GATE EE 2027 · SUBJECT 02 / 10

Electric Circuits: Syllabus, Topics & Reference Books

Network elements, KCL/KVL, theorems, transients, AC circuits and two-port networks.

Electric Circuits syllabus topics

The following topic groups come from the syllabus content included in this study hub. Consult the official GATE 2027 website for examination updates.

  1. Network Elements: Ideal voltage and current sources, dependent sources, R, L, C, M elements;
  2. Network solution methods: KCL, KVL, Node and Mesh analysis;
  3. Network Theorems: Thevenin’s, Norton’s, Superposition and Maximum Power Transfer theorem;
  4. Transient response of DC and AC networks,
  5. sinusoidal steady-state analysis,
  6. resonance,
  7. two port networks,
  8. balanced three phase circuits,
  9. star-delta transformation,
  10. complex power and power factor in AC circuits.

How to prepare this subject

  1. Check topic coverage. Work through the groups above and mark unfamiliar concepts.
  2. Learn and practise. Study one relevant reference book, then solve worked examples without looking at the solutions.
  3. Apply concepts. Use GATE EE previous-year questions to assess where you need additional practice.
  4. Revise and test. Create a short formula or concept sheet and reattempt questions you initially missed.

Recommended reference books

These are textbook suggestions for studying this subject, not a mandatory purchase list.

  • Engineering Circuit Analysis — Hayt, Kemmerly & Durbin
  • Network Analysis — M. E. Van Valkenburg

Free resources for practice

Use the downloadable question-paper collection and year-wise weightage report as supporting study materials.

GATE EE Study Hub is an independent educational initiative by Manoranjan Kumar. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GATE organizers.

STEP-BY-STEP LEARNING

RC charging transient and time constant

Predict capacitor voltage after switching and determine when a specified charging percentage is reached.

Key learning goal: Connect the circuit differential equation to the exponential charging curve and calculate current and voltage at a given time.

Read the detailed worked example and self-check question →

Quick concept check: For the same circuit, what are the capacitor voltage and current at t = 0.4 s?

Check the answer

Since t/τ = 2, vC = 12(1 − e⁻²) ≈ 10.38 V and i = 6e⁻² ≈ 0.812 mA.

Common pitfalls: Treating C as 100 F instead of 100 μF. Using τ = R/C instead of τ = RC.