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GATE 2020 Mechanical Engineering (ME) Exam

OverviewMock TestSyllabusQuestion PaperspreparationAnswer KeyCutoffExam DatesNewsQ&A
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Anupama Singh

Content Curator | Updated On - Jul 18, 2019

Mechanical engineering is the discipline that applies engineering, physics, engineering mathematics, and materials science principles to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems. It is one of the 25 papers of GATE exam.

  • GATE Mechanical Engineering question paper consists of total 65 questions worth 100 marks.
  • GATE Syllabus is based on the topics studied at graduation level.
  • Students are required to attempt all the questions in the duration of three hours. 
  • Check out the new changes introduced by IIT Guwahati in GATE 2020.
  • Candidates have to use GATE virtual Calculator for calculations. No physical calculator is allowed in Examination Center.

GATE 2020 is scheduled for February 01, 02, 08 and 09, 2020 in multiple sessions. The online exam conducted for admission to M.tech and Ph.D. courses. Through GATE mechanical engineering exam candidate will be able to take admission in Mechanical Engineering PG courses. Also, they can get jobs in various PSUs based on GATE score. 


GATE Mechanical Engineering Syllabus

GATE mechanical engineering syllabus is released by the conducting body on the official website. The syllabus is divided into 4 sections. Candidates can check the section wise syllabus detail as given below:

Section 1: Engineering Mathematics

Engineering Mathematics syllabus is structured to test student’s mathematical concept and his/her ability to solve mathematical problems.

Linear Algebra Matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
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.
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.
Probability and Statistics: Definitions of probability, sampling theorems, conditional probability; mean, median, mode and standard deviation; random variables, binomial, Poisson and normal distributions.

Section 2: Applied Mechanics and Design

Applied Mechanics and Design syllabus include the concept of mechanics and its application in complex situation and problems. 

Engineering Mechanics Free-body diagrams and equilibrium; trusses and frames; virtual work; kinematics and dynamics of particles and of rigid bodies in plane motion; impulse and momentum (linear and angular) and energy formulations, collisions.
Theory of Machines 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; 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.
Mechanics of Materials 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 Science

Heat Transfer Fluid properties; fluid statics, manometry, buoyancy, 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.
Fluid Mechanics 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, behaviour 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.

Material, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering

Engineering Materials Structure and properties of engineering materials, phase diagrams, heat treatment, stress-strain diagrams for engineering materials.
Metrology and Inspection Limits, fits and tolerances; linear and angular measurements; comparators; gauge design; interferometry; form and finish measurement; alignment and testing methods; tolerance analysis in manufacturing and assembly.
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.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing Basic concepts of CAD/CAM and their integration tools.
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, design of jigs and fixtures.
Production Planning and Control Forecasting models, aggregate production planning, scheduling, materials requirement planning.
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.

Read More Detailed GATE Mechanical Engineering Syllabus

Important Topics

Here we are giving the list of important topics that must be considered by the candidates and it will help them to plan out their Preparation strategy.

Topics Excepted No. of questions Expected Marks
Engineering Mechanics 4 6
Mechanics of Material 7 11
Machine Design 2 3
Theory of Machines 5 8
Heat Transfer 4 7
Fluid Mechanics 6 9
Manufacturing Engineering 8 11
Industrial Engineering 2 4
Thermodynamics 7 11
Mathematics 10 15
General Aptitude 10 15
Total 65 100

Best Coaching Centres for GATE

It is good to join a coaching center for the preparation of GATE it will definitely help to attain good marks in the examination and candidates will get a proper guidance by the experienced and trained teachers and they will be able to save their precious time from wastage.

Here is a list of top ranking coaching center across the country.

Coaching Institute City Ratings
ACE Engineering Academy Bangalore 4 Stars
Trump and Gates New Delhi 4.1 Stars
GATE Forum Chennai 4.2 Stars
Vani Institute of Engineering & Technology Chennai 4.6 Stars
IMS Guwahati Guwahati 4.9 Stars
New Cambridge College Chandigarh 4.9 Stars
Let’s Talk Academy Jaipur 5 Stars

Read More GATE Top Coaching Institute


GATE Books for ME paper

Here is the list of important books for preparation of mechanical engineering paper. 

gate books
Books Name Author Name
Strength Of Materials  SS Rattan
Theory Of Machines RS Khurmi
Mechanical Vibration GK Grover
Design Of Machine Elements VB Bhandari
Fluid Mechanics  RK Bansal
Engineering Thermodynamics Cengel & Boles
Internal Combustion Engine V Ganesan

Read More GATE Books


Internet Resources

These days there are many websites available online that provides online tutorials and web study material for the preparation of GATE. These websites have lectures conducted by the highly experienced and trained professors from the most reputed institutes of the country. To name a few NPTEL is among the top ranked website that offers courses for GATE Preparation.

