GATE Engineering Sciences (XE) — Syllabus, PYQs & Preparation
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, paper XE (Engineering Sciences). 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, XE0 Engineering Mathematics 15 marks (compulsory), and any two of the other sections at 35 marks each, chosen during the exam.
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 XE, 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 Engineering Sciences (XE) 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)
XE0 Engineering Mathematics (15M, compulsory)
- Linear Algebra (GATE XE)
- Functions of Single Variable (GATE XE)
- Functions of Two Variables (GATE XE)
- Sequences and Series (GATE XE)
- Vector Calculus (GATE XE)
- Complex variables (GATE XE)
- Ordinary Differential Equations (GATE XE)
- Partial Differential Equations (GATE XE)
- Probability and Statistics (GATE XE)
- Numerical Methods (GATE XE)
XE1 Fluid Mechanics (35M, choose any two)
- Classification of Flows (GATE XE)
- Hydrostatics (GATE XE)
- Kinematics of Fluid Motion (GATE XE)
- Integral Analysis for a Control Volume (GATE XE)
- Differential Analysis (GATE XE)
- Dimensional Analysis (GATE XE)
- Internal Flows (GATE XE)
- Potential Flows (GATE XE)
- External Flows (GATE XE)
XE2 Materials Science (35M, choose any two)
- Classification of Materials (GATE XE)
- Fundamentals of crystallography (GATE XE)
- Close-packed crystal structures of elements (GATE XE)
- Crystalline and other ordered structures of carbon (GATE XE)
- Crystalline structure of compounds (GATE XE)
- Structure of amorphous materials (GATE XE)
- Solid solutions (GATE XE)
- Structure of polymers (GATE XE)
- Zero-dimensional or point defects (GATE XE)
- One-dimensional or line defects (GATE XE)
- Two-dimensional or surface defects (GATE XE)
- Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Phase Transformations (GATE XE)
- Mechanical properties (GATE XE)
- Electronic Properties (GATE XE)
- Magnetic Properties (GATE XE)
- Thermal Properties (GATE XE)
- Optical Properties (GATE XE)
- X-ray diffraction (GATE XE)
- Tensile test (GATE XE)
- Thermal analysis techniques (GATE XE)
- Heat Treatment of steels (GATE XE)
- Heat treatment of aluminium alloys (GATE XE)
- Silicon processing (GATE XE)
- Electrochemical basis of corrosion of metals (GATE XE)
- Polymer degradation (GATE XE)
XE3 Solid Mechanics (35M, choose any two)
XE4 Thermodynamics (35M, choose any two)
- Basic Concepts (GATE XE)
- Properties of Pure Substances (GATE XE)
- First Law of Thermodynamics (GATE XE)
- Second Law of Thermodynamics (GATE XE)
- Entropy (GATE XE)
- Thermodynamic Relations (GATE XE)
- Thermodynamic Cycles (GATE XE)
- Mixtures of Ideal Gases (GATE XE)
XE5 Polymer Science and Engineering (35M, choose any two)
- Polymer Chemistry (GATE XE)
- Polymer Characterization (GATE XE)
- Synthesis, Manufacturing and Properties (GATE XE)
- Polymer Blends and Composites (GATE XE)
- Additives, Compounding and Formulations (GATE XE)
- Polymer Rheology (GATE XE)
- Polymer Processing (GATE XE)
- Polymer Testing (GATE XE)
- Polymer Recycling, Waste Management and Sustainability (GATE XE)
XE6 Food Technology (35M, choose any two)
- Carbohydrates (GATE XE, XL)
- Proteins (GATE XE, XL)
- Lipids (GATE XE, XL)
- Pigments (GATE XE, XL)
- Food Flavours (GATE XE, XL)
- Nutrition (GATE XE, XL)
- Chemical and Biochemical Changes (GATE XE, XL)
- Characteristics of Microorganisms (GATE XE, XL)
- Microbial Growth (GATE XE, XL)
- Food Spoilage (GATE XE, XL)
- Toxins from Microbes (GATE XE, XL)
- Fermented Foods and Beverages (GATE XE, XL)
- Probiotic foods (GATE XE, XL)
- Processing Principles (GATE XE, XL)
- Non thermal technologies (GATE XE, XL)
- Food packaging and storage (GATE XE, XL)
- Oil Processing (GATE XE, XL)
- Fruits and Vegetables Processing (GATE XE, XL)
- Plantation crops processing and products (GATE XE, XL)
- Milk and Milk Products Processing (GATE XE, XL)
- Processing of animal products (GATE XE, XL)
- Waste Utilization (GATE XE, XL)
- Food standards and Quality Maintenance (GATE XE, XL)
- Food Engineering (GATE XE, XL)
- Momentum Transfer (GATE XE, XL)
- Heat transfer (GATE XE, XL)
- Mass Transfer (GATE XE, XL)
- Mechanical Operations (GATE XE, XL)
- Thermal operations (GATE XE, XL)
- Mass Transfer Operations (GATE XE, XL)
XE7 Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (35M, choose any two)
XE8 Energy Science (35M, choose any two)
- Fossil energy resources (GATE XE)
- Nuclear energy resources (GATE XE)
- Solar thermal systems (GATE XE)
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems (GATE XE)
- Energy Resources and Conversion Technologies: Biomass (GATE XE)
- Wind energy conversion systems (GATE XE)
- Energy Resources and Conversion Technologies: Hydropower (GATE XE)
- Energy storage systems (GATE XE)
- Economic analysis of energy systems (GATE XE)
- Environmental impacts of energy use (GATE XE)
- Energy management (GATE XE)