The GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026 has been released by IIT Guwahati on its official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. As per the GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026, the question paper is divided into 3 sections: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Core Discipline.
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The General Aptitude section constitutes 15% of the total weightage, while Engineering Mathematics and Core Discipline make up 13% and 72% of the weightage, respectively.
- GATE ME Question Paper consists of 65 questions (MCQs, MSQs, and NATs) of 100 marks.
Check the GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Question Paper.
- The GATE marking scheme includes +1 or +2 marks for each question, with negative marking of ⅓ for 1-mark questions and ⅔ for 2-mark questions.
- Those who are appearing for mechanical engineering as their first paper in GATE 2026 can also appear for AE, CH, NM, PI, or XE as their second paper.
Quick Links
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- GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme
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- GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026: Section-Wise Weightage
- GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026: Important Books
- GATE ME Exam Pattern 2025 vs 2026
- GATE Question Papers- Download Previous Year Question Paper PDFs
- GATE ME Exam Preparation Tips
- FAQs for GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026
Key Summary
In this article, we talk about the GATE ME Exam Pattern for 2026, including the marking scheme, number og questions, weightage, books, and preparation tips.
- The GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026 is released by IIT Guwahati on the official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
- As per the GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026, the question paper is divided into three sections- General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Core Discipline.
- The General Aptitude section constitutes 15% of the total weightage, while Engineering Mathematics and Core Discipline make up 13% and 72% of the weightage, respectively.
- GATE ME Question Paper consists of 65 questions (MCQs, MSQs, and NATs) of 100 marks.
- The GATE marking scheme includes +1 or +2 marks for each question. With negative marking of ⅓ for 1 mark questions and ⅔ for 2 mark questions.
- Those who are appearing for mechanical engineering as their first paper in GATE 2026 can also appear for AE, CH, NM, PI, or XE as their second paper
What is the GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026?
As per the GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026, the question paper is divided into three sections- General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Core Discipline.
- The GATE ME Exam pattern 2026 will be a Computer-Based Test (CBT) of 3 hours duration, carrying a total of 100 marks.
- The paper will have 65 questions from General Aptitude (15 marks), Engineering Mathematics (13 marks), and Core Mechanical Engineering subjects (72 marks).
- Questions will be of MCQ, MSQ, and NAT types, with negative marking only for MCQs.
GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026: Overview
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Total Questions | 65 |
| Sections | General Aptitude (GA) – 15 marksEngineering Mathematics (EM) – 13 marksMechanical Engineering (ME) – 72 marks |
| Question Types | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
| Marking Scheme | MCQs: +1 or +2 marks for correct answersMSQs/NATs: +1 or +2 marks for correct answersNegative Marking: 1/3 for 1-mark MCQs, 2/3 for 2-mark MCQsNo negative marking for MSQs and NATs |
| General Aptitude (GA) | 10 questions (5 × 1 mark, 5 × 2 marks) – Total 15 marks |
| Engineering Mathematics (EM) | 11 questions (varies by paper) – Total 13 marks |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 44 questions (25 × 1 mark, 30 × 2 marks) – Total 72 marks |
Source: gate2026.iitg.ac.in
Check GATE Subject-Wise Exam Pattern
Ques. Is the distribution of marks fixed every year?
Ans. Broadly yes, but the weightage of subtopics (e.g., Manufacturing, Design) may slightly vary each year.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Marks Distribution | Broadly fixed each year |
| Variation | Minor changes in subtopic weightage (e.g., Manufacturing, Design) |
| Impact | Overall section marks remain stable; internal topic weight may shift slightly. |
Ques. How is the difficulty distributed among sections in GATE ME 2026?
Ans. Typically, Core topics are the toughest, Mathematics is moderate, and General Aptitude is relatively easy, but scoring is.
| Section | Difficulty Level | Question Type | Scoring Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Mechanical | High | Conceptual & numerical (multi-step) | Moderate |
| Engineering Mathematics | Moderate | Formula-based, some NATs | Good |
| General Aptitude | Easy to Moderate | Logical & verbal MCQs | High |
GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme
- As per the GATE 2026 Mechanical Engineering (ME) exam pattern, the paper is of 100 marks, including 1-mark and 2-mark questions.
