GATE MA PYQ: Previous Year Question Papers 2016–2026

This page lists GATE MA previous year question papers for 9 years, 2016 to 2026, with 15 official PDFs (question papers and answer keys). GATE MA (GATE Mathematics) is conducted by IISc Bangalore or one of the IITs, in rotation, and covers General Aptitude and Mathematics 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

Not hosted: 2020, 2021. We could not retrieve a complete MA PDF from an official GATE site or its Internet Archive capture for those years, so no page is shown rather than a partial file.

Answer first

For GATE MA (MA), solve paper-code-specific previous year questions under timed conditions, keep General Aptitude alive weekly, and build a subject-weight tally from every MA paper you can get. Mixed-branch PDF dumps destroy the signal you need.

Why MA-only PYQs matter

1. Official structure: Mathematics has its own subject mix: Calculus, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Complex Analysis and more.
2. NAT precision: Typed-answer questions reward unit discipline and the rounding range printed in the key. Log a correct setup with a wrong unit as a silly miss.
3. MSQ logic: From 2021 the keys include multi-select questions, which score only when every correct option, and no wrong one, is chosen. Practise them with a written option audit.
4. M.Tech, PhD and PSU alignment: The same MA papers feed several 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 Mathematics questions (85 marks, with Engineering Mathematics inside the core). Question types are MCQ, NAT and, from 2021, MSQ. 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 MA

Calculus

Limits, continuity, differentiability, mean value theorems, Riemann integration, multivariable calculus, vector calculus.

Linear Algebra

Vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues, canonical forms, inner product spaces.

Real Analysis

Sequences and series, uniform convergence, metric spaces, compactness, Riemann-Stieltjes integral.

Complex Analysis

Analytic functions, contour integration, residues, conformal maps, Taylor and Laurent series.

Ordinary Differential Equations

First-order and linear equations, existence and uniqueness, systems, Sturm-Liouville problems.

Algebra

Groups, rings, fields, Sylow theorems, polynomial rings, field extensions.

Functional Analysis

Normed and Banach spaces, Hilbert spaces, Hahn-Banach, open mapping and closed graph theorems.

Numerical Analysis

Interpolation, numerical integration, iterative methods for equations and linear systems, ODE solvers.

Partial Differential Equations

First-order PDEs, wave, heat and Laplace equations, method of characteristics, separation of variables.

Topology and Linear Programming

Topological spaces, connectedness, compactness; simplex method, duality, transportation problems.

Pareto guidance: Mark counts per subject are not tabulated on this hub, 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 MA PYQs

3-month plan

In month 1, sit one full MA paper to see where you stand, and work on your three weakest areas. In month 2, practise MA 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 MA PYQ tagging. In the second half, sit one full paper most weeks plus subject revision from misses only. Use older papers for topic drills and keep the latest two years for timed mocks.

12-month plan

Syllabus, then subject-wise MA PYQs, then full papers, then revision cycles. Keep GA alive all year. Common weak spots to watch: real analysis, algebra, functional analysis and topology.

Common mistakes

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

FAQ

Where can I find GATE MA previous year question papers?

On this hub: the official Mathematics papers and answer keys for 9 of the 11 years from 2016–2026, from the organising institutes’ sites. Each year page links the original source.

How many years of GATE MA PYQs should I solve?

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

Are GATE MA 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 MA?

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

Where to get the official papers

GATE MA 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.