GATE 2026 Electronics and Communication Engineering Syllabus & Pattern Explained

GATE 2026 for Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) will be conducted by one of the IITs or IISc as part of the national-level Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. The exam opens doors to M.Tech, PhD, and PSU jobs like HPCL, NPCIL, and more. To help aspirants plan their preparation effectively, here’s the detailed GATE 2026 ECE syllabus and updated exam pattern, including subject-wise topics and weightage.

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GATE 2026 ECE Syllabus PDF Download – Electronics & Communication

For detailed preparation, it’s essential to refer to the official GATE 2026 Electronics & Communication syllabus. This PDF includes all subject areas, core topics, and subtopics that will be covered in the exam. Reviewing the syllabus thoroughly will help you focus on the right concepts and manage your time efficiently. You can download the complete GATE 2026 ECE syllabus PDF using the link below.

GATE 2026 EC Exam Pattern – Electronics & Communication

• Number of Questions: 65
• The General Aptitude section has 5 questions of 1-mark each (sub-total 5 marks) and 5 questions carrying 2-marks each (sub-total 10 marks).
• The engineering Mathematics will have questions carrying a total of 13 marks. Some of these questions may be of numerical answer type.
•  The Electronics and Communication engineering paper will have an objective as well as numerical questions carrying a total of 72 marks.
• For every wrong answer in the MCQ, there will be negative marks. For 1-mark questions in MCQ, 1/3 mark
  will be deducted, and for 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.

GATE 2026 EC Syllabus – Detailed Electronics & Communication Topics

Below is the detailed GATE 2026 Electronics & Communication syllabus, structured topic-wise to help you understand exactly what to study for each subject. The syllabus includes core areas such as Engineering Mathematics, Network, Signals and Systems, Electronic Devices, Analog Circuits, Circuits, Control Systems, Communications, and Electromagnetics.

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: 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.

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.

Continuous-time Signals: Fourier series and Fourier transform, sampling theorem and applications.

Discrete-time Signals: DTFT, DFT, z-transform, discrete-time processing of continuous-time signals. LTI systems: definition and properties, causality, stability, impulse response, convolution, poles and zeroes, frequency response, group delay, phase delay.

Electronic Devices

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, 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 triggers and oscillators.

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; Lag, lead and lag-lead compensation; State variable model and solution of state equation of LTI systems.

Communications

Random Processes: Auto correlation and powerspectral 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, 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, S-parameters, Smith chart. Rectangular and circular waveguides, light propagation in optical fibers, dipole and monopole antennas, linear antenna arrays.

How to Download GATE 2026 EC Syllabus PDF

To download the official GATE 2026 Electronics & Communication syllabus, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the official GATE 2026 organizing institute’s website (will be announced soon, usually gate.iitkgp.ac.in or similar).
2. Navigate to the “Syllabus” section from the main menu or homepage.
3. Look for “Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC)” in the list of papers.
4. Click on the EC syllabus link to open the PDF.
5. Download and save the syllabus for reference.

Alternatively, you can download it directly from the link provided in this blog above for quick access. To make the most of the GATE 2026 Electronics & Communication syllabus, start by dividing the syllabus into major subjects and create a realistic study plan covering each topic. Focus on understanding concepts rather than rote learning. Prioritize high-weightage subjects and frequently asked topics from previous years. Use the syllabus as a checklist—mark completed topics and track progress weekly. Good luck!