The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted by the IIT Guwahati for admission to top ME/M.Tech and Ph.D programs in India. The GATE score is also valuable for Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in recruiting Engineer Trainees, Management Trainees, and other specialized roles.
The GATE 2026 official syllabus will be available on the official website of GATE 2026 IIT Guwahati - iitg.ac.in in PDF format for 30 subjects, describing all topics in detail, subject-wise. This syllabus outlines all subjects from which questions will be asked in the exam.
It is fundamental for the candidates to know the key topics and their importance in the GATE syllabus 2026. Knowing the syllabus helps them prepare for effective planning to cover all sections thoroughly, thus increasing their chances of success.
GATE 2026 Syllabus Latest Updates
GATE Syllabus 2026
There are typically three main sections in the GATE exams:
- General Aptitude: This section asses the language as well as the analytical abilities of candidates.
- Engineering Mathematics: This section tests the mathematical concepts and techniques relevant to engineering disciplines.
- Core Subject: This section tests the subject areas of the engineering discipline selected.
Who will organize the GATE in 2026?
IIT Guwahati will organize the GATE 2026. The GATE is conducted yearly on a rotational basis by IISc Bangalore and 7 IITs. IIT Guwahati has previously organized GATE in 2010, 2018
How many papers are there in GATE?
In GATE 2026, it is expected to have a total of 30 test papers as per the previous years’.
Is GATE syllabus change every year?
No, the GATE syllabus does not change every year, but minor updates or revisions are expected in GATE 2026. The core structure remains consistent for most papers across years.
In GATE 2024, a major update was the introduction of the Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DA) paper, resulting in the rising demand for professional skills in AI and data-driven technologies.
In the GATE 2025, they introduced two new paper combinations for Computer Science (CS) with DA to enhance interdisciplinary learning and career flexibility.
GATE Syllabus changes (2025-2021)
| Year | New Papers Added | Syllabus Expansion Focus | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ES (Environmental Science & Engineering), XH (Humanities & Social Sciences) | Humanities, Environmental Science | Biggest expansion in GATE history |
| 2022 | GE (Geomatics Engineering), NM (Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering) | Geomatics, Remote Sensing | Strong push for niche disciplines |
| 2023 | None | AI/ML, NLP, Data Mining | CS/DS updates aligned with trends |
| 2024 | DA (Data Science & Artificial Intelligence) | Data Science, Artificial Intelligence | Addressing the growing demand in AI/DS fields |
| 2025 | None | Interdisciplinary Paper Combinations, GA Update | Enhanced flexibility and real-world aptitude focus |
What is the syllabus for GATE?
The syllabus of GATE varies across 30 subjects; as per GATE 2025, the syllabus is designed to test the candidates on core engineering/ science subjects and general aptitude.
GATE Exam Structure
| Section | Marks | Details |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | 15 Marks |
|
| Engineering Mathematics | 15 Marks | Included in most engineering papers |
| Subject-Specific Section | 70 Marks (approx) | Varies by paper (e.g., CSE, ECE, ME, CE) – covers core subjects |
GATE Syllabus for Popular Papers
| Paper | Core Subjects | Math | GA |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSE | Algorithms, Data Structures, DBMS, Operating Systems, etc. | 13-15% | 15% |
| ECE | Networks, Signals, Communications, EMT, Analog, Digital | 13-15% | 15% |
| ME | Thermodynamics, Manufacturing, Fluid Mechanics, SOM | 13-15% | 15% |
| CE | Structures, Environment, Geotech, Hydrology, Transpo | 13-15% | 15% |
| EE | Machines, Power Systems, Signals, Circuits, Control | 13-15% | 15% |
Are There Any Changes In The GATE Syllabus 2026?
The conducting institute frequently announces new paper changes ahead of time. The GATE syllabus usually remains unchanged every year. GATE 2025 did not introduce any new paper, whereas IISc Bangalore introduced a new paper in GATE 2024 on Data Science and AI Engineering. Earlier in 2022, Environmental Science and Engineering (ES) and Humanities and Social Sciences (XH) were introduced; Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NM) and Geomatics Engineering (GE) were added in 2021.
GATE 2026 General Aptitude Syllabus
The General Aptitude syllabus is almost the same for all subjects of the GATE, comprising 15% of their total marks.
| Topics | Sub-topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Aptitude | It includes tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, as well as verb-noun agreement. It includes vocabulary, idioms, phrases, reading comprehension, and narrative sequencing skills as well. |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Interpreting data covers bar graphs, pie charts, and other data graphs, as well as 2D or 3D plots, maps, and tables. Numerical computation includes working with ratios, percentages, exponents, logarithms, permutations and combinations, and series. Other topics that will be included are mensuration, geometry, elementary statistics, and some basic concepts in probability. |
| Analytical Aptitude | Deduction, induction, analogy, numerical relations, and logical reasoning. |
| Spatial Aptitude | Its sub-topic includes shape transformation that involves rotation, translation, mirroring, scaling, assembling, and grouping through paper folding, cutting, and dimensional patterns. |
Also Check:
GATE 2026 Computer Science Engineering Syllabus
The GATE 2026 Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) exam syllabus is provided below in a detailed topic-wise manner for the candidates. The engineering mathematics section will carry 13 marks in the GATE 2026 CSE question paper. The GATE syllabus CSE 2026 covers topics from:
- Digital Logic.
- Engineering Mathematics.
