GATE 2021 Production & Industrial Engineering Syllabus: The syllabus for Production and Industrial Engineering is available on this page for the candidates. The syllabus for all the subjects in GATE 2021 is different and candidates can check it out on the official website of the exam. There will be 65 questions in the exam, out of which 55 questions will be based on the PI subject and Mathematics. The remaining 10 questions will be based on the third section, the General Aptitude section. Candidates can check the syllabus for PI paper from this page.
GATE 2021 Production & Industrial Engineering Syllabus
The syllabus for Production and Industrial Engineering is divided into 7 broad sections. These 7 sections are Engineering Mathematics, General Engineering, Manufacturing Processes – I, Manufacturing Processes – II, Quality and Reliability, Industrial Engineering, and Operations Research & Operations Management. These broad sections further include various topics and subtopics.
Section 1: Engineering Mathematics
Linear Algebra: Matrix algebra, Systems of linear equations, Eigen values and Eigen vectors.
Calculus: Functions of single variable, Limit, continuity and differentiability, Mean value theorems, Evaluation of definite and improper integrals, Partial derivatives, Total derivative, Maxima and minima, Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Vector identities, Directional derivatives; Line, Surface and Volume integrals; Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems.
Differential Equations: First order equations (linear and nonlinear), Higher order linear differential equations with constant coefficients, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Initial and boundary value problems, Laplace transforms.
Complex Variables: Analytic functions, Cauchy’s integral theorem, Taylor series.
Probability and Statistics: Definitions of probability and sampling theorems, Conditional probability, Mean, median, mode and standard deviation, Linear regression, Random variables, Poisson, normal, binomial and exponential distributions.
Numerical Methods: Numerical solutions of linear and nonlinear algebraic equations, Integration by trapezoidal and Simpson’s rules, Single and multi-step methods for differential equations.
Section 2: General Engineering
Engineering Materials: Structure, physical and mechanical properties, and applications of common engineering materials (metals and alloys, semiconductors, ceramics, polymers, and composites – metal, polymer and ceramic based); Iron-carbon equilibrium phase diagram; Heat treatment of metals and alloys and its influence on mechanical properties; Stress-strain behavior of metals and alloys.
Applied Mechanics: Engineering mechanics – equivalent force systems, free body concepts, equations of equilibrium; Trusses; Strength of materials – stress, strain and their relationship; Failure theories; Mohr’s circle (stress); Deflection of beams, bending and shear stresses; Euler’s theory of columns; Thick and thin cylinders; Torsion.
Theory of Machines and Design: Analysis of planar mechanisms, cams and followers; Governors and fly wheels; Design of bolted, riveted and welded joints; Interference/shrink-fit joints; Friction and lubrication; Design of shafts, keys, couplings, spur gears, belt drives, brakes and clutches; Pressure vessels.
Thermal and Fluids Engineering: Fluid mechanics – fluid statics, Bernoulli’s equation, flow through pipes, laminar and turbulent flows, equations of continuity and momentum, capillary action; Dimensional analysis; Thermodynamics – zeroth, first and second laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic systems and processes, calculation of work and heat for systems and control volumes; Air standard cycles; Heat transfer – basic applications of conduction, convection and radiation.
Section 3: Manufacturing Processes I
Casting: Types of casting processes and applications; Sand casting: patterns – types, materials and allowances; molds and cores–materials, making, and testing; design of gating system and riser; casting techniques of cast iron, steels, and nonferrous metals and alloys; analysis of solidification and microstructure development; Other casting techniques: Pressure die casting, Centrifugal casting, Investment casting, Shell mold casting; Casting defects and their inspection by non-destructive testing.
Metal Forming: Stress-strain relations in elastic and plastic deformation; von Mises and Tresca yield criteria, Concept of flow stress; Hot, warm and cold working; Bulk forming processes – forging, rolling, extrusion and wire drawing; Sheet metal working processes – blanking, punching, bending, stretch forming, spinning and deep drawing; Ideal work and slab analysis; Defects in metal working and their causes.
Joining of Materials: Classification of joining processes; Principles of fusion welding processes using different heat sources (flame, arc, resistance, laser, electron beam), Heat transfer and associated losses; Arc welding processes – SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, plasma arc, submerged arc welding processes; Principles of solid state welding processes – friction welding, friction stir welding, ultrasonic welding; Welding defects – causes and inspection; Principles of adhesive joining, brazing and soldering processes.
