GATE 2027 candidates can appear for either one or two test papers. Candidates choosing Civil Engineering (CE) as their primary paper can select one secondary paper only from the combinations permitted by GATE.
Permitted Secondary Papers for CE
| Primary paper | Permitted secondary papers |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering (CE) | AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM, XE |
The permitted GATE 2027 two-paper combinations for Civil Engineering are:
| Combination | Secondary paper |
|---|---|
| CE + AE | Aerospace Engineering |
| CE + AG | Agricultural Engineering |
| CE + AR | Architecture and Planning |
| CE + ES | Environmental Science and Engineering |
| CE + GE | Geomatics Engineering |
| CE + NM | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering |
| CE + XE | Engineering Sciences |
Important Points for Candidates
- Appearing for two papers is optional, not compulsory.
- Candidates selecting two papers must choose a primary paper and one permitted secondary paper.
- Each GATE paper carries 100 marks.
- General Aptitude carries 15 marks, while the remaining 85 marks are allotted to the respective subject.
- Candidates must pay the applicable additional fee for the second paper.
- The examination centre for the second paper may differ from that of the first paper, but it will be within the same city.
- A permitted combination may be removed later due to scheduling constraints. In such cases, the fee paid for the second paper will be refunded.
- Candidates must verify whether their chosen GATE paper is accepted for admission or employment by the respective institute or organisation.
Which Secondary Paper Should CE Candidates Choose?
The second paper should be selected based on syllabus familiarity and future goals. For example, ES may suit candidates interested in environmental engineering, GE in surveying and geospatial technology, AR in planning, and AG in irrigation and water-resource-related fields.
Candidates should compare the complete syllabi and admission requirements before making their choice. The second paper should not affect preparation for the primary Civil Engineering paper.
GATE 2027 Syllabus of Permitted Secondary Papers
The major subjects covered under each secondary paper permitted with Civil Engineering are given below:
1. Aerospace Engineering (AE)
- Engineering Mathematics
- Flight Mechanics and Space Dynamics
- Aerodynamics
- Aerospace Structures
- Propulsion
Download the official AE syllabus
2. Agricultural Engineering (AG)
- Engineering Mathematics
- Farm Machinery
- Farm Power
- Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
- Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
- Agricultural Process Engineering
- Dairy and Food Engineering
Download the official AG syllabus
3. Architecture and Planning (AR)
The paper contains a common section followed by either Architecture or Planning.
Common section:
- Design and Graphics
- Environmental Planning and Landscape
- Urban Design and Conservation
- Town Planning, Housing and Real Estate Development
Architecture section:
- History and Theory of Architecture
- Environmentally Responsive Design
- Building Construction, Materials and Structural Systems
- Building Services
- Computer Applications in Architecture
- Project Management and Professional Practice
Planning section:
- Planning History, Theory and Techniques
- Planning Policy and Practice
- Infrastructure, Services and Utilities
- Urban Land Use and Transportation
- Data Analysis, Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics
- Project Implementation and Financing
Download the official AR syllabus
4. Environmental Science and Engineering (ES)
- Mathematics Foundation
- Environmental Chemistry
- Environmental Microbiology
- Water Resources and Environmental Hydraulics
- Water and Wastewater Treatment
- Air and Noise Pollution
- Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
- Global and Regional Environmental Issues
- Environmental Management and Sustainable Development
Download the official ES syllabus
5. Geomatics Engineering (GE)
The paper contains a common section followed by either Surveying and Mapping or Image Processing and Analysis.
Common section:
- Engineering Mathematics
- Remote Sensing
- Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
- Geographic Information System (GIS)
Optional sections:
- Surveying and Mapping
- Image Processing and Analysis
Download the official GE syllabus
6. Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NM)
- Engineering Mathematics
- Applied Mechanics and Structures
- Fluid Mechanics and Marine Hydrodynamics
- Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
- Thermodynamics and Marine Engineering
Download the official NM syllabus
7. Engineering Sciences (XE)
Engineering Mathematics is compulsory. Candidates must also attempt any two optional sections.
Compulsory section:
- XE0 – Engineering Mathematics
Optional sections:
- XE1 – Fluid Mechanics
- XE2 – Materials Science
- XE3 – Solid Mechanics
- XE4 – Thermodynamics
- XE5 – Polymer Science and Engineering
- XE6 – Food Technology
- XE7 – Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
- XE8 – Energy Science
- XE9 – Textile Engineering and Fibre Science
Download the official XE syllabus
Candidates should download the official syllabus of their preferred secondary paper and compare it with the CE syllabus before selecting a GATE 2027 two-paper combination.
GATE 2027 Application Fee
The application fee applies separately to each test paper.
| Candidate category | Regular period | Extended period |
|---|---|---|
| Female, SC, ST and eligible PwD candidates | ₹1,000 | ₹1,500 |
| All other candidates | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 |
Candidates choosing two papers must pay twice the fee applicable to one paper.
Furthermore, bank charges, processing charges and other transaction costs may apply separately.
💡 Final Thoughts
Civil Engineering candidates appearing for GATE 2027 can choose AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM or XE as their secondary paper. Choose a second paper only when it supports your academic or career plans and can be prepared without compromising your CE score.
Candidates should refer to the official GATE 2027 Information Brochure for the latest instructions and any changes in the permitted combinations.
