GATE Physics 2024: Complete Syllabus and Exam Pattern (PDF)

GATE Physics Syllabus Overview

GATE Physics syllabus 2024 consists of topics from General Aptitude and Core Physics. The majority of the questions, i.e., 85 percent, are from the core subject (Physics), with the remaining 15% coming from General Aptitude topics. Following the Gate Physics syllabus provides students with a clear roadmap of what they need to study, which can help them plan their studies effectively. 

It is advised to follow the study material based solely on the GATE Physics syllabus so that focused planning and preparation can be done. The questions in the GATE Physics exam are usually designed to test the candidate’s understanding of the fundamental concepts of physics and their ability to apply these concepts to solve problems. The questions in the GATE Physics exam will strictly follow the syllabus and the exam pattern set by the IISc Bangalore, which is the organizing institute of the 2024 exam.

GATE Physics Syllabus PDF

The updated GATE Physics syllabus comprises General Aptitude and topics from core Physics. The main focus is to assess the candidates’ knowledge of core Physics (PH). Candidates can download the GATE Physics syllabus 2024 PDF from the below link.

GATE Physics Syllabus PDF Download

Subject-wise GATE Physics Syllabus

The GATE syllabus for Physics constitutes 9 major sections. The syllabus is divided into different subjects, each covering a range of topics in Physics. The breakdown of topics covered under these sections is mentioned below which enables candidates to understand the syllabus in a more organized and systematic manner:

1. Mathematical Physics
2. Classical Mechanics
3. Electromagnetic Theory
4. Quantum Mechanics
5. Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
6. Atomic and Molecular Physics
7. Solid State Physics
8. Electronics
9. Nuclear and Particle Physics

Mathematical Physics Syllabus

The Mathematical Physics section of the GATE Physics syllabus 2024 includes topics such as Cauchy’s theorem, tensor ideas, differential equations, etc. Further, let us discuss the important topics in the Mathematical Physics section.

• Vector Calculus: Matrices; similarity transformations, diagonalization, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors;
• Linear vector space: basis, orthogonality, and completeness;
• Linear differential equations: second-order linear differential equations and solutions utilizing special functions.
• Cauchy-Riemann conditions, Cauchy’s theorem, singularities, residue theorem, and applications; Laplace transforms, Fourier analysis;
• Basic tensor ideas: covariant and contravariant tensors.

Classical Mechanics Syllabus

The Classical Mechanics section of the GATE 2024 Physics syllabus includes topics such as Hamilton’s equations, relativistic kinematics, inertia tensor, etc. Further, let us discuss the important topics in the Classical Mechanics section.

Subjects	Topics
Lagrangian Formulation	Symmetry and conservation rules; D’Alembert’s principle, Euler-Lagrange equation, Hamilton’s principle, calculus of variations; Small oscillations: coupled oscillations and normal modes; central force motion: Kepler problem and Rutherford scattering; Hamiltonian and Hamilton’s equations of motion; Liouville’s theorem; canonical transformations: action-angle variables, Poisson brackets, Hamilton- Jacobi equation; rigid body dynamics: inertia tensor, orthogonal transformations, Euler angles, Torque free motion of asymmetric top; Hamiltonian and Hamilton’s equations of motion; Liouville’s theorem.
Special Theory of Relativity	Relativistic kinematics, Lorentz transformations, and mass-energy equivalence.

Electromagnetic Theory Syllabus

The Electromagnetic theory section of the GATE Physics syllabus 2024 includes topics such as the Poynting vector, Poynting theorem, Maxwell’s equations, etc. Further, the important topics of this section are Electrostatic and magnetostatic problems, including boundary value problems; image method; variable separation; dielectrics and conductors; magnetic materials; multipole expansion; Maxwell’s equations; scalar and vector potentials; Coulomb and Lorentz gauges; electromagnetic waves in free space, non-conducting and conducting media; reflection and transmission at normal and oblique incidences; Electromagnetic wave polarization; Poynting vector, Poynting theorem; energy and velocity of electromagnetic waves; radiation from a moving charge.

Quantum Mechanics Syllabus

The Quantum Mechanics section of the GATE Physics syllabus includes topics such as variational method, WKB approximation, angular momentum, etc. Further, let us discuss the important topics in the Quantum Mechanics section.

