How to Prepare for GATE 2026 Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE)

S.No.

Sections

Topics to be Covered

1

Engineering Mathematics

• Linear Algebra

• Calculus

• Differential Equations

• Vector Analysis

• Complex Analysis

• Numerical Methods

• Probability and Statistics

2

Networks, Signals and Systems

• Network solution methods

• Continuous-time signals

3

Electronic Devices

Energy bands in intrinsic and extrinsic silicon; Carrier transport current, drift current, mobility and resistivity; Generation and recombination of carriers; Poisson and continuity equations; P-N junction, Zener diode, BJT, MOS capacitor, MOSFET, LED etc.

4

Analog Circuits

Small signal equivalent circuits of diodes, BJTs and MOSFETs; Simple diode circuits: clipping, clamping and rectifiers; Single-stage BJT and MOSFET amplifiers: biasing, bias stability, mid-frequency small signal analysis etc.

5

Digital Circuits

Number systems; Combinatorial circuits: Boolean algebra, minimization of functions using Boolean identities and Karnaugh map, logic gates and their static CMOS implementations, arithmetic circuits, code converters, multiplexers, decoders and PLAs; Sequential circuits: latches and flip-flops etc.

6

Control Systems

Basic control system components; Feedback principle; Transfer function; Block diagram representation; Signal flow graph; Transient and steady-state analysis of LTI systems; Frequency response; Routh-Hurwitz and Nyquist stability criteria; Bode and root-locus plots; Lag, lead and lag-lead etc.

7

Communications

Random processes: auto-correlation and power spectral density, properties of white noise, filtering of random signals through LTI systems; Analog communications: amplitude modulation and demodulation, angle modulation and demodulation, spectra of AM and FM, superheterodyne receivers, circuits for analog communication etc.

8

Electromagnetics

Electrostatics; Maxwell’s equations: differential and integral forms and their interpretation, boundary conditions, wave equation, Poynting vector; Plane waves and properties: reflection and refraction, polarization, phase and group velocity, propagation through various media, skin depth; Transmission lines: equations, characteristic impedance, impedance matching, impedance transformation etc.

S.No.

Reference Books for ECE

Authors

1

General Aptitude

Quantitative Aptitude by CAT by Arun Sharma,

Quantitative Aptitude by R.S Aggarwal

2

Control System

Control Systems Engineering by Norma Nise

Control Systems by Nagarath and Gopal

NPTEL Video lectures by M. Gopal

3

Network

Network Theory by Alexander Sadiku

Circuit Theory by A.Chakraborty

Network Analysis by Van Valkenburg

4

Electronic Devices

Electronic Devices and Circuits by Millman & Halkias,

Semiconductor Physics And Devices by Donald A. Neamen,

Solid state electronic devices by Ben G. Streetman and Sanjay Banerjee

5

Signal Systems

Digital Signal Processing by S.K Mitra, Modern digital and analog Communications system by BP Lathi, Signals & Systems By Alan V. Oppenheim

6

Analog Circuits

Analog Electronics, Electronics devices and circuits – Donald A Neaman,

Microelectronics Circuits by Sedra & Smith, Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory by Robert L Boylestad & Nashelsky, Pulse and Digital Electronics by Millman and Taub

7

Digital System

Digital Logic and Computer Design by M.Morris Mano, Digital circuits and design by Salivahanan or Fundamentals of digital systems by Anand kumar, Digital Electronic Principles and applications by Ronald J. Toccii, Pearson Publications

8

Electromagnetics

Elements of Electromagnetics by Matthew N.O. Sadiku

Network lines and fields by J.D ryder (Transmission lines part)

Electromagnetic waves and Radiating Systems by Jordon and ballmain

Antenna Theory by Balanis

NPTEL Lectures by Prof. R. Shevgaonkar

9

Communication System

Analog and Digital Communication System by Simon Haykin,

Principle of Communication System by Taub& Schillings,

Modern digital and analog Communications system by BP Lathi,

Electronic Communication Systems by Kennedy and Davis (just the Noise chapter)

10

MCQ book

Gate ECE by R.K Kanodia

11

Maths

Advanced Engineering Mathematics by R. K. Jain, S. R. K. Iyengar – Narosa Publications

Higher Engineering mathematics by Dr. B.S Grewal