GATE 2026 ECE Syllabus: Latest Topics, Weightage & Exam Pattern

This article will focus on the GATE 2026 ECE Syllabus. It will discuss on the latest topics of the ECE branch, the weightage of each and every topic, and the exam pattern of the ECE department. Students who are from the ECE department should check this article, as this article will give them the complete idea of the syllabus of the ECE department. GATE Electronics and Communication Engineering Paper 2026, or GATE ECE – 2026, will be administered or seen by the IIT Guwahati, for getting admitted into the post-graduation program or for any PSU’s recruitment.

GATE 2026 ECE Syllabus

Also learn: GATE 2026 CSE Syllabus

The GATE ECE syllabus covers key subjects like control systems, analogue and digital circuits, etc. The syllabus will help applicants comprehend the main topics they need to concentrate on in order to do well on the test. We have listed all of the sections that are part of the GATE ECE Syllabus 2026 on this page.

GATE 2026 ECE Syllabus: Latest Topics, Weightage &  Exam Pattern

If a candidate intends to take the GATE exam in 2026, they need to ensure that they are conversant with the Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) syllabus. On the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in, you can find the pattern and the official GATE ECE Syllabus 2026 PDF.

To crack the GATE 2026 with the ECE department, candidates should be 100% confident with the exam pattern and the syllabus of the exam. You can gain a better understanding of the major courses and the grading system by looking over the full syllabus.

GATE 2026 ECE Syllabus for General Aptitude

The GATE ECE General Aptitude curriculum evaluates candidates’ verbal and numerical thinking abilities. It aims to evaluate their ability to understand and apply textual content, analyse data, solve problems, and use logical reasoning—all of which are critical for success in a range of technical fields.

Topics Syllabus
Verbal Aptitude
  • English grammar
  • Vocabularies
  • Reading and comprehension
  • Narrative sequencing
Quantitative Aptitude
  • Data interpretation
  • 2 & 3-dimensional plots
  • Maps & tables
  • Ratios, percentages, powers, exponents, and logarithms are examples of numerical computation and estimate.
  • Permutations & combinations
  • Mensuration & geometry
  • Elementary statistics & probability
Analytical Aptitude
  • Logic: Deduction & induction Analogy
  • Numerical relations & reasoning
Spatial Aptitude
  • Shape transformations such as scaling, rotation, mirroring, and translation
  • Assembling & grouping
  • Patterns, cutting, and folding of paper (2 dimensions and 3 dimensions)

GATE 2026 ECE Syllabus for Engineering Mathematics

There will be a substantial amount of mathematics covered in the GATE ECE curriculum. It covers the basic ideas and mathematical methods used in electronics and communication engineering. It improves candidates’ ability to think logically, solve problems, and successfully navigate challenging technical situations.

The primary topics covered in the GATE ECE syllabus 2026 are as follows:

Sub-topics Syllabus
Linear Algebra • Linear dependence and independence
• Vector space
• Matrix algebra, eigen values and eigen vectors
• Existence and uniqueness of linear equation solutions
• Rank
Calculus • Mean value theorems
• Theorems of integral calculus
• Evaluation of definite and improper integrals
• Partial derivatives, maxima and minima
• Multiple integrals, line, surface and volume integrals
• Taylor series
Differential Equations • First order equations (linear and nonlinear)
• Higher order linear differential equations
• Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations
• Methods of solution using variation of parameters
• Complementary function and particular integral
• Partial differential equations
• Variable separable method
• Initial and boundary value problems
Vector Analysis • Vectors in plane and space
• Vector operations
• Gradient, divergence and curl
• Gauss’s, Green’s and Stokes’ theorems
Complex Analysis • Analytic functions
• Cauchy’s integral theorem
• Cauchy’s integral formula, sequences, series, convergence tests
• Taylor and Laurent series, residue theorem
Probability and Statistics • Mean, median, mode, standard deviation
• Combinatorial probability
• Probability distributions
• Binomial distribution
• Poisson distribution
• Exponential distribution
• Normal distribution
• Joint and conditional probability

GATE 2026 ECE Syllabus for Core Subjects

The core section covers the questions from the specific subjects that undergraduate students study. The list of subjects and subtopics is as follows:

