Zollege is here for to help you!!
Need Counselling
GATE logo

GATE 2020 Syllabus for Engineering Sciences (XE)

OverviewMock TestSyllabusQuestion PaperspreparationAnswer KeyCutoffExam DatesNewsQ&A

GATE syllabus is different for each discipline. The question paper consists of 65 questions which are divided into three sections worth 100 marks and the duration of the exam is three hours. The questions are mostly fundamental, concept based and thought-provoking. GATE 2020 is scheduled to take place in the month of February i.e. 01, 02, 08 and 09 February 2020.

GATE Engineering Sciences (XE) syllabus comprises 3 sections namely- General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics and Engineering Sciences. The weightage of General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics is 30% and rest 70% is reserved for the chosen specialization i.e. XE in this case. 

  • GATE Syllabus for Engineering Sciences mostly covers the graduation level topics.
  • Engineering sciences section comprises the following subjects:
  1. Engineering Mathematics
  2. Fluid mechanics
  3. Polymer Science and Engineering
  4. Solid mechanics
  5. Material Science
  6. Thermodynamics
  7. Food technology
  8. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
  • Participants have to choose any 2 of the above-mentioned subjects.
  • Each subject (chosen ones) will carry 35 marks.

GATE is a national level exam which is held for admission to M.Tech/ Ph.D. in the field of engineering and technology. It is conducted on a rotational basis by zonal IITs and IISc Bangalore. To ace GATE 2020, one must have a clear about GATE Exam Pattern and syllabus. Candidates can check engineering sciences section syllabus in this article.

Engineering Mathematics (Compulsory)

Engineering Mathematics is a branch of applied mathematics concerning mathematical methods and techniques that are typically used in engineering and industry. It is an interdisciplinary subject motivated by engineers' needs both for practical, theoretical and other considerations out with their specialization, and to deal with constraints to be effective in their work.

Topics Sub Topics
Linear Algebra Algebra of matrices; Inverse and rank of a matrix; System of linear equations; Symmetric, skew-symmetric and orthogonal matrices; Determinants; Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; Diagonalisation of matrices; Cayley-Hamilton Theorem.
Calculus

Functions of single variable: Limit, continuity and differentiability; Mean value theorems; Indeterminate forms and L'Hospital's rule; Maxima and minima; Taylor's theorem; Fundamental theorem and mean value-theorems of integral calculus; Evaluation of definite and improper integrals; Applications of definite integrals to evaluate areas and volumes.

Functions of two variables: Limit, continuity and partial derivatives; Directional derivative; Total derivative; Tangent plane and normal line; Maxima, minima and saddle points; Method of Lagrange multipliers; Double and triple integrals, and their applications.

Sequence and series: Convergence of sequence and series; Tests for convergence; Power series; Taylor's series; Fourier Series; Half range sine and cosine series.

Vector Calculus Gradient, divergence and curl; Line and surface integrals; Green's theorem, Stokes theorem and Gauss divergence theorem (without proofs).
Complex variables

Analytic functions; Cauchy-Riemann equations; Line integral, Cauchy's integral theorem and integral formula (without proof); Taylor's series and Laurent series; Residue theorem (without proof) and its applications.

Ordinary Differential Equations First order equations (linear and nonlinear); Higher order linear differential equations with constant coefficients; Second order linear differential equations with variable coefficients; Method of variation of parameters; Cauchy-Euler equation; Power series solutions; Legendre polynomials, Bessel functions of the first kind and their properties.
Partial Differential Equations Classification of second order linear partial differential equations; Method of separation of variables; Laplace equation; Solutions of one dimensional heat and wave equations.
Probability and Statistics Axioms of probability; Conditional probability; Bayes' Theorem; Discrete and continuous random variables: Binomial, Poisson and normal distributions; Correlation and linear regression.
Numerical Methods Solution of systems of linear equations using LU decomposition, Gauss elimination and Gauss-Seidel methods; Lagrange and Newton's interpolations, Solution of polynomial and transcendental equations by Newton-Raphson method; Numerical integration by trapezoidal rule, Simpson's rule and Gaussian quadrature rule; Numerical solutions of first order differential equations by Euler's method and 4th order Runge-Kutta method.

