GATE Mechanical Engineering Syllabus
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For Mechanical Engineering aspirants, the GATE exam syllabus covers a vast range of topics related to Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Manufacturing Processes, and more.
To excel in the GATE Mechanical Engineering exam, candidates must have a thorough understanding of the GATE Syllabus for Mechanical Engineering and must practice solving numerical problems related to the different topics covered. With proper preparation, hard work, and dedication, candidates can ace the GATE Mechanical Engineering exam and secure admission to the postgraduate program of their choice.
GATE Mechanical Engineering Syllabus
- Engineering Mathematics
- General Aptitude
- Applied Mechanics and Design
- Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences
- Materials, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
Linear Algebra
Matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
Calculus
Functions of a single variable, limit, continuity and differentiability, mean value theorems, indeterminate forms; evaluation of definite and improper integrals; double and triple integrals; partial derivatives, total derivative, Taylor series (in one and two variables), maxima and minima, Fourier series; gradient, divergence and curl, vector identities, directional derivatives, line, surface and volume integrals, applications of Gauss, Stokes and Green’s theorems.
Differential equations
First-order equations (linear and nonlinear); higher-order linear differential equations with constant coefficients; Euler-Cauchy equation; initial and boundary value problems; Laplace transforms; solutions of heat, wave, and Laplace’s equations.
Complex variables
Analytic functions; Cauchy-Riemann equations; Cauchy’s integral theorem and integral formula; Taylor and Laurent series.
Probability and Statistics
Definitions of probability, sampling theorems, conditional probability; mean, median, mode, and standard deviation; random variables, binomial, Poisson, and normal distributions.
Numerical Methods
Numerical solutions of linear and non-linear algebraic equations; integration by trapezoidal and Simpson’s rules; single and multi-step methods for differential equations.
QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE
Data interpretation: data graphs (bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphs representing the data), 2- and 3-dimensional plots, maps, and tables Numerical computation and estimation: ratios, percentages, powers, exponents and logarithms, permutations and combinations, and series Mensuration and geometry Elementary statistics and probability.
ANALYTICAL APTITUDE
Logic: deduction and induction, Analogy, Numerical relations, and reasoning
VERBAL APTITUDE
Basic English grammar: tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb-noun agreement, and other parts of speech Basic vocabulary: words, idioms, and phrases in context Reading and comprehension Narrative sequencing
SPATIAL APTITUDE
Transformation of shapes: translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, and grouping Paper folding, cutting, and patterns in 2 and 3 dimensions
Engineering Mechanics
Free-body diagrams and equilibrium; friction and its applications including rolling friction, belt-pulley, brakes, clutches, screw jack, wedge, vehicles, etc.; trusses and frames; virtual work; kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies in plane motion; impulse and momentum (linear and angular) and energy formulations; Lagrange’s equation.
Mechanics of Materials
Stress and strain, elastic constants, Poisson’s ratio; Mohr’s circle for plane stress and plane strain; thin cylinders; shear force and bending moment diagrams; bending and shear stresses; the concept of shear center; deflection of beams; torsion of circular shafts; Euler’s theory of columns; energy methods; thermal stresses; strain gauges and rosettes; testing of materials with the universal testing machine; testing of hardness and impact strength.
Theory of Machines
Displacement, velocity, and acceleration analysis of plane mechanisms; dynamic analysis of linkages; cams; gears and gear trains; flywheels and governors; balancing of reciprocating and rotating masses; gyroscope.
Vibrations
Free and forced vibration of single degree of freedom systems, the effect of damping; vibration isolation; resonance; critical speeds of shafts.
Machine Design
Design for static and dynamic loading; failure theories; fatigue strength and the S-N diagram; principles of the design of machine elements such as bolted, riveted, and welded joints; shafts, gears, rolling and sliding contact bearings, brakes, and clutches, springs.
Fluid Mechanics
Fluid properties; fluid statics, forces on submerged bodies, stability of floating bodies; control-volume analysis of mass, momentum, and energy; fluid acceleration; differential equations of continuity and momentum; Bernoulli’s equation; dimensional analysis; the viscous flow of incompressible fluids, boundary layer, elementary turbulent flow, flow through pipes, head losses in pipes, bends and fittings; basics of compressible fluid flow.