- There is no negative marking for NATs and MSQs. However, marks will be deducted for each incorrect MCQ in the paper.
| Sections | Total Questions | Total Marks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mark Questions | 2 marks Questions | ||
| General Aptitude | 5 | 5 | (5 x 1) + (5 x 2) = 15 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 25 | 30 | (25 x 1) + (30 x 2) = 85 |
| Core Discipline- Mechanical Engineering | |||
| Total | 30 | 35 | 100 |
Source: gate2026.iitg.ac.in
GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026: Negative Marking
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 uses a particular scheme of negative marking to ensure that the answers are accurate.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- 1-Mark Questions: For every wrong answer, there is a deduction of 1/3 mark.
- 2-Mark Questions: For every wrong answer, there is a deduction of 2/3 marks.
Multiple Select Questions (MSQs): There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions: There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
The table below shows the GATE 2026 Marking Scheme:
| Question Type | Correct Answer | Incorrect Answer | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (1 Mark) | +1 | -1/3 | Yes |
| MCQ (2 Marks) | +2 | -2/3 | Yes |
| MSQ | Varies | 0 | No |
| NAT | Varies | 0 | No |
Quick Links:
Ques. What are the total marks and structure of the GATE 2026 Mechanical Engineering paper?
Ans. The GATE ME 2026 paper is of 100 marks, consisting of 1- and 2-mark questions. The paper has 3 sections: GA, EM, and Core ME
| Section | Total Questions | Total Marks | 1-mark Qs | 2-mark Qs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | 5 | 15 | 5 | 5 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 25 | 30 | 25 | 30 |
| Core Mechanical Engineering | 30 | 35 | — | — |
| Total | 65 | 100 | — | — |
Ques. Are there any special considerations for partial answers?
Ans. The details are given below for the GATE 2026 exam pattern:
- MSQs: No partial credit – all selected options must be correct.
- NATs: Marks awarded if the answer is within the accepted range to account for rounding or calculation differences
Ques. How should I strategize answering questions to maximize my score?
Ans. The strategies for scoring good in the GATE exam 2026 are given below:
- Attempt MCQs carefully, as wrong answers reduce your score.
- Prioritize MSQs and NATs you are confident about, since there’s no negative marking.
- Avoid guessing MCQs; focus on accuracy over quantity.
- Allocate time according to section weightage.
GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026: Types of Questions
Questions in GATE 2026 are broadly divided into three categories:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
| Question Type | Description | Options | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) | You can select one correct answer from 4 choices | 4 choices, 1 correct | Yes, 1-mark MCQ: –0.33, 2-mark MCQ: –0.67 |
| MSQ (Multiple Select Questions) | One or more correct answers out of 4 choices | 4 choices, 1 or more correct | No |
| NAT (Numerical Answer Type) | You must enter a signed real number as the answer | No choices | No |
GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026: Syllabus- Important Topics
- GATE ME Syllabus 2026 consists of topics from General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Core Discipline.
- Each section further includes subjects with important topics and subtopics.
- The section below covers all the important topics from the GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus 2026.
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude |
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| Engineering Mathematics |
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| Applied Mechanics and Design |
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| Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences |
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| Materials, Manufacturing, and Industrial Engineering |
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GATE Syllabus 2026: Download Paper-Wise PDFs
The GATE Syllabus 2026 will be released by IIT Guwahati along with the official notification and brochure. You can check the latest paper-wise GATE syllabus for 2026:
GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026: Section-Wise Weightage
In the GATE ME exam, a total of 85% weightage is given to the core GATE ME syllabus (Including 13% to Engineering Mathematics) and 15% weightage to General Aptitude.
Section-wise weightage of the GATE ME exam is prepared by analyzing the past year's papers. This will help you to know the important topics in Mechanical Engineering.
| Section | Weightage Percentage % | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics | 13 | 7-8 |
| Applied Mechanics and Design | 22-24 | 13-15 |
| Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences | 23-25 | 15-17 |
| Materials, Manufacturing, and Industrial Engineering | 25-27 | 16-18 |
Check:
Ques. What is the weightage of Core Mechanical Engineering?
