GATE Physics Syllabus, Important Topics, and Books
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
Exam On - 7 Feb '26
GATE 2026 Physics Syllabus: IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 physics syllabus on its official website - gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates who are appearing for the GATE 2026 exam scheduled on February 7, 8, 14, and 15 can check the GATE PH syllabus, important topics and chapters below along with best books for GATE Physics preparation. Read below for more.
GATE 2026 Physics Syllabus, Important Topics and Books
GATE 2026 Physics Syllabus: This year, IIT Guwahati is conducting the GATE 2026 exam on February 7, 8, 14, and 15 in two shifts- morning (9:30 am to 12:30 pm) and afternoon (2:30 pm to 5:30 pm). The exam date for the GATE Physics paper will be OUT soon. Candidates who are opting for the GATE PH paper can check the syllabus, important topics and chapters, paper pattern and more. The conducting authorities have released the GATE 2026 Physics syllabus that can help the aspirants in their GATE preparation.
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Also, candidates must be acquainted with section-wise weightage, important topics, and the GATE 2026 exam pattern of the physics paper. Candidates can check all the essential aspects of the GATE Physics syllabus, important topics, and GATE books for the GATE Physics PH paper 2026. Candidates can also read the official GATE previous years question paper with the link below.
DIRECT LINK - Download GATE 2026 Physics Syllabus
Candidates can also explore other important pages related to the GATE 2026 exam using the below given links;
| Important Links For GATE 2026 | |
|---|---|
| GATE 2026 Syllabus | GATE Previous Year Question Papers |
| GATE Exam Pattern 2026 | GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria |
Candidates can use GATE books to pick out important terms and formulas and note them for last-minute revision. It is advised to focus more on clearing your concepts than memorising. The GATE exam dates 2026 are February 7, 8, 14, and 15. Candidates must attempting mock test and old question papers.
Here are some good books for GATE Electrical Engineering and Electronics and Communication Engineering -
| GATE EE Books | GATE EC Books |
| Fundamentals of Electric Circuits by Charles K. Alexander | Fundamentals of Electric Circuits by Charles K. Alexander & Matthew N.O. Sadiku |
| Signals and Systems by A. Anand Kumar | Digital Logic and Computer Design by M.Morris Mano |
| Electric Machinery by P.S Bhimbra | Modern Digital Electronics by R.P Jain |
| Electrical and Electronic Measurements and Instrumentation by AK Shawhey | Analog and Digital Communication Systems by Simon Haykin |
- GATE 2026 Physics Section-wise Syllabus:
- GATE Physics Syllabus 2026: Important Topics
- GATE 2026 Physics: Books for Preparation
GATE 2026 Physics Section-wise Syllabus:
GATE physics syllabus 2026 is divided into nine sections, namely - Mathematical Physics, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Solid State Physics, Electronics, and Nuclear and Particle Physics; Candidates can check GATE 2025 section-wise syllabus below -
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Mathematical Physics |
Vector Calculus: Linear vector space: basis, orthogonality and completeness; matrices; similarity transformations, diagonalization, eigen values and eigen vectors; linear differential equations: second-order linear differential equations and solutions involving special functions; complex analysis: Cauchy-Riemann conditions, Cauchy's theorem, singularities, residue theorem and applications; Laplace transform, Fourier analysis; elementary ideas about tensors: covariant and contravariant tensors. |
| Classical Mechanics |
Lagrangian Formulation: D'Alembert's principle, Euler-Lagrange equation, Hamilton's principle, calculus of variations; symmetry and conservation laws; central force motion: Kepler problem and Rutherford scattering; small oscillations: coupled oscillations and normal modes; rigid body, dynamics: inertia tensor, orthogonal transformations, Euler angles, Torque free motion of a symmetric top; Hamiltonian and Hamilton's equations of motion; Liouville's theorem; canonical transformations: action-angle variables, Poisson brackets, Hamilton-Jacobi equation. Special Theory of Relativity: Lorentz transformations, relativistic kinematics, mass-energy equivalence. |
| Electromagnetic Theory |
Solutions of electrostatic and magnetostatic problems including boundary value problems; method of images; separation of variables; dielectrics and conductors; magnetic materials; multipole expansion; Maxwell's equations; scalar and vector potentials; Coulomb and Lorentz gauges; electromagnetic waves in free space, non-conducting and conducting media; reflection and transmission at normal and oblique incidences; polarization of electromagnetic waves; Poynting vector, Poynting theorem, energy and momentum of electromagnetic waves; radiation from a moving charge. |
