GATE Syllabus for Physics 2023: Important Topics, Sample Questions, Books
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GATE Syllabus for Physics 2023: Important Topics, Exam Pattern, Samples Questions and Books

Sonam Rana updated logo

Sonam Rana updated

Content Curator updated | Updated On - Sep 18, 2024

GATE Syllabus for Physics 2023 consists of topics from Core Physics and General Aptitude. The majority of questions i.e. 85% are asked from the core subject and the rest of the questions i.e. 15% from general aptitude topics. There will be a total of 55 questions from the core physics and 10 questions from General Aptitude. The exam will be held online as a computer based test for three hours. Check GATE Exam Pattern 2023

Candidates who have opted for GATE Physics as their first paper can select the second paper from EC/ GG/ IN/ MA/ MT/ ST. The major topics in the core Physics subject of GATE Syllabus for PH include Mathematical Physics, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Solid State Physics, Electronics and Nuclear and Particle Physics. 

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GATE PH Syllabus

GATE Syllabus for Physics 2023

GATE Syllabus for Physics 2023 includes nine sections/ major topics apart from General Aptitude. These include:

Important Topics for GATE Physics Syllabus
Mathematical Physics Classical Mechanics
Electromagnetic Theory Quantum Mechanics
Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics Atomic and Molecular Physics
Solid State Physics Electronics
Nuclear and Particle Physics General Aptitude

Section 1: Mathematical Physics

  • Linear vector space: basis, orthogonality and completeness; matrices; vector calculus; linear differential equations; elements of complex analysis
  • Cauchy Riemann conditions, Cauchy’s theorems, singularities, residue theorem and applications
  • Laplace transforms, Fourier analysis; elementary ideas about tensors: covariant and contravariant tensor, Levi-Civita and Christoffel symbols.

Section 2: Classical Mechanics

  • Alembert’s principle, cyclic coordinates, variational principle
  • Lagrange’s equation of motion, central force and scattering problems, rigid body motion; small oscillations
  • Hamilton’s formalisms; Poisson bracket; special theory of relativity
  • Lorentz transformations, relativistic kinematics, mass‐energy equivalence.

Section 3: Electromagnetic Theory

  • Solutions of electrostatic and magnetostatic problems including boundary value problems; dielectrics and conductors
  • Maxwell’s equations; scalar and vector potentials; Coulomb and Lorentz gauges
  • Electromagnetic waves and their reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction and polarization
  • Poynting vector, Poynting theorem, energy and momentum of electromagnetic waves; radiation from a moving charge.

Section 4: Quantum Mechanics

  • Postulates of quantum mechanics; uncertainty principle
  • Schrodinger equation; one-, two- and three-dimensional potential problems; particle in a box, transmission through one-dimensional potential barriers, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom; linear vectors and operators in Hilbert space; angular momentum and spin; addition of angular momenta; time-independent perturbation theory; elementary scattering theory.

Section 5: Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

  • Laws of thermodynamics; macrostates and microstates; phase space; ensemble
  • Partition function, free energy, calculation of thermodynamic quantities; classical and quantum statistics; degenerate
  • Fermi gas; black body radiation and Planck’s distribution law; Bose‐Einstein condensation; first and second-order phase transitions, phase equilibria, critical point.

Section 6: Atomic and Molecular Physics

  • Spectra of one‐ and many‐electron atoms
  • LS and jj coupling; hyperfine structure; Zeeman and Stark effects; electric dipole transitions and selection rules; rotational and vibrational spectra of diatomic molecules; electronic transition in diatomic molecules
  • Franck‐Condon principle; Raman effect; NMR, ESR, X-ray spectra; lasers: Einstein coefficients, population inversion, two and three-level systems.

Section 7: Solid State Physics

  • Elements of crystallography; diffraction methods for structure determination; bonding in solids; lattice vibrations and thermal properties of solids; free electron theory; band theory of solids: nearly free electron and tight-binding models; metals, semiconductors and insulators; conductivity, mobility and effective mass;
  • Optical properties of solids; Kramers-Kronig relation, intra- and inter-band transitions; dielectric properties of solid; dielectric function, polarizability, ferroelectricity; magnetic properties of solids; dia, para, ferro, antiferro and ferri-magnetism, domains and magnetic anisotropy; superconductivity: Type-I and Type II superconductors, Meissner effect, London equation, BCS Theory, flux quantization.

Section 8: Electronics

  • Semiconductors in equilibrium: electron and hole statistics in intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors; metal-semiconductor junctions;
  • Ohmic and rectifying contacts; PN diodes, bipolar junction transistors, field effect transistors; negative and positive feedback circuits; oscillators, operational amplifiers, active filters; basics of digital logic circuits, combinational and sequential circuits, flip-flops, timers, counters, registers, A/D and D/A conversion.