Direct link to download GATE  Engineering Mathematics (XE-A) syllabus PDF 

Engineering Mathematics Important Books

GATE Mathematics Book
Book Name Author ISBN Number
GATE Engineering Mathematics Abhinav Goel, Suraj Singh 935203550X, 978-9352035502
Higher Engineering Mathematics B.S. Grewal 8174091955, 978-8174091956
GATE 2017: Engineering Mathematics ME Team 9351471977, 978-9351471974
A Textbook of Engineering Mathematics Dr. Sudheer K. Srivastava, Dr. Suyash N. Mishra Dr. Vijai S. Verma 9383758465, 978-9383758463
Wiley Acing the Gate: Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude Anil K. Maini, Varsha Agrawal, Nakul Maini 8126567430, 978-8126567430

Read  How to Prepare for GATE 2020


Fluid Mechanics

Fluid Mechanics is a branch of physics concerned with the mechanics of fluids and the forces on them. Fluid mechanics has a wide range of applications, including mechanical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, geophysics, astrophysics, and biology. 

Topics Sub Topics
Flow and Fluid Properties Viscosity, relationship between stress and strain-rate for Newtonian fluids, incompressible and compressible flows, differences between laminar and turbulent flows. Hydrostatics:Buoyancy, manometry, forces on submerged bodies.

Kinematics Eulerian and Lagrangian description of fluids motion, concept of local and convective accelerations, steady and unsteady flows.
Integral analysis Control volume analysis for mass, momentum and energy.
Differential Analysis Differential equations of mass and momentum for incompressible flows: inviscid - Euler equation and viscous flows - Navier-Stokes equations, concept of fluid rotation, vorticity, stream function, Exact solutions of Navier-Stokes equation for Couette Flow and Poiseuille flow.
Inviscid flows Bernoulli’s equation - assumptions and applications, potential function, Elementary plane flows - uniform flow, source, sink and doublet and their superposition for potential flow past simple geometries.
Dimensional analysis Concept of geometric, kinematic and dynamic similarity, some common non-dimensional parameters and their physical significance: Reynolds number, Froude number and Mach number.
Internal flows Fully developed pipe flow, empirical relations for laminar and turbulent flows: friction factor and Darcy-Weisbach relation.
Prandtl boundary layer equations Concept and assumptions, qualitative idea of boundary layer and separation, streamlined and bluff bodies, drag and lift forces.
Flow measurements: Basic ideas of flow measurement using venturimeter, pitot-static tube and orifice plate.

Direct link to download GATE Fluid Mechanics (XE-B) syllabus PDF 

Fluid Mechanics Important Books

Fluid mechnism book gate
Book Name Author
Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications Yunus A. Cengel, John Cimbala
A Textbook of Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines R.K. Bansal
A Textbook of Fluid Mechanics R.K. Bansal
Fundamentals of fluid mechanics Bruce Roy Munson
An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics George Batchelor

Materials Science

The interdisciplinary field of materials science, also commonly termed materials science and engineering, involves the discovery and design of new materials, with an emphasis on solids. 

Topics Sub Topics
Structure Atomic structure and bonding in materials. Crystal structure of materials, crystal systems, unit cells and space lattices, determination of structures of simple crystals by x-ray diffraction, miller indices of planes and directions, packing geometry in metallic, ionic and covalent solids. Concept of amorphous, single and polycrystalline structures and their effect on properties of materials.Crystal growth techniques.Imperfections in crystalline solids and their role in influencing various properties.
Diffusion Fick’s laws and application of diffusion in sintering, doping of semiconductors and surface hardening of metals.
Metals and Alloys Solid solutions, solubility limit, phase rule, binary phase diagrams, intermediate phases, intermetallic compounds, iron-iron carbide phase diagram, heat treatment of steels, cold, hot working of metals, recovery, recrystallization and grain growth. Microstrcture, properties and applications of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.
Ceramics Structure, properties, processing and applications of traditional and advanced ceramics.
Polymers Classification, polymerization, structure and properties, additives for polymer products, processing and applications.
Composites Properties and applications of various composites.
Advanced Materials and Tools Smart materials, exhibiting ferroelectric, piezoelectric, optoelectric, semiconducting behavior, lasers and optical fibers, photoconductivity and superconductivity, nanomaterials – synthesis, properties and applications, biomaterials, superalloys, shape memory alloys. Materials characterization techniques such as, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry.
Mechanical Properties stress-strain diagrams of metallic, ceramic and polymeric materials, modulus of elasticity, yield strength, tensile strength, toughness, elongation, plastic deformation, viscoelasticity, hardness, impact strength, creep, fatigue, ductile and brittle fracture.
Thermal Properties Heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion of materials.
Electronic Properties Concept of energy band diagram for materials – conductors, semiconductors and insulators, electrical conductivity – effect of temperature on conductility, intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, dielectric properties.
Optical Properties Reflection, refraction, absorption and transmission of electromagnetic radiation in solids.
Magnetic Properties Origin of magnetism in metallic and ceramic materials, paramagnetism, diamagnetism, antiferro magnetism, ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism, magnetic hysterisis.
Environmental Degradation Corrosion and oxidation of materials, prevention.