- Programming & Data Structures.
- Computer Organization & Architecture.
- Theory of Computation.
- Algorithms.
- Operating System.
- Compiler Design.
- Computer Networks.
- Databases.
GATE 2026 Civil Engineering Syllabus
In the upcoming 2026 GATE CE (Civil Engineering) examination, 72 marks are allocated to core subjects. The General Aptitude (GA) will have 15 marks, while Engineering Mathematics will include 13 marks. The GATE 2026 CE syllabus covers topics from:
- Structural Engineering.
- Engineering Mathematics.
- Water Resources Engineering.
- Geotechnical Engineering.
- Transportation Engineering.
- Environmental Engineering.
- Geomatics Engineering.
GATE 2026 Electronics & Communications Syllabus
The GATE 2026 ECE syllabus consists of 8 key chapters students must master to succeed in the GATE 2026 Electronics and Communication Engineering exam.
What is the syllabus of GATE 2026 ECE exam?
- Networks, Signals & Systems.
- Engineering Mathematics.
- Analog Circuits.
- Electronic Devices.
- Control Systems.
- Digital Circuits.
- Electromagnetics.
- Communications.
GATE 2026 Subject Wise Syllabus
The GATE syllabus 2026 PDF will be officially released at iitg.ac.in. Contestants can conveniently download the subject-wise syllabus for GATE 2026 using the direct links in the table below for easy reference and preparation.
What is the pass mark in GATE?
The GATE Qualifying marks is the minimum scores candidates must achieve to be eligible for Postgraduate admissions (e.g., M.Tech, M.E.) in premier institutions like IITs and NITs and Recruitment in PSUs.
These marks are determined based on:
- The difficulty level of the exam.
- The performance of candidates.
- The number of available seats.
GATE 2026 Qualifying Marks
As per the GATE 2025, qualifying marks have been officially released, it is expected that GATE 2026 will also have similar qualifying marks.
| Paper Code | Test Paper | General | OBC-NCL/EWS | SC/ST/PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | Computer Science and Information Technology | 35.8 | 32.2 | 23.8 |
| ME | Mechanical Engineering | 29.2 | 26.2 | 19.4 |
| EC | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 25.0 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| EE | Electrical Engineering | 25.0 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| CE | Civil Engineering | 29.2 | 26.2 | 19.4 |
| IN | Instrumentation Engineering | 25.6 | 23.0 | 17.0 |
| BT | Biotechnology | 40.0 | 36.0 | 26.6 |
| AE | Aerospace Engineering | 29.2 | 26.2 | 19.4 |
| CH | Chemical Engineering | 25.0 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| XE | Engineering Sciences | 29.0 | 26.1 | 19.3 |
| XL | Life Sciences | 30.6 | 27.5 | 20.4 |
What is the criteria for GATE 2026?
The IIT Guwahati will set the eligibility criteria for GATE 2026, as per the previous years’ analysis it is expected that the eligibility criteria for GATE-2026 is relaxed from the minimum 10+2+4 (ongoing) to the minimum 10+2+3 (ongoing), enabling even those in the third year of their undergraduate studies to appear for the examination.
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Must have completed OR be in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree (B.E./B.Tech/B.Arch/B.Sc (Research)/B.Pharm) OR hold a Master’s degree in any relevant science or arts stream. |
| Eligible Degrees | B.E., B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Sc (Research), M.Sc, M.A, MCA, Integrated M.Sc, Integrated B.S-M.S, etc. |
| Qualifying Year | Must have completed a qualifying degree in 2026 or earlier. Candidates currently in 3rd or final year can also apply. |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Number of Attempts | Unlimited attempts as long as other eligibility criteria are met |
| Nationality | Open to Indian citizens and foreign nationals from SAARC & other countries |
| GATE Score Validity | 3 years from the date of result declaration |
How to prepare for a GATE?
The GATE needs a strategic approach to prepare, with a disciplined study habits and effective time management.
To prepare well for GATE, the aspirant should know about the structure of the GATE exam, and the syllabus weighatge.
Structure: GATE consists of 65 questions totaling 100 marks, divided into:
- General Aptitude (GA): 15 marks
- Engineering Mathematics: 13-15 marks
- Core Subject: 70-72 marks
Question Types:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions
Understanding the weightage of various subjects can help prioritize study topics. For instance, in Mechanical Engineering, the approximate distribution is:
- Engineering Mathematics: 15%
- General Aptitude: 15%
- Core Subjects: 70%
GATE Daily Timetable
| Time | Activity |
| 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM | Wake up, freshen up, and have breakfast |
| 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Study Session 1: Core Subject 1 (Concepts) |
| 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Break |
| 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Study Session 2: Core Subject 2 (Concepts) |
| 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Lunch and rest |
| 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Study Session 3: Engineering Mathematics |
| 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Break |
| 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Study Session 4: General Aptitude & Practice |
| 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Physical activity or relaxation |
| 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Dinner |
| 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM | Revision: Topics covered during the day |
| 9:30 PM onwards | Relaxation and sleep preparation |
This timetable balances study sessions with adequate breaks to maintain productivity and avoid burnout
Conclusion
The GATE 2026 exam is an essential opportunity for candidates to seek advanced education and career openings in engineering and technology. Therefore, it is crucial to know the syllabus in order to prepare effectively. The individual should be aware of the changes in the syllabus and must download the official GATE 2026 syllabus PDF for further reference.
*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