Which IIT sets the toughest GATE question paper: Every year millions of candidates appear for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engieering across India. But the real question lies, which IIT prepares the toughest GATE paper. Now that the GATE 2027 exam notification is released, knowing the pattern and question paper difficulty is really important.
Which IIT makes the toughest GATE paper: With GATE 2027 exam and registration to start soon, many engineering graduates across India ask one same question before starting their preparation, and that is which has been the toughest GATE paper in history.
With MTech admissions through GATE, along with PSU jobs, the GATE 2027 is known to be one of the reputable engineering entrance exams for higher studies and research. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is held for 30 subjects every year on multiple dates. While students often debate for that certain older IITs prepare tough questions in GATE, the truth is deeply rooted in data and GATE exam history trends, and a major exam myth.
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- IIT GATE Paper Difficulty Level
- Which IIT is conducting GATE 2027?
- Which IIT sets toughest GATE Question Paper?
- GATE Paper Difficulty Level Analysis
- GATE 2027 Prediction Trends: What to expect, Which Exam Years were the Hardest?
- GATE Year-Wise Paper Difficulty Level and Cutoff Trends
IIT GATE Paper Difficulty Level
Every year, GATE is conducted by different IITs and IISc on a rotational basis. Each of them has their academic standards and prepare question papers accordingly. However, the question setting pocess is a group effort. Professors and senior faculty members from all IITs and the IISc Bangalore pool their questions together into a secure database. So, based on past paper trends, cutoff analysis, paper analysis, and students’ reactions on various platforms and communities, here’s a short analysis on which IIT is known for making toughest GATE question paper?
Which IIT is conducting GATE 2027?
The main job of the organising IIT for the respective year is different. IIT Madras is conducting the GATE 2027 exam. They manage GATE official website, coordinate GATE exam center, and calculate GATE results. However, looking at the past exams, a few specific year's have gained reputation for being exceptionally tricky.
Also read: Which IIT will conduct GATE 2027?
Which IIT sets toughest GATE Question Paper?
Answer to this question cannot be a sure shot one, as each IITs have its academic standards and format for setting GATE question paper. Overall, the exam is known for maintaining a consistent difficulty level for the past 10 to 15 years. This is to maintain uniformity, confirming scoring is done fairly. But in student communities and forums, response is not same. Here are some popular aspirants responses regarding paper difficulty level across communities. In addition, along with tough paper setting, GATE cutoff also does matter in admission process.
Explore colleges based on GATE
IISc Bangalore is known for setting most difficult GATE papers. Questions are made considering analytical skill research.
GATE Paper Difficulty Level Analysis
Many students have also mentioned that IIT Bombay makes most difficult GATE question paper. As per 2021 paper analysis, difficulty level was moderate to tough. These IITs strictly concentrate on basics and put out tricky and time-consuming questions. Pick out GATE question papers curated by IIT Bombay, IISc Bengaluru and IIT Guwahati and pay a special attention to it.
Also read:
| GATE Safe Score for Mechanical Engineering | Safe Score for GATE EE | Safe score for GATE 2026 ECE |
| GATE 2026 expected cutoff for DA | GATE 2026 cutoff for ECE | Safe score for GATE DA 2026 paper |
Key Takeaway - Instead of worrying about which IIT sets toughest GATE paper, one must focus on their preparation and revision, cause that’s what matters most now.
GATE 2027 Prediction Trends: What to expect, Which Exam Years were the Hardest?
While the difficulty level is kept fair over the years, past cutoff marks and past student feedback highlight analysis -
IISc Bangalore
Looking at the past GATE exam difficulty trends, IISc Bangalore (in 2016 and 2024), the papers were highly logical. With tricky calculations, conceptual-based calculations, IISc Bangalore aims to test core engineering fundamentals. If your basics are weak, then GATE IISc paper will feel incredibly tough.
IIT Bombay and IIT Kanpur GATE Question Papers
IIT Bombay organised GATE exam in 2021 and Kanpur in 2023. Past analysis shows that the question paper tends to be tricky multiple-select questions (MSQs) and numerical answer type questions that take multiple steps to solve.
GATE IIT Guwahati Question Paper Difficulty Level
Last year, IIT Guwahati conducted the GATE exam. Based on paper analysis and students reactions, GATE CSE and Electrical Engineering paper has lengthy and logical-heavy questions, and that were tricky and time-consuming.
GATE Year-Wise Paper Difficulty Level and Cutoff Trends
| Organising IIT | Year | Overall Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Guwahati | 2026 | Moderate to Tough |
| IIT Roorkee | 2025 | Moderate to Hard |
| IISc Bangalore | 2024 | Moderate to Tough |
| IIT Kanpur | 2023 | Moderate |
Commonly asked questions
Yes, GATE General Aptitude is common for all papers. The general aptitude section carries 15 marks out 100 marks, comprising 10 questions in total. The section mainly tests candidates' analytical and thinking skills in the exam. Here's a breakdown of the GATE General breakdown of questions -
- The GA section includes 5 questions of 1 mark and
- 5 questions of 2 marks.
The GATE marking scheme is the same for all.
This year, IIT Guwahati is conducting GATE 2026, and two things have been modified -
- The GATE fees have been revised for all categories
- A new sectional paper has been introduced, called Energy Science (under Engineering Sciences).
