GATE Mathematics Exam Pattern 2026 - Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Exam Duration, Type of Questions

GATE Mathematics Exam Pattern 2026 - Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Exam Duration, Type of Questions

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Apr 08, 2025 11:27 AM IST | #GATE

GATE Mathematics Exam Pattern 2026 - The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 Mathematics exam pattern on the official website. Detailed information about the GATE 2026 Mathematics exam pattern will be available on this page. The exam pattern for GATE Mathematics 2026 will include various aspects such as the types of questions, total marks, exam mode, marking scheme, number of questions, and more. In addition to understanding the exam pattern of GATE 2026, candidates must also be aware of the exam syllabus as it will help them in the preparation. The GATE 2026 exam will be held as a computer-based test for three hours.

This Story also Contains
  1. GATE Mathematics Exam Pattern 2026
  2. GATE Mathematics Exam Pattern 2026 - Key Points
  3. GATE Mathematics 2026 Syllabus
  4. GATE Mathematics 2026 Best Books
GATE Mathematics Exam Pattern 2026 - Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Exam Duration, Type of Questions
GATE Mathematics Exam Pattern 2026 - Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Exam Duration, Type of Questions

According to the GATE Mathematics paper pattern 2026, the question paper will have two sections: General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics. The General Aptitude section will be worth 15 marks, while the Engineering Mathematics section will be worth 85 marks. The paper will be based on the GATE 2026 syllabus for Mathematics. Read the full article to learn more about the key points related to the GATE Mathematics exam pattern 2026.

GATE Mathematics Exam Pattern 2026

IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 Mathematics exam pattern on the official website. Candidates can check the exam pattern of GATE Mathematics 2026 from the table given below.

GATE Exam Pattern 2026 for Mathematics

Particulars

Details

Mode of Examination

Computer Based Test

Sections

There will be two sections-

Section 1- General Aptitude

Section 2- Engineering Mathematics

Duration of Exam

180 minutes

Type of Questions

Multiple Choice Questions, MSQs, and NATs

Total number of Questions

65 questions in total

General Aptitude Section

  • 5 questions of 1 mark each

  • 5 questions of 2 marks each

Engineering Mathematics Section

  • 25 questions of 1 mark each

  • 30 questions of 2 marks each

Total Marks

100 marks

Language of Examination

English

Marking Scheme

For a wrong answer chosen in a MCQs, there will be negative marking as follows:

For 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.

For 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.

There will be no negative marking for MSQs & NATs.

GATE 2026 Mathematics Marking Scheme

Candidates should check the marking scheme of GATE Mathematics 2026 before appearing for the exam. Being aware of the GATE Mathematics marking scheme 2026 will help candidates understand the GATE 2026 Mathematics exam pattern, analyse which questions to attempt, how much time to devote to which questions, and how many questions should be attempted.

Subject

Total No. of Questions

Marks Allotted

General Aptitude

10

15

Engineering Mathematics

55

85

Total

65

100

Difficulty Level of GATE Mathematics 2026

GATE is considered to be one of the toughest engineering exams at postgraduate level. Looking at the GATE paper analysis, the difficulty level of questions that will be asked is expected to be moderately tough this year as well.

Topics Asked in Previous Year GATE Mathematics Paper:

Here we have listed a few topics that were asked in the previous year GATE Mathematics question paper:

S.No.

Topics

1

Real Analysis and Calculus

2

Topology

3

Green’s Theorem

4

Complex Analysis

5

Numerical Analysis

6

ODE & PDE

GATE Mathematics Exam Pattern 2026 - Key Points

  • GATE Mathematics paper 2026 will be conducted as a computer based test (CBT) exam of 3 hours.

  • The GATE 2026 Mathematics paper will have two sections- General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics.

  • The GATE MA question paper will be divided into 3 types of questions. The question paper will have multiple choice questions (MCQ), multiple select questions (MSQ), and numerical answer types.

  • There is no negative marking in the GATE Mathematics exam for MSQs and NATs while for MCQs there will be negative marking.

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GATE Mathematics 2026 Syllabus

IIT Guwahati will release the GATE Mathematics syllabus 2026 on the official website. As mentioned above, the question paper will be based on the syllabus of GATE 2026 Mathematics. Candidates who will be appearing for the upcoming exam must understand the GATE syllabus PDF 2026 beforehand to study the right topics for the exam and practice the GATE question papers. Going through the GATE Mathematics syllabus 2026 will help candidates to know what to read and what to avoid so that they can perform well in the exam.

Related links:

GATE Mathematics 2026 Best Books

Candidates preparing for the upcoming exam can follow the GATE Maths books to give their best shot at the exam. These books for GATE Mathematics 2026 will be beneficial for the students preparing for the upcoming exam.

Books

Author/Publisher

Chapterwise Solved Papers Mathematics GATE

Suraj Singh, Arihant Publication

GATE Engineering Mathematics for All Streams

Abhinav Goel, Arihant Publication

GATE: Engineering Mathematics

ME Team, Made Easy Publications

Wiley Acing the Gate: Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude

Anil K. Maini, Wiley

Higher Engineering Mathematics

B.S. Grewal, Khanna Publishers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many sections will GATE 2026 have?

GATE 2026 question paper will consist of two sections - Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude.

2. What will be the difficulty level of GATE 2026?

The difficulty level of the GATE exam 2026 will be moderately tough looking at the previous year trends.

3. What will be the total duration of GATE 2026?

The total time duration of GATE will be 180 minutes.

