GATE CE 2026 : Syllabus

GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2026 is now available on the official IISc Bangalore website gate2026.iitg.ac.in. If you are preparing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 , you can easily check the Civil Engineering Syllabus.

The GATE question paper for Civil Engineering mainly consists of two sections:

• General Aptitude
• Engineering Mathematics

👉 GATE CE Syllabus 2026 - Download PDF

GATE Syllabus for Civil Engineering CE 2026

This syllabus covers all the important subjects and topics that are required to be known for the exam. You can make a great study plan by reading the GATE 2026 CE syllabus carefully and understanding its weightage.

Subjects	Topics of GATE CE Syllabus 2026
GATE CE 2026 Syllabus for General Aptitude (Mandatory)	Verbal Ability Syllabus English Grammar Sentence Completion Verbal Analogies Word Groups Instructions Critical Reasoning And Verbal Deduction, etc. Numerical Ability Numerical Computation Numerical Estimation Numerical Reasoning And Data Interpretation, etc.

GATE CE 2026 Civil Engineering Syllabus 

Section	Topics Covered
1. Engineering Mathematics	Linear Algebra: Matrix algebra; Systems of linear equations; Eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Calculus: Functions of single variable; Limits, continuity, differentiability; Mean value theorems; Local maxima and minima; Taylor series; Definite & indefinite integrals; Applications of integrals (area & volume); Partial & total derivatives; Gradient, Divergence, Curl, Vector identities; Directional derivatives; Line, Surface & Volume integrals. Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE): First-order (linear & non-linear) equations; Higher-order linear equations with constant coefficients; Euler-Cauchy equations; Initial & boundary value problems. Partial Differential Equation (PDE): Fourier series; Separation of variables; Solutions of 1D diffusion, 1st & 2nd order wave equation, 2D Laplace equation. Probability & Statistics: Sampling theorems; Conditional probability; Descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, SD); Random variables (discrete & continuous); Poisson & Normal distribution; Linear regression. Numerical Methods: Error analysis; Numerical solutions of equations; Newton’s & Lagrange polynomials; Numerical differentiation; Trapezoidal & Simpson’s rule; Single & multi-step methods for ODEs.
2. Structural Engineering	Engineering Mechanics: System of forces; Free-body diagrams; Equilibrium equations; Internal forces; Friction; Centre of mass; Free vibrations of undamped SDOF system. Solid Mechanics: Bending moment & shear force (beams); Stress-strain relationships; Simple bending theory; Flexural & shear stresses; Shear centre; Uniform torsion; Stress transformation; Buckling of columns; Combined stresses. Structural Analysis: Determinate & indeterminate structures; Force/Energy methods; Superposition; Trusses, arches, beams, cables & frames; Displacement methods (Slope-deflection, Moment-distribution); Influence lines; Stiffness & flexibility methods. Construction Materials & Management: Steel (composition, properties, behaviour); Concrete (constituents, mix design, properties); Construction project planning, PERT, CPM, cost estimation. Concrete Structures: Working stress & Limit state design; Beams, slabs, columns; Bond & development length; Prestressed concrete beams. Steel Structures: Working stress & Limit state design; Design of tension/compression members, beams, beam-columns, bases; Connections (simple & eccentric, plate girders, trusses); Plastic analysis (beams & frames).
3. Geotechnical Engineering	Soil Mechanics: Three-phase system; Index properties; Soil classification (USCS & IS); Permeability (1D & 2D flow); Flow nets; Uplift, piping, capillarity; Effective stress principle; Compaction; 1D consolidation; Time rate of consolidation; Shear strength (Mohr’s circle, parameters, stress-strain). Foundation Engineering: Subsurface investigation (boring, sampling, SPT, CPT); Earth pressure (Rankine, Coulomb); Slope stability (finite/infinite, Bishop’s method); Stress distribution (Boussinesq’s theory, pressure bulbs); Shallow foundations (Terzaghi, Meyerhof); Raft, combined footing; Settlement analysis; Deep foundations (pile capacity, pile load test, lateral loading, efficiency, negative skin friction).
4. Water Resources Engineering	Fluid Mechanics: Properties of fluids; Fluid statics; Continuity, momentum & energy equations; Potential, laminar & turbulent flows; Pipe flow & networks; Boundary layer theory; Lift & drag. Hydraulics: Forces on bodies; Flow measurement; Dimensional analysis; Channel hydraulics (specific energy, critical flow, hydraulic jump, uniform flow, GVF, water surface profiles). Hydrology: Hydrologic cycle; Precipitation; Evaporation; Infiltration; Unit hydrograph; Hydrograph analysis; Flood estimation & routing; Groundwater hydrology (Darcy’s law, steady-state well hydraulics, aquifers). Irrigation: Types & methods; Crop water requirement (duty, delta, ET); Dams & spillways; Canals (lined & unlined); Weirs on permeable foundation; Cross drainage works.
5. Environmental Engineering	Water & Wastewater: Water quality parameters (physical, chemical, biological); Water quality index; Unit processes & operations; Water requirement & distribution; Treatment of drinking water. Wastewater: Sewerage system design; Quantity of sewage; Primary & secondary treatment; Sludge disposal; Effluent standards; Reuse of treated wastewater. Air Pollution: Pollutants, sources, impacts; Control methods; Air quality standards & Index. Solid Waste Management: Generation, collection, transportation; Reuse, recycling, energy recovery, treatment, disposal.
6. Transportation Engineering	Transportation Infrastructure: Highway design (cross-section, sight distance, alignment); Railway track (speed, cant); Airport runway length, taxiway, exit taxiway design. Highway Pavements: Properties of materials; Bituminous mixes; Design of flexible & rigid pavements (IRC codes). Traffic Engineering: Traffic flow & speed studies; Accident study; Statistical analysis; Microscopic & macroscopic traffic flow parameters; Fundamental diagrams; Traffic signs; Signal design (Webster’s method); Intersection design; Highway capacity.
7. Geomatics Engineering	Surveying: Principles; Errors & adjustments; Maps (scale, coordinates); Distance & angle measurement; Levelling & trigonometric levelling; Traversing; Triangulation; Total station; Horizontal & vertical curves. Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing: Scale, flying height; Basics of remote sensing & GIS.