GATE 2026 Physics Syllabus (Out) - Download GATE PH Syllabus PDF, Important Topics/Chapters, Section Wise Weightage

GATE 2026 Physics Syllabus PDF

GATE 2026 Physics syllabus PDF has been released by IIT Guwahati. The GATE Physics syllabus 2026 includes 2 sections, namely General Aptitude and Core GATE PH topics. The core topics of the GATE PH syllabus 2026 carry 85% weightage, and General Aptitude carries 15% weightage. The GATE 2026 syllabus for Physics involves a total of 9 sections, namely Mathematical Physics, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Solid State Physics, Electronics, and Nuclear and Particle Physics. If you are preparing for the GATE 2026 exam, you should make yourself well acquainted with the whole syllabus. You should study the GATE PH syllabus 2026 from the recommended books only, such as Introduction To Classical Mechanics by P Puranik, R Takwale, Elementary Solid State Physics: Principles and Applications by M. Ali Omar, etc. In the section below, we have discussed the GATE Physics syllabus 2026, weightage, important topics, etc.

Also Check: GATE 2026 Physics: Exam Date, Syllabus, Question Papers, Pattern, Cutoff

Quick Links:

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 Section-Wise Topics

The GATE 2026 PH syllabus contains a total of 9 sections. There are various topics included in the Physics syllabus of GATE 2026, such as Atomic and Molecular Physics, Solid State Physics, Electronics, and Nuclear and Particle Physics etc. The detailed description for the GATE Physics syllabus 2026 is given below:-

Section 1: Mathematical Physics

Vector Calculus:Linear vector space: basis, orthogonality and completeness; matrices; similarity transformations, diagonalization, eigen values and eigen vectors; linear differential equations: second order linear differential equations and solutions involving special functions; complex analysis: Cauchy-Riemann conditions, Cauchy's theorem, singularities, residue theorem and applications; Laplace transform, Fourier analysis; elementary ideas about tensors: covariant and contravariant tensors.

Section 2: Classical Mechanics

Lagrangian Formulation: D'Alembert's principle, Euler-Lagrange equation, Hamilton's principle, calculus of variations; symmetry and conservation laws; central force motion: Kepler problem and Rutherford scattering; small oscillations: coupled oscillations and normal modes; rigid body dynamics: interia tensor, orthogonal transformations, Euler angles, Torque free motion of a symmetric top; Hamiltonian and Hamilton's equations of motion; Liouville's theorem; canonical transformations: action-angle variables, Poisson brackets, Hamilton-Jacobi equation.

Special Theory of Relativity: Lorentz transformations, relativistic kinematics, mass-energy equivalence.

Section 3: Electromagnetic Theory

Solutions of electrostatic and magnetostatic problems including boundary value problems; method of images; separation of variables; dielectrics and conductors; magnetic materials; multipole expansion; Maxwell's equations; scalar and vector potentials; Coulomb and Lorentz gauges; electromagnetic waves in free space, non-conducting and conducting media; reflection and transmission at normal and oblique incidences; polarization of electromagnetic waves; Poynting vector, Poynting theorem, energy and momentum of electromagnetic waves; radiation from a moving charge.

Section 4: Quantum Mechanics

Postulates of quantum mechanics; uncertainty principle; Schrodinger equation; Dirac Bra-Ket notation, linear vectors and operators in Hilbert space; one dimensional potentials: step potential, finite rectangular well, tunneling from a potential barrier, particle in a box, harmonic oscillator; two and three dimensional systems: concept of degeneracy; hydrogen atom; angular momentum and spin; addition of angular momenta; variational method and WKB approximation, time independent perturbation theory; elementary scattering theory, Born approximation; symmetries in quantum mechanical systems.

Section 5: Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

Laws of thermodynamics; macrostates and microstates; phase space; ensembles; partition function, free energy, calculation of thermodynamic quantities; classical and quantum statistics; degenerate Fermi gas; black body radiation and Planck's distribution law; Bose-Einstein condensation; first and second order phase transitions, phase equilibria, critical point.

Section 6: Atomic and Molecular Physics

Spectra of one-and many-electron atoms; spin-orbit interaction: LS and jj couplings; fine and hyperfine structures; Zeeman and Stark effects; electric dipole transitions and selection rules; rotational and vibrational spectra of diatomic molecules; electronic transitions in diatomic molecules, Franck-Condon principle; Raman effect; EPR, NMR, ESR, X-ray spectra; lasers: Einstein coefficients, population inversion, two and three-level systems.

