GATE English literature [Code XH-C2] Latest Syllabus 2025 As per Updated Syllabus Download PDF for Free
GATE English literature XH C2 [Latest Syllabus] Part of Sections Paper XH (Humanities and Social Sciences)is One of The Important Exam of GATE, Subject Divided into 5 Chapters & Asked 40 Questions Based on MCQ,MSQ , 20 Questions Based on 1 Marks Each & Remain 20 Questions 2 Marks Each. Apart of That Reading Comprehension ( Compulsory ) Include 15 Questions Gives 25 Marks, & General Aptitude 10 Questions 5 Questions Based on 1 Marks Each & Remains 5 Question 2 Marks Each. Total 100 Marks Paper, Total 55 Questions Asked in Exam. English Subjects Based on Details Topics Like – Multi-genre literatures in English,non-fiction, and non-fiction prose,Literary criticism and theory, History of English literature and English literary studies etc Syllabus is Lengthy & Paper Level is Moderate to Hard
Overview of GATE English Literature Exam 2025
| Particulars | Details |
| Examination Mode | Computer Based Test (Online) |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Number of Paper in English Literature | 03 Papers |
| Section | General Aptitude (GA)+ Reading Comprehension + English |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) |
| Design of Questions | The questions are designed to test the listed abilities Application Analysis Comprehension Recall Synthesis |
| Number of Questions | 65 Questions (including 10 questions from General Aptitude) |
| Distribution of Questions in , XH and XL | Questions from Subject Concerned – 85 Marks General Aptitude – 15 Marks Comprehension – 20 Marks |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks |
| Marking Scheme | All of the questions will be worth 1 or 2 marks |
| Negative Marking | Two types of MCQs: MCQs – 1 mark for each correct answer; 1/3 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer. MCQs – 2 marks for each correct answer; 2/3 marks will be deducted for every incorrect response. |
| Subject | English Literature |
GATE English literature (Code XH-C2) Latest Syllabus / Unit wise 2025-
Even though the subject Topics involved is not as complicated as most other subjects, the syllabus itself is chock full packed with information. You will be required to break it down accordingly and approach a holistic way of Covering Syllabus & Learn Topics in Depth. We’ve provided not only the units but also the chapters as well as the topics included in them. It will help you get an idea of what’s to come in the exams themselves. It would be easier to pickup, what topics under them are involved.
- Overview of GATE English Literature Exam 2025
- GATE English literature (Code XH-C2) Latest Syllabus / Unit wise 2025-
- Unit -1 Multi-genre literature in English
- Unit -2 Especially in a comparative context
- Unit -3 Literary criticism and theory
- Unit -4 History of English literature
- Unit -5 Research approaches and methodologies
- GATE English literature [XH-C2] Important Topics Chapter Wise-
- GATE English Four-Month Preparation Plan 2025
- Career Scope After Qualified [Passed] GATE English Exam-
- GATE English (Code -C2) Exam Pattern-
- Books for Gate English literature[Good for Reference]
- GATE English literature [Code -C2] Study Notes [Sample]
- GATE English literature Cut-off 2023 Exam –
- Frequently Asked Question GATE Economics
Unit -1 Multi-genre literature in English
This Unit Belong to Topics Related to Poetry, Drama, and prose & Fiction. This Unit Not Been elaborate Quite. Not have been Cleared in the Syllabus all Drama, Poetry & Prose Have to Read for This Unit,But Don’t Worry Our Expert Faculties has Defined all Topics in Details which covered complete Syllabus of Unit -1 Check Below all The Topics which You Should Prepared for this Unit.
