GATE

GATE XE Syllabus 2026 (Engineering Sciences): Full Syllabus

21 May, 2025

Atul Negi, IMS GATE Lead Mentor, ME/CE

GATE XE Syllabus 2026:The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level exam that opens doors to IITs, NITs, IISc, PSUs, and research roles. Among its many papers, GATE Engineering Sciences (XE) stands out for being interdisciplinary, flexible, and relatively low in competition, making it a strategic choice for aspirants from Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Materials, Food Tech, and allied branches.

GATE XE Syllabus

This blog covers the complete syllabus for all XE sections (A to H), exam pattern, career options, and an effective preparation strategy, with special focus on PYQs and revision.

GATE Engineering Sciences Syllabus 2026: GATE XE Exam Structure

Component	Description	Marks
General Aptitude (GA)	Compulsory for all papers	15
Engineering Mathematics (XE-A)	Compulsory	15
Optional Sections (any two)	XE-B to XE-H	2 × 35 = 70
Total		100 Marks

Optional Sections

Code	Section
XE-B	Fluid Mechanics
XE-C	Materials Science
XE-D	Solid Mechanics
XE-E	Thermodynamics
XE-F	Polymer Science and Engineering
XE-G	Food Technology
XE-H	Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

Complete GATE XE Syllabus 2026

XE-A: Engineering Mathematics (Compulsory)

Section 1: Linear Algebra

Matrix algebra: Determinant, inverse, rank
System of linear equations: Solutions and conditions
Eigenvalues, eigenvectors, matrix diagonalization
Cayley-Hamilton theorem

Section 2: Calculus

Single-variable: Limits, continuity, differentiability, Taylor’s theorem, maxima/minima, definite and improper integrals, area/volume
Multi-variable: Partial derivatives, total derivatives, Lagrange multipliers, double integrals
Series: Convergence, ratio/root/integral tests, power series, Fourier series

Section 3: Vector Calculus

Gradient, divergence, curl, line integrals, Green’s theorem

Section 4: Complex Variables

Complex numbers, Argand diagram, De Moivre’s theorem, analytic functions, Cauchy-Riemann equations

Section 5: Ordinary Differential Equations

First/second-order equations, Cauchy-Euler equation, Wronskian, variation of parameters, eigenvalue problems, power series solutions

Section 6: Partial Differential Equations

Classification of PDEs, separation of variables, 1D heat and 2D Laplace equations

Section 7: Probability and Statistics

Probability axioms, conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem
Distributions: Binomial, Poisson, Normal
Mean, variance, correlation, linear regression

Section 8: Numerical Methods

LU decomposition, Gauss elimination, interpolation (Lagrange/Newton)
Root finding (Newton-Raphson), trapezoidal/Simpson’s integration, Euler’s method for ODEs

XE-B: Fluid Mechanics

Section 1: Flow and Fluid Properties

Fluid Properties: Density, viscosity, surface tension, relationship between stress and strain-rate for Newtonian fluids
Classification of Flows: Viscous vs. inviscid, incompressible vs. compressible, internal vs. external, steady vs. unsteady, laminar vs. turbulent, 1-D, 2-D, 3-D flows, Newtonian vs. non-Newtonian fluids
Hydrostatics: Buoyancy, manometry, forces on submerged bodies, and their stability

Section 2: Kinematics of Fluid Motion

Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions
Local, convective, and material derivatives
Streamlines, streaklines, pathlines, timelines

Section 3: Integral Analysis

Reynolds Transport Theorem for conservation of mass, linear and angular momentum

Section 4: Differential Analysis

Continuity and momentum equations for incompressible flow
Euler and Navier-Stokes equations
Vorticity, stream function, circulation
Exact solutions: Couette flow, Poiseuille flow, thin film flow

Section 5: Dimensional Analysis

Geometric, kinematic, and dynamic similarity
Buckingham Pi theorem
Dimensionless numbers: Reynolds, Froude, Mach

Section 6: Internal Flows

Fully developed pipe flow
Laminar/turbulent empirical relations: friction factor, Darcy-Weisbach, Moody’s chart
Major and minor losses

Section 7: Bernoulli’s Equation and Potential Flows

Bernoulli’s equation: assumptions, applications
Flow measurement devices: Venturi meter, Pitot-static tube, orifice meter
Potential flows: uniform flow, source, sink, vortex; superposition

Section 8: External Flows

Prandtl boundary layer equations: assumptions
Thicknesses: boundary layer, displacement, momentum
Separation, streamlined/bluff bodies, drag and lift

