GATE 2021 Syllabus: The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering or commonly known as GATE, is the gateway for engineering students to secure admissions for M.E./M.Tech/Ph.D. at the IITs, NIT’s, IIIT’s and CFTIs or to secure a high profile job in a PSU. GATE is a highly competitive exam where lakhs of engineering graduates appear for the exam to qualify the GATE Exam and thus it requires a thorough understanding of GATE Syllabus for effective preparation strategy. This exam is held once a year, usually in February.
In this article, you will know the detailed Syllabus and Exam Pattern for GATE 2021.
GATE Syllabus 2021
GATE 2020 was successfully conducted by IIT Delhi on February 1, 2, 8 and 9 in online mode. The candidates have to choose one subject out of 25 subjects for the Numerical Answer Type Questions. The exam syllabus for all 25 papers was released by IIT Delhi. GATE comprises of two sections:
- General Aptitude Section of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ’s)
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
Subjects For GATE Exam
At present GATE Exam is held in 25 disciplines/subjects. A candidate can appear only in any one paper of the following disciplines.
Engineering Sciences (XE) and Life Science (XL) papers are of general nature. These two papers comprise the following sections.
- The papers with the codes AE, AG, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, IN, ME, MN, MT, PI, TF, XE, and Engineering Maths will carry around 15% of the total marks.
- The General Aptitude section will carry 15% of the total marks and the remaining 70% percentage of the total marks is devoted to the subject of the paper.
- The papers with codes AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH and XL, the General Aptitude section will carry 15% of the total marks and the remaining 85% of the total marks is devoted to the subject of the paper.
GATE Exam Pattern 2021
- GATE is a 3-hour computer-based test.
- Candidates are required to attempt 65 questions of 100 marks.
- 10 questions carrying a total of 15 marks will be of General Aptitude (GA). GA Questions are common to all papers while remaining questions are from the paper opted by the applicant as per his discipline.
| GATE Exam Pattern | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of sections |
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| Duration of exam | 3 hours (60 minutes per section) |
| Number of questions |
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| Language of question paper | English |
| Number of answer choices |
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| Mode of GATE Exam | Online |
| Marking scheme |
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GATE Exam Pattern 2021: Subject Wise
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Paper Code |
Exam Pattern |
|---|---|
| CE, CS, EC, EE, IN, ME, AE, AG, BT, CH, MN, MT, TF, XE, PE, ST and PI |
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| AR, CY, EY, XL, GG, MA and PH |
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GATE Marking Scheme
(i) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) carrying 1 or 2 marks each in all papers and sections.
(ii) Numerical Answer Questions of 1 or 2 marks each in all papers and sections. For these questions the answer is a real number, to be entered by the candidate using the virtual keypad.
Design of Questions
| Paper Code | GA Marks | Subject Marks | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CE, CH,
CS, CY, EC, EE, AE, AR, AG, BT, EY, GG, IN, MA, ME, PH, PI, TF, MN, MT, PE, ST |
15 | 85 | 100 |
|
| XE (Section A +
any two sections) |
15 | 15+2*35 | 100 | |
| XL (Section P +
any two sections) |
15 | 25+2*30 | 100 |
GATE Syllabus 2021
GATE Syllabus For General Aptitude
The General Aptitude (GA) paper is a common section in all GATE Papers. It holds 15% of the total marks. The questions in GA are based on verbal ability and numerical ability. The 2 subsections in the GA section are as follows:
- Verbal Ability– The following topics are tested in this section:
- English Grammar
- Sentence Completion
- Verbal Analogies
- Word Groups
- Instructions
- Critical Reasoning
- Verbal Deduction
- Numerical Ability – This section comprises of questions which test the basic mathematical skills of candidates. The following subtopics included in this section are:
- Numerical computation
- Numerical Estimation
- Numerical Reasoning
- Data Interpretation
GATE Syllabus For NAT
GATE Syllabus for each of the subjects for which the candidate applies is given below.