Notes and Sample Papers

Many coaching institutes provide hand-made study material for the preparation of GATE and these hand-made study materials are available in both online and off- line mode. Candidates may get these handy notes from the coaching centres by joining them or may even get it online also.

Many websites provide hand-made study material online in the pdf form for free. Candidates have to visit the sites and download the notes of their respective degree courses and use it for preparation.

Candidates can also download previous year question papers and mock test from the official website.


Preparation Schedule

GATE is all about time management as the duration of the examination is less compared to the number of questions to be attempted. It is very important for the candidates to prepare a schedule so that they can cover every topic on time with any delay or confusion. Here we are providing a proper preparation schedule for GATE 2020 to help the candidates with their preparation scheme.

Engineering Mechanics (3 days)

This section holds 6-7 marks of the paper hence candidates are advised to give their time on the following topics:

  • Work and Energy
  • Structural Analysis
  • Resolving Forces
  • Equilibrium
  • Law of restitution
  • Equilibrium and Truss

Mechanics of Material (5 days)

This section comprises 6-7 marks and questions are mostly from these topics SF & BM, Deflections, Stress and strain, Concepts, Bending stress, General Theories of Failure and Mohr's Circle.

Read More GATE Preparation

Machine Design (2 days)

Machine Design holds 5-6 marks in total and the important topics that must be considered while preparing this subject are Failure Theories, Design of gears and bearings, Joints, Fatigue Strength and the S-N Diagram.

Theory of Machines (9 days)

This section accounts for 10-12 marks in total and cover topics such as Flywheel, Linkages, Gear train,  Inversions of single and double slider crank, Free damped vibrations, Linear Vibration Analysis of Mechanical systems, D.O.F. of Mechanisms and Finding Natural Frequencies (Under damped, Critically Damped, Over damped).

Heat Transfer (2 days)

This section accounts for 4-5 marks and questions are generally from topics such as Shape factor in radiation Conduction, Critical thickness, Problem in Heat exchangers like NTU and numbers in convection like Pr No, Gr No, Re No, etc.

Fluid Mechanics (12 days)

This section holds 12-13 marks of the question paper and has questions from these topics: Pump Parameters, Bernoulli’s Law, Simple & Differential Piezometer, Velocity potential, Reynolds’s no. Calculation, Hydraulic Power, Nozzle Velocity of Turbines, Flow through Pipes and Boundary layer theory.

Manufacturing Engineering (13 days)

This section is the most time-consuming and holds 11-14 marks of the total marks. Questions are basically from the topics such as Orthogonal cutting, Casting types and design of castings, Riser and Gate design of casting,  Tool life equation, Resistance welding and Problems on welding.

Industrial Engineering (10 days)

Industrial Engineering section of the paper accounts for 9-10 marks and have questions mostly from the topics such as EOQ problems,  CPM, PERT, Queuing theory, Work Study And Measurement, Scheduling And Johnson's Rule Time Study, Inventory control, and Poisson’s Arrivals & Departures.

Thermodynamics (9 days)

Thermodynamics consist of 12-15 marks and therefore it is essential to prepare this section very strongly to score high in the examination. The important topics of this section are Otto, Dual cycle, Laws of Thermodynamics, Turbines, Problems on Diesel, Detonation and Knocking, Turbo machinery, Entropy and Properties Of Pure Substances.

Mathematics (13 days)

This section of the paper contains the maximum number of questions and holds maximum marks hence it is necessary to give more time and attention to this section.

General Aptitude (13 days)

General Aptitude section of the paper consist of 10 questions of 15 marks and are easy to score and attempt if practiced properly.

Read More GATE Cutoff for all NITs and IIITs


IIT GATE Mechanical Engineering Cut off

Check the expected cut off of IITs for mechanical engineering from the table given below: 

IITs GATE Cutoff
IIT Roorkee 1736 (Closing Rank)
IIT Kharagpur 840 GATE Score
IIT BHU 752 GATE Score
IIT Bombay 600 GATE Score
IIT Gandhinagar 400 GATE Score
IIT Madras 798 GATE Score

PSU Hiring through GATE

Here is the list of PSUs which hires the Mechanical Engineer graduate through GATE 2018 score:

 PSU CTC Offered
BPCL  INR 24900 – 50500/- per month
MDL INR 5.98-14.77 lakh per annum
IOCL INR 11.25 lakhs per annum
GAIL INR 24900 -50500/- per month
BHEL INR 20600- 46500/- per month
NCPIL INR 15600-39100/- per month
HPCL INR 24900-50,500/-per month
NTPC INR 24900-50,500/-per month
OIL INR 24900-50,500/-per month
CEL INR 6.5 lakh per annum

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

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