Table of Contents
Looking for the Best GATE 2026 Book List for your stream? In this blog, we’ve compiled a subject-wise list of the most recommended books for all major GATE 2026 streams—including CSE, ME, CE, EE, ECE, IN, and more. These books are aligned with the latest syllabus and are trusted by toppers for concept clarity, problem-solving, and revision. Explore the complete guide and plan your prep smartly.
GATE 2026 Notification Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | GATE 2026 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) |
| Conducting Institute | IIT Guwahati |
| Exam Level | National |
| Purpose | PG Admissions (M.E., M.Tech, Ph.D.), PSU Jobs |
| Total Papers | 30 (expected) |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Registration Start Date | August 2025 (Tentative) |
| Last Date to Apply (No Late Fee) | September 2025 (Tentative) |
| Last Date to Apply (With Late Fee) | To Be Announced |
| Exam Dates | 1st & 2nd Weekends of February 2026 (Expected) |
| Admit Card Release | January 2026 |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Total Questions | 65 |
| Question Type | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
| Exam Frequency | Once a Year |
| Score Validity | 3 Years |
| Official Website | iitg.ac.in |
GATE 2026 Syllabus PDF – All Streams
Start your GATE 2026 preparation with a clear understanding of the syllabus. Below, we’ve provided the official GATE 2026 syllabus PDFs for all streams. Whether you’re from CSE, CH, ME, CE, ECE, EE, or any other branch, download the relevant syllabus and begin your preparation with a focused, stream-wise approach. Knowing exactly what to study is the first step toward scoring well in the exam.
| Subject | Link |
| Aerospace Engineering (AE) | |
| Agricultural Engineering (AG) | |
| Architecture and Planning (AR) | |
| Biotechnology (BT) | |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | |
| Chemical Engineering (CH) | |
| Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) | |
| Chemistry (CY) | |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC) | |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | |
| Ecology and Evolution (EY) | |
| Geology and Geophysics (GG) | |
| Instrumentation Engineering (IN) | |
| Mathematics (MA) | |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | |
| Mining Engineering (MN) | |
| Metallurgical Engineering (MT) | |
| Petroleum Engineering (PE) | |
| Physics (PH) | |
| Production and Industrial Engineering (PI) |
|
| Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF) | |
| Statistics (ST) | |
| Biomedical Engineering (BM) | |
| Engineering Sciences Syllabus (XE) | |
| Life Sciences (XL) | |
| Humanities and Social Sciences | |
| Environmental Science and Engineering | |
| Geomatics Engineering (GE) | |
| Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NM) |
Best GATE 2026 Book List – Stream-Wise
To prepare effectively for GATE 2026, choosing the right books for your specific stream is key. Every engineering discipline has its own important topics and recommended study material. Below, we’ve curated a stream-wise list of the best GATE 2026 books—covering CSE, ME, CE, ECE, EE, IN, and more. These books are trusted by toppers and aligned with the latest syllabus to help you build strong concepts and practice efficiently.
Best GATE 2026 Electrical Engineering Books
| Book Name | Author | Topics Covered | Important Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Course In Electrical And Electronic Measurements And Instrumentation (Edition 7) | A. K. Sawhney | Measurements | Instrumentation basics, transducers, display systems |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning (Revised Edition) | R. S. Aggarwal | Aptitude | Logical reasoning, patterns, sequences |
| Circuit Theory: Analysis & Synthesis (Edition 6) | Abhijit Chakrabarti | Electrical Circuits (Networks) | KCL, KVL, Theorems, Transient & Resonance, AC Power |
| Control Systems Engineering (Edition 5) | I. J. Nagrath, M. Gopal | Control Systems | Time/Frequency Analysis, Root Locus, Bode Plots |
| Digital Logic and Computer Design (Edition 1) | M. Morris Mano | Analog & Digital Electronics | Logic gates, K-Maps, sequential circuits |
| Electrical Machinery (Edition 7) | P. S. Bimbhra | Electrical Machines | Transformers, DC Machines, Induction Motors |