Section 9: Nuclear and Particle Physics

  • Nuclear radii and charge distributions, nuclear binding energy
  • Electric and magnetic moments; nuclear models, liquid drop model: semi‐empirical mass formula
  • Fermi gas model of nucleus, nuclear shell model; nuclear force and two nucleon problem; alpha decay, beta‐decay, electromagnetic transitions in nuclei
  • Rutherford scattering, nuclear reactions, conservation laws; fission and fusion; particle accelerators and detectors; elementary particles, photons, baryons, mesons and leptons; quark model.

Section 10 - General Aptitude 

Verbal Ability Numerical Ability
English grammar; Sentence completion, Instructions; Verbal analogies, Word groups; Critical reasoning, Verbal deduction.  Numerical computation; Numerical reasoning; Numerical estimation; Data interpretation. 

Direct link to download GATE Physics(PH) syllabus PDF 


GATE PH Books

Best Books for GATE 2023 Physics 

Book Author/ Publication
Chapterwise Solved Papers Physics GATE  Vijay Kumar
GATE 2021 – Guide – Physics  GKP
GATE - Physics - Chapterwise Previous Year's Solved Papers Dr Vijay Kumar | Dr Israt Ali

GATE PH Exam Pattern

GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for Physics 

  • Mode of Examination: Online
  • Duration of exam: 3 hours
  • Type of questions: MCQs, MSQs, & NATs 
  • Total Sections: 2 sections i.e. General Aptitude and Subject-based
  • Total questions: 65
  • Total marks: 100 marks
  • Negative marking: for MCQs only
Section  Distribution of Marks Total Marks Types of questions
General Aptitude 5 questions of 1 mark each 5 questions of 2 marks each 15 marks  MCQs
GATE Physics 25 questions of 1 mark each 30 questions of 2 marks each  85 marks MCQs, MSQ and NATs

GATE Physics Marking Scheme 2023

Type of question Negative marking for wrong answer
MCQ 1/3 for 1 mark questions 2/3 for 2 marks questions
NAT/MSQ No negative marking 

Check Detailed GATE 2023 Exam Pattern  


GATE PH Sample Questions

GATE 2023 Syllabus Of Other Papers


Frequently Asked Questions

GATE Syllabus for Physics 2023 FAQs

Ques. What are the subjects in the GATE Syllabus for Physics 2023? 

Ans. GATE Syllabus for Physics (PH) 2023 will have questions in 2 different sections, core Physics and General Aptitude. General Aptitude is common to all the GATE Papers.

Ques. What is the difficulty level of GATE Physics (PH) 202? 

Ans. The difficulty level of GATE Physics (PH) 2023 is moderate to difficult as per the previous years GATE Paper Analysis. .

Ques. Which are the topics in the core subject of GATE Syllabus for Physics (PH) 2023? 

Ans. The topics in the core subject of GATE Syllabus for Physics (PH) 2023 are as follows: 

  •  Mathematical Physics
  • Classical Mechanics
  • Electromagnetic Theory
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics
  • Solid State Physics
  • Electronics and Nuclear
  • Particle Physics.

Ques. What is the GATE Marking Scheme for Physics (PH)? 

Ans. The GATE Marking Scheme for Physics (PH) is as follows: 

Type of question Negative marking for wrong answer
MCQ 1/3 for 1 mark questions 2/3 for 2 marks questions
NAT/MSQ No negative marking 

Ques. How many questions are asked in GATE Physics 2023? 

Ans. GATE Physics Question paper will have a total of 65 questions, out of which approximately 55 questions will be Physics Core Subject Questions.

Ques. What is the paper code for GATE Physics 2023?

Ans. The paper code for GATE Physics 2023 is PH. 

Ques. Which are the best GATE Books for Physics 2023?

Ans. The best GATE Books for Physics 2023 are as follows: 

  • Chapterwise Solved Papers Physics GATE by Vijay Kumar
  • GATE – Guide – Physics by GKP
  • GATE - Physics - Chapterwise Previous Year's Solved Papers by Dr Vijay Kumar and Dr Israt Ali

Ques. How to prepare for completing GATE Syllabus for Physics 2023? 

Ans. Candidates can follow some of these tips for preparation of GATE Instrumentation paper: 

  • Solve GATE Physics Mock Tests
  • Start with the basic concepts or topics. 
  • Candidates must practice on virtual calculators so that you can develop a habit of using the same.
  • For more tips, check GATE Preparation Guidelines

Ques. How much time is required for the GATE Syllabus for Physics 2023?

Ans. On Average, candidates take at least 6 months to complete the GATE Syllabus for Physics 2023. 

Ques. Which subject can be taken along with GATE for Physics 2023?

Ans. Candidates who have opted for GATE Physics as their first paper can select the second paper from EC/ GG/ IN/ MA/ MT/ ST

*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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