GATE Civil Engineering (CE) Syllabus 2023: Important Topics, Preparation, Question Papers
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GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023: Important Topics, Weightage, Preparation, Question Papers

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Sonam Rana updated

Content Curator updated | Updated On - Sep 18, 2024

GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus has been arranged in 7 Sections, namely - Engineering Mathematics, Structural Engineering, Geomatics Engineering, Water Resource Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering. Apart from these sections, the GATE Civil engineering exam also includes questions from General Aptitude. Overall, there would be 65 Questions of 100 Marks in total with 72% of the total marks being allotted to core subjects, 13% to the Engineering Mathematics and 15% to the General Aptitude. Check GATE 2023 Exam Pattern.

GATE 2023 will be conducted by IIT Kanpur on February 4, 5, 11 and 12, 2023. The paper code for GATE Civil engineering is CE and candidates who have opted for this paper have the option of undertaking either Architecture or Planning (AR) or Environmental Science and Engineering (ES) as their second paper. Students preparing for the upcoming GATE exam can refer to GATE 2023 Preparation Tips for help that candidates need to prepare for Structural Engineering, Geomatics Engineering and other subjects. 

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Civil Engineering Syllabus

GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023

GATE Civil engineering has been neatly divided into 7 Sections with each section comprising of the related subjects. The details of the syllabus is given below :

Section 1 – Engineering Mathematics

Subjects Topics
Linear Algebra Matrix algebra; Systems of linear equations; Eigen values and Eigen vectors.
Calculus Functions of single variable; Limit, continuity and differentiability; Mean value theorems, local maxima and minima; Taylor series; Evaluation of definite and indefinite integrals, application of definite integral to obtain area and volume; Partial derivatives; Total derivative; Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Vector identities; Directional derivatives; Line, Surface and Volume integrals.
Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) First order (linear and nonlinear) equations; higher order linear equations with constant coefficients; Euler-Cauchy equations; initial and boundary value problems.
Partial Differential Equation (PDE) Fourier series; separation of variables; solutions of one- dimensional diffusion equation; first and second order one-dimensional wave equation and two-dimensional Laplace equation.
Probability and Statistics Sampling theorems; Conditional probability; Descriptive statistics - Mean, median, mode and standard deviation; Random Variables – Discrete and Continuous, Poisson and Normal Distribution; Linear regression
Numerical Methods Error analysis. Numerical solutions of linear and non-linear algebraic equations; Newton’s and Lagrange polynomials; numerical differentiation; Integration by trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule; Single and multi-step methods for first order differential equations.

Section 2 – Structural Engineering

Subjects Topics
Engineering Mechanics System of forces, free-body diagrams, equilibrium equations; Internal forces in structures; Frictions and its applications; Centre of mass; Free Vibrations of undamped SDOF system.
Solid Mechanics Bending moment and shear force in statically determinate beams; Simple stress and strain relationships; Simple bending theory, flexural and shear stresses, shear centre; Uniform torsion, Transformation of stress; buckling of column, combined and direct bending stresses
Structural Analysis Statically determinate and indeterminate structures by force/ energy methods; Method of superposition; Analysis of trusses, arches, beams, cables and frames; Displacement methods: Slope deflection and moment distribution methods; Influence lines; Stiffness and flexibility methods of structural analysis.
Construction Materials and Management Construction Materials: Structural Steel - Composition, material properties and behaviour; Concrete - Constituents, mix design, short-term and long-term properties. Construction Management: Types of construction projects; Project planning and network analysis - PERT and CPM; Cost estimation.
Concrete Structures : Working stress and Limit state design concepts; Design of beams, slabs, columns; Bond and development length; Prestressed concrete beams.
Steel Structures Working stress and Limit state design concepts; Design of tension and compression members, beams and beam- columns, column bases; Connections - simple and eccentric, beam-column connections, plate girders and trusses; Concept of plastic analysis - beams and frames.

Section 3 – Geomatics Engineering

Subjects Topics
Soil Mechanics Three-phase system and phase relationships, index properties; Unified and Indian standard soil classification system; Permeability - one dimensional flow, Seepage through soils – two - dimensional flow, flow nets, uplift pressure, piping, capillarity, seepage force; Principle of effective stress and quicksand condition; Compaction of soils; One- dimensional consolidation, time rate of consolidation; Shear Strength, Mohr’s circle, effective and total shear strength parameters, Stress-Strain characteristics of clays and sand; Stress paths.
Foundation Engineering Sub-surface investigations - Drilling bore holes, sampling, plate load test, standard penetration and cone penetration tests; Earth pressure theories - Rankine and Coulomb; Stability of slopes – Finite and infinite slopes, Bishop’s method; Stress distribution in soils – Boussinesq’s theory; Pressure bulbs, Shallow foundations – Terzaghi’s and Meyerhoff’s bearing capacity theories, effect of water table; Combined footing and raft foundation; Contact pressure; Settlement analysis in sands and clays; Deep foundations - dynamic and static formulae, Axial load capacity of piles in sands and clays, pile load test, pile under lateral loading, pile group efficiency, negative skin friction.

