GATE Application Date:28 Aug' 25 - 28 Sep' 25
Best Books for GATE 2026- Candidates can check the subject-wise list of best books for GATE 2026 on this page. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually for admission to M.E./M.Tech programs and for recruitment into various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Aspirants aiming to excel in the GATE exam must prepare using the most reliable study materials. The best books for GATE 2026 serve as comprehensive resources that include key concepts, solved questions, previous year papers, and exam patterns—enabling candidates to build strong conceptual clarity and achieve high scores.
By referring to the right books for GATE 2026 preparation, candidates can gain a clear understanding of the syllabus, important chapters, and commonly asked questions. The best books offer detailed explanations, high-weightage topics, and practice problems aligned with the current exam format. In addition to using these recommended books, candidates should also go through the official GATE 2026 syllabus, exam pattern, and sample papers to strengthen their preparation strategy and boost their performance in the exam.
Below is the list of the best GATE 2026 books for CSE.
GATE 2026 Books CSE | Name of the Author |
Architecture | Hamacher |
Algorithm | Cormen |
Operating System | Galvin |
TOC - Theory of Computation | Ullman |
Below is the list of the best books for gate preparation ECE.
GATE Exam Books Name | Author/ Publisher |
Electronic Devices Circuits | Millman and Halkias (Black Pad) |
Integrated Electronics | Millman and Halkias |
Switching and Finite Automatic Theory | Kohavi |
Microprocessor and its Applications | Goankar |
Modern Control Systems | Ogata |
GATE Books | Name of the Author |
Concept of Agricultural Engineering | Mohanty Das |
Farm Machinery | Three Authors |
Soil & Water Conservation | VVN Murty |
GATE Exam Books | Name of the Author |
An Insight into Chemical Engineering | M.Subbu |
Chemical Engineering For Gate Principles Solved Problems & Objective Type Questions | Ram Prasad |
Essentials of Chemical Reaction Engineering | Fogler |
Heat Transfer | JP Holman |
Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics | JM Smith |
Principles of Mass Transfer and Separation Processes | BK Dutta |
Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering | McCabe - FPM and MO |
Candidates are below provided with the GATE 2026 preparation books for Civil Engineering.
GATE Books | Name of the Author |
Environment 1 and 2 | S K Garg |
Fluid mechanics | R K Bansal |
Highway engineering | Khanna and Justo |
Open channel flow and engineering hydrology | K Subramanya |
RCC | Pillai and Menon |
Soil mechanics and foundation engineering | Gopal and Ranjan |
Steel | Bhavikati |
Name of the Book | Name of the Author |
Electrical machines | Nagrath, Kothari |
Fundamentals of circuits | Alexander, Sadiku |
Power Electronics | P S Bhimbhra |
Name of the Book | Name of the Author |
Complete Master Guide GATE | Amresh Singh |
Geophysics | Telford |
Check the list of GATE preparation books for Mechanical Engineering.
Best Books for GATE Mechanical | Name of the Author |
Fluid Mechanics | R.K. Bansal (Numerical point of view), Frank M.White (For understanding) |
Heat Transfer | Cengel (For understanding concept) |
Production Engineering | Swadesh Singh |
Thermodynamics | P.K.Nag |
Theory of Machine (TOM) | S.S. Ratan |
Name of the Book | Name of the Author |
Fluid Mechanics and Machinery | Modi & Seth |
Heat Transfer | Made Easy Class Notes |
IC engine | Mathur Sharma |
Material Science | Made Easy Class Notes & Swadesh Singh |
Machine Design | VB Bhandari |
Production | S K Mondal Notes Swadesh Singh |
Refrigeration | Made Easy Class Notes |
Strength of Material | Sadhu Singh |
Thermodynamics | P.K Nag |
Theory of Machine | SS Ratan |
The candidates can check the list of best books for GATE 2026 from the table given below.
Here is the list of GATE exam preparation books for CSE, CE, EE, ME, and EC.
