GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2023 | Know The Updated Details!

GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus

GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2023: Aerospace Engineering is a primary field of Engineering related to the development of Aircraft and Spacecraft. Aerospace Engineering (AE) is also considered as the first paper or primary paper of the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) Exams.

The exam authorities have released the GATE Syllabus For Aerospace engineering along with the official brochure. Candidates will get a glimpse of the topics out of which questions are asked in the exam, important topics, and much more through the syllabus of GATE 2023 for aerospace engineering.

To know more about the GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2022, read the whole blog.

GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023

In the GATE Aerospace Engineering Exam, 85% of the questions are asked from the GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus plus Engineering Mathematics and the remaining 15% questions are asked from the general aptitude section. Further, each section consists of about 90% of the questions from the core aerospace topics with the rest 10% from the special topics.

The GATE AE Syllabus has two broad and important sections, namely General Aptitude and Aerospace Engineering. The GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2022 consists of the engineering mathematics section, as well as 5 other sections related to the subject.

Here you can find out the detailed GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus.

Section 1: Engineering Mathematics

This section carries fifteen percent weightage of the total questions. The topics include in this section are – 

Core Topics Special Topics

Linear Algebra: Vector algebra, Matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, rank of a matrix, eigenvalues and eigenvectors.

Fourier Series, Laplace Transforms, Complex analysis, Probability and statistics.
Calculus: Functions of single variable, limits, continuity and differentiability, mean value theorem, chain rule, partial derivatives, maxima and minima, gradient, divergence and curl, directional derivatives. Integration, Line, surface and volume integrals. Theorems of Stokes, Gauss and Green. Numerical methods for linear and nonlinear algebraic equations
Differential Equations: First order linear and nonlinear differential equations, higher order linear ODEs with constant coefficients. Partial differential equations and separation of variables methods. Numerical integration and differentiation.

Section 2: Flight Mechanics

The topics include in this section are – 

Core Topics Special Topics
Basics: Atmosphere: Properties, standard atmosphere. Classification of aircraft. Airplane (fixed wing aircraft) configuration and various parts. Pressure altitude; equivalent, calibrated, indicated air speeds; Primary flight instruments: Altimeter, ASI, VSI, Turn-bank indicator. Angle of attack, sideslip; Roll, pitch & yaw controls. Aerodynamic forces and moments. Dynamic stability, Euler angles, Equations of motion
Airplane performance: Drag polar; takeoff and landing; steady climb & descent; absolute and service ceiling; range and endurance, load factor, turning flight, V-n diagram. Winds: head, tail & cross winds. Longitudinal modes, lateral-directional modes.
Static stability: Stability & control derivatives; longitudinal stick fixed & free stability; horizontal tail position and size; directional stability, vertical tail position and size; lateral stability. Wing dihedral, sweep & position; hinge moments, stick forces. Decoupling of longitudinal and lateral-directional dynamics

Section 3: Aerodynamics

The topics include in this section are – 

Core Topics Special Topics
Basic Fluid Mechanics: Conservation laws: Mass, momentum and energy (Integral and differential form) Dimensional analysis and dynamic similarity; Potential flow theory: sources, sinks, doublets, line vortex and their superposition. Elementary ideas of viscous flows including boundary layers. Shock – boundary layer interaction.
Airfoils and wings: Airfoil nomenclature; Aerodynamic coefficients: lift, drag and moment; Kutta-Joukoswki theorem Thin airfoil theory, Kutta condition, starting vortex; Finite wing theory: Induced drag Prandtl lifting line theory; Critical and drag divergence Mach number. Wind Tunnel Testing
Compressible Flows: Basic concepts of compressibility, One-dimensional compressible flows, Isentropic flows Fanno flow, Rayleigh flow; Normal and oblique shocks, Prandtl-Meyer flow; Flow through nozzles and diffusers. Measurement and visualization techniques

