GATE Environmental Science & Engineering Syllabus 2025: Check Topics, Weightage, Download PDF

Section 1: Mathematics Foundation

Linear Algebra

Determinants and matrices, Systems of linear equations, Eigenvalues and eigenvectors.

Calculus

Functions, Limit, Continuity, Differentiability, Local maxima and minima, Taylor series, Tests for convergence, Definite and indefinite integrals, Application of definite integral to obtain area and volume, Partial and total derivatives.

Differential Equations

Linear and non-linear first order ordinary differential equations (ODE), Higher order linear ODEs with constant coefficients, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Laplace transform and its application in solving linear ODEs.

Probability and Statistics

Descriptive statistics, Measurement of central tendency, Dispersion, Skewness and kurtosis, Probability concepts, Conditional probability, Bayes theorem, Risk and reliability, Probability distributions, Correlation, Single and multiple regression models, Hypothesis testing (t-test, F-test, chi-square test).

Section 2: Environmental Chemistry

Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry

Covalent and ionic bonding; Chemical equations, concentration and activity; Structure and chemistry of organic molecules; Radioactivity of elements; Chemical equilibria; Thermodynamics and kinetics of chemical reactions.

Principles of Water Chemistry

Water quality parameters and their measurement; Acid-base equilibria; Buffer solution; Carbonate system; Solubility of gases in water; Complexation, precipitation, and redox reactions; Inorganic and organic contaminants in water and their speciation.

Soil Chemistry

Organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, and sodium absorption ratio.

Atmospheric Chemistry

Composition of the atmosphere; Reactivity of trace substances in the atmosphere; Urban atmosphere—smog and particulate pollution; Chemistry of ozone formation; Chemistry of stratosphere.

Section 3: Environmental Microbiology

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Microorganisms

Characteristics of diverse groups of microorganisms; Classification of microorganisms; Microbial diversity; Plant-microbe and soil-microbe interactions; Role of microorganisms in wastewater treatment, bioremediation and biogeochemical cycling.

Cell Chemistry and Cell Biology

Structure of proteins, nucleic acid (DNA & RNA), lipids and polysaccharides; Bonds in biomolecules; Stereoisomerism in biomolecules; Structure of cell; Structure and function of cytoplasmic membrane, cell wall, outer membrane, glycocalyx, chromosomes, endospores, storage products, mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Microbial Metabolism

Anabolism and catabolism; Phosphorylation; Glycolysis; TCA cycle; Electron transport chain; Fermentation; Anaerobic respiration; Energy balances; Enzymes and Enzyme kinetics.

Growth and Control of Microorganisms

Bacterial nutrition and growth; Specific growth rate and doubling time; Monod’s model; Types of culture media; Batch and continuous culture; Effects of environmental factors on growth; Control of microbes using physical and chemical methods.

Microbiology and Health

Pathogens and modes of transmission; Indicator organisms; Quantification of coliforms using MPN and membrane filtration techniques.

Section 4: Water Resources and Environmental Hydraulics

Global Water Resources

Structure, properties and distribution of water; Water quality; Threats to water resources; Water conservation.

Surface Water Resources

Hydrological cycle and water balance - precipitation, infiltration, evapotranspiration, runoff; Flow hydrographs; Unit hydrographs; Stage-discharge relationship; Reservoir capacity; Reservoir and channel routing; Surface run-off models; Surface water management; Rain water harvesting and storage.

Groundwater Resources

Geologic formations as aquifers; Vadose and saturated zones; Confined and unconfined aquifers and their parameters - porosity, permeability, transmissivity and storage coefficient; Darcy’s law and applications; Steady state well hydraulics.

Environmental Hydraulics

Concepts of mechanics; Properties of fluids; Pressure measurement; Hydrostatic force on surfaces; Buoyancy and flotation; Laminar and turbulent flow; Flow through pipes; Pipe networks; Boundary layer theory; Forces on immersed bodies; Flow measurement in channels and pipes; Kinematics of flow; Continuity, momentum and energy equations; Channel hydraulics - specific energy, critical flow, hydraulic jump, rapid and gradually varied flow; Design of lined and unlined channels.

Section 5: Water & Wastewater Treatment and Management

Water and Wastewater Quality Parameters

Eutrophication and thermal stratification in lakes; River pollution - Oxygen sag curve.

Water Treatment Methods

Screening, sedimentation with and without coagulation, filtration, desalination, disinfection; Water distribution and storage.

