GATE 2026 Syllabus: 30 Subject Papers, Topic-Wise Syllabus and PDF Download

Basic English grammar (tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb forms), Vocabulary, Sentence completion, Reading comprehension passages, Verbal analogies, Word groups, Critical reasoning and verbal deduction, Instructions-based questions

Basic arithmetic (ratios, percentages, profit and loss, time and work, time–speed–distance, simple and compound interest), Elementary statistics and data analysis, Permutation and combination, Series completion and number patterns

Logic — deduction and induction, Analogical reasoning, Numerical relations and pattern recognition, Drawing conclusions from given statements, Argument evaluation

Transformation of shapes (translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling and grouping), Paper folding and cutting, 2D and 3D shape recognition, Odd figure out from a visual series

Matrix algebra, Systems of linear equations (consistency, rank), Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, Cayley–Hamilton theorem, LU decomposition, Orthogonality

Limits, continuity and differentiability, Mean value theorems (Rolle’s, Lagrange’s), Maxima and minima, Integration (definite and indefinite), Partial derivatives, Total derivative, Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Double and triple integrals, Stokes’, Gauss’s and Green’s theorems

First order ODEs (linear and nonlinear, separable, exact), Higher order linear ODEs with constant coefficients, Cauchy–Euler equations, Initial and boundary value problems, Series solutions

Axioms of probability, Conditional probability and Bayes’ theorem, Discrete distributions (binomial, Poisson), Continuous distributions (normal, exponential, uniform), Mean, variance, standard deviation, Correlation and regression, Random variables

Boolean algebra and minimization (K-map, Quine–McCluskey), Combinational circuits (multiplexers, decoders, priority encoders, full adder), Sequential circuits (latches, flip-flops — SR, JK, D, T; counters; shift registers), Number representations (binary, octal, hexadecimal, BCD) and arithmetic

Machine instructions and addressing modes (immediate, direct, indirect, register, indexed), ALU design, Data path and control unit, Instruction pipelining (hazards — data, control, structural), Memory hierarchy (cache mapping and replacement policies, main memory, virtual memory, paging), I/O interface (interrupt-driven I/O, DMA)

Programming in C (pointers, arrays, structures, recursion), Stacks, Queues (circular queue, deque, priority queue), Linked lists (singly, doubly, circular), Trees (binary tree, AVL tree, B-tree, heap), Graphs (representation — adjacency matrix, list), Hashing techniques

Asymptotic notation (O, Ω, Θ), Sorting (merge sort, quicksort, heap sort, radix sort), Searching (binary search, hashing), Algorithm design paradigms (greedy, dynamic programming, divide-and-conquer, backtracking), Graph algorithms (BFS, DFS, Dijkstra, Bellman–Ford, Floyd–Warshall, Prim, Kruskal), NP-completeness (reductions, Cook–Levin theorem concepts)

Regular expressions and DFA/NFA equivalence, Minimization of automata, Context-free grammars and pushdown automata, Pumping lemmas (regular and CFL), Turing machines, Decidability and undecidability, Rice’s theorem, Recursive and recursively enumerable languages

Processes and threads, Process scheduling (FCFS, SJF, Round Robin, Priority), Inter-process communication, Concurrency and synchronization (semaphores, monitors, Peterson’s solution), Deadlock (prevention, avoidance — Banker’s algorithm, detection and recovery), Memory management (segmentation, paging, page replacement — FIFO, LRU, Optimal), File systems, Disk scheduling

ER model and ER-to-relational mapping, Relational model (keys — primary, candidate, foreign), Functional dependencies and normalization (1NF–BCNF), Relational algebra and tuple calculus, SQL (DDL, DML, aggregate functions, joins, subqueries, views), Transactions (ACID properties), Concurrency control (locking — 2PL, timestamp ordering), Indexing (B-tree, B+-tree), File organization (sequential, indexed, hashed)

OSI and TCP/IP layering models, LAN technologies (Ethernet, IEEE 802.3), Data link layer (framing, error detection — CRC, Hamming; flow control — sliding window; multiple access — CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA), Network layer (routing algorithms — Dijkstra’s link-state, Bellman–Ford distance vector; IP addressing; subnetting; NAT), Transport layer (TCP — connection management, congestion control; UDP), Application layer protocols (DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, DHCP)

Network analysis (KCL, KVL, nodal and mesh analysis), Network theorems (Thevenin, Norton, superposition, maximum power transfer), Transient and steady-state response of RLC circuits, Two-port networks (Z, Y, h, ABCD parameters), Continuous-time signals (Fourier series, Fourier transform, Laplace transform), Discrete-time signals (DTFT, DFT, Z-transform), Sampling theorem, LTI systems (impulse response, convolution, stability)

Energy bands in intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, Carrier transport (diffusion, drift, mobility, resistivity), Generation and recombination of carriers, P-N junction diode (I–V characteristics, small-signal model), Zener diode, BJT (CE, CB, CC configurations, biasing), MOSFET (enhancement and depletion; NMOS and PMOS; small-signal model), LED, Photodiode, Solar cell, JFET

Small-signal models of BJT and MOSFET, DC biasing of transistors, Single-stage amplifiers (CE, CS; gain, bandwidth), Multi-stage amplifiers, Differential amplifiers, Op-amp circuits (inverting, non-inverting, differentiator, integrator, comparator, Schmitt trigger), Oscillators (RC phase shift, Wien bridge, LC), Power amplifiers (Class A, B, AB, C), Wave-shaping circuits, Rectifiers and voltage regulators

Open-loop and closed-loop systems, Transfer function, Block diagram reduction, Signal flow graphs (Mason’s formula), Time-domain analysis (transient response — rise time, settling time, overshoot), Frequency-domain analysis (Bode plot, Nyquist plot), Stability analysis (Routh–Hurwitz criterion, Nyquist criterion), Root locus technique, Lag, lead and lag-lead compensator design, State-space representation

Random processes (auto-correlation, power spectral density), Analog modulation (AM — DSB-SC, SSB, VSB; FM; PM), Demodulation techniques, Digital modulation (ASK, FSK, BPSK, QPSK, QAM), Bit error rate (BER) analysis, SNR in analog and digital systems, Fundamentals of channel coding (Hamming code, convolutional codes), Multiple access (TDMA, FDMA, CDMA), Spread spectrum techniques

Maxwell’s equations (differential and integral forms), Wave equation and plane wave propagation in free space and dielectrics, Poynting vector and power flow, Reflection and refraction of plane waves, Transmission lines (input impedance, SWR, Smith chart, matching techniques), Rectangular and circular waveguides, Antennas (radiation pattern, directivity, gain, half-wave dipole, Yagi)

Network graph, KCL and KVL, Nodal and mesh analysis, Superposition theorem, Thevenin and Norton theorems, Maximum power transfer theorem, Sinusoidal steady-state analysis and phasors, Three-phase circuits (balanced and unbalanced), Power, reactive power and power factor, Two-port networks, Transient response of first and second-order circuits

Single-phase transformer (EMF equation, equivalent circuit, phasor diagram, voltage regulation, efficiency, OC and SC tests), Three-phase transformer (connections, parallel operation), Auto-transformer, DC machines (armature EMF and torque equations, separately and self-excited generators, shunt and series motors — characteristics, speed control, starting), Three-phase induction motor (equivalent circuit, torque–slip characteristics, starting methods, speed control), Synchronous generator and motor, Single-phase induction motor

Basic power generation concepts, AC and DC transmission (HVDC), Per-unit system, Bus admittance (Y-bus) matrix, Load flow analysis (Gauss–Seidel, Newton–Raphson), Voltage and frequency control (AVR, governor), Reactive power compensation, Power factor correction, Economic dispatch, Symmetrical components and fault analysis (LG, LL, LLG, three-phase faults), Protection (overcurrent, differential and distance relays, circuit breakers, fuses)

