Here’s the official GATE 2025 Mechanical Engineering (ME) syllabus, along with key details to help you prepare effectively:
Section 1: Engineering Mathematics
Linear Algebra: Matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, eigen values and eigen vectors.
Calculus: Functions of 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.
Section 2: Applied Mechanics and Design
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; concept of shear centre; deflection of beams; torsion of circular shafts; Euler’s theory of columns; energy methods; thermal stresses; strain gauges and rosettes; testing of materials with 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, 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.
Section 3: Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences
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; 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, 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, behavior of ideal and real gases; 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; vapour 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.
Section 4: Materials, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
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, moulds 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(CMM).
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.
Previous Year Syllabus
GATE ME Subject-Wise Weightage
1. Engineering Mathematics
- Weightage: 13–15 marks
- Topics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Probability & Statistics, Numerical Methods
- Complex Variables (added in 2019)
2. Applied Mechanics and Design
- Weightage: 20–25 marks
- Topics: Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Theory of Machines, Vibrations, Machine Design
- Lagrange’s Equation (added in 2022)
3. Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences
- Weightage: 30–35 marks
- Topics: Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, Applications (Power Plants, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning)
- Fluid Mechanics (incompressible + compressible — added in 2019)
- Heat Transfer (Heisler’s charts highlighted post-2020)
4. Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
- Weightage: 25–30 marks
- Topics: Engineering Materials, Metal Casting, Forming, Joining Processes, Machining and Machine Tool Operations, Metrology, CIM, Production Planning, Operations Research
- Inventory Models (with Safety Stock in recent years)
- Additive Manufacturing (added in 2022)
- Lean Manufacturing (emphasized post-2023)
5. General Aptitude
- Weightage: 15 marks
- Topics: Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability
Year-wise Subject Weightage Overview
| Year | Engineering Mathematics | Applied Mechanics & Design | Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences | Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering | General Aptitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 15 | 20 | 30 | 25 | 15 |
| 2016 | 13 | 22 | 28 | 27 | 15 |
| 2017 | 14 | 21 | 29 | 26 | 15 |
| 2018 | 13 | 23 | 31 | 24 | 15 |
| 2019 | 13 | 24 | 32 | 23 | 15 |
| 2020 | 13.5 | 23.5 | 32.5 | 23 | 15 |
| 2021 | 13 | 24 | 33 | 22 | 15 |
| 2022 | 13 | 25 | 34 | 21 | 15 |
| 2023 | 13 | 24.5 | 33.5 | 22 | 15 |
| 2024 | 13 | 24 | 33 | 23 | 15 |
| 2025 | 13 | 23 | 32 | 24 | 15 |
Key Observations
- Engineering Mathematics: Maintains a consistent weightage of 13–15 marks across all years.
- Applied Mechanics and Design: Shows a slight increase in weightage over the years, indicating its growing importance.
- Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences: Remains a significant portion of the exam, with a steady weightage.
- Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering: Experiences fluctuations, reflecting changes in exam patterns and focus areas.
- General Aptitude: Consistently holds a weightage of 15 marks.