| Topics | Chapters to be Covered |
|---|---|
| Poetry & Prose | Chaucer to Shakespeare Jacobean to Restoration Austin Age 18th Century |
| Drama | Hamlet William Shakespeare. Macbeth William Shakespeare. Othello William Shakespeare. Ben Jonson- Volpone Ben Jonson- The Alchemist Ben Jonson- Every Man in His Humour |
| short Story | Edgar Allen Poe’s Short Stories George Orwell- Shooting an Elephant Ray Bradbury- A Sound of Thunder Oscar Wilde- The Nightingale and the Rose Ernest Hemingway- The Snows of Kilimanjaro Guy de Maupassant- The Necklace |
| relative non-fiction, and non-fiction prose | Rhetoric and Prosody |
| 19th and 20th centuries | American Literature other Non-British Literature Modern & Contemporary Period |
| forms of fiction | three main types of fiction: the short story, the novella, and the novel |
| Novel | Sir Thomas More- Utopia Sir Thomas Malory- Le Morte d’Arthur John Bunyan- Pilgrim Progress Jonathan Swift- Gulliver’s Travels Mary Shelley- Frankenstein |
Unit -2 Especially in a comparative context
This Unit Belongs to Topics Related to anglophone, English translation, and literature from India. This Unit Not Been elaborate Quite. This Unit Looks Small But There are Many Sub- Topics Which You Have to be Covered in Details ,But Don’t Worry Our Expert Faculties has Defined all Topics in Details which covered complete Syllabus of Unit -2 Check Below all The Topics which You Should Prepared for this Unit.
| Topics | Chapters |
|---|---|
Especially in a comparative context | Definition of Comparative Literature Scope of comparative literature Concepts of Comparative Literature Objectives of Comparative Literature National Literature World Literature History of the Comparative Literature and It’s Development Major aspects of Comparative Literature Analogy Thematology Interliterariness COMPARATIVE CULTURE STUDIES ROLE OF TRANSLATION IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE |
| anglophone and in English translation | THE FICTIONAL TRANSLATOR IN ANGLOPHONE LITERATURE The English Patient Remembering Babylon & More translation history |
| literature from India | Indian Poetry Indian Epics Indian Regional Literature Pali literature Sanskrit drama The Important Features in a Nutshell Language pedagogy |
| larger Indian subcontinent | Theories of Language Cognitivism as a theory Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory English in South Asia Origin and Development of Drama in Ancient Tamil Society Types of Kuttus Literary Translation in India Language in Contemporary Indian Literature |
Unit -3 Literary criticism and theory
This Unit Belong to the fundamentals of History of English literature and English literary studies This Unit Very Important As Per GATE English Syllabus. This Unit Looks very Small But There are Many Sub- Topics Which You Have to be Covered in Details ,But Don’t Worry Our Expert Faculties has Defined all Topics in Details which covered complete Syllabus of Unit -3 Check Below all The Topics which You Should Prepared for this Unit.
| Topics | Chapters |
|---|---|
| Literary criticism and theory | Importance of Literary Theory Types of Literary Criticism Why Study Literary Theory The Nature and Meaning of Literary Criticism Post-Structuralism Deconstruction Plato’s Philosophical Concepts Theory of Imitation Theory of Art Criticism in Greco-Roman Culture Renaissance criticism The Defence of Poetry |
| Critical and cultural intellectual-traditions | Neoclassic period Influences and the Secular Ethos Mimesis or Phantasia Romantic Criticism Sir Philip Sidney’s Life Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) Johnson’s Editorial Method Literary Criticism in The Victorian Age Aestheticism Heterological thinkers The Importance of Poetry or Poetry as a Spiritual Force The Touchstone Method Arnold’s Contribution |
| Approaches widely referred to and used in the discipline of English | Henry James as Critic of Novelistic Art Critics’ Remarks on Henry James as Critic Art for Art’s Sake Development of Art for Art’s Sake The English Aestheticism Lionel Trilling (1905-1975) and his Contemporaries Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) as literary critic Trilling’s essay “Freud and Literature” CONTEMPORARY TRENDS IN LITERARY THEORY AND CRITICISM W. K. Wimsatt and Robert Penn Warren THE APPROACH THROUGH SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTEXT |
Unit -4 History of English literature
This Unit Belong to Topics Literary criticism & Theory Related to Literary Criticism and approaches. This Unit Very Important As Per GATE English Syllabus. This Unit Looks Small But There are Many Sub- Topics Which You Have to be Covered in Details ,But Don’t Worry Our Expert Faculties has Defined all Topics in Details which covered complete Syllabus of Unit -4 Check Below all The Topics which You Should Prepared for this Unit.
