Which is the Hardest Subject in GATE 2026? Difficulty Ranking & Insights

Which is the Hardest Subject in GATE 2026? Difficulty Ranking & Insights

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Team Careers360Updated on 18 Sep 2025, 04:52 PM IST

Which is the hardest subject in GATE - The exam toughness is quite a subjective entity, which highly depends on individual preparation. Based on analysis of past exam data, Mechanical Engineering(ME), Electrical Engineering(EE), and Electronics and Communication Engineering(EC) are some of the subjects that are considered the hardest in GATE. Some papers are universally regarded as tougher due to their vast syllabus, conceptual depth, and intense competition. The GATE 2026 exam will be held on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026. Candidates must go through the GATE 2026 syllabus and must be aware of the GATE exam pattern as well.

This Story also Contains

  1. List of Hard GATE Subjects 2026
  2. Which is the Hardest Subject in GATE?
  3. Number of Candidates appeared in GATE Examination
  4. Cutoff for Hardest GATE Subjects
  5. Why is Mechanical Engineering (ME) considered the hardest subject in GATE?
  6. Does Paper Selection Affect GATE Difficulty?
Which is the Hardest Subject in GATE 2026? Difficulty Ranking & Insights
Which is the Hardest Subject in GATE 2026? Difficulty Ranking & Insights

The following subjects are listed as the hardest subjects for the GATE examination because of the highest number of participants, vast and comprehensive syllabus and a difficult level of questions. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is considered one of India’s toughest engineering entrance exams, testing candidates on in-depth technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. While the difficulty level of GATE is largely discussed in this article, we will discuss which is the hardest subject in GATE, why it is challenging, and how competition varies across streams.

Also Check: GATE Eligibility Criteria | GATE Subject Wise Weightage

Which is the Hardest Subject in GATE?

While difficulty is subjective, Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Electrical Engineering (EE) are often considered the hardest subjects in GATE. These papers have:

  • A vast syllabus covering core technical subjects.

  • High competition due to the large number of aspirants.

  • Conceptually tough questions require analytical problem-solving.

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Other papers like Electronics (EC), Civil (CE), and Computer Science (CS) are also tough but depend on how well a candidate understands core concepts.

Number of Candidates appeared in GATE Examination

Below is the curated list of candidates who appeared in the GATE examination for years 2025, 2024 and 2023. Some subjects reported a higher number of candidates participating in the exam. The highest number of participating candidates implies higher competition and a tougher level.

Candidates Participated in GATE Exam

GATE Subject with Code

Number of Candidates Participated in GATE Exam

2023

2024

2025

Mechanical Engineering (ME)

63489

65,546

62015

Electrical Engineering (EE)

55292

67701

Electronics and Communication Engg. (EC)

45833

63,092

81475

Civil Engineering (CE)

83187

85,869

79951

Computer Science & IT (CS)

75679

1,23,967

170825

Instrumentation Engineering (IN)

8746

9,900

11935

Chemical Engineering (CH)

13607

13,937

14843

Cutoff for Hardest GATE Subjects

GATE cutoff of the recent years gives a clear idea about a comprehensive comparison among the difficulty levels of different subjects, which one is easier and which one is harder. Here is the year-wise general cutoff for subjects regarded as the hardest subjects in the GATE Exam.

Year-wise cutoff for the Hardest GATE Subject

GATE Subject with Code

Year wise General cutoff for GATE Exam(Out of 100)

2023

2024

2025

Mechanical Engineering (ME)

28.4

28.6

35.8

Electrical Engineering (EE)

25

25.7

25

Electronics and Communication Engg. (EC)

29.9

25

25

Civil Engineering (CE)

26.6

28.3

29.2

Computer Science & IT (CS)

32.5

27.6

29.2

Instrumentation Engineering (IN)

34.8

32.7

25.6

Chemical Engineering (CH)

32.10

25

27.7

Why is Mechanical Engineering (ME) considered the hardest subject in GATE?

Mechanical Engineering is regarded as the hardest subject because of:

Particulars

Details

Extensive Syllabus

Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Machine Design, Manufacturing, etc., require in-depth study.

Complex Numerical Problems

Many questions involve multi-step calculations.

High Number of Candidates

ME consistently has one of the largest applicant pools in GATE.

Conceptual & Analytical Blend

Both theoretical understanding and numerical accuracy are tested rigorously.


Electrical Engineering (EE) : Why is it tough?

Electrical Engineering is also extremely challenging due to:

Particulars

Details

Mathematically Intensive Topics

Power Systems, Electrical Machines, Control Systems.

Tough Numerical Problems

Accuracy and time management are critical.

Demanding Competition

It attracts a high number of applicants, making the cut-offs competitive.

Does Paper Selection Affect GATE Difficulty?

  • Yes, the choice of paper significantly affects perceived difficulty:

  • Papers like Instrumentation (IN), Chemical Engineering (CH), though tough, have fewer candidates, reducing competition.

  • However, core branches (ME, EE, EC, CE, CS) remain the most competitive due to higher participation.

  • Subjects like Environmental Science (ES) and Geology (GG) are considered moderate in toughness.

GATE Previous Year Question Paper's
Download GATE previous year question papers to understand exam pattern and difficulty level. Practice with these papers to boost your preparation and improve your score.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Does fewer applicants in a paper make it easier to crack GATE?
A:

While subjects with fewer applicants may have slightly lower cut-offs, the conceptual depth of questions remains tough. So preparation is equally important.

Q: Is Computer Science (CS) in GATE difficult?
A:

Yes, GATE CS is challenging due to its conceptual subjects like Algorithms, Data Structures, and DBMS, combined with high competition.

Q: Which is the hardest subject in GATE overall?
A:

Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Electrical Engineering (EE) are widely regarded as the toughest papers in GATE.

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

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!!