Explore the detailed GATE Exam Syllabus 2026, exam pattern, and subject-wise syllabus PDF. Prepare effectively for GATE 2026 conducted by IIT Roorkee with this comprehensive guide.
Table of Contents
Introduction to GATE Exam Syllabus 2026
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a prestigious exam for engineering students aiming for postgraduate courses like M.E., M.Tech, PhD at IITs, NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs or high-profile PSU jobs. IIT Roorkee is organizing GATE 2026 scheduled for 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th February 2026. Understanding the GATE Exam Syllabus 2026 and exam pattern is crucial for strategic preparation.
GATE Exam Syllabus 2026: Overview & Exam Pattern
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducted By | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (Online) |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Question Types | MCQs, Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
| Total Questions | 65 (10 General Aptitude + 55 Subject Questions) |
| Exam Dates | 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th February 2026 |
The exam tests not only recall but also application, analysis, and comprehension skills.
GATE Exam Syllabus 2026: Section-Wise Distribution of Marks
The syllabus is divided into General Aptitude (GA) and the chosen Engineering Subject. Below is the general pattern:
| Papers | GA Marks | Engineering Mathematics | Subject Marks | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular papers except AR, CY, EY, GG etc. | 15 | 13 | 72 | 100 |
| AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, XH, XL papers | 15 | 0 | 85 | 100 |
The full exam length is 180 minutes (3 hours).
GATE Exam Syllabus 2026: Marking Scheme Details
| Paper Codes | GA Marks | Subject Marks | Total Marks | Time (minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AE, AR, AG, BT, CE, etc. | 15 | 85 | 100 | 180 |
| GG (Part A + B) | 15 | 25 + 60 | 100 | 180 |
| AR (Part A + B) | 15 | 25 + 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XE (Section A + Any Two Sections) | 15 | 15 + (2 x 35) | 100 | 180 |
| XH (Section B1 + Any One Section) | 15 | 25 + 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XL (Section P + Any Two Sections) | 15 | 25 + (2 x 30) | 100 | 180 |
GATE 2026 Subject-Wise Syllabus and Paper Codes
Candidates must choose one of the 30 subjects/papers available, each with a unique code:
| Subject | Code | Subject | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering | AE | Instrumentation Engineering | IN |
| Agricultural Engineering | AG | Mathematics | MA |
| Architecture & Planning | AR | Mechanical Engineering | ME |
| Bio-medical Engineering | BM | Mining Engineering | MN |
| Biotechnology | BT | Metallurgical Engineering | MT |
| Civil Engineering | CE | Petroleum Engineering | PE |
| Chemical Engineering | CH | Physics | PH |
| Computer Science & IT | CS | Production & Industrial Engg. | PI |
| Chemistry | CY | Statistics | ST |
| Electronics & Communication | EC | Textile Engineering & Fiber Science | TF |
| Electrical Engineering | EE | Engineering Sciences (XE) | XE |
| Environmental Science & Engg | ES | Humanities & Social Sciences (XH) | XH |
| Ecology and Evolution | EY | Life Sciences (XL) | XL |
| Geology & Geophysics | GG | Naval Architecture & Marine Engg | NA |
GATE 2026 General Aptitude Syllabus: Key Topics
The General Aptitude section (Common to all papers) carries 15 marks and covers:
- Verbal Ability: Grammar, sentence completion, analogies, reasoning
- Numerical Ability: Computation, estimation, reasoning, data interpretation
GATE Exam Syllabus 2026 – Subject-Wise Topics
| Subject / Paper | Main Topics |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude (Common for All Papers) | Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability |
| Biomedical Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, Electrical Circuits, Analog & Digital Electronics, Signals & Systems, Measurement & Digital Electronics, Sensors & Bioinstrumentations, Medical Imaging System, Biomaterials, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Biomechanics |