| S.No. | Papers | Download Syllabus |
| General Aptitude: Common For All | Click Here | |
| 1 | Aerospace Engineering (AE) | Click Here |
| 2 | Agricultural Engineering (AG) | Click Here |
| 3 | Architecture and Planning (AR) | Click Here |
| 4 | Biotechnology (BT) | Click Here |
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5 |
Civil Engineering (CE) |
Click Here |
| 6 |
Chemical Engineering (CH) |
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| 7 | Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) | Click Here |
| 8 | Chemistry (CY) | Click Here |
| 9 | Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC) | Click Here |
| 10 | Electrical Engineering (EE) | Click Here |
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11 |
Ecology and Evolution (EY) |
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12 |
Geology and Geophysics (GG) |
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13 |
Instrumentation Engineering (IN) |
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14 |
Mathematics (MA) |
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15 |
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16 |
Mining Engineering (MN) |
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17 |
Metallurgical Engineering (MT) |
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18 |
Petroleum Engineering (PE) |
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19 |
Physics (PH) |
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20 |
Production and Industrial Engineering (PI) |
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21 |
Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF) |
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22 |
Statistics |
Click Here |
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23 |
Biomedical Engineering (BM) |
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24 |
Engineering Sciences Syllabus (XE) – Any 2 optional sections |
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Engineering Mathematics (XE A) – Compulsory section |
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Fluid Mechanics (XE B) |
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Material Science (XE C) |
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Solid Mechanics (XE D) |
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Thermodynamics (XE E) |
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Polymer Science & Engineering (XE F) |
Click Here | |
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Food Technology (XE G) |
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Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (XE H) |
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25 |
Life Sciences (XL) – Any 2 optional sections |
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Chemistry (XL P) – Compulsory section |
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Biochemistry (XL Q) |
Click Here | |
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Botany (XL R) |
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Microbiology (XL S) |
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Zoology (XL T) |
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Food Technology (XL U) |
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GATE Syllabus: Overview
Given below are the topics covered in GATE Syllabus:
| General Aptitude Syllabus (Common for all papers) | |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | Numerical Ability |
| Biomedical Engineering Syllabus (new entrant) | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Electrical Circuits |
| Analog and Digital Electronics | Signals and Systems |
| Measurement and Digital Electronics | Sensors and Bioinstrumentations |
| Medical Imaging System | Biomaterials |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology | Biomechanics |
| Aerospace Engineering Syllabus | |
| Fourier Series | Laplace Transforms |
| Numerical methods for linear and nonlinear algebraic equations | Numerical integration and differentiation. |
| Dynamic stability | Euler angle |
| Equations of motion | Aerodynamic forces and moments, stability & control derivatives |
| Decoupling of longitudinal and lateral-directional dynamics | Longitudinal modes; lateral-directional modes. |
| Orbit transfer | In-plane and out-of-plane |
| Elementary ideas of viscous flows including boundary layers | Wind Tunnel Testing |
| Measurement and visualization techniques | Vibration of beams |
| Theory of elasticity | Equilibrium and compatibility equations |
| Airy’s stress function | – |
| Agriculture Engineering Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Farm Machinery |
| Farm Power | Soil and Water Conservation Engineering |
| Irrigation and Drainage Engineering | Agricultural Processing Engineering |
| Dairy and Food Engineering | – |
| Architecture & Planning Syllabus | |
| Architecture and Design | Building Materials, Construction and Management |
| Building and Structures | Environmental Planning and Design |
| Urban Design | Urban Planning and Housing |
| Planning Techniques and Management | Services, Infrastructure and Transportation |
| Biotechnology Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | General Biotechnology |
| Recombinant DNA Technology | Plant and Animal Biotechnology |
| Bioprocess Engineering and Process Biotechnology | – |
| Civil Engineering Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Structural Engineering |
| Geotechnical Engineering | Water Resources Engineering |
| Environmental Engineering | Transportation Engineering |
| Geomatics Engineering | – |
| Chemical Engineering Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Process Calculations and Thermodynamics |
| Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations | Heat Transfer |
| Mass Transfer | Chemical Reaction Engineering |
| Instrumentation and Process Control | Plant Design and Economics |
| Chemical Technology | – |
| Computer Science and Information Technology Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Digital Logic |
| Computer Organization and Architecture | Programming and Data Structures |