4. What is the marking scheme of GATE 2026?

For a wrong answer chosen in a MCQs, there will be negative marking as follows:

  • For 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.
  • For 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.
  • While, there will be no negative marking for MSQs & NATs.
5. Where can I download GATE question papers?

Candidates can download the GATE question papers on the official website.

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M.Tech in Structural Engineering – Fee Structure at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (GATE Qualified, SC Category)

Fee Details:

  • Tuition Fee : Rs 30,000 per year (Rs 60,000 for the full 2-year program)

  • Building Fund : Rs 10,000 (one-time payment)

  • Total Estimated Fee : Rs 70,000 for the entire course

This fee structure is applicable to students admitted through GATE.

(https://collegedunia.com/university/25346-andhra-university-au-visakhapatnam/courses-fees) Scholarships & Fee Reimbursement for SC Category Students

As an SC category student, you are eligible for the following government-sponsored scholarships and fee reimbursement schemes:

  • Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) : Covers tuition fees and provides a monthly maintenance allowance.

  • Social Welfare Department Schemes : Offered by the Andhra Pradesh government for SC/ST students.

  • Golden Jubilee Scholarship : Awarded to department toppers based on semester CGPA, provides Rs 8,000 per month. (https://collegedunia.com/university/25346-andhra-university-au-visakhapatnam/master-of-technology-mtech-full-time)

These scholarships can significantly reduce or even fully cover your educational expenses.

Recommended Steps:

  1. Apply for Scholarships : Submit applications for the Post-Matric Scholarship and other relevant schemes through the official portals.

  2. Contact University Financial Aid Office : Reach out to Andhra University's financial aid office to inquire about any additional support available.

  3. Maintain Good Academic Performance : High performance can help you qualify for merit-based scholarships such as the Golden Jubilee Scholarship.

Hello there,

With a GATE 2025 score of 417 in DA (Data Science and Artificial Intelligence) and being from the OPEN category , your chances for M.Tech in AI / AI & DS / AI & ML / DS at top IITs are very limited , but you may have a chance in newer or interdisciplinary programs at IIITs, IIITDM, and a few NITs . Here's a breakdown:

Chances in IITs :

  • Older IITs (IIT Bombay, Madras, Delhi, Kanpur, etc.): Unlikely. Their cutoffs for OPEN category in AI-related programs are typically 600+ in GATE score.

  • Newer IITs (like IIT Bhilai, IIT Jammu, IIT Goa): Slight chance in interdisciplinary or niche programs, especially if seats remain vacant .

    Chances in NITs:

You have moderate chances for M.Tech in AI/ML/DS in:

  • NIT Trichy

  • NIT Surathkal

  • NIT Silchar

  • NIT Jalandhar

  • NIT Nagaland (newer programs) You can check CCMT counselling for these.

    Chances in IIITs:

Your score is suitable for:

  • IIITDM Kancheepuram Yes , you have a fair chance for programs like:

    • M.Tech in Data Science

    • M.Tech in AI/ML (if offered)

  • IIIT Hyderabad – Tough; they have separate admissions with a high bar.

  • IIIT Bangalore – Unlikely with this score unless they consider DA paper with other criteria.

    Suggestions:

  • Participate in CCMT 2025 counselling (for NITs, IIITs, GFTIs).

  • Explore IIITDM Kancheepuram through their own admission portal or CCMT.

  • Keep an eye on spot rounds/vacant seats in lesser-known institutes.


I would recommend you to use GATE College Predictor Tool by Careers360 to get the list of possible colleges you can get with your rank or percentile.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, then feel free to share your questions with us, we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.

Hey ,

As per your mentioned query , GATE exam is really a challenging exam. Student must have bachelor's degree in Engineering , Architecture, Technology. Or student may also have master's degree in science , maths and computer applications and equivalent.

To know more , kindly go through the given link:

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-eligibility-criteria

Good wishes !!

Hello there,

Yes, several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) recruit Physics postgraduates who have cleared the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) exam with a good rank (below 100). While these PSUs typically focus on engineering disciplines like Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, etc., there are a few PSUs that recruit for Physics and related branches (e.g., Material Science, Nuclear Science).

Here are some PSUs that might hire Physics postgraduates through GATE:

  1. BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) : BHEL occasionally recruits candidates with backgrounds in Physics, especially for roles related to research and development or specialized positions.

  2. NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited) : NPCIL is one of the prominent recruiters for candidates with a background in Physics, particularly in the nuclear power sector.

  3. BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) : BARC recruits postgraduates in Physics for roles related to nuclear science and technology, often through their OCES/DGFS programs.

  4. SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited) : Though SAIL is primarily focused on engineering disciplines, they may occasionally have openings for candidates with a Physics background, especially in material science or related fields.

  5. HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) : HAL has openings in fields that could be suitable for Physics postgraduates, particularly in material sciences, avionics, and research & development.

  6. ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) : ONGC may also consider candidates with a Physics background, particularly for positions in research or scientific positions.

While Physics postgraduates are less commonly recruited than engineering graduates, specialized roles in these PSUs (related to research, nuclear science, material science, etc.) do open up opportunities. To stay updated, regularly check the official websites of these PSUs or employment news portals for recruitment notifications.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, feel free to share your questions with us, and we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.

With a GATE CS score of 335 (OBC) :

  • Unlikely to get Osmania University M.Tech in CS, IT, or Cyber Security via GATE (cutoffs are much higher, around 750).

  • You can try through TS PGECET (Osmania accepts PGECET scores too).

  • Consider other state universities or private colleges with lower GATE cutoffs.

  • Prepare for TS PGECET for better chances in Cyber Security or IT at Osmania.

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