GATE Ecology and Evolution (EY) is a specialized branch in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, introduced in 2014 to address the growing importance of ecological research, evolutionary biology, and environmental conservation. This branch tests your understanding of population ecology, community ecology, evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, and conservation biology. Practicing GATE EY previous question papers is crucial for understanding the exam format and improving your performance.
Ecology and Evolution represent fundamental biological sciences that explore the interactions between organisms and their environment, as well as the processes that drive biological diversity. GATE EY aspirants typically include graduates from Biology, Zoology, Botany, Environmental Science, and related backgrounds who wish to pursue higher studies or careers in research institutions, wildlife conservation organizations, environmental consulting firms, government agencies, universities, and NGOs focused on biodiversity conservation. The field encompasses areas such as population dynamics, species interactions, ecosystem ecology, evolutionary genetics, phylogenetics, and conservation biology.
Key Subjects in GATE Ecology and Evolution
Core Ecology & Evolution Subjects
- Population Ecology
- Community Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Conservation Biology
Foundation Subjects
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Biogeography
- Ecosystem Ecology
- Phylogenetics
GATE Ecology and Evolution Previous Question Papers (2014-2025)
Download GATE EY previous year question papers with answer keys from 2014 to 2025. These GATE Ecology and Evolution previous question papers help you understand the exam pattern, question types, difficulty level, and time management strategies. Solve these previous papers regularly to identify important topics and improve your problem-solving speed. These solved previous year papers are essential for effective GATE EY preparation. Regular practice with these previous question papers will help you score better in the actual exam.
| Year | Download |
|---|---|
| GATE 2025 | Question Paper|Answer Key |
| GATE 2024 | Question Paper|Answer Key |
| GATE 2023 | Question Paper|Answer Key |
| GATE 2022 | Question Paper|Answer Key |
| GATE 2021 | Question Paper|Answer Key |
| GATE 2020 | Question Paper|Answer Key |
| GATE 2019 | Question Paper|Answer Key |
| GATE 2018 | Question Paper|Answer Key |
| GATE 2017 | Question Paper|Answer Key |
| GATE 2016 | Question Paper|Answer Key |
| GATE 2015 | Question Paper with Key |
| GATE 2014 | Question Paper |
GATE EY Paper Pattern & Trends
Exam Pattern: GATE EY consists of 65 questions (55 technical + 10 General Aptitude) worth 100 marks. The paper duration is 3 hours. Topics like Population Ecology, Community Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Behavioral Ecology, and Conservation Biology are frequently tested. Studying the previous question papers helps you understand how these topics are distributed in the actual exam. Analyzing these previous question papers reveals the weightage of each topic.
Recent Trends (2020-2025)
Recent GATE EY previous question papers have shown consistent emphasis on Population Ecology with questions on population dynamics, growth models, and life history strategies, typically accounting for 15-18 marks. Evolutionary Biology topics focus on natural selection, genetic drift, speciation, and phylogenetics, maintaining 12-15 marks. Community Ecology covers species interactions, food webs, and community structure, typically 10-12 marks. Behavioral Ecology and Conservation Biology together account for 8-10 marks. Ecosystem Ecology and Biogeography typically account for 5-8 marks. Reviewing these recent previous question papers helps understand the current exam trends.
Historical Analysis (2014-2019)
Earlier GATE EY previous question papers (2014-2019) were conducted online from the beginning, as EY was introduced in 2014 when GATE had already transitioned to online mode. The initial years (2014-2016) saw some variations in question distribution as the exam pattern was being established. Previous papers from 2017-2019 show the modern pattern that continues today, with balanced coverage of ecology and evolution topics. Analyzing these previous year papers helps identify recurring topics and question patterns, which is valuable for understanding the evolution of the exam over more than a decade.
GATE EY Cutoff Marks
- GATE 2025: General - 39.5, OBC/EWS - 35.5, SC/ST/PwD - 26.3
- GATE 2024: General - 35.8, OBC/EWS - 32.2, SC/ST/PwD - 23.8
- GATE 2023: General - 42.6, OBC/EWS - 38.3, SC/ST/PwD - 28.4
Related Resources
GATE EY Cutoff Marks
GATE Ecology and Evolution cutoff marks for all years
GATE Exam Pattern
GATE exam structure, marking scheme, and question types
Note: All GATE EY previous question papers are provided for educational purposes. Regular practice with these previous year papers, combined with a strong understanding of core concepts, is essential for success in GATE Ecology and Evolution. Make sure to download and save these previous papers for offline practice. Solving these previous question papers under timed conditions will help you prepare effectively for the actual GATE EY exam.