Section 4 – Water Resources Engineering

Subjects Topics
Fluid Mechanics Properties of fluids, fluid statics; Continuity, momentum and energy equations and their applications; Potential flow, Laminar and turbulent flow; Flow in pipes, pipe networks; Concept of boundary layer and its growth; Concept of lift and drag
Hydraulics Forces on immersed bodies; Flow measurement in channels and pipes; Dimensional analysis and hydraulic similitude; Channel Hydraulics - Energy-depth relationships, specific energy, critical flow, hydraulic jump, uniform flow, gradually varied flow and water surface profiles.
Hydrology Hydrologic cycle, precipitation, evaporation, evapotranspiration, watershed, infiltration, unit hydrographs, hydrograph analysis, reservoir capacity, flood estimation and routing, surface run-off models, ground water hydrology - steady state well hydraulics and aquifers; Application of Darcy’s Law.
Irrigation Types of irrigation systems and methods; Crop water requirements - Duty, delta, evapotranspiration; Gravity Dams and Spillways; Lined and unlined canals, Design of weirs on permeable foundation; cross drainage structure

Section 5 – Environmental Engineering

Subjects Topics
Water and Wastewater Basics of water quality standards – Physical, chemical and biological parameters; Water quality index; Unit processes and operations; Water requirement; Water distribution system; Drinking water treatment. Sewerage system design, quantity of domestic wastewater, primary and secondary treatment. Effluent discharge standards; Sludge disposal; Reuse of treated sewage for different applications.
Air Pollution Types of pollutants, their sources and impacts, air pollution control, air quality standards, Air quality Index and limits
Municipal Solid Wastes Characteristics, generation, collection and transportation of solid wastes, engineered systems for solid waste management (reuse/ recycle, energy recovery, treatment and disposal).

Section 6 – Transportation Engineering

Subjects Topics
Transportation Infrastructure Geometric design of highways - cross-sectional elements, sight distances, horizontal and vertical alignments. Geometric design of railway Track – Speed and Cant. Concept of airport runway length, calculations and corrections; taxiway and exit taxiway design. 
Traffic Engineering Traffic studies on flow and speed, peak hour factor, accident study, statistical analysis of traffic data; Microscopic and macroscopic parameters of traffic flow, fundamental relationships; Traffic signs; Signal design by Webster’s method; Types of intersections; Highway capacity
Highway Pavements Highway materials - desirable properties and tests; Desirable properties of bituminous paving mixes; Design factors for flexible and rigid pavements; Design of flexible and rigid pavement using IRC codes.

Section 7 – Geotechnical Engineering

Subjects Topics

Geotechnical Engineering

Principles of surveying; Errors and their adjustment; Maps - scale, coordinate system Distance and angle measurement - Levelling and trigonometric levelling; Traversing and triangulation survey Total station; Horizontal and vertical curves. Photogrammetry - scale, flying height; Remote sensing - basics, platform and sensors, visual image interpretation; Basics of Geographical information system (GIS) and Geographical Positioning system (GPS).

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Weightage of Important Topics

GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023: Weightage of Important Topics

As per the analysis of the previous year Civil Engineering GATE Question papers, the general trend in terms of the weightage attached to different sections is given below. Check Detailed GATE Civil Engineering Paper Analysis

Name of the Subject Approximate % of Marks in the Paper
General Aptitude 15%
Engineering Mathematics 11%
Irrigation 2%
Geotech 12%
Environment 5%
Transportation 11%
Hydrology 6%
Structural Analysis 2%
Fluid Mechanics 6%
Surveying 4%
RCC 8%
SOM 4%
Steel Structure 1%
Building Material & Construction Management 3%
Strength & Materials 5%
Engineering Mechanics 5%

GATE CE- Previous Year Weightage of Important Topics

Topics Year-wise Weightage of Important Topics (Marks)
GATE 2021 GATE 2020 GATE 2019 GATE 2018 GATE 2017
General Aptitude 15 15 15 14 15
Engineering Mathematics 13 11 11 11 13
Structural Engineering
Engineering Mechanics 0 1 1 3 1
Solid Mechanics/ Strength of Material 3 4 3 6 5
Structural Analysis 6 6 4 2 7
Construction Materials and Management 1 1 1 3 1
Concrete Structures 5 5 5 7 5
Steel Structures 3 2 5 4 2
Geotechnical Engineering
Soil Mechanics 15 14 16 14 13
Foundation Engineering
Water Resources Engineering
Fluid Mechanics 8 7 9 8 8
Hydraulics
Hydrology 4 5 5 5 6
Irrigation
Environmental Engineering
Water and Waste Water Quality and Treatment 11 11 9 10 11
Air Pollution
Municipal Solid Wastes
Transportation Engineering
Transportation Infrastructure 11 11 10 9 9
Highway Pavements
Traffic Engineering
Geomatics Engineering
Geomatics Engineering 5 7 6 4 4