Direct link to download GATE Material Science (XE-C) syllabus PDF

Material Science Important Books

Material science gate
Book Name Author ISBN Number
Material Science and Engineering William F. Smith, Javad Hashemi, Ravi Prakash 1259062759, 978-1259062759
Materials Science and Engineering - SIE William Smith, Javad Hashemi, Ravi Prakash 0070667179, 978-0070667174
Materials Science and Engineering I P Singh 8183600956, 978-8183600958
Materials Science Sedha R.S. 8121901464, 978-8121901468
Basics of Material Science and Engineering Made Easy Editorial Board 9351472078, 978-9351472070

Solid Mechanics

Solid mechanics is the branch of continuum mechanics that studies the behavior of solid materials, especially their motion and deformation under the action of forces, temperature changes, phase changes, and other external or internal agents.

Solid mechanics is fundamental for civil, aerospace, nuclear, biomedical and mechanical engineering, for geology, and for many branches of physics such as materials science.

Topics Sub Topics
Solid Mechanics

Equivalent force systems; free-body diagrams; equilibrium equations; analysis of determinate trusses and frames; friction; simple relative motion of particles; force as function of position, time and speed; force acting on a body in motion; laws of motion; law of conservation of energy; law of conservation of momentum.

Stresses and strains; principal stresses and strains; Mohr’s circle; generalized Hooke’s Law; thermal strain; theories of failure.

Axial, shear and bending moment diagrams; axial, shear and bending stresses; deflection (for symmetric bending); torsion in circular shafts; thin cylinders; energy methods (Castigliano’s Theorems); Euler buckling.

Free vibration of single degree of freedom systems.

Direct link to download GATE Solid Mechanics (XE-D) syllabus PDF 

Solid Mechanics Important Books

Solid mechanism GATE BOOK
Book Name Author ISBN Number
Fundamentals of Solid Mechanics: A Treatise on Strength of Materials Gambhir M.L 8120338707, 978-8120338708
Solid Mechanics: Theory, Modeling, and Problems Albrecht Bertram, Rainer Glüge 3319360035, 978-3319360034
Strength of Materials (Mechanics of Solids) R.K. Rajput 9350144786, 978-9350144787

Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is a branch of physics concerned with heat and temperature and their relation to energy and work. It applies to a wide variety of topics in science and engineering, especially physical chemistry, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering.

Topics Sub Topics
Basic Concepts

Continuum, macroscopic approach, thermodynamic system (closed and open or control volume); thermodynamic properties and equilibrium; state of a system, state diagram, path and process; different modes of work; Zeroth law of thermodynamics; concept of temperature; heat.

First Law of Thermodynamics Energy, enthalpy, specific heats, first law applied to systems and control volumes, steady and unsteady flow analysis.
Second Law of Thermodynamics Kelvin-Planck and Clausius statements, reversible and irreversible processes, Carnot theorems, thermodynamic temperature scale, Clausius inequality and concept of entropy, principle of increase of entropy; availability and irreversibility.
Properties of Pure Substances Thermodynamic properties of pure substances in solid, liquid and vapor phases, P-V-T behaviour of simple compressible substances, phase rule, thermodynamic property tables and charts, ideal and real gases, equations of state,compressibility chart.
Thermodynamic Relations T-ds relations, Maxwell equations, Joule-Thomson coefficient, coefficient of volume expansion, adiabatic and isothermal compressibilities, Clapeyron equation.
Thermodynamic cycles Carnot vapor power cycle, Ideal Rankine cycle, Rankine Reheat cycle, Air standard Otto cycle, Air standard Diesel cycle, Air-standard Brayton cycle, Vaporcompression refrigeration cycle.
Ideal Gas Mixtures Dalton’s and Amagat’s laws, calculations of properties, air-water vapor mixtures and simple thermodynamic processes involving them.