Ans. The weightage of the Core mechanical engineering GATE 2026 exam is given below:
- Marks: ~72
- Questions: ~30–35
- Topics & Approximate Weightage:
| Topic | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|
| Thermodynamics | 12–15% |
| Fluid Mechanics & Machinery | 12–14% |
| Strength of Materials / Mechanics of Solids | 10–12% |
| Theory of Machines | 8–10% |
| Machine Design / IC Engines / Heat Transfer | 10–12% |
| Control Systems & Vibrations | 6–8% |
| Production / Manufacturing / Industrial Engineering | 6–8% |
Ques. How should you approach NAT questions?
Ans. The approach for the GATE NAT questions 2026 is given below:
- Focus on accuracy – use proper calculation and units.
- Use the virtual numeric keypad in the CBT carefully.
- Double-check answers, as there are no multiple-choice options to catch mistakes.
GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026: Important Books
Some of the important books for the GATE Mechanical Engineering exam preparation for 2026 are given below:
| Subject / Topic | Recommended Book | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Theory of Machines | Theory of Machines | S. S. Ratan |
| Engineering Thermodynamics | Engineering Thermodynamics | P. K. Nag |
| Material Science and Metallurgy | Material Science and Metallurgy | U. C. Jindal |
| Machine Design | Machine Design | V. B. Bhandari |
| Industrial Engineering | Industrial Engineering and Management | O. P. Khanna |
GATE ME Exam Pattern 2025 vs 2026
The GATE 2026 will follow the same core pattern as GATE 2025, with 3-hour computer-based Tests in English with 100 marks and 65 questions divided into 10 questions from General Aptitude and 55 from Core subjects.
- GA will carry 15 mark questions are MCQ, MSQ, or NAT, and negative marking applies only to MCQs (–1/3 for 1-mark, –2/3 for 2-mark).
GATE ME Exam Pattern Changes
In GATE 2026, the Exam Pattern will remain the same, with only one change being the addition of a new optional subject, i.e, “Energy Science” under the Engineering Mathematics.
| Feature / Paper Type | GATE 2025 | GATE 2026 (Changes Highlighted) |
|---|---|---|
| Mode & Duration | CBT, 3 hrs, 100 marks | Same as 2025 |
| Question Format | 65 Qs (10 GA + 55 Subject), MCQ/MSQ/NAT types | Same as 2025 |
| Marking & Negative Use | 1/2 mark Qs, negative marking for MCQs only | Unchanged |
| Standard Technical Papers | GA 15, Engg. Math 13, Subject ~72 | Same format |
| Special Papers | GA 15 + Subject 85 | Unchanged format |
| Flexible Section Papers | XE, XL, XH variable sections as per pattern | Same structure |
| New in 2026 | — | Added “Energy Science” option under the Engineering Math cluster |
GATE Question Papers- Download Previous Year Question Paper PDFs
You can check the previous year's GATE Question Paper to get a better understanding of the GATE Exam Pattern.
The links below can be used to download GATE Question Papers for 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017.
