Encompasses urban and regional planning, architectural design, building materials, and sustainable development, preparing candidates for careers in architecture and urban design.

GATE Architecture and Planning

Official 2025 syllabus extracted from https://gate2025.iitr.ac.in/doc/2025/GATE%20_AR_2025_Syllabus.pdf

Part A: Architecture, Planning and Design

Architectural graphics

Visual composition in 2D and 3D

Computer application in Architecture and Planning

Anthropometrics

Organization of space

Circulation – horizontal and vertical

Space standards

Universal design

Building byelaws

Codes and standards

Architecture, Planning and Design

Part A: Construction and Management

Project management techniques (PERT, CPM, etc.)

Estimation and specification

Professional practice and ethics

Form and structure

Principles and design of disaster resistant structures

Temporary structures for rehabilitation

Construction and Management

Part A: Environmental Planning and Design

Natural and man-made ecosystem

Ecological principles

Environmental considerations in planning and design

Environmental pollution: types, causes, controls and abatement strategies

Sustainable development, goals and strategies

Climate change and built environment

Climate responsive design

Environmental Planning and Design

Part A: Urban Design, Landscape and Conservation

Historical and modern examples of urban design

Elements of urban built environment: urban form, spaces, structure, pattern, fabric, texture, grain

Concepts and theories of urban design

Principles, tools and techniques of urban design

Public spaces, character, spatial qualities, sense of place

Urban design interventions for sustainable development and transportation

Development controls: FAR, densities and building byelaws

Urban renewal and conservation

Heritage conservation

Historical public spaces and gardens

Landscape design

Site planning

Urban Design, Landscape and Conservation

Part A: Planning Process

Salient concepts, theories and principles of urban planning

Concepts of cities: Eco-City, Smart City

Concepts and theories by trendsetting planners and designers

Ekistics

Urban sociology

Social, economic and environmental cost benefit analysis

Methods of non-spatial and spatial data analysis

Development guidelines such as URDPFI

Planning Process

Part A: Housing

Housing typologies

Concepts, principles and examples of neighbourhood

Residential densities

Affordable housing

Real estate valuation

Housing

Part A: Services and Infrastructure

Firefighting systems

Building safety and security systems

Building Management Systems

Water treatment

Water supply and distribution system

Water harvesting systems

Principles, planning and design of storm water drainage system

Sewage disposal methods

Methods of solid waste management: collection, transportation and disposal

Recycling and reuse of solid waste

Land-use – transportation – urban form inter-relationships

Design of roads, intersections, grade separators and parking areas

Hierarchy of roads and level of service

Para-transits and other modes of transportation

Pedestrian and slow moving traffic planning

Services and Infrastructure

Part B1: History and Contemporary Architecture

Principles of Art and Architecture

World History of Architecture: Egyptian, Greco-Roman classical period, Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque-Rococo

Recent trends in Contemporary Architecture: Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Eclecticism, International styles, Post Modernism, Deconstruction

Influence of Modern Art and Design in Architecture

Indian vernacular and traditional Architecture

Oriental Architecture

Works of renowned national and international architects

History and Contemporary Architecture

Part B1: Building Construction and Structural Systems

Building construction techniques, methods and details

Building systems and prefabrication of building elements

Principles of Modular Coordination

Construction planning and equipment

Building material characteristics and applications

Principles of strength of materials

Alternative building materials

Foundations

Design of structural elements with different materials

Elastic and Limit State design

Structural systems

Principles of pre-stressing

High Rise and Long Span structures

Gravity and lateral load resisting systems

Building Construction and Structural Systems

Part B1: Building Services and Sustainability

Solar architecture

Thermal, visual and acoustic comfort in built environments

Natural and Mechanical ventilation in buildings

Air-Conditioning systems

Sustainable building strategies

Building Performance Simulation and Evaluation

Intelligent Buildings

Water supply

Sewerage and drainage systems

Sanitary fittings and fixtures

Plumbing systems

Principles of internal and external drainage system

Principles of electrification of buildings

Elevators and Escalators: standards and uses

Building Services and Sustainability

Part B2: Regional and Settlement Planning

Regional delineation

Settlement hierarchy

Types and hierarchy of plans

Various schemes and programs of central government

Transit Oriented Development (TOD), SEZ, SRZ

Public Perception and user behaviour

National Housing Policies, Programs and Schemes

Slums, squatters and informal housing

Standards for housing and community facilities

Housing for special areas and needs

Regional and Settlement Planning

Part B2: Planning Techniques and Management

Application of GIS and Remote Sensing techniques in urban and regional planning

Tools and techniques of surveys: physical, topographical, land use, socio-economic

GATE Architecture and Planning Syllabus 2025, 2026 and more: Subjects, Topics, and What to Study