Section 4: Structures

The topics include in this section are – 

Core Topics Special Topics
Strength of Materials: Stress and strain: Three-dimensional transformations, Mohr’s circle, principal stresses Three-dimensional Hooke’s law, Plane stress and strain. Failure theories: Maximum stress, Tresca and von Mises. Strain energy. Castigliano’s principles. Statically determinate and indeterminate trusses and beams. Elastic flexural buckling of columns. Vibration of beams
Flight vehicle structures: Characteristics of aircraft structures and materials. Torsion, bending and shear of thin-walled sections. Loads on aircraft. Theory of elasticity
Structural Dynamics: Free and forced vibrations of undamped and damped SDOF systems. Free vibrations of undamped 2-DOF systems. Equilibrium and compatibility equations, Airy’s stress function.

Section 5: Propulsion

The topics include in this section are – 

Core Topics Special Topics
Basics: Thermodynamics, boundary layers, heat transfer, combustion and thermochemistry. Aerothermodynamics of non-rotating propulsion components such as intakes, combustor and nozzle.
Aerothermodynamics of aircraft engines: Thrust, efficiency, range. Brayton cycle. Engine performance: ramjet, turbojet, turbofan, turboprop and turboshaft engines. Afterburners. Turbine blade cooling.
Turbomachinery: Axial compressors: Angular momentum, work and compression, characteristic performance of a single axial compressor stage Efficiency of the compressor and degree of reaction, multi-staging. Centrifugal compressor: Stage dynamics, inducer, impeller and diffuser. Axial turbines: Stage performance. Compressor-turbine matching
Rockets: Thrust equation and specific impulse, rocket performance. Multi-staging. Chemical rockets. Performance of solid and liquid propellant rockets. Surge and stall

Section 6: Space Dynamics

The topics include in this section are – 

Core Topics Special Topics
Central force motion, determination of trajectory and orbital period in simple cases. Kepler’s laws; escape velocity. Orbit transfer, in-plane and out-of-plane.

GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023 On General Aptitude 

Subject GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023
Verbal Aptitude English grammar – articles, verb-noun agreement, tenses, adjectives, conjunctions, prepositions, other parts of speech etc.; vocabulary – words, phrases, idioms; comprehension & reading; narrative sequencing.
Analytical Aptitude Logic – Induction & Deduction; analogy; number relations & reasoning.
Spatial Aptitude Shape transformation – mirroring, rotation, translation, grouping, assembling, and scaling; Paper cutting, folding & 2-D and 3-D patterns.
Numerical Aptitude Elementary statistics & probability; geometry; data and graphs (bar graph, histogram, pie chart, and other data graphs), 2- and 3- dimensional plots, maps, and tables; mensuration; numerical computation & estimation – powers, exponents, percentages, permutations & combinations, ratios, logarithms, etc.

GATE Aerospace Engineering Exam Pattern 2023

Here you can check the exam pattern of GATE Aerospace Engineering.

  • Mode of Examination: Online
  • Duration of Exam: 3 hours
  • Types of Questions: MCQs and NAT
  • Sections: 3 sections – General Aptitude, Mathematics and Subject-based
  • Total Questions: 65 questions
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

Engineering Mathematics

Subject Syllabus (AE)

25 questions of 1 mark each
30 questions of 2 marks each 
85 marks MCQs and NATs

Marking scheme

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

Weightage of Important Topics Of GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023

Here you can check the weightage of Important Topics Of GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023.

Section Total Number of Questions
Engineering Mathematics  9
Basics of Flight Mechanics  5
Airplane Performance 3
Basic Fluid Mechanics 5
Airfoil and WIngs 6
Compressible Flows 3
Strength of Materials 5
Flight Vehicle Structures 3
Structural Dynamics 4
Basics of Propulsion 2
Aerothermodynamics of Blade Engines 4
Turbomachinery  3
Space Dynamics  3

Other Important Information for GATE Aerospace Engineering 2023 Exam

Click on the link to access other information & study materials related to the GATE 2022 exam.

Books Based On GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023

We advise you to follow GATE 2023 Aerospace Engineering Books and preparation strategies to ace the examination.

You can check out the major books based On GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023.

