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GATE Physics Syllabus 2026, Check Topic-Wise Syllabus

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 is discussed here to help the aspirants in planning their preparation strategy to ace the exam with a top score. Explore the topic-wise GATE 2026 Physics Syllabus now.
authorImageKrati Saraswat18 Apr, 2025
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GATE Physics Syllabus 2025

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026: Physics is a crucial subject in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering examination. Mastering this section requires strategic planning, effective approach and proper guidance. In 2026, IIT Guwahati is going to administer the GATE examination for 30 various specializations including Physics.

Candidates who are planning to take the GATE 2026 for Physics paper must kick-start their preparation by reviewing the entire syllabus. An in-depth understanding of the GATE Syllabus for Physics is essential to obtain a desired score. The GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 covers a weightage of 85% marks from core topics while 15% from general aptitude.

Below, we have outlined the detailed syllabus for the GATE Physics including core topics and sub-topics to aid the preparation of aspirants.

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026

Physics is a core subject that carries the maximum weightage of around 85%, whereas general aptitude will have the remaining 15%. Learning the GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 provides aspirants with a clear picture of important topics, which eventually aids in scoring well.

Furthermore, the GATE physics syllabus focuses on assessing aspirants basic concepts related to physics and their ability to implement these concepts in order to solve problems. Additionally, the questions arising in the GATE 2026 exam will be solely based on the GATE physics syllabus. Let's have a look at the nine sections covering the complete GATE syllabus 2026 for Physics.

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 Sections
Section Name of the Subject
1 Mathematical Physics
2 Classical Mechanics
3 Electromagnetic Theory
4 Quantum Mechanics
5 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
6 Atomic and Molecular Physics
7 Solid State Physics
8 Electronics
9 Nuclear and Particle Physics

GATE PH Syllabus for Mathematical Physics

This section of the GATE PH Syllabus for Mathematical Physics includes topics such as Vector Calculus, Linear vector Space, and Basic Tensor Ideas, among others. Some of the important topics are listed below for aspirants reference.

GATE PH Syllabus 2026 for Mathematical Physics
Topics Sub-topics
Basic Tensor Ideas
  • Covering the two main types of covariant and contravariant tensors
Cauchy's Theorem
  • Cauchy-Riemann conditions, singularities, residue theorem, and applications, including Laplace transforms and fourier analysis
Vector Calculus
  • Matrices, similarity transformations and diagonalization, along with eigenvalues and eigenvectors
  • Base, orthogonality, and completeness in linear vector space
Linear differential equations
  • Special function-based solutions to second-order linear differential equations

GATE PH Syllabus for Classical Mechanics

The GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 for Classical Mechanics focuses on classical mechanics' key concepts and theories within the area of physics. Find out about the important Classical Mechanics topics outlined below.

GATE PH Classical Mechanics Syllabus
Lagrangian Formulation
  • Symmetry and conservation rules
  • D'Alembert's principle
  • Euler-Lagrange equation
  • Hamilton's principle
  • Calculus of variations
  • Small oscillations: coupled oscillations and normal modes
  • The study of central force motion, which includes analyzing the Kepler problem and Rutherford scattering
  • Hamiltonian and Hamilton's equations of motion
  • Liouville's theorem
  • Canonical transformations involving the use of action-angle variables, Poisson brackets, and the Hamilton-Jacobi equation
  • Inertia tensor, orthogonal transformations, and Euler angles included in rigid body dynamics
  • Torque-free motion of asymmetric top
The Special Relativity Theory
  • Relativistic kinematics
  • Lorentz transformations
  • Mass-energy equivalence
 

GATE PH Syllabus for Electromagnetic Theory

The GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 for Electromagnetic Theory gives a thorough understanding of the concepts that manage the behavior of electric and magnetic fields, as well as their interactions and applications. All the important topics from this section are provided below.

