GATE Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering (PE) 2025 has been released. No new changes are expected to the syllabus this year. GATE Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering (PE) consists of topics from General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics and Core Discipline. The General Aptitude section of GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) Syllabus constitutes 15% of the total weightage while Engineering Mathematics and Core Discipline constitute 13% and 72% weightage respectively. Check GATE Exam Pattern
- The Core Discipline syllabus for GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) is further divided into 16 major topics including Petroleum Exploration, Oil and Gas Well Drilling Technology, Reservoir Engineering, Petroleum Production Operations, Offshore Drilling and Production Practices, etc.
- GATE Petroleum Engineering Question Paper consists of 65 questions of 100 marks with 10 questions for General Aptitude and 55 questions for Engineering Mathematics and Core Discipline.
- Candidates appearing for Petroleum Engineering (PE) as their first paper in GATE 2025 can opt for CH, GG or XE as their second paper.
| Table of Contents |
Quick Links:
GATE Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering (PE) Important Topics and Sub-Topics
- GATE Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering (PE) consists of topics from-
- General Aptitude
- Engineering Mathematics
- Core Discipline
- The section below covers all the topics and sub-topics from GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) Syllabus.
GATE Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering (PE)- General Aptitude
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Aptitude | Basic English grammar: tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb-noun agreement, and other parts of speech Basic vocabulary: words, idioms, and phrases in context Reading and comprehension Narrative sequencing |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Data interpretation: data graphs (bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphs representing data), 2- and 3-dimensional plots, maps, and tables Numerical computation and estimation: ratios, percentages, powers, exponents and logarithms, permutations and combinations, and series Mensuration and geometry Elementary statistics and probability. |
| Analytical Aptitude | Logic: deduction and induction, Analogy, Numerical relations and reasoning |
| Spatial Aptitude | Transformation of shapes: translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, and grouping Paper folding, cutting, and patterns in 2 and 3 dimensions |
GATE Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering (PE)- Engineering Mathematics
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Linear Algebra | Matrix algebra, Systems of linear equations, Eigen values and eigenvectors |
| Calculus | Functions of single variable, Limit, continuity and differentiability, Taylor series, Mean value theorems, Evaluation of definite and improper integrals, Partial derivatives, Total derivative, Maxima and minima, Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Vector identities, Directional derivatives, Line, Surface and Volume integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems. |
| Differential Equations | First order equations (linear and nonlinear), Higher order linear differential equations with constant coefficients, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Initial and boundary value problems, Laplace transforms, Solutions of one dimensional heat and wave equations and Laplace equation. |
| Probability and Statistics | Definitions of probability and sampling theorems, Conditional probability, Mean, median, mode and standard deviation, Random variables, Poisson, Normal and Binomial distributions, Linear regression analysis. |
| Numerical Methods | Numerical solutions of linear and non-linear algebraic equations. Integration by trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule. Single and multi-step methods for numerical solution of differential equations. |
| Complex Variables | Complex number, polar form of complex number, triangle inequality. |
GATE Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering (PE)- Core Discipline
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Exploration |
|
| Oil and Gas Well Drilling Technology |
|
| Reservoir Engineering |
|
| Petroleum Production Operations |
|
| Offshore Drilling and Production Practices |
|
| Petroleum Formation Evaluation |
|
| Oil and Gas Well Testing |
|
| Health Safety and Environment in Petroleum Industry |
|
| Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques |
|
| Latest trends in Petroleum Engineering |
|
GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) Exam Pattern
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| GATE PE Exam Date | To be Updated |
| GATE PE Exam Session | One- Forenoon (09:00 – 12:00 hrs) |
| GATE PE Examination Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| GATE PE Exam Language | English |
| GATE PE Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| GATE PE Sectional Time Limit | None |
| GATE PE Total Marks | 100 |
| GATE PE Total Number of questions | 65 |
| GATE PE Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ); Multiple Select Questions (MSQ); Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
| GATE PE Number of Sections | Three- General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics and Core Discipline |
| GATE PE Section-wise Number of Questions | General Aptitude- 10 questions, Engineering Mathematics & Core Discipline- 55 questions |
| GATE PE Section-wise Weightage | General Aptitude- 15 marks, Engineering Mathematics- 13 marks; Core Discipline- 72 marks |
| GATE PE Marking Scheme | 1 or 2 marks for each correct answer |
| GATE PE Negative Marking | For 1 mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer; For 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer; No negative marking for MSQs and NATs |
GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) Marking Scheme
- As per GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) exam pattern, the paper is of 100 marks including 1 mark and 2 marks 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- Petroleum Engineering | |||
| Total | 30 | 35 | 100 |
GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) Negative Marking
| Type of Question | GATE PE Negative Marking | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mark Questions | 2 Marks Questions | |
| Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 1/3 mark | 2/3 mark |
| Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) | No negative marking | No negative marking |
| Numerical Answer Type (NATs) | No negative marking | No negative marking |
Quick Links:
GATE Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering (PE) - Weightage of Important Topics (Expected)
Based on the previous year’s trends, the table below includes the topic-wise expected weightage of GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE). These will help candidates devise their strategy for GATE Preparation.
| Topics | Expected Weightage (Marks) |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Geology & Exploration | 5 |
| Oil & Gas Drilling Technology | 10 |
| Reservoir Engineering | 8 |
| Petroleum Production Operations | 11 |
| Offshore Drilling & Production Practices | 6 |
| Formation Evaluation | 8 |
| Oil & Gas Well Testing | 6 |
| HSE in petroleum Industry | 5 |
| EOR Techniques | 7 |
| Latest trends in PE | 4 |
Also Check: What will be the Validity of GATE Score?
GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) Preparation
This section provides details on a few preparation tips and best resources such as important books and previous year question papers for candidates appearing for the petroleum engineering (PE) paper of GATE.
- Start Early- While creating a study plan, create a list of all the important topics in order to the levels of difficulty and number of sub-topics to ensure allocation of the right preparation time to all the topics.
- Know your GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) Exam Pattern and Syllabus well- You must be aware of all the important topics and the marking scheme of the exam before you start preparing.
- Gather the Best Study Resources for PE- Select proper material to study such as books, modules, online references, articles, videos, etc. You can also refer to online videos through NPTEL which have access to video lectures by IIT professors.
- Revision and Solve Mock Tests/Sample Papers/Previous Years’ Question Paper- Dedicate at least an hour for revision every day and appear for various mock tests right from the start of your GATE PE preparation.
Quick Links:
| GATE Preparation | GATE Books | GATE Online Coaching |
| GATE Question Papers | GATE Mock Tests | GATE Virtual Calculator |
GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) Preparation- Best Books
| Books | Author/ Publisher |
|---|---|
| Khanna’s Objective Questions in Petroleum Engineering | Vikas Mahto, Khanna Book Publishing Company Private Limited |
| Introduction to Petroleum Engineering | John R. Fanchi, Wiley-Blackwell |
| HPCL Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited Boiler Technician Mechanical Engineering | G.K Publications PVT.LTD |
| Elements of Petroleum Refinery Engineering | OP Gupta, Khanna Publishers |
| Applied Petroleum Reservoir Engineering | Ronald E. Terry, Prentice Hall |
GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) Preparation- Previous Years’ Question Papers
| Year | Link for GATE PE Question Paper | Link for GATE PE Answer Key |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2020 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2019 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2018 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| 2017 | Download PDF | Download PDF |
GATE Syllabus Of Other Papers
GATE Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering (PE) FAQs
Ques: Based on the weightage of sections what could be the most important sections from GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus?
Ans: All the sections are very important because the basics or concepts are interrelated which means one cannot leave any topics from GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus during your preparation. However, there are some of the most important topics from which one can expect the maximum number of questions. If one prepare these sections well then good marks can easily be scored. Some of the important topics are:
- Oil & Gas Drilling Technology
- Petroleum Production Operations
- Reservoir Engineering
- Formation Evaluation
- EOR Techniques
Ques: Is there any negative marking in GATE Petroleum Engineering?
Ans: In GATE Petroleum Engineering, only the MCQs have negative marking. Find below the marking scheme for the entire paper for further details.
| Type of Question | Correct Answer | Incorrect Answer |
|---|---|---|
| MCQ | 1 or 2 Marks | ⅓ for 1 mark questions ⅔ for 2 marks questions |
| NAT/MSQs | 1 or 2 Marks | No Negative Marking |
Ques: What are the best books to prepare for the GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus?
Ans: Candidates are advised to refer to the books or notes from their graduation because the whole syllabus will be based on graduation level. The best books to prepare for GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus are mentioned below:
- Khanna’s Objective Questions in Petroleum Engineering – By Vikas Mahto, Khanna Book Publishing Company Private Limited
- Introduction to Petroleum Engineering – By John R. Fanchi, Wiley-Blackwell
Ques: Do I need to prepare for engineering mathematics topics while preparing for the GATE Petroleum Engineering paper?
Ans: Yes, the Engineering Mathematics section carry a considerable amount of weightage in GATE Petroleum Engineering. Hence, the students need to prepare for that. The topics that they need to cover from this section are:
- Linear Algebra
- Complex variables
- Calculus
- Differential Equations
- Probability and Statistics
- Numerical Methods
Ques. What will be the difficulty level of GATE Petroleum Engineering?
Ans. According to the previous year’s trends, the difficulty level of GATE Petroleum Engineering ranges from easy to moderate. The students need to practice thoroughly to ace this exam. Check GATE Paper Analysis
Ques. Which are the institutes that accept GATE Petroleum Engineering scores?
Ans. The following colleges accept GATE Petroleum Engineering scores:
- IIT Mumbai
- Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT), UttarPradesh
- Universities of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun
- Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU), Gandhinagar
- Dibrugarh University Institute of Engineering and Technology (DUIET)
- Bhagwant University: Institute of Engineering and Technology, Ajmer
- Global Institute of Engineering and Technology, Vellore
Ques. How to prepare for GATE Petroleum Engineering?
Ans. Candidates can follow some of these tips for preparation of GATE petroleum engineering:
- Solve GATE petroleum Engineering Mock Tests
- Start with the basic concepts or topics.
- Candidates must practice virtual calculators so that they can develop a habit of using the same.
Check Detailed GATE Preparation Tips
Ques. What is the GATE Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering?
Ans. GATE Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering is as follows:
- General Aptitude
- Engineering Mathematics
- Core Discipline- PE
- Petroleum Exploration
- Oil and Gas Well Drilling Technology
- Reservoir Engineering
- Petroleum Production Operations
- Offshore Drilling and Production Practices
- Petroleum Formation Evaluation
- Oil and Gas Well Testing
- Health Safety and Environment in Petroleum Industry
- Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques
- Latest trends in Petroleum Engineering
Ques. How many candidates clear GATE Petroleum Engineering every year?
Ans. Around 21-30% of candidates clear GATE Petroleum Engineering every year. The students are advised to practice a good amount of mock tests before appearing for GATE to ace it.
Ques. What is the cut-off for the previous session of GATE Petroleum Engineering?
Ans. The cut-off for GATE Petroleum Engineering is 51.40 for the previous exam cycle. The GATE meCut Off varies for each year. The students are advised to check out the previous year’s trends to set their desired cut-off range.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
Comments