GATE Mechanical Subject Wise Weightage 2026 - Important Topics and Chapters

GATE Mechanical Subject Wise Weightage 2026 - Important Topics and Chapters

Team Careers360Updated on 26 Nov 2025, 10:09 AM IST

GATE Mechanical Subject Wise Weightage 2026 : Learning the weightage of subjects in GATE ME 2026 is crucial for efficient preparation and smart study planning. By analyzing the marks distribution from previous years, aspirants can focus more on high-weightage subjects, ensuring that their time and resources are invested where they can achieve the most significant score improvements. Concentrating on high-priority topics also improves time management during the exam, allowing candidates to attempt maximum questions accurately.

GATE Mechanical Subject Wise Weightage 2026 - Important Topics and Chapters
GATE Mechanical Subject Wise Weightage 2026 - Important Topics and Chapters

The GATE 2026 exam is going to be held on February 7,8, 14, and 15, 2026, with the official dates and admit card release schedule to be announced by the IIT Guwahati. Preparing with a clear understanding of subject-wise weightage not only boosts scoring potential but also enhances confidence and performance on exam day.

GATE Mechanical Engineering Subject Wise Weightage- Previous Year

Knowing the subject-wise weightage of GATE ME from previous years plays a vital role in shaping an effective preparation plan. Since our focus here is on GATE ME, we have compiled a weightage table for the 2026 exam, based on an in-depth analysis of past trends. This reference will help you identify the most important subjects and plan your study approach strategically. Check the detailed breakdown below:

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Chapter Name

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

Total of 5 year

Weightage

Applied Mechanics and Design

10

15

20

16

14

75

23.81%

Aptitude

10

10

10

10

10

50

15.87%

Engineering Mathematics

43

9

10

8

17

87

27.62%

Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences

2

15

15

15

9

56

17.78%

Materials, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering

16

10

16

5

47

14.92%


Detailed distribution of weightage is given below. You can check it:

1754980961368

GATE Mechanical Engineering 2026 Subject Wise Weightage

To excel in GATE ME 2026, it’s essential to have a solid grasp of the subject-wise weightage from the 2025 exam. This insight helps you identify and rank topics based on their impact in the paper. Although the syllabus does not change much each year, the marks allocation for different subjects can vary slightly. By reviewing past trends, aspirants can direct more effort toward high-scoring topics.

Chapter Name

Number of Questions Asked

Applied Mechanics and Design

15

Aptitude

10

Engineering Mathematics

9

Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences

15

Materials, Manufacturing, and Industrial Engineering

16

Grand Total

65


Also Read :How to Prepare for Mechanical Engineering

1754980961237

Which Topic Has the Highest Weightage in GATE Mechanical Engineering?

An analysis of the past five years shows that the GATE ME paper, accounting Applied Mechanics and Design with 23.81%, followed by Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences at 17.78%. Combined, these three areas form the majority of the exam, making them critical for scoring high. General Aptitude holds a steady 15.87%, offering a consistent scoring advantage, while Materials, Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering contributes 14.92%. Prioritizing these subjects during preparation can greatly enhance accuracy, speed, and overall exam performance.

Key benefits of GATE Mechanical Engineering Weightage

1. Efficient Study Planning
Weightage data helps you decide where to invest most of your preparation time. For example, focusing more on Engineering Mathematics, Applied Mechanics, and Fluid Mechanics ensures better returns on your study hours.

2. Smart Revision Scheduling
By knowing which subjects carry the most marks, you can design a revision plan that revisits high-weightage topics multiple times while still covering lower-weightage ones for complete preparation.

3. Maximizing Score Potential
Subjects like Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude are relatively straightforward but contribute significantly to marks. Prioritizing them can give you a quick score boost.

4. Identifying Consistent Scoring Areas
Analyzing past papers shows which subjects maintain steady weightage over the years, allowing you to focus on areas that are almost certain to appear prominently in the exam.

5. Reducing Exam Pressure
When you know exactly which topics are worth the most marks, you can prepare with a clear roadmap. This reduces uncertainty, builds confidence, and improves accuracy on exam day.

Also Read : How to Prepare for GATE

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which subject has the highest weightage for 2026?
A:

Applied Mechanics and Design has the highest weightage with 23.81%.

Q: How important is General Aptitude?
A:

It contributes 15% of the total marks with 10 questions and can significantly boost your score with regular practice.

Q: Is the subject wise weightage consistent every year?
A:

It may vary slightly, but subjects like Manufacturing and Mathematics consistently have high weightage.

Q: How should I prioritize subjects?
A:

Focus on high-weightage subjects like Manufacturing, Thermal, and Mathematics, then move to lower-weightage topics like Industrial Engineering.

Q: What is the eligibility for GATE 2026?
A:

Candidates in the 3rd year or above of an undergraduate degree in engineering, technology, science, architecture, or humanities, as well as graduates, are eligible.

Q: Is there any age limit for GATE 2026?
A:

No, GATE has no age limit, so anyone meeting the educational criteria can apply.

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

Hello aspirant,

If you missed the correction window for GATE 2026, the portal will not allow changes right now. Usually, IIT opens a correction period only once. Since you need to change your surname, the best option is to contact the GATE organizing institute through their official support email or helpline and explain your issue with valid proof like your Aadhaar or school documents. They sometimes allow corrections in genuine cases, but it depends on their approval. Make sure to keep all documents ready when you contact them.

FOR REFERENCE : https://engineering. careers360.com/articles/gate-application-form-correction

THANK YOU

Hi Aanchal,

Balancing Engineering semester exams with competitive exam preparation can feel confusing but with right and realistic routine makes it very achievable.

Start by dividing your day into two parts: use college hours and afternoons for semester prep and keep early mornings or late evenings for GATE prep.

Make weekly targets instead of daily pressure, revise class notes on the same day.

Use weekends for mock tests, previous year papers and deeper revision.

Try to limit social media, study in 40 to 50 mins focused blocks and take short breaks.

Most importantly stay consistent and give yourself patience.

With consistent timetable and steady effort you can manage both in smooth. All the best Aanchal!

If you are interested in Development Studies and planning to appear for GATE XH C6 (Sociology), then you are already moving in the right direction. Having a backlog does not disqualify you from pursuing higher studies, as long as you clear it before the admission process begins. Since you mentioned that you can clear the backlog before February 2026, it should not affect your eligibility for PG admissions. Most universities require a completed bachelor’s degree with no active backlog at the time of admission.

Your CGPA of 6.9 is acceptable for many institutes, although some top institutes may have higher cutoffs. Your interest in sociology and Development Studies will be helpful because the GATE XH paper tests conceptual understanding. If you prepare consistently and score well in GATE, you can apply to reputed institutes offering Development Studies such as IITs, TISS, JNU, Azim Premji University, and others.

Focus on clearing your remaining backlog and continue your GATE preparation strongly. If you balance both, you can build a good academic profile for admission into Development Studies. All the best.


Hello,

You can change your category in the GATE application by logging into the GOAPS portal during the correction window and using the "Edit GATE Application Form" option to make the change. You will likely need to pay an additional fee for the change and may need to provide a valid category certificate.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello,

Other than the GATE exam, admission to MTech programs in Data Science/AI for 2026 includes university-specific entrance tests like VITMEE, BITS HD Entrance Test, and SRMJEEE PG, as well as state-level common entrance tests such as Karnataka PGCET and TS PGECET.

I hope it will clear your query!!