IIT Guwahati will release the GATE ME syllabus 2026 in the 1st week of August 2025 on the official website.The GATE ME Syllabus 2026 will be divided into 3 sections: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Core Mechanical Engineering subjects.
The GATE ME exam will be of 100 marks for 3 hours consisting of 65 questions from the 3 major sections with different weights.
- The Core Mechanical Engineeing subjects (~72 Marks): Manufacturing Engineering (~15%), Heat Transfer (~10%), and Theory of Machines & Vibrations (~7%) are high-weightage topics and some other topics like Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Machine Design, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Industrial Engineering.
- Engineering Mathematics(~13–15 marks) includes Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, and Probability.
- General Aptitude (15 marks) which tests verbal and analytical skills.
The GATE ME syllabus will be similar to the last year and no sections are added or deleted from the syllabus.
Key Summary
- GATE ME Syllabus includes topics:
- Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Complex Variables, Probability and Statistics, Numerical Methods.
- Applied Mechanics and Design: Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Theory of Machines, Vibrations, Machine Design.
- Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences: Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, Applications, Turbomachinery. Materials,
- Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering: Engineering Materials, Metal Casting, Forming, Joining, Machining, Metrology and Inspection, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Production Planning and Control, Inventory Control, Operations Research.
- GATE ME Syllabus 2026 – No Major Changes:
- The GATE ME 2026 syllabus is expected to remain largely unchanged from 2025.
- Core subjects like Thermodynamics, Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, and Engineering Mechanics will continue to dominate the GATE ME exam.
- Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude are compulsory with a weight of ~13-15%.
- Important Topics with High Weightage (Based on Previous 5 Years’ Analysis):
- Thermodynamics and Applications – 10–12 marks
- Strength of Materials – 8–10 marks
- Theory of Machines – 6–8 marks
- Fluid Mechanics & Heat Transfer – 10–12 marks
- Manufacturing Engineering – 12–14 marks
- Engineering Mathematics – 13–15 marks
- General Aptitude – 15 marks (constant every year)
- Question Distribution & Marking Scheme:
- Total Questions: 65 (General Aptitude: 10, Technical: 55)
- Maximum Marks: 100 Types of Questions: MCQ, MSQ, NAT
- Subject-wise weightage fluctuates slightly each year, but Manufacturing and Thermal Sciences have remained constant as the high-scoring sections.
- Preparation Strategy (Based on Topper Insights & Trends):
- Solving previous year papers can boost the accuracy rate by 25–30%.
- 70%+ toppers have attempted at least 45+ questions with 90% accuracy.
- Toppers suggests focusing on mock tests (15+ full-length) and formula revision sheets.
- Common weak areas: Topics like Machine Design, Industrial Engineering, and Numerical Methods can be weak for some candidates, they require some extra attention.
- Daily study target: 3–4 hours for working aspirants, 6–8 hours for full-time candidates.
Also Read
- GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026
- GATE ME Question Type & Marking Scheme
- GATE ME Section-Wise Marks Distribution
- GATE ME Syllabus Weightage 2026
- GATE ME Important Chapters
- GATE ME Previous Years Syllabus: Previous Years Analysis
- GATE ME Paper Analysis & Difficulty Level
- GATE ME Good Attempts 2026
- GATE ME Preparation Strategy 2026
- 5-Month GATE ME 2026 Preparation Plan
- GATE ME Books
- GATE Mechanical Engineering Previous Years' Question Papers
- GATE 2025 Feb 2 Shift 1 Question Papers Solution PDFs
- GATE ME Syllabus 2026
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- GATE ME Syllabus 2026 FAQs
GATE ME Exam Pattern 2026
The GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) 2026 exam will be a computer-based test for 3 hours with a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks divided into 3 sections: General Aptitude (15 marks), Engineering Mathematics (13–15 marks), and Core Mechanical Engineering subjects (70+ marks) in a mix of MCQs, MSQs, and NATs.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Total Questions | 65 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Sections | General Aptitude (GA), Engineering Mathematics (EM), Mechanical Engineering Core |
| Question Types | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
GATE ME Question Type & Marking Scheme
The GATE ME exam will have different types of questions: MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions), MSQ (Multiple Select Questions), and NAT (Numerical Answer Type).
