GATE Mechanical Engineering Syllabus: Detailed Guide

Preparing for the GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) exam requires a clear understanding of the syllabus, as it forms the base of your preparation strategy. For Mechanical Engineering aspirants, the syllabus covers core concepts from undergraduate courses along with General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics.

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The GATE exam is a highly competitive option for gaining admission to top institutions, securing government jobs, and pursuing advanced career opportunities in engineering and technology. For GATE Exam preparation, not just hard work is required, but smart work is also necessary. In this article, we provide the complete GATE Mechanical Engineering syllabus, topic-wise breakdown, weightage insights, recommended books, and preparation tips.

GATE Mechanical Engineering Syllabus

The GATE mechanical engineering syllabus comprises three parts: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Core Mechanical Engineering. The General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics are scoring areas, and GATE Mechanical Engineering requires a deep understanding. Refer to the table below to understand the topics and subtopics covered under each section.

GATE Mechanical Engineering Syllabus
Section	Sub-topic	Topics Covered
General Aptitude (GA)	Verbal Ability	Grammar, sentence completion, word groups, instructions, critical reasoning, and reading comprehension
	Numerical Ability	Data interpretation, numerical computation, numerical estimation, numerical reasoning
Engineering Mathematics	Linear Algebra	Matrices, determinants, systems of linear equations, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors
	Calculus	Functions, limits, continuity, Taylor and Maclaurin series, maxima and minima, partial derivatives, multiple integrals
	Differential Equations	First-order and higher-order linear ODEs, Laplace transforms, and applications
	Vector Calculus	Gradient, divergence, curl, line and surface integrals, Green’s, Stokes’, and Gauss’s theorems
	Probability and Statistics	Random variables, distributions, mean, median, mode, standard deviation
	Numerical Methods	Numerical solutions of equations, interpolation, numerical integration, Euler’s and Runge-Kutta methods
Core Mechanical Engineering	Applied Mechanics and Design
	Engineering Mechanics	Free-body diagrams, equilibrium, kinematics, and friction
	Strength of Materials	Stress, strain, Mohr’s circle, bending, torsion, deflection, failure theories
	Theory of Machines	Kinematics of mechanisms, cams, gears, gear trains, flywheels, governors
	Machine Design	Design of joints, shafts, springs, bearings, brakes, and clutches
	Vibrations	Free and forced vibrations, damping, resonance
	Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences
	Fluid Mechanics	Fluid properties, hydrostatics, Bernoulli’s equation, laminar/turbulent flow, pumps, and compressors
	Heat Transfer	Conduction, convection, radiation, heat exchangers
	Thermodynamics	Laws of thermodynamics, cycles (Carnot, Rankine, Otto, Diesel), entropy, enthalpy
	IC Engines, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning	Basics of engines, performance parameters, refrigeration cycles, and COP
	Power Plant Engineering	Steam and gas turbine cycles
	Materials, Manufacturing, and Industrial Engineering
	Engineering Materials	Crystal structures, defects, phase diagrams, and heat treatment
	Casting, Forming, Welding, Machining	Processes, cutting forces, tool life, and metal forming mechanics
	Computer-Integrated Manufacturing	CNC, CAD, CAM, robotics
	Industrial Engineering	Production planning, inventory control, queuing theory, project management (PERT/CPM)
	Operations Research	Linear programming, optimization methods

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GATE Mechanical Engineering Important Topics with weightage

Understanding topic weightage helps in prioritizing preparation. The GATE Mechanical Engineering is one of the complex subjects to crack. To understand the priority of topics, one should focus on the weightage of topics as per the previous years' trends. The topic-wise weightage has been mentioned below:

GATE Mechanical Engineering Important Topics with weightage
Subject Area	Approx. Weightage (%)
General Aptitude	15%
Engineering Mathematics	13%
Strength of Materials + Engineering Mechanics	12%
Theory of Machines + Vibrations + Machine Design	20%
Fluid Mechanics + Thermal Sciences + Heat Transfer	25%
Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering	15%

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Best Books for GATE Mechanical Engineering Preparation

Books play an important role in the Gate Mechanical Engineering preparation. Picking up good books can help you get a detailed understanding of the topics. The GATE Mechanical Engineering books can help you prepare for the exam well. Here is a list of the best books for the GATE Mechanical Engineering exam.

Engineering Mechanics & Strength of Materials: Beer & Johnston, Gere & Timoshenko
Theory of Machines: S.S. Rattan
Machine Design: V.B. Bhandari
Fluid Mechanics: R.K. Bansal, White
Thermodynamics: P.K. Nag
Heat Transfer: Cengel & Ghajar
Manufacturing: PN Rao, Kalpakjian & Schmid
Industrial Engineering: O.P. Khanna

The GATE Mechanical Engineering syllabus 2026 is very vast and needs proper attention. Having a structurally sorted GATE Mechanical Engineering syllabus, a right preparation plan, reference books, and consistent practice, you can crack this subject without any failure. Focus equally on conceptual clarity, numerical problem-solving, and time management. A systematic approach to General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Core Mechanical subjects will ensure success in the GATE Mechanical Engineering Subject.