| Aerospace Engineering | Fourier Series, Laplace Transforms, Numerical Methods, Numerical Integration & Differentiation, Dynamic Stability, Euler Angle, Equations of Motion, Aerodynamic Forces & Moments, Stability & Control Derivatives, Decoupling of Dynamics, Longitudinal & Lateral Modes, Orbit Transfer, Viscous Flows & Boundary Layers, Wind Tunnel Testing, Measurement & Visualization Techniques, Vibration of Beams, Theory of Elasticity, Equilibrium & Compatibility Equations, Airy’s Stress Function |
| Agricultural Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, Farm Machinery, Farm Power, Soil & Water Conservation Engineering, Irrigation & Drainage Engineering, Agricultural Processing Engineering, Dairy & Food Engineering |
| Architecture & Planning | Architecture & Design, Building Materials/Construction/Management, Building & Structures, Environmental Planning & Design, Urban Design, Urban Planning & Housing, Planning Techniques & Management, Services/Infrastructure/Transportation |
| Biotechnology | Engineering Mathematics, General Biotechnology, Recombinant DNA Technology, Plant & Animal Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering & Process Biotechnology |
| Civil Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Geomatics Engineering |
| Chemical Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, Process Calculations & Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics & Mechanical Operations, Heat Transfer, Mass Transfer, Chemical Reaction Engineering, Instrumentation & Process Control, Plant Design & Economics, Chemical Technology |
| Computer Science & Information Technology (CSE) | Engineering Mathematics, Digital Logic, Computer Organization & Architecture, Programming & Data Structures, Algorithms, Theory of Computation, Compiler Design, Operating System, Databases, Computer Networks |
| Chemistry | Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) | Engineering Mathematics, Networks/Signals/Systems, Electronic Devices, Analog Circuits, Digital Circuits, Control Systems, Communication, Electromagnetics |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | Engineering Mathematics, Electrical Circuits, Electromagnetic Fields, Signals & Systems, Electrical Machines, Power Systems, Control Systems, Electrical & Electronic Measurements, Analog & Digital Electronics, Power Electronics |
| Environmental Science & Engineering (New) | Environmental Management & Sustainable Development, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology, Water Resources & Environmental Hydraulics, Water & Wastewater Treatment, Air & Noise Pollution, Solid & Hazardous Waste Management, Global & Regional Environmental Issues |
| Ecology & Evolution | Ecology, Evolution, Mathematics & Quantitative Ecology, Behavioral Ecology |
| Geology & Geophysics | Geology, Geophysics |
| Instrumentation Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, Control Systems, Electrical Circuits, Analog & Digital Electronics, Signals & Systems, Measurements, Sensors & Industrial Instrumentation, Communication & Optical Instrumentation |
| Mathematics | Calculus, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, ODEs, Algebra, Functional Analysis, Numerical Analysis, PDEs, Topology, Linear Programming |
| Mechanical Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, Applied Mechanics & Design, Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Science, Materials/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering |
| Mining Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, Mine Development Surveying, Geomechanics & Ground Control, Mining Methods & Machinery, Surface Environment & Ventilation, Underground Hazards, Mine Economics, Mine Planning, System Engineering |
| Metallurgical Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, Thermodynamics & Rate Processes, Extractive Metallurgy, Physical Metallurgy, Mechanical Metallurgy, Manufacturing Processes |
