GATE Instrumentation Syllabus 2026 Topic Wise and Weightage

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Multiple Selective Questions(MSQs) 
• Numerical Answer Type Questions (NAT)

• For MCQs, the Test Paper carries 1 mark and 2 marks for questions with 13 and 23 negative marking for incorrect answers, respectively.
• For NAT – No negative marking.

• Section 1- General Aptitude
• Section 2 – Engineering Mathematics and Core Discipline Questions.

• General Aptitude – 15%
• Engineering Mathematics – 15%
• Core Discipline Questions – 70%

• English grammar
• Vocabularies
• Reading and comprehension
• Narrative sequencing

• Data interpretation
• 2 & 3-dimensional plots
• Maps & tables
• ratios, percentages, powers, exponents & logarithms
• Permutations & combinations
• Mensuration & geometry
• Elementary statistics & probability

• Logic: Deduction & Induction Analogy
• Numerical relations & reasoning

• shapes Transformation  like translation, mirroring, rotation & scaling
• Assembling & grouping
• Paper folding, cutting, and patterns (2 & 3 dimensions)

• Linear dependence and independence
• Vector space
• Matrix algebra, eigenvalues and eigenvectors
• Solution of linear equations- existence and uniqueness
• Rank.

• 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

• First-order equations (linear and nonlinear)
• Higher-order linear differential equations
• Cauchy’s and Euler’s equationsVariationn of parameters solution using Methods
• Complementary function and particular integral
• Partial differential equations
• Variable separable method
• initial and boundary value problems

• Vectors in the plane and space
• Vector operations
• Gradient, divergence and curl
• Gauss’s, Green’s and Stokes’ theorems.

• Analytic functions
• Cauchy’s integral theorem
• integral formula(Cauchy’s), sequences, series, and convergence tests
• Taylor and Laurent series, residue theorem.

• Mean, median, mode, standard deviation
• Combinatorial probability
• Probability distributions
• Binomial distribution
• Poisson distribution
• Exponential distribution
• Normal distribution
• Joint and conditional probability.

• Electric field and potential due to point, line, plane and spherical charge distributions, Coulomb’s Law, Electric Field Intensity, Electric Flux Density, Gauss’s Law, Divergence,
•  Capacitance of simple configurations,  Effect of dielectric medium, 
• Ampere’s law, Curl, Faraday’s law, Lorentz force, Inductance, Biot‐Savart’s law
•  Self and Mutual inductance of simple configurations, Magnetomotive force, Reluctance, Magnetic circuits,

• Independent Sources
• Dependent Sources
• Ideal Sources
• Practical Sources

V-I Relationships and Transient Analysis

• Inductor, and Capacitor, V-I Relationships of Resistor,
• RLC Circuits with DC Excitation: Transient Analysis

AC Circuit Analysis

• AC Quantities: Average, Peak, and RMS Values
• Apparent, Active, and Reactive Powers
• Phasor Analysis
• Impedance and Admittance
• Series and Parallel Resonance
• Locus Diagrams
• Basic Filter Realisation Using R, L, and C Elements
• RLC Circuits with AC Excitation: Transient Analysis

Network Theory

• One-Port and Two-Port Networks
• Driving Point Impedance and Admittance
• Open and Short Circuit Parameters

Transformers and Induction Motors

• Single-Phase Transformer
• Equivalent Circuit
• Phasor Diagram
• Open Circuit and Short Circuit Tests
• Regulation and Efficiency
• Three-Phase Induction Motors
• Principle of Operation
• Types of Induction Motors
• Performance Characteristics
• Torque-Speed Characteristics
• No-Load and Blocked Rotor Tests
• Equivalent Circuit
• Starting and Speed Control
• Electric Machine Efficiency Calculations and Loss Types

• Periodic Signals
• Aperiodic Signals
• Impulse Signals

Transforms

• Laplace Transform
• Fourier Transform
• Z-Transform

Linear Time-Invariant Systems

• Transfer Function
• First and Second Order Linear Time-Invariant Systems of Frequency Response of
• Impulse Response of Systems

Convolution and Correlation

• Convolution
• Correlation

Discrete-Time Systems

• Impulse Response
• Frequency Response
• Pulse Transfer Function

• IIR and FIR Filters
• Basics of Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) Filters
• Basics of Finite Impulse Response (FIR) Filters

• Lead Compensators
• Lag Compensators
• Lead-Lag Compensators

Control System Design Techniques

• On-Off Controllers
• P Controllers
• PI Controllers
• PID Controllers
• Cascade Controllers
• Feedforward Controllers
• Ratio Controllers

• Adder
• Subtractor
• Integrator
• Differentiator
• Difference Amplifier
• Instrumentation Amplifier
• Precision Rectifier
• Active Filters
• Oscillators
• Signal Generators
• Voltage-controlled oscillators
• Phase-locked loop

Diode

• Characteristics of a Diode
• Applications of Diodes

Zener Diode

• Characteristics of the Zener Diode
• Applications of Zener Diodes

Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT)

• Characteristics of BJT
• Applications of BJT

Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps)

• Characteristics of Ideal Op-Amps
• Characteristics of Practical Op-Amps

Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET)

• Characteristics of MOSFET
• Applications of MOSFET
• Small Signal Analysis of Transistor Circuits,
•  Feedback Amplifiers, 
• Sources and Effects of Noise
• Interference in Electronic Circuits

• Basics of Data Acquisition Systems
• Basics of Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
• Basics of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
• Combinational Logic Circuits
• Minimisation of Boolean Functions
• IC Families: TTL and CMOS
• Arithmetic Circuits
• Comparators
• Schmitt Trigger
• Multivibrators
• Sequential Circuits
• Flip-Flops
• Shift Registers
• Timers and Counters
• Sample-and-Hold Circuit
• Multiplexer
• Analogue-to-Digital Converters (ADC)
• Integrating ADC
• Flash ADC
• Sigma-Delta ADC
• Weighted R DAC
• R-2R Ladder DAC
• Current Steering Logic DAC
• Characteristics of ADC and DAC
• Resolution
• Quantization
• Significant Bits
• Conversion/Settling Time
• Basics of Number Systems
• Embedded Systems
• Microprocessor Applications
• Microcontroller Applications
• Memory
• Input-Output Interfacing

• Amplitude Modulation (AM)
• Frequency Modulation (FM)

Digital Modulation Techniques

• Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)
• Phase Shift Keying (PSK)
• Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)
• Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)
• Pulse Shift Keying (PSK)

Optical Sources and Detectors

• Light Emitting Diode (LED)
• Laser
• Photodiode
• Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
• Square Law Detector
• Interferometer and Its Applications in Metrology
• Basics of Fibre Optic Sensing
• UV-VIS Spectrophotometers
• Mass Spectrometer
• Shannon’s Sampling Theorem
• Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)

• Resistive Sensors
• Capacitive Sensors
• Inductive Sensors
• Piezoelectric Sensors
• Hall Effect Sensors
• Conductivity Sensors
• Viscosity Sensors
• Displacement Sensors (Linear and Angular)
• 4-20 mA Two-Wire Transmitter
• Velocity Sensors
• Acceleration Sensors
• Force Sensors
• Torque Sensors
• Vibration Sensors
• Shock Sensors
• Pressure Sensors (Including Low Pressure)
• Open Channel Flow Meters) and Flow Sensors (Variable Head, Variable Area, Electromagnetic, Ultrasonic, Turbine, 
• Thermistor, Pyrometer, Semiconductor) Temperature Sensors and  (Thermocouple, Bolometer, RTD (3/4 Wire),
• Liquid Level Sensors
• pH Sensors