Can Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) Students Pursue GATE in Instrumentation (IN) Engineering?

Yes, candidates from Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) can appear for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in the Instrumentation engineering (IN) paper. GATE allows candidates from various engineering backgrounds to choose specific papers, provided they meet the eligibility criteria set by the organizing institute.

Eligibility and Syllabus

It is important for ECE students to ensure they are familiar with the syllabus and topics covered in the Instrumentation paper, as it may differ from their core ECE subjects. The GATE organizing body provides specific requirements and guidelines that candidates must adhere to. Candidates should carefully review the syllabus and ensure they have a solid understanding of the core instrumentation subjects such as transducers and measurements.

Risks of Applying from ECE Background for Instrumentation (IN) PSUs

The situation becomes more complicated when applying for positions in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Most PSUs require candidates to be graduates of instrumentation engineering. If you have applied for a PSU position and are from an ECE background, your application might be rejected during document verification, or even when you apply for the job. In this case, it is crucial to write GATE in the 'EC' paper code instead of 'IN' to align with your engineering degree.

Special Considerations for Specialization Courses

If you are interested in pursuing specialized courses at IITs or NITs, which are only available for 'IN' candidates, then writing GATE in the 'IN' paper code might be meaningful. However, for general employment and career progression, joining an 'IN' branch can be referred to as an 'Engineering Trap'. It is therefore advisable to verify your eligibility based on the specific requirements of the PSU or institution you are targeting.

Personal Experience

I, a student from ECE, successfully appeared for GATE 2018 in the Instrumentation engineering paper ('IN' paper code). The 80% of the Instrumentation syllabus is common for both ECE and 'IN' engineering. I utilized NPTEL videos for subjects like transducers and measurements to build my knowledge. I completed my ECE graduation using only NPTEL lectures. For practice, I took four to five test series from different institutions and completed all examinations, reviewing them twice. I did not spend time reading textual materials, preferring to focus on writing tests and identifying new concepts. If something was not clear, I would search online or find a tutorial.

For PSU positions, it is imperative to appear in your branch code. ECE students should write for the 'EC' paper code, while Instrumentation engineering students must write for the 'IN' paper code. Always check the eligibility criteria from PSU notifications to avoid any potential rejections.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ECE students can indeed appear for the GATE Instrumentation paper, but they must be aware of the eligibility criteria and potential risks associated with applying for PSU positions. It is crucial to align your GATE paper code with your engineering degree to ensure a smoother application and verification process.