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GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026, Questions, Marking Scheme

GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026 is available here along with marking scheme and paper structure. Candidates must review the GATE 2026 ECE Exam Pattern to ace their exam preparation.
authorImageSiddharth Pandey19 May, 2025
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GATE ECE Exam Pattern

 

GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026: The GATE 2026 Exam for Electronics and Communication Engineering will be administered by IIT Guwahati. The conducting institute has officially announced the GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026 on its official portal Candidates who are going to appear for the GATE Electronics and Communication Engineering paper must have a proper understanding of the exam pattern to be aware of the blueprint of the question paper.

The GATE ECE Exam Pattern comprises 85% weightage of core discipline (Electronics and Communication Engg subjects) and 15% for General Aptitude. Here, we have provided a detailed GATE Exam Pattern for the ease of candidates. The GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026 contains the crucial details including subject-wise marks allocation, duration of test, and types of question to be asked.

GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026

Candidates must be well-versed with GATE ECE Exam Pattern 2026 to know the number of questions to be asked, types of questions, marking scheme, exam duration, etc. The GATE ECE Paper Pattern 2026 makes the students familiar with the tentative layout of the question paper to be asked. Candidates should go through the details exam pattern to make their preparation accordingly. The GATE Exam tests the technical knowledge and conceptual abilities of candidates in a particular discipline. For more details on the GATE 2026 ECE Exam Pattern, candidates must check this article.

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GATE ECE Paper Pattern 2026

The GATE ECE Question Paper consists of Engineering Mathematics, Networks, Signals and Systems, Electronic Devices, Analog Circuits, Digital Circuits, Control Systems, Communications, and Electromagnetics are the eight major sections of the GATE electronics and communication. The questions for GATE Exam 2026 have Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions for a total of 100 marks. We have described the in-depth GATE 2026 ECE Paper Pattern in the below section for your better understanding.

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GATE ECE Exam 2026 Overview

The GATE Electronics and Communication paper consists a total of 65 questions from General Aptitude, Mathematics and core subjects. A brief overview of important details related to GATE 2026 ECE Exam has been summarized in the table shown below:

GATE ECE Exam 2026 Overview
Exam Name Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
Commonly Known As GATE
Organizing Authority IIT Guwahati
GATE 2026 Exam Date February 2026
Purpose of GATE Exam To offer admission to M.E./ M.Tech/ and Ph.D. Courses and PSU Recruitment
Mode of Application Online
Mode of Examination Computer-Based Mode
Examination Duration 180 Minutes (3 Hours)
Exam Frequency Once a year
Number of GATE Papers 30
Number of Questions 65
Total Marks 100
GATE Scorecard Validity 3 Years
GATE Exam Pattern for ECE Check Now

GATE 2026 ECE Exam Pattern

Candidates going to take the GATE ECE 2026 Exam must have a thorough knowledge of the exam pattern to know about number of questions, weightage, and more. Candidates who wish to crack the GATE 2026 ECE Paper should check the detailed exam pattern to get admission to ME/M.Tech/Ph.D. program in prestigious institutions of the country and to get PSU Jobs. In the below section, we have prescribed the GATE 2026 ECE Exam Pattern for your better understanding:

  • The paper will be conducted in computer-based mode.
  • The GATE 2026 ECE paper will have a total of 100 marks.
  • The GATE 2026 ECE question paper will contain a total of 65 questions out of which 10 questions are on general aptitude and 55 questions on electronics and communication engineering related subjects.
  • The total time duration for the GATE ECE Paper will be 3 hours.

  • There will be a negative marking of 1/3 and 2/3 marks for every incorrect answer for the GATE ECE Paper. There will be no negative marking for multiple select type questions.

GATE 2026 ECE Exam Pattern
Branch Electronics and Communication Engineering
Paper Code EC
Exam Mode Online
Total Marks 100
Number of Questions 65
Types of Questions
  • MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
  • MSQs (Multiple Select Questions)
  • NAT (Numerical Answer Type Questions)
Number of Sections There are three sections-
  • General Aptitude
  • Engineering Mathematics
  • Electronics and Communication Engineering Subject Questions
Section-wise Weightage
  • General Aptitude – 15% of total marks Engineering Mathematics – 13% of total marks
  • Electronics and Communication Engineering Subjects – 72% of total marks
Total Time Duration 3 hours (180 minutes)
Sectional Time-Limit None
GATE ECE Negative Marking 1/3 negative marking for 1 Marks questions 2/3 negative marking for 2 marks questions

Candidates must explore the Physics Wallah's GATE 2026 Online Courses to boost their preparation to secure their success in the upcoming GATE Examination. The PW Coaching for GATE offer exam-oriented study material with sample papers, mock tests and e-books at an affordable price.

GATE ECE Exam Pattern FAQs

Q. What is the GATE 2026 ECE Exam Pattern?

Ans. GATE 2026 ECE Exam Pattern consists of a total of 65 questions having MCQ, MSQ, and NAT types for a total of 100 marks.

Q. What is the time duration offered for GATE 2026 ECE Paper?

Ans. Candidates will get a time duration of 3 hours to attempt the GATE 2026 Paper for ECE.

Q. Is there a negative marking for GATE 2026 Exam Pattern for ECE?

Ans. Yes, MCQs have a negative marking scheme for the GATE 2026 Paper. For 1 mark questions, there will be a negative marking of 1/3, and for 2 marks questions, there will be a negative marking of 2/3 marks.

Q. What is the weightage for GATE 2026 ECE Exam?

Ans. The GATE 2026 ECE Exam have 85% questions from core Electronics and Communication related subjects and 15% from General Aptitude section.
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