GATE Application Date:28 Aug' 25 - 28 Sep' 25
GATE Materials Science Syllabus 2026 - IIT Guwahati has published the GATE 2026 Materials Science syllabus on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can download the GATE Materials Science syllabus 2026 on this page. The GATE 2026 syllabus consists of the topics covered in the GATE exam. The GATE 2026 syllabus for Material Sciences consists of six units. These include Classification and Structure of Materials; Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Phase Transformations; Properties and Applications of Materials; Characterization and Measurements of Properties; Processing of Materials & Degradation of Materials. The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026. Candidates attempting the GATE exam must thoroughly go through the detailed GATE 2026 Materials science syllabus given below.
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The complete GATE materials science syllabus 2026 is available on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The paper code for GATE Materials science is XE-C. The GATE 2026 Materials science paper is optional and can be chosen by candidates attempting the GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences (XE) paper.
| Subjects | Topics |
|---|---|
| GATE GA syllabus for verbal aptitude | Basic English grammar: tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb-noun agreement, and other parts of speech Basic vocabulary: words, idioms, and phrases in context, reading and comprehension, Narrative sequencing. |
| GATE GA syllabus for quantitative aptitude | Data interpretation: data graphs (bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphs representing data), 2- and 3-dimensional plots, maps, and tables Numerical computation and estimation: ratios, percentages, powers, exponents and logarithms, permutations and combinations, and series Mensuration and geometry Elementary statistics and probability. |
| GATE GA syllabus for analytical aptitude | Logic: deduction and induction, Analogy, Numerical relations and reasoning. |
| GATE GA syllabus for spatial aptitude | Transformation of shapes: translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, and grouping paper folding, cutting, and patterns in 2 and 3 dimensions. |
The units covered under the GATE Materials Science syllabus 2026 include Classification and Structure of Materials; Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Phase Transformations; Properties and Applications of Materials; Characterization and Measurements of Properties; Processing of Materials & Degradation of Materials. The complete GATE 2026 Materials Science Syllabus is given below:
| Chapter | Topics |
|---|---|
| Classification of Materials | Metals, ceramics, polymers and composites. |
| Nature of Bonding in Materials | Metallic, ionic, covalent and mixed bonding; structure of materials: fundamentals of crystallography, symmetry operations, crystal systems, Bravaislattices, unit cells, primitive cells, crystallographic planes and directions; structures of metals, ceramics, polymers, amorphous materials and glasses. |
| Defects in Crystalline Materials | 0-D, 1-D and 2-D defects; vacancies, interstitials, solid solutions in metals and ceramics, Frenkel and Schottky defects; dislocations; grain boundaries, twins, stacking faults; surfaces and interfaces |
| Chapters | Topics |
|---|---|
| Properties and Applications of Materials | Mechanical properties of metals, ceramics, polymers and composites at room temperature; stress strain response (elastic, anelastic and plastic deformation). |
| Electronic Properties | Free electron theory, Fermi energy, density of states, elements of band theory, semiconductors, Hall effect, dielectric behaviour, piezo- and ferro-electric behaviour. |
| Magnetic Properties | Origin of magnetism in materials, para-, dia-, ferro- and ferri-magnetism. |
| Thermal Properties | Specific heat, heat conduction, thermal diffusivity, thermal expansion, and thermoelectricity. |
| Optical Properties | Refractive index, absorption and transmission of electromagnetic radiation. Examples of materials exhibiting the above properties, and their typical/common applications. |
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Phase Transformations | Extensive and intensive thermodynamic properties, laws of thermodynamics, phase equilibria,
phase rule, phase diagrams (unary and binary), basic electrochemistry. Reaction kinetics, fundamentals of diffusion, Fick’s laws, their solutions and applications. Solidification of pure metals and alloys, nucleation and growth, diffusional solid-state phase transformations (precipitation and eutectoid), martensitic transformation. |
| Characterization and Measurements of Properties | X-ray diffraction; spectroscopic techniques such as UV-Vis, IR and Raman; optical microscopy, electron microscopy, composition analysis in electron microscopes. Tensile test, hardness measurement. Electrical conductivity, carrier mobility and concentrations. Thermal analysis techniques: thermogravimetry and calorimetry |
| Processing of Materials | Heat treatment of ferrous and aluminium alloys; preparation of ceramic powders, sintering; thin film deposition: evaporation and sputtering techniques, and chemical vapour deposition, thin film growth phenomena. |
| Degradation of Materials | Corrosion and its prevention; embrittlement of metals; polymer degradation. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
GATE 2026 syllabus will released by IIT Guwahati.
Yes, the GATE 2026 Materials Science Syllabus (XE-C) has been released on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026.
Yes, Material sciences (XE-C) is an optional paper in the GATE Life sciences paper. Hence candidates can choose material sciences as one of the two optional sections in the GATE Life sciences exam.
Candidates who want to qualify in the GATE 2026 exam must start preparing immediately as there is sufficient time for 2026 exam.
On Question asked by student community
Hello
As an EEE (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) graduate, your core GATE paper is EE (Electrical Engineering).
You can also choose papers like IN (Instrumentation) or EC (Electronics and Communication) if you're comfortable. GATE now allows two-paper combinations EE plus IN is a valid pair.
Choose based on your strengths and future goals (e.g., PSU jobs, M.Tech). Always check the latest GATE brochure for updated paper codes and combinations.
How to clear GATE Exam :
First, know the syllabus and exam pattern.
Make a small study plan and follow it every week.
Read from good books or trusted online notes.
Practice old GATE question papers.
Give mock tests to check speed and accuracy.
Revise your notes and formulas again and again.
How to get Job in PSU:
Score high in GATE, because PSUs take only top ranks.
Keep checking PSU job notices regularly.
Apply on time with your GATE score.
Be ready for interviews or group discussions.
Work on subject knowledge and also your communication skills.
Yes, it will be acceptable. In GATE registration, the name should match your valid photo ID proof in terms of spelling, not the order. Many Indian IDs have surname written first, while the portal generates it as first–middle–last. Since all three parts of your name (Vikash, Rameshbhai, Bhagel) are correct, there won’t be any issue. Just ensure you upload the correct ID proof. During verification, they check spelling, photo, and signature, not the word order.
Hello,
Yes, you can change your category from General to OBC during the GATE 2026 correction window.
GATE always allows candidates to correct details like category. You will need to pay a small correction fee for this change. Make sure you upload a valid OBC certificate as per the format and date mentioned by GATE.
So, wait for the correction window, log in to your application, and update your category to OBC.
Hope it helps !
Hello! If you are preparing for GATE, there are plenty of free resources available online that can boost your preparation. You can easily access e-books, handwritten notes, subject wise PYQs, and test series shared by toppers on different platforms. Along with that, free PDFs and study material are available through various websites and Telegram channels. To make it easier, I will be attaching the link where you can find preparation tips, a study timetable, free study materials, and previous year question papers all in one place.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-timetable
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/how-to-prepare-for-gate
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-material
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-mock-test
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-question-papers
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