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GATE Electronics and Communication Engineering Pattern 2027: Questions, Marks and Negative Marking

OverviewEC Pattern▾Application Process▾Preparation Tips▾Result▾Question Papers▾Cut OffCollege PredictorNewsQ&A

Sanghamitra Deb

Content Writer | Updated On - Oct 12, 2026

GATE 2027 has 65 questions for 100 marks in three hours. General Aptitude carries 15 marks. The remaining structure depends on the paper and, for some papers, the selected optional sections.

EC covers mathematics, networks and signals, devices, analog and digital circuits, control, communications and electromagnetics. Its circuit content overlaps with EE, but the complete papers are not interchangeable.

GATE EC 2027 Paper Structure

Feature	Rule
Duration	3 hours
Total questions	65: 10 General Aptitude and 55 subject questions
Total marks	100
Mode and language	Computer-based test; English
Question types	MCQ, MSQ and numerical answer type
Mark value	1 or 2 marks per question

Section	Marks	Requirement
General Aptitude	15	Compulsory
Engineering Mathematics	13	Part of the subject paper
Core subject	72	All listed technical units are in scope

There is no optional subject block in this paper. The syllabus defines what can be tested; it does not offer a choice to replace one subject with another. Leaving a question unanswered earns zero, but it does not reduce the set of topics that may appear.

MCQ, MSQ and Numerical Questions

Question	How to answer
MCQ	Select the one correct option
MSQ	Select every correct option; there may be more than one
NAT	Enter the numerical answer using the on-screen virtual keypad

An MSQ is not an MCQ with extra chances. Selecting a subset of the correct options, or adding a wrong option, earns no marks. NAT questions have no listed answer options; enter the number at the precision requested in the question.

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

Question type	Correct	Incorrect
MCQ, 1 mark	+1	-1/3
MCQ, 2 marks	+2	-2/3
MSQ, 1 or 2 marks	Full marks only for the exact correct set	0; no partial credit
NAT, 1 or 2 marks	Full marks for an accepted numerical answer	0

Unanswered questions carry zero. The MCQ penalty is a fraction of that question's marks, not a flat one-mark deduction. Wrong MSQ and NAT responses receive zero, with no additional penalty.

Raw Marks Calculation: Worked Example

For a mixed paper, add the marks earned on correct answers and subtract only the applicable MCQ penalties. This example is illustrative, not a fixed question-type distribution.

Answers	Calculation	Marks
One-mark MCQs: 12 correct, 3 wrong	12 - 3/3	11
Two-mark MCQs: 15 correct, 3 wrong	30 - (3 x 2/3)	28
MSQs: four correct two-mark questions	4 x 2	8
NATs: six correct two-mark questions	6 x 2	12
Combined example	11 + 28 + 8 + 12	59 / 100

The remaining questions in this example are incorrect non-MCQs or unanswered, contributing zero. These 59 marks are not a GATE score of 590. GATE score calculation uses paper-level qualifying and top-performance benchmarks, with normalised marks where applicable.

