GATE 2027: Syllabus Guide
The GATE 2027 syllabus is revised this year, and it differs by paper. Every paper has 15 marks of General Aptitude, then a subject syllabus for the other 85 marks. IIT Madras, the organising institute, has also changed the section codes of the XE, XH and XL papers and added a new paper, Robotics and Automation (RA). This guide explains the structure, lists the topics for the most popular papers and shows where to start. The exam runs on 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027. Note: this page summarises the official syllabus. Always confirm the final wording on the official GATE 2027 website before you plan your preparation.
GATE 2027 Syllabus at a Glance
| Part | Questions | Marks | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | 10 | 15 | Verbal, quantitative, analytical and spatial aptitude. Common to all 30 papers. |
| Subject section | 55 | 85 | Engineering Mathematics (where applicable) and the core subjects of your paper. |
| Total | 65 | 100 | 3 hours, computer based test, in English. |
Questions are of three types: multiple choice (MCQ), multiple select (MSQ) and numerical answer type (NAT). Each question carries 1 or 2 marks. The syllabus tests recall, comprehension, application, analysis and synthesis, so reading theory alone is not enough.
Key Changes to Know for GATE 2027
Revised syllabi: The organisers have updated the syllabus of several papers. If you prepared from older notes, compare them with the new official document.
New paper, RA: Robotics and Automation has a common Part A and a Part B. You choose B1 (Electrical) or B2 (Mechanical) during the exam.
New section codes in XE: XE0 is Engineering Mathematics and is common. XE1 to XE9 are the optional sections, from Fluid Mechanics to Textile Engineering and Fibre Science. Textile Engineering now sits inside XE.
New section codes in XH: XH0 is Reasoning and Comprehension. XH1 to XH6 are Economics, English, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology.
New section codes in XL: XL0 is Chemistry. XL1 to XL5 are Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology and Food Technology.
General Aptitude Syllabus (All Papers)
General Aptitude is 15 marks in every paper. It has 5 one-mark and 5 two-mark questions. It is the most scoring part for most candidates, so do not skip it.
| Area | Topics to cover | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Aptitude | Grammar (tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb-noun agreement), vocabulary, idioms, contextual phrases, reading comprehension, narrative sequencing | Reading comprehension and grammar rules |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Data interpretation (bar and pie graphs, 2D and 3D plots, maps, tables), ratios, percentages, powers, exponents, logarithms, permutations, combinations, series, mensuration, geometry, elementary statistics, probability | Data interpretation and percentages |
| Analytical Aptitude | Deduction, induction, analogy, numerical relations and reasoning | Logical deduction and analogies |
| Spatial Aptitude | Translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, grouping, paper folding, paper cutting, patterns in 2D and 3D | Paper folding and pattern questions |
Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) Syllabus
| Section | Topics to cover | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics | Propositional and first-order logic, sets, relations, functions, partial orders, lattices, groups, graphs (connectivity, matching, colouring), counting, recurrence relations, generating functions, matrices, determinants, linear systems, eigenvalues, limits, continuity, optimisation, integration, probability distributions (uniform, normal, exponential, Poisson, binomial), conditional probability | Discrete mathematics and probability |
| Digital Logic | Boolean algebra minimisation (algebraic, Karnaugh map, tabular), combinational and sequential circuits, number systems, fixed and floating point arithmetic | Karnaugh maps |
| Computer Organization and Architecture | Instruction sets, addressing modes, ALU, hardwired and microprogrammed control, memory hierarchy, cache, I/O with interrupts and DMA, pipelining and hazards | Pipelining and cache |
| Programming and Data Structures | C programming, recursion, arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary search trees, heaps, graphs | Pointers and recursion in C |
| Algorithms | Searching, sorting, hashing, asymptotic complexity, greedy, dynamic programming, divide and conquer, graph algorithms, shortest paths | Complexity and dynamic programming |
| Theory of Computation | Regular expressions, finite automata, context-free grammars, pushdown automata, pumping lemma, Turing machines, undecidability | Finite automata |
| Compiler Design | Lexical analysis, parsing, syntax-directed translation, runtime environments, intermediate code, optimisation (constant propagation, liveness) | Parsing |
| Operating System | System calls, processes, threads, inter-process communication, synchronisation, deadlock, scheduling, virtual memory, file systems | Scheduling and synchronisation |
