UPES M.Tech Admissions 2026
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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.
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.
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:
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:

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

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.
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)
Covers Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Theory of Machines, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Manufacturing, Production, Machine Design, and Engineering Mathematics.
No, GATE has no age limit, so anyone meeting the educational criteria can apply.
Applied Mechanics and Design has the highest weightage with 23.81%.
Candidates in the 3rd year or above of an undergraduate degree in engineering, technology, science, architecture, or humanities, as well as graduates, are eligible.
It may vary slightly, but subjects like Manufacturing and Mathematics consistently have high weightage.
Focus on high-weightage subjects like Manufacturing, Thermal, and Mathematics, then move to lower-weightage topics like Industrial Engineering.
It contributes 15% of the total marks with 10 questions and can significantly boost your score with regular practice.
On Question asked by student community
The cutoff marks for OBC category students are different for different paper codes. You can check the article on Gate cutoff for all the detailed information. Hope it helps.
IIT Guwahati has released GATE exam ME answer key in online mode. Here we have provided direct link to download IIT Guwahati Mechanical Engineering answer key.- Download Here
Students can download the ebooks from the link given below.
The official GATE 2026 Shift 2 (Feb 8) answer key was released by IIT Guwahati on February 22, 2026, on the GOAPS portal.
Check out the GATE 2026 February 8 Question Paper with Solutions .
Hi Raj, please check the link for GATE Agricultural Engineering question paper 2026 to know about the syllabus and the topic covered.
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