GATE PH previous year question papers
Physics · 2007–2026
Free year-wise GATE PH question papers with official answer keys. Solve them under a 3-hour timer to simulate the real exam, then review every wrong answer against the GATE PH syllabus.
Free PDF downloads
We link to established, free sources rather than re-hosting copies. Papers open in a new tab; always cross-check against the official GATE organising institute's site for the current cycle.
How to use these papers
- Finish a subject first, then solve that subject's questions across all years.
- Once the syllabus is covered, switch to full papers under a strict 3-hour timer.
- Log every mistake by cause: concept gap, silly error, or time pressure.
- Re-solve the papers you scored worst on after two weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the exam pattern for GATE PH?
65 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours: 15 marks of General Aptitude and 85 marks of core Physics, drawn from nine sections and mixing MCQ, MSQ and Numerical Answer Type questions.
I'm from an engineering college, not a pure-science one. Can I still attempt GATE PH?
Yes: GATE PH has no eligibility restriction tied to your degree stream, and a meaningful share of test-takers come from engineering backgrounds (often via an Engineering Physics or Applied Physics minor) rather than a BSc/MSc Physics program. The syllabus assumes MSc-level depth regardless of where you studied it, so the gap to close is usually Classical Mechanics, Statistical Physics and Solid State Physics: subjects that get thinner coverage in most engineering curricula than in a physics honours program.
Which sections carry the most weight, and should I skip the smaller ones?
Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics and Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics have historically carried the largest individual shares of the 85 core marks, with Mathematical Physics close behind since it underpins problem-solving across every other section. Nuclear & Particle Physics and Electronics are smaller individually but are self-contained and fast to revise, so skipping them for extra time on the big three is a poor trade: the marks lost are disproportionate to the time saved.
Is GATE PH useful if I only want a PhD and have no interest in PSU or government jobs?
Yes, that is in fact the primary use of this paper for most candidates. A valid GATE PH score is a standard (and at many institutes, mandatory) screening criterion for MSc-to-PhD and direct PhD admission in physics departments at the IITs, IISc and several other CSIR/DAE-funded institutes, independent of any interest in the GATE-linked PSU recruitment or MTech routes that other papers are more commonly used for.