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Updated By Prateek Lakhera on 11 Aug, 2025 12:35
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Predict RankThe GATE aerospace engineering 2026 syllabus has been released by IIT Guwahati in online mode on the official website. Students should be familiar with the aerospace engineering syllabus to aim for a better score in the exam. GATE 2026 aerospace engineering syllabus comprises 6 different subjects under the syllabus named: engineering mathematics, flight mechanics, space dynamics, aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion. Furthermore, the syllabus mentions Core Topics and Special Topics. While the Core Topics comprise 90% of the questions, the rest 10% will be asked from the Special Topics. The core topics are directly based on the particular Aerospace Engineering chapter, while special topics include supporting topics that will be asked in the GATE 2026 Aerospace Engineering exam. Preparation of the syllabus properly is very important to ace the GATE 2026 exam and get a better score for admissions.
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Attempt nowThe GATE 2026 Aerospace Engineering syllabus includes 6 sections in total; the syllabus is created to cover all the important topics from the Aerospace Engineering curriculum. Each section further includes core and special topics.
The following table explains the complete GATE Aerospace Engineering syllabus 2026 in detail:
Subject | Core Topic | Special Topics |
|---|---|---|
Engineering Mathematics | Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations | Fourier Series, Laplace Transforms, Numerical methods for linear and nonlinear algebraic equations, Numerical integration and differentiation. Complex analysis. Probability and statistics. |
Flight Mechanics | Atmosphere, Airplane performance, Static stability | Dynamic stability: Euler angles; Equations of motion; Decoupling of longitudinal and lateral-directional dynamics; longitudinal modes; lateral-directional modes. |
Space Dynamics | Central force motion, determination of trajectory, and orbital period in simple cases. Kepler’s laws; escape velocity. | - |
Aerodynamics | Basic Fluid Mechanics, Potential flow theory, Airfoils and wings, Compressible Flows | Wind Tunnel Testing: Measurement and visualization techniques. Shock -boundary layer interaction. |
Structures | Strength of Materials, Flight vehicle structures, Structural Dynamics | Vibration of beams. Theory of elasticity: Equilibrium and compatibility equations, Airy’s stress function. |
Propulsion | Thermodynamics, boundary layers, heat transfer, combustion and thermochemistry, Aerothermodynamics of aircraft engines, Engine performance, Turbomachinery, Centrifugal compressor, Axial turbines, Rockets | Aerothermodynamics of non-rotating propulsion components such as intakes, combustors and nozzle. Turbine blade cooling. Compressor-turbine matching, Surge and stall. |
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The GATE Aerospace Engineering syllabus 2026 includes a section on General Aptitude covering around 10 questions. Therefore, you need to prepare this section carefully. There are majorly four parts in the General Aptitude section including verbal aptitude, analytical aptitude spatial aptitude, and numerical aptitude. The following is a complete breakdown of the GATE AE General Aptitude syllabus 2026:
Section | Topics |
|---|---|
Verbal Aptitude | Tenses, Adjectives, Articles, Words and Phrases, Vocabulary, Parts of speech, Idioms, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Verb-noun agreement, Comprehension & reading, Narrative sequencing, Sentence completion, Verbal analogies, Critical reasoning, Word groups |
Analytical Aptitude | Logic: deduction and induction, Analogy, Number relations & reasoning, Coding-Decoding, Decision Making, Direction Sense, Blood Relation, Data Sufficiency |
Spatial Aptitude | Mirroring, Assembling, Rotation, Scaling, Translation, Paper folding & 2-D and 3-D patterns, Grouping, Papercutting |
Numerical Aptitude | Elementary Statistics & probability, Geometry, Data interpretation, Data- Graphs (bar graph, histogram, pie chart, and other data graphs), 2- and 3- dimensional plots, Maps, and Tables, Mensuration, Numerical computation & estimation- Powers, Series, Exponents, Percentages, Permutations, Combinations, Ratios, and Logarithms, Numerical reasoning |
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GATE 2026 AE syllabus PDF link has been given here. Click on the link below to download the complete GATE 2026 AE syllabus PDF:-
Each section on the GATE 2026 Aerospace Engineering syllabus includes a few important topics that are most likely to be asked in the examination. In the following table, we have covered the GATE AE 2026 syllabus important topics in detail:
Topic | Important Sub-topics |
|---|---|
Engineering Mathematics | Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations |
Flight Mechanics | Atmosphere, Airplane performance, Static stability |
Space Dynamics | Central force motion, determination of trajectory, and orbital period in simple cases. Kepler’s laws; escape velocity. |