| Electrical Power Systems (Edition 6) | C. L. Wadhwa | Power Systems | Load Flow, HVDC, Faults, Circuit Breakers |
| Engineering Electromagnetics (Edition 8) | William H. Hayt, John A. Buck | Electromagnetic Fields | EM waves, transmission lines, inductance |
| Fundamentals of Electric Circuits (Edition 5) | Charles K. Alexander, Matthew N. O. Sadiku | Electrical Circuits | Network theorems, Two-port, AC/DC circuits |
| Higher Engineering Mathematics (Edition 43) | B. S. Grewal | Engineering Mathematics | Linear algebra, calculus, probability |
| Integrated Electronics: Analog and Digital Circuits and Systems (Edition 2) | Christos C. Halkias, Chetan D. Parikh, Jacob Millman | Analog & Digital Electronics | Diodes, BJTs, FETs, OPAMPs, ADC/DAC |
| Power Electronics (Edition 5) | P. S. Bimbhra | Power Electronics | Rectifiers, Choppers, Inverters, Semiconductors |
| Power System Engineering (Edition 2) | I. Nagrath, D. Kothari | Power Systems | Bus impedance, transients, FACTS |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations (Edition 7) | R. S. Aggarwal | Aptitude | Quantitative ability, arithmetic, data analysis |
| Signals and Systems (Edition 2) | Alan V. Oppenheim, Alan S. Willsky, S. Hamid Nawab | Signals & Systems | LTI, Fourier, Z-Transform, Laplace |
Best GATE 2026 Electronics & Communication Engineering Books
| Topic | Books and Authors |
| System & Signal | Book: Signals & System; Author: Schaum Series-H.P. Hsu
Book: Signals & Systems; Author: Alan V. Oppenheim Book: Modern digital and analog Communications system; Author: BP Lathi Book: Signals & System; Author: Proakis Book: Digital Signal Processing; Author: S.K Mitra Book: Signals & System; Author: Oppenheim & Schafer |
| Network Theory | Book: Network Theory; Author: Alexander Sadiku
Book: Network Analysis; Author: Van Valkenburg Book: Linear Circuit Analysis; Author: De Carlo/Lin Book: Engineering Circuit Analysis; Author: Hayt & Kammerl Book: Circuit Theory; Author: A. Chakraborty |
| General Aptitude | Book: Logical Reasoning; Author: R. S. Agarwal
Book: Objective English; Author: Hari Mohan Prasad Book: Quantitative Aptitude Author: Arun Sharma Book: Quantitative Aptitude; Author: R. S. Agarwal |
| Engineering Mathematics | Book: Higher Engineering Mathematics; Author: Dr. BS Grewal
Book: Engineering Mathematics; Author: Erwin Kreyszig Book: Advanced Engineering Mathematics; Author: Dr. HK Dass Book: Advanced Engineering Mathematics; Author: S. R. K. Iyengar, R. K. Jain |
| Electronic Devices | Book: Semiconductor devices; Author: S. M. Sze
Book: DC Analysis of MOS Transistor; Author: Tsivid Book: Solid State Electronic Devices; Author: Ben Streetman and Sanjay Banerjee Book: Semiconductor devices; Author: David Neamen Book: Integrated Electronics; Author: Jacob Millman & Christos C. Halkias |
| Analog Circuits | Book: Micro-Electronics circuit; Author: Sedra & Smith
Book: Pulse and Digital Electronics; Author: Millman and Taub Book: Linear ICs; Author: Gaekwad Book: Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory; Author: Robert L Boylestad & Nashelsky Book: Analog Electronics, Electronics devices, and circuits; Author: Donald A Neaman |
| Digital Circuits | Book: Digital circuits and design; Author: Salivahanan
Book: Digital Electronics; Author: Morris Mano Book: Digital Electronic Principles and applications; Author: Ronald J. Toccii, Pearson Publications Book: Microprocessor Architecture, Programming, and Applications with the 8085; Author: Ramesh Gaonker Book: Fundamentals of digital systems; Author: Anandkumar Book: Digital Logic and Computer Design; Author: Morris Mano |
| Communications | Book: Electronic Communication Systems; Author: Davis and Kennedy
Book: Modern digital and analog Communications system; Author: BP Lathi Book: Analog and Digital Communication System; Author: Simon Haykin Book: Principle of Communication System; Author: Taub & Schillings |
| Control System | Book: Control Systems Engineering; Author: Norma Nise
Book: Modern Control System; Author: Katsuhiko Ogata Book: NPTEL Video lectures; Author: M. Gopal Book: Control Systems; Author: Nagarath and Gopal Book: Automatic Control Systems; Author: Benjamin C Kuo |
| Electro-Magnetics | Book: Elements of Electromagnetics; Author: Matthew N.O.