• Quantum mechanics postulates
• Uncertainty principle
• Schrodinger equation
• Dirac Bra-Ket notation, linear vectors, and Hilbert space operators
• Step potential, finite rectangular well, tunneling from a potential barrier, particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, one-dimensional potentials.
• Degeneracy in two and three dimensions
• Hydrogen atom
• Angular momentum and spin
• Angular momenta addition
• Variational method and WKB approximation
• Time-independent perturbation theory
• elementary scattering theory
• Born approximation

Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics Syllabus

The Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics section of the GATE Physics syllabus 2024 includes various concepts such as Bose-Einstein condensation, ensembles, phase equilibria, etc. Further, let us discuss see all the important topics in this section:

Subject	Topics
Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics	Thermodynamic laws Macrostates and Microstates Phase space Ensembles Partition function, Free energy, Thermodynamic quantities calculation Classical and quantum statistics First and second-order phase transitions, phase equilibria, and critical point Degenerate Fermi gas Black body radiation and Planck’s distribution law Bose-Einstein condensation

Atomic and Molecular Physics Syllabus

The Atomic and Molecular Physics section of the GATE Physics syllabus 2024 includes topics such as Frank-Condon Principle, Raman effect and NMR etc. Further, let us discuss the important topics in the Atomic and Molecular Physics section.

• Spectra of one and many-electron atoms
• LS and JJ couplings in spin-orbit interactions
• Fine and hyperfine structures
• Zeeman and Stark’s effects
• Electric dipole transitions and selection rules; rotational and vibrational spectra of diatomic molecules; electronic transitions in diatomic molecules
• Franck-Condon principle
• Raman effect
• EPR, NMR, ESR, X-ray spectra
• Lasers: Einstein coefficients, population inversion.

Solid State Physics Syllabus

The Solid State Physics section of the GATE 2024 Physics syllabus includes diffraction methods, polarizability, ferroelectricity etc. Further, let us discuss the important topics of the Solid State Physics section in detail.

Subject

Topics

Solid State Physics

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

Electronics Syllabus

The Electronics section of the GATE Physics syllabus 2024 includes operational amplifiers, oscillators, active filters etc. Further, let us discuss the important topics of the Solid State Physics section in detail.

Semiconductors in Equilibrium: Negative and positive feedback circuits; oscillators, operational amplifiers, active filters; 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; basic digital logic circuits, combinational and sequential circuits, flip-flops, timers, counters, registers; A/D and D/A conversion.

Nuclear and Particle Physics Syllabus

The Nuclear and Particle Physics section of the GATE Physics syllabus includes topics such as Rutherford scattering, electromagnetic transitions, isospin symmetry, etc. Further, let us discuss the important topics in the Nuclear and Particle Physics section.

Subject

Topics

Nuclear and Particle Physics

Nuclear radii and charge distributions, nuclear binding energy, electric and magnetic moments Semi-empirical mass formula Nuclear models Liquid drop model, nuclear shell model Nuclear force and two nucleon problem Alpha, beta, and 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 Conservation laws, isospin symmetry, charge conjugation, parity, and time-reversal invariance.

GATE Physics Exam Pattern

The GATE Physics exam pattern consists of a single paper of 3 hours duration. The sectional marking scheme of the entire GATE Physics syllabus is given in the table below. Candidates can refer to the table below:

Section	Distribution of Marks	Total Marks	Types of questions
GA	5Q x 1M = 5M 5Q x 2M = 10M	15 marks	MCQ
PH	25Q x 1M = 25M 30Q x 2M = 60M	85 marks	MCQ, MSQ, and NATs
Negative marking for the wrong answer – Only for MCQs: 1/3 for 1-mark questions 2/3 for 2-mark questions

GATE Physics Exam Date

The exam dates for the GATE Physics exam are not released by the officials. The entire schedule will be released soon. Although as per the previous year’s trend, the GATE Physics exam will be conducted on either of the following dates: 3rd, 4th, 10th, or 11th February 2024.

GATE Physics Eligibility

Gate physics eligibility refers to the eligibility criteria that candidates must meet in order to appear for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in Physics. The eligibility criteria for GATE Physics are as follows:

• Educational Qualification: Candidates in 3rd year or higher of B.E./B.Tech. in a relevant field such as Physics, Electronics, or Electrical Engineering.
• Age Limit: There is no age limit to appear for the GATE exam.

GATE Physics Books

GATE Physics books provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts of physics and their applications. They cover a wide range of topics in physics, including mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, quantum mechanics, and solid-state physics, among others. Check out the detailed list of GATE Physics books provided in the table shown below:

Book Title	Author
University Physics with Modern Physics	Hugh D. Young and Roger A. Freedman
Concepts of Physics Vol I & II	H.C. Verma
Fundamentals of Physics Vol I & II	Halliday, Resnick, and Walker
Introduction to Electrodynamics	David J. Griffiths
Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications	Nouredine Zettili
Solid State Physics	Neil W. Ashcroft and N. David Mermin
Classical Mechanics	Herbert Goldstein
Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach	Yunus A. Cengel and Michael A. Boles
Modern Physics	Kenneth S. Krane
Statistical Mechanics	R.K. Pathria
Nuclear Physics	S.B. Patel
Electricity and Magnetism	Edward M. Purcell
Waves and Oscillations	Brijlal and N. Subrahmanyam