GATE Electrical Engineering Syllabus 2026

Section 1: Engineering Mathematics

• Linear Algebra: Eigenvalues, Matrix Algebra, Systems of linear equations, Eigenvectors.
• Complex variables: Analytic functions, Taylor series, Cauchy’s integral theorem, Cauchy’s integral formula, Residue theorem, Laurent series, Solution integrals.
• Calculus: Maxima and minima, Mean value theorems, Evaluation of definite and improper integrals, Partial Derivatives, Theorems of integral calculus, Multiple integrals, Fourier series, Vector identities, Directional derivatives, Line integral, Volume integral, Surface integral, Divergence theorem, Gauss’s theorem, Stokes’s theorem, Green’s theorem.
• Probability and Statistics: Mean, Median, Mode, Sampling theorems, Conditional probability, Random variables, Standard Deviation, Discrete and Continuous distributions, Normal distribution, Poisson distribution, Binomial distribution, Regression analysis, and Correlation Analysis.
• Differential equations: First order equations (linear and nonlinear), Cauchy’s equation, Higher order linear differential equations with constant coefficients, Euler’s equation, Method of variation of parameters, Initial and boundary value problems, Partial Differential Equations and Method of separation of variables.

Section 2: Electrical Machines

• Single-Phase Transformer: open circuit and short circuit tests, equivalent circuit, phasor diagram, regulation and efficiency
• Three-phase transformers: connections, parallel operation, vector groups, Electromechanical energy conversion principles, Auto-transformer
•  DC machines: separately excited, motoring and generating mode of operation and their characteristics, series and shunt, speed control of dc motors
• Three-phase induction machines: the principle of operation, performance, types, torque-speed characteristics, equivalent circuit, no-load and blocked-rotor tests, starting and speed control
• Operating principle of single phase motors
• Synchronous machines: cylindrical and salient pole machines, regulation and parallel operation of generators, performance and characteristics, starting of synchronous motors
• Efficiency calculations of electric machines and Types of losses in electric machines.

Section 3: Electric Circuits

• Network elements: Ideal voltage and current sources, R, L, C, M elements, dependent sources
• Network Theorems: Thevenin’s theorem, Norton’s theorem, Superposition and Maximum Power Transfer theorem
• Network solution methods: Node and Mesh analysis, KCL, KVL.
• Transient response of dc and ac networks, resonance, sinusoidal steady-state analysis, two port networks, balanced three phase circuits, complex power and power factor in ac circuits, star-delta transformation.

Section 4: Electromagnetic Fields

• Coulomb's Law, Electric Field Intensity, Gauss's Law, Electric Flux Density, Divergence, Electric field and potential due to point, line, plane and spherical charge distributions.
• Magnetic circuits, Magnetomotive force, Reluctance, Self and Mutual inductance of simple configurations.
• Effect of dielectric medium, Biot Savart’s law, Capacitance of simple configurations, Ampere’s law, Curl, Lorentz force, Faraday’s law, Inductance

Section 5: Power Electronics

• Static V-I characteristics and firing/gating circuits for Thyristor, IGBT, MOSFET
• DC to DC conversion: Boost, Buck, and Buck-Boost Converters
• Single and three-phase configuration of uncontrolled rectifiers
• Voltage and Current commutated Thyristor based converters
• Bidirectional ac to dc voltage source converters
• Phase and Magnitude of line current harmonics for uncontrolled and thyristor based converters
• Distortion Factor and Power factor of ac to dc converters
• Single-phase voltage and current source inverters, three-phase voltage and current source inverters, sinusoidal pulse width modulation

Section 6: Signals and Systems

• Representation of continuous and discrete-time signals, linear time-invariant and causal systems, shifting and scaling properties
• Sampling theoremFourier series representation of continuous and discrete-time periodic signals, Applications of Fourier Transform for continuous and discrete-time signals
• Laplace Transform and Z transform. R.M.S. value, the average value for any general periodic waveform.

Section 7: Analog and Digital Electronics

• Simple diode circuits: Clipping, clamping, rectifiers
• Amplifiers: Biasing, equivalent circuit and frequency response
• Oscillators and feedback amplifiers
• Operational amplifiers: Characteristics and applications
• Single stage active filters
• Active Filters: Butterworth, Sallen Key, VCOs and timers, multiplexers, demultiplexers, combinatorial and sequential logic circuits, Schmitt triggers, A/D and D/A converters, sample and hold circuits.

Section 8: Control Systems

• Mathematical modeling and representation of systems, transfer function, Feedback principle, Transient and Steady state analysis of linear time invariant systems, Block diagrams and Signal flow graphs, Stability analysis using Routh-Hurwitz and Nyquist criteria, Root loci, Bode plots,Lag, Lead and Lead - Lag compensators
• P, PI and PID controllers
• State space model, Solution of state equations of LTI systems

Section 9: Power Systems

• Basic concepts of electrical power generation, Models and performance of transmission lines and cables, ac and dc transmission concepts
• Series and shunt compensation, Economic Load Dispatch 
• Electric field distribution and insulators, Per unit quantities, Distribution systems, Gauss- Seidel and Newton-Raphson load flow methods, Voltage and Frequency control, Bus admittance matrix, Power factor correction, Symmetrical components, Symmetrical and unsymmetrical fault analysis, Principles of current, differential, directional and distance protection
• Equal area criterion, Circuit breakers, System stability concepts

Section 10: Electrical and Electronics Measurements

• Potentiometers, Bridges, Measurement of voltage, current, energy, power, and power factor
• Oscilloscopes, Error analysis
• Instrument transformers, Digital voltmeters and multimeters, Time, Phase, and Frequency measurement

GATE 2026 EE Syllabus: Important Topics with Weightage

All the sections of the Gate Electrical Engineering exam have different weightages. The candidates should devote more time to the sections carrying more weightage. Refer to the table given below to get a detailed idea about the weightage of different sections of the examination: