The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2025 will be conducted for 30 test papers (subjects). Candidates are allowed to appear in ONE or TWO test papers, but the combination of two test papers must be chosen from the list provided by the GATE authorities. This blog focuses on the eligible second paper combinations for candidates with Civil Engineering GATE (CE) as their primary paper.
Overview of GATE 2025
GATE 2025 allows candidates to appear in one or two test papers. However, if a paper is conducted in multiple sessions, a candidate will be mapped to appear for the examination in one of the sessions only. Candidates are expected to choose test papers appropriate to the discipline of their qualifying degree, but they are free to select any one or the allowed set of two test papers based on their admission or employment plans. It is crucial to check the eligibility criteria for the institutions where candidates wish to seek admission or employment.
Importance of Test Paper Codes
Candidates must familiarize themselves with the test paper codes as these are required during both the application and examination processes. Since candidates are permitted to appear in one or two test papers, they should make their choices carefully. If a candidate submits multiple applications for a test paper, only one will be considered, and the others will be rejected without any refund of the application fee.
Second Paper Combinations for Civil Engineering GATE (CE)
For candidates with Civil Engineering GATE (CE) as their primary paper, the following second paper combinations are allowed in GATE 2025:\
- AE – Aerospace Engineering
- AG – Agricultural Engineering
- AR – Architecture and Planning
- ES – Environmental Science & Engineering
- GE – Geomatics Engineering
- NM – Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- XE – Engineering Sciences
Details of Engineering Sciences (XE) Paper
The XE paper includes a compulsory section on Engineering Mathematics (15 marks) and allows candidates to choose any two sections from the following:
- Fluid Mechanics
- Materials Science
- Solid Mechanics
- Thermodynamics
- Polymer Science and Engineering
- Food Technology
- Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences
Each chosen section will have 35 marks, totaling 70 marks. The XE paper, like all GATE test papers, is of 100 marks in total, with a General Aptitude (GA) section of 15 marks common to all test papers. The remaining 85 marks are for the respective subject/test paper code.
Important Considerations for Two Test Papers
Candidates opting to appear in TWO test papers must have a primary choice of paper and a secondary choice of paper, which can be chosen from the allowed combinations. Certain combinations may be removed later due to scheduling constraints, in which case the fee paid for the second paper will be refunded. If new two-paper combinations are announced later, candidates will have the opportunity to add a test paper by paying the requisite fee. Note that the examination center for the second paper may be different (but in the same city) from that for the first test paper due to infrastructure and scheduling constraints.
Syllabus of Secondary Papers
- AE – Aerospace Engineering – AE Syllabus
- AG – Agricultural Engineering –AG Syllabus
- AR – Architecture and Planning – AR Syllabus
- ES – Environmental Science & Engineering –ES Syllabus
- GE – Geomatics Engineering – GE Syllabus
- NM – Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering – NM Syllabus
- XE – Engineering Sciences –
- XE -A – Engineering Mathematics (Compulsory for all) – Mathematics Syllabus
- XE-B Fluid Mechanics – FM Syllabus
- XE-C Materials Science – Materials Science
- XE-D Solid Mechanics – Solid Mechanics
- XE-E Thermodynamics – Thermodynamics
- XE-F Polymer Science and Engineering – Polymer Science and Engineering
- XE-G Food Technology – Food Technology
- XE-H Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences – Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Conclusion
Choosing the right combination of test papers is crucial for maximizing your GATE 2025 performance and aligning with your future academic or career goals. Make sure to review the eligibility criteria of the institutions you are interested in and select your test papers accordingly. Good luck with your preparation!
Feel free to reach out if you need more information or have any questions!