| Year | PDF Link |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Download GATE 2024 Question Papers |
| 2023 | Download GATE 2023 Question Papers |
| 2022 | Download GATE 2022 Question Papers |
| 2021 | Download GATE 2021 Question Papers |
| 2020 | Download GATE 2020 Question Papers |
| 2019 | Download GATE 2019 Question Papers |
| 2018 | Download GATE 2018 Question Papers |
| 2017 | Download GATE 2017 Question Papers |
Check GATE 2025 ME Question Paper with Solution Answer Key PDF
GATE ME Exam Preparation Tips
Some of the effective GATE Mechanical engineering exam preparation tips for students who are appearing for the GATE exam in 2026 are given below:
| Focus | Time (Approx) | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Maths & GA | 30–35 min | Attempt first for easy marks and a confidence boost |
| High-Weightage Core Topics (Thermo, Fluid, SOM, TOM) | 20–30 min each | Prioritize questions you know; avoid getting stuck |
| MCQs & NATs | As per the section | Solve known numericals first; leave tricky MSQs for later |
| Time Management | Entire 3 hrs | Allocate time per section and keep a buffer for review |
| Shortcuts & Diagrams | While solving | Use formula shortcuts & quick sketches to save time |
| Revision & Review | Last 30–40 min | Check-marked questions and tricky problems carefully |
The table below shows the preparation strategies and books recommendation and daily study hours for self studies is given below:
| Strategy / Practice | Daily Study Hours | Books / Websites |
|---|---|---|
| Build fundamentalsSolve basic problems | 3-4 | Books: R.K. Bansal (Engineering Mechanics)Higher Engineering Mathematics – B.S. GrewalWebsites: nptel.ac.in, gateiit.com |
| Topic-wise practiceMake Short notes | 4–5 | Books: P.K. Nag (Thermodynamics)R.K. Bansal (Fluid Mechanics & Machines)Strength of Materials – R.K. Bansal |
| Attempt 1–2 topic tests per weekRevise formulas | 2-3 | Books: Shigley (Machine Design)R.K. Jain (Production)Control Systems – Nagrath & GopalWebsites: nptel.ac.in, gateiit.com |
| Solve mixed problemsSolve the Previous 10 years’ questions | 3 | Previous 10 years’ GATE ME papers, standard textbooks |
| Full-length mock testsAnalyze mistakesRevise key formulas | 2-3 | Test series: Made Easy, GateForum websites |
FAQs for GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026
Ques. What is the question pattern for the GATE exam 2026?
Ans. The question pattern for the GATE exam 2026 is given below for your reference:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 65 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Sections | GA 15, Engg. Maths 13 (if applicable), Subject ~72 |
| Question Types | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
| Marking | 1/2 marks; negative only for MCQs |
| Duration & Mode | 3 hours, CBT |
| Special | Flexible sections in XE/XL/XH; MSQ no partial credit; NAT no negative |
Ques. Is there negative marking in GATE 2026?
Ans. In GATE 2026, negative marking is applied only to MCQs. MSQs and NAT questions do not have negative marking.
The negative marking depends on the marks assigned to the question.
| Question Type | Negative Marking | Details |
|---|---|---|
| MCQ (1-mark) | Yes | –0.33 marks for a wrong answer |
| MCQ (2-mark) | Yes | –0.67 marks for a wrong answer |
| MSQ | No | No penalty; full marks only if all correct options selected |
| NAT | No | No penalty; answer must be within the correct range |
Ques. What is the question pattern for the GATE exam?
Ans. The GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026: The question paper is divided into three sections- General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Core Discipline.
- The GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Exam 2026 will be a Computer-Based Test (CBT) of 3 hours duration, carrying a total of 100 marks.
- The paper will have 65 questions from General Aptitude (15 marks), Engineering Mathematics (13 marks), and Core Mechanical Engineering subjects (72 marks).
- Questions will be of MCQ, MSQ, and NAT types, with negative marking only for MCQs.
Ques. Which IIT will conduct the GATE 2026 exam?
Ans. The IIT that conducts the GATE 2026 exam is IIT Guwahati; the details are given below:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Year | 2026 |
| Organizing Institute | IIT Guwahati |
| Location | Guwahati |
| Responsibilities | IIT Guwahati handles registration, exam scheduling, question paper preparation, coordination with other IITs and IISc, admit cards, and result declaration. |
| About GATE Administration | GATE is conducted jointly by IISc Bangalore and seven IITs on a rotational basis. |
Ques. Who will set the paper for GATE 2026?
Ans. The GATE 2026 question papers will be set by IIT Guwahati, the organizing institute for this year.
- Each technical paper is prepared by a committee of subject experts from IIT Guwahati and other IITs/IISc.
- These experts ensure that the questions are balanced in difficulty, cover the entire syllabus, and follow the official GATE pattern.
Ques. What is the rank for 40 marks in GATE?
Ans. The GATE Marks vs Rank table for a score of 40 marks in the Mechanical Engineering (ME) paper is:
| Marks | Expected Rank Range |
|---|---|
| 40 | 2,000 – 5,000 |
- This estimate is derived from the GATE 2024 Mechanical Engineering (ME) analysis, where candidates scoring between 51 and 63 marks were ranked between 5,000 and 10,000.
- Given the distribution, a score of 40 marks would likely correspond to a rank in the range of 2,000 to 5,000.
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