UPES M.Tech Admissions 2026
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GATE Exam Date:07 Feb' 26 - 08 Feb' 26
GATE Psychology Syllabus 2026 - IIT Guwahati has uploaded the GATE 2026 Psychology syllabus PDF on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The GATE Psychology syllabus 2026 is given on this page. The syllabus includes the topics that will be tested in the GATE exam. Candidates must prepare all the topics mentioned in the GATE Psychology syllabus. The authority will prepare the GATE question paper based on the Psychology syllabus. Candidates can check the topics-wise GATE Psychology syllabus in this article. The authority will conduct the GATE 2026 exam on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026.
Direct link to download the GATE 2026 Psychology syllabus
Along with the syllabus, candidates must check the GATE 2026 exam pattern. The GATE Psychology exam pattern is updated on this page. Knowledge of the GATE Psychology syllabus will help in planning for the exam effectively.
Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, has published the GATE Psychology syllabus 2026 PDF on its official website. The GATE Psychology syllabus PDF download has 9 chapters. The Psychology paper (XH-C5) will have two compulsory sections- General Aptitude and the Reasoning and Comprehension section. Candidates can check the topic-wise GATE Psychology syllabus based on the previous year's notification below.
GATE General Aptitude Syllabus for Psychology
Chapter | Topics |
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GATE GA Syllabus for Verbal Aptitude |
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GATE GA Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude |
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GATE GA Syllabus for Analytical Aptitude |
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GATE GA Syllabus for Spatial Aptitude |
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Chapters | Topics |
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GATE Psychology syllabus for Research Methods and Statistics | Approaches to Research: Philosophical worldviews & criteria involved in approach. Research design: quantitative & qualitative, mixed methods. Designing Research: Research problems, purpose statement, Variables and Operational Definitions, Hypothesis, Sampling. Nature of Quantitative & Qualitative Research: Structured, semi-structured interviewing, self-completion questionnaires (Survey), observation, Experimental, Quasi-experimental, Field studies, Focus group discussions, Narratives, Case studies, Ethnography. Ethics in conducting and reporting research. Statistics in Psychology: Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion. Normal Probability Curve. Parametric and Non-parametric tests Effect size and Power analysis. Correlational Analysis: Correlation [Product Moment, Rank Order], Partial correlation, multiple correlation. Special Correlation Methods: Biserial, Point biserial, tetrachoric, phi coefficient. Regression: Simple linear regression, Multiple regression. Factor analysis: Assumptions, Methods, Rotation and Interpretation. Experimental Designs: ANOVA [One-way, Factorial], Randomized Block Designs, Repeated Measures Design, Latin Square, Cohort studies, Time series, MANOVA, ANCOVA. Single-subject designs. |
GATE Psychology syllabus for Psychometrics | Foundations of Psychological measurement; Basic components: scales and items’ Construction and analysis of items: Intelligence test items, performance tests, Ability & Aptitude test, Personality questionnaires. Method of test construction, Standardization of measures: Reliability, Validity, Norms, Application of assessment and measurements in Tests— Applications of psychological testing in various education, counselling and guidance, clinical, organizational and developmental. |
GATE Psychology syllabus for Biological and Evolutionary Basis of Behaviour | Heredity and behaviour Evolution and natural selection, Nervous system, structures of the brain and their functions, Neurons: Structure, functions, types, neural impulse, synaptic transmission. Neurotransmitters. Hemispheric lateralization, The endocrine system types and functions, Biological basis of Motivation: Hunger, Thirst, Sleep and Sex. Biological basis of emotion: The Limbic system, Hormonal regulation of behaviour. Methods of Physiological Psychology: Invasive methods – Anatomical methods, degeneration techniques, lesion techniques, chemical methods, microelectrode studies, Noninvasive methods – EEG, Scanning methods, Muscular and Glandular system: Genetics and behaviour: Chromosomal anomalies; Nature-Nurture controversy [Twin studies and adoption studies] |