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 for Electromagnetic Theory
Electromagnetic Theory
  • Challenges related to electrostatic and magnetostatic phenomena, which involve addressing boundary value problems
  • Image method
  • Variable separation
  • Dielectrics and conductors
  • Magnetic materials
  • Multipole expansion
  • Maxwell's equations
  • Scalar and vector potentials
  • Coulomb and Lorentz gauges
  • The propagation of electromagnetic waves in different mediums, including free space, non-conducting materials, and conducting materials
  • Reflection and transmission at normal and oblique incidences
  • Electromagnetic wave polarization
  • Poynting vector
  • Poynting theorem
  • Energy and velocity of electromagnetic waves
  • Radiation from a moving charge

GATE PH Syllabus for Quantum Mechanics

The GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 for Quantum Mechanics covers the fundamental principles and concepts of quantum physics. It includes various topics related to angular momentum, Born approximation, etc. The Quantum Mechanics syllabus includes the following key topics:

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 for Quantum Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics
  • Postulates of quantum mechanics
  • Uncertainty principle
  • Schrödinger equation
  • The utilization of Dirac's Bra-Ket notation, linear vectors, and operators in Hilbert space.
  • Analysis of various potentials such as step potentials, finite rectangular wells, tunneling from a potential barrier, particles in a box, harmonic oscillators, and one-dimensional potentials
  • Study of degeneracy in two and three dimensions
  • Understanding the hydrogen atom
  • Examination of angular momentum and spin
  • Addition of angular moments
  • Application of the variational method and WKB approximation
  • Exploration of time-independent perturbation theory
  • Introduction to elementary scattering theory
  • Utilization of the Born approximation

GATE PH Syllabus for Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

The GATE Physics syllabus for Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics section highlights topics such as Bose-Einstein condensation, phase equilibria, and so forth. Check out the primary topics stated below for more information on the same.

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026
Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
  • Laws of Thermodynamics
  • Macrostates and Microstates
  • Phase Space
  • Ensembles
  • Partition Function, Free Energy, and Calculation of Thermodynamic Quantities
  • Classical and Quantum Statistics
  • First and Second-Order Phase Transitions, Phase Equilibria, and Critical Points
  • Degenerate Fermi Gas
  • Black Body Radiation and Planck's Distribution Law
  • Bose-Einstein Condensation

GATE PH Syllabus for Atomic and Molecular Physics

The GATE Physics Syllabus for Atomic and Molecular Physics aims to cover the essential principles and ideas of atomic and molecular physics. This syllabus provides an in-depth framework for understanding the behavior of atoms and molecules. Some of the vital topics are mentioned below.

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026
Atomic and Molecular Physics
  • Analysis of the spectra of atoms with one or multiple electrons
  • Interactions between spin and orbit in LS and JJ couplings
  • Examination of fine and hyperfine structures
  • Effects of Zeeman and Stark on Atomic Systems
  • Transitions governed by electric dipole interactions and associated selection rules
  • Study of the rotational and vibrational spectra of molecules with two atoms
  • Understanding electronic transitions in molecules with two atoms
  • Application of the Franck-Condon principle in molecular transitions
  • Investigation of the Raman effect in the scattering of light by molecules
  • Exploration of spectroscopic techniques such as EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance), NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), ESR (Electron Spin Resonance), and X-ray spectra
  • Understanding lasers and their operation, including Einstein coefficients and the concept of population inversion

GATE PH Syllabus for Solid State Physics

The Solid State Physics section of the GATE Physics Syllabus provides an in-depth framework for studying the concepts and phenomena connected to the behavior of solid-state materials. It covers an array of topics important in solid-state physics, such as crystal structure, lattice vibrations, electronic band theory, and more, as outlined below.

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026
Solid State Physics
  • Study of the free electron theory and the band theory of solids
  • Classification of materials: metals, semiconductors, and insulators
  • Conductivity, mobility, and effective mass
  • Crystallography and diffraction methods for structure determination
  • Bonding in solids
  • Lattice vibrations and thermal properties of solids
  • Exploration of the optical properties of solids, including the Kramers-Kronig relation and transitions within and between energy bands
  • Investigation of dielectric properties of solids, including the dielectric function, polarizability, and the phenomenon of ferroelectricity
  • Magnetic properties of solids: dia-, para-, ferro-, antiferro-, and ferri-magnetism, magnetic anisotropy
  • Superconductivity: Type-I and Type-II superconductors, Meissner effect, London equation, BCS Theory, flux quantization

GATE PH Syllabus for Electronics

Aspirants will gain a strong foundation in electronic engineering fundamentals by studying the GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 for Electronics, which will help them evaluate, design, and troubleshoot electronic systems and circuits. Refer to the table below to learn about the important topics to cover in the electronics section.

