Writer-Editorial Content | Updated On - Oct 15, 2024
IIT Roorkee has released GATE 2025 Mechanical Engineering Syllabus on the official website i.e. gate2025.iitr.ac.in. The syllabus is similar to the last year and no sections are added or deleted from the syllabus. 85% questions comes from Engineering Mathematics, Applied Mechanics & Design, Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences and Materials, Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering and 15% of questions come from General Aptitude.
Based on the previous year's exam analysis, topics such as Strength of Materials, Engineering Mathematics, Fluid mechanics, Thermal Science and Manufacturing Science from GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus 2025 are expected to have a higher weightage.
- GATE Mechanical Engineering Question Paper consists of 65 questions of 100 marks.
- 10 questions are asked from the General Aptitude section and 55 questions are from Engineering Mathematics and Core Discipline.
- Candidates applying for Mechanical Engineering as their first paper in GATE 2025 can opt for AE, IN, NM, PI, XE as their second paper.
GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus 2025
GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) paper receives the maximum number of applications each year which means the competition is very high in this field. GATE Syllabus 2025 for Mechanical Engineering (ME) consists of topics from General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics and Core Discipline. You can download the detailed syllabus using the link provided below.
| Subject | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | Click here |
| Table of Contents |
Quick Links:
| GATE 2025 Mock Test | GATE 2025 Online Coaching | GATE 2025 Preparation Tips |
| GATE 2025 Cutoff | GATE 2025 Score Validity | GATE 2025 Books |
GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus 2025
The section below covers all the Chapters and topics from GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus 2025.
Syllabus of General Aptitude
| Subject | Sections | Topics | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 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. | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Data interpretation: data graphs (bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphs representing 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. | ||
| Spatial Aptitude | Transformation of shapes: translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, and grouping paper folding, cutting, and patterns in 2 and 3 dimensions. | ||
Syllabus of Engineering Mathematics
| Sections | Sections Name | Chapters Name | Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | Engineering Mathematics | 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. | ||
| 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. |
Syllabus of the Core Mechanical Engineering Subjects
| Section No | Subjects | Chapters | Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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, StefanBoltzmann 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; 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. |
GATE Mechanical Engineering Important Topics
Based on the previous years’ GATE Mechanical Engineering Paper Analysis, the important topics are mentioned below.
| Chapters | Topics |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Metal Cutting, Casting, Welding, Forming (Rolling), Limit, Tolerance |
| Thermodynamics and its Application | 1st Law of Thermodynamics (Heat & Work calculation)2nd Law of ThermodynamicsEntropyRankine CycleBrayton CycleVCRS CyclePsychometry |
| Theory of Machines | Simple mechanism (Angular Velocity Ratio)Gear Train (Epicyclic Gear Train)FlywheelVibration |
| Mechanics of Materials | Stress & StrainSFD, BMDSlope & DeflectionTorsion |
| Fluid Mechanics | Fluid KinematicsFluid DynamicsFlow Through pipesBoundary Layer Theory |
| Industrial | InventoryNetwork Model (PERT 7 CPM)Queuing Theory |
| Engineering Mechanics | Dynamics- Newton’s Law, Work Energy Principle, Impulse Momentum EquationTrussFriction |
| Heat Transfer | Conduction (Steady state conduction, Fin, Lumped Analysis)Radiation (Shape Factor, Stefan Boltzmann law)Convection (Flow through Flat plate & pipes) |
| Machine Design | Design for Static and Dynamic load (Theories of Failure, Soderberg line, Goodman line)BearingsDesign of Clutches and Brakes |
GATE Mechanical Engineering 2025 Subject-Wise Weightage (Expected)
| Topics | GATE ME Weightage of Important Topics- Expected (Marks) |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 14-15 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 15 |
| Applied Mechanics and Design | |
| Engineering Mechanics | 2-3 |
| Mechanics of Materials/ Strength of Materials | 9-10 |
| Theory of Machines | 9-10 |
| Vibrations | |
| Machine Design | 4-5 |
| Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences | |
| Fluid Mechanics | 6-7 |
| Heat-Transfer | 5-6 |
| Thermodynamics | 12-13 |
| Applications | |
| Materials, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering | |
| Engineering Materials | 1-2 |
| Casting, Forming and Joining Processes; Machining and Machine Tool Operations; Metrology and Inspection; Production Planning and Control | 14-15 |
| Industrial Engineering; Operations Research; Computer Integrated Manufacturing | 7-8 |
GATE Previous Years’ Weightage of Subjects in Mechanical Engineering
Subject-Wise weightage for Mechanical Engineering is provided below.
| Subject | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 13.5 |
| Engineering Mechanics | 4 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 |
| Mechanics of Materials | 8 | 6 | 7 | 5.5 | 9 | 11 |
| Machine Design | 5 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Theory of Machines and Vibrations | 10 | 7 | 8 | 9.5 | 7.5 | |
| Fluid Mechanics | 9 | 4 | 7 | 7.5 | 7 | 9.5 |
| Thermal Engineering | 8 | 4 | 6 | 13 | 9.5 | 11 |
| Heat Transfer | 5 | 10 | 6 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 5.5 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | 19 | 15 | 18 | 16.5 | 15 | 16.5 |
| Industrial Engineering | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6.5 | 4.5 | 5 |
| General Aptitude | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Quick Links:
Preparation Tips For Gate Mechanical Engineering Aspirants
Since the GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) paper receives the most applications, it, therefore, becomes important to prepare a strategy that will suit the candidate and be helpful to them. Mentioned below are a few preparation tips for the GATE 2025 ME paper-
Go through your syllabus and exam pattern. If necessary, download a copy of the GATE ME syllabus PDF for future reference. Divide your syllabus into increasing order of difficulty level so that you can prepare your preparation plan based on the difficulty level of the topics.
What can be done to enhance speed and accuracy?
To improve speed and accuracy, practise more practice papers or online tests. If possible, plan your study plan so that you can solve 1-2 practice tests after every 3 days or at least once a week. Instead of using the scientific calculator make use of the GATE Virtual Calculator every time you sit to solve questions or mock tests. This will help you in saving a lot of time while writing the actual exam.
How much time do I need to dedicate to a good score?
Allocate at least 6-8 hours a day for GATE ME preparation and 1-2 hours daily for revision. Do not leave any topic for the end. Try to complete all the topics on time. Regular revision sessions will help you to remember all the important points at the time of examination. Make short notes for revisions to save time. Take a quick look at these notes before you start solving any ME mock test.
Should I practise PYQs and take tests?
Solving PYQs and taking tests not only gives you an idea of exam patterns but also enhances your speed and accuracy. After completing all the chapters in each subject you must solve PYQs and take online or offline tests. After the final revision, you must solve the entire question paper within a time limit. You can solve one to two papers per day till the exam day.
What should be the subject sequence?
You cannot start studying a chapter randomly or based on its weightage. You need to plan the subject sequence wisely as the chapters are interconnected. Engineering Mechanics is the most fundamental chapter as it talks about the basics of force, mass, movement etc and it helps to understand other chapters. Therefore starting with this chapter will be a good idea. It might take 1 to 1.5 months to complete this chapter with practice questions if your fundamentals are not strong. If your basics are clear then you can start your preparation with Strength of Materials.
Then you can go for Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics & Applied Thermodynamics or you can cover the Theory of Machines with Engineering Mechanics. Further, you can go for Machine Design and Heat Transfer. Next comes Material science, Meteorology, Manufacturing & Production. You should cover Industrial Engineering & Operation Research at the last.
Best Books for GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) 2025
Although there are several books available in the market for GATE 2025 Mechanical Engineering Preparation, the list given below contains the books highly recommended by several GATE Toppers. Apart from the text books students can opt for these books for better score in the exam.
| GATE Preparation Books for Mechanical Engineering | Author |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Vibration | GK Grover |
| Design Of Machine Elements | VB Bhandari |
| Engineering Mechanics | SS Bhavikatti R.C Hibbeler Andrew Pytel A.K. Tayal |
| Fluid Mechanics | RK Bansal Cengel & Boles K.L Kumar Subramanya |
| Advanced Engineering Mathematics | RK Jain SRK Iyengar |
| Machine Design | Alfred Hall V.B. Bhandari |
| Production Technology | Ghosh & mallik Dr. Swadesh Singh Kalpakjian |
| Industrial Engineering & Operation Research | G. K. Publications Hira & Gupta Martand Telsang |
| Strength of Materials | Beer & Johnston James Gere B.C. Punmia |
| Thermodynamics | Cengel & Boles P.K. Nag |
| Heat Transfer | Cengel R.C. Sachdeva |
| Material Science | William Callister |
Also Check:
GATE Mechanical Engineering Previous Years Question Papers with Answer Key
GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Question Paper PDFs are available for download. Candidates can now download the question papers using the links below. GATE Mechanical Engineering Question Paper consists of three sections - General Aptitude (15 marks), Engineering Mathematics, and the core subject.
