What is the difference between IES and GATE?

GATE and IES, are very well known among graduate engineers. The IES exam is carried out annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the GATE exam is administered by Bangalore's Indian Institute of Science (IISc) or any of the seven IITs.

Syllabus and paper pattern:

• The complete engineering syllabus is covered by the IES exam, while GATE covers a portion of this syllabus and some other topics useful for higher studies.
•  While GATE tests problem-solving ability, IES tests conceptual capability. 
• The IES exam paper contains questions of the objective and subjective type and a total of 4 papers, while the GATE exam paper only contains questions of the objective type and only 1 paper. 
• Only in the subjective paper, a calculator is allowed.

Difficulty Level & Duration:

It will be much more difficult to solve the questions you will face in GATE than in IES. 

• In a single problem, GATE questions require you to apply many concepts. For that, you should have good problem-solving skills. 
• While most of the questions asked in IES are direct formula or a single concept based.
• In GATE, in 3 hours, you have to solve 65 questions that are approximately 2.5 minutes per question. 
• On the other hand, you have 120 questions in 2 hours to solve in IES. So, 1 minute per question which means you get nearly 2.5 times more “time” per question in GATE. But the difficulty level compensates for it.

Category of PSUs and Job Scope:

• UPSC conducts IES examination to recruit candidates under the Govt for different engineering departments (mechanical, electrical, civil, and E&T). 
• Around India, The departments you get through IES are Indian Railway Service of Engineers, Indian Railway Stores Service, Indian Ordnance Factories Service AWM/JTS., Central Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Service, Geological Survey of India Engineering Service Gr ‘A’, Central Engineering Service (Roads), Gr ‘A’, Central Water Engineering Service Gr ‘A’, Indian Defence Service of Engineers, Central Power Engineering Service Gr ‘B’ and so on.
• The GATE exam is organized for higher studies (M.tech., PH. Ed. etc) and for placements in PSUs and Govt. Organizations.

From the above-mentioned factual information, the difference between the two should be clear. Rest all depends on your choice what you opt for.