Updated By Prateek Lakhera on 11 Aug, 2025 15:08
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Predict RankThe GATE 2026 Architecture & Planning syllabus was released in August 2025 by IIT Guwahati. The institute has provided the GATE 2026 syllabus for the AR in PDF format. Generally, the GATE AR syllabus features topics such as Construction & Management, Planning Process, Building Construction, and Regional & Settlement Planning.
The GATE 2026 exam for Architecture and Planning (AR) will have a different marking scheme as compared to the other GATE 2026 exam. It includes a General Aptitude section of 15 marks, which is common for all. The exam also has a compulsory section, Part A, which everyone must complete, contributing 60 marks. During the exam, you can choose either Part B1 (Architecture) or Part B2 (Planning), which accounts for 25 marks. The total marks for the exam are 100, and you are given 180 minutes to complete it. For more details on the GATE 2025 AR syllabus, continue reading this page.
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Attempt nowThe IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 syllabus for all subjects. We have provided the GATE AR syllabus 2026 here:
| GATE AR Syllabus 2026 PDF Download Link |
|---|
If you are aspiring to take the GATE examination, then you must be well-versed in the section-wise topics and subtopics related to the GATE AR syllabus 2026. Further, Part A of the syllabus is common to all, while Parts B1 & B2 are specific to the Architecture & Planning topics, respectively. You can find the GATE 2026 AR syllabus below:-
Part | Section | Topics |
|---|---|---|
Part A: Common | Section 1: Architecture, Planning, and Design | Architectural Graphics; Visual composition in 2D and 3D; Computer application in Architecture and Planning; Anthropometrics; Organization of space; Circulation- horizontal and vertical; Space Standards; Universal design; Building bylaws; Codes and standards. |
Section 2: Construction and Management | Project management techniques, e.g., PERT, CPM, etc.; Estimation and Specification; Professional practice and ethics; Form and Structure; Principles and design of disaster-resistant structures; Temporary structures for rehabilitation. | |
Section 3: Environmental Planning and Design | Natural and man-made ecosystem; Ecological principles; Environmental considerations in Planning and design; Environmental pollution- types, causes, controls and abatement strategies; Sustainable development, goals and strategies; Climate change and built environment; Climate responsive design. | |
Section 4: Urban Design, Landscape, and Conservation | Historical and modern examples of urban design; Elements of urban built environment – urban form, spaces, structure, pattern, fabric, texture, grain etc.; Concepts and theories of urban design; Principles, tools and techniques of urban design; Public spaces, character, spatial qualities and Sense of Place; Urban design interventions for sustainable development and transportation; Development controls – FAR, densities and building byelaws; Urban renewal and conservation; heritage conservation; historical public spaces and gardens; Landscape design; Site planning. | |
Section 5: Planning Process | Salient concepts, theories and principles of urban planning; Concepts of cities - Eco-City, Smart City; Concepts and theories by trendsetting planners and designers; Ekistics; Urban sociology; Social, Economic and environmental cost-benefit analysis; Methods of non-spatial and spatial data analysis; Development guidelines such as URDPFI. | |
Section 6: Housing | Housing typologies; Concepts, principles and examples of neighbourhood; Residential densities; Affordable Housing; Real estate valuation. | |
Section 7: Services and Infrastructure | Fire fighting Systems; Building Safety and Security systems; Building Management Systems; Water treatment; Water supply and distribution system; Water harvesting systems; Principles, Planning and Design of storm water drainage system; Sewage disposal methods; Methods of solid waste management - collection, transportation and disposal; Recycling and Reuse of solid waste; Land-use – transportation - urban form inter-relationships; Design of roads, intersections, grade separators and parking areas; Hierarchy of roads and level of service; Para-transits and other modes of transportation, Pedestrian and slow-moving traffic planning. | |
Part B1: Architecture | Section 1: History and Contemporary Architecture | Principles of Art and Architecture; World History of Architecture: Egyptian, Greco-Roman classical period, Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque-Rococo, etc.; Recent trends in Contemporary Architecture: Art nouveau, Art Deco, Eclecticism, International styles, Postmodernism, Deconstruction in architecture, etc.; Influence of Modern art and Design in Architecture; Indian vernacular and traditional Architecture, Oriental Architecture; Works of renowned national and international architects. |
Section 2: Building Construction and Structural Systems | Building construction techniques, methods and details; Building systems and prefabrication of building elements; Principles of Modular Coordination; Construction planning and equipment; Building material characteristics and applications; Principles of strength of materials; Alternative building materials; Foundations; Design of structural elements with different materials; Elastic and Limit State design; Structural systems; Principles of Prestressing; High Rise and Long Span structures, gravity and lateral load resisting systems. | |
Section 3: Building Services and Sustainability | Solar architecture; Thermal, visual and acoustic comfort in built environments; Natural and Mechanical ventilation in buildings; Air-Conditioning systems; Sustainable building strategies; Building Performance Simulation and Evaluation; Intelligent Buildings; Water supply; Sewerage and drainage systems; Sanitary fittings and fixtures; Plumbing systems; Principles of internal and external drainage system; Principles of electrification of buildings; Elevators and Escalators - standards and uses. | |
