GATE Geology and Geophysics (GG) — Syllabus, PYQs & Preparation
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, paper GG (Geology and Geophysics). GATE 2027 is organised by IIT Madras. A GATE score is used for admission to postgraduate programmes and by public sector companies for recruitment. Paper structure: General Aptitude 15 marks, Part A (common) 25 marks, and Part B1 Geology or Part B2 Geophysics 60 marks, chosen at the time of application.
Important dates
- Registration Opens: 2 Sept 2026
- Regular Registration Closes: 5 Oct 2026
- Extended Registration Closes (with late fee): 12 Oct 2026
- Application Correction Window Opens: 14 Oct 2026
- Application Correction Window Closes: 21 Oct 2026
- Exam City Allotment: 4 Jan 2027
- GATE 2027 Exam Window Begins: 6 Feb 2027
- GATE 2027 Exam Window Ends: 21 Feb 2027
- Results: 19 Mar 2027
Eligibility
- Qualification: Candidates currently in the 3rd or higher year of any undergraduate degree programme, or who have completed any government approved degree programme in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities.
Candidates with a degree from outside India must be in the 3rd or higher year of, or have completed, a Bachelor's degree of at least three years. See the eligibility table on the GATE 2027 website for each degree type.
Selection process
- GATE Examination: Computer based test of 65 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours. Qualifying in GATE does not guarantee admission, scholarship, or employment; admission to any institute is solely subject to that institute's own eligibility and selection criteria
Exam pattern
- GATE GG, 65 questions, 100 marks, 180 minutes, Online CBT, negative marking: 1/3 mark deducted for a wrong 1-mark MCQ and 2/3 mark for a wrong 2-mark MCQ; no negative marking for MSQ or NAT; no partial marking in MSQ
How to apply
Apply online through the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) linked from the GATE 2027 website.
- Application fee (Female/SC/ST/PwD - one paper (regular period)): Rs 1000
- Application fee (All other candidates - one paper (regular period)): Rs 2000
- Application fee (Female/SC/ST/PwD - two papers (regular period)): Rs 2000
- Application fee (All other candidates - two papers (regular period)): Rs 4000
- Application fee (Female/SC/ST/PwD - one paper (extended period)): Rs 1500
- Application fee (All other candidates - one paper (extended period)): Rs 2500
- Application fee (Female/SC/ST/PwD - two papers (extended period)): Rs 2500
- Application fee (All other candidates - two papers (extended period)): Rs 4500
GATE Geology and Geophysics (GG) syllabus
General Aptitude (10Q/15M)
- Basic English Grammar (GATE)
- Basic Vocabulary (GATE)
- Reading and Comprehension (GATE)
- Narrative Sequencing (GATE)
- Data Interpretation (GATE)
- Numerical Computation and Estimation (GATE)
- Mensuration and Geometry (GATE)
- Elementary Statistics and Probability (GATE)
- Logic: Deduction and Induction (GATE)
- Analogy (GATE)
- Numerical Relations and Reasoning (GATE)
- Transformation of Shapes (GATE)
Part A Common (25M)
- Introduction to Earth and planetary systems (GATE GG)
- Plate Tectonics (GATE GG)
- Earth surface processes (GATE GG)
- Basic structural geology (GATE GG)
- Mineralogy (GATE GG)
- Common Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks (GATE GG)
- Stratigraphy and Geological time scale (GATE GG)
- Introduction to remote sensing (GATE GG)
- Elements of hydrogeology (GATE GG)
Part B1 Geology (60M)
- Geomorphology (GATE GG)
- Structural Geology (GATE GG)
- Crystallography and Mineralogy (GATE GG)
- Geochemistry (GATE GG)
- Igneous Petrology (GATE GG)
- Thermodynamics (GATE GG)
- Sedimentology (GATE GG)
- Metamorphic Petrology (GATE GG)
- Paleontology (GATE GG)
- Stratigraphy (GATE GG)
- Resource Geology (GATE GG)
- Engineering Geology (GATE GG)
- Hydrogeology (GATE GG)
- Remote Sensing (GATE GG)
Part B2 Geophysics (60M)
- Heat flow (GATE GG)
- Geodesy (GATE GG)
- Seismology and Interior of the Earth (GATE GG)
- Earthquake Seismology (GATE GG)
- Potential and Time Varying Fields (GATE GG)
- Advanced topics in Geophysics: Gravity (GATE GG)
- Magnetic Methods (GATE GG)
- Electrical Methods (GATE GG)
- Electromagnetic Methods (GATE GG)
- Seismic Methods (GATE GG)
- Reservoir Geophysics (GATE GG)
- Geophysical Signal Processing (GATE GG)
- Geophysical Well Logging (GATE GG)
- Geophysical Inversion (GATE GG)