- The MCQ will carry 1 or 2 marks and include negative marking of ⅓ and ⅔, respectively, making accuracy crucial.
- MSQs, with one or more correct options, carry similar marks but have no negative marking.
- NATs require candidates to input numerical answers directly, with no negative marking.
| Question Type | Description | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| MCQ | One correct answer | 1 or 2 marks each, negative marking applies |
| MSQ | One or more correct answers | No negative marking |
| NAT | Numerical value-based answers | No negative marking |
GATE ME Section-Wise Marks Distribution
The GATE ME 2026 exam allocates the marks across the 3 sections: General Aptitude (GA), Engineering Mathematics, and Core Mechanical Engineering subjects.
- The General Aptitude section will consist of 10 questions for 15 marks and 15% of weightage in total syllabus
- The Engineering Mathematics will have around 10-12 questions for around 13 marks and making approximately 13 % weightage.
- The Core subjects of ME will have the highest number of questions, around 43-45, with a total of 72 marks out of 100 (72% weightage)
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | 10 | 15 | 15% |
| Engineering Mathematics | ~10–12 | ~13 | ~13% |
| Core Subjects (ME) | ~43–45 | ~72 | ~72% |
| Total | 65 | 100 | 100% |
GATE ME Syllabus Weightage 2026
The GATE syllabus for Mechanical Engineering with weightage shows that Manufacturing Engineering will have the highest weighted average of ~15%, followed by the General Aptitude with ~15% and Engineering Mathematics with ~13% weightage, making them the very important topics with the highest weightage.
- The subjects, such as Heat Transfer, will be ~10% weight, and Fluid Mechanics & Thermodynamics will be ~8%, hence making them prominent topics with major significance and scoring easily.
- The Core Mechanical Engineering subjects, such as Engineering Mechanics, Industrial Engineering, and Theory of Machines & Vibrations, will have a weightage of approximately 7–8% each.
- While Mechanics of Materials (~6%) and Machine Design (~3%) will have comparatively less weightage.
| Topic | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude | ~15 |
| Engineering Mathematics | ~13 |
| Heat Transfer | ~10 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | ~15 |
| Engineering Mechanics | ~8 |
| Industrial Engineering | ~8 |
| Theory of Machines & Vibrations | ~7 |
| Mechanics of Materials | ~6 |
| Fluid Mechanics & Thermodynamics combined | ~8 (4+4) |
| Machine Design | ~3 |
GATE ME Important Chapters
In the GATE ME Syllabus, the most important and most scoring topics are Manufacturing Engineering with ~12–18 marks, including topics like machining, casting, welding, CNC, metrology, and production planning.
- Engineering Mathematics with ~13 marks, including the high-scoring topics like Fixed section; includes calculus, DEs, linear algebra, statistics.
- Thermodynamics also has the high-scoring topics with a consistent 10–12% share.
- The mid-weight but significant subjects such as Fluid Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Theory of Machines & Vibrations, and Industrial Engineering will carry 6–10 marks each.
- Machine Design and Heat Transfer will carry the weightage of 5–6%, and Engineering Mechanics carries a lower but consistent weightage of 2–5 marks.