Book: NPTEL Lectures; Author: Prof. R. Shevgaonkar Book: Sadiku Network lines and fields; Author: J.D Ryder (Transmission lines part) Book: Antenna Theory; Author: Balanis Book: Antenna And Wave Propagation; Author: KD Prasad Book: Schaum’s Outline of Electromagnetics; Author: Joseph A Edminister Book: Electromagnetic waves and Radiating Systems; Author: Jordon Book: Engineering Electromagnetics; Author: William Hayt |
Best GATE 2026 Civil Engineering Books
| Topic Sections | Important Civil Engineering Topics | Civil Engineering Books for GATE |
| Geotechnical Engineering | Shear Strength of Soil
Consolidation Stability Analysis of Slopes Seepage Basic Properties and Classification of Soils Permeability Bearing Capacity Foundation Engineering Concrete Technology |
Book: Soil Mechanics; Author: V N S Murthy, Venkat Ramaiha, S. K. Garg, B.C. Punamia, Gopal Ranjan & Rao
|
| Structural Engineering | Statically Determinate and Indeterminate Structures
Structural Analysis with all its Methods Analysis of Trusses Method of Superposition Force/Energy Methods |
Book: Theory of Structure; Author: L.S. Negi & Jangit, CK Wang, S. Rammamrutham
Book: Theory of Elasticity; Author: Timoshenko & Gere Book: Theory of Structure; Author: Wilbur & Norris Book: Strength of Materials/Mechanics of Structure; Author: Gere & Timoshenko, E. Popove, L. Singer, B.C. Punamia, Rammamrutham |
| Water Resources Engineering | Kinematics
Dynamics Fluid Statics Laminar – Turbulent Flow Hydraulic Pumps Flow-Through Pipes Hydrologic Cycle Open Channel Flow Hydraulics BL Theory Ground Water Hydrology Dimension Analysis |
Book: Water Resources; Author: S K Garg
Book: Water and Waste Water; Author: SK Garg 1 and 2 Book: Fluid Mechanics; Author: RK Bansal and Fox and Richard |
| Transportation Engineering | Traffic Engineering
Highway Engineering Geometric Design of Railway Track Highway Pavements Transportation Infrastructure |
Book: Transportation Author: Justo Khanna |
| Geomatics Engineering | Geographical Positioning System (GPS)
Basics of Geographical Information System (GIS) Compass Survey Leveling Linear Measurements |
Book: Surveying (vol. 1,2,3); Author: B.C.Punmia, Arun Jain, Ashok Jain, |
| Environmental engineering | Treatment of Sewage
Domestic Wastewater Treatment Air Pollution Noise Pollution Meteorology Municipal Solid Waste Quality Standards Quality and Characteristics of Sewage Water and Waste Water Disposal |
Book: Environmental Engineering; Author: S. K. Garg Part I & Part II
Book: Waste Water Engineering; Author: B. C. Punmia Part I & Part II |
| Engineering Mathematics | Probability and Statistics
Complex Analysis Differential Equations Linear Algebra Calculus |
Book: Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications; Author: Kenneth Rosen
Book: Higher Engineering mathematics; Author: B.S. Grewal Book: Advanced Engineering Mathematics; Author: Erwin Kreyszig |
Best GATE 2026 Mechanical Engineering Books
| Topic | Book Name and Author |
| Industrial Engineering | Industrial Engineering and Management is written by O. P. Khanna |
| Fluid Mechanics | Introduction to Fluid Mechanics & Fluid Machines is written by S. K. Som |
| Strength of Materials | Strength of Materials is written by Arun Kumar Jain, Ashok Kumar Jain, Dr. B.C. Punmia |
| Theory of Machines & Vibration | Theory of Machines is written by S S Rattan |
| Machine Design | Design of Machine Elements is written by V Bhandari |
| Thermodynamics | An Engineering Approach is written by Yunus A Cengel |
| Heat Transfer | Fundamentals of Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer is written by R.C. Sachdeva |
| Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations is written by R.S. Aggarwal |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning is written by R.S. Aggarwal | |
| Thermal Science | Engineering Thermodynamics is written by P.K. Nag |
| Engineering Mechanics & Engineering Material | Materials Science And Engineering written by I P Singh |
| Engineering Mechanics is written by S. Timoshenko, D.H. Young, J.V. Rao, Sukumar Pati | |
| Manufacturing | Production Technology is written by R.K. Jain |
Best GATE 2026 Computer Science Engineering Books
| Topic | Book Name / Author |
| Theory of Computation | Book: An Introduction to Formal Languages and Automata; Author: Peter Linz |
| Databases | Book: Database System Concepts; Authors: Abraham Silberschatz, S. Sudarshan, Henry F Korth |
| Algorithms | Book: Introduction to Algorithms Authors: Clifford Stein, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest |
| Engineering Mathematics | Book: Higher Engineering Mathematics; Author: B. S. Grewal |
| Aptitude | Book: Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations; Author: R.S. Aggarwal |
| Book: A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning; Author: R.S. Aggarwal | |
| Programming & Data Structure | Book: The C Programming language; Authors: Dennis M. Ritchie, Brian W. Kernighan |
| Book: Classic Data Structures; Author: Debasis Samanta | |
| Operating Systems | Book: Operating System Concepts; Author: Gagne, Silberschatz, Galvin |
| Computer Organization & Architecture | Book: Computer Organization and Architecture; Author: V. Carl Hamacher, Zvonko Vranesic, Safwat G. Zaky. |
| Complier Logic | Book: Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools; Authors: D. Jeffrey Ulman, Alfred V. Aho, Ravi Sethi. |
| Computer Networks | Book: Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach; Authors: W. Ross, James F. Kurose, Keith. |
| Digital Logic | Book: Digital Logic & Computer Design; Author: M. Morris Mano |
Best Books for GATE 2026 Chemical Engineering
| Subject | Important Topics Covered | Book Name & Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Principles & Calculations | Material balance, Energy balance, Recycle, Bypass operations, Combustion calculations | Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering – David M. Himmelblau |
| Chemical Engineering (General) | Classifications of reactions, Isothermal/Non-isothermal reactors, Solid catalyzed reactions, Heterogeneous systems | Chemical Engineering for GATE – Ram Prasad |
| Chemical Process Control | Basic calculations, Material/Energy balances, Recycle/Burn operations | An Introduction to Theory and Practice – Stephanopoulos GProcess Dynamics and Control – Seborg et al. |
| Chemical Reaction Engineering | Ideal/non-ideal reactors, Heterogeneous reactions | Chemical Reaction Engineering – Fogler & GurmenChemical Reaction Engineering – Octave Levenspiel |
| Chemical Technology | Fertilizers, Petrochemicals, Pulp & Paper, Sugar, Polymers | Dryden’s Outlines of Chemical Technology – Gopala Rao M., Marshall S. |
| Engineering Mathematics | Eigenvalues, Matrix rank, Probability, Numerical solutions, Differential equations | Higher Engineering Mathematics – B.S. Grewal |
| Fluid Mechanics | Bernoulli’s Equation, Pipe flow, Fluid machinery, Particle characterization | Introduction to Fluid Mechanics – Cengel & CimbalaFox and McDonald |
| Heat Transfer | Conduction, Convection, Radiation, Heat exchangers, Boiling/Condensation | Heat Transfer – J.P. HolmanHeat Transfer – Binay K. Dutta |
| Mass Transfer | Interphase transfer, HTU/NTU, Equipment design | Mass Transfer Operations – Robert E. TreybalMass Transport Phenomena – Christie J. Geankoplis |
| Mechanical Operations | Size reduction, Filtration, Fluidization, Equipment design | Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering – McCabe et al.Mechanical Operations – Narayanan & Bhattacharyya |
| Plant Design & Economics | Cost estimation, Design principles, Process flow diagrams | Plant Design and Economics for Chemical Engineers – Peters & Timmerhaus |
| Process Dynamics & Control | Laplace transforms, System response, Feedback control, Tuning | Process Systems Analysis and Control – Donald R. Coughanowr & Steven E. LeBlanc |
| Thermodynamics | First/Second law, Entropy, Pure substances, Equilibrium, Thermodynamic cycles | Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics – J.M. Smith et al.K.V. Narayanan |
| Transport Phenomena | Momentum, Heat & Mass transfer fundamentals | Transport Phenomena – R. Byron Bird, Warren E. Stewart, Edwin N. Lightfoot |
How to Prepare with GATE 2026 Books
-
Start with the Basics
Use standard textbooks to build a strong foundation in core subjects like Electrical Circuits, Machines, and Power Systems. -
Follow the Syllabus
Refer to the GATE 2026 syllabus while studying—focus only on relevant topics to avoid wasting time. -
Make Short Notes
Summarize formulas, tricks, and concepts as you read. -
Solve Previous Year Papers
Apply what you’ve learned by solving GATE PYQs from the same subjects covered in the books. -
Take Chapter-Wise Tests
After finishing a chapter, test yourself using objective problems or exercises given at the end. -
Revise Regularly
Set weekly revision slots to revisit older topics so you don’t forget them closer to the exam. -
Use Reference Books for Practice
Use practice-oriented books or Entri question banks alongside theory books. -
Stay Consistent
Make a realistic daily schedule and stick to it—consistency beats last-minute cramming.