| Quantum Mechanics |
Postulates of quantum mechanics; uncertainty principle; Schrodinger equation; Dirac Bra-Ket notation, linear vectors and operators in Hilbert space; one dimensional potential: step potential, finite rectangular well, tunneling from a potential barrier, particle in a box, harmonic oscillator; two and three dimensional systems: concept of degeneracy; hydrogen atom; angular momentum and spin; addition of angular momenta; variational method and WKB approximation, time independent perturbation theory; elementary scattering theory, Born approximation; symmetries in quantum mechanical systems. |
| Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics | Laws of thermodynamics; macrostates and microstates; phase space; ensembles; partition function, free energy, calculation of thermodynamic quantities; classical and quantum statistics; degenerate Fermi gas; black body radiation and Planck's distribution law; Bose-Einstein condensation; first and second order phase transitions, phase equilibria, critical point |
| Atomic and Molecular Physics | Spectra of one-and many-electron atoms; spin-orbit interaction: LS and jj couplings; fine and hyperfine structures; Zeeman and Stark effects; electric dipole transitions and selection rules; rotational and vibrational spectra of diatomic molecules; electronic transitions in diatomic molecules, Franck-Condon principle; Raman effect; EPR, NMR, ESR, X-ray spectra; lasers: Einstein coefficients, population inversion, two and three level systems. |
| Solid State Physics |
Elements of crystallography; diffraction methods for structure determination; bonding in solids; lattice vibrations and thermal properties of solids; free electron theory; band theory of solids: nearly free electron and tight binding models; metals, semiconductors and insulators; conductivity, mobility and effective mass; Optical properties of solids; Kramer's-Kronig relation, intra- and inter-band transitions; dielectric properties of solid; dielectric function, polarizability, ferroelectricity; magnetic properties of solids; dia, para, ferro, antiferro and ferri-magnetism, domains and magnetic anisotropy; superconductivity: Type-I and Type II superconductors, Meissner effect, London equation, BCS Theory, flux quantization. |
| Electronics |
Semiconductors in Equilibrium: Electron and hole statistics in intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors; metal-semiconductor junctions; Ohmic and rectifying contacts; PN diodes, bipolar junction transistors, field effect transistors; negative and positive feedback circuits; oscillators, operational amplifiers, active filters; basics of digital logic circuits, combinational and sequential circuits, flip-flops, timers, counters, registers, A/D and D/A conversion. |
| Nuclear and Particle Physics |
Nuclear radii and charge distributions, nuclear binding energy, electric and magnetic moments; semi-empirical mass formula; nuclear models; liquid drop model, nuclear shell model; nuclear force and two nucleon problem; alpha decay, beta-decay, electromagnetic transitions in nuclei; Rutherford scattering, nuclear reactions, conservation laws; fission and fusion; particle accelerators and detectors; elementary particles; photons, baryons, mesons and leptons; quark model; conservation laws, isospin symmetry, charge conjugation, parity and time-reversal invariance |
GATE Physics Syllabus 2026: Important Topics
Candidates can check important topics for GATE 2026 Physics paper mentioned below;
| Important Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vector Calculus | Oscillations | Thermodynamics |
| Electromagnetism | Quantum Mechanics | Semiconductors |
| Atomic spectrum | Classical Mechanics | Analog and digital logic circuits |
| particle Physics: Accelerators and detectors | Molecular Physics: Raman effect... | Special Theory of Relativity |
Also Read: GATE 2026 Syllabus
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GATE 2026 Physics: Books for Preparation
Candidates can explore a few books for GATE 2026 Physics paper preparation mentioned below:
| Topic |
Book |
|---|---|
| Mathematical Physics |
B D Gupta |
| Engineering Electromagnetics |
W H Hatt, J A Buck |
| Classical Mechanics |
Herbert Goldstein, John Safko, Charles P. Poole |
| Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications |
Nouredine Zettili |
| Statistical and Thermal Physics: An Introduction |
R. S. Gambhir, S. Lokanathan |
| Atomic and Molecular Physics |
Raj Kumar |
| Solid State Physics |
N. David |
| Nuclear and Particle Physics |
S L Kakani |
| Semiconductor Physics and Devices |
Donald A. Neamen, Dhrubes Biswas |
Honestly, textbooks are not enough for GATE preparation (especially if you are targeting IITs and top colleges).