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026
Electronics
  • Semiconductors in Equilibrium:
    • The analysis of electron and hole statistics in both intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors
    • Metal-semiconductor junctions and their behavior
    • Ohmic and rectifying contacts
    • PN diodes and their characteristics
    • Bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and their operation
    • Field-effect transistors (FETs) and their behavior
  • Negative and Positive Feedback Circuits:
    • Oscillators and their functioning
    • Operational amplifiers and their applications
    • Active filters and their usage
  • Basic Digital Logic Circuits:
    • Combinational and sequential circuits
    • Flip-flops and their behavior
    • Timers, counters, and registers
    • A/D (Analog-to-Digital) and D/A (Digital-to-Analog) conversion

GATE PH Syllabus for Nuclear and Particle Physics

The GATE Physics syllabus for the Nuclear and Particle Physics section contains topics like electromagnetic transitions, Rutherford scattering, and so on, as highlighted below.

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026
Nuclear and Particle Physics
  • Nuclear Structure:
    • Nuclear radii, charge distributions, and electric and magnetic moments
    • Semi-empirical mass formula for nuclear binding energy
    • Models used to describe atomic nuclei, namely the liquid drop model and the nuclear shell model
  • Nuclear Interactions and Reactions:
    • Nuclear force and the two-nucleon problem
    • Alpha, beta, and electromagnetic transitions in nuclei
    • Rutherford scattering and nuclear reactions
    • Conservation laws in nuclear reactions
  • Nuclear Energy:
    • Fission and fusion processes
    • Particle accelerators and their role in studying nuclear reactions
    • Detectors used in nuclear physics experiments
  • Elementary Particles:
    • Classification of elementary particles: photons, baryons, mesons, and leptons
    • Introduction to the quark model
  • Symmetries in Particle Physics:
    • Conservation laws in particle interactions
    • Isospin symmetry
    • Charge conjugation, parity, and time-reversal invariance

GATE Physics Syllabus PDF

Downloading the GATE Physics Syllabus PDF is an important step towards developing a comprehensive and well-structured study plan. Moreover, the GATE Physics Syllabus PDF serves as a vital resource that explains the entire syllabus for the GATE exam, providing aspirants with a clear understanding of the topics and subtopics they need to cover. Download the GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 PDF from the link given below.

Download GATE Physics Syllabus PDF

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 - Subject wise Weightage

As per the GATE Physics subject-wise weightage, aspirants can expect the maximum number of questions from their core physics subject, which will carry around 85 percent of the overall question paper, making it the most significant subject to cover. Check out the complete details below:

GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 Weightage
Subject Total Number of Questions Weightage of Marks
General Aptitude (GA) 10 15 percent
Core Physics Topics 55 85 percent
Total 65 100

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GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 FAQs

Q. What is the GATE Physics Syllabus 2026?

Ans. The GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 includes 9 main sections from core topics and general aptitude.

Q. Where can I find GATE Physics Syllabus?

Ans. Candidates must go through the topic-wise GATE Syllabus for Physics above to start their exam preparation accordingly.

Q. How to complete the GATE Physics Syllabus 2026 on time?

Ans. Aspirants are advised to prioritize the more complex topics first, then move on to the relatively easier ones. As a result, they will be able to cover the entire GATE Physics syllabus and will have time to revise as well.

Q. What are the GATE Physics Syllabus's important topics?

Ans. While all topics mentioned above are important, aspirants can emphasize more on semiconductors, insulators, the Zeeman effect, amplifiers, and oscillators, including the Frank-Condon Principle.

Q. How many questions may arise from the core GATE Physics sections?

Ans. Around 55 questions may arise in the upcoming GATE 2026 exam from the core physics subjects.
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