are:
Section 1: Networks, Signals, and Systems
Section 2: Electronic Devices
Section 3: Analog Circuits
Section 4: Digital Circuits
Section 5: Control Systems
Section 6: Communications
Section 7: Electromagnetics
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
No,For Mtech you are not eligible to give GATE examination in 2nd year diploma and after completing your diploma degree
Only bachelor's degree holders can give GATE examination
Thank you
Hello
If you're in 2nd year right now, you can’t register for GATE 2026 just yet.
The exam is only open to students in the 3rd year or beyond in their degree.
It’s mainly because the GATE tests subjects that are usually taught later in your course.
But don’t worry, you are in a great position to start preparing early!
Focus on your basics, practice problem-solving, and build strong concepts now.
By the time you reach 3rd year, you’ll be well ahead of the game.
Hello,
If your GATE 2026 application shows "under scrutiny," continue to monitor your applicant portal and registered email for updates, as this is a routine process where officials verify your details. An "under scrutiny" status does not mean your application is rejected; you may be notified of discrepancies and given a chance to correct them during the application correction window, which opens later. Keep your application details accurate and prepare for the exam while waiting for the correction window to open.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hello,
In the GATE application form , you should enter your name exactly as it appears in your official ID proof , even if the order is different.
For example:
If your ID proof shows Surname + First Name , enter it in the same way in the form.
Do not change the order to First Name + Surname.
This is important because your GATE admit card and scorecard will match your ID proof.
Keep it exactly the same to avoid any issues later.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
Yes, you as a Bachelor of Science graduate in home science can appear for the GATE 2026 exam, as the eligibility criteria include graduates from "Science" and other fields, as well as those in the 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate program.
I hope it will clear your query!!
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