- General Aptitude (GA) always offers 15 marks, invariably the most convenient section to score.
| Topic | Estimated Weightage | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Engineering | ~12–18 marks (13–17%) | Consistently highest weight (~15%) in GATE 2022–2025; includes machining, casting, welding, CNC, metrology, and production planning. |
| Thermodynamics | ~10–12 marks (10–12%) | Steady weightage across years; tough but high-yield topic. |
| Fluid Mechanics | ~6–7 marks (6–10%) | Mid-level weightage but often numerically challenging; ~6–7 marks expected. |
| Strength of Materials (SOM) | ~6–10 marks (~9%) | Historically stable chapter, contributing around 6–10 marks. |
| Theory of Machines & Vibrations | ~6–8 marks (~7%) | Regular questions on governors, gears, balancing, etc., moderate difficulty. |
| Heat Transfer | ~5–6 marks (~5%) | Moderate frequency; includes conduction, convection, and radiation topics. |
| Machine Design | ~3–5 marks (~4%) | Low to moderate weight; expect logical/design-based questions. |
| Engineering Mechanics | ~2–5 marks (~3–4%) | Includes statics, frames, and equilibrium—fewer questions, but scoring if practiced. |
| Industrial Engineering & OR | ~6–8 marks (~7–8%) | Key areas for production planning, inventory, scheduling, lean, PERT/CPM. |
| Engineering Mathematics | ~13 marks (~13–15%) | Fixed section; includes calculus, DEs, linear algebra, statistics—highly scoring. |
| General Aptitude (GA) | 15 marks (fixed 15%) | Always present; easy to secure full marks with consistent DI/VA practice. |
Also Read
GATE Question Paper for MEGATE ME Previous Years Syllabus: Previous Years Analysis
As per the GATE ME 2026 is expected to follow a similar trend from 2025-2021, with 15% weightage of General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics, with 13%, by maintaining the consistency throughout the 2025-2021.
- Manufacturing Engineering is a high-priority subject that has dominated the GATE ME syllabus with the highest weightage of 16–18% in the previous years and is expected to follow a similar trend.
- Thermodynamics has seen changes in its weight over the years, and is expected to contribute ~8% in 2026, which saw a dip in 2025 (~6%) after rising in 2023 (~12%).
- Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, and Theory of Machines & Vibrations are expected to maintain moderate and stable weights of ~7–9%.
- Mechanics of Materials (SOM) and Industrial Engineering will consistently contribute ~6–8%.
- Machine Design remains a low-weight but concept-heavy topic, expected to have just ~4–5% weight in the GATE ME Syllabus.
| Topic Area | 2026 (Expected) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Engineering Mathematics | ~13 | ~13 | ~13 | ~15 | ~15 | ~13 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | ~16–18 | 17 | ~16–17 | ~14–15 | ~15 | ~18 |
| Thermodynamics | ~8 | ~6 | ~8 | ~12 | ~4 | ~6 |
| Heat Transfer | ~7–9 | ~9 | ~7 | ~5–6 | ~10 | ~6 |
| Fluid Mechanics | ~7 | ~8 | ~7 | ~6–7 | ~4 | ~6 |
| Theory of Machines & Vibrations | ~8 | ~8 | ~8 | ~9–10 | ~7 | ~7 |
| Mechanics of Materials (SOM) | ~7 | ~6 | ~7 | ~9–10 | ~6 | ~7 |
| Machine Design | ~4–5 | ~5 | ~4 | ~4–5 | ~3 | ~7 |
| Industrial Engineering & OR | ~7 | ~6 | ~8 | ~7–8 | ~8 | ~7 |
Is there any change in the syllabus compared to past years?
No from past years there has been no such change in the GATE ME syllabus. So it is expected that GATE ME Syllabus 2026 will follow the same exam pattern as per the previous years.
The IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE 2026, but the syllabus and exam pattern are expected to remain constant.
- Core Sections Remain Unchanged: The standard format—General Aptitude (15 marks), Engineering Mathematics (~13 marks), and Mechanical Engineering Core (~72 marks)—continues, mirroring GATE 2025.
- Stable Topic Weightage: High-yield topics like Manufacturing, Thermodynamics, Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, and Theory of Machines retain consistent frequency and marks distribution based on past 3–5 years’ analysis.