XE-C: Materials Science

Classification and Structure

Types: Metals, ceramics, polymers, composites
Bonding: Metallic, ionic, covalent, mixed
Crystallography: Symmetry, crystal systems, Bravais lattices, unit and primitive cells, planes and directions
Structures: Metals, ceramics, polymers, glasses
Defects: Vacancies, interstitials, dislocations, grain boundaries, stacking faults, twins

Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Phase Transformations

Thermodynamic properties, laws, phase equilibria, phase rule, binary/unary diagrams, basic electrochemistry
Reaction kinetics, Fick’s laws, solidification, nucleation and growth, precipitation, eutectoid, martensitic transformation

Properties and Applications

Mechanical: Stress-strain (elastic, anelastic, plastic)
Electronic: Band theory, semiconductors, Hall effect
Magnetic: Para-/dia-/ferro-/ferri-magnetism
Thermal: Specific heat, conductivity, expansion
Optical: Refractive index, transmission, absorption
Applications of materials with listed properties

Characterization and Testing

XRD, UV-Vis, IR, Raman, microscopy (optical, SEM/TEM)
Tensile test, hardness, electrical conductivity, thermal analysis (TGA, DSC)

Processing and Degradation

Heat treatment, ceramic sintering
Thin film deposition: evaporation, sputtering, CVD
Corrosion, embrittlement, degradation of polymers

XE-D: Solid Mechanics

Section 1: Mechanics of Rigid Bodies

Equivalent force systems, free-body diagrams, and equilibrium equations
Trusses and frames
Friction
Principle of minimum potential energy
Planar kinematics/dynamics of rigid bodies
Conservation of energy and momentum

Section 2: Mechanics of Deformable Bodies

Stress and strain, transformation, principal values, Mohr’s circle
Hooke’s Law, elastic constants, thermal stresses
Theories of failure
Axial/shear/bending stresses, combined loading
Bending and shear force diagrams
Deflection (symmetric), torsion in shafts, pressure vessels
Castigliano’s theorems, Euler buckling

Section 3: Vibrations

Free vibration of undamped single-degree-of-freedom systems

XE-E: Thermodynamics

Section 1: Basic Concepts

Continuum, thermodynamic systems, properties, equilibrium, diagrams, heat and work, zeroth law, temperature

Section 2: First Law

Energy forms, internal energy, enthalpy, specific heats
First law applied to processes, closed systems, control volumes (steady and unsteady)

Section 3: Second Law

Limitations of the first law, heat engines/pumps, Carnot cycle, entropy, Clausius inequality, entropy production
T-s diagrams, second law analysis, availability, irreversibility, third law

Section 4: Pure Substances

Properties in solid/liquid/vapor phases
PvT behavior, phase rule, ideal/real gases, compressibility

Section 5: Thermodynamic Relations

TdS, Maxwell and Gibbs relations, Joule-Thomson coefficient, thermal expansion, compressibility, Clapeyron equations

Section 6: Thermodynamic Cycles

Carnot, Rankine, Otto, Diesel, Brayton, refrigeration cycles

Section 7: Ideal Gas Mixtures

Dalton’s/Amagat’s laws, humidity, psychrometry, wet bulb/dew point, charts

XE-F: Polymer Science and Engineering

Chemistry of Polymers

Monomers, polymerization types (addition/condensation), kinetics, copolymers, crystallinity, morphology

Characterization

Molecular weights (Mn, Mw, Mv, Mz), IR, XRD, DSC, TGA, SEM

Synthesis and Properties

Thermoplastics: PE, PP, PVC, PS
Thermosets: Epoxy, phenolics
Rubbers: NR, SBR, NBR, EPDM
Biopolymers: PLA, PHB

Blends and Composites

Miscibility, blend thermodynamics, phase morphology, FRPs, fibers, base polymers

Compounding

Ingredients: antioxidants, stabilizers, lubricants, fillers, plasticizers, processing aids

Rheology

Newtonian vs non-Newtonian, stress/strain behavior, viscoelasticity, rheometers

Processing

Injection, blow, compression molding, extrusion, filament winding, calendaring

Testing

Mechanical (tensile, flexural, tear), thermal (HDT, Vicat), electrical (resistivity), optical (haze, MFI)

Recycling and Waste Management

Separation, reuse, LCA (PET bottles, bags)

