GATE 2026 Syllabus for Civil Engineering: Books for Freshers and Repeaters, Eligible Combinations

What is GATE Civil Engineering?

 Civil Engineering is the most demanding test subject for the GATE 2026 exam. Every year, thousands and lakhs of candidates appear for the GATE civil engineering exam. Civil engineering involves designing, constructing, and maintaining the physical and natural environment. Graduates in civil engineering can work on various projects, such as transportation, water, energy systems, etc. 

Latest Updates:

• GATE application form 2026 released: apply now at GOAPS portal
• GATE 2026 application fees revised: check what's new in GATE this year?
• 62% of the candidates plan to register for GATE 2026 in the first week: Shiksha Poll Reveals

 GATE 2026 Civil Engineering - Highlights

GATE Paper Code of Civil Engineering	CE
Number of candidates registered last year	101596
Number of candidates who appeared last year	79951
GATE CE cutoff 2025 (category-wise)	Gen-29.2 | OBC-NCL/EWS-26.2 | SC/ST/PwD-19.4
Participating over the years	Consistent
Career scope	Higher scope in PSUs like IOCL, ONGC, AAI, NPCIL, etc.

GATE 2026 Civil Engineering (CE) Syllabus

The Indian Institute of Civil Engineering will release the GATE civil engineering syllabus 2026 along with the GATE 2026 information brochure. The GATE civil engineering paper is classified into two papers - CE1 and CE2, which will be held on different dates. The GATE 2026 CE exam dates (specific) will be available a few days before the GATE 2026 exam dates. 

Candidates appearing for the GATE 2026 CE exam must download their admit card once released. The GATE admit card 2026 can be downloaded at the GOAPS portal using their enrollment ID and password. 

The GATE 2026 civil engineering syllabus comprises the subjects and topics relevant to the stream. The syllabus of GATE Civil Engineering (CE) is divided into sections: engineering mathematics, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources engineering, environmental engineering, transportation engineering, and geomatics engineering. Candidates can check the GATE 2026 civil engineering (CE) exam syllabus below -

Section I  - Engineering Mathematics

Topics	Sub-Topics
Linear Algebra	Matrix algebra | Systems of Linear Equations | Eigen Values and Eigen Vectors
Calculus	Functions of Single Variables | Evaluation of Definite and Indefinite Integrals | Vector Identities | Directional Derivatives
Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE)	First-order (linear and non-linear) equations | higher-order linear equations with constant coefficients | Euler-Cauchy equations
Partial Differential Equations (PDE)	Fourier series | Separation of variables | First and second-order one-dimensional wave equation and two-dimensional Laplace equation
Probability and Statistics	Sampling theorems | Random variables - discrete  and continuous | Poisson and Normal Distribution | Linear Regression
Numerical Methods	Error Analysis | Newton’s and Lagrange Polynomials | Integration of Trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule |

Section II -  Structural Engineering

Topics	Sub-Topics
Engineering Mechanics	System of forces | Free body diagrams | Free vibrations of undamped SDOP system | Centre of mass
Solid Mechanics	Bending moment and shear force in statically determinate beams | Simple stress and strain relationships | Buckling of column | Combined and Direct Bending Stresses
Structural Analysis	Method of Superposition | Displacement Methods | Slop Deflection and Moment Distribution Methods | Influence Lines
Construction Materials and Management	Constructional Materials: Structural Steel- Composition, Material properties and behaviour | Constructional Management | Project planning and network analysis
Concrete Structures	Working Stress and Limit State Design Concepts | Design of Beams | Slabs | Bond and Development Length
Steel Structures	Working Stress and Limit State Design Concepts| Concepts of Plastic Analysis - Beams and Frames | Beam-Column Connections

Section III - Geotechnical Engineering

Topics	Sub-Topics
Soil Mechanics	Three-Phase System and Phase-relationships | Compaction of soils | Principles of Effective Stress and Quicksand Condition | Mohr’s Circle
Foundation Engineering	Sub-surface investigations | Stability of Slopes -finite and infinite slopes | Combined footing and Raft foundation | Pile Group Efficiency | Boussinesq’s Theory | Earth pressure theories

Section IV - Water Resources Engineering

Topics	Sub-Topics
Fluid Mechanics	Properties of Fluids | Momentum and Energy Equations | Flow in Pipes | Concept of Boundary Layer and its growth
Hydraulics	Forces on immersed bodies | Channel Hydraulics | Dimensional Analysis and Hydraulic Similitude | Energy-Depth Relationships
Hydrology	Hydrologic Cycle | Hydrograph Analysis | Flood Estimation and Routing | Application of Darcy’s Law
Irrigation	Types of Irrigation Systems and Methods | Crop Water Requirements | Lined and Unlined Canals | Cross Drainage Structures

