GATE EC PYQ: Previous Year Question Papers 2016–2026

This page lists GATE EC previous year question papers for 11 years, 2016 to 2026, with 25 official PDFs (question papers and answer keys). GATE EC (GATE Electronics and Communication Engineering) is conducted by IISc Bangalore or one of the IITs, in rotation, and covers General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics and EC core. Pick a year below for the paper, answer key and a timed practice plan; confirm dates and pattern on gate2027.iitm.ac.in.

Year-wise question papers

Answer first

For GATE EC (EC), solve paper-code-specific previous year questions under timed conditions, keep General Aptitude alive weekly, and build a subject-weight tally from every EC paper you can get. Electronics and Communication was held in three sets in 2016 and two in 2017. From 2018 to 2026 each year has a single EC paper, except 2020, which is not hosted here. Mixed-branch PDF dumps destroy the signal you need.

Why EC-only PYQs matter

1. Official structure: EC has no separate measurement or power block: marks are split between signals, devices and circuits, communications, control and electromagnetics.
2. NAT precision: EC NATs mix units fast: GHz against MHz, dB against ratios, and radians against degrees. Write the unit next to every intermediate value on rough paper.
3. MSQ logic: Multi-select questions appear in the recent keys and score only when every correct option, and no wrong one, is chosen. Practise them with a written option audit.
4. M.Tech and PSU alignment: The same EC papers feed both goals, with different cut-off arithmetic.

Pattern snapshot (verify brochure)

Single paper, computer-based, three hours. 65 questions for 100 marks: 10 General Aptitude (15 marks) and 55 Electronics and Communication (85 marks, with Engineering Mathematics inside the core). Question types are MCQ, MSQ and NAT. Wrong MCQ answers lose 1/3 or 2/3 of the question’s marks; MSQ and NAT have no negative marking.

Core topic map for GATE EC

Networks, Signals and Systems

Network theorems, transients, LTI systems, Fourier and Laplace transforms, sampling and z-transform.

Analog Circuits

Op-amp circuits, BJT and MOSFET amplifiers, feedback and frequency response.

Digital Circuits

Combinational and sequential design, state machines, ADC and DAC.

Electronic Devices

PN junction, BJT and MOS operation, band diagrams and capacitances.

Communications

Modulation, noise, probability of error, information theory.

Control Systems

Stability, root locus, Bode and Nyquist plots, state space.

Electromagnetics

Transmission lines, plane waves, waveguides, antennas.

Engineering Mathematics

Linear algebra, calculus, differential equations, complex analysis, probability.

Pareto guidance: Mark counts per subject are not tabulated on this hub yet, so build your own tally. After each paper, count how many questions each subject contributed and let the running average decide your order of study.

Prep timelines using EC PYQs

3-month plan

In month 1, sit one full EC paper to see where you stand, and work on your three weakest subjects. In month 2, practise EC PYQs subject by subject, starting with the ones that carry the most marks in your tally. In month 3, alternate full papers with revising the formulas from your error log.

6-month plan

Finish the syllabus with weekly EC PYQ tagging. In the second half, sit one full paper most weeks plus subject revision from misses only. In the years with more than one EC set (2016 and 2017), do one set as the timed mock and the others as later attempts.

12-month plan

Syllabus, then subject-wise EC PYQs, then full papers, then revision cycles. Keep GA alive all year. Focus areas as you go:

• Networks, signals and systems, where transform and LTI questions repeat in familiar shapes.
• Analog and digital circuits, where a drawn circuit decides the answer.
• Communications and control, where formulas are standard but easy to misapply.
• Electromagnetics and devices, where a small set of results covers most questions.

Common mistakes

• Solving mixed-paper dumps from other GATE codes.
• Ignoring the latest official EC syllabus PDF.
• No NAT re-entry practice.
• Skipping GA because core feels endless.

FAQ

Where can I find GATE EC previous year question papers?

On this hub: the official Electronics and Communication Engineering question papers and answer keys for 10 of the 11 years from 2016–2026, from the organising institutes’ sites. Each year page links the original source.

How many years of GATE EC PYQs should I solve?

Aim for 8-10 recent years of paper code EC for subject weightage, with every recent year timed at least once.

Are GATE EC PYQs enough?

They are the best practice available, but they do not replace the official syllabus, studying the concepts, and keeping up General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics.

Should I mix other GATE paper codes with EC?

No for core subject practice. GA can be cross-practised and mathematics templates transfer, but core numericals should stay EC-only.

How should I use an error log?

Same day: tag each miss by block (GA, mathematics, core), subject, and miss type (concept, silly, time or misread). Next sessions repair logged items only.

How many sets does GATE EC have?

Electronics and Communication was held in three sets in 2016 and two in 2017. From 2018 to 2026 each year has a single EC paper, except 2020, which is not hosted here.

Where to get the official papers

GATE EC question papers, answer keys and notifications are published by the IISc or IIT organising that year’s exam on its own GATE website (IIT Madras for GATE 2027: gate2027.iitm.ac.in). Download them from there. We link to the official files and add practice notes, but the latest official notification is the final word on dates, pattern and eligibility.