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GATE Syllabus for Instrumentation Engineering (IN) 2023: Important Topics, Sample Questions and Books

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GATE Syllabus for Instrumentation Engineering 2023 consists of 10 major topics including Engineering Mathematics that are based on the principle and operation of measuring instruments used in fields of design, configuration of automated systems, etc. GATE question paper for Instrumentation Engineering is divided into three sections- General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics and Core Discipline. The core subjects for Instrumentation Engineering carry the highest weightage with 72%. Check GATE Instrumentation Engineering Exam Pattern 2023

Digital and MicroProcessor carries the highest weightage in the GATE Syllabus for Instrumentation Engineering 2023. The candidates who are appearing for GATE Instrumentation Engineering paper can also appear for any one of the following papers i.e., GATE Electronics and Communication Engineering, GATE Electrical Engineering or GATE Physics.

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GATE Syllabus for IN

GATE Syllabus for Instrumentation Engineering (IN) 2023

GATE syllabus for Instrumentation Engineering divided into 10 important topics including engineering mathematics. Candidate can check the detailed GATE Syllabus for Instrumentation Engineering (IN) with all the important topics and sub-topics: 

Important Topics for GATE Instrumentation Engineering Syllabus
Engineering Mathematics Electricity and Magnetism
Electrical Circuits and Machines Signals and Systems
Control Systems Analog Electronics
Digital Electronics Measurements
Sensors and Industrial Instrumentation Communication and Optical Instrumentation

Section 1: Engineering Mathematics

  • Linear Algebra: Matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, consistency and rank, Eigen values and Eigen vectors. 
  • Calculus: Mean value theorems, theorems of integral calculus, partial derivatives, maxima and minima, multiple integrals, Fourier series, vector identities, line, surface and volume integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems. 
  • Differential equations: First order equation (linear and nonlinear), second order linear differential equations with constant coefficients, method of variation of parameters, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, initial and boundary value problems, solution of partial differential equations: variable separable method. 
  • Analysis of complex variables: Analytic functions, Cauchy’s integral theorem and integral formula, Taylor’s and Laurent’s series, residue theorem, solution of integrals. 
  • Probability and Statistics: Sampling theorems, conditional probability, mean, median, mode, standard deviation and variance; random variables: discrete and continuous distributions: normal, Poisson and binomial distributions. 
  • Numerical Methods: Matrix inversion, solutions of non-linear algebraic equations, iterative methods for solving differential equations, numerical integration, regression and correlation analysis.

Section 2: Electricity and Magnetism

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

Section 3: Electrical Circuits and Machines

  • Voltage and current sources: independent, dependent, ideal and practical; v-i relationships of resistor, inductor, mutual inductance and capacitor; transient analysis of RLC circuits with dc excitation.
  • Kirchoff’s laws, mesh and nodal analysis, superposition, Thevenin, Norton, maximum power transfer and reciprocity theorems.
  • Peak-, average- and rms values of ac quantities; apparent-, active- and reactive powers; phasor analysis, impedance and admittance; series and parallel resonance, locus diagrams, realization of basic filters with R, L and C elements. transient analysis of RLC circuits with ac excitation.
  • One-port and two-port networks, driving point impedance and admittance, open-, and short circuit parameters.
  • Single phase transformer: equivalent circuit, phasor diagram, open circuit and short circuit tests, regulation and efficiency; Three phase induction motors: principle of operation, types, performance, torque-speed characteristics, no-load and blocked rotor tests, equivalent circuit, starting and speed control; Types of losses and efficiency calculations of electric machines.

Section 4: Signals and Systems

  • Periodic, aperiodic and impulse signals; Laplace, Fourier and z-transforms; transfer function, frequency response of first and second order linear time invariant systems, impulse response of systems; convolution, correlation. Discrete time system: impulse response, frequency response, pulse transfer function; DFT and FFT; basics of IIR and FIR filters.

Section 5: Control Systems

  • Feedback principles, signal flow graphs, transient response, steady-state-errors, Bode plot, phase and gain margins, Routh and Nyquist criteria, root loci, design of lead, lag and lead-lag compensators, state-space representation of systems; time-delay systems; mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic system components, synchro pair, servo and stepper motors, servo valves; on-off, P, P-I, P-I-D, cascade, feedforward, and ratio controllers.

Section 6: Analog Electronics

  • Characteristics and applications of diode, Zener diode, BJT and MOSFET; small signal analysis of transistor circuits, feedback amplifiers. Characteristics of operational amplifiers; applications of op amps: difference amplifier, adder, subtractor, integrator, differentiator, instrumentation amplifier, precision rectifier, active filters and other circuits. Oscillators, signal generators, voltage controlled oscillators and phase locked loop.

