UPES M.Tech Admissions 2026
Ranked #45 Among Universities in India by NIRF | 1950+ Students Placed 91% Placement, 800+ Recruiters
GATE Exam Date:07 Feb' 26 - 08 Feb' 26
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.
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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
GATE Subject | Difficulty Level |
Very High | |
Very High | |
High | |
High | |
High | |
Moderate-High | |
Moderate-High |
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.
Other papers like Electronics (EC), Civil (CE), and Computer Science (CS) are also tough but depend on how well a candidate understands core concepts.
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.
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 |
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 |
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. |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While subjects with fewer applicants may have slightly lower cut-offs, the conceptual depth of questions remains tough. So preparation is equally important.
Yes, GATE CS is challenging due to its conceptual subjects like Algorithms, Data Structures, and DBMS, combined with high competition.
Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Electrical Engineering (EE) are widely regarded as the toughest papers in GATE.
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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