GATE 2021: Changes in Pattern and Syllabus

GATE 2021 notification is out and some changes are incorporated in the pattern and syllabus of the examination.

GATE is the most important examination for engineering students for higher studies as well as job opportunities in India. Most of the well known PSUs like IOCL, BPCL, BHEL, GAIL etc shortlist the candidates for interview based on their performance in GATE.

For the current academic year, GATE 2021 will be conducted in March'21. Organizing institute for the examination is IIT Bombay.

Online application portal for GATE 2021 will open from 14th September 2020 and examination will be conducted on 5th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th and 14th February 2021.

Some important changes are incorporate in this years examination:

1. Eligibility

3rd year engineering students are also eligible for GATE 2021.

2. Validity of Score

GATE score card will be valid for 3 years.

3. Pattern of Examination

In addition to Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions, Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) is also added in GATE 2021.

MSQs will be carrying 1 or 2 marks each and will be objective in nature. Each question will have a choice of four answers, out of which one or more option may be correct. Marks will be allotted only if all the correct answers are chosen but there will be no negative marking for these questions.

4. Two new subject papers added

Following two new subject paper has been added in GATE 2021:

• Environmental Science and Innerspring (ES)

• Humanities and Social Sciences (XH)

So this year GATE will be conducted in total 27 papers.

Click here for details of all papers and exam analysis.

5. Syllabus is revised

Syllabus of each paper has been revised. Click here for revised syllabus.

6. Two Papers allowed

If a candidate wishes to give GATE 2021 in two papers, he/she may choose a Secondary paper from the allowed options along with the Primary paper. For core branches of engineering allowed secondary option are as follows:

Civil Engineering (CE) - secondary options are i) Architecture & Planning (AR) and ii) Environmental Science & Engineering (ES)

Computer Science and Information Technology (CS): secondary options is Mathematics (MA)

Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC): secondary options are i) Instrumentation Engineering (IN) and ii) Physics (PH)

Electrical Engineering: secondary options is Instrumentation Engineering (IN)

Mechanical Engineering: secondary options is Engineering Sciences (XE)