- Historical Consistency: GATE syllabi for core branches—the paper structure and sectional weightage—have stayed stable over the years. Redundant past material remains relevant.
GATE ME Paper Analysis & Difficulty Level
The GATE ME 2025 paper was rated easy to moderate, with General Aptitude (GA) being mostly easy to moderate, Engineering Mathematics moderate, and Core mechanical sections ranging from moderate to difficult in some topics.
- Total Questions: 65
- MCQs: 38 (1-mark and 2-mark)
- MSQs: 1
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT): 26
MCQs carried negative marking; MSQs and NATs had no negative marking.
| Topic Area | Approx. Marks | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 15 | Easy to Moderate |
| Engineering Mathematics | ~13 | Moderate |
| Manufacturing | ~17 | Moderate |
| Thermodynamics | ~6 | Some questions tough |
| Heat Transfer | ~9 | Moderate |
| Fluid Mechanics | ~8 | Moderate to Tough |
| Theory of Machines & Vibrations | ~8 | Moderate |
| SOM & Industrial Engineering | ~6 each | Moderate |
| Machine Design | ~5 | Moderate |
| Engineering Mechanics | ~3 | Moderate |
GATE ME Good Attempts 2026
For GATE ME 2026, attempting 45+ questions with ~85–90% accuracy can provide the 60–70 marks out of 100, which can place the candidate in the top 100–300 AIR, ideal for PSU shortlists and premier IITs/NITs.
An attempt of 40-45 questions can help in securing 50–60 marks, leading to ranks around 1000–3000, which is still competitive for mid-tier IITs and reputed M.Tech programs.
Those aspirants who aim to score higher marks, like 80–90, and top 50 ranks should attempt at least 55–60 questions out of 65 with a ~ 85–90% accuracy rate
| Attempt Range | Expected Correct Answers | Approx Marks | Expected Rank Range (AIR) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40–45 | ~35–39 correct (≈ 90% accuracy) | 50–60 * | ~1000–3000 | Safe for PSUs, Mid-tier IITs |
| 45–50 | ~38–43 correct (≈ 85–90% accuracy) | 60–70 | ~300–1000 | Strong for top NITs, PSU shortlist |
| 55–60 | ~48–52 correct (≈ 85–90% accuracy) | 80–90 | ~1–50 | Very high rank, elite programs |
Also Read
GATE ME Mock Test SeriesGATE ME Preparation Strategy 2026
“GATE ME is less about perfection, more about consistency + deep practice. You only need to master 70–75 marks worth of content to score 60+” - Reddit
The candidates who are preparing for the GATE ME 2026 should start preparing 8-9 months in advance, around July 2025, and follow a phased strategy.
- In 1-2 Months, the candidate should focus on building strong fundamentals.
- In 2-3 Months, focus on the technical subjects like maths and Aptitude preparation.
- The final 3 months will be for intense mock test practice and revision.
To prepare well for the GATE ME, the candidate should have a better understanding of the GATE ME Syllabus and weightage.
5-Month GATE ME 2026 Preparation Plan
The 5-Month GATE ME preparation 2026 Strategy is constructed to balance the GATE ME Syllabus coverage.
- In Month 1, the aspirants should focus on building strong fundamentals and high-scoring topics like General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics, which together contribute to ~28% of the GATE exam, along with the core subjects like Thermodynamics and SOM—laying a strong foundation (~28–30 marks).
- In Month 2, targets should be high-weightage technical subjects like Manufacturing, TOM, Industrial Engineering, and Heat Transfer, with the weightage of ~35%, with a total weightage of ~65%.
- In Month 3, learn topics like Fluid Mechanics, Machine Design, and Engineering Mechanics, pushing the coverage to ~80% while initiating full-length mocks.
- Month 4 is for the intensive revision and focusing on the weak zones, weekly tests, and refining formulas, achieving ~90% syllabus.