| Topics | Chapters |
|---|---|
| History of English literature | Old English (Anglo-Saxon Period) 450–1066 Middle English Period 1066-1500 The Renaissance 1500-1600 The Neoclassical Period 1600-1785 The Romantic Period 1785-1832 The Victorian Age 1832-1901 The Edwardian Period 1901-1914 The Georgian Period 1910-1936 The Modern Period Early 20th century The Postmodern Period Mid-20th century Homeric or Heroic Period (1200-800 BCE) Classical Greek Period (800-200 BCE) Classical Roman Period (200 BCE-455 BCE) Patristic Period (c.70 CE-455 CE) The Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period (423-1066 CE) The Middle English Period (c.1066-1450 CE) Early Tudor Period (1485-1558) Elizabethan Period (1558-1603) Jacobean Period(1603-1625) Caroline Age (1625-1649) Commonwealth Period/ Puritan Interregnum(1649-1660) Restoration Period (1660-1700) The Augustan Age (1700-1750) The Age of Johnson (1750-1790) Modernist Writers, Realism, etc MIDDLE ENGLISH ROMANCES Life and Works of Chaucer (1340 -1400) Elizabethan Romantic Drama |
| English literary studies | The Elements of Poetry Classification of Poetry METRE Kinds of Ballad Kinds of Epic metrical romance limerick Kinds of odes Biographies The Essay in the 20th century The novel and the short story Kinds of Novel |
Unit -5 Research approaches and methodologies
This Unit Belong to Topics Research approaches use in English & methodologies in English Literature . This Unit Important As Per GATE English Syllabus. This Unit Looks Small But There are Many Sub- Topics Which You Have to be Covered in Details ,But Don’t Worry Our Expert Faculties has Defined all Topics in Details which covered complete Syllabus of Unit -5 Check Below all The Topics which You Should Prepared for this Unit.
| Topics | Chapters |
|---|---|
| Research approaches and methodologies | Research Methods Primary and Secondary Sources Use of Standard Abbreviations Explanative Writing Argumentative Writing Form and style of thesis writing research design Research in English Language Teaching [ELT] Narrative research Phenomenological research Grounded theory research Ethnographic research Case-study research Movement in English Language Teaching Triangulation |
| interpretive techniques | Qualitative Research The Nature of Qualitative Data Gathering Qualitative Data Common literary devices, Major Literary Forms Elizabethan Drama |
| Responsive to literary forms, devices, concepts, and genres | AESTHETICISM ALLEGORY Significance of Ambiguity in Literature Significance of Analogy in Literature Difference Between Biography and Autobiography Significance of Biography in Literature Colloquialism Significance of Colloquialism in Literature Significance of Drama in Literature Significance of Elegy in Literature Common Examples of Idiom Significance of Imagery in Literature Common Examples of Intertextuality Verbal Irony Situational Irony Significance of Memoir in Literature NOVELLA, NOVELETTE, NOVELLE, NOUVELLE Onomatopoeia Significance of Poem in Literature First Person Singular Common Examples of Satire Spenserian Sonnet Types of Stanzas Difference between Tone and Mood Characteristics of Genres |
GATE English literature [XH-C2] Important Topics Chapter Wise-
| Units Included in GATE English Syllabus | Important-topics |
| C2.1 | From Chaucer to Shakespeare, Augustan Age, Romantic Period, American Literature, Non-British Literature, Jacobean to Restorations, etc. |
| C2.2 | literature from India, the study of “literature without borders, anglophone, etc |
| C2.3 | Literary criticism, critical and cultural intellectual traditions, |
| C2.4 | English literature and English literary studies Like Shakespeare Jane Austen Holocaust literature Victorian print culture literature and law |
| C2.5 | Research approaches and methodologies, including interpretive techniques responsive to literary forms, devices |
GATE English Four-Month Preparation Plan 2025
GATE 2025 will be conducted in February. This gives you 4 months to prepare for the examination. Now we are fully aware of the fact that a single timetable cannot suit everyone’s preference. So, being mindful of that, we have prepared you a standard plan which you can modify as per your Schedule and daily schedule.