Aerodynamics | Basic Fluid Mechanics, Potential flow theory, Airfoils and wings, Compressible Flows |
Structures | Strength of Materials, Flight vehicle structures, Structural Dynamics |
Propulsion | Thermodynamics, boundary layers, heat transfer, combustion and thermochemistry, Aerothermodynamics of aircraft engines, Engine performance, Turbomachinery, Centrifugal compressor, Axial turbines, Rockets |
Topic-wise weightage for the GATE Aerospace Engineering syllabus 2026 allows you to identify important sections. This analysis also allows you to plan your preparation by prioritizing topics that are most relevant and likely to be covered during the exam. The table below explains the GATE Aerospace Engineering 2026 topic-wise weightage of the complete syllabus:
Topics | Weightage | Number of Questions | Sub-Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
General Aptitude | 15% | 10 | - |
Engineering Mathematics | 14% | 9 | Complex variable Probability density, limit, Determinant function |
Basics of Flight Mechanics | 8% | 5 | - |
Airplane Performance | 5% | 3 | Drag polar; take-off and landing; steady climb and descent; absolute and service ceiling; range and endurance, load factor, turning flight, V-n diagram. Winds: head, tail and crosswinds. |
Basic Fluid Mechanics | 8% | 5 | Conservation laws: Mass, momentum and energy (Integral and differential form); Dimensional analysis and dynamic similarity |
Airfoil and Wings | 9% | 6 | Airfoil nomenclature; Aerodynamic coefficients: lift, drag and moment; KuttaJoukoswki theorem; Thin airfoil theory, Kutta condition, starting vortex; Finite wing theory: Induced drag, Prandtl lifting line theory; Critical and drag divergence Mach number |
Compressible Flows | 5% | 3 | Basic concepts of compressibility, One-dimensional compressible flows, Isentropic flows, Fanno flow, Rayleigh flow; Normal and oblique shocks, Prandtl-Meyer flow; Flow through nozzles and diffusers. |
Strength of Materials | 8% | 5 | Stress and strain: Three-dimensional transformations, Mohr’s circle, principal stresses, Three-dimensional Hooke's law, Plane stress and strain. Failure theories: Maximum stress, Tresca von Mises. Strain energy. Castigliano’s principles. Statically determinate and indeterminate trusses and beams. Elastic flexural buckling of columns. |
Flight Vehicle Structures | 5% | 3 | Characteristics of aircraft structures and materials. Torsion, bending and shear of thin-walled sections. Loads on aircraft |
Structural Dynamics | 6% | 4 | Free and forced vibrations of undamped and damped SDOF systems. Free vibrations of undamped 2-DOF systems. |
Basics of Propulsion | 3% | 2 | Thermodynamics, boundary layers, heat transfer, combustion and thermochemistry |
Aerothermodynamics of Blade Engines | 6% | 4 | Thrust, efficiency, range. Brayton cycle. |
Turbomachinery | 5% | 3 | Axial compressors: Angular momentum, work and compression, characteristic performance of a single axial compressor stage, efficiency of the compressor and degree of reaction, multi-staging. |
Space Dynamics | 5% | 3 | Central force motion, determination of trajectory and orbital period in simple cases. Kepler’s laws; escape velocity. |
The following preparation tips will not only help you cover your GATE 2026 Aerospace Engineering syllabus in time but also keep you cool and calm during your exam preparations. Let’s have a look at some of the important preparation tips for the GATE AE 2026 syllabus:
Read the complete syllabus and break the topics down from the most difficult to the easiest.
Focus on the difficult sections first.
Make a timetable and strictly follow it daily.
After finishing a topic, always assess yourself by practicing mock tests.
Participate in full-length mock tests.
Prepare from the best resources and books.
Take small breaks and sufficient rest during the studies.
There are several books available in the market for exam preparation and studies. However, it is important for you to study only from the best books for GATE 2026 Aerospace Engineering. In the following table, we have named some of the most sought-after and recommended books and best books for the GATE Aerospace Engineering 2026 syllabus:
Book Name | Author |
|---|---|
Higher Engineering Mathematics | B. S. Grewal |
Advanced Engineering Mathematics | Erwin Kreyszig |
GATE Engineering Mathematics for all streams | Arihant Publications |
Fundamentals of Aerodynamics | John D. Anderson, Jr |
Aerodynamics of Engineering Students | E.L Houghton, P.W. Carpenter |
Gas Dynamics | E. Rathakrishnan |
Aircraft Performance and Design | John D. Anderson, Jr |
Introduction to Flight | John D. Anderson, Jr |
Airplane Performance, Stability, and Control | Perkins and Hage |
Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Propulsion | Hill & Peterson |
Gas Turbines | V Ganesan |
Elements of Rocket Propulsion | George P. Sutton |
A Textbook of Strength of Materials | RK Bansal |
Strength of Materials | Stephen Timonshenko |
Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students | THG Megson |
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