Direct link to download GATE Thermodynamics (XE-E) syllabus PDF 

Thermodynamics Important Books

Thermadynims gate book
Book Name Author ISBN Number
Heat and Thermodynamics Anandamoy Manna 8131754006, 978-8131754009
Thermodynamics Singh Kumar Ashok 9383137967, 978-9383137961
Thermodynamics and An Introduction to Thermostatistics Herbert B Callen 8126508124, 978-8126508129
Engineering Thermodynamics Gupta S.K. 8121942705, 978-8121942706

Polymer Science and Engineering

Polymer science or macromolecular science is a subfield of materials science concerned with polymers, primarily synthetic polymers such as plastics and elastomers. The field of polymer science includes researchers in multiple disciplines including chemistry, physics, and engineering.

Topics Sub Topics
Chemistry of high polymers

Monomers, functionality, degree of polymerizations, classification of polymers, glass transition, melting transition, criteria for rubberiness, polymerization methods: addition and condensation; their kinetics, metallocene polymers and other newer techniques of polymerization, copolymerization, monomer reactivity ratios and its significance, kinetics, different copolymers, random, alternating, azeotropic copolymerization, block and graft copolymers, techniques for copolymerization-bulk, solution, suspension, emulsion.

Polymer Characterization Solubility and swelling, concept of average molecular weight, determination of number average, weight average, viscosity average and Z-average molecular weights, polymer crystallinity, analysis of polymers using IR, XRD, thermal (DSC, DMTA, TGA), microscopic (optical and electronic) techniques.
Synthesis and properties Commodity and general purpose thermoplastics: PE, PP, PS, PVC, Polyesters, Acrylic, PU polymers. Engineering Plastics: Nylon, PC, PBT, PSU, PPO, ABS, Fluoropolymers Thermosetting polymers: PF, MF, UF, Epoxy, Unsaturated polyester, Alkyds. Natural and synthetic rubbers: Recovery of NR hydrocarbon from latex, SBR, Nitrile, CR, CSM, EPDM, IIR, BR, Silicone, TPE.
Polymer blends and composites Difference between blends and composites, their significance, choice of polymers for blending, blend miscibility-miscible and immiscible blends, thermodynamics, phase morphology, polymer alloys, polymer eutectics, plastic-plastic, rubberplastic and rubber-rubber blends, FRP, particulate, long and short fibre reinforced composites.
Polymer Technology Polymer compounding-need and significance, different compounding ingredients for rubber and plastics, crosslinking and vulcanization, vulcanization kinetics.
Polymer rheology Flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, different flow equations, dependence of shear modulus on temperature, molecular/segmental deformations at different zones and transitions. Measurements of rheological parameters by capillary rotating, parallel plate, cone-plate rheometer. viscoelasticity-creep and stress relaxations, mechanical models, control of rheological characteristics through compounding, rubber curing in parallel plate viscometer, ODR and MDR.
Polymer processing Compression molding, transfer molding, injection molding, blow molding, reaction injection molding, extrusion, pultrusion, calendaring, rotational molding, thermoforming, rubber processing in two-roll mill, internal mixer.
Polymer testing Mechanical-static and dynamic tensile, flexural, compressive, abrasion, endurance, fatigue, hardness, tear, resilience, impact, toughness. Conductivity-thermal and electrical, dielectric constant, dissipation factor, power factor, electric resistance, surface resistivity, volume resistivity, swelling, ageing resistance, environmental stress cracking resistance.

Direct link to download GATE Polymer Science and Engineering (XE-F) syllabus PDF  

Polymer Science and Engineering Important Books

GATE XE Polymer Science and Engineering important books
Book Name Author ISBN Number
Textbook of Polymer Science Fred W. Billmeyer 8126511109, 978-8126511105
Specialty Polymers: Materials and Applications Faiz Mohammad 8188237655, 978-8188237654
The Elements of Polymer Science and Engineering Alfred Rudin Phillip Choi 9780123821782, 0123821789
Introduction To Polymer Science And Technology N. B. Singh 8122430074

Food Technology

Food technology is a branch of food science that deals with the production processes that make foods.

