GATE Syllabus

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. 

No, there is no change in GATE 2026 syllabus. However, a new sectional paper has been added under Engineering Sciences, XE, which is Energy Science and GATE paper code is XE-I. Candidates can download GATE syllabus 2026 PDF from official website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in.

The GATE 2026 exam pattern for CS, EC, EE, and ME can be checked below. The general aptitude section (GA) carries 15 marks, while the subject-based questions carries 85 marks, out of which engineering mathematics section consists of 13 marks. The GATE question paper will be in English language and the time duration is three hours. 

The GATE paper code for metallurgical engineering is MT. The eligible two-paper combination for metallurgical engineering is Engineering Sciences (XE). Candidates who want to opt for the MT paper must check the paper code carefully before applying. To apply for secondary paper, candidate must select from the drop-down menu available in the application form. 

Yes, candidates can change their GATE paper at the time of GATE form correction process. The last date to change primary paper is November 10. Candidates can edit at the GOAPS portal using their enrollment ID and password.

The GATE paper code of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence is DA. Here are the eligible paper combinations for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence -

• Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (CS)
• Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC)
• Electrical Engineering (EE)
• Mathematics (MA)
• Mechanical Engineering (ME)
• Physics (PH)
• Statistics (ST)
• Engineering Sciences (XE)

There is no ideal time to start the GATE preparation. Start early (from the first year itself). It is mainly because your bachelor's topics and chapters have the most weightage in the GATE question paper. The topics that are taught in your third year are the backbone. If you are clear with the fundamentals and concepts (taught in classes), then you do not require extra time to prepare for GATE. Just revise and practice questions. That's enough. 

So, start preparing for GATE right from the first year. Your brain is fresh with the concepts and formulas, thus making it easy to solve the questions and prepare for the exam. 

Yes, GATE General Aptitude is common for all papers. The general aptitude section carries 15 marks out 100 marks, comprising 10 questions in total. The section mainly tests candidates' analytical and thinking skills in the exam. Here's a breakdown of the GATE General breakdown of questions -

• The GA section includes 5 questions of 1 mark and 
• 5 questions of 2 marks. 

The GATE marking scheme is the same for all. 

Here are some good books for GATE Electrical Engineering and Electronics and Communication Engineering  -