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-microGATE 2026 Exam Datebe 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. |