Part B2: Planning | Section 1: Regional and Settlement Planning | Regional delineation; Settlement hierarchy; Types and hierarchy of plans; Various schemes and programs of central government; Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), SEZ, SRZ etc.; Public Perception and user behavior; National Housing Policies, Programs and Schemes; Slums, Squatters and informal housing; Standards for housing and community facilities; Housing for special areas and needs. |
Section 2: Planning Techniques and Management | Application of G.I.S and Remote Sensing techniques in urban and regional planning; Tools and techniques of Surveys – Physical, Topographical, Land use and Socio-economic Surveys; Urban Economics, Law of demand and supply of land and its use in planning; Graphic presentation of spatial data; Local self-governance, Panchayatiraj institutions; Planning Legislation and implementation – Land Acquisition Act, PPP etc.; Decision support system and Land Information System; Urban geography and econometrics; Management of Infrastructure Projects; Demography and equity in planning. | |
Section 3: Infrastructure Planning | Process and Principles of Transportation Planning and Traffic Engineering; Road capacity and Travel demand forecasting; Traffic survey methods, Traffic flow Analysis; Traffic analysis and design considerations; Traffic and transport management and control in urban areas; Mass transportation planning; Intelligent Transportation Systems; Urban and Rural Infrastructure System Network. |
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General Aptitude is a key section of the GATE AR syllabus as it weighs a total of 15 marks. As a future exam taker, you must have a good knowledge of the General Aptitude syllabus. Further, in the table below, we will be discussing the GATE AR 2026 syllabus:-
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Numerical Ability |
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| Verbal Ability |
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Quick Links:
| GATE 2026 Exam Centres | GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria |
| GATE 2026 Registration | GATE 2026 Admit Card |
If you are planning on appearing for the GATE 2026 exam, then you must be fully acquainted with the important topics. You must know that these topics are deemed important, as questions related to them are asked consistently in the exam. Find the complete list of the important topics of the GATE 2026 AR syllabus below:-
Principles of Art and Architecture
World History of Architecture (Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, etc.)
Recent trends in Contemporary Architecture (Art Deco, Modernism, Deconstruction)
Indian vernacular and traditional Architecture
Works of renowned architects (both national and international)
Building construction techniques and materials
Structural systems (Load-bearing structures, Framed structures)
High-rise and long-span structures
Elastic and Limit State design principles
Solar architecture and sustainable building strategies
Thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort in buildings
Water supply, sewerage, and drainage systems
Building Performance Simulation and Evaluation
Elements of urban built environment (urban form, spaces, pattern)
Concepts and theories of urban design
Public spaces, character, and spatial qualities
Heritage conservation and landscape design
Theories and principles of urban planning
Concepts of cities (Eco-City, Smart City)
Urban sociology and cost-benefit analysis
Development guidelines and planning legislations
Settlement hierarchy and types of plans
National Housing Policies and Programs
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and SEZ
Standards for housing and community facilities
Ecological principles and environmental considerations in planning
Environmental pollution control strategies
Climate-responsive design and sustainable development goals
Visual composition in 2D and 3D
Anthropometrics and space standards
Circulation patterns and space organization
Project management techniques (PERT, CPM)
Professional practice and ethics in architecture
Principles of disaster-resistant structures
Knowing the topic-wise weightage will help you in honing your preparation, as through the same, you will be able to dedicate more time to the high-weight sections. In the table below, we have mentioned the topic-wise weightage of the GATE AR syllabus in detail:-
Topic | Expected Weightage (Marks) |
|---|---|
Architecture & Design | 20-30 |
Building and Structures | 25-30 |
Urban Planning and Housing | 15-20 |
Planning Techniques and Management | 10-15 |
We know that preparing for the GATE 2026 AR exam can be daunting but, believe it or not, with the correct strategy and hard work, you can surely crack the exam with flying colours. Let us discuss about the preparation tips for the GATE AR syllabus below:-
Taking help from certain books to study for the GATE Architecture & Planning syllabus 2026 is important because they provide detailed coverage of important topics, and practice questions that closely match the exam. Provided below are names of some important GATE best books 2026 for Architecture and Planning that you can follow:
Book Title | Author |
|---|---|
GATE Architecture/Planning (6th Edition) | B. K. Das |
Building Construction | Sushil Kumar |
Fundamentals of Town Planning | G. R. Hiraskar |
Theory of Structures and Strength of Materials | Henry Taylor |
Building Services and Equipment (Volume I and II) | Fred Hall |
Building Material | P. C. Varghese |
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S Aggarwal |
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