GATE Thermodynamics Syllabus 2026 (Out) - Check Topic Wise Syllabus Weightage

GATE Thermodynamics Syllabus 2026 (Out) - Check Topic Wise Syllabus Weightage

Ongoing Event

GATE Application Date:28 Aug' 25 - 28 Sep' 25

Team Careers360Updated on 20 Aug 2025, 05:38 PM IST

GATE Thermodynamics syllabus 2026 - IIT Guwahati has uploaded the GATE 2026 thermodynamics syllabus online on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can check the detailed GATE Thermodynamics syllabus pdf from this page. Students appearing for the GATE exam must prepare all the topics mentioned in the syllabus. The GATE thermodynamics syllabus includes seven chapters. These include basic concepts of thermodynamics, the First Law of Thermodynamics, the Second Law of Thermodynamics, Properties of Pure Substances, Thermodynamic Relations, Thermodynamic Cycles and Ideal Gas Mixtures. The Thermodynamics subject is one of the optional subjects in the Engineering Sciences(XE) paper of the GATE 2026 exam.
Direct link to check the GATE 2026 Thermodynamics syllabus

This Story also Contains

  1. GATE 2026 Thermodynamics Syllabus
  2. GATE Thermodynamics Exam Pattern 2026
  3. GATE Preparation Tips 2026
GATE Thermodynamics Syllabus 2026 (Out) - Check Topic Wise Syllabus Weightage
GATE Thermodynamics syllabus

The paper code for Thermodynamics is XE-E. The authorities will prepare the GATE question paper as per the thermodynamics syllabus. Candidates must be thorough with all the topics mentioned in the GATE syllabus will ensure high scores in the exam. Along with the syllabus, candidates must check the GATE2026 exam pattern. Candidates can check the detailed topics-wise GATE thermodynamics syllabus 2026 in this article.

GATE 2026 Thermodynamics Syllabus

IIT Guwahati has published the GATE thermodynamics syllabus 2026 pdf on the official website. The Engineering Mathematics section is compulsory and holds 15% weightage. The topic-wise GATE thermodynamics syllabus as per this year's notification is provided in the table below.

GATE Thermodynamics Syllabus

ChaptersTopics

Basics Concepts

Continuum and macroscopic approach; thermodynamic systems (closed and open); thermodynamic properties and equilibrium; state of a system, state postulate for simple compressible substances, state diagrams, paths and processes on state diagrams; concepts of heat and work, different modes of work; zeroth law of thermodynamics; concept of temperature

First Law of Thermodynamics

Concept of energy and various forms of energy; internal energy, enthalpy; specific heats; first law applied to elementary processes, closed systems and control volumes, steady and unsteady flow analysis

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Limitations of the first law of thermodynamics, concepts of heat engines and heat pumps/refrigerators, Kelvin-Planck and Clausius statements and their equivalence; reversible and irreversible processes; Carnot cycle and Carnot principles/theorems; thermodynamic temperature scale; Clausius inequality and concept of entropy; microscopic interpretation of entropy, the principle of increase of entropy, T-s diagrams; second law analysis of control volume; availability and irreversibility; third law of thermodynamics

Properties of Pure Substances

Thermodynamic properties of pure substances in solid, liquid and vapor phases; PvT behaviour of simple compressible substances, phase rule, thermodynamic property tables and charts, ideal and real gases, ideal gas equation of state and van der Waals equation of state; law of corresponding states, compressibility factor and generalized compressibility chart

Thermodynamic Relations

TdS relations, Helmholtz and Gibbs functions, Gibbs relations, Maxwell relations, Joule-Thomson coefficient, coefficient of volume expansion, adiabatic and isothermal compressibilities, Clapeyron and Clapeyron-Clausius equations

Thermodynamic Cycles

Carnot vapor cycle, ideal Rankine cycle, Rankine reheat cycle, air-standard Otto cycle, airstandard Diesel cycle, air-standard Brayton cycle, vapor-compression refrigeration cycle

Ideal Gas Mixtures

Dalton’s and Amagat’s laws, properties of ideal gas mixtures, air-water vapor mixtures and simple thermodynamic processes involving them; specific and relative humidities, dew point and wet bulb temperature, adiabatic saturation temperature, psychrometric chart.

