GATE EXAM Syllabus for Architecture and Planning

EditorEditor December 12, 2025

 


GATE Architecture and Planning (AR) – Detailed Syllabus

General Structure of the Exam

The GATE AR paper contains three major parts:

  1. General Aptitude (GA) – 15 Marks

  2. Architecture & Planning (Core Syllabus) – 72 Marks

  3. Design and Planning Applications – 13 Marks

The core syllabus is grouped into 9 major sections, covering architecture, building construction, planning, housing, environmental design, graphics, and urban theories.

📘 SECTION 1: Architecture and Design

1.1 Architectural Graphics & Visual Representation

  • Orthographic projections, axonometric drawings, isometric/oblique drawings

  • Plans, elevations, sections

  • Sciographic principles, shade & shadow construction

  • Perspective drawing: one-point, two-point, and three-point

  • Freehand drawing and rendering techniques

1.2 Design Theory and Methods

  • Elements & principles of design

  • Anthropometry and ergonomics

  • Form–space relationships

  • Programmatic requirements & design process

  • Circulation patterns, spatial flows, functional layouts

  • Barrier-free design & universal design concepts

1.3 Architectural Composition

  • Order, proportion, scale, rhythm, balance, symmetry

  • Colour theory and texture integration

  • Concept development and design narrative

📘 SECTION 2: Building Materials, Construction, and Management

2.1 Building Materials

  • Properties, uses, and tests:

    • Brick, stone, timber, steel, concrete

    • Glass, aluminum, plastics, composites

    • Sustainable materials: bamboo, fly ash, recycled aggregates

2.2 Construction Techniques

  • Foundations: shallow, deep, pile, raft

  • Masonry and RCC construction systems

  • Steel structures: trusses, welded/bolted joints

  • Flooring, roofing, waterproofing

  • Cladding systems, curtain walls

  • Pre-fabrication, modular construction, pre-cast systems

2.3 Building Services & Management

  • Construction management principles

  • Estimation, costing, BOQ preparation

  • Project scheduling: CPM, PERT

  • Tendering procedures and contract management

  • Safety on site

📘 SECTION 3: Building and Structures

3.1 Structural Principles

  • Loads: dead load, live load, wind/earthquake load

  • Stress, strain, bending, shear

  • Bending moment and shear force diagrams

  • Buckling of columns

3.2 Structural Systems

  • RCC beams, slabs, columns, footings

  • Steel structural systems

  • Trusses, arches, shells, space frames

  • Load-bearing and framed structures

3.3 Structural Analysis

  • Determinate and indeterminate structures

  • Influence lines

  • Basics of elasticity theory

📘 SECTION 4: Building Services

4.1 Water Supply & Sanitation

  • Sources of water, filtration & treatment

  • Plumbing systems, drainage

  • Sewage treatment, septic tanks

4.2 Electrical & Lighting

  • Electrical supply distribution

  • Luminaire types, lighting calculations

  • Daylighting design and energy-efficient lighting

4.3 HVAC & Mechanical Systems

  • Principles of ventilation

  • HVAC components and design basics

  • Thermal comfort & insulation material

4.4 Acoustics

  • Sound properties, absorption, insulation

  • Acoustical design for auditoriums, classrooms

4.5 Intelligent Building Systems

  • Fire detection, lifts & escalators

  • Security systems & building automation

📘 SECTION 5: Planning Techniques and Management

5.1 Planning Fundamentals

  • Evolution of planning theories

  • Structure of human settlements

  • Urbanization & growth models (Burgess, Hoyt, Harris-Ullman)

5.2 Planning Techniques

  • Surveys: land use, socio-economic, traffic

  • Statistical methods and data analysis

  • Density measurements, FSI/FAR, ground coverage

  • Planning standards & zoning

  • Master plans, development plans, action plans

5.3 GIS, Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis

  • Map interpretation and projections

  • GIS applications for planning

  • Aerial photography, satellite imaging

📘 SECTION 6: Services and Infrastructure Planning

6.1 Transportation Planning

  • Road hierarchy, cross-sections

  • Traffic flow characteristics

  • Parking planning, public transport systems

  • Trip generation, distribution, modal split

6.2 Water Supply and Sewerage Planning

  • Demand calculations

  • Network design principles

  • Stormwater drainage

6.3 Solid Waste Management

  • Collection, transportation, treatment, disposal

6.4 Energy and Utilities

  • Power distribution

  • Urban energy planning

  • Disaster management principles

📘 SECTION 7: Foundations of Architecture & Urban Design

7.1 Architectural History

  • Ancient, Medieval, Modern and Contemporary Architecture

  • Greek, Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque

  • Indian architecture: Indus Valley, Buddhist, Hindu, Mughal

  • Modern masters: Le Corbusier, Mies, Wright, Kahn

7.2 Vernacular and Traditional Architecture

  • Climatic response

  • Materials and construction traditions

7.3 Urban Design Principles

  • Streetscape, public space design

  • Urban form, skyline, landmarks

  • Imageability & Kevin Lynch concepts

📘 SECTION 8: Urban Planning and Housing

8.1 Urban Planning Principles

  • Garden City, City Beautiful, Neighbourhood concept

  • Smart cities and sustainable development

  • Land readjustment, redevelopment

8.2 Housing

  • Housing typologies

  • Housing planning standards

  • Affordable housing strategies

  • Policies and schemes (PMAY, etc.)

8.3 Environmental Planning

  • Climate responsive design

  • Natural resource conservation

  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

📘 SECTION 9: Environmental Studies and Climate

9.1 Climate-responsive Architecture

  • Micro & macro climate

  • Thermal comfort standards

  • Solar geometry & shading devices

9.2 Sustainable Architecture

  • Green building concepts

  • Rating systems: GRIHA, LEED

  • Energy-efficient design strategies

9.3 Environmental Management

  • Pollution types & mitigation

  • Ecological footprint

  • Environmental laws and regulations

📘 GENERAL APTITUDE (GA)

Verbal Ability

  • English grammar & usage

  • Reading comprehension

  • Sentence correction

  • Synonyms, antonyms

Quantitative Ability

  • Algebra, arithmetic

  • Data interpretation

  • Probability & statistics

  • Basic geometry

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