- In the last month, Month 5, finalize the preparation with 10+ mock tests, reviewing the mistakes and mental conditioning, to secure 60-70 marks, which are enough for the top 300 AIR range.
| Month | Focus Areas | Key Activities | Target Weightage Covered | Insights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1(Aug 2025) | General AptitudeEngineering MathematicsThermodynamicsStrength of Materials (SOM) | Build core conceptsSolve PYQsMake revision notes | ~28–30 marks | GA + Maths give ~28% alone—quick scoring start |
| Month 2(Sep 2025) | Manufacturing EngineeringTheory of Machines & Vibrations- Industrial EngineeringHeat Transfer | Solve numeralsPractice PYQsFocus on accuracy | +35% = ~63–65% total | High-yield subjects—core for rank boost |
| Month 3(Oct 2025) | Fluid MechanicsMachine DesignEngineering Mechanics | Start full-length mock testsTime-bound practiceError log tracking | +15% = ~80% total | Transition from study to application phase |
| Month 4(Nov 2025) | All subjects revisionFocus on weak areasFormula & concept revision | Weekly mock testsFull-topic revisionAnalyze mistakes | 85–90% syllabus covered | Accuracy > Quantity now matters |
| Month 5(Dec 2025–Jan 2026) | Final revisionExam strategyMental conditioning | 10+ full mock tests2-hr daily revision blocksStress/test handling | Target: 60–70 marks | Simulate GATE conditions & polish strategy |
Also Read
How to score 90+ in GATE?
Scoring 90+ in GATE places you in the top percentile, often within AIR < 100 wich requires the combination of the hours of study, strategic preparation, discipline, self assessment, and steady stress proof implementation on the day of exam.
Do as many questions as you can... mock revision is the secret strategy to boost up your top rank.” — AIR 11 scorer, 960 marks- Reddit
“Practice is the most important step.” — Consensus advice from top scorers”-Reddit
| Phase | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Months 6–3 before | Build core concepts, finish theory, start solving PYQs |
| Months 3–2 before | Ramp up test-taking (mocks), structured revision schedules |
| Last 1–2 months | Heavy mock test regime + sharp revision using notes/flashcards |
| Last 10 days | Mock exams at exam time, finalize rough pad strategy, relax and focus mindset |
Start Early & Plan Smart - The candidate should start preparaing 6-7 months early to cover the full syllabus and check the weak areas, by using a structured study timeline with daily, weekly, and monthly goals.
Build Strong Concepts - The candidate should focus on understanding the theory behind the formulas, not just memorizing it, this will help in applying the formulas on the ticky questions effectively.
Practice PYQs & Mocks - Solve at least 10 years GATE previous years question papers to know the pattern and the question styles. tThe candidate should join a test series and aim for a 100 mock tests.
Analyze & Improve- By analysing the mock tests, can help in learning the abut th weak areas and the candidate can understand why it happened. Maintain a mistake notebook or formula sheet for flawed topics and common errors.
Focus on High-Scoring Areas- The General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics alone contribute ~25–28% marks and are generally easier to score. During the exam the candidates should solve 1-mark MCQs and theoretical questions first, eliminate those questions where negative marking applies.
Revise Regularly- Prepare the short notes or flash cards, which will help in the quick revision, formulas, and critical concepts daily and weekly, not just once at time of the GATE exam.
Stay Healthy & Sharp- Keep your mind clam, analyzee your mistakes constructively and dont just dwell on the outcomes. Take proper sleep, and avoid any last minute cramming of the new topics.
Exam Day Strategy - Reach the Test center 2 hours before the exam, to avoid any kind to hurdle ehich may come while entering in the exam centre. Use rough sheets smartly (e.g., fold pages to maximize usable space) to manage calculations under time pressure
GATE ME Books
The recommended books for GATE ME 2026 preparation cover each subject, along with conceptual clarity with problem-solving practice.