| Preparation Time | 4 Months (16 Weeks) |
| Total Chapters/ Topics to Prepare | 7 |
| Total Sub-Topics | Over 60 |
| Studying Hours Per Day | 4 – 5 Hours |
| Number of Days Required to Prepare Each Chapter | 12 Days |
| Number of Chapters Completed in a Month | 2 Chapters |
| Break Days or Extra Days Each Month | 2 – 3 Days* |
| Time Taken to Complete Entire Syllabus | 3 Months |
| Remaining Time | One Month |
| Days to Solve Sample Papers/ Model Papers/ Mock Tests | 20 Days |
| Days Left for Final Revision | 10 Days |
Career Scope After Qualified [Passed] GATE English Exam-
1. Postgraduate (MA) Entrance
The GATE score is considered a mandatory requirement for admission to post-graduate programs in different IITs Like IIT Madras Offered MA in English under The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. The process for recruitment for MA programs involves qualifying for the GATE exam and clearing the cut-off for the respective college and then the interview stage for final admission.
Different benefits of the MA program are:
- Better job opportunities
- Higher pay packages
- Subject specialization
- Handsome stipend
GATE scorecard is valid for MA admission for three years.
2. Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Entrance
GATE exam gained much popularity after various public-sector units (PSUs) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with IITs for recruitment through GATE. So, clearing GATE can also help you get direct government sector jobs. The most lucrative aspects of PSU jobs are:
- High pay packages (above Rs 50,000 per month)
- Work-life balance
- Extra benefits such as oil or electricity at a subsidized rate
- Support for higher education such as MBA
The recruitment procedure for PSU is a valid GATE score of the current year and then a round of Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). The weightage given to GATE score is between 75 per cent to 85 per cent. Different PSUs that recruit through GATE include PGCIL, NTPC, NHPC, IOCL, BHEL, etc. found that PSU recruitment is one of the most important reasons why students appear in GATE. As stated by the students, the majority of the students aim to get shortlisted for the recruitment done by different PSU
Why there is so much stress on getting selected for the PSUs? The major reasons behind doing a job in PSU contain a very good salary, job stability, benefits other than salary, and good social stature. In addition to that, candidates also focus on various exams conducted by different PSUs other than GATE. This exam includes the other PSU recruitment exams also like ISRO, DRDO, BARC, etc.
3. Ph.D. Entrance
After Qualified GATE You Do Not need to appear in Any University P.hd Entrance Exam {Written Test} Almost in All Central, State Universities Exempted for Written Exam. Even give you Huge weightage to been selected.
- Research opportunities abroad
- Stipend during the course
- Eligibility requirement for Assistant professor job at IITs and IIITs.
The recruitment process for the Ph.D. programme involves a valid GATE score and then facing an interview panel based on the respective interest area.
4. Fellowship Program in Management (FPM)
It is a five-year program run at IIMs. This program has the following features:
- A monthly stipend of Rs 29,000-30,000 is offered
- No tuition fees for four years and nine months
- Students who live off-campus will get a house-rent allowance (HRA) of Rs 8,000 for a single student and Rs 13,000 for married students
For more details, you can visit different IIM’s websites.
5. Post Graduate Diploma in Management
The National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) offers various courses in PGDM such as:
- Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial Engineering (PGDIE)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Manufacturing Management (PGDMM)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management (PGDPM)
For all the above Programs, the applicant should have a valid GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) score as of June 15, with 60 percent aggregate marks (relaxable by five percent in the case of SC/ST/PwD (Physically Disabled) candidates) .
6. MS Program
If you wish to go for higher studies abroad then you need not worry about exams such as GRE and TOEFL. There are some universities which consider GATE score for admission of Indian Students such as National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
GATE score must be within three years or less from the date of application and the GATE percentile must be above 90.
7. State Electricity Boards
Earlier different state electricity boards used to conduct independent exams but nowadays many of them are collaborating with IITs to recruit through GATE. Some of the state boards that recruit through GATE are West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDC), Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), and Odisha Power Generation Corporation Limited (OPGEN).
For recruitment, you have to apply with your GATE registration number on their respective websites.
8. Research Opportunities
There are certain research positions available through GATE at Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC). However, BARC conducts its examination for recruitment. Also, industries like ISRO conduct their exams in a similar pattern as GATE.
