Which IIT sets the toughest GATE Question Paper: Analysis, What to expect in GATE 2027?

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2027 ( GATE )

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GATE 2027 Registration Last Date without late fee

27 Sep '26

UPASANA
UPASANA PRADHAN
Assistant Manager- Editorial
Updated on Jun 7, 2026 14:59 IST
GATE is termed as one of the prestigious national-level entrance examinations that offers admission to postgraduate and research programmes. However, many GATE aspirants have this one doubt, Which IIT sets the toughest GATE question paper? Read below to know more.

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 IITs sets the toughest GATE Paper?

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.

LIVE NOW: GATE 2027 Application Form Live Updates

Table of contents
  • 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. 

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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
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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is General Aptitude section same for all GATE subject test papers?
A: 

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. 

Q:   What changes are made in GATE 2027?
A: 

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. 

Q:   What is the exam pattern for GATE Robotics and Automation?
A: 

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.

Q:   What are GATE zones in the exam centres list?
A: 

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

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is GATE 2026 Exam structure?
A: 

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. 

Q:   What is the ideal number of question attempts to obtain a GATE rank under 1000?
A: 

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. 

Q:   Is there negative marking in GATE exam?
A: 

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
Q:   Which branch GATE question paper is the toughest?
A: 

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.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   How many reasoning and comprehension questions asked in GATE question paper?
A: 

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.

Q:   What are MCQ, MSQ, and NAT in GATE pattern?
A: 

MCQs, MSQs, and NATs are types of questions that are asked in GATE-

Question typeMeaning
MCQsMultiple-choice questions
MSQsMultiple select questions
NATsNumerical-based questions

Each question has a different marking scheme. Candidates must check GATE marking scheme carefully. 

Q:   What is the GATE 2027 exam pattern?
A: 

Candidates can check GATE exam pattern below -

ModeComputer-based test
Language of question paperEnglish
Time duration3 hours
Total number of branches30
SectionsGeneral Aptitude and Selected Subject
Total marks100
Negative marking

Applicable on MCQs 

(for 1 mark MCQs - 1/3rd mark

for 2 mark MCQs - 2/3 mark)

 

Q:   Where can I download the GATE previous year question paper?
A: 

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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About the Author
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UPASANA PRADHAN
Assistant Manager- Editorial

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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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.

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Chandra Chaudhary

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Yes, GATE application form window is now open for GATE 2027 registration. Candidates can apply via DigiLocker now.

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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.

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Shiksha Gaurav

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If additional amount is deducted while filling GATE exam form 2027, then extra amount will be refunded within 15 to 20 days.

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