Name of Books Author/Publication
Higher Engineering Mathematics B S Grewal
Intermediate Mathematics B V Sastry and K Venkateswarlu
Advanced Engineering Mathematics Grewal
Introductory Methods of Numerical Analysis S S Sastry
Aircraft Performance and Design John D Anderson
Introduction to Aircraft Stability and Control David A Caughey
GATE General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics Trishna
Rocket Propulsion and Space Dynamics J W Cornelisse, K F Wakker, and H F R Schoyer
Introduction to Flight Anderson
Modern Compressible Flow Anderson
Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students T H G Megson
Aptitude and Reasoning for GATE Hemant Jain

This is the complete blog on the GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2023. To know more about the GATE Aerospace Engineering Exam 2023, ask in the comments.

FAQs on the GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2023

What is the GATE Official Website?

https://gate.iitkgp.ac.in/ is the GATE Official Website.

What does the GATE Syllabus For Aerospace Engineering (AE) Comprise?

GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2022 consists of 6 sections, the topics of which have been divided into two categories – Core Topics and Special Topics.

What are the types of questions that will come in the GATE AE question paper?

2 types of questions will come in the question paper, namely multiple choice questions (MCQs) and numerical answer types questions (NATs).

 What will be the section-wise weightage of topics from the GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023 exam?

The section-wise weightage of the GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2022 in the exam is :
The maximum weightage will be given to the Core Topics, i.e. 90%
10% weightage will be given to Special Topics 
Apart from this the sectional weightage in GATE 2023 is:
Engineering Mathematics 15%
General Aptitude 15%
Topics From Aerospace Engineering 70%

 What are the important topics from GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023 that will help score good marks?

Some of the important topics in the GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023 are:
Dynamic stability, Euler angles, Equations of motion, Aerodynamic forces and moments
Equilibrium and compatibility equations, Airy’s stress function.
Decoupling of longitudinal and lateral-directional dynamics, longitudinal modes, lateral-directional modes.

 Which are the best books for preparing GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023?

Some of the best books for GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2022 are:
Rocket Propulsion Elements – By George P. Sutton, Wiley India Pvt Ltd
Fundamentals of Aerodynamics – By John D Anderson
Introduction to Flight – By John D Anderson

What is the paper code for GATE Aerospace Engineering?

The paper code for GATE Aerospace Engineering is AE.

 What topics are included in Engineering Mathematics for GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023?

Engineering Mathematics in GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023 consists of the following topics: 
Core topics : Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations
Special Topics:
Fourier Series, Laplace Transforms, Complex analysis, Probabil+ity and statistics.
Numerical methods for linear and nonlinear algebraic equations.
Numerical integration and differentiation.

 What important topics are included in Propulsion for GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023?

Propulsion in GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2022 has the following important topics:
Basics: Thermodynamics, boundary layers, heat transfer, combustion and thermochemistry.
Aerothermodynamics of aircraft engines: Thrust, efficiency, range. Brayton cycle.
Engine performance: ramjet, turbojet, turbofan, turboprop and turboshaft engines. Afterburners.
Turbomachinery: Axial compressors: Angular momentum, work and compression, the characteristic performance of a single axial compressor stage
The efficiency of the compressor and degree of reaction, multi-staging.
Centrifugal compressor: Stage dynamics, inducer, impeller and diffuser. Axial turbines: Stage performance.
Rockets: Thrust equation and specific impulse, rocket performance. Multi-staging. Chemical rockets.Performance of solid and liquid propellant rockets.

 What will be the marking scheme of the GATE 2023 Aerospace engineering paper?

but for 1 or 2 marks ½ and 2/3 marks will be deducted respectively for wrong answers. 
MCQs: 1/3 for 1 mark questions 2/3 for 2 marks questions
NATs : No negative marking

 What topics are included in Space Dynamics for GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2023?

Space Dynamics in GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 2022 consists of the following topics:
Core Topics:
Central force motion, determination of trajectory and orbital period in simple cases. Kepler’s laws; escape velocity.
Special Topics:
Orbit transfer, in-plane and out-of-plane.

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