| Databases | ER model, relational algebra, tuple calculus, SQL, integrity constraints, normalisation, file organisation, B and B+ trees, transactions | SQL and normalisation |
| Computer Networks | Layering, switching, data link protocols, routing, IPv4 addressing, TCP, DNS, HTTP | Subnetting and TCP |
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) Syllabus
| Section | Topics to cover | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Probability and Statistics | Counting, axioms, events, independence, distributions (uniform, Bernoulli, binomial, exponential, Poisson, normal), statistical testing | Distributions |
| Linear Algebra | Vector spaces, subspaces, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, decompositions, linear systems, Gaussian elimination | Eigenvalues and decompositions |
| Calculus and Optimization | Limits, continuity, derivatives, Taylor series, maxima and minima | Maxima and minima |
| Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms | Python, stacks, queues, trees, hash tables, search, sorting, mergesort, quicksort, graph theory basics | Sorting and searching |
| Database Management and Warehousing | ER model, relational algebra, tuple calculus, SQL, indexing, normalisation, discretisation, sampling, multidimensional modelling | SQL |
| Machine Learning | Regression, classification, support vector machines, neural networks, clustering (k-means, k-medoid, hierarchical), dimensionality reduction | Regression and classification |
| Artificial Intelligence | Search, logic and reasoning, reasoning under uncertainty (conditional independence, variable elimination) | Search techniques |
Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC) Syllabus
| Section | Topics to cover | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics | Vector spaces, rank, eigenvalues, mean value theorems, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, differential equations, gradient, divergence, curl, Gauss, Green and Stokes theorems, analytic functions, residue theorem, probability, regression | Linear algebra and complex analysis |
| Networks, Signals and Systems | Node and mesh analysis, network theorems, transients with Laplace, LTI systems, convolution, poles and zeros, Fourier methods, sampling, DTFT, DFT, z-transform, filter design | LTI systems and transforms |
| Electronic Devices | Energy bands, carrier concentration, transport, P-N junction, Zener diode, BJT, MOS capacitor, MOSFET, scaling, LED, photodiode, solar cell | P-N junction and MOSFET |
| Analog Circuits | Diode circuits, BJT and MOSFET amplifiers and biasing, frequency response, op-amp circuits, active filters, oscillators, phase margin | Op-amp circuits |
| Digital Circuits | Number systems, Boolean algebra, K-maps, flip-flops, finite state machines, ADC and DAC, memory | Flip-flops and FSMs |
| Control Systems | Transfer functions, block diagrams, Routh-Hurwitz and Nyquist stability, frequency response, PID, state variable models | Stability criteria |
| Communications | Random processes, amplitude and angle modulation, entropy, source coding, channel capacity, digital modulation, error correction | Modulation and information theory |
| Electromagnetics | Maxwell's equations, boundary conditions, wave equation, Poynting vector, plane waves, polarisation, transmission lines, waveguides, optical fibres, antennas | Transmission lines |
Electrical (EE), Mechanical (ME) and Civil (CE) Syllabus
| Paper | Topics to cover | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| EE | Engineering Mathematics, Electric Circuits, Electromagnetic Fields, Signals and Systems, Electrical Machines (transformers, DC, induction and synchronous machines), Power Systems (load flow, protection, faults, stability), Control Systems, Electrical and Electronic Measurements, Analog and Digital Electronics, Power Electronics (thyristor, MOSFET, IGBT, converters, inverters, PWM) | Electrical machines and power systems |
| ME | Engineering Mathematics (including numerical methods); Applied Mechanics and Design (engineering mechanics, mechanics of materials, theory of machines, machine design); Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences (fluid flow, heat transfer, thermodynamics, power generation, IC engines, refrigeration, turbomachinery); Materials, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering (casting, forming, joining, machining, additive manufacturing, metrology, production planning, inventory control, operations research) | Thermodynamics and strength of materials |
| CE | Engineering Mathematics; Structural Engineering; Geotechnical Engineering; Water Resources Engineering; Environmental Engineering; Transportation Engineering; Geomatics Engineering (surveying, GNSS, levelling, photogrammetry); Construction Materials and Management (estimation, PERT and CPM, contracts) | Structural analysis and geotechnical engineering |
The official syllabus for the other papers, such as Aerospace, Chemical, Instrumentation, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, is on the official website. Download the paper-wise document for your own paper.