XE-G: Food Technology

Food Chemistry and Nutrition

Carbs: starch, cellulose; proteins; lipids; enzymes; flavors; browning reactions; vitamins/minerals; nutrition and deficiencies

Microbiology

Microbes: bacteria, yeasts, molds
Growth kinetics, spoilage organisms, toxins, fermentation

Food Processing

Thermal, freezing, dehydration, additives, fermentation
Cereals: milling, bread, extruded foods
Fruits/veggies: juices, jams, ketchup, chips
Plantation: tea, coffee, cocoa, spices
Dairy: milk, butter, cheese, powders
Meat/fish: drying, freezing, canning
Standards: HACCP, FPO, ISI, cleaning-in-place

Food Engineering

Mass/energy balance, flow through pipes, heat exchangers
Drying, sterilization, freezing, and spray drying.
Mechanical: mixing, sieving, centrifugation
Psychrometry, humidification

XE-H: Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

Atmospheric Science

Structure, radiation balance, greenhouse effect
Heat transfer, thermodynamics, humidity, cloud formation
Forces: Coriolis, geostrophic, cyclostrophic
General circulation, Indian monsoon, cyclones

Ocean Science

Temperature/salinity profiles, double diffusion
Conservation laws, Ekman transport, gyres, storm surges, tides, waves
Seawater chemistry, acidification
Nutrient cycling, productivity, and marine ecology

GATE XE Syllabus 2026: Preparation Strategy (Smart + Practical)

Step 1: Understand the Exam

GATE XE = Engineering Maths + Any 2 Subjects
Prioritize subjects aligned with your undergraduate coursework.

Step 2: Choose Wisely

Pick optional subjects based on:

What you’ve already studied
Your interest and conceptual strengths
Availability of quality resources

Step 3: Stick to Standard Textbooks

Avoid shortcuts or notes alone. Use trusted books like:

Fox & McDonald for Fluids
P.K. Nag for Thermodynamics
Callister for Materials Science
Timoshenko for Solid Mechanics

These books align closely with the official syllabus and help build deep understanding.

Step 4: Prioritize PYQs (Previous Year Questions)

Most crucial step!

Helps you understand GATE’s mindset
Clarifies how concepts are tested
Improves accuracy and speed
Identifies high-frequency topics

Do this:

Solve the last 10 years’ papers of your chosen XE subjects
Use PYQs as your primary revision and practice tool.
Mark questions you got wrong for focused revision

Step 5: Follow a 6-Month Study Plan

Month	Focus
1–2	Engineering Mathematics + Optional 1 fundamentals
3–4	Optional 2 + Continue Optional 1 deep study
5	PYQs + Start complete syllabus revision
6	Mock tests, formula revision, and weak topic revision

GATE XE Syllabus 2026: Revision Strategy

Make concise notes: Include key formulas, graphs, and tricks
Use sticky notes or flashcards for hard-to-remember facts.
Weekly formula revision (especially for Mathematics, Thermodynamics, Mechanics)
Targeted revision: Focus on frequently asked topics from PYQs
In the last month:
- Take full-length mock tests.
- Simulate exam conditions
- Focus on accuracy + time management.

Why GATE XE Is a Smart Choice?

Low competition
Unlike Mechanical (ME) or Civil (CE), fewer students write XE, increasing your chances of getting a high rank.

Wide career scope
Accepted for M.Tech/MS in IITs, NITs, IISc, and for research fellowships.

Flexible subject choices
Tailor your paper to your academic strengths.

Career Scope After GATE XE

Postgraduate Admissions: M.Tech/MS/PhD at IITs, IISc, NITs, IIITs
Research Careers: CSIR, BARC, ISRO, DRDO, IPR
Teaching & Academia: Strong foundation for assistant professor roles
Higher Education Abroad: DAAD (Germany), NTU/NUS (Singapore) accept GATE
Startup or Industry R&D Roles: Materials, Food Tech, Environment, and Polymers

Recommended Resources

Type	Resource
Test Series	IMS GATE Test Series (Recommended)
Books	Follow standard textbooks based on the subjects
PYQs	Must-do – with error log for revision
Formula Booklet	Self-made or IMS booklet for revision

GATE XE Syllabus 2026: Final Takeaway

If you’re serious about cracking GATE with a strong score and good rank, GATE XE can be your shortcut—if you use the flexibility and lower competition to your advantage.

Just remember:

Choose the right subjects
Follow standard books
Practice PYQs deeply
Revise consistently
Take mock tests and analyze errors.