100+ Free GATE NM Practice Questions
Pass your GATE Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (Paper Code NM) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Longitudinal strength of a ship is most critical when the vessel is in:
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Key Facts: GATE NM Exam
65 questions / 100 marks
GATE NM 2026 exam pattern (10 GA + 55 subject)
gate2026.iitg.ac.in
180 minutes
Total exam duration (3 hours computer-based test)
GATE 2026 Information Brochure
INR 1800 / 900
Application fee (General-OBC / SC-ST-PwD-Female)
GATE 2026 Official Notification
3 years
Validity of GATE score for PG admissions and PSU recruitment
GATE Committee policy
100
Free practice questions here
OpenExamPrep
GATE NM 2026 is a 3-hour computer-based test of 65 questions for 100 marks (GA 15 + Subject 85), held by IIT Guwahati in early February 2026. The score is valid 3 years for IIT/IMU PG admissions and PSU recruitment in shipbuilding and maritime sectors.
Sample GATE NM Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your GATE NM exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1In a sentence-completion item: 'The captain's decision proved ______; the storm caused no damage to the vessel because he had altered course six hours earlier.' Which word best fits?
2A ship sails 30 km north, then 40 km east. What is the shortest straight-line distance back to the starting point?
3If 15% of a number is 45, what is 60% of the same number?
4Find the odd one out: 169, 196, 225, 250.
5A bar chart shows ship deliveries: Year 1 = 80, Year 2 = 100, Year 3 = 125. What is the average year-on-year percentage growth rate?
6Choose the antonym of 'buoyant' as used in the context of a ship floating high in the water:
7A ship's fuel tank is 80% full and holds 240 tonnes. What is the total capacity of the tank?
8Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
9If a ship travels at 18 knots, how far does it travel in 5 hours? (1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour)
10From a deck of 52 cards, what is the probability of drawing a king?
About the GATE NM Exam
GATE Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (paper code NM) is an all-India entrance examination introduced from GATE 2024 for postgraduate naval architecture and marine engineering programmes at IITs (IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur), IIT Goa naval architecture courses, IMU campuses, and other institutions, and is also used for recruitment by central PSUs in the shipbuilding, ports, and offshore sectors. The 2026 edition is conducted by IIT Guwahati. It is a 3-hour Computer-Based Test for 100 marks containing 65 questions: 10 General Aptitude questions for 15 marks, plus 55 subject questions (85 marks) covering Engineering Mathematics, Mechanics and Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics and Marine Hydrodynamics, Ship Resistance Propulsion and Manoeuvring, Ship Structure and Strength, Ship Design and Hydrostatics, Marine Engineering and Auxiliary Machinery, and Marine Vehicle Dynamics and Materials. The paper mixes MCQ items (with 1/3 or 2/3 negative marking), MSQ items (multiple-select, no negative), and NAT items (numerical answer type, no negative).
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
180 minutes (3 hours)
Passing Score
Qualifying cutoff varies (~25-35/100); valid 3 years for PG admissions and PSU recruitment
Exam Fee
INR 1800 (General/OBC); INR 900 (SC/ST/PwD/Female) (IIT Guwahati (organising institute for GATE 2026) on behalf of the GATE committee (IITs + IISc Bangalore))
GATE NM Exam Content Outline
General Aptitude (GA)
10 questions for 15 marks covering verbal ability, English grammar, quantitative aptitude (numbers, percentages, ratio, time-speed-distance), and analytical reasoning (coding-decoding, seating, data interpretation)
Engineering Mathematics
Linear algebra (matrices, rank, eigenvalues), calculus (limits, derivatives, integrals, partial derivatives, Taylor series), differential equations (first and second order ODEs, Laplace transforms), complex variables, probability and statistics, and numerical methods (Newton-Raphson, trapezoidal, Simpson, Runge-Kutta)
Mechanics and Strength of Materials
Statics, rigid body equilibrium, plane trusses, stress and strain, normal and shear stress, Mohr's circle, beam bending, torsion of circular shafts, deflection of beams, Euler buckling of columns, energy methods (Castigliano)
Fluid Mechanics and Marine Hydrodynamics
Fluid statics and hydrostatic pressure, continuity, momentum and energy equations, Bernoulli's equation, dimensional analysis (Reynolds, Froude), boundary layer concepts and separation, potential flow (Laplace equation, source/sink/doublet/vortex), ocean wave theory (dispersion relation), ship resistance fundamentals, wave loads (Morison equation)
Ship Resistance, Propulsion and Manoeuvring
