GATE Robotics & Automation Syllabus 2027 (Out): Check Topics, Pattern & Marking Scheme

Engineering Mathematics

• Linear Algebra: Matrices- transpose, determinant, rank, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, trace, adjoint, solutions to system of linear equations.

• Calculus: Functions of a single variable, limit, continuity, and differentiability, mean value theorems, indeterminate forms; evaluation of definite and improper integrals; double and triple integrals; partial derivatives, total derivative, Taylor series (in one and two variables), maxima and minima; gradient, divergence and curl, vector identities.

• Differential Equations: First-order equations (linear and nonlinear); higher-order linear differential equations with constant coefficients; Euler-Cauchy equation; initial and boundary value problems; Laplace transforms; solutions of heat, wave, and Laplace's equations; Fourier series.

• Probability and Statistics: Axioms of probability, conditional probability, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, random variables, expectation, binomial, Poisson, and normal distributions; hypothesis testing, Probability Density Function (PDF), Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF).

• Numerical Methods: Solutions of linear and non-linear algebraic equations; integration by trapezoidal and Simpson’s rules; finite differences, explicit single and multi-step methods for differential equations.

Basics of Mechatronics

• Network Elements: Ideal voltage and current sources, dependent sources, R, L, C, M elements; Network solution methods: Kirchoff’s laws (KCL, KVL), Node and Mesh analysis; Network Theorems: Thevenin’s, Norton’s Superposition and Maximum Power Transfer theorem; Transient response of DC and AC networks, sinusoidal steady-state analysis, resonance, two-port networks, balanced three-phase circuits, complex power and power factor in AC circuits.

• Digital Circuits: Boolean algebra, combinational (multiplexers, encoders, decoders), and sequential circuits (flipflops, counters).

• Sensors: Resistive, capacitive, inductive, piezoelectric, Hall effect sensors and associated signal conditioning circuits; transducers for industrial instrumentation- displacement (linear and angular), velocity, acceleration, force, torque, pressure.

• Programming: Flowcharts and pseudo code; Programming in Python: data types, operators, expressions, conditional statements (if, elif, else, case) looping statements (while, for), loop control statements (break and continue), functions, arrays, dictionary, strings, recursion.

• Data Structures: Stack, queue, linked list, binary search tree, binary heap, graph.

• Actuators: Principles of operation, performance, torque-speed characteristics of hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, DC motors, stepper motors, and servo motors.

• Engineering Mechanics: Free-body diagrams and equilibrium; friction and its applications- rolling friction, beltpulley; trusses and frames; kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies in plane motion.

Principles of Robotics and Automation

Robotic classification- serial and parallel manipulators, geometrical configuration, Links and joints, Coordinate systems and degrees-of-freedom; Rotation matrices in 2D and 3D; homogeneous transformations, forward kinematics. Robot applications- point-to-point and continuous path control, types of end-effectors, robot accuracy and repeatability. Computer Integrated Manufacturing- Automation in Manufacturing, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) in manufacturing, Automated material handling systems, Automated storage and retrieval systems, Automated identification, detection and capture systems; computer numerical control; Basics of single and multi-axis positioning systems; Basics of concurrent design and manufacturing planning for automation.

Sections

Topics

Analog Circuits and Embedded Systems

Analog filters - low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band-reject; Amplifiers: biasing, equivalent circuit and frequency response, feedback amplifiers, operational amplifiers- characteristics and applications; oscillators; Voltage Controlled Oscillators and timers, Schmitt triggers, sample and hold circuits, Analog-to-Digital (A/D) and Digital-to-Analog (D/A) converters; Switched Mode Power Supplies (SMPS). Microprocessor and microcontroller applications, components of microcontrollers (CPU, memory, I/O ports, timers), interrupt handling; memory and input-output interfacing; basics of data acquisition systems.

Signals and Systems

Representation of continuous and discrete time signals, shifting and scaling properties, linear time-invariant and causal systems, Fourier series representation of continuous and discrete time periodic signals, Shannon’s sampling theorem, Definitions and properties of Fourier Transform, Laplace Transform and Z transform; R.M.S. value, average value calculation

Control Systems

Mathematical modeling and representation of systems, feedback principle, transfer function, Block diagrams and Signal flow graphs, Transient and Steady‐state analysis of linear time-invariant systems, Stability analysis using Routh-Hurwitz and Nyquist criteria, Bode plots, Root Loci, Lag, Lead and Lead‐Lag compensators; P, PI and PID controllers.

Sections

Topics

Mechanics of Materials

Stress and strain, elastic constants, Poisson's ratio; Mohr’s circle for plane stress and plane strain; thin cylinders; shear force and bending moment diagrams; bending and shear stresses; concept of shear centre; deflection of beams; torsion of circular shafts; Euler’s theory of columns; Castigliano’s theorems; thermal stresses; strain gauges and rosettes; testing of materials with universal testing machine; testing of hardness and impact strength.

Kinematics and Dynamics

Displacement, velocity, and acceleration analysis of plane mechanisms; dynamic analysis of linkages; gears and gear trains; balancing of reciprocating and rotating masses; gyroscope, Vibrations- free and forced vibration of single degree of freedom systems, the effect of damping, vibration isolation; resonance; critical speeds of shafts.

Machine Design and Computer Integrated Manufacturing

Design for static and dynamic loading; failure theories; fatigue strength and the S-N diagram; principles of the design of machine elements such as bolted, riveted and welded joints; shafts, rolling and sliding contact bearings, brakes and clutches, springs. Basic concepts of Computer Aided Design (CAD)/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and their integration tools; additive manufacturing.

Particulars

Details

Exam Mode

Computer Based Test (CBT)

Exam Language

English

Total Duration

3 Hours

Name of Paper

Robotics and Automation

Madatory Section

General Aptitude (GA)

Sections

GA + Selected Subject

Type of Questions Asked

(a) Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)

(b) Multiple Select Question (MSQ)

(c) Numerical Answer Type (NAT)

Testing of abilities

(a) Recall

(b) Comprehension

(c) Application

(d) Analysis & Synthesis

Total Marks

100 marks

Distribution of Marks in RA

General Aptitude: 15 marks

Subject Questions: 85 marks

Total: 100 marks

Marking Scheme of RA

1 marker or 2 marker questions are asked

Negative Marking

• ⅓ marks is deducted for a 1 mark MCQ

• ⅔ marks in deducted for a 2 marker MCQ

Note- No negative marking for wrong answer to MSQ or NAT questions. Moreover, there is no partial marking in MSQ.

Subject/Section

Recommended Books & Study Material

General Aptitude

Previous years' GATE General Aptitude questions, Arihant/Made Easy General Aptitude books

Engineering Mathematics

Any standard GATE Engineering Mathematics book (e.g., B.S. Grewal, GKP, Made Easy, ACE Academy notes)

Mechatronics & Robotics Fundamentals

Standard undergraduate textbooks on Mechatronics, Robotics, Industrial Automation, and PLC

Part B (Electrical or Mechanical)

Standard GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) or GATE Electrical Engineering (EE) reference books

Python Programming & Data Structures

Introductory Python courses, IIT Madras BS in Data Science – Computational Thinking & Python materials, and beginner Python textbooks

Previous Year Questions & Mock Tests

GATE ME/EE previous year papers, topic-wise practice books, and online mock tests