XE, XH and XL Paper Structure
These three papers are built from a common section plus optional sections. The choice rules differ, so read them before you apply.
| Paper | Common section | Optional sections | When you choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| XE (Engineering Sciences) | XE0 Engineering Mathematics, 15 marks | Any two of XE1 to XE9, 35 marks each | During the exam |
| XH (Humanities and Social Sciences) | XH0 Reasoning and Comprehension, 25 marks | One of XH1 to XH6, 60 marks | At application |
| XL (Life Sciences) | XL0 Chemistry, 25 marks | Any two of XL1 to XL5, 30 marks each | During the exam |
In all three papers the General Aptitude part adds another 15 marks.
Where the Syllabi Overlap
Many topics repeat across papers. If you plan to write two papers, or you are still choosing, the overlap helps you decide.
| Topic | Appears in |
|---|---|
| Linear algebra, calculus, probability | CS, DA, EC, EE, ME, CE and most other papers |
| Signals and systems, control systems | EC, EE |
| Digital logic, number systems | CS, EC, EE |
| Databases and algorithms | CS, DA |
| Fluid mechanics, thermodynamics | ME, CE, XE |
Official rules allow only certain two-paper combinations, for example CS with DA or EC with EE. Check the allowed list before you register.
How the Marks Are Split Across Papers
The syllabus does not carry equal marks in every paper. Knowing the split tells you where to spend your time. General Aptitude is 15 marks everywhere. The remaining 85 marks are divided as shown below.
| Paper group | Structure of the 85 subject marks |
|---|---|
| CS, DA, EC, EE, ME, CE and most engineering papers | One common subject section. In engineering papers this includes 13 marks of paper-specific Engineering Mathematics. |
| AR (Architecture and Planning) | Part A common, 60 marks. Part B, 25 marks: B1 Architecture or B2 Planning. |
| GE (Geomatics Engineering) | Part A common, 55 marks. Part B, 30 marks: B1 Surveying and Mapping or B2 Image Processing and Analysis. You choose during the exam. |
| GG (Geology and Geophysics) | Part A common, 25 marks. Part B, 60 marks: B1 Geology or B2 Geophysics. You choose at application. |
| RA (Robotics and Automation) | Part A common, 60 marks. Part B, 25 marks: B1 Electrical or B2 Mechanical. You choose during the exam. |
For example, in the GG paper you must pick Geology or Geophysics when you fill the application form, so decide early. In GE and RA you can wait until you see the question paper.
How to Use the Syllabus Effectively
Print the official syllabus: Tick off each topic only after you have solved questions on it, not after you have only read it.
Give Engineering Mathematics early time: It appears in most papers and supports many core subjects.
Link each topic to question types: Some topics suit numerical answer questions. Others suit multiple select questions, which have no partial marking.
Do not ignore small topics: A single two-mark question can come from a minor topic, and it counts as much as one from a major topic.
How to Cover the GATE 2027 Syllabus
A syllabus is only useful when you turn it into a plan. A simple three-phase approach works for most candidates.
Phase 1, foundation: Finish Engineering Mathematics and the two or three core subjects that carry the most marks in your paper. Make short notes as you go.
Phase 2, completion: Cover the remaining subjects. Solve previous year questions for each topic right after you finish it.
Phase 3, revision and tests: Revise your notes, take full-length timed tests and review every wrong answer. Practise General Aptitude weekly through all three phases.
Practise in the computer based format, because the real exam is on screen. You can take GATE 2027 mock tests on Testkart and use GATE previous year papers to check your progress topic by topic. Also read the GATE 2027 exam pattern to understand marks and negative marking, and the GATE 2027 eligibility page before you apply.
Older Syllabus Pages Can Mislead You
Many websites still show the previous syllabus. Because the syllabi are revised and the XE, XH and XL codes have changed, old notes may include topics that are now removed or miss new ones. Use the official document on the official GATE 2027 website as your final reference.
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