Topics Sub Topics
Food Chemistry and Nutrition Carbohydrates: Structure and functional properties of monooligo-polysaccharides including starch, cellulose, pectic substances and dietary fibre; Proteins: Classification and structure of proteins in food; Lipids: Classification and structure of lipids, Rancidity of fats, Polymerization and polymorphism; Pigments: Carotenoids, chlorophylls, anthocyanins, tannins and myoglobin; Food flavours: Terpenes, esters, ketones and quinones; Enzymes: Specificity, Kinetics and inhibition, Coenzymes, Enzymatic and non-enzymatic browning; Nutrition: Balanced diet, Essential amino acids and fatty acids, PER, Water soluble and fat soluble vitamins, Role of minerals in nutrition, Antinutrients, Nutrition deficiency diseases.
Food Microbiology Characteristics of microorganisms: Morphology, structure and detection of bacteria, yeast and mold in food, Spores and vegetative cells; Microbial growth in food: Intrinsic and extrinsic factors, Growth and death kinetics, serial dilution method for quantification; Food spoilage: Contributing factors, Spoilage bacteria, Microbial spoilage of milk and milk products, meat and meat products; Foodborne disease: Toxins produced by Staphylococcus, Clostridium and Aspergillus; Bacterial pathogens: Salmonella, Bacillus, Listeria, Escherichia coli, Shigella, Campylobacter; Fermented food: Buttermilk, yoghurt, cheese, sausage, alcoholic beverage, vinegar, sauerkraut and soya sauce.
Food Products Technology Processing principles: Canning, chilling, freezing, dehydration, control of water activity, CA and MA storage, fermentation, hurdle technology, addition of preservatives and food additives, Food packaging, cleaning in place and food laws.; Grain products processing: Milling of rice, wheat, and maize, parboiling of paddy, production of bread, biscuits, extruded products and breakfast cereals, Solvent extraction, refining and hydrogenation of oil; Fruits, vegetables and plantation products processing: Extraction, clarification concentration and packaging of fruit juice, Production of jam, jelly, marmalade, squash, candies, and pickles, pectin from fruit waste, tea, coffee, chocolate and essential oils from spices; Milk and milk products processing: Pasteurized and sterilized milk, cream, butter, ghee, ice-cream, cheese and milk powder; Animal products processing: Drying and canning of fish, post mortem changes, tenderization and freezing of meat, egg powder.
Food Engineering Mass and energy balance; Momentum transfer: Flow rate and pressure drop relationships for Newtonian fluids flowing through pipe, Characteristics of non-Newtonian fluids – generalized viscosity coefficient and Reynolds number, Flow of compressible fluid, Flow measurement, Pumps and compressors; Heat transfer: Heat transfer by conduction, convection, radiation, boiling and condensation, Unsteady state heat transfer in simple geometry, NTUeffectiveness relationship of co-current and counter current double pipe heat exchanger; Mass transfer: Molecular diffusion and Fick’s Law, Steady state mass transfer, Convective mass transfer, Permeability of films and laminates; Mechanical operations: Energy requirement and rate of operations involved in size reduction of solids, high pressure homogenization, filtration, centrifugation, settling, sieving, flow through porous bed, agitation of liquid, solid-solid mixing, and single screw extrusion; Thermal operations: Energy requirement and rate of operations involved in process time evaluation in batch and continuous sterilization, evaporation of liquid foods, hot air drying of solids, spray and freeze-drying, freezing and crystallization; Mass transfer operations: Properties of air-water vapor mixture; Humidification and dehumidification operations.

Direct link to download GATE Food Technology (XE-G) syllabus PDF 

Food Technology Important Books

GATE XE Food technology important books
Book Name Author ISBN Number
Training Manual for Food and Beverage Services Mahendra Singh Negi 9385909185, 978-9385909184
Food Science B Srilakshmi 8122438091, 978-8122438093
Question Bank on food Science and Technology U D Chavan 8170358825, 978-8170358824
Foods Facts and Principles N. Shakuntala Mana 8122422152, 978-8122422153

Click Here To Solve GATE Practice Papers


Syllabus Of Other Papers


*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

Ask your question