GATE 2024
| Exam Date | Session | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|---|
| February 3 | Afternoon Session | Check Here |
GATE 2023
| Exam Date | Session | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|---|
| February 4 | Afternoon Session | Click Here |
GATE 2022
| Exam Date | Session | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|---|
| February 13 | Forenoon Session | Check Here |
| February 13 | Afternoon Session | Check Here |
GATE 2021
| Exam Date | Session | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|---|
| February 14 | Forenoon Session | Check Here |
| February 14 | Afternoon Session | Check Here |
GATE 2020
| Exam Date | Session | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|---|
| February 1 | Forenoon Session | Check Here |
| February 1 | Afternoon Session | Check Here |
Quick Links:
GATE Syllabus 2025 for Other Papers
Must Read:
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: What is the right source to get the GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus?
Ans: Detailed GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus as well as for other engineering streams can be downloaded from the official website at gate.iitkgp.ac.in and is also available at- GATE Syllabus 2025. GATE ME Syllabus comprises six sections encompassing the core subjects of the Mechanical Engineering stream. The article includes all the topics and sub-topics from each section of GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus.
Ques: There are four major sections in GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus. Is it compulsory to prepare for all the sections or will there be any choice between them?
Ans: No. There will be no choice. In order to qualify GATE ME 2025 you have to prepare all the topics mentioned in the syllabus for all the four sections and also General Aptitude. There is no need to cover extra topics other than those mentioned in the syllabus unless that topic is helping you in understanding the basics. All the questions will be asked from GATE ME syllabus provided by the authorities.
Ques: What are the major topics in GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus?
Ans: Depending upon the weightage of topics some of the important topics from core GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus are:
- Mechanics of Materials- 9-10 marks
- Theory of Machines and Vibrations- 9-10 marks
- Thermodynamics and its Application- 12-13 marks
- Manufacturing- 14-15 marks
- Industrial Engineering- 7-8 marks
Covering these 5 topics from GATE ME Syllabus will ensure 50% marks in the exam.
Ques: Which books are best for Fluid Mechanics?
Ans: All the candidates are advised to refer to their graduation level books and notes. Those books will help you in understanding the basic concepts very easily. Other than that to prepare for the fluid mechanic's section you can refer to R.K. Bansal's books on Fluid Mechanics.
Ques: What will be the marking scheme of GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) paper?
Ans:GATE ME paper will be of 100 marks with total 65 questions. Each correct answer ensures 1 or 2 marks while there is a negative mark for each incorrect MCQ.
- Negative Marking: For MCQs only
- - 1/3 for 1 mark MCQs
- - 2/3 for 2 marks MCQs
- No negative marking for NATs
| Sections | Total Questions | Total Marks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mark Questions | 2 marks Questions | ||
| General Aptitude | 5 | 5 | (5 x 1) + (5 x 2) = 15 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 25 | 30 | (25 x 1) + (30 x 2) = 85 |
| Core Discipline- Mechanical Engineering | |||
| Total | 30 | 35 | 100 |
Ques: Which is the most important topic to prepare for the GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus?
Ans. All topics from GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) paper are of equal importance while preparing for the exam. However, a few topics do have a higher weightage in the exam. Candidates can check topic-wise weightage of important topics from the article. Some of the most important topics from GATE ME Syllabus are- Manufacturing Science, Engineering Mathematics, Fluid mechanics, Thermodynamics. Check GATE ME Weightage of Important Topics.
Ques: What is the syllabus for General Aptitude in GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus?
Ans. GATE General Aptitude Syllabus for ME is the same as other 29 papers. The major topics include-
- Verbal Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Analytical Aptitude
- Spatial Aptitude
Ques: What is the weightage of General Aptitude as per GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus?
Ans. The weightage of General Aptitude as per GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Syllabus is the same as all the other papers. General Aptitude constitutes 15% of the total marks in GATE exam, that is around 15 Marks.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
Comments