Subject Name Sub-topics Syllabus
Networks, Signals & Systems Circuit Analysis Node and mesh analysis, Superposition, Thevenin’s theorem, Norton’s theorem & reciprocity, Sinusoidal steady state analysis: phasors, complex power, Maximum power transfer, Time and Frequency domain analysis of linear circuits such as RL, RC and RLC circuits, Solution of network equations using Laplace transform, Linear 2-port network parameters, wye-delta transformation.
Continuous-time Signals Fourier series, Fourier transform, Sampling theorem and applications, DFT, DFT properties.
Discrete-time Signals Discrete-time processing of continuous-time signals, LTI systems: definition and properties, causality & stability, Impulse response, frequency response & convolution, poles & zeros, Z-transform.
Electronic Devices Semiconductors Energy bands, charge carriers, intrinsic & extrinsic semiconductors, Mobility & resistivity.
Carrier Transport Diffusion current & drift current, Generation and recombination of carriers, Position and continuity equations.
Diodes PN junction & Zener diode, LED, photodiode, solar cell, BJT, MOS capacitor & MOSFET.
Analog Circuits Diode Circuits Clipping, clamping & rectifiers.
Amplifiers Biasing, coupling, small signal analysis, frequency response, current mirrors & differential amplifiers.
Op-amp Circuits Summers, differentiators & integrators, Active filters, Schmitt triggers & oscillators.
Digital Circuits Number Representation Binary numbers, signed & floating-point numbers, Boolean Algebra.
Combinatorial Circuits Minimization of Boolean functions, Logic gates, Arithmetic circuits, Multiplexers & decoders.
Sequential Circuits Latches & flip-flops, Counters, Shift registers, Finite state machines.
Data Converters Sample & hold circuits, ADCs & DACs.
Memories SRAM, DRAM.
Computer Organization Instruction formats & addressing modes, ALU, Data-path & control unit, Microprogramming, Pipelining.  
Control Systems Basic control system components Block diagram representation, Transfer function, Signal flow graph, Time response, Steady state error, Root locus, Bode and Nyquist stability criteria, State variable model.
Transient & steady-state analysis of LTI systems Routh-Hurwitz & Nyquist stability criteria, Solution of state equations of LTI systems.
Communications Random Processes Auto correlation & power spectral density, Properties of white noise, Filtering of random signals through LTI systems.
Analog Communications Amplitude & angle modulation, Demodulation, Spectra of AM & FM, Super heterodyne receivers.
Information Theory Entropy, Mutual information, Channel capacity theorem.
Digital Communications PCM, DPCM, Digital modulation schemes (ASK, PSK, FSK, QAM), SNR & BER.
Fundamentals of Error Correction Hamming codes, CRC.
Electromagnetics Maxwell’s Equations Differential & integral forms, Boundary conditions, Wave equation, Poynting vector.
Plane Waves & Properties Reflection & refraction, Polarization, Propagation through various media, Skin depth.
Transmission Lines Characteristic impedance, Impedance matching, S-parameters, Smith chart.
Waveguides & Antenna Rectangular & circular waveguides, Propagation modes, Light propagation in optical fibers, Antenna types & radiation patterns.

GATE 2026 ECE Syllabus: Weightage

Regarding the weighting of marks, each section of the GATE ECE course is quite important. Candidates must thoroughly review the information and adjust their preparation plan as necessary. The table below displays the weighting of the GATE ECE syllabus.

Subjects 1 Mark Questions 2 Marks Questions Total Marks Weightage Analysis
Digital Circuits 3 3 8 9%
Control Systems 1 2 5 5%
Engineering Mathematics 5 4 13 13%
Analog Circuits 3 2 7 7%
Signal Systems 4 3 10 10%
General Aptitude 5 5 15 15%
Communication 3 5 13 13%
Networks Theory 2 5 12 12%
Electronic Devices 2 2 6 6%

GATE 2026 ECE Syllabus: Exam Pattern

It is recommended that candidates review the whole exam pattern before starting their GATE preparation. Candidates can get specific details regarding the exam’s length, question count, duration, total score, and much more with the aid of the ECE test pattern for GATE 2026.

Below is the 2026 Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) test pattern.

Particulars Details
Mode of Exam Online
Number of Questions 65
Duration of Exam 3 hours
Pattern of Questions
  • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
  • Numerical Answer Type Questions (NAT)
Marking Scheme
  • For MCQ’s – Test Paper carry 1 mark and 2 marks for questions with 1/3 and 2/3 negative markings for incorrect answers respectively.
  • For NAT – No negative marking.
Number of Sections
  • Section 1 – General Aptitude
  • Section 2 – Engineering Mathematics and Core Discipline Questions
Topic wise weightage
  • General Aptitude – 15%
  • Engineering Mathematics – 15%
  • Core Discipline Questions – 70%

FAQs on the GATE 2026 ECE Syllabus

The GATE ECE syllabus 2026 has how many sections?

General aptitude, engineering mathematics, and ECE core courses are the three primary areas of the GATE ECE syllabus 2026.

How can I get the 2026 GATE ECE syllabus?

Candidates can get the GATE ECE syllabus 2026 from the institution’s official website or review and bookmark it from this page.

How many points will be awarded in 2026 for the GATE ECE exam?

The 2026 GATE ECE test will have eight major components and 100 possible points.