Likhith · October 3, 2025 
Introduction
Electrical Engineering aspirants preparing for GATE 2026 must master a comprehensive syllabus spanning 10 core technical subjects that collectively contribute 72% of the total examination marks alongside foundational sections. Electrical Engineering GATE syllabus encompasses Engineering Mathematics (13% weightage, 13 marks), Electrical Machines (12% weightage, 12 marks), Power Electronics (11% weightage, 11 marks), Signals and Systems (8% weightage, 8 marks), Power Systems (8% weightage, 8 marks), Control Systems (8% weightage, 8 marks), Electric Circuits (7% weightage, 7 marks), Electromagnetic Fields (7% weightage, 7 marks), Analog and Digital Electronics (7% weightage, 7 marks), and Electrical and Electronic Measurements (2% weightage, 2 marks), along with General Aptitude contributing 15% weightage. With IIT Guwahati conducting GATE 2026, the exam maintains its 100-mark structure across 3 hours with 65 questions, requiring strategic preparation focusing on high-weightage areas like Electrical Machines, Power Electronics, and Engineering Mathematics for optimal scoring potential.
Exam Overview
GATE Electrical Engineering evaluates your understanding of core electrical concepts through a 3-hour Computer-Based Test comprising 100 marks and 65 questions: 10 on General Aptitude (15 marks) and 55 on Engineering Mathematics plus EE core subjects (85 marks).
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Total Questions | 65 (MCQ, MSQ, NAT) |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Sections | General Aptitude, Engineering Maths, EE Core |
| Question Types | Multiple Choice, Multiple Select, Numerical Answer Type |
Section-Wise Syllabus
1. General Aptitude (15 Marks)
Common across all GATE streams, covering fundamental reasoning skills.
- Verbal Aptitude: Grammar, vocabulary, sentence completion, reading comprehension
- Quantitative Aptitude: Data interpretation, arithmetic, percentages, geometry
- Analytical Aptitude: Logic, deduction, analogies, numerical relations
- Spatial Aptitude: Shape transformations, paper folding, 2D/3D patterns
2. Engineering Mathematics (13 Marks)
Essential mathematical foundation for electrical engineering analysis.
- Linear Algebra: Matrix operations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, linear systems
- Calculus: Mean value theorems, integration techniques, partial derivatives, Fourier series
- Differential Equations: First/higher-order equations, boundary value problems, separation of variables
- Complex Variables: Analytic functions, Cauchy’s theorem, Taylor/Laurent series, residue theorem
- Probability & Statistics: Random variables, distributions (normal, Poisson, binomial), correlation analysis
3. Core Electrical Engineering Subjects (85 Marks)
3.1 Electric Circuits (7-8 Marks)
- Network elements: voltage/current sources, R-L-C components
- Analysis methods: KCL, KVL, nodal/mesh analysis
- Network theorems: Thevenin’s, Norton’s, superposition, maximum power transfer
- AC circuits: phasor analysis, resonance, three-phase systems, complex power
3.2 Electromagnetic Fields (5-7 Marks)
- Electrostatics: Coulomb’s law, Gauss’s law, electric field and potential
- Magnetostatics: Biot-Savart law, Ampere’s law, magnetic circuits
- Maxwell’s equations, inductance calculations, capacitance of simple configurations
3.3 Signals and Systems (8-9 Marks)
- Signal classification, system properties
- Fourier analysis: series and transforms
- Laplace transforms, Z-transforms
- LTI systems, convolution, sampling theorem
3.4 Electrical Machines (9-12 Marks)
- DC machines: construction, characteristics, speed control
- Transformers: equivalent circuits, losses, regulation
- Induction motors: slip, torque-speed characteristics
- Synchronous machines: phasor diagrams, power-angle characteristics
3.5 Power Systems (8-10 Marks)
- Power generation concepts, transmission line models
- Load flow analysis: Gauss-Seidel, Newton-Raphson methods
- Fault analysis: symmetrical components, unsymmetrical faults
- Protection systems, stability analysis, economic dispatch
3.6 Control Systems (8-11 Marks)
- Mathematical modeling, transfer functions, block diagrams
- Time and frequency response analysis
- Stability: Routh-Hurwitz, Nyquist criteria, root locus
- Compensator design: lead, lag, PID controllers
3.7 Power Electronics (10-11 Marks)
- Power semiconductor devices: thyristors, MOSFETs, IGBTs
- DC-DC converters: buck, boost, buck-boost
- Rectifiers: controlled/uncontrolled, single/three-phase
- Inverters, PWM techniques
3.8 Analog and Digital Electronics (7-8 Marks)
- Diode circuits: rectifiers, clippers, clampers
- Operational amplifiers, active filters
- Digital logic: combinational/sequential circuits
- ADC/DAC converters
3.9 Electrical and Electronic Measurements (2-5 Marks)
- Measurement of voltage, current, power, energy
- Instrument transformers, digital multimeters
- Bridges, potentiometers, oscilloscopes, error analysis
Official syllabus :
https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in/doc/GATE2026_Syllabus/EE_2026_Syllabus.pdf
Topic-Wise Weightage Distribution
| Subject | Weightage (%) | Questions (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 15 | 10 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 13 | 8 |
| Electrical Machines | 11-12 | 7-8 |
| Power Electronics | 10-11 | 6-7 |
| Power Systems | 8-10 | 5-6 |
| Control Systems | 8-11 | 5-7 |
| Signals and Systems | 8-9 | 5-6 |
| Electric Circuits | 7-8 | 4-5 |
| Analog and Digital Electronics | 7-8 | 4-5 |
| Electromagnetic Fields | 5-7 | 3-4 |
| Electrical Measurements | 2-5 | 1-3 |
Preparation Tip
Focus on high-weightage subjects first: Electrical Machines, Power Electronics, and Control Systems. Build strong fundamentals in Engineering Mathematics as it supports other technical subjects. Practice previous-year GATE papers under timed conditions and maintain a topic-wise error log to track weak areas.
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FAQs
Q1: Where can I find the official GATE 2026 EE syllabus?
A1: The official syllabus is available in the EE Syllabus PDF on the GATE 2026 website (gate2026.iitg.ac.in).
Q2: Which EE subjects carry the highest weightage?
A2: Electrical Machines (11-12 marks), Power Electronics (10-11 marks), and Engineering Mathematics (13 marks) are the highest-scoring sections.
Q3: How should I balance preparation between core subjects and mathematics?
A3: Allocate 40% time to high-weightage EE core subjects, 25% to Engineering Mathematics, 20% to medium-weightage topics, and 15% to General Aptitude and low-weightage subjects.
Q4: Are there negative markings in GATE EE?
A4: Yes. 1/3 mark deduction for wrong 1-mark MCQs and 2/3 mark for wrong 2-mark MCQs. No negative marking for MSQ and NAT questions.
Q5: How many mock tests should I attempt?
A5: Target 20-25 full-length mock tests complemented with subject-wise practice tests for comprehensive preparation assessment.
Q6: Which reference books are recommended for Power Systems?
A6: Standard texts include “Power System Analysis” by Hadi Saadat, “Modern Power System Analysis” by Nagrath & Kothari, and “Power Systems” by C.L. Wadhwa.
Conclusion
Success in GATE 2026 EE requires systematic preparation across all syllabus sections with emphasis on high-scoring topics. Regular practice, conceptual clarity, and strategic time management will ensure optimal performance. The official GATE 2026 EE syllabus PDF provides complete details for thorough preparation planning.
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