Power semiconductor devices (diode, thyristor/SCR — firing and commutation; MOSFET; IGBT — V–I characteristics), DC–DC converters (Buck, Boost, Buck-Boost), Uncontrolled and controlled rectifiers (half-wave, full-wave, bridge — single-phase and three-phase), DC–AC inverters (single-phase and three-phase bridge, PWM techniques), AC voltage controllers, Dual converters, Gate drive circuits

Engineering Mechanics: Static equilibrium, free-body diagrams, truss and frame analysis, friction, kinematics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies. Mechanics of Materials: Stress and strain, Hooke’s law, elastic constants, Mohr’s circle, shear force and bending moment diagrams, deflection of beams, torsion, column buckling (Euler’s formula). Theory of Machines: Velocity and acceleration analysis (graphical and analytical), cams and followers, spur and helical gears, gear trains, governors, gyroscope. Vibrations: Free and forced vibrations of single-DOF systems, damping, resonance, critical speed of shafts. Machine Design: Theories of failure, fatigue (S-N curve, Soderberg and Goodman criteria), design of riveted/welded joints, shaft design, keys, couplings, rolling contact bearings

Fluid Mechanics: Fluid properties and statics, continuity and Navier–Stokes equations, Bernoulli equation, boundary layer theory, turbulence, pipe flow (Moody chart, minor losses), flow measurement (venturimeter, orifice), turbomachinery (pumps, turbines). Thermodynamics: Zeroth, first and second laws, Carnot cycle, entropy, Rankine cycle (steam power plant), Otto cycle, Diesel cycle, Brayton cycle (gas turbine), thermodynamic relations, psychrometrics. Heat Transfer: Conduction (Fourier’s law, fins, transient conduction), convection (forced and free, correlations), radiation (Stefan–Boltzmann law, view factors, blackbody and grey body), heat exchangers (LMTD, NTU-effectiveness methods). Refrigeration: Vapour compression cycle, coefficient of performance

Engineering Materials: Crystal structure, phase diagrams (Fe–C), TTT diagram, heat treatment (annealing, quenching, tempering), mechanical properties. Casting: Patterns, mould materials, solidification, casting defects. Forming: Forging (open die, closed die), rolling, drawing (wiredrawing), extrusion, sheet metal operations (blanking, bending, deep drawing). Joining: Welding (arc, MIG, TIG, resistance), brazing and soldering. Machining: Turning, milling, drilling, grinding; cutting tool geometry; merchant circle; Taylor’s tool life equation. Metrology and Inspection: Tolerances, fits, gauges, surface roughness. Industrial Engineering: PERT/CPM, forecasting, inventory control (EOQ, ABC analysis), production planning, linear programming and transportation problems

Engineering Mechanics: Statics, free-body diagram, friction. Solid Mechanics: Stress and strain, Mohr’s circle, principal stresses, theories of failure, shear force and bending moment diagrams, deflection of beams, columns (Euler’s theory). Structural Analysis: Trusses (method of joints and sections), beams and frames (virtual work, energy methods, force method, displacement method — slope deflection, moment distribution), influence lines, arches, cables. Concrete Structures: Working stress and limit state design (IS 456), beams (flexure, shear, torsion), columns (short and long), footings, retaining walls. Steel Structures: Design of beams, columns, connections (bolted and welded) as per IS 800

Soil classification (IS 2720, Unified Classification), Phase relationships, Permeability and seepage (Darcy’s law, flow nets), Effective stress and pore-water pressure, Consolidation (Terzaghi’s theory, compression index, preconsolidation pressure), Shear strength (Mohr–Coulomb criterion, direct shear, triaxial, vane shear), Earth pressure theories (Rankine, Coulomb), Bearing capacity (Terzaghi’s and Meyerhof’s equations), Foundation types (isolated, combined, raft), Pile foundations (load transfer, group action), Slope stability (Bishop’s method)