Froude decomposition of resistance (frictional + residuary/wave-making), powering hierarchy (EHP, THP, DHP, SHP, BHP), propeller geometry (diameter, pitch, BAR), advance and thrust/torque coefficients, open-water efficiency, cavitation, manoeuvring trials (turning circle, zig-zag/Kempf, spiral)
Ship Structure and Strength
Structural arrangement (longitudinal vs transverse framing), still-water and wave bending moments, hogging and sagging, section modulus, transverse strength, stress concentration around cut-outs (Kirsch), fatigue and S-N curves, classification societies (IRS, LR, ABS, DNV) and IACS
Ship Design and Hydrostatics
Lines plan and ship geometry, form coefficients (Cb, Cm, Cp, Cw), hydrostatic curves (displacement, LCB, KM, TPC, MCT), Bonjean's curves, intact stability (KM, BM, KB, GM, GZ curve), cross curves, damage stability under SOLAS, trim and list, freeboard and Load Line
Marine Engineering and Auxiliary Machinery
Marine power plants, two-stroke slow-speed and four-stroke medium-speed main engines, brake thermal efficiency, turbocharging and scavenging, pumps (centrifugal, positive displacement, affinity laws), centrifugal purifiers and separators, air compressors, fuel oil treatment (HFO viscosity reduction), lubrication systems
Marine Vehicle Dynamics and Materials
Seakeeping and six degrees of freedom motion (surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, yaw), natural periods and resonance, sea state spectra (Pierson-Moskowitz, JONSWAP), shipbuilding materials (mild steel, AH/DH high-tensile grades, aluminium 5083/6061, FRP composites), galvanic corrosion and cathodic protection
How to Pass the GATE NM Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Qualifying cutoff varies (~25-35/100); valid 3 years for PG admissions and PSU recruitment
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: 180 minutes (3 hours)
- Exam fee: INR 1800 (General/OBC); INR 900 (SC/ST/PwD/Female)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
GATE NM Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GATE 2026 Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering exam pattern?
GATE NM 2026 is a 3-hour computer-based test with 65 questions for 100 marks. The paper has 10 General Aptitude questions (15 marks) and 55 subject-related questions (85 marks) covering Engineering Math, Mechanics and Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics and Marine Hydrodynamics, Resistance and Propulsion, Ship Structure, Ship Design and Hydrostatics, Marine Engineering, and Marine Vehicle Dynamics and Materials. Questions include MCQ (with 1/3 or 2/3 negative marking), MSQ (multiple select, no negative marking), and NAT (numerical answer, no negative marking).
When is GATE 2026 scheduled and who is the conducting institute?
GATE 2026 is conducted by IIT Guwahati. The exam is held in early February 2026 (typically Feb 7, 8, 14, and 15). The Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering paper will be on one of these days. The official portal is https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in/.
Is GATE NM a new paper, and which institutions accept the score?
GATE NM was introduced from GATE 2024 as the dedicated paper for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering candidates. Scores are used for M.Tech / M.E. / MS admissions at IIT Madras (Ocean Engineering), IIT Kharagpur (Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture), IMU campuses, and PSU recruitment in shipbuilding and offshore sectors such as Cochin Shipyard, Mazagon Dock, Garden Reach, Hindustan Shipyard, ONGC, and the Indian Register of Shipping.
What is the GATE 2026 application fee?
The application fee for GATE 2026 is INR 1800 for General, OBC, and other male candidates. The fee is INR 900 for SC, ST, PwD candidates, and all female candidates. A late application surcharge of approximately INR 500 applies if you register after the regular deadline.
What is the negative marking scheme in GATE NM?
For MCQ questions: 1-mark MCQ has 1/3 mark deducted for a wrong answer; 2-mark MCQ has 2/3 mark deducted. There is NO negative marking on MSQ (multiple-select) and NAT (numerical answer type) questions. Skipping is always safer than guessing on MCQs.
How much study time do I need for GATE NM?
Most successful candidates spend 400-800 hours of focused preparation over 8-12 months. Final-year B.Tech students should start at the beginning of their 7th semester. Mock tests in the last 3 months are critical — aim for at least 20-25 full-length mocks alongside subject-wise practice.
Which textbooks are commonly used for GATE NM preparation?
Standard references include Edward V. Lewis 'Principles of Naval Architecture' (PNA Vols I-III, SNAME), K. J. Rawson and E. C. Tupper 'Basic Ship Theory', Bertram 'Practical Ship Hydrodynamics', Carlton 'Marine Propellers and Propulsion', Eyres and Bruce 'Ship Construction', Taylor 'Introduction to Marine Engineering', and Faltinsen 'Sea Loads on Ships and Offshore Structures'. NPTEL ocean engineering and naval architecture video lectures from IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur are widely used.