Civil Engineering Exam Pattern

GATE Civil Engineering Exam Pattern 2023

Candidates are advised to go through the detailed GATE 2023 Exam Pattern before starting the preparation of the exam. The salient features of the GATE 2023 Civil Engineering Examination are -

  • The question paper consists of 65 questions worth 100 marks.
  • The exam includes 2 types of questions - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
  • The duration of the exam is 3 hours. 

GATE Civil Engineering 2023 Marking Scheme

  • Total Marks: 100 marks
  • Negative Marking: For MCQs only
Type of question Negative marking for wrong answer
MCQs ⅓ for 1 mark questions ⅔ for 2 marks questions
NATs No negative marking 

GATE Civil Engineering (CE) Weightage of Important Topics

GATE CIvil Engineering Exam is divided into three parts (sub sections) namely- General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics and specific subject of the paper. The weitage attached to each is as following:

Name of the Part Weightage
Engineering Mathematics 13% 
General Aptitude 15% 
Subject Questions 72%
Civil Engineering Syllabus Preparation

GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023: Preparation

The GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus requires hard work and dedication. Here are a few reference books, previous year papers and sample questions to help a student. Students can also refer to GATE Preparation Tips to learn more about GATE Preparation Strategy.

Important Books

GATE Chemistry:Section Wise Important Books

Some of the important books recommended by GATE toppers and the GATE Coaching Facilities alike are : 

Topic Books
Engineering Mathematics 
  • GATE Engineering Mathematics by Abhinav Goel and Suraj Singh
  • Engineering Mathematics - Vol.1 by Sharma J.P
  • Engineering Mathematics - Part 1 by Dr. D.S.C.
  • Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Sastry S.S
  • Problems and Solutions in Engineering Mathematics by T.C. Gupta
Structural Engineering
  • Structural Engineer's Pocket Book by Fiona Cobb
  • Fundamentals of Structural Engineering by Jerome J. Connor and Susan Faraji
  • Structural Engineering Formulas by Ilya Mikhelson
  • Structural Analysis by R. C. Hibbeler
  • Structural engineering reference manual by Alan Williams
Geotechnical Engineering 
  • Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M Das
  • Geotechnical Engineering by T. G. Sitharam and T.N. Ramamurthy
  • Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M Das
  • Geotechnical Engineering Design by Ming Xiao
  • Geotechnical Engineer's Portable Handbook by Robert W Day
Water Resources Engineering
  • Irrigation and Water Power Engineering by B.C. Punmia, Ashok Kumar Jain, Arun Kumar Jain, and Pande Brij Basi Lal 
  • Water Resources Engineering by Gupta
  • Water-Resources Engineering: International Edition by David A Chin
  • Water Supply Engineering by Santosh Kumar Garg
  • Hydrology and Water Resources by Experienced Professor
Environmental Engineering
  • Introduction to Environmental Engineering by David A Cornwell and Mackenzie L Davis
  • Chemistry for environmental engineering and science by Clair N. Sawyer
  • Elements of Environmental Engineering by K. N. Duggal
  • Textbook of Environmental Engineering by P. Venugopala Rao
  • Environmental engineering and sanitation by Joseph A. Salvato
Transportation Engineering
  • Principles of Transportation Engineering by Chakraborty and Das
  • Transportation Planning: Principles, Practices, and Policies by Sarkar Prabir Kumar, Maitri Vinay, and Joshi G.J
  • Text Book On Transportation Engineering by Chandola and S.P 
  • Highway Engineering by Rangwala
  • Transportation Engineering and Planning by C. S. Papacostas and Panos Prevedouros
Geomatics Engineering
  • Geomatics Engineering: A Practical Guide to Project Design by Clement A. Ogaja
  • Basics of Geomatics by Mario A. Gomarasca
  • Precision Surveying: The Principles and Geomatics Practice by John Olusegun Ogundare
  • Elementary Surveying: An Introduction to Geomatics by Charles D. Ghilani and Paul R. Wolf

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Previous Year Question Papers and Answer Keys

GATE Civil Engineering Previous Year Question Papers and Answer Keys

GATE conducting authorities release the Question paper for the year and the respective GATE Answer Key for all 29 papers after all the exams for the year have been concluded.Going through previous years GATE question paper gives an insight into the important topics from GATE Syllabus. Given below are the links to download the previous year GATE Question Paper from 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018.