Powder Processing: Production of metal/ceramic powders, compaction and sintering of metals and ceramic powders, Cold and hot isostatic pressing.
Polymers and Composites: Polymer processing – injection, compression and blow molding, extrusion, calendaring and thermoforming; Molding of composites.
Section 4: Manufacturing Processes II
Machining: Orthogonal and oblique machining, Single point cutting tool and tool signature, Chip formation, cutting forces, Merchant’s analysis, Specific cutting energy and power; Machining parameters and material removal rate; tool materials, Tool wear and tool life; Thermal aspects of machining, cutting fluids, machinability; Economics of machining; Machining processes – turning, taper turning, thread cutting, drilling, boring, milling, gear cutting, thread production; Finishing processes – grinding, honing, lapping and super-finishing.
Machine Tools: Lathe, milling, drilling and shaping machines – construction and kinematics; Jigs and fixtures – principles, applications, and design.
Advanced Manufacturing: Principles and applications of USM, AJM, WJM, AWJM, EDM and Wire EDM, LBM, EBM, PAM, CHM, ECM; Effect of process parameters on material removal rate, surface roughness and power consumption; Additive manufacturing techniques.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing: Basic concepts of CAD and CAM, Geometric modeling, CNC; Automation in Manufacturing; Industrial Robots – configurations, drives and controls; Cellular manufacturing and FMS – Group Technology, CAPP.
Section 5: Quality and Reliability
Metrology and Inspection: Accuracy and precision; Types of errors; Limits, fits and tolerances; Gauge design, Interchangeability, Selective assembly; Linear, angular, and form measurements (straightness, flatness, roundness, runout and cylindricity) by mechanical and optical methods; Inspection of screw threads and gears; Surface roughness measurement by contact and noncontact methods.
Quality Management: Quality – concept and costs; Statistical quality control – process capability analysis, control charts for variables and attributes and acceptance sampling; Six sigma; Total quality management; Quality assurance and certification – ISO 9000, ISO14000.
Reliability and Maintenance: Reliability, availability and maintainability; Distribution of failure and repair times; Determination of MTBF and MTTR, Reliability models; Determination of system reliability; Preventive and predictive maintenance and replacement, Total productive maintenance.
Section 6: Industrial Engineering
Product Design and Development: Principles of product design, tolerance design; Quality and cost considerations; Product life cycle; Standardization, simplification, diversification; Value engineering and analysis; Concurrent engineering; Design for “X”.
Work System Design: Taylor’s scientific management, Gilbreths’s contributions; Productivity – concepts and measurements; Method study, Micro-motion study, Principles of motion economy; Work measurement – time study, Work sampling, Standard data, PMTS; Ergonomics; Job evaluation and merit rating.
Facility Design: Facility location factors and evaluation of alternate locations; Types of plant layout and their evaluation; Computer aided layout design techniques; Assembly line balancing; Materials handling systems.
Section 7: Operations research and Operations management
Operation Research: Linear programming – problem formulation, simplex method, duality and sensitivity analysis; Transportation and assignment models; Integer programming; Constrained and unconstrained nonlinear optimization; Markovian queuing models; Simulation – manufacturing applications.
Engineering Economy and Costing: Elementary cost accounting and methods of depreciation; Break-even analysis; Techniques for evaluation of capital investments; Financial statements; Activity based costing.
Production control: Forecasting techniques – causal and time series models, moving average, exponential smoothing, trend and seasonality; Aggregate production planning; Master production scheduling; MRP, MRP-II and ERP; Routing, scheduling and priority dispatching; Push and pull production systems, concepts of Lean and JIT manufacturing systems; Logistics, distribution, and supply chain management; Inventory – functions, costs, classifications, deterministic inventory models, quantity discount; Perpetual and periodic inventory control systems.
Project management: Scheduling techniques – Gantt chart, CPM, PERT and GERT.