| Physics | Mathematical Physics, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics, Atomic & Molecular Physics, Solid State Physics & Electronics, Nuclear & Particle Physics |
| Production & Industrial Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, General Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Quality & Reliability, Industrial Engineering, Operations Research & Management |
| Textile Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, Textile Engineering & Fibre Science |
| XE-A (Engineering Mathematics) | Linear Algebra, Calculus, Vector Calculus, ODEs, PDEs, Complex Variables, Probability & Statistics, Numerical Methods |
| XE-B (Fluid Mechanics) | Flow & Fluid Properties, Kinematics, Integral & Differential Analysis, Inviscid Flows, Dimensional Analysis, Internal Flows, Prandtl Boundary Layer Equations |
| XE-C (Material Sciences) | Processing of Materials, Characterization Techniques, Structure & Imperfections, Thermodynamics & Kinetics, Properties of Materials, Material Types, Environmental Degradation, Elements of Quantum Mechanics & Mathematics |
| XE-E (Thermodynamics) | Basic Concepts, Laws of Thermodynamics, Thermodynamic Cycles, Thermodynamic Relations, Ideal Gas Mixtures |
| XE-F (Polymer Science & Engineering) | Chemistry of High Polymers, Polymer Characterization, Synthesis & Properties, Polymer Blends & Composites, Polymer Technology, Polymer Rheology, Polymer Processing, Polymer Testing |
| XE-G (Food Technology) | Food Chemistry & Nutrition, Food Microbiology, Food Products Technology, Food Engineering |
| XL-P (Chemistry) | Atomic Structure & Periodicity, Structure & Bonding, s/p/d Block Elements, Chemical Equilibria, Electrochemistry, Reaction Kinetics, Thermodynamics, Organic Reaction Mechanisms |
| XL-R (Botany) | Plant Systematics, Plant Anatomy, Morphogenesis & Development, Physiology & Biochemistry, Genetics, Plant Breeding & Genetic Modification, Economic Botany, Plant Pathology, Ecology & Environment |
| XL-S (Microbiology) | Historical Perspective, Microbial Taxonomy, Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic Cells, Microbial Growth, Control of Microorganisms, Metabolism, Microbial Diseases & Host-Pathogen Interaction, Antibiotics, Microbial Genetics, Microbial Ecology |
| XL-T (Zoology) | Animal World, Genetics, Evolution, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Gene Expression, Animal Anatomy & Physiology, Parasitology & Immunology, Developmental Biology, Ecology, Animal Behavior |
| XH-B1 (Reasoning & Comprehension) (New) | Reading Comprehension, Expression, Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning |
| XH-C1 (Economics) (New) | Statistics, Econometrics, Mathematical Economics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, International Economics, Public Economics, Development Economics, Indian Economy |
| XH-C3 (Linguistics) (New) | Areal Typology, Universals, Grammar & Analysis, Historical Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Methods of Analysis, Applied Linguistics |
| XH-C4 (Philosophy) (New) | Classical Indian Philosophy, Contemporary Indian Philosophy, Classical & Modern Western Philosophy, Contemporary Western Philosophy |
| XH-C5 (Psychology) (New) | Perception, Learning, Memory, Forgetting, Cognition, Research Methods & Statistics, Psychometrics, Evolutionary Basis of Behavior, Personality, Applications of Psychology, Motivation & Emotion, Social Psychology, Development Across Lifespan |
| XH-C6 (Sociology) (New) | Family, Marriage & Kinship, Sociological Theory, Research Methods, Sociological Concepts, Agrarian Sociology, Indian Society, Social Movements, Sociology of Development |
📘 GATE Exam Syllabus 2026 Topic-Wise Weightage
🔹 GATE 2026 for Computer Science (CSE)
| Topic | Expected Weightage (%) | Topic | Expected Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theory of Computation | 7.5 | Operating System | 9 |
| Compiler Design | 2.75 | General Aptitude | 15 |
| Computer Organization & Architecture | 9 | Computer Networks | 7.5 |
