CDAC C-CAT 2026 Syllabus: Check Section-wise Latest C-CAT Syllabus

CDAC Common Admissions Test 2026 ( CDAC C-CAT )

Vikrant Shukla
Updated on Jan 9, 2026 14:17 IST

By Vikrant Shukla, Deputy Manager

CDAC C-CAT 2026 syllabus comprises of three sections:

  • Section A (