GATE Thermodynamics Syllabus 2026 - Check Topic Wise Syllabus Weightage

GATE Thermodynamics Syllabus 2026 - Check Topic Wise Syllabus Weightage

Edited By Samridhi Mishra | Updated on Apr 11, 2025 11:41 AM IST | #GATE

GATE Thermodynamics syllabus 2026 - IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 thermodynamics syllabus online on the official website. Candidates can check the detailed GATE Thermodynamics syllabus pdf from this page. Candidates appearing for the GATE exam must prepare all the topics mentioned in the syllabus. The GATE thermodynamics syllabus includes 7 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 GATE Thermodynamics subject is one of the optional subjects in the Engineering Sciences(XE) paper of the GATE 2026 exam.
Direct link to download the previous year's GATE Thermodynamics syllabus pdf

This Story also Contains
  1. GATE 2026 Thermodynamics Syllabus
  2. GATE Thermodynamics Exam Pattern 2026
  3. GATE Preparation Tips 2026
GATE Thermodynamics Syllabus 2026 - Check Topic Wise Syllabus Weightage
GATE Thermodynamics Syllabus 2026 - Check Topic Wise Syllabus Weightage

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

GATE 2026 Thermodynamics Syllabus

IIT Guwahati will publish 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 the previous year's notification is provided in the table below. The following table will be updated once the official syllabus is released.

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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 will release 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 the previous 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

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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Also check:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the GATE 2026 thermodynamics syllabus released?

No. IIT Guwahati has yet to release the GATE thermodynamics syllabus 2026 online.

2. When should I start preparing for GATE 2026?

Looking at the wide scope of the GATE syllabus 2026, candidates must begin their GATE preparation as soon as possible.

3. What is the syllabus of thermodynamics for GATE?

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.

4. Who will conduct GATE 2026?

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

5. What is the GATE 2026 exam date?

The GATE 2026 exam dates have yet to be announced.

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Questions related to GATE

Have a question related to GATE ?

hello aspirant,


  • Know the Exam Pattern
    GATE has three parts: General Aptitude (15 marks), Engineering Mathematics (10–13 marks), and your Core Subject (70+ marks). Knowing this helps you plan your focus.

  • Check the Syllabus
    Download the latest GATE syllabus for your specific branch. Start with high-weightage topics and make sure you cover everything that’s important.

  • Make a Study Plan
    Set a simple and realistic daily routine. Try to study 4–6 hours a day and set weekly targets. Always keep time for revision and solving mock tests.

  • Use the Right Books
    Stick to standard textbooks and good GATE preparation materials like Made Easy or ACE. Don’t overload yourself with too many books—choose wisely and revise them well.

  • Practice a Lot
    Solve previous years’ GATE papers to understand the question pattern. Practice topic-wise problems regularly and focus more on numerical-type questions.

  • Take Mock Tests
    Join a test series and give mock exams regularly. After every test, check what went wrong and work on those weak areas. This helps improve speed and accuracy.

  • Revise and Stay Calm
    Make a short notebook of formulas and key points. Revise it often. Also, take care of your health, sleep well, and don’t panic. Staying relaxed is just as important as studying.


    Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can — every small step counts.
    All the very best for your exam preparation journey.

You have practice and better technical skills due to both your advanced education and your 3 years of work in this field.


To further enhance your career prospects, consider:

[It would also help to] choose advanced topics, like Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Industry 4.0, to learn more.

- Participate in industry occasions to meet other experts and prospective employers.

To enhance your skills and open up management roles, you can go for an MTech or an MBA.


Hello aspirant,

The list of applicants who registered, showed up, and passed the GATE 2025 exam has been made public by IIT Roorkee.  747319 of the 936019 applicants that registered for the exam this year actually took the GATE 2025 exam.

For more information, you can visit our site through following link:

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/how-many-students-appeared-for-gate-2025-branch-wise

Thank you

Hello,

Yes, it is possible to join an ME without writing GATE. You can consider universities such as VIT, SRM, and Amity which conduct their own entrance test or take admission based on merit. Several states conduct their own entrance exams like TANCET in Tamil Nadu, PGCET in Karnataka, and MAH-CET in Maharashtra.

Hope this helps. All the best!

HEY THERE!!!

  • Anna University posts the official CEETA PG 2024 merit list (rank list) online for applicants without GATE. The official Anna University admissions portal has the CEETA PG (non-GATE) rank list in PDF format.
  • To obtain:
  • For CEETA PG, go to the Anna University admissions page at cfa.annauniv.edu/cfa/merit23.html.
  • Locate and download the PDF under the "M.E. / M.TECH. / M.ARCH. / M.PLAN. - CEETA-PG CATEGORY. Rank List" section.
  • The names and ranks of applicants who took the CEETA PG exam without a GATE are listed here, and they are qualified for subsequent admissions and counselling rounds.
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