Section 7: Digital Electronics

  • Combinational logic circuits, minimization of Boolean functions. IC families: TTL and CMOS. Arithmetic circuits, comparators, Schmitt trigger, multi-vibrators, sequential circuits, flip flops, shift registers, timers and counters; sample-and-hold circuit, multiplexer, analog-to digital (successive approximation, integrating, flash and sigma-delta) and digital-to analog converters (weighted R, R-2R ladder and current steering logic). Characteristics of ADC and DAC

Section 8: Measurements

  • SI units, systematic and random errors in measurement, expression of uncertainty - accuracy and precision index, propagation of errors. PMMC, MI and dynamometer type instruments; dc potentiometer; bridges for measurement of R, L and C, Q-meter. Measurement of voltage, current and power in single and three phase circuits; ac and dc current probes; true rms meters, voltage and current scaling, instrument transformers, timer/counter, time, phase and frequency measurements, digital voltmeter, digital multimeter; oscilloscope, shielding and grounding.

Section 9: Sensors and Industrial Instrumentation

  • Resistive-, capacitive-, inductive-, piezoelectric-, Hall effect sensors and associated signal conditioning circuits; transducers for industrial instrumentation: displacement (linear and angular), velocity, acceleration, force, torque, vibration, shock, pressure (including low pressure), flow (differential pressure, variable area, electromagnetic, ultrasonic, turbine and open channel flow meters) temperature (thermocouple, bolometer, RTD (3/4 wire), thermistor, pyrometer and semiconductor); liquid level, pH, conductivity and viscosity measurement.

Section 10: Communication and Optical Instrumentation

  • Amplitude- and frequency modulation and demodulation; Shannon's sampling theorem, pulse code modulation; frequency and time division multiplexing, amplitude-, phase-, frequency-, pulse shift keying for digital modulation; optical sources and detectors: LED, laser, photo-diode, light dependent resistor and their characteristics; interferometer: applications in metrology; basics of fiber optic sensing.

General Aptitude Syllabus for GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering

Verbal Ability Numerical Ability
English grammar; Sentence completion, Instructions; Verbal analogies, Word groups; Critical reasoning, Verbal deduction.  Numerical computation; Numerical reasoning; Numerical estimation; Data interpretation. 


GATE Exam Pattern

GATE Exam Pattern for Instrumentation Engineering 2023

  • Mode of Examination: Online
  • Duration of Exam: 3 hours
  • Types of Questions: MCQs and NAT
  • Sections: 12 sections in GATE Instrumentation Engineering
  • Total Questions: 65 questions
  • Total Marks: 100 marks
Section  Total Marks
General Aptitude 15% of the total marks
Engineering Mathematics 13% of the total marks

Core Discipline- IN

  • Electricity and Magnetism
  • Electrical Circuits and Machines
  • Signals and Systems
  • Control Systems
  • Analog Electronics
  • Digital Electronics
  • Measurements
  • Sensors and Industrial Instrumentation
72% of the total marks

GATE Instrumentation Engineering Marking Scheme 2023 

  • Correct Answer: 1 or 2 Marks
  • Negative Marking: For MCQs only
Type of question Negative marking for wrong answer
MCQs 1/3 for 1 mark questions 2/3 for 2 marks questions
NATs, MSQs No negative marking 

Check Detailed GATE 2023 Exam Pattern


GATE IN Topic-wise Weightage

GATE Instrumentation Engineering: Topic-wise Weightage

GATE IN Topics Weightage Number of Questions Sub-Topics Covered
General Aptitude 15% 10 --
Engineering Mathematics 11% 7 Complex variable Probability density, limit, Determinant function
Network Theory 4% 3 --
Digital Circuits 8% 5 ATOD or D/A converter, flash type ADC, multiplexer
Signals and Systems 8% 5 Laplace transformer, Basic properties of signal
Control Systems 6% 4 Time response Analysis
Measurements 12% 8 AC, bridge
Analog Circuits 8% 5 Application of op-amp amplifier
Communication 3% 2 --
Transducers 8% 5 Pressure measurement, temperature measurement, resistive, capacitive and inductive transducer
Optical Instrumentation 5% 3 Laser, optical fiber, interferometer
Process Control 1% 1 PID controller

GATE IN Sample Questions

Check Previous Years’ GATE Question Papers for more questions


GATE IN Books

Best Books for GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering

Title of the book Name of the Author/ Publication
GATE: Instrumentation Engineering Previous Solved Papers GKP
Instrumentation Engineering GATE  Arihant Experts
GATE – Guide – Instrumentation Engineering GKP

Frequently Asked Questions

GATE Syllabus for Instrumentation Engineering 2023 FAQs

Ques:How tough is GATE Instrumentation Engineering paper?

