GATE Exam Syllabus 2026

What is GATE?

GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is a national-level examination conducted jointly by the IITs and IISc for admission to M.Tech/M.E./MS/PhD programmes at IITs, NITs, IISc and other premier institutions. GATE scores are also used by PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) like ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, IOCL, PGCIL, GAIL and HAL for direct recruitment to engineering and technical roles.

GATE 2026 will be conducted by IIT Roorkee (tentative). The exam is held in February every year. GATE score is valid for 3 years.

GATE Exam Pattern

Duration: 3 hours. Total marks: 100. Total questions: 65.

Question types: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) — 1 or 2 marks each. Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) — 2 marks each, no negative marking. Numerical Answer Type (NAT) — 1 or 2 marks each, answer is a decimal, no negative marking.

Negative marking: For 1-mark MCQ: −1/3. For 2-mark MCQ: −2/3. No negative marking for MSQ and NAT.

Section distribution: General Aptitude (GA) — 15 marks (10 questions, mandatory for all papers). Engineering Mathematics — 13 marks (for most engineering papers). Core Subject — 72 marks.

Scoring: Raw marks → GATE Score (normalised, out of 1000) → used for admissions and PSU recruitment.

CS/IT (Computer Science) Syllabus

Engineering Mathematics: Discrete Mathematics (set theory, graph theory, combinatorics, logic), Linear Algebra, Probability.

Core CS sections: - Digital Logic: Boolean algebra, combinational/sequential circuits, K-maps, flip-flops. - Computer Organisation: ALU, pipelining, memory hierarchy, I/O interfaces. - Programming and Data Structures: C programming, arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs. - Algorithms: Asymptotic analysis, sorting, searching, dynamic programming, greedy, graph algorithms. - Theory of Computation: Automata (DFA/NFA), context-free grammars, Turing machines, decidability. - Compiler Design: Lexing, parsing (LL/LR), intermediate code, optimisation. - Operating Systems: Process management, scheduling, memory management, deadlocks, file systems. - Databases: ER model, relational algebra, SQL, normalisation, transactions, indexing. - Computer Networks: OSI/TCP-IP models, routing algorithms, TCP, congestion control, DNS, HTTP. - Software Engineering: Software development models, testing.

Electronics and Communication (ECE) Syllabus

Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Complex Analysis, Probability, Transform Theory.

Core ECE sections: - Networks: KVL/KCL, network theorems, two-port networks, Laplace transforms. - Electronic Devices: Diodes, BJT, MOSFET, op-amps. - Analog Circuits: Amplifiers, feedback, oscillators, filters. - Digital Circuits: Boolean algebra, MUX, flip-flops, counters, ADC/DAC. - Signals and Systems: LTI systems, Fourier/Laplace/Z-transforms, sampling theorem. - Control Systems: Transfer functions, Routh-Hurwitz, Bode plots, Root Locus, state-space. - Communications: Amplitude/Frequency/Phase modulation, digital modulation, SNR, channel capacity. - Electromagnetics: Maxwell's equations, transmission lines, waveguides, antennas.

Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus

Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, ODE/PDE, Probability, Numerical Methods.

Core ME sections: - Applied Mechanics and Design: Engineering Mechanics (statics, dynamics), Mechanics of Materials, Theory of Machines (kinematics, dynamics of linkages), Vibrations, Machine Design (failure theories, fatigue, joints, gears, bearings). - Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences: Fluid Mechanics (Bernoulli, viscous flow, turbulence), Heat and Mass Transfer, Thermodynamics (laws, Rankine/Brayton cycles, refrigeration), Power Plant Engineering. - Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering: Engineering Materials, Metal Casting, Forming, Welding, Machining, Metrology, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Production Planning and Control, Inventory Control, Operations Research.

Civil Engineering (CE) Syllabus

Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, ODE/PDE, Probability, Numerical Methods.

Core CE sections: - Structural Engineering: Engineering Mechanics, Solid Mechanics (stress-strain, beams, columns), Structural Analysis (trusses, arches, influence lines), RCC and Steel Design. - Geotechnical Engineering: Soil Mechanics (properties, consolidation, shear strength), Foundation Engineering. - Water Resources Engineering: Fluid Mechanics, Hydraulics, Hydrology, Irrigation Engineering. - Environmental Engineering: Water treatment, wastewater treatment, air pollution, solid waste management. - Transportation Engineering: Highway design, traffic engineering, pavement design, Railways. - Geomatics Engineering: Surveying, remote sensing, GIS.

GATE Preparation Strategy

Timeline: 6–8 months of focused preparation is sufficient for most students with a solid undergraduate foundation. Begin in August for a February exam.

Priority order: Understand the GATE syllabus and previous year question patterns (GATE PYQ) first — this tells you which topics carry more weight. High-weightage topics differ by paper.

For CS: Algorithms, DBMS, Operating Systems and Computer Networks typically carry the most questions. These should be mastered first.

For ECE: Signals and Systems, Networks, Electronic Devices and Analog Circuits are consistently high-weightage.

For ME: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Manufacturing (esp. Machining and Casting) are high-weightage.

Mock tests: Solve full 3-hour GATE mock tests from October onwards. Time management is critical — 3 hours for 65 questions means about 2.75 minutes per question on average, but NAT problems need more time.

PSU recruitment: For PSU recruitment through GATE, the cutoff is typically GATE score of 650–750+ (out of 1000). A GATE score above 750 opens doors to NTPC, BHEL, GAIL, IOCL, ONGC and PGCIL interviews.