The details are available on the official website as well as in the information brochure.
The GATE "Robotics and Automation" (RA) question paper will have a total of 100 marks.
General Aptitude: 15 marks
Subject Questions: 85 marks
The marking scheme and time duration remain the same. GATE "RA" paper structure can be checked below:
Part "A" is common, which carries 60 marks. It is compulsory for all candidates
Part "B" is optional. It carries 25 marks in total. Candidates can either select Part B1 (Electrical Stream) or Part B2 (Mechanical Stream) during the test.
The GATE zones are the authorities that perform any operations related to the GATE examination. These are managed by the GATE offices of IISc and IITs. The list of GATE zones is as follows-
- IISc Bengaluru
- IIT Delhi
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Guwahati
- IIT Kanpur
- IIT Kharagpur
- IIT Madras
- and IIT Roorkee
Commonly asked questions
GATE papers have three major sections; General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics & Specific Subject. There are 65 questions asked for 100 marks in GATE exam.
General aptitude questions are asked for 15 marks, Engineering mathematics in some paper codes, 13 marks and the rest 72 marks from the chosen subject.
In some paper codes engineering mathematics will be excluded only 15 marks general aptitude questions and rest 85 marks will be of chosen subject.
According to topper's and experts, the ideal number of questions to attempt correctly is 50 to 55, to obtain a GATE rank under 1000.
Yes, GATE has negative marking for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) only. In GATE question paper, MCQs will be of one and two marks. Hence, the marking scheme for such questions can be checked below -
- For one mark MCQ - 1/3rd mark will be deducted
- For two mark MCQ - 2/3rd mark will be deducted
Considering the past year's trends and experts analysis, GATE CSE, ECE, and EE papers are considered as the toughest papers in GATE exam. Here's why -
Complex technical concepts and fundamentals
Heavy mathematics
Branch popularity and number of registered candidates are more.
Commonly asked questions
GATE Reasoning and Comprehension section is mandatory. For humanities and social sciences, the reasoning and comprehension section contains 16 questions of 25 marks, where 7 questions will be of 1 mark and 9 questions will be of 2 marks. Candidates must check distribution of questions carefully.
MCQs, MSQs, and NATs are types of questions that are asked in GATE-
| Question type | Meaning |
| MCQs | Multiple-choice questions |
| MSQs | Multiple select questions |
| NATs | Numerical-based questions |
Each question has a different marking scheme. Candidates must check GATE marking scheme carefully.
Candidates can check GATE exam pattern below -
| Mode | Computer-based test |
| Language of question paper | English |
| Time duration | 3 hours |
| Total number of branches | 30 |
| Sections | General Aptitude and Selected Subject |
| Total marks | 100 |
| Negative marking | Applicable on MCQs (for 1 mark MCQs - 1/3rd mark for 2 mark MCQs - 2/3 mark) |
The GATE previous years question paper are available on the GATE 2027 official website - gate2027.iitm.ac.in.Candidates can download them for free.
To predict the GATE paper if it will be easy or hard is based on which IIT is organising. Because the questions are prepared from top professors, across India, the GATE exam standards are really high. The best strategy to secure a good rank in GATE is to focus on finishing the syllabus, and practice as many PYQs and mock test.
Also read:
| GATE cutoff for ME | GATE cutoff for civil engineering (CE) | GATE cutoff for EE |
| GATE CSE cutoff | GATE Scholarships | Admission to IITs without GATE scores |

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Student Forum
Answered Yesterday
Yes, you can change or correct spelling mistakes in your name during the GATE Application Form Correction process by paying a fee of ₹500 and providing supporting documents.
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
No, Alliance School of Business only accepts the scores of its own exam called ARAT for admitting candidates to its PhD course.
Candidates can also get direct admission into PhD courses if they completed UG level graduation with an aggregate over 75% in honors mode or in a UG course of four year dura
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The GATE total marks is 100. The marks in GATE question paper is distributed as follows:
- General Aptitude - 15 marks
- Engineering Mathematics - 13 marks
- Subject/Core Discipline - 72 marks
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
No
Every one need to pay fee
A
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 2 weeks ago
NIT Silchar has a moderate overall engineering placement record with average packages around INR 12–14 LPA, but core CSE/IT departments claim a major share of these high-paying software offers.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
No GATE score is required for admission to BITS Pilani Dubai MEng course. For admission to the MEng course, Indian students are required to submit a Bachelor's degree in the relevant field with minimum 60% marks. Students can apply for the MEng course by filling out the application form.
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, GATE application form window is now open for GATE 2027 registration. Candidates can apply via DigiLocker now.
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
According to the IIT Kanpur GATE cutoff 2024, the last round closing ranks ranged from 622 to 840 for the General AI category. So, students who score above 630 increase their chances of admission. The higher the score, the better the chances of admission. Check the list below to know the minimum sco
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, GATE application form window is now live on GOAPS portal. Candidates who want to apply can visit the official website and submit form before due date.
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 4 weeks ago
If additional amount is deducted while filling GATE exam form 2027, then extra amount will be refunded within 15 to 20 days.
S
Contributor-Level 8
Upasana Pradhan is an Mtech graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering from DTU who specialises in curating postgraduate and undergraduate engineering entrance exam content, such as GATE, TS PGECET, KCET,
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