| Algorithms | Theory of Computation |
| Compiler Design | Operating System |
| Databases | Computer Networks |
| Chemistry Syllabus | |
| Physical Chemistry | Organic Chemistry |
| Inorganic Chemistry | – |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Networks, Signals and Systems |
| Electronic Devices | Analog Circuits |
| Digital Circuits | Control System |
| Communication | Electromagnetics |
| Electrical Engineering Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Electrical Circuits |
| Electromagnetic Fields | Signals and Systems |
| Electrical Machines | Power Systems |
| Control Systems | Electrical and Electronic Measurements |
| Analog and Digital Electronics | Power Electronics |
| Ecology and Evolution Syllabus | |
| Ecology | Evolution |
| Mathematics and Quantitative Ecology | Behavioral Ecology |
| Geology And Geophysics Syllabus | |
| Geology | Geophysics |
| Instrumentation Engineering Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Control Systems |
| Electrical Circuits | Analog and Digital Electronics |
| Signals and Systems | Measurements |
| Sensors and Industrial Instrumentation | Communication and Optical Instrumentation |
| Mathematics Syllabus | |
| Calculus | Linear Algebra |
| Rear Analysis | Complex Analysis |
| Ordinary Differential Equations | Algebra |
| Functional Analysis | Numerical Analysis |
| Partial Differential Equations | Topology |
| Linear Programming | – |
| Mechanical Engineering Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Applied Mechanics and Design |
| Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Science | Material, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering |
| Mining Engineering Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Mine Development Surveying |
| Geomechanics and Ground Control | Mining Methods and Machinery |
| Surface Environment, Mine Ventilation and Underground Hazards | Mine Economics, Mine Planning, System Engineering |
| Metallurgical Engineering Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Thermodynamics and Rate Process |
| Extractive Metallurgy | Physical Metallurgy |
| Mechanical Metallurgy | Manufacturing Process |
| Physics Syllabus | |
| Mathematical Physics | Classical Mechanics |
| Electromagnetic Theory | Quantum Mechanics |
| Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics | Atomic and Molecular Physics |
| Solid State Physics and Electronics | Nuclear and Particle Physics |
| Production and Industrial Engineering Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Genera Engineering |
| Manufacturing Processes | Quality and Reliability |
| Industrial Engineering | Operation Research an Operational Management |
| Textile Engineering Syllabus | |
| Engineering Mathematics | Textile Engineering and Fibre Science |
| XE A (Engineering Mathematics Syllabus) | |
| Linear Algebra | Calculus |
| Vector Calculus | Ordinary Differential Equations |
| Partial Differential Equations | Complex variables |
| Probability and Statistics | Numerical Methods |
| XE B (Fluid Mechanism Syllabus) | |
| Flow and Fluid Properties | Kinematics |
| Integral analysis | Differential Analysis |
| Inviscid flows | Dimensional analysis |
| Internal flows | Prandtl boundary layer equations |
| XE C (Material Sciences Syllabus) | |
| Processing of Materials | Characterisation Techniques: |
| Structure and Imperfections | Thermodynamics and Kinetics |
| Properties of Materials | Material types |
| Environmental Degradation | Elements of Quantum Mechanics and Mathematics |
| XE F (Thermodynamics Syllabus) | |
| Basic Concepts | Law of Thermodynamics |
| Thermodynamics Cycle | Thermodynamics Relations |
| Ideal Gas Mixtures | – |
| XE F (Polymer Science and Engineering Syllabus) | |
| Chemistry of high polymers | Polymer Characterization |
| Synthesis and properties | Polymer blends and composites |
| Polymer Technology | Polymer rheology |
| Polymer processing | Polymer testing |
| XE G (Food Technology Syllabus) | |
| Food Chemistry and Nutrition | Food Microbiology |
| Food Products Technology | Food Engineering |
| XL P (Chemistry Syllabus) | |
| Atomic Structure and Periodicity | Structure and Bonding |
| s, p and d Block Elements | Chemical Equilibria |
| Electrochemistry | Reaction Kinetics |
| Thermodynamics | Structure-Reactivity Correlations and Organic Reaction Mechanisms |
| XL R (Botany Syllabus) | |
| Plant Systematics | Plant Anatomy |
| Morphogenesis & Development | Physiology and Biochemistry |
| Genetics | Plant Breeding and Genetic Modification |
| Economic Botany | Plant Pathology |
| Ecology and Environment | – |
| XL S (Microbiology Syllabus) | |
| Historical Perspective | Methods in Microbiology |
| Microbial Taxonomy and Diversity | Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells: Structure and Function |
| Microbial Growth | Control of Micro-organisms |
| Microbial Metabolism | Microbial Diseases and Host Pathogen Interaction |
| Chemotherapy/Antibiotics | Microbial Genetics |
| Microbial Ecology | – |
| XL T (Zoology Syllabus) | |
| Animal world | Genetics |
| Evolution | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
| Cell Biology | Gene expression in Eukaryotes |
| Animal Anatomy and Physiology | Parasitology and Immunology |
| Development Biology | Ecology |
| Animal Behavior |
– |
GATE Syllabus 2021: FAQ’s
Q. What is the Exam Pattern for GATE?
Ans. There is one paper for GATE. However, there are two sections:
General Aptitude Section of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ’s)
Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
Q. What will be the type of questions for the GATE Exam?
Ans. There will be 4 choices in case of MCQ and no choice in the case of NAT.
Q. Is there any negative marking for GATE?
Ans. Yes, 1/3 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer for 1 mark. 2/3 mark will be deducted for every 2 marks questions. However, there is no negative marking for NAT Questions
Q. When will the application form for GATE 2021 be released?
Ans. The Application form for GATE 2021 will be released in the 1st week of September 2020.