Heat-Transfer
Modes of heat transfer; one-dimensional heat conduction, resistance concept and electrical analogy, heat transfer through fins; unsteady heat conduction, lumped parameter system, Heisler’s charts; thermal boundary layer, dimensionless parameters in free and forced convective heat transfer, heat transfer correlations for flow over flat plates and through pipes, the effect of turbulence; heat exchanger performance, LMTD, and NTU methods; radiative heat transfer, Stefan- Boltzmann law, Wien’s displacement law, black and grey surfaces, view factors, radiation network analysis.
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamic systems and processes; properties of pure substances, the behavior of ideal and real gasses; zeroth and first laws of thermodynamics, calculation of work and heat in various processes; second law of thermodynamics; thermodynamic property charts and tables, availability, and irreversibility; thermodynamic relations.
Applications
Power Engineering: Air and gas compressors; vapor and gas power cycles, concepts of regeneration and reheat. I.C. Engines: Air-standard Otto, Diesel, and dual cycles.
Refrigeration and air-conditioning: Vapour and gas refrigeration and heat pump cycles; properties of moist air, psychrometric chart, basic psychrometric processes. Turbomachinery: Impulse and reaction principles, velocity diagrams, Pelton-wheel, Francis and Kaplan turbines; steam and gas turbines.
Engineering Materials
Structure and properties of engineering materials, phase diagrams, heat treatment, stress-strain diagrams for engineering materials.
Casting, Forming, and Joining Processes
Different types of castings, design of patterns, molds, and cores; solidification and cooling; riser and gating design. Plastic deformation and yield criteria; fundamentals of hot and cold working processes; load estimation for bulk (forging, rolling, extrusion, drawing) and sheet (shearing, deep drawing, bending) metal forming processes; principles of powder metallurgy. Principles of welding, brazing, soldering, and adhesive bonding.
Machining and Machine Tool Operations
Mechanics of machining; basic machine tools; single and multi-point cutting tools, tool geometry and materials, tool life, and wear; economics of machining; principles of non-traditional machining processes; principles of work holding, jigs and fixtures; abrasive machining processes; NC/CNC machines and CNC programming.
Metrology and Inspection
Limits, fits, and tolerances; linear and angular measurements; comparators; interferometry; form and finish measurement; alignment and testing methods; tolerance analysis in manufacturing and assembly; concepts of coordinate-measuring machine Computer Integrated
Manufacturing
Basic concepts of CAD/CAM and their integration tools; additive manufacturing.
Production Planning and Control
Forecasting models, aggregate production planning, scheduling, materials requirement planning; lean manufacturing.
Inventory Control
Deterministic models; safety stock inventory control systems.
Operations Research
Linear programming, simplex method, transportation, assignment, network flow models, simple queuing models, PERT and CPM
GATE Mechanical Engineering Subject Wise Weightage
The subject-wise weightage for the GATE ME exam varies each year. However, some of the important subjects covered in the syllabus include Engineering Mathematics, Mechanics, Theory of Machines, Thermodynamics, Manufacturing Engineering, and Industrial Engineering. Generally, Engineering Mathematics is given the highest weightage of 13-15 marks, followed by General Aptitude (15 marks) and other subjects. Therefore, candidates need to prepare well and have a thorough understanding of each subject to perform well in the exam.
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude |
15 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
| Engg. Maths |
15 |
15 |
13 |
14 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
14 |
13 |
13 |
| Production Engg. |
13 |
17 |
14 |
16 |
15 |
15 |
17 |
16 |
15 |
16 |
16 |
17 |
| Thermal Engg. |
12 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
| Strength of Materials |
11 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
7 |
15 |
| FM&HM |
4 |
6 |
8 |
5 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
9 |
| Theory of Machines |
7 |
9 |
11 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
10 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
| Heat Transfer |
8 |
8 |
6 |
10 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
| IM & OR |
6 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
2 |
| Engg. Mechanics |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
3 |
| Machine Design |
5 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