Also Check: GATE College Predictor 2023 

Sample Questions

GATE Civil Engineering Sample Questions 

Sample Question 1: Refer to the following truss system:

If F=10√3, I = 8.33x10⁶ mm⁴ , area of Cross Section A= 10⁴ mm⁴ and length L=2 m for all members of truss. Find the compressive stress (in KN/m²) carried by Q-R

Ans : Range in between 490 - 510 

Sample Question 2: The longitudinal Section of a runway provides the following data:

The effective gradient of the runway (in % round off two decimal places) is?

Ans: 0.30 to 0.34

Sample Question 3: A column is subjected to a total load (P) of 60 kN supported through a bracket connection, as shown in figure.

Find the resultant force in bolt R (in kN)

Ans. 27kN to 29 kN

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Syllabus Of Other Papers

GATE 2023 Syllabus Of Other Papers

Civil Engineering Syllabus FAQs

GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 FAQs

Ques. What will be the sections of GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023?

Ans: Other than general aptitude GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 consists of 7 sections namely: 

  • Section 1 – Engineering Mathematics
  • Section 2 – Structural Engineering
  • Section 3 – Water Resources Engineering
  • Section 4 – Environmental Engineering
  • Section 5 – Geomatics Engineering
  • Section 6 – Geotechnical Engineering
  • Section 7 – Transportation Engineering

Ques. What will be the marking scheme and weightage of sections in GATE 2023 Civil Engineering paper?

Ans: The GATE 2023 Civil engineering exam includes 2 types of questions - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT). There is no negative marking for NAT but it is applicable for MCQs. For 1 mark MCQs, 1/3 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer. Likewise, for 2 marks MCQs, 2/3 marks will be deducted. The weightage of parts is: 

  • General Aptitude – 15%
  • Engineering Mathematics – 15%
  • Core Syllabus – 70%

Ques. What are the best books to prepare for the GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023?

Ans: Some of the best books for GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 preparation are:

Book Name Author/Publisher
Basic Structural Analysis C.S.Reddy, Edition: 3rd
R.C.C. Designs B.C.Punmia, Ashok Kumar Jain, Arun Jain Edition: 3rd
Design Of Steel Structures S.K Duggal Edition: 3rd
Surveying (vol. 1,2,3) B.C.Punia, Ashok Jain, Arun Jain
Engineering Hydrology K Subramanya, Edition: 4th

Ques. What are the topics included under soil mechanics in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 ?

Ans: the topics included under soil mechanics in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 are- 

  • Three-phase system and phase relationships, index properties
  • Unified and Indian standard soil classification system
  • Permeability - one dimensional flow, Seepage through soils – two - dimensional flow, flow nets, uplift pressure, piping, capillarity, seepage force
  • Principle of effective stress and quicksand condition; Compaction of soils; One- dimensional consolidation, time rate of consolidation
  • Shear Strength, Mohr’s circle, effective and total shear strength parameters, Stress-Strain characteristics of clays and sand; Stress paths.

Ques. What are the subjects included under Water Resources Engineering in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 ?

Ans. subjects included under Water Resources Engineering in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 are- 

  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Hydraulics
  • Hydrology
  • Irrigation

Ques. What are the subjects included under Environmental Engineering in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 ?

Ans. subjects included under Environmental Engineering in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 are- 

  • Water and Wastewater
  • Air Pollution
  • Municipal Solid Wastes

Ques. What are the topics included under Geotechnical Engineering in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 ?

Ans. Topics included under Geotechnical Engineering in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 are- 

  • Principles of surveying; Errors and their adjustment; 
  • Maps - scale, coordinate system
  • Distance and angle measurement - Levelling and trigonometric levelling; Traversing and triangulation survey
  • Total station; Horizontal and vertical curves. 
  • Photogrammetry - scale, flying height
  • Remote sensing - basics, platform and sensors, visual image interpretation
  • Basics of Geographical information system (GIS) and Geographical Positioning system (GPS).

Ques. What are the topics covered under Engineering Mathematics in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 ?

Ans. Topics included under Engineering Mathematics in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 are-

  • Linear Algebra
  • Calculus
  • Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE)
  • Partial Differential Equation (PDE)
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Numerical Methods

Ques. What are the topics covered under Engineering Mechanics in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 ?

Ans. Topics included under Engineering Mechanics in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 are-

  • System of forces, free-body diagrams, equilibrium equations
  •  Internal forces in structures
  •  Frictions and its applications
  •  Centre of mass;
  • Free Vibrations of undamped SDOF system.

Ques. What are the topics covered under concrete structures in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 ?

Ans. Topics included under concrete structures in GATE Civil Engineering Syllabus 2023 are-

  • Working stress and Limit state design concepts
  • Design of beams, slabs, columns; Bond and development length
  •  Prestressed concrete beams.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

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