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Q. Is there a negative marking in the GATE Instrumentation Engineering exam?
Ans. Yes. As per the GATE Instrumentation Engineering exam pattern, negative marking is applicable to MCQs only.
Q. Is the GATE instrumentation engineering paper easy?
Ans. Every paper in GATE is challenging. However, with the right preparation and consistency, aspirants can easily crack the GATE instrumentation engineering paper.
Q. How many sections are there in the GATE Instrumentation Engineering exam?
Ans. In accordance with the GATE Instrumentation Engineering exam pattern 2026, there are three major sections: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Core Discipline, which is Instrumentation Engineering.
Q. Does GATE conduct exams for instrumentation engineering?
Ans. Instrumentation Engineering is one of the 30 subjects for which GATE conducts exams once a year.
Explore the comprehensive GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam Pattern 2026 including types of questions, sectional weightage, and more in this article to ace your preparation.
Riya Sharma14 May, 2025
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GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam Pattern 2026: The GATE 2026 Instrumentation Engineering exam will be held in February, 2026(Tentative) via computer-based mode. The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee has made public the GATE Instrumentation Engineering exam pattern 2026 on its official website. Aspirants preparing for the GATE IN Paper 2026 must thoroughly analyze the exam format for a better understanding of the types of questions, marking scheme, and time constraints.
According to the GATE Exam Pattern 2026 for Instrumentation Engineering, aspirants will have to answer a total of 65 questions within a window of 3 hours. The exam will have a negative marking for multiple-choice questions. Continue reading to learn more about the GATE IN exam pattern 2026.
GATE Instrumentation Engineering exam pattern 2026 consists of mainly three sections: general aptitude, engineering mathematics, and core instrumentation concepts. Check out the GATE instrumentation engineering exam pattern 2026 highlights below.
The GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam Pattern highlights provide a clear overview of the question paper pattern, helping aspirants prepare effectively for the examination.
Total Marks: The GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam is scored out of a total of 100 marks.
Number of Questions: The exam comprises a total of 65 questions, distributed across various question types.
Question Types: Questions in the GATE IN exam fall into three main categories:
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)
Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
Sections: The exam is divided into three sections:
General Aptitude
Engineering Mathematics
Core Discipline: Instrumentation Engineering (IN)
GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam Pattern 2026 - Types of Questions
As per the GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam Pattern, there will be a total of 65 questions, which will comprise multiple types such as MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions), MSQ (Multiple Select Questions), and/or NAT (Numerical Answer Type Questions), as outlined below.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) : These questions have multiple answer choices, and applicants must select the correct one. Some MCQs carry 1 mark, while others carry 2 marks. It is essential to understand that negative marking applies to incorrect MCQ answers.
Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) : MSQs have multiple correct answer choices, and aspirants need to select all the correct options. These questions typically carry 2 marks each, and there is no negative marking for MSQs.
Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions : NAT questions require applicants to enter a numerical value as the answer. These questions can carry either 1 or 2 marks, depending on the specific question, and there is no negative marking for NAT questions.
Moreover, these questions are framed to test the following abilities of the applicant:
Recall Questions: Recall questions will assess applicants' knowledge of the principles, facts, formulas, or laws of the instrumentation engineering subject.
Comprehension Questions: Questions of comprehension will assess applicants' core understanding of instrumentation engineering by requiring them to draw conclusions based on basic principles.
Application Questions: Applicants will be required to use computational and logical reasoning skills to answer application questions.
Analysis & Synthesis Questions: Analysis & Synthesis questions will consist of a combination of data, diagrams, and images, testing applicants' ability to solve them by analyzing the information provided.
The GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam pattern is structured into three distinct sections, and each of these sections carries a specific weightage of marks. These sections are intended to examine applicants' knowledge and expertise in the discipline of instrumentation engineering, as well as their aptitude and engineering mathematics.
It's essential for aspirants to understand the distribution of marks across each section, as it plays a crucial role in determining their overall performance in the examination. Check out the GATE Instrumentation Engineering sectional weightage along with the number of total questions expected from each section below.
In accordance with the GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam Pattern 2026, each question will either carry 1 or 2 marks. For MCQs only, there is a negative marking for incorrect answers, while MSQs and NAT questions have no negative marking. Check out the table outlined below to view the complete GATE Instrumentation Engineering marking scheme.
Marks Assigned to Correct MCQs, MSQs, and NATs Questions
1 or 2 Marks
Negative Marking
Yes
For an incorrect answer, 1/3 mark will be deducted for 1-mark questions and 2/3 mark will be deducted for 2-mark questions
NO Negative Marking For
MCQs and NATs Questions
In addition to comprehending GATE Instrumentation In Engineering Exam Pattern 2026, aspirants should also incorporate GATE IN Syllabus 2026 into their study plan to ace the final examination.
GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam 2026 - Important Topics
Check out some of the important topics from the extensive GATE Instrumentation Engineering Syllabus 2026 listed below.
Important Topics for GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam 2026
Sections in GATE IN Exam
Important Topics
General Aptitude
Word Groups, English Grammar, Sentence Completion, Verbal Analogies, Critical Reasoning, Verbal Deduction, and Instructions
Mathematical Engineering
Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Analysis of Complex Variables, Numerical Methods, Probability and Statistics
Core Subject Related (Instrumentation Engineering)
Electricity and Magnetism, Electrical Circuits and Machines, Signals and Systems, Control Systems, Analog Electronics, Digital Electronics, Measurements, Sensors and Industrial Instrumentations, Communication and Optical Instruments
The GATE IN Exam topic-wise weightage is closely related to the GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam Pattern 2026, providing applicants with valuable details on the allotment of marks across different areas and topics.
Best Books for GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam 2026
After understanding the GATE Instrumentation Engineering exam pattern and syllabus, incorporating useful reference books into the study plan can greatly increase applicants' chances of obtaining a high score on the final exam. Some of the best GATE instrumentation engineering books for 2026 are outlined below.
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