Wastewater Sources and Management

Point and non-point sources of wastewater; Population forecasting methods; Design of sewer and storm water sewers; Sewer appurtenances; Preliminary, primary, secondary and tertiary sewage treatment; Sludge generation, processing and disposal methods; Sewage farming.

Industrial Effluents and CETP

Sources and characteristics of industrial effluents; Concept of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP); Wastewater recycling and zero liquid discharge.

Kinetics and Reactor Design

Mass and energy balance, Order and rate of reactions, Batch reactors, Completely mixed flow reactors, Plug flow reactors.

Section 6: Air and Noise Pollution

Air Pollution

Structure of the atmosphere; Natural and anthropogenic sources of pollution; Atmospheric sources, sinks, transport; Indoor air pollution; Effects on health and environment; Air pollution: gases and particulate matter; Air quality standards; Primary and secondary pollutants; Criteria pollutants, ambient and source standards, air quality indices, visibility.

Particulate Pollutants

Measurement and control methods; Control of particulate air pollutants using gravitational settling chambers, cyclone separators, wet collectors, fabric filters (Bag-house filter), electrostatic precipitators (ESP).

Gaseous Pollutants

Measurement and control methods; Control of gaseous contaminants: absorption, adsorption, condensation and combustion; Control of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons; Vapour-liquid and vapour-solid equilibria; Diffusion, Fick’s law and interfacial mass transfer. Automotive emission controls, fuel quality, diesel particulate filters, catalytic convertors.

Air Quality Management

Point, line and area sources; Inventory; Influence of meteorology - wind rose diagrams, stability, mixing height, topography, dispersion modelling, monitoring.

Noise Pollution

Sources; Health effects; Standards; Measurement and control methods.

Section 7: Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Solid Waste Management

Integrated solid waste management; Waste hierarchy; Rules and regulations for solid waste management in India.

Municipal solid waste management: Sources, generation, characteristics, collection and transportation, waste processing and disposal (including reuse options, biological methods, energy recovery processes and landfilling).

Hazardous Waste Management

Characteristics, generation, fate of materials in the environment, treatment and disposal. Soil contamination and leaching of contaminants into groundwater. Management of biomedical waste, plastic waste and E-waste: Sources, generation and characteristics; Waste management practices including storage, collection and transfer.

Section 8: Global and Regional Environmental Issues

Global Effects of Air Pollution

Greenhouse gases, global warming, climate change, urban heat islands, acid rain, ozone hole.

Ecology and Ecosystems

Ecology and various ecosystems; Biodiversity; Factors influencing increase in population, energy consumption, and environmental degradation.

Section 9: Environmental Management and Sustainable Development

Environmental Management Systems

Environmental Management Systems; ISO14000 series; Environmental Auditing: Environmental Impact Assessment; Life cycle assessment; Human health risk assessment.

Environmental Law and Policy

Objectives; Polluter pays principle, Precautionary principle; The Water and Air Acts with amendments; The Environment (Protection) Act (EPA) 1986; National Green Tribunal Act, 2010; National Environment Policy; Principles of International Law and International treaties.

Energy and Environment

Energy Sources: Overview of resources and reserves; Renewable and non-renewable energy sources; Energy-Environment nexus.

Sustainable Development

Definition and concepts of sustainable development; Sustainable development goals; Hurdles to sustainability; Environment and economics.

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Quantitative Aptitude

Numerical Computation and Estimation: Ratios, percentages, powers, exponents, logarithms, permutations, combinations, series

Data Interpretation: Data graphs (bar graphs, pie charts, other data representations), 2D and 3D plots, maps, tables

Mensuration and Geometry

Elementary Statistics and Probability

Verbal Aptitude

Basic Vocabulary: Words, idioms, phrases in context, reading and comprehension, narrative sequencing

Basic English Grammar: Tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb-noun agreement, other parts of speech

Spatial Aptitude

Transformation of Shapes: Translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, grouping

Paper Folding, Cutting, and Patterns: 2D and 3D patterns

Analytical Aptitude

Logic: Deduction and induction

Analogy

Numerical Relations and Reasoning

Mathematics Foundation

12-15%

Environmental Chemistry

8-10%

Environmental Microbiology

5-7%

Water Resources & Environmental Hydraulics

10-12%

Water & Wastewater Treatment and Management

12-15%

Air and Noise Pollution

10-12%

Solid & Hazardous Waste Management

8-10%

Global & Regional Environmental Issues

5-7%

Environmental Management & Sustainable Development

8-10%

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