Ans: As per students who had appeared in previous years the difficulty level of GATE Instrumentation Engineering paper is moderate. Topic-wise difficulty based on the experience of candidates is mentioned below:

  • Network, Control System, Signal and System, General Awareness – Rated Easy
  • Digital and MicroProcessor, Transducer, Measurements, Optical Instrumentation, Engineering Mathematics – Rated Moderate
  • Analog Circuits, Communication Systems – Rated Tough

Ques: What will be the sectional weightage of GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering syllabus?

Ans: The sectional weightage of GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering syllabus is as follows:

Section  Total Marks
General Aptitude 15% of the total marks
Engineering Mathematics 13% of the total marks
Subject-Based (IN) 72% of the total marks

Ques: Will there be any negative marking in GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering paper?

Ans: Yes. There will be negative marking for incorrect MCQs whereas for incorrect NAT questions no negative marking will be there. 

Type of question Negative marking for wrong answer
MCQs 1/3 for 1 mark questions, 2/3 for 2 marks questions
NATs/MSQs No Negative Marking

Ques: Do I need to prepare some other topics also to score well in GATE Instrumentation Engineering paper 2023?

Ans: No. There is no need to study other than the topics mentioned in the official syllabus. The syllabus of GATE Instrumentation Engineering paper is based on the graduation level. If you follow the syllabus prescribed by authorities then you can score very good marks. There is no need to study any extra topic. However, to clear your basic concepts you can go through those topics that are mentioned in the syllabus. 

Ques: What is the best way to complete GATE 2023 Instrumentation Engineering syllabus?

Ans: You can complete your syllabus by using your graduation level books or notes. You can also refer to some other books also like Instrumentation Engineering GATE 2020 – by Arihant. 

Ques. What is the GATE instrumentation paper pattern?

Ans. The GATE Instrumentation paper will consist of 65 questions, out of which 8 questions will be from Engineering Mathematics and 10 questions will be from General Aptitude. 

Ques. How can I prepare for the GATE instrumentation engineering paper?

Ans. Candidates can follow some of these tips for preparation of GATE Instrumentation paper: 

  • Solve GATE Instrumentation Engineering Mock Tests
  • Start with the basic concepts or topics. 
  • Candidates must practice on virtual calculators so that you can develop a habit of using the same.
  • For more tips, check GATE Preparation Guidelines

Ques. Who will conduct the GATE 2023 Instrumentation engineering exam?

Ans. The GATE 2023 Instrumentation engineering exam will be conducted by IIT Kanpur

Ques. Is it possible to give GATE for two subjects, with GATE Instrumentation paper? 

Ans. Yes, the candidates who are appearing for GATE Instrumentation Engineering paper can also appear for any one of the following papers i.e., GATE Electronics and Communication Engineering, GATE Electrical Engineering or GATE Physics.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

GATE 2023 : 19 answered questions

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● Top Answer By Sunil Sharma on 03 Jan 24

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Ques. How can I join an M.Tech through the GATE in Andhra University?

● Top Answer By Prachi Sinha on 09 May 22

Andhra University M.Tech admission is done in two ways, i.e. through GATE and through AP PGECET. To get admission, you need to have a valid GATE score or you need to score a valid rank in AP PGECET. Soon, Andhra University will release the notification for AP PGECET. Here are the tentative dates. Event Tentative dates Notification release date Second week of July 2022 Application form available  Second week of July 2022 Admit card release date  Second week of September 2022 Exam date Third week of September 2022 Result  Second week of October 2022 Andhra University will release the application form online. Visit the official website of the institute regularly to get the updated information. ...Read more

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Ques. Why many GATE toppers leave PSU and join NITIE instead of IITs?

● Top Answer By Aditi Gupta on 01 Apr 22

Many GATE toppers leave PSU and join NITIE, instead of IITs, because it offers better placements. Usually, students with good scores join  ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, IOCL, and others. Despite the good salary, the PSU jobs can get monotonous after a few years. So, the top rankers start looking for better career options. If they wish to do an MBA, they need to prepare for CAT. Some do prepare for CAT, but many join NITIE as it is an easier option. NITIE takes admission through GATE and the GATE score is valid for 3 years. So, they can easily get admission based on their GATE score.  Also, the institute has a great placement record. During NITIE Mumbai placement 2022, the average CTC offered was INR 25.41 LPA.  ...Read more

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Ques. What should be the proper strategy to excel in both GATE and ESE simultaneously?

● Top Answer By Subham Patra on 15 Jul 22

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Ques. What is the difficulty level of the BITS HD exam compared to the GATE?

● Top Answer By Dishi Mishra on 15 Jul 22

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