GATE Subject List 2026 for XE, XL, XH: Paper Codes, Eligibility

GATE Subject List 2026 includes a comprehensive range of subjects across Engineering Sciences (XE), Life Sciences (XL), and Humanities and Social Sciences (XH). Candidates must select the correct paper code when applying. This guide covers all subjects and their respective codes to help streamline preparation strategies.
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GATE Subject List 2026: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering(GATE Exam 2026) is one of the most prestigious exams in India for M.Tech and PhD programmes in Engineering. GATE Exam 2026 Notification was released on 21 August 2025. Interested candidates who are willing to appear in GATE Exam 2026 can apply GATE Application Form 2026 from 28 August 2025. Candidates must be aware of Test paper and Paper code before applying for Exam application Form. GATE Subject List 2026 will help candidates to know who is eligible and can apply for the respective Subject. 

In this article, we will provide a complete guide on GATE Subject List 2026, including paper name, paper codes, popular GATE Subject List CSE, Subject list for CSE and how many Subjects in GATE CSE. This will help candidates to make a preparation strategy and boost their ranking.  

GATE Subject List 2026

GATE 2026 Subject List, along with GATE test paper names and paper code, with latest updates, is provided here. Paper code is necessary while filling up  GATE Application Form 2026. Candidates have to note down their GATE Exam test Paper code carefully. 

GATE  Subject List 2026, along with paper code, is given in table below 

GATE Subjects List  2026
Sl. No. GATE Test Paper Name GATE Test Paper Code
1 Aerospace Engineering AE
2 Agricultural Engineering AG
3 Architecture and Planning AR
4 Biomedical Engineering BM
5 Biotechnology BT
6 Chemical Engineering CH
7 Civil Engineering CE
8 Computer Science and Information Technology CS
9 Chemistry CY
10 Electronics and Communication Engineering EC
11 Electrical Engineering EE
12 Environmental Science and Engineering ES
13 Ecology and Evolution EY
14 Geology and Geophysics GG
15 Instrumentation Engineering IN
16 Mathematics MA
17 Mechanical Engineering ME
18 Mining Engineering MN
19 Metallurgical Engineering MT
20 Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering NM
21 Petroleum Engineering PE
22 Physics PH
23 Production and Industrial Engineering PI
24 Statistics ST
25 Textile Engineering and Fibre Science TF
26 Engineering Sciences XE
27 Life Sciences XL
28 Humanities and Social Sciences XH
29 Geomatics Engineering GE
30 Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (New Subject) DA

Also Read GATE Exam 2026 PYQs 

GATE Subject List 2026 for XE, XL, and XH

GATE Subject List 2026 is mainly categorised into three sections Engineering Sciences(XE), Life Sciences(XL), and Humanities and Social Sciences (XH), which have a particular Sub papers. Candidates can choose an optional paper based on their Eligibility Criteria and particular field they have studied. 

GATE Subject List 2026 for XE, XL, and XH with paper codes is given in the table below 

GATE Subject List 2026 for XE, XL, and XH 
Paper Name Codes
XE Paper Sections: Engineering Mathematics (Compulsory) A
Any two  optional sections  (2×35 = 70 marks)
Fluid Mechanics B
Materials Science C
Solid Mechanics D
Thermodynamics E
Polymer Science and Engineering F
Food Technology G
Atmospheric and  Oceanic Sciences H
XH Paper Sections: Reasoning and Comprehension (Compulsory, worth 25 marks) B1
Any ONE optional section carrying 60 marks
Economics C1
English C2
Linguistics C3
Philosophy C4
Psychology C5
Sociology C6
XL Paper Sections: Chemistry (Compulsory) (25 marks) P
Any TWO optional sections (2×30 = 60 marks)
Biochemistry Q
Botany R
Microbiology S
Zoology T
Food Technology U

GATE Subject List 2026 for CSE

GATE CSE is one of the most popular papers. GATE CSE Syllabus covers a wide range of topics, including theoretical Computer Science, Systems, and Applied Computer Science. GATE Subject list 2026 for CSE is provided below  

  • Digital Logic
  • Computer Organisation and Architecture
  • Programming and Data Structures
  • Algorithms
  • Theory of Computation
  • Compiler Design
  • Operating System
  • Databases
  • Computer Networks
  • Discrete Mathematics, Probability, and Statistics
  • Engineering Mathematics

Also read GATE Exam 2026 Preparation 

How Many Subjects in GATE CSE 2026

GATE CSE is one of the toughest papers in GATE Exam. GATE CSE Syllabus 2026 is vast and covers a wide range of Subjects. If you wonder how many subjects in GATE CSE 2026, answer is GATE CSE 2026 covers 11 subjects, including Engineering Mathematics and Core Computer Science.

Candidates who are preparing for GATE CSE Exam 2026 must check GATE CSE syllabus 2026 topic-wise in detail and make a strategy plan to crack Exam with a high rank. 

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GATE Subject List 2026 FAQs

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Yes, you can apply for two Papers in GATE Exam 2026, but you have to follow two-paper combinations rule provided in official GATE Exam 2026 Notification.

In GATE CSE 2026, there are 11 subjects, including Engineering Mathematics and core Computer Science subjects.

GATE 2026 Paper codes are required during form filling and for further queries. Candidates must be aware of GATE 2026 Paper codes.

Some GATE Papers are the highest Competitive, like CSE, ME, ECE, and CE.

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