Besides your college books, look out for top GATE books recommended by toppers, mentors, and professors. Pick at least one standard book for each subject and start studying it side by side. Apart from that, also practice solving GATE question papers of last 5 to 10 years to get hands on the question difficulty and pattern.
Stay consistent, prepare a practical timetable and religiously follow it. At the end, it's all upto how you prepare for the exam.
Here are some good books for GATE AE that candidates can refer for preparation and revision -
- Fundamentals of Aerodynamics by JD Anderson
- Aircraft by GM Sutton and Oscar Biblarz
- Airplane Performance, Stability, and Control by Perkins and Hage
- Aerodynamics of Engineering Students by E.L Houghton, P.W Carpenter
- Introduction to Flight by JD Anderson
Also Read: Books for GATE Preparations
Upasana Pradhan is an Mtech graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering from DTU who specialises in curating postgraduate and undergraduate engineering entrance exam content, such as GATE, TS PGECET, KCET,
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The IIIT Bangalore M.Tech Cutoff 2025 has been released for admission for all categories under the All India quota. The closing cutoff in the last round for 2025 was 668 for the General AI category candidates. Whereas, in 2024, the closing cutoff in the last round was 570, indicating that the compe
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The IIIT Bangalore GATE COAP Cutoff 2025 has been released for admission to the M.Tech course specialisations for all categories under the All India quota. For the General AI category candidates, the last round cutoff score ranged from 555 to 668, wherein M.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering
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The IIIT Bangalore GATE Cutoff 2025 was released for admission to the M.Tech programmes via the COAP counselling process. The cutoff was released for all categories under the All India quota. According to the IIIT Bangalore COAP Cutoff 2025, the closing cutoff score ranged from 522 to 635 for the st
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GATE 2026 hall ticket can be downloaded anytime till the scorecard availability. The admit card will be required at the time of counselling process. Candidates can download their scorecard of GATE exam in two timeline, which can be checked below -
| Scorecard (free download) | March 27 to May 31, 2026 |
| Scorecard (by paying a fee of INR 500) | June 1 to December 31, 2026 |
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Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
IIT Guwahati will release GATE entrance admit card for MTech, M.Pharma, ME, PhD, and other programmes soon. To download, candidates have to login at GOAPS using their enrollment ID and password. Students appearing for GATE exam must download their hall ticket in advance and keep it safe till counsel
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Answered 6 days ago
To download GATE admit card, students have to enter their enrollment ID and password along with arithmetic expression at GOAPS portal
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No, GATE authorities do not release any notification regarding dress code. However, it is advised to wear simple and comfortable clothing, as it will ease the checking process.
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No, passport size is not mandatory to carry. Along with GATE hall ticket, students must carry their valid ID proof, pen or pencil and water bottle. Scribe applicants can carry their assistive devices.
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Answered 6 days ago
GATE CSE exam will take place on February 8 in two sessions. CS 1 and 2 shift timings are-
- Forenoon - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
- Afternoon - 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
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Answered 6 days ago
Official website for GATE admit card download is gate2026.iitg.ac.in. GOAPS portal link is goaps.iitg.ac.in. Students must provide their enrollment ID and password to download their hall ticket.
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Here are some of the best books for GATE Computer Science and Engineering preparation -
Candidates are advised not to neglect textbooks as well. They are gold. The textbooks cover majority of concepts and fundamentals explained easily. So, start with your standard books first, then use the reference books for further preparation.