| Programming & Data Structures | 10.5 | Software Engg / Web Tech | 1.5 |
| Algorithms | 8 | Engineering Mathematics | 14.75 |
| Digital Logic | 5.25 | Database | 7.5 |
🔹 GATE 2026 for Mechanical Engineering
| Topic | Expected Weightage (%) | Topic | Expected Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Mechanics | 2.5 | Thermodynamics | 12.75 |
| Strength of Materials | 7.75 | Refrigeration & Air Conditioning | 1.25 |
| Heat Transfer | 6 | General Aptitude | 15 |
| Machine Design | 3.75 | Industrial Engineering | 8 |
| Fluid Mechanics | 7.5 | Engineering Mathematics | 12.25 |
| Theory of Mechanics | 9 | Manufacturing Engineering | 14.25 |
🔹 GATE 2026 for Electrical Engineering
| Topic | Expected Weightage (%) | Topic | Expected Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network Theory | 11.75 | Analog & Digital Electronics | 11.25 |
| Signal & System | 8.5 | EMT (Electromagnetic Theory) | 2.75 |
| Control Systems | 9 | General Aptitude | 15 |
| Power Systems | 9.75 | Engineering Mathematics | 11.75 |
| Electrical Machines | 8.25 | Power Electronics | 7.5 |
| Electrical & Electronics Measurements | 4.5 | — | — |
🔹 GATE 2026 for Instrumentation Engineering
| Topic | Expected Weightage (%) | Topic | Expected Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analog Circuits | 11.75 | Circuits & Networks | 10.25 |
| Measurements | 6.25 | General Aptitude | 15 |
| Communications | 1.5 | Signals & Systems | 7.75 |
| Control Systems | 10.75 | Transducers | 12.25 |
| Digital Circuits | 7 | Engineering Mathematics | 11.75 |
| Analytical Biomedical & Optical Instrumentation | 4.25 | Process Controls | 1.5 |
🔹 GATE 2026 for Civil Engineering
| Topic | Expected Weightage (%) | Topic | Expected Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOM (Strength of Materials) | 7.75 | Design of Steel Structures | 4.25 |
| Structural Analysis | 3.5 | Highway & Surveying | 12 |
| FM & Hydraulic Machines | 6.75 | Engineering Mathematics | 12.25 |
| Irrigation & Hydrology | 7.75 | General Aptitude | 15 |
| RCC & Prestressed Concrete | 6.5 | Environmental Engineering | 9 |
| Geo-Technical | 15.25 | — | — |
🔹 GATE 2026 for Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE)
| Topic | Expected Weightage (%) | Topic | Expected Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network Theory | 11.25 | Communication Systems | 10.75 |
| Electronic Devices & Circuits | 7.25 | EMT (Electromagnetic Theory) | 9.5 |
| Digital Circuits | 6 | Engineering Mathematics | 10.5 |
| Signals & Systems | 9 | General Aptitude | 15 |
| Analog Circuits | 11.75 | Microprocessors | 1.5 |
| Control Systems | 9 | — | — |
Important Links for GATE Exam Syllabus 2026 🔗
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official GATE Website | Visit Here |
| Detailed GATE 2026 Information Brochure | Click Here |
| Previous Years’ GATE Papers | GATE Previous Papers |
| Join Jobs91.com Social Media Channels | Whatsapp | Facebook | Instagram | Telegram | Twitter |
| Subscibe to our Youtube Channel | Subscribe Now |
FAQs on GATE Exam Syllabus 2026
Q1: What is the total duration of the GATE Exam?
A: The exam duration is 3 hours.
Q2: How many questions are in GATE 2026?
A: There are 65 questions – 10 General Aptitude and 55 from the chosen subject.
Q3: Are all papers in GATE 2026 computer-based?
A: Yes, all GATE exams are computer-based tests (online).
Q4: Can I attempt more than one GATE paper?
A: No, a candidate can appear for only one paper.
Q5: Where can I download the detailed syllabus PDF?
A: Detailed subject-wise PDFs are available on the Jobs91.com
Q6: What is the marking scheme in GATE?
A: Questions carry 1 or 2 marks with negative marking applicable for MCQs.
Final Thoughts
A well-structured understanding of the GATE Exam Syllabus 2026 and exam pattern is the cornerstone of success in this highly competitive exam. Candidates should leverage the detailed subject-wise syllabus PDFs, focus on high-weightage topics, and consistently practice prior papers. Stay updated through official channels and prepare smartly to ace GATE 2026!