- Highly rated books like P.K. Nag’s Engineering Thermodynamics and R.K. Bansal’s Fluid Mechanics (both 4.5★) are important for studying core topics with GATE-level numericals.
- For the Manufacturing topic, R.K. Jain/Kalpakjian (₹800–₹950, 4.6★) is the best because of its depth and clarity in topics.
- B.S. Grewal’s Math book and R.S. Aggarwal’s reasoning guide are top picks for GA and Math, which covers ~28% of the GATE exam.
- GKP’s all-in-one guide (4.6★) is ideal for full coverage with solved PYQs.
- With most books priced between ₹450–₹950 and rated 4.2★ to 4.6★, these resources offer both value and performance in cracking GATE ME.
| Subject | Book Title | Author/Publisher | Price (Approx.) | Rating | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermodynamics | Engineering Thermodynamics | P.K. Nag | ₹800–₹850 | ★★★★☆ (4.5) | Best for conceptual clarity and numerical solving |
| Strength of Materials (SOM) | Strength of Materials | Gere & Timoshenko | ₹600–₹700 | ★★★★☆ (4.4) | High conceptual depth, useful for SOM numericals |
| Theory of Machines | Theory of Machines | S.S. Ratan | ₹600–₹750 | ★★★★☆ (4.3) | Good for kinematics and mechanism questions |
| Fluid Mechanics | Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulic Machines | R.K. Bansal / S.K. Som | ₹650–₹800 | ★★★★☆ (4.5) | Covers both concepts and GATE-level numericals |
| Heat Transfer | Heat Transfer | Cengel / Holman | ₹700–₹850 | ★★★★☆ (4.4) | Excellent for conduction, convection, radiation |
| Engineering Mechanics | Engineering Mechanics | S.S. Bhavikatti | ₹450–₹500 | ★★★★ (4.2) | Useful for foundational concepts in mechanics |
| Manufacturing Engineering | Production Technology | R.K. Jain / Kalpakjian | ₹800–₹950 | ★★★★☆ (4.6) | Must for manufacturing + shop floor applications |
| Industrial Engineering | Industrial Engineering and Management | O.P. Khanna | ₹500–₹600 | ★★★★ (4.2) | Covers operations, work study, supply chain |
| Engineering Mathematics | Higher Engineering Mathematics | B.S. Grewal | ₹650–₹750 | ★★★★☆ (4.5) | Most recommended for Engineering Math |
| General Aptitude | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | ₹450–₹500 | ★★★★☆ (4.4) | Best for verbal and logical reasoning |
| All Subjects + PYQs | GKP GATE ME Guide + Previous Year Solved Papers | GKP | ₹950–₹1,100 | ★★★★☆ (4.6) | One-stop guide with full syllabus + PYQs |
GATE Mechanical Engineering Previous Years' Question Papers
GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Question Paper PDFs are available for download. Candidates can now download the question papers using the links below. GATE Mechanical Engineering Question Paper consists of three sections - General Aptitude (15 marks), Engineering Mathematics, and the core subject.
GATE 2025 Feb 2 Shift 1 Question Papers Solution PDFs
| Test Papers | Question Paper Set | Solution PDF |
|---|---|---|
| GATE 2025 ME Question Paper | Download Pdf | Download Pdf |
GATE 2024
| Exam Date | Session | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|---|
| February 3 | Afternoon Session | Check Here |
GATE 2023
| Exam Date | Session | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|---|
| February 4 | Afternoon Session | Click Here |
GATE 2022
| Exam Date | Session | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|---|
| February 13 | Forenoon Session | Check Here |
| February 13 | Afternoon Session | Check Here |
GATE 2021
| Exam Date | Session | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|---|
| February 14 | Forenoon Session | Check Here |
| February 14 | Afternoon Session | Check Here |
GATE 2020
| Exam Date | Session | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|---|
| February 1 | Forenoon Session | Check Here |
| February 1 | Afternoon Session | Check Here |
GATE ME Syllabus 2026
The Updated GATE ME 2026 Syllabus is divided into 3 sections General Aptitude, Engineering mathematics, adn Cover subjects of Mechanical Engoneering.