Related links:

GATE Thermodynamics Exam Pattern 2026

Candidates aspiring for the GATE thermodynamics (XE-E) paper must check the exam pattern to familiarise themselves with the question paper format. The authority has released the GATE 2026 thermodynamics exam pattern on the official website. It is important to note that candidates who opt for XE paper have to choose any two subjects.

GATE Thermodynamics Exam Pattern 2026

Particulars

Details

Examination Mode

Computer Based Test (Online)

Duration

3 Hours

Section

  • General Aptitude (GA)

  • Engineering Mathematics (XE-A)

  • Thermodynamics (XE-E)

  • Additional section opted for by the student

Type of Questions

  • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  • Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)

  • Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions

Total Marks

100 Marks

Marking Scheme

All of the questions will be worth 1 or 2 marks

GATE Negative Marking

  • MCQs - 1 mark for each correct answer; 1/3 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.

  • MCQs - 2 marks for each correct answer; 2/3 marks will be deducted for every incorrect response.

  • No negative marking for MSQ & NAT.

  • No partial marking for MSQ type questions.

GATE Thermodynamics - Other Optional Papers

As per this year's GATE thermodynamics paper pattern, candidates have to select an additional GATE exam paper along with thermodynamics. Candidates can check the list of subjects available alongside thermodynamics to appear for the GATE 2026 exam below. The following table will be updated soon after the official announcement.

List of optional subjects under Engineering Sciences

Subjects

GATE Syllabus

Polymer Science and Technology

GATE Polymer Science and Technology syllabus

Solid Mechanics

GATE Solid Mechanics syllabus

Fluid Mechanics

GATE Fluid Mechanics syllabus

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

GATE Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences syllabus

Material Science

GATE syllabus for Material science

Food Technology

GATE Food Technology syllabus

Energy Science_

GATE Preparation Tips 2026

Candidates preparing for the upcoming GATE 2026 exam can check the GATE preparation tips. The preparation tips will help candidates prepare for the exam strategically.

  • Understand the GATE 2026 exam pattern and syllabus before starting the preparation.

  • Create a study pattern and follow it rigorously.

  • Know the high-weightage topics of the GATE 2026 syllabus and pay special attention to them.

  • Pick the Correct Reference Materials

  • Know your strengths and work on weaker areas.

  • Attempt mock tests to know the paper pattern.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the GATE 2026 thermodynamics syllabus released?
A:

Yes, the GATE thermodynamics syllabus 2026 has been released on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in.

Q: Who will conduct GATE 2026?
A:

IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE 2026 exam in online mode.

Q: What is the syllabus of thermodynamics for GATE?
A:

The GATE thermodynamics syllabus comprises 7 chapters including basic concepts, laws of thermodynamics, properties of pure substances, thermodynamic relations, thermodynamic cycles, and ideal gas mixtures.

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To take GATE mock tests, first choose a reliable source like GATE official portal, NPTEL, Made Easy, or ACE Engineering. Sign up or register online to access the full-length tests. Simulate the actual 3-hour exam with proper timing and no distractions. Attempt complete tests to practice time management and exam strategy. After each test, analyze your performance to identify weak areas and revise. Regularly taking 1–2 mocks per week helps improve speed, accuracy, and confidence.



For GATE Life Sciences question banks, you can go for GATE past year's papers to understand the exam style, and you can buy online test series from a coaching site for lots of new practice questions.

you can get question book one from publishers like IFAS or GKP. Also use free online resources like NPTEL and EasyBiologyClass for extra practice and study materials. Good luck!

Here are GATE exam aptitude topics from high to low weightage:

1. English Comprehension & Vocabulary

2.Numerical Ability and Arithmetic

3.Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability

4.Data Interpretation

5.Geometry & Mensuration basic

6.Algebra basic

7.Probability and Statistics

8.General Knowledge and Miscellaneous Verbal like  odd one out, analogy, word usage.


If you are needed to prepare for gate exam from ece batch there 65 questions in exam pattern total marks is 100 here 15% is aptitude general questions then 15% mathematics engineering questions , 70% core subjects you need to concentrate on more core related subject like controls system , signals and system , digital circut these topics covers most of the basics but you need to prepare more topics in core subjects and create a structure plan for yourself dialy attend mock test with time duration these steps will help to prepare very easily.