GATE English (Code -C2) Exam Pattern-
Total Number of Questions in GATE 2025
- GATE 2025 will have a total of 55 + 10 (General Aptitude) questions.
- General Aptitude will have 10 questions + Reading Comprehension 15 Questions and English literature will have 40 questions.
- There is No Restriction to move to and from among the Papers.
- All the questions are compulsory to attempt.
The table below shows the exam pattern of Gate General Aptitude and GATE English literature:
| English literature | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 10 | 15 | Cumulative time duration of 3 hours.Shift 1: 9.30 AM – 12.30 PMShift 2: 2.30 PM – 5.30 PM |
| Reading Comprehension | 15 | 25 | |
| Gate English | 40 | 60 | |
| Total | 65 MCQs | 100 Marks | 180 minutes |
Books for Gate English literature[Good for Reference]
Here are some reference Books for GATE English Subject Check out Below
| GATE English literature Books | Authors/ Publishers |
| UGC NET English | Arihant |
| A-Z guide to modern literary and cultural theorists | Stuart Sim |
| Cambridge guide to literature in English | Margaret Atwood |
| Cambridge history of American literature | Sacvan Bercovitch |
| Critical survey of literary theory | By Frank |
| Prentice-Hall guide to English literature | Ma Marron |
| A History of English Literature | Michael Alexander |
| GATE English Question Bank [Amazon] | Diwakar education hub |
If You Looking All in One Best Study Material for GATE English Check Best Study Notes Design by Expert Faculties Available in Hindi & English Both Medium Check Free Sample PDF Now Now – https://wa.link/nmwvdf
GATE English literature [Code -C2] Study Notes [Sample]
Here is a Preview of the Complete Study Notes of GATE English Design by Expert Faculties in Details you can Check the Preview PDF.
GATE English literature Cut-off 2023 Exam –
Here are Cut -the off Marks & Highest Marks out of 100 GATE Exam 2023
| GATE Paper Code | Highest Score | Highest Marks (out of 100) | Cut-off Marks (out of 100) |
| XH-C1 (Economics) | 1000 | 62.67 | 29.4 |
| XH-C2 (English) | 986 | 77.67 | 41.7 |
| XH-C3 (Linguistics) | 1000 | 65.67 | 35.3 |
| XH-C4 (Philosophy) | 1000 | 71 | 37.9 |
| XH-C5 (Psychology) | 1000 | 77.33 | 48.5 |
| XH-C6 (Sociology) | 1000 | 66 | 34.3 |
Frequently Asked Question GATE Economics
Q1. What is the GATE Cut Off for English 2024?
Ans – Here are Cut -off Marks & Highest Marks out of 100 GATE Exam 2024
| GATE Paper Code | Highest Score | Highest Marks (out of 100) | Cut-off Marks (out of 100) |
| XH-C1 (Economics) | 1000 | 62.67 | 29.4 |
| XH-C2 (English) | 986 | 77.67 | 41.7 |
| XH-C3 (Linguistics) | 1000 | 65.67 | 35.3 |
| XH-C4 (Philosophy) | 1000 | 71 | 37.9 |
| XH-C5 (Psychology) | 1000 | 77.33 | 48.5 |
| XH-C6 (Sociology) | 1000 | 66 | 34.3 |
Question -2 Are candidates allowed to use a physical calculator to solve long and complex calculations asked in GATE Question Paper?
Ans. All the candidates are provided with an online virtual scientific calculator to be used to answer the questions. However, it is important to understand that this virtual calculator would be available to use only in the selected questions and not in all the questions. This virtual calculator has the same capability as a scientific calculator
Question -3: Is there any eligibility criteria regarding the nationality of a candidate?
Ans: No, candidates from India as well as other countries can apply for GATE 2024.
Question -4: How is the GATE cutoff decided?
Ans- GATE cutoff is decided by considering various factors like number of applicants, availability of seats, difficulty level of exam and performance of candidates. The conducting institute decides the cutoff in consultation with other responsible authorities.
Question -5 How easy to crack GATE Exam?
Ans: Cracking any exam needs a lot of hard work, time management, dedication and proper use of resources. If you are dedicated to crack GATE, you can clear it easily.
Check Gate Other Subjects Article-
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