While preparing for the GATE 2026 exam, selecting the right set of books plays a crucial role in building a strong conceptual foundation and boosting overall performance. Candidates should consider the following key factors when choosing the best books for GATE 2026 preparation:
While preparing for the GATE 2026 exam, selecting the right books can make a big difference in understanding concepts and scoring well. Keep the following points in mind when choosing books:
Easy to Understand
Choose books that explain concepts clearly and simply.
Avoid books that use heavy technical jargon unless necessary.
Concise Explanation
Books should provide crisp and to-the-point explanations.
A concise format helps cover more topics efficiently.
Accurate Information
Ensure the books strictly follow the GATE 2026 syllabus.
Avoid books with outdated or misleading content.
Pictorial Representations
Prefer books that include diagrams, graphs, and flowcharts.
Visual aids enhance understanding and memory retention.
Simple Language
Go for books written in plain, easy-to-grasp language.
Fancy or complex vocabulary may lead to confusion.
You may also like:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Referring to the best books ensures comprehensive coverage of the syllabus, a better understanding of key concepts, and access to practice questions and solved examples.
To prepare for the GATE exam, a blend is recommended. Candiadtes can use the standard textbooks for understanding, and GATE-specific books for focused practice.
Yes, "A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning" and "Quantitative Aptitude" by Arun Sharma.
Absolutely, it helps you understand the exam pattern, and difficulty level and assesses your readiness.
Online resources complement physical books, offering convenience, but physical books provide an in-depth understanding.
Consider syllabus alignment, clear explanations, practice questions, expert recommendations, and your preferred learning style.
While online resources are valuable, it's recommended to use a combination of online materials and physical books for a comprehensive and effective preparation.
Yes, for the General Aptitude section, you can use "Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal for reasoning and "Quantitative Aptitude" by Arun Sharma for quantitative aptitude practice.
On Question asked by student community
Hello
As an EEE (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) graduate, your core GATE paper is EE (Electrical Engineering).
You can also choose papers like IN (Instrumentation) or EC (Electronics and Communication) if you're comfortable. GATE now allows two-paper combinations EE plus IN is a valid pair.
Choose based on your strengths and future goals (e.g., PSU jobs, M.Tech). Always check the latest GATE brochure for updated paper codes and combinations.
How to clear GATE Exam :
First, know the syllabus and exam pattern.
Make a small study plan and follow it every week.
Read from good books or trusted online notes.
Practice old GATE question papers.
Give mock tests to check speed and accuracy.
Revise your notes and formulas again and again.
How to get Job in PSU:
Score high in GATE, because PSUs take only top ranks.
Keep checking PSU job notices regularly.
Apply on time with your GATE score.
Be ready for interviews or group discussions.
Work on subject knowledge and also your communication skills.
Yes, it will be acceptable. In GATE registration, the name should match your valid photo ID proof in terms of spelling, not the order. Many Indian IDs have surname written first, while the portal generates it as first–middle–last. Since all three parts of your name (Vikash, Rameshbhai, Bhagel) are correct, there won’t be any issue. Just ensure you upload the correct ID proof. During verification, they check spelling, photo, and signature, not the word order.
Hello,
Yes, you can change your category from General to OBC during the GATE 2026 correction window.
GATE always allows candidates to correct details like category. You will need to pay a small correction fee for this change. Make sure you upload a valid OBC certificate as per the format and date mentioned by GATE.
So, wait for the correction window, log in to your application, and update your category to OBC.
Hope it helps !
Hello! If you are preparing for GATE, there are plenty of free resources available online that can boost your preparation. You can easily access e-books, handwritten notes, subject wise PYQs, and test series shared by toppers on different platforms. Along with that, free PDFs and study material are available through various websites and Telegram channels. To make it easier, I will be attaching the link where you can find preparation tips, a study timetable, free study materials, and previous year question papers all in one place.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-timetable
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/how-to-prepare-for-gate
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-material
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-mock-test
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-question-papers
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