GATE 2021 General Aptitude Syllabus
Note that the General Aptitude section is common in all the GATE 2021 papers. Also, the syllabus of this section remains the same in all the papers. There will be a total of 10 questions in this section. Out of the total questions, 5 questions will carry 1-mark each and the other 5 questions will carry 2-marks each. The section is divided into two – Verbal Ability & Numerical Ability. For the syllabus of the GA section, check below.
| Verbal Ability | Numerical Ability |
| English grammarSentence completionInstructionsVerbal analogiesWord groupsCritical reasoningVerbal deduction | Numerical computationNumerical reasoningNumerical estimationData interpretation |
GATE 2021 PI Mock Tests
Candidates must prepare for GATE 2021 through practicing ample of mock tests. This will help them in detecting their weak that requires more attention. You must analyze all the mocks and make necessary improvements.
GATE 2021 Production & Industrial Engineering Exam Pattern
The exam pattern along with the marking scheme of GATE 2021 is given below. Candidates must go through it when they start their preparation. It will help them in getting familiar with the pattern of the questions and the scheme used for marking in the exam. Going through them acts as the first step of preparation.
| Section | Total Marks |
| GA | 15% of the total marks |
| Mathematics | 15% of the total marks |
| PI – Subject-Based | 70% of the total marks |
- The exam will be conducted online. It is a Computer Based Test (CBT).
- Duration of the exam is 3 hours.
- There will be 2 types of questions in GATE 2021- MCQs and NATs.
- There will be three sections in the exam – General Aptitude, Mathematics and Subject- wise section.
- The total questions in the exam will be 65 questions.
- The exam will hold a total of 100 marks.
- Negative marking in the exam will be only for the Multiple Choice Questions.
Marking scheme
| Type of question | Negative marking for wrong answer | Marking for correct answer |
| MCQs | ⅓ for 1 mark questions⅔ for 2 marks questions | 1 or 2 marks |
| NATs | No negative marking | 1 or 2 marks |
How to Prepare for GATE Production & Industrial Engineering?
If you prepare for GATE 2021 by following certain steps, it will be easier for you to complete the exam syllabus. You should first collect all the study material that you will be preparing for the next few months. Go through it and get familiar with it. After that set a study schedule according to the syllabus that you have to cover. After this begins your real preparation. To know, read below.
Know the exam
You must go through the exam pattern and marking scheme of the exam. You must glance at the syllabus once as well, as you will be creating your study schedule based on it. You must know the exam you are going to prepare for in the next couple of months. The exam related information helps you in gaining a better understanding of the exam. You are able to prepare accordingly and perform well in the exam.
Concept clarity
You must try to have a good understanding of all the concepts in your exam syllabus. Avoid mugging up everything like we typically do in any entrance examination. You will never benefit from such learning techniques. Instead, try to have clarity of concepts. Understand the basics of a single topic before moving on to another topic. Take the help of standard books for making your basics strong.
Work on weak areas
Identifying your weak areas is an important part of your preparation. Without knowing your weak points, you will not be able to improve them. There will be no scope for rectification. Take extra care of examining yourself frequently and analyzing your performance. This way you will be able to detect your weak areas and work on them.
Prepare notes
Making notes during your preparation is a traditional and proven method of learning. You must make notes of every topic that you cover. When you understand a topic and later make notes on the same topic then it gets embedded in your mind. It makes memorizing easier. Also, always rely on your notes and not on others’. This will help you in understanding better and remembering well.
Test papers
Solve as many test papers as you can. Join an online test series or take a lot of mock tests every week. Monitor your performance and analyze it like an expert. You can also take the help of the previous years’ question papers for preparing for the exam. The aim is to test yourself at every given point so that there is no space for silly mistakes.
Books for GATE PI Preparation
Your study material for the preparation of GATE 2021 should be of top quality. What you are studying will determine how you will perform in the exam. Hence, always pick books of top authors and publications. We have mentioned below a few books that you can prepare for GATE 2021.
| Title of the book | Name of the Author/ Publication | LINK to buy |
| i. GATE 2021 – Guide – Production and Industrial Engineering | GKP | LINK |
| ii. GATE 2021 – Solved Papers – Production and Industrial Engineering | GKP | LINK |
GATE 2021 PI Preparation FAQs
Q1. What test series should I join to prepare for GATE 2021?
Ans. You can join the Brainstorm Achievers test series. They are a good quality test series and improve your weak areas well.
Q2. What is the weightage of the subject section in the Production and Industrial Engineering GATE 2021?
Ans. The subject-based section carries a weightage of 70% of the total marks in the GATE 2021. For more information, you can look at the exam pattern of GATE 2021 given in the article above.
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