Section V - Environmental Engineering

Topics	Sub-Topics
Water and Wastewater Quality and Treatment	Basics of water quality standards | Water quality index | Water distribution system | Drinking water treatment | Sludge disposal | Reuse of treated sewage for different applications
Air Pollution	Types of pollutants, their sources and impacts | air pollution control | air quality standards | Air quality index and limits
Municipal Solid Wastes	Characteristics, Generation, Collection, and Transporation of Solid Wastes | Engineered Systems for Solid Waste Management

Section VI - Transporation Engineering

Topics	Sub-Topics
Transportation Infrastructure	Geometric Design of Highways - Cross Sectional Elements | Geometric Design of Railway Track | Concept of Airport Runway Length
Highway Pavements	Highway Materials | Desirable Properties of Bituminous Paving Mixes | Design Factors for Flexible and Rigid Pavements
Traffic Engineering	Traffic studies of flow and speed | Microscopic and Macroscopic parameters of Traffic Flow

Section VII - Geomatics Engineering

Topics	Sub-topics
Principles of Surveying	Errors and their adjustment | Maps - scale, co-ordinate system | Distance and Angle Measurement | Levelling and Trigonometric levelling | Traversing and Triangulation Survey | Total Station - Horizontal and Vertical Curves
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing	Scale | Flying Height | Basics of Remote Sensing and GIS

GATE 2026 CE Syllabus: Download PDF below

The GATE civil engineering 2026 syllabus will be made available soon. However, candidates can check and download the GATE 2025 syllabus PDF below -

GATE civil engineering syllabus	Download Link
GATE 2026 Civil Engineering Syllabus PDF	SOON
GATE 2025 Civil Engineering Syllabus PDF	Download here

GATE 2026 Civil Engineering Allowed Two-Paper Combination

Candidates opting for the GATE civil engineering paper (CE) in the GATE 2026 examination as the primary subject can opt for the following test papers as the secondary papers in the GATE 2026 two-paper combinations. Last year, IIT Roorkee included a few more paper combinations to expand candidates' choices -

• Data Science (DA)
• Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF)
• Electrical Engineering (EE)
• Aerospace Engineering (AE)
• Agricultural Engineering (AG)
• Architecture and Planning (AR)
• Environmental Science and Engineering (ES)
• Geomatics Engineering (GE)
• Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NM)
• Engineering Sciences (XE)

GATE 2026 Civil Engineering Exam Pattern

The GATE Civil Engineering exam will be conducted online (computer-based test). The exam is three hours long. The GATE Civil Engineering exam pattern is as follows -

• The total mark of the GATE 2026 CE question paper is 100 marks.
• The general aptitude section carries 15 marks, and the remaining 85 marks are subject-specific questions, of which the engineering mathematics section will carry 13 marks. 
• Each question carries one or two marks. For a one-mark question, 1/3rd marks will be deducted; for a two-mark question, 2/3rd marks will be deducted for an incorrect answer. 

Recommended Books for GATE 2026 Civil Engineering (CE) Preparation

The GATE 2026 exam dates will be announced soon. Candidates appearing for the exam must know the exam pattern, subjects, and important topics well. 

When it comes to looking for good books, graduates appearing for the civil engineering paper must research before purchasing books.

Here are some of the top-rated books for GATE 2026 civil engineering preparation -

Book Name	Author Name
Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications	Kenneth Rosen
Advanced Engineering Mathematics	Erwin Kreyszig
Soil Mechanics	Gopal Ranjan and Rao, Venkat Ramaiha, and S.K Garg
Strength of Materials/ Mechanics of Structure	Gere and Timoshenko
Waste Water Engineering	B.C Punmia Part I and II
Fluid Mechanics	RK Bansal and Fox and Richard
Highway Engineering	SK Khanna
Geotechnical Engineering: Principles and Practices Book	Donald P Coduto

GATE 2026 CE Books for Freshers and Repeaters (Topic-wise)

If you are appearing for the GATE exam for the first time or it's your 2nd or 3rd attempt, candidates can refer to the following books for better understanding and revision -

GATE CE Topics	Recommended Books
Strength of materials	A textbook on strength of materials by Dr U.C Jindal, Mechanics of Materials by Gere and Timoshenko, Strength of materials for transformation of stresses, properties of metals by E.Popov
Theory of structure	Structural Dynamics by Mario Paz, Theory of Structure/Analysis of Structure by S. Ramamrutham, Theory of Structure/Analysis of Structure by Gupta and Pandit, CS Reddy
RCC Design	RCC Design by AK Jain and S.N Sinha, Prestressed Concrete (2nd edition) by N.Krishna Raju
Steel Design	Limit State Design of Steel Structures (2nd edition) by S.K Duggal, Steel Design by L.S Negi

 PSUs That Recruit GATE Civil Engineering Graduates

PSUs, otherwise called Public Sector Undertakings, are government-owned corporations or enterprises where the government holds the most shares. Here are some PSUs that recruit candidates under GATE Civil Engineering - 

• Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
• Airports Authority of India (AAI)
• Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
• Tehri Hydro Development Corporation India Limited (THDC India Limited)
• Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL)
• NLC India Limited (NLC)
• National Fertilisers Limited (NFL)
• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)

Read more about PSU recruitment through GATE