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GATE 2021 Mechanical Engineering Syllabus: The syllabus for Mechanical Engineering is available on this page for GATE 2021 aspirants. Candidates can also check the syllabus for all GATE 2021 papers on its official website. Note that the syllabus for all the papers is different. There will be 65 questions in the exam, out of which 55 will be based on Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics. The remaining 10 questions are based on the General Aptitude section. Candidates can check the syllabus for the same on this page.
GATE 2021 Mechanical Engineering Syllabus
The syllabus of Mechanical Engineering syllabus is divided into 4 broad sections. These sections are Engineering Mathematics, Applied Mechanics and Design, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, and Materials, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering. There are various topics under each of the sections.
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.
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, 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, behavior 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 2021 General Aptitude Syllabus
General Aptitude is the section that is common in all the 25 subject papers of GATE 2021. Note that the syllabus of this section also remains the same throughout all the papers in GATE. This section will hold a total of 10 questions in the exam. Out of these, 5 questions will be carrying 1-mark each and the rest of the 5 questions will be carrying 2-marks each. The GA section is divided into Verbal Ability and Numerical Ability. The syllabus for this section is given below.
Verbal Ability
- English grammar
- Sentence completion
- Instructions
- Verbal analogies
- Word groups
- Critical reasoning
- Verbal deduction
Numerical Ability
- Numerical computation
- Numerical reasoning
- Numerical estimation
- Data interpretation
GATE 2021 ME Mock Tests
Solving mock tests helps you prepare better for the exam. Practicing the mocks is an important step of GATE 2021 preparation and candidates should not take it lightly. Solve as many mock tests as you can.
GATE 2021 Mechanical Engineering Exam Pattern
Candidates must go through the exam pattern as well as the marking scheme of GATE 2021. The analyzing of both of them will help you in having a better understanding of the exam. If you know the exam related information such as the type of questions that will be asked in the exam or how will be the marking done, then you will be able to prepare accordingly. Candidates can have a look at the exam pattern of Mechanical Engineering GATE 2021.
| Section | Total Marks |
| GA | 15% of the total marks |
| Mathematics | 15% of the total marks |
| ME – Subject-Based | 70% of the total marks |
Exam Mode: The exam will be conducted through the online mode and it will be a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
Duration: 3 hours
Types of questions: MCQs and NAT
No./Name of the sections: 3 sections – General Aptitude, Mathematics and Subject-based
Total questions: 65 questions
Total marks: 100 marks
Negative Marking: For MCQs only
Marking scheme
| Type of question | Negative marking for wrong answer | Marking for correct answer |
| MCQs | ⅓ for 1 mark questions⅔ for 2 marks questions | 1 or 2 marks |
| NATs | No negative marking | 1 or 2 marks |
How to Prepare for GATE Mechanical Engineering?
Students can get overwhelmed by the idea of self-studying. However, they should know that it’s not that difficult to prepare by oneself. You just need more discipline in your daily and an iron will to practice ruthlessly. Your preparation should be done following a strategy. Without it, you will not be able to prepare well. You might jump from topic to topic and leave the ones that are difficult to understand. Though this is not the right way to go about it. We have mentioned a few steps that you must follow in the same order.
Make a proper plan
Don’t start your GATE preparation without making a plan. Preparing according to your set strategy will help you in being disciplined. You must follow the plan otherwise there is no use of making it in the first place. Decide how much syllabus you have to cover in how much time. Then try to meet that target. Make short-term and long-term targets. If you follow an effective plan you will be able to successfully aim high in the exam.
Prepare for the subject
We often forget the reason why we started the journey. Same thing happens when you are preparing for more than one section. While you have prepared well for the General Aptitude section, you might blindside the main section of the exam. Your focus should be on preparing for the subject i.e, Mechanical Engineering equally. It is a big and important section. Most of the weightage is from the subject based section. Thus you should keep in mind to prepare well for the subject.
Practice question papers
Solve as many question papers as you can. Ranging from different types of mock tests to previous years’ question papers. Try to always practice without looking at the solutions. Your real preparation is done when you practice numericals without any help or peeping at the answers every time. Your practice should be extensive but honest as well.
Practice online calculator
Students must practice the online calculator. Since the exam will be conducted online, you will only be able to use the online calculator. Many students ignore this small thing and lose marks in the exam. It is always better to prepare in advance. You must avoid losing marks because of silly reasons. Practicing the online calculator will also help you in saving a lot of time in the exam.
Make your own notes
You should not rely on notes from other sources. You can use them to create your own notes but don’t be dependent on them completely. You should first understand the concept well and then write your own notes. This will help you in understanding the topic well and it increases your chances of scoring in the exam.
Books for GATE ME Preparation
Candidates must make sure that they prepare for GATE 2021 from the best material only. Also, try to study from only a few books and don’t overexert yourself. We have suggested a few books below that you can use for your preparation.
| Title of the book | Name of the Author/ Publication | Link to buy |
| GATE Mechanical Engineering | GATE 2010 by Pearson | Pearson | LINK |
| Mechanical Engineering GATE 2021 | Arihant Experts | LINK |
| GATE 2021 – GUIDE – Mechanical Engineering | GKP | LINK |
GATE 2021 Preparation FAQs
Q1. How many sections are there in the GATE 2021 Mechanical Engineering exam?
Ans. There are three sections in the Mechanical Engineering subject – General Aptitude, Mathematics and the Subject-based. For more information, go through the exam pattern of GATE 2021 given above.
Q2. What type of questions will be asked in the General Aptitude section?
Ans. There will be Multiple Choice Questions in the General Aptitude section in GATE 2021.