GATE Physics 2026: Exam Date, Syllabus Weightage, and Strategy
Master the PH Paper: In-depth analysis of Quantum Mechanics, Mathematical Physics, and 2026 Strategy.
Updated: 3 days ago
Categories: GATE Exam, Physics, Higher Education
GATE 2026 PH Exam Timeline
IIT Guwahati has officially slotted the Physics (PH) paper for the very first morning of the examination window. This requires a focused final revision strategy to be ready by early February.
Event
Official Date / Time
Admit Card Release
January 13, 2026
PH Exam Date
February 1, 2026 (9:30 AM - 12:30 PM)
Result Declaration
March 19, 2026
Exam Pattern & Question Types
The PH paper consists of 65 questions for a total of 100 marks. Unlike engineering streams, the Physics paper does not have a separate "Engineering Mathematics" section; instead, Mathematical Physics is part of the core 85 marks.
• MCQ (Multiple Choice): Standard questions with 1/3 or 2/3 negative marking.
• MSQ (Multiple Select): One or more options are correct. No negative marking. These are highly frequent in Solid State and Nuclear Physics.
• NAT (Numerical Answer): Calculation-based questions. No negative marking. Essential for Quantum and Thermodynamics.
Major Sectional Weightage
For 2026, the paper is balanced across nine core sections. However, the first four sections typically account for nearly 50% of the core marks.
Subject
Approx. Marks
Priority Level
General Aptitude
15 Marks
Mandatory
Mathematical Physics
12-14 Marks
Critical
Quantum Mechanics
10-12 Marks
Critical
Electromagnetic Theory
9-11 Marks
High
Solid State & Nuclear
15-18 Marks
High
Core Syllabus: The "Big Five" Pillars
To target an AIR under 200, focus on these technical pillars that dominate the 2026 paper:
1. Mathematical Physics: Vector calculus, Complex analysis (Residue theorem), Differential equations, and Fourier/Laplace transforms.
2. Quantum Mechanics: 1D potential wells, Harmonic oscillators, Hydrogen atom, and Perturbation theory.
3. Electromagnetic Theory: Maxwell’s equations, Waveguides, Radiation from dipoles, and Boundary conditions.
4. Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics: Ensembles, Partition functions, and Bose-Einstein/Fermi-Dirac statistics.
5. Atomic & Molecular Physics: LS & JJ coupling, Zeeman effect, and Rotational/Vibrational spectra.
Success Roadmap for PH 2026
1. Zero-Error in Aptitude: These 15 marks are the easiest in the paper. Scoring 12+ here provides a significant safety net.
2. NAT Precision: Nearly 30% of the technical paper is NAT. Practice using the virtual calculator for complex Quantum and Statistical mechanics problems to avoid decimal errors.
3. Conceptual MSQs: For Solid State and Nuclear Physics, MSQs test theoretical nuances. Ensure your understanding of Crystal systems and Nuclear models is crystal clear.
4. PYQ Analysis (2014-2025): Patterns in Electrodynamics and Quantum Mechanics are often repetitive. Solve at least 12 years of papers to understand the IIT Guwahati question style.
Official Links & Reference Portals
Refer to the official portal for mock tests and syllabus PDFs:
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