GATE Exam Syllabus For Mechanical Engineering 2026

Candidates appearing for the GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) 2026 paper should be well aware of the GATE ME syllabus. The syllabus outlines all topics and concepts on which questions will be asked.

Knowing the GATE 2026 Mechanical Engineering syllabus helps candidates understand the chapters, their weightage, and prioritize their preparation effectively. A clear understanding of the syllabus also allows candidates to plan their study schedule and focus on important topics for better results.

GATE ME syllabus - Engineering Mathematics

Engineering Mathematics is a key part of the GATE ME paper.

It checks your ability to solve mathematical and analytical problems.

The section includes topics from algebra, calculus, differential equations, complex variables, and numerical methods.

GATE Mechanical engineering syllabus pdf

GATE Mechanical syllabus - Linear Algebra

• This topic focuses on solving linear equations and working with matrices.
• Main areas include:
• Systems of Linear Equations
• Matrix Algebra
• Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

GATE Mechanical syllabus - Calculus

Calculus helps you understand functions, limits, and derivatives. It also deals with integration and vector calculus.

Topics include:

• Limits and Functions
• Continuity and Differentiability
• Indeterminate Forms
• Mean Value Theorems
• Definite and Improper Integrals
• Taylor Series (One and Two Variables)
• Partial Derivatives and Total Derivatives
• Double and Triple Integrals
• Gradient, Divergence, and Curl
• Line, Surface, and Volume Integrals
• Applications of Gauss, Stokes, and Green’s Theorems

GATE Mechanical syllabus - Differential equations

This section deals with solving first- and higher-order equations. It also includes boundary and initial value problems.

You will study:

• Initial and Boundary Value Problems
• Higher-Order Linear Differential Equations With Constant Coefficients
• First-Order Equations (Linear And Nonlinear)
• Euler-Cauchy Equation
• Laplace Transforms
• Solutions of heat, wave and Laplace’s equations

GATE Mechanical syllabus - Complex variables

Complex variables introduce you to the study of functions of complex numbers.

Key concepts are:

• Taylor and Laurent Series.
• Cauchy-Riemann Equations.
• Analytic Functions.
• Cauchy’s Integral Theorem and Integral Formula.

GATE Mechanical syllabus - Probability and Statistics

This topic helps you understand data and uncertainty.

It includes:

• Definitions Of Probability, Sampling Theorems, Conditional Probability.
• Median, Mean, Mode, and Random Variables.
• Binomial.
• Poisson and Normal Distributions.

GATE Mechanical syllabus - Numerical Methods

Numerical methods help you solve problems using approximations.

Main topics:

• Integration By Trapezoidal and Simpson’s Rules
• Numerical Solutions Of Linear And Non-Linear Algebraic Equations
• Single and Multi-Step Methods For Differential Equations

GATE ME syllabus - Applied Mechanics and Design

GATE Mechanical engineering syllabus - Engineering Mechanics

• Friction And Its Applications Including Rolling Friction
• Free-Body Diagrams and Equilibrium
• Screw Jack
• Brakes
• Belt-Pulley
• Clutches
• Vehicles
• Wedge
• work-energy principle for rigid bodies
• Trusses and Frames
• Virtual Work
• Impulse And Momentum (Linear and Angular) and Energy Formulations
• Kinematics And Dynamics Of Rigid Bodies in Plane Motion
• Lagrange’s Equation

GATE Mechanical engineering syllabus- Mechanics of Materials

• Mechanics of Materials deals with how materials deform under various forces.
• Important topics:
• Stress, Strain, and Elastic Constants
• Poisson’s Ratio and Stress Transformation
• Mohr’s Circle for Plane Stress and Strain
• Bending and Shear Stresses in Beams
• Deflection, Shear Center, and Column Buckling
• Torsion of Circular Shafts and Thermal Stresses

GATE Mechanical engineering syllabus - Theory of Machines

• Velocity and Acceleration Analysis Of Plane Mechanisms
• Dynamic Analysis Of Linkages
• Displacement
• Damped and forced vibrations – amplitude and phase response
• Cams
• Gears and Gear Trains
• Flywheels And Governors
• Gyroscope
• Balancing Of Reciprocating and Rotating Masses

GATE Mechanical engineering syllabus - Vibrations

• Resonance
• Effect Of Damping
• Free And Forced Vibration Of Single Degree Of Freedom Systems
• Vibration Isolation
• Critical Speeds Of Shafts

GATE Mechanical engineering syllabus - Machine Design

• Failure Theories
• Design For Static and Dynamic Loading
• Principles Of The Design Of Machine Elements Such As Bolted, Riveted And Welded Joints
• Fatigue Strength and the S-N Diagram
• Gears
• Shafts
• Brakes and Clutches
• Rolling and Sliding Contact Bearings
• Springs

GATE ME syllabus - Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences

GATE exam syllabus for Mechanical engineering - Fluid Mechanics

• Fluid Statics
• Fluid Properties
• Stability Of Floating Bodies
• Forces On Submerged Bodies
• Control-Volume Analysis Of Mass, Momentum And Energy
• Differential Equations Of Continuity And Momentum
• Fluid Acceleration
• Dimensional Analysis
• Bernoulli’s Equation
• Boundary-Layer
• Viscous Flow Of Incompressible Fluids
• Flow through Pipes
• Elementary Turbulent Flow
• Reynolds transport theorem
• Viscous stress tensor
• Head Losses In Pipes, Bends and Fittings
• Basics Of Compressible Fluid Flow

