GATE 2025 – Aerospace Engineering Syllabus

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2025 Syllabus) – Aerospace Engineering Syllabus

1. Engineering Mathematics:

1. Linear Algebra: Matrix algebra, Systems of linear equations, Eigenvalues, Eigenvectors.
2. Calculus: Functions of single variable, Limit, continuity and differentiability, Mean value theorems, Evaluation of definite and indefinite integrals, Partial derivatives, Total derivative, Maxima and minima, Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Vector identities, Directional derivatives, Line, Surface and Volume integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems.
3. Differential Equations: First order linear and nonlinear differential equations, Higher order linear ODEs with constant coefficients, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Laplace transforms, PDEs – Laplace, wave and heat equations.
4. Numerical Methods: Numerical solutions of linear and nonlinear algebraic equations, Integration by trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule, Single and multi-step methods for first order differential equations.

2. Flight Mechanics:

1. Basic Concepts: Airplane performance: lift, drag, thrust, and weight, airplane equations of motion, static stability, dynamic stability, longitudinal and lateral-directional stability.
2. Airplane Performance: Pressure altitude, equivalent, calibrated, true altitude, indicated airspeed, and Mach number, lift and drag curves and associated speeds, climb and descent performance, takeoff and landing performance.
3. Static Stability: Angle of attack, sideslip, and roll angle, longitudinal, lateral, and directional stability, stick fixed and stick free, dihedral effect, sweep back, longitudinal and lateral control.
4. Dynamic Stability: Small perturbation analysis, longitudinal and lateral-directional modes, damping, phugoid, short period, Dutch roll, spiral mode.

3. Space Dynamics:

1. Central force motion, determination of trajectory and orbital period in simple cases, orbit transfer, in-plane and out-of-plane.
2. Orbital perturbations, Geostationary and sun-synchronous orbits, elements of rocket motor performance.
3. Orbital Mechanics: Kepler’s laws, Orbital parameters, Position and Velocity vectors, Hohmann transfer orbit, Orbit perturbations, Two-body and multi-body problems.

4. Aerodynamics:

1. Basic Fluid Mechanics: Conservation laws, potential flow, incompressible and compressible flows, Bernoulli’s equation, Viscous flows: laminar and turbulent flow, boundary layer, Drag and lift.
2. Airfoils and Wings: Airfoil nomenclature, aerodynamic coefficients, Kutta-Joukowski theorem, thin airfoil theory, finite wing theory, induced drag, twist and camber.
3. Compressible Flows: Isentropic flows, normal and oblique shocks, Prandtl-Meyer flow, flow through nozzles and diffusers, supersonic airfoils and wings.
4. Viscous Flows: Boundary layer equations, laminar and turbulent boundary layer, separation, control surfaces, flow over bluff bodies.

5. Structures:

1. Strength of Materials: Stress and strain, Principal stresses and strains, Mohr’s circle, Stress-strain relationships for elastic and inelastic behavior, Shear force and bending moment diagrams, Bending and shear stresses, Torsion, Axial, bending and torsional loads, Euler’s theory of columns.
2. Flight Vehicle Structures: Stress analysis of aircraft components, wings, fuselage, empennage, landing gear, Finite element structural analysis.
3. Structural Dynamics: Free and forced vibrations of single degree and multi-degree freedom systems, Damping and resonance.
4. Aircraft Materials: Aerospace materials, Classification, Mechanical and physical properties of aerospace materials, Selection criteria.

6. Propulsion:

1. Basics of Jet Propulsion: Thrust and thrust equation, Jet propulsion, Turbojet, Turbofan, Turboprop, Ramjet, Rockets, Performance parameters, Propellant types, Thrust augmentation.
2. Aerothermodynamics of Non-Rotating Engines: Intake, compression, combustion, expansion and nozzle, Thrust augmentation of jet engines.
3. Axial and Centrifugal Compressors and Turbines: Velocity triangles, Efficiency, Multistage compressors and turbines.
4. Combustion: Thermodynamics of combustion, Combustion chambers, Ignition and flame propagation, Combustion instability.

7. Aerospace Engineering Mechanics:

1. Elements of Vector Calculus: Divergence and Curl, Gradient, Divergence theorem, Stokes’ theorem.
2. Kinematics: Cartesian and curvilinear coordinate systems, position vector, velocity and acceleration, rotation matrix, Euler angles.
3. Kinetics: Newton’s laws, D’Alembert’s principle, Work and energy, Impulse and momentum, Euler’s equations of motion, Gyroscopic motion.
4. Mechanics of Materials: Stress and strain, Mohr’s circle, Axial, shear and bending stresses, Torsion, Deflection of beams, Buckling of columns.

8. General Aptitude (GA):

1. Verbal Ability: English grammar, sentence completion, verbal analogies, word groups, instructions, critical reasoning, and verbal deduction.
2. Numerical Ability: Numerical computation, numerical estimation, numerical reasoning, and data interpretation.

This syllabus is subject to change. Candidates are advised to refer to the official GATE Aerospace Engineering syllabus provided by the conducting authority for the most accurate and updated information.