General Aptitude (15 marks) and Engineering Mathematics (~13 marks), both having high scoring potential.
Core subjects such as, Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences have the maximum weightage (~25–30 marks) with high conceptual understanding. Applied Mechanics & Design also tests questions from subjects like SFD/BMD and torsion. Manufacturing & Production (~15–18 marks) is optimally solved by PYQs.
| Section | Topics Covered | Insights |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | Verbal Ability, Analytical Ability, Reasoning, Data Interpretation | Fixed 15 marks; crucial for boosting overall score |
| Engineering Mathematics | Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Vector Calculus, Probability & Statistics, Numerical Methods | Contributes ~13 marks; high ROI section |
| Applied Mechanics & Design | Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials (SOM), Machine Design | Commonly asked: SFD/BMD, torsion, failure theories |
| Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences | Fluid Mechanics (Properties, Bernoulli, Flow), Thermodynamics (Laws, Cycles), Heat Transfer (Conduction, Convection, Radiation) | Combined weight ~25–30 marks; conceptual clarity required |
| Materials Engineering | Stress-strain, Thermal stress, Mohr’s circle, Material behavior | Frequently tested in the Strength of Materials section |
| Manufacturing & Production | Casting, Machining, Welding, Metal Forming, Metrology, CNC/CAD/CAM | ~15–18 marks expected; solve previous year questions |
| Industrial Engineering & OR | Inventory Control, Scheduling, Linear Programming, Queuing Theory, PERT/CPM | Often under-prepared; scoring area for strategy-driven candidates |
GATE Syllabus for Other Papers
GATE ME Syllabus 2026 FAQs
Ques. What is the GATE exam syllabus?
Ans. The GATE syllabus varies across the different paper or discipline the candidate choose. GATE is conducted for over 30 different subjects, including CSE, ECE, ME, Maths, Chemistry and more.
The each GATE syllabus majorly has 3 sections: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics and Core Subjcets.
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | Common for all papers. Tests verbal ability and numerical reasoning. |
| Subject-specific part | Based on the chosen paper/discipline (e.g., ME, EE, CS, MA, CY, etc.) |
| Engineering Mathematics | Included in most engineering papers (except pure science/maths subjects) |
Ques. What’s the suggested order to study these topics?
Ans. For the GATE ME Preparation the candidates should follow a smart sequence based on the weightage and ease of the topics to build th emoral and motivation in the begining.
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Thermodynamics
- Strength of Materials + Machine Design
- Fluid Mechanics & Heat Transfer
- Engineering Mechanics & Industrial Engineering
- Engineering Mathematics & GA
Ques. What are the major sections of GATE ME 2026?
Ans. The GATE ME Syllabus is majorly divided into 3 sections:
- General Aptitude (GA) – Verbal, data interpretation & reasoning (15 marks)
- Engineering Mathematics – Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Vector Calculus, Probability & Statistics, Numerical Methods (~13 marks)
- Core Mechanical Topics – Including Mechanics, SOM, TOM, Manufacturing, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Materials & IE (72 marks)
Ques. Is GATE ME difficult?
Ans. The GATE ME is generally considered moderately difficult, as per the previous years' analysis, with the Core Mechanical Subjects being rated as moderate to difficult, including topics like Heat Transfer, TOM, and SOM were tricky. Engineering Mathematics and Manufacturing section were moderate, which required a thorough practice of formulas and the General Aptitude was rated as easy.
| Section | Difficulty Level | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | Easy | The scoring section if prepared well |
| Engineering Mathematics | Moderate | Requires formula mastery & practice |
| Core Mechanical Subjects | Moderate–Hard | Heat Transfer, TOM, and SOM were tricky |
| Manufacturing | Moderate | Often high weightage (~15–18%) |
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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