Before getting into the details of the GATE 2020 Mechanical Engineering syllabus,
Let’s have an overview of the exam:
GATE 2020 for Mechanical Engineering consists of 3 sections:
(i) General Aptitude
(ii) Engineering Mathematics
(iii) Subject-specific section

Syllabus for General Aptitude (GA) (Common to all Papers)
➢ Verbal Ability
- English grammar, sentence completion, verbal analogies, word groups, instructions, critical reasoning, and verbal deduction.
➢ Numerical Ability
- Numerical computation, numerical estimation, numerical reasoning, and data interpretation.
Mechanical Engineering
Section 1: Engineering Mathematics
1.1 Linear Algebra
- Matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
1.2 Calculus
- Functions of a single variable, limit, continuity and differentiability, mean value theorems, indeterminate forms; evaluation of definite and improper integrals; double and triple integrals; partial 64 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.
1.3 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.
1.4 Complex variables
- Analytic functions; Cauchy-Riemann equations; Cauchy’s integral theorem and integral formula; Taylor and Laurent series.
1.5 Probability and Statistics
- Definitions of probability, sampling theorems, conditional probability; mean, median, mode and standard deviation; random variables, binomial, Poisson, and normal distributions.
1.6 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
2.1 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.
2.2 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; deflection of beams; torsion of circular shafts; Euler’s theory of columns; energy methods; thermal stresses; strain gauges and rosettes; testing of materials with the universal testing machine; testing of hardness and impact strength.
2.3 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.
2.4 Vibrations
- Free and forced vibration of single degree of freedom systems, the effect of damping; vibration isolation; resonance; critical speeds of shafts.
2.5 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
3.1 Fluid Mechanics
- Fluid properties; fluid statics, manometry, buoyancy, forces on submerged bodies, the 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; the viscous flow of incompressible fluids, boundary layer, elementary turbulent flow, flow through pipes, head losses in pipes, bends, and fittings.
3.2 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, the 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.
3.3 Thermodynamics
- Thermodynamic systems and processes; properties of pure substances, the 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.
3.4 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 65 chart, basic psychrometric processes. Turbomachinery: Impulse and reaction principles, velocity diagrams, Pelton-wheel, Francis, and Kaplan turbines.
Section 4: Materials, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
4.1 Engineering Materials
- Structure and properties of engineering materials, phase diagrams, heat treatment, stress-strain diagrams for engineering materials.
4.2 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.
4.3 Machining and Machine Tool Operations
- Mechanics of machining; basic machine tools; single and multipoint 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.
4.4 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.
4.5 Computer Integrated Manufacturing
- Basic concepts of CAD/CAM and their integration tools.
4.6 Production Planning and Control
- Forecasting models, aggregate production planning, scheduling, materials requirement planning.
4.7 Inventory Control
- Deterministic models; safety stock inventory control systems.
4.8 Operations Research
- Linear programming, simplex method, transportation, assignment, network flow models, simple queuing models, PERT, and CPM.