GATE 2026 Fluid Mechanics Syllabus (Out): Topics & Weightage Wise Syllabus

GATE 2026 Fluid Mechanics Syllabus (Out): Topics & Weightage Wise Syllabus

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Team Careers360Updated on 10 Oct 2025, 12:35 PM IST

GATE 2026 Fluid Mechanics Syllabus - IIT Guwahati has pulished the GATE Fluid Mechanics syllabus 2026 on its official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can also find the GATE XE-B syllabus in this article. Aspirants must cover all the topics mentioned in the syllabus to ensure high scores. The GATE syllabus helps candidates know what to study and what to skip. The GATE fluid mechanics paper is an optional subject in the GATE engineering sciences exam. Along with the syllabus, candidates must also be aware of the GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences exam pattern, as fluid mechanics is included under XE. The Fluid Mechanics syllabus for GATE 2026 comprises 9 chapters. Candidates can check the detailed topic-wise GATE 2026 fluid mechanics syllabus on this page.

GATE 2026 Fluid Mechanics Syllabus (Out): Topics & Weightage Wise Syllabus
GATE 2026 Fluid Mechanics Syllabus

IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE 2026 exam on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026. The authority will prepare the GATE question paper as per the GATE fluid mechanics syllabus 2026. Along with the syllabus, candidates must check the GATE exam pattern to understand the format of the exam. Candidates are advised to practice the GATE mock tests after completing the GATE 2026 fluid mechanics syllabus.

GATE Fluid Mechanics syllabus 2026

IIT Guwahati has released the GATE fluid mechanics syllabus online. The GATE 2026 fluid mechanics syllabus includes topics such as flow and fluid properties, differential analysis, internal flows, external flows and more. The GATE engineering mathematics section has a weightage of 15 marks.

GATE Fluid Mechanics (XE-B) syllabus

Chapters

Topics

Flow and Fluid Properties

Fluid Properties: Density, viscosity, surface tension, relationship between stress and strain-rate for Newtonian fluids. Classification of Flows: Viscous versus inviscid flows, incompressible versus compressible flows, internal versus external flows, steady versus unsteady flows, laminar versus turbulent flows, 1-D, 2-D and 3-D flows, Newtonian versus non-Newtonian fluid flow. Hydrostatics: Buoyancy, manometry, forces on submerged bodies and its stability.

Kinematics of Fluid Motion

Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions of fluid motion. Concept of local, convective and material derivatives. Streamline, streakline, pathline and timeline.

Integral Analysis for a Control Volume

Reynolds Transport Theorem (RTT) for conservation of mass, linear and angular momentum.

Differential Analysis

Differential equations of mass and momentum for incompressible flows. Inviscid flows - Euler equations and viscous flows - Navier-Stokes equations. Concept of fluid rotation, vorticity, stream function and circulation. Exact solutions of Navier-Stokes equations for Couette flow and Poiseuille flow, thin film flow

Dimensional Analysis

Concept of geometric, kinematic and dynamic similarity. Buckingham Pi theorem and its applications. Non-dimensional parameters and their physical significance - Reynolds number, Froude number and Mach number.

Internal Flows

Fully developed pipe flow. Empirical relations for laminar and turbulent flows: friction factor, Darcy-Weisbach relation and Moody’s chart. Major and minor losses.

Bernoulli’s Equation and its Applications, Potential Flows

Bernoulli’s Equation: Assumptions and applications. Flow measurements - Venturi meter, Pitot-static tube and orifice meter. Elementary Potential Flows: Velocity potential function. Uniform flow, source, sink and vortex, and their superposition for flow past simple geometries.

External Flows

Prandtl Boundary Layer Equations: Concept and assumptions. Boundary Layer Characteristics: Boundary layer thickness, displacement thickness and momentum thickness. Qualitative idea of boundary layer separation, streamlined and bluff bodies, and drag and lift forces.

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern for Fluid Mechanics

Candidates appearing for the GATE fluid mechanics (XE-B) paper can check the GATE paper pattern for fluid mechanics below. Using the exam pattern candidates can find key details such as the marking scheme, duration, types of questions and more.

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GATE Fluid Mechanics Exam Pattern

Particulars

Details

Examination Mode

Computer Based Test (Online)

Duration

3 Hours

Section

  • General Aptitude (GA)

  • Engineering Mathematics (XE-A)

  • Fluid Mechanics (XE-B)

  • Additional section opted for by the student

Type of Questions

  • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  • Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)

  • Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions

Total Marks

100 Marks

Marking Scheme

  • 22 questions carrying a total of 35 marks
  • 9 questions carrying 1 mark each (sub-total: 9 marks)
  • 13 questions carrying 2 marks each (sub-total: 26 marks)

GATE Negative Marking

  • MCQs - 1 mark for each correct answer; 1/3 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.

  • MCQs - 2 marks for each correct answer; 2/3 marks will be deducted for every incorrect response.

  • No negative marking for MSQ & NAT.

  • No partial marking for MSQ type questions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the GATE 2026 fluid mechanics syllabus released?
A:

Yes, the GATE fluid mechanics 2026 syllabus has been released online.

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Questions related to GATE

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Have a question related to GATE ?

Hello,

No,For Mtech you are not eligible to give GATE examination in 2nd year diploma and after completing your diploma degree

Only bachelor's degree holders can give GATE examination

Thank you

Hello

If you're in 2nd year right now, you can’t register for GATE 2026 just yet.
The exam is only open to students in the 3rd year or beyond in their degree.
It’s mainly because the GATE tests subjects that are usually taught later in your course.
But don’t worry, you are in a great position to start preparing early!
Focus on your basics, practice problem-solving, and build strong concepts now.
By the time you reach 3rd year, you’ll be well ahead of the game.

Hello,

If your GATE 2026 application shows "under scrutiny," continue to monitor your applicant portal and registered email for updates, as this is a routine process where officials verify your details.  An "under scrutiny" status does not mean your application is rejected; you may be notified of discrepancies and given a chance to correct them during the application correction window, which opens later. Keep your application details accurate and prepare for the exam while waiting for the correction window to open.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello,

In the GATE application form , you should enter your name exactly as it appears in your official ID proof , even if the order is different.

For example:

  • If your ID proof shows Surname + First Name , enter it in the same way in the form.

  • Do not change the order to First Name + Surname.

This is important because your GATE admit card and scorecard will match your ID proof.

Keep it exactly the same to avoid any issues later.

Hope it helps !

Hello,

Yes, you as a Bachelor of Science graduate in home science can appear for the GATE 2026 exam, as the eligibility criteria include graduates from "Science" and other fields, as well as those in the 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate program.

I hope it will clear your query!!