Section 7: Solid State Physics

Elements of crystallography; diffraction methods for structure determination; bonding in solids; lattice vibrations and thermal properties of solids; free electron theory; band theory of solids: nearly free electron and tight binding models; metals, semiconductors and insulators; conductivity, mobility and effective mass; Optical properties of solids; Kramer's-Kronig relation, intra- and inter-band transitions; dielectric properties of solid; dielectric function, polarizability, ferroelectricity; magnetic properties of solids; dia, para, ferro, antiferro and ferri-magnetism, domains and magnetic anisotropy; superconductivity: Type-I and Type II superconductors, Meissner effect, London equation, BCS Theory, flux quantization.

Section 8: Electronics

Semiconductors in Equilibrium: Electron and hole statistics in intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors; metal-semiconductor junctions; Ohmic and rectifying contacts; PN diodes, bipolar junction transistors, field effect transistors; negative and positive feedback circuits; oscillators, operational amplifiers, active filters; basics of digital logic circuits, combinational and sequential circuits, flip-flops, timers, counters, registers, A/D and D/A conversion.

Section 9: Nuclear and Particle Physics

Nuclear radii and charge distributions, nuclear binding energy, electric and magnetic moments; semi-empirical mass formula; nuclear models; liquid drop model, nuclear shell model; nuclear force and two nucleon problem; alpha decay, beta-decay, electromagnetic transitions in nuclei; Rutherford scattering, nuclear reactions, conservation laws; fission and fusion; particle accelerators and detectors; elementary particles; photons, baryons, mesons and leptons; quark model; conservation laws, isospin symmetry, charge conjugation, parity and time-reversal invariance.

Quick Links:

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 for General Aptitude

The section of General Aptitude in Physics contains a huge chunk of the weightage that is required to qualify GATE 2026 examination. As per the official notification, the GATE PH syllabus 2026 General Aptitude topics cover a total of 15% weightage. Thereafter, you are advised to prepare for it very well. The table below explains the detailed version of the GATE 2026 General Aptitude syllabus:-

GATE 2026 Physics Syllabus PDF

IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 Physics syllabus PDF on the GATE 2026 official website. Download the GATE Physics syllabus pdf 2026 from the link mentioned below:-

Quick Links:

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 Important Topics

The GATE 2026 Physics syllabus includes various important topics that carried good weightage in the previous year's paper. These important topics of the GATE Physics syllabus had many questions asked about them. While studying the complete GATE syllabus 2026, you must focus on these important topics too. The table below explains the section-wise GATE Physics 2026 syllabus important topics:-

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 Topic-Wise Weightage (Expected)

Physics is one of the highest-weighing sections in the syllabus of GATE 2026. Thereafter, while preparing for the examination you must be well-versed in the syllabus. Knowing about the syllabus will help you allot more time to the high-weighing topics and less time to the low-weighing topics. You can also find the GATE Physics 2026 syllabus weightage below:-

How to Prepare for GATE Physics 2026 Syllabus

The preparation for the GATE Physics exam asks for a focused approach to both conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, you can go through the preparation tips for the GATE PH syllabus 2026 below:-

• Familiarize yourself with the complete syllabus: You should go through the official GATE 2026 Physics syllabus thoroughly and know what topics are covered and their weightage.

• Prioritize the topics that have higher weightage: You should focus on the topics that have more weightage or are easier to score in.

• Study from the recommended study material: It is recommended that you study just from the recommended study material that provides a focused approach.

• Make a daily study schedule: The aspirants are advised to set up a daily schedule that includes the time for studying new topics, revising new ones, etc.

• Clear all the concepts: You must clear all the doubts that they have in due time. They also should focus on building a strong foundation by thoroughly understanding the basic concepts of each topic.

Best Books for GATE Physics 2026 Syllabus

While preparing for the GATE 2026, you must study from the recommended books only. Preparing from the best books for GATE 2026 not only saves you time but also gives you a clear understanding of the topics to cover during the preparation for the exams. Furthermore, if we talk about the list of recommended books for the GATE PH syllabus 2026, then it includes names like Electromagnetic Field Theory by SP Ghosh, Elementary Solid State Physics: Principal and Applications by M.Ali Omar, etc. Further description of the best books for the GATE 2026 Physics syllabus is mentioned in the table below:-