Subjects and Syllabus Coverage

Unit	Topics
Engineering Mathematics	Linear Algebra: Vector space, basis, linear dependence and independence, matrix algebra, eigen values and eigen vectors, rank, solution of linear equations - existence and uniqueness.; 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: Linear differential equations, Euler -Cauchy equation, Nonhomogeneous 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, correlation and regression analysis.
Networks, Signals and 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: RL, RC and RLC circuits, solution of network equations using Laplace transform. Linear 2-port network parameters, wye-delta transformation.; LTI systems: definition and properties, causality, stability, impulse response, convolution, poles and zeroes, frequency response, group delay, phase delay.; Continuous-time Signals: Fourier series and Fourier transform, Nyquist sampling theorem, sampling and reconstruction. Discrete-time Signals: DTFT, DFT, z-transform, FIR and IIR filter design.
Electronic Devices	Formation of energy bands in solids, energy bands in intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, equilibrium carrier concentration, direct and indirect band-gap semiconductors.; Carrier Transport: Diffusion current, drift current, mobility and resistivity, generation and recombination of carriers, Poisson and continuity equations.; P-N junction, Zener diode, BJT, MOS capacitor, MOSFET, scaling in MOSFETs, LED, photo diode and solar cell.
Analog Circuits	Diode Circuits: Clipping, clamping and rectifiers.; BJT and MOSFET Amplifiers: Biasing, AC coupling, small signal analysis, frequency response. Current mirrors and differential amplifiers.; Op-amp Circuits: Amplifiers, summers, differentiators, integrators, active filters, Schmitt trigger and oscillators, dominant-pole (Miller) compensation, phase margin.
Digital Circuits	Number Representations: Binary, integer and floating-point- numbers. Combinatorial circuits: Boolean algebra, minimization of functions using Boolean identities and Karnaugh map, logic gates and their static CMOS implementations, arithmetic circuits, code converters, multiplexers, decoders.; Sequential Circuits: Latches and flip -flops, counters, shift -registers, finite state machines, propagation delay, setup and hold time, critical path delay. Data Converters: Sample and hold circuits, ADCs and DACs. Semiconductor Memories: ROM, SRAM, DRAM. Computer Organization: Machine instructions and addressing modes, ALU, data-path and control unit, instruction pipelining.
Control Systems	Basic control system components; Feedback principle; Transfer function; Block diagram representation; Signal flow graph; Transient and steady-state analysis of LTI systems; Frequency response; Routh-Hurwitz and Nyquist stability criteria; Bode and root-locus plots; compensators, PID controller; State variable model and solution of state equation of LTI systems.
Communications	Random Processes: Autocorrelation and power spectral density, properties of white noise, filtering of random signals through LTI systems.; Analog Communications: Amplitude modulation and demodulation, angle modulation and demodulation, spectra of AM and FM, super heterodyne receivers.; Information Theory: Entropy, source coding, mutual information and channel capacity theorem.; Digital Communications: PCM, DPCM, digital modulation schemes (ASK, PSK, FSK, QAM), bandwidth, inter- symbol interference, MAP, ML detection, matched filter receiver, SNR and BER. Fundamentals of error correction, Hamming codes, CRC.
Electromagnetics	Maxwell's Equations: Differential and integral forms and their interpretation, boundary conditions, wave equation, Poynting vector.; Plane Waves and Properties: Reflection and refraction, polarization, phase and group velocity, propagation through various media, skin depth.; Transmission Lines: Equations, characteristic impedance, impedance matching, impedance transformation, Sparameters, Smith chart. Rectangular and circular waveguides, light propagation in optical fibers, dipole and monopole antennas, linear antenna arrays.

The GATE EC syllabus gives the full topic list and preparation scope.

Using Previous Papers as Mocks

Work through signals and systems before communication systems. For transistor circuits, identify the operating region and small-signal model before calculating gain or input resistance.

Use a complete paper for the three-hour practice attempt. A short topic set measures that topic only; do not convert its percentage into an expected GATE rank. Compare the question types, marks and current topics before using previous-year GATE papers as full simulations.

Raw Marks, Normalised Marks, Score and Rank

Measure	Meaning
Raw marks	Marks earned from the answers and MCQ penalties
Normalised marks	Adjusted marks for a paper conducted across multiple sessions
GATE score	Standardised score based on the official paper-level formula
Rank	Relative position in the applicable paper or optional-subject list

Normalisation is not a fixed bonus for a difficult shift. It depends on session-level and all-session statistics, which are unavailable from an individual response sheet alone.

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Quick Navigation PAPER DETAILS

Paper Structure
Question Types and Marking

Paper Structure

−

Feature	Rule
Duration	3 hours
Total questions	65: 10 General Aptitude and 55 subject questions
Total marks	100
Mode and language	Computer-based test; English
Question types	MCQ, MSQ and numerical answer type
Mark value	1 or 2 marks per question

Section	Marks	Requirement
General Aptitude	15	Compulsory
Engineering Mathematics	13	Part of the subject paper
Core subject	72	All listed technical units are in scope

Question Types and Marking

−

Type	Correct	Incorrect
MCQ, 1 mark	+1	-1/3
MCQ, 2 marks	+2	-2/3
MSQ, 1 or 2 marks	Full marks only for the exact correct set	0; no partial credit
NAT, 1 or 2 marks	Full marks for an accepted numerical answer	0

Worked Marks Example

−

Answers	Calculation	Marks
One-mark MCQs: 12 correct, 3 wrong	12 - 3/3	11
Two-mark MCQs: 15 correct, 3 wrong	30 - (3 x 2/3)	28
MSQs: four correct two-mark questions	4 x 2	8
NATs: six correct two-mark questions	6 x 2	12
Combined example	11 + 28 + 8 + 12	59 / 100

The example returns raw marks, not a rank or an official GATE score.