GATE Psychology syllabus for Perception, Learning, Memory and Forgetting | What is sensation, sensory thresholds and sensory adaptations, Vision, hearing, touch and pain, smell and taste, kinesthesis and vestibular sense, Perception: role of attention; organizing principles of perception, gestalt perception, depth perception and illusions, Theories of learning: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, social learning theory, cognitive learning, Memory: encoding, storage, retrieval, Information processing theories of memory, Retrieval in Long term memory, reconstructive nature of long-term memory, Forgetting: encoding failure, interference theory, memory trace decay theory, the physical aspects of memory. |
GATE Psychology syllabus for Cognition | Thinking, Intelligence and Language: Basic elements of thought: Concepts, Propositions, Imagery. Current paradigms of cognitive psychology – Information processing approach, ecological approach, Problem solving: Methods of problem solving, Strategies and obstacles, Role of Metacognitive processing, decision-making: choosing among alternatives, Intelligence: Theories of intelligence (Spearman; Thurstone; Jensen; Cattell; Gardner; Stenberg) and Emotional Intelligence; Measuring intelligence, Individual differences in Intelligence; Role of heredity and environment, Difference between Intelligence, Aptitude and Creativity. |
GATE Psychology syllabus for Personality | Theories of personality, Psychoanalytic, behaviourist, social cognitive view, humanism and trait and type theories, Biology of personality and Assessment of personality. |
GATE Psychology syllabus for Motivation, Emotion and Stress and Coping | Approaches to understanding motivation: instinct, drive-reduction, arousal, incentive, humanistic, Achievement motivation, Intrinsic motivation, aggression, curiosity and exploration, Emotions: nature of emotions; biological basis of emotions, Theories of emotions: James-Lange, Canon-Bard, Schachter and Singer, Lazarus, Definition of stress; what are stressors; cognitive factors in stress, Factors in stress reaction: General adaptation syndrome; effect of stress, Coping with stress: problem-focused coping; emotion-focused coping, REBT and meditation |
GATE Psychology syllabus for Social Psychology | Social perception: Attribution; impression formation; social categorization, implicit personality theory, Social influence: conformity, compliance and obedience, Attitudes, beliefs and values: Evaluating the social world, attitude formation, attitude change and persuasion, cognitive dissonance, Prejudice, discrimination, Aggression, power and prosocial behaviour, Belief systems and value patterns. Group dynamics, leadership style and effectiveness, Theories of intergroup relations and conflicts. |
GATE Psychology syllabus for Development Across the Life Span | Nature versus nurture in human development, Prenatal development: Chromosomes, Genes and DNA. Physical, cognitive and psychosocial development in infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood, Theories of aging, Moral development. |
GATE Psychology syllabus for Applications of Psychology | Psychological disorders: Conceptions of mental disorders; Assessment and diagnosis, DSM and Other tools, PTSD and Trauma; Psychotherapies: Psychodynamic, Phenomenological/Experiential therapy; Behaviour therapy; cognitive therapy; biological therapy, Applications of theories of motivation and learning in School: Factors in educational achievement; counselling & guidance in schools, Application of theories of motivation, learning, emotions, perceptions, group dynamics & leadership to organizational setup, Issues of Personal space, crowding, and territoriality. |
The authority released the GATE Psychology 2026 exam pattern on the official website. Candidates can check the exam pattern of GATE for Psychology below.
Particulars | Details |
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Examination Mode | Computer Based Test (Online) |
Duration | 3 Hours |
Section |
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Type of Questions |
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Total Marks | 100 Marks |
Marking Scheme | All of the questions will be worth 1 or 2 marks |
GATE Negative Marking |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Candidates can start their GATE preparation for Psychology by understanding the syllabus and exam pattern. After which they must attempt the GATE mock test online.
IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE 2026 exam in online mode.
On Question asked by student community
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!!
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