Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Application · Guide 5 of 10
GATE Syllabus
Dates, vacancies and fees can change. Always confirm on the official website before you apply.
Every GATE paper has two parts: General Aptitude (common to all 30 papers, 15 marks) and the subject syllabus of your paper (85 marks), which in most engineering papers starts with Engineering Mathematics. The official paper-wise syllabus is published with the brochure; it has changed very little in recent years.
General Aptitude (all papers – 15 marks)
| Area | Topics | Practise on LearnFrenzy |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal aptitude | English grammar (articles, tenses, prepositions, modifiers), vocabulary, reading comprehension, narrative sequencing | Verbal Ability |
| Quantitative aptitude | Data interpretation (tables, bar and pie charts), ratios and percentages, numbers, powers, logarithms, mensuration, basic statistics and probability | Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation |
| Analytical aptitude | Logic: deduction and induction, analogy, numerical relations and reasoning | Logical Reasoning |
| Spatial aptitude | Transformation of shapes (rotation, mirroring, scaling), paper folding and cutting, 2D and 3D patterns | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
Engineering Mathematics (about 13 marks)
The exact list varies by paper, but most engineering papers include:
- Linear algebra: matrices, determinants, rank, systems of equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors
- Calculus: limits, continuity, maxima and minima, integrals, partial derivatives, vector calculus (core branches)
- Differential equations: first and higher order, Laplace transforms (EC, EE, ME, CE)
- Probability and statistics: distributions, mean, median, variance, conditional probability
- Numerical methods and complex variables (some papers)
- Discrete mathematics: logic, sets, graphs, combinatorics (CS)
Core subjects of popular papers
| Paper | Main subjects |
|---|---|
| CS – Computer Science | Digital logic, computer organisation and architecture, programming and data structures, algorithms, theory of computation, compiler design, operating systems, databases, computer networks |
| DA – Data Science & AI | Probability and statistics, linear algebra, calculus and optimisation, programming, data structures and algorithms, database management and warehousing, machine learning, artificial intelligence |
| EC – Electronics | Networks, signals and systems, electronic devices, analog circuits, digital circuits, control systems, communications, electromagnetics |
| EE – Electrical | Electric circuits, electromagnetic fields, signals and systems, electrical machines, power systems, control systems, measurements, analog and digital electronics, power electronics |
| ME – Mechanical | Engineering mechanics, strength of materials, theory of machines, vibrations, machine design, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, manufacturing, industrial engineering |
| CE – Civil | Structural engineering (mechanics, analysis, RCC, steel), geotechnical engineering, water resources, environmental engineering, transportation, geomatics |
Download the official syllabus PDF for your paper from the GATE 2027 website and keep it open while you plan. Tick topics off as you finish them — it is the simplest way to see what is left.