Subject and Option Reference

−

Unit	Topics
Engineering Mathematics	Linear Algebra: Vector space, basis, linear dependence and independence, matrix algebra, eigen values and eigen vectors, rank, solution of linear equations - existence and uniqueness.; 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: Linear differential equations, Euler -Cauchy equation, Nonhomogeneous 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, correlation and regression analysis.
Networks, Signals and 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: RL, RC and RLC circuits, solution of network equations using Laplace transform. Linear 2-port network parameters, wye-delta transformation.; LTI systems: definition and properties, causality, stability, impulse response, convolution, poles and zeroes, frequency response, group delay, phase delay.; Continuous-time Signals: Fourier series and Fourier transform, Nyquist sampling theorem, sampling and reconstruction. Discrete-time Signals: DTFT, DFT, z-transform, FIR and IIR filter design.
Electronic Devices	Formation of energy bands in solids, energy bands in intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, equilibrium carrier concentration, direct and indirect band-gap semiconductors.; Carrier Transport: Diffusion current, drift current, mobility and resistivity, generation and recombination of carriers, Poisson and continuity equations.; P-N junction, Zener diode, BJT, MOS capacitor, MOSFET, scaling in MOSFETs, LED, photo diode and solar cell.
Analog Circuits	Diode Circuits: Clipping, clamping and rectifiers.; BJT and MOSFET Amplifiers: Biasing, AC coupling, small signal analysis, frequency response. Current mirrors and differential amplifiers.; Op-amp Circuits: Amplifiers, summers, differentiators, integrators, active filters, Schmitt trigger and oscillators, dominant-pole (Miller) compensation, phase margin.
Digital Circuits	Number Representations: Binary, integer and floating-point- numbers. Combinatorial circuits: Boolean algebra, minimization of functions using Boolean identities and Karnaugh map, logic gates and their static CMOS implementations, arithmetic circuits, code converters, multiplexers, decoders.; Sequential Circuits: Latches and flip -flops, counters, shift -registers, finite state machines, propagation delay, setup and hold time, critical path delay. Data Converters: Sample and hold circuits, ADCs and DACs. Semiconductor Memories: ROM, SRAM, DRAM. Computer Organization: Machine instructions and addressing modes, ALU, data-path and control unit, instruction pipelining.
Control Systems	Basic control system components; Feedback principle; Transfer function; Block diagram representation; Signal flow graph; Transient and steady-state analysis of LTI systems; Frequency response; Routh-Hurwitz and Nyquist stability criteria; Bode and root-locus plots; compensators, PID controller; State variable model and solution of state equation of LTI systems.
Communications	Random Processes: Autocorrelation and power spectral density, properties of white noise, filtering of random signals through LTI systems.; Analog Communications: Amplitude modulation and demodulation, angle modulation and demodulation, spectra of AM and FM, super heterodyne receivers.; Information Theory: Entropy, source coding, mutual information and channel capacity theorem.; Digital Communications: PCM, DPCM, digital modulation schemes (ASK, PSK, FSK, QAM), bandwidth, inter- symbol interference, MAP, ML detection, matched filter receiver, SNR and BER. Fundamentals of error correction, Hamming codes, CRC.
Electromagnetics	Maxwell's Equations: Differential and integral forms and their interpretation, boundary conditions, wave equation, Poynting vector.; Plane Waves and Properties: Reflection and refraction, polarization, phase and group velocity, propagation through various media, skin depth.; Transmission Lines: Equations, characteristic impedance, impedance matching, impedance transformation, Sparameters, Smith chart. Rectangular and circular waveguides, light propagation in optical fibers, dipole and monopole antennas, linear antenna arrays.

GATE EC Pattern FAQs

Paper and Sections

Is GATE 2027 a 100-mark or 100-question paper?+

It is a 100-mark paper with 65 questions: 10 General Aptitude and 55 subject questions. Questions carry either one or two marks.

Is the whole paper online?+

Yes. GATE is a computer-based examination in English. Numerical answers are entered through the on-screen virtual keypad.

Can I change my optional subject during the examination?+

Marking and Results

Does selecting one correct MSQ option give partial credit?+

No. You must select exactly all the correct options. A partial set or a set containing an incorrect option earns zero.

Is there negative marking for numerical questions?+

No. An incorrect NAT receives zero. The negative-marking rules apply to MCQs only.

Can I multiply my marks by ten to calculate my GATE score?+

No. The score formula uses the General-category qualifying mark and a top-candidate benchmark for the paper. Multi-session papers use normalised marks first. A simple marks-times-ten calculation does not reproduce the official score.

Will the 2027 chapter distribution match last year?+

The official section allocation applies, but there is no promise of the same chapter-by-chapter distribution. Use dated paper analysis as a record of that examination, not as a guarantee for the next one.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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GATE Electronics and Communication Engineering Pattern 2027: Questions, Marks and Negative Marking

GATE EC 2027 Paper Structure

MCQ, MSQ and Numerical Questions

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

Raw Marks Calculation: Worked Example

Subjects and Syllabus Coverage

Using Previous Papers as Mocks

Raw Marks, Normalised Marks, Score and Rank

What do you need right now?

Paper Structure

Question Types and Marking

Worked Marks Example

Subject and Option Reference

GATE EC Pattern FAQs

Paper and Sections

Marking and Results

Ask your question

Answered Questions

What are the eligibility criteria for different engineering programs?

Zollege Team

What is the fee structure for b.tech computer science and engineering at VIT University?

Zollege Team

What interdisciplinary research opportunities are available for graduate students at PRSU?

Rency

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