GATE 2025 syllabus – AE: Aerospace Engineering

GATE 2025 syllabus for Aerospace Engineering (AE) gives you details of the latest GATE syllabus for the subject released by the official gate organizing institute IIT Roorkee for the year 2025. We also created an easy-to-use ad-free mobile app for the GATE syllabus, previous year papers with keys, gate calculator, virtual calculator, and more. Download iStudy App for all GATE preparation needs.

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GATE 2025 syllabus – Aerospace Engineering (AE)

Important Note for Candidates:

In each of the following subjects, the topics have been divided into two categories – Core Topics and Special Topics. The corresponding sections of the question paper will contain 90% of their questions on Core Topics and the remaining 10% on Special Topics.

Section 1: Engineering Mathematics

Core Topics:

Linear Algebra:
Vector algebra, Matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, the rank of a matrix, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.

Calculus:
Functions of single variable, limits, continuity and differentiability, mean value theorem, chain rule, partial derivatives, maxima and minima, gradient, divergence and curl, directional derivatives. Integration, Line, surface, and volume integrals. Theorems of Stokes, Gauss, and Green.

Differential Equations:
First-order linear and nonlinear differential equations, higher-order linear ODEs with constant coefficients. Partial differential equations and separation of variables methods.

Special Topics:

Fourier Series, Laplace Transforms, Numerical methods for linear and nonlinear algebraic equations, Numerical integration and differentiation. Complex analysis. Probability and statistics.

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Section 2: Flight Mechanics

Core Topics:

Basics:
Atmosphere: Properties, standard atmosphere. Classification of aircraft. Airplane (fixed wing aircraft) configuration and various parts. Pressure altitude; equivalent, calibrated, indicated air speeds; Primary flight instruments: Altimeter, ASI, VSI, Turn-bank indicator. Angle of attack, sideslip; Roll, pitch & yaw controls. Aerodynamic forces and moments.

Airplane performance:
Drag polar; takeoff and landing; steady climb & descent; absolute and service ceiling; range and endurance, load factor, turning flight, V-n diagram. Winds: head, tail & cross winds.

Static stability:
Stability & control derivatives; longitudinal stick fixed & free stability; horizontal tail position and size; directional stability, vertical tail position and size; lateral stability. Wing dihedral, sweep & position; hinge moments, stick forces.

Special Topics:

Dynamic stability:
Euler angles; Equations of motion; Decoupling of longitudinal and lateral-directional dynamics; longitudinal modes; lateral-directional modes.

Section 3: Space Dynamics

Core Topics:

Central force motion, determination of trajectory and orbital period in simple cases. Kepler’s laws;
escape velocity.

No Special Topics:

Section 4: Aerodynamics

Core Topics:

Basic Fluid Mechanics:
Conservation laws: Mass, momentum and energy (Integral and differential form); Dimensional analysis and dynamic similarity; Potential flow theory: sources, sinks, doublets, line vortex and their superposition. Elementary ideas of viscous flows including boundary layers.

Airfoils and wings:
Airfoil nomenclature; Aerodynamic coefficients: lift, drag and moment; Kutta-Joukoswki theorem; Thin airfoil theory, Kutta condition, starting vortex; Finite wing theory: Induced drag, Prandtl lifting line theory; Critical and drag divergence Mach number.

Compressible Flows:
Basic concepts of compressibility, One-dimensional compressible flows, Isentropic flows, Fanno flow, Rayleigh flow; Normal and oblique shocks, Prandtl-Meyer flow; Flow through nozzles and diffusers.

Special Topics:

Wind Tunnel Testing:
Measurement and visualization techniques. Shock – boundary layer interaction.

Section 5: Structures

Core Topics:

Strength of Materials:
Stress and strain: Three-dimensional transformations, Mohr’s circle, principal stresses, Three-dimensional Hooke’s law, Plane stress and strain. Failure theories: Maximum stress, Tresca and von Mises. Strain energy. Castigliano’s principles. Statically determinate and indeterminate trusses and beams. Elastic flexural buckling of columns.

Flight vehicle structures:
Characteristics of aircraft structures and materials. Torsion, bending and shear of thin-walled sections. Loads on aircraft.

Structural Dynamics:
Free and forced vibrations of undamped and damped SDOF systems. Free vibrations of undamped 2-DOF systems.

Special Topics:

Vibration of beams. Theory of elasticity:
Equilibrium and compatibility equations, Airy’s stress function.

Section 6: Propulsion

Core Topics:

Basics:
Thermodynamics, boundary layers, heat transfer, combustion and thermochemistry.

Aerothermodynamics of aircraft engines:
Thrust, efficiency, range. Brayton cycle. Engine performance: ramjet, turbojet, turbofan, turboprop and turboshaft engines. Afterburners.

Turbomachinery:
Axial compressors: Angular momentum, work and compression, characteristic performance of a single axial compressor stage, efficiency of the compressor and degree of reaction, multi-staging. Centrifugal compressor: Stage dynamics, inducer, impeller and diffuser. Axial turbines: Stage performance.

Rockets:
Thrust equation and specific impulse, rocket performance. Multi-staging. Chemical rockets. Performance of solid and liquid propellant rockets.

Special Topics:

Aerothermodynamics of non-rotating propulsion components such as intakes, combustor and nozzle. Turbine blade cooling. Compressor-turbine matching, Surge and stall.

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GENERAL APTITUDE (Common for all branches)

Verbal Aptitude

Basic English Grammar
Tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb-noun agreement, and other parts of speech

Basic Vocabulary
Words, idioms, and phrases in context

Reading and Comprehension

Narrative Sequencing

Quantitative Aptitude

Data Interpretation
Data graphs (bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphs representing data), 2- and 3-dimensional plots, maps, and tables

Numerical Computation and Estimation
Ratios, percentages, powers, exponents and logarithms, permutations and combinations, and series

Mensuration and Geometry

Elementary Statistics and Probability

Analytical Aptitude

Logic
Deduction and Induction

Analogy

Numerical Relations and Reasoning

Spatial Aptitude

Transformation of Shapes
Translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, and grouping

Paper folding, cutting, and patterns in 2 and 3 dimensions

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Changes in GATE 2025 give various options in the selection of subjects with two new subjects introduced this year changes that benefit most of the students moreover, 3rd-year students can also apply for GATE 2025. As GATE score is valid for 3 Years from the date of the result announcement.

Download iStudy Mobile App for all GATE Syllabus, Previous Question Papers, and Keys, preparation guide, Exam updates, Gate Virtual calculator, Gate Score calculator, and IITs & NITs cutoffs. It is lightweight, and easy to use, no images, and no ads platform to make students’ lives easier.

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