GATE exam syllabus for Mechanical engineering - Heat-Transfer

• One Dimensional Heat Conduction
• Modes Of Heat Transfer
• Heat Transfer Through Fins
• Resistance Concept and Electrical Analogy,
• Lumped Parameter System
• Unsteady Heat Conduction
• Thermal Boundary Layer
• Heisler’s Charts
• Heat Transfer Correlations For Flow Over Flat Plates and through Pipes
• Dimensionless Parameters In Free And Forced Convective Heat Transfer
• Heat Exchanger Performance
• Effect Of Turbulence
• Radiative Heat Transfer
• LMTD and NTU methods
• Wien’s Displacement Law
• Stefan- Boltzmann Law
• Heat exchanger effectiveness relations
• Combined convection–radiation
• View Factors
• Black And Grey Surfaces
• Radiation Network Analysis

GATE exam syllabus for Mechanical engineering - Thermodynamics

• Properties Of Pure Substances
• Entropy generation and efficiency limits
• Behaviour Of Ideal And Real Gases
• Zeroth And First Laws Of Thermodynamics
• Second Law Of Thermodynamics
• Availability And Irreversibility
• Thermodynamic Systems And Processes
• Thermodynamic Property Charts And Tables
• Calculation Of Work And Heat In Various Processes
• Thermodynamic Relations

GATE exam syllabus for Mechanical engineering - Applications

• Power Engineering: Vapour And Gas Power Cycles, Air And Gas Compressors, Concepts Of Regeneration And Reheat
• I.C. Engines: Diesel and dual cycles, Air-standard Otto
• Refrigeration and air-conditioning: Basic Psychrometric Processes, Properties Of Moist Air, Vapour And Gas Refrigeration and Heat Pump Cycles, Psychrometric Chart
• Turbomachinery: Impulse and reaction principles, velocity diagrams, Pelton-wheel, Francis and Kaplan turbines; steam and gas turbines

GATE ME syllabus - Materials, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering.

GATE 2026 Mechanical Syllabus - Engineering Materials

• Stress-Strain Diagrams For Engineering Materials
• Phase Diagrams
• Structure And Properties Of Engineering Materials
• Heat Treatment

GATE 2026 Mechanical Syllabus - Casting, Forming and Joining Processes

• Solidification And Cooling
• Riser And Gating Design
• Design Of Patterns, Molds And Cores
• Different Types Of Castings
• Fundamentals Of Hot And Cold Working Processes
• Plastic Deformation And Yield Criteria
• Principles Of Powder Metallurgy
• Load Estimation For Bulk (Forging, Extrusion, Rolling, Drawing) And Sheet (Shearing, Deep Drawing, Bending) Metal Forming Processes
• Principles Of Welding, Soldering, Brazing, and Adhesive Bonding

GATE 2026 Mechanical Syllabus - Machining and Machine Tool Operations

• Basic Machine Tools
• Mechanics Of Machining
• Single And Multi-Point Cutting Tools
• Tool Life And Wear
• Tool Geometry and Materials
• Economics Of Machining
• Principles Of Work Holding, Jigs And Fixtures
• Principles Of Non-Traditional Machining Processes
• Abrasive Machining Processes
• NC/CNC machines and CNC programming

GATE Mechanical engineering Syllabus 2026 - Metrology and Inspection

• Interferometry
• Linear And Angular Measurements
• Limits, Fits And Tolerances
• Comparators
• Alignment and Testing Methods
• Form And Finish Measurement
• Concepts Of Coordinate-Measuring Machine (CMM)
• Tolerance Analysis In Manufacturing And Assembly

GATE Mechanical engineering syllabus 2026 - Computer Integrated Manufacturing

• Additive Manufacturing
• Basic concepts of CAD/CAM and their Integration Tools
• Resistance welding,
• Orthogonal cutting,
• Tool life equations,
• Machinability.

GATE Mechanical syllabus 2026 - Production Planning and Control

• Materials Requirement Planning
• Aggregate Production Planning
• Forecasting Models
• Scheduling
• Lean Manufacturing

GATE Mechanical engineering syllabus 2026 - Inventory Control

• Safety Stock Inventory Control Systems
• Deterministic Models

GATE Mechanical syllabus 2026 - Operations Research

• Simplex Method
• Linear Programming
• Transportation
• Assignment
• Simple Queuing Models
• Network Flow Models
• PERT and CPM

Subject wise weightage for GATE ME syllabus

IITs M - Tech Cut - Off for gate mechanical syllabus

PSUs Cut - off for gate mechanical syllabus

Book Preparation for GATE mechanical syllabus

Exam Pattern for GATE Mechanical Engineering syllabus

GATE 2025 MASTER QUESTION PAPERS AND ANSWER KEYS

• The Master Question Papers and Answer Keys of various test papers are given below. The keys were open to challenges by candidates during February 27 to March 01, 2025.
• The Answer Key matches the order of questions in the Master Question Paper. The order in which the questions and options appeared on the candidate console in the examination may be different from the order in which they appear in the Master Question Paper. Candidates must refer to the Master Question Paper and the associated Answer Key for checking the correctness of their responses.
• For Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), only one of the given options is the correct answer. There is a negative marking for wrong answers to MCQs: one-third negative marks for one-mark questions, and two-thirds negative marks for two-mark questions.
• For Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), all correct options must be chosen, and no wrong answer must be chosen by the candidate to get full marks. There is no partial marking for MSQs. There is no negative marking for MSQs.
• For Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions, the candidate’s numerical response must be within the range given in the Answer Key to get full marks. There is no negative marking for NATs.
• In the Answer Key files, MTA stands for Marks To All, which means that, for those questions, the marks allotted to that question will be given to all candidates appearing for the test paper.

GATE 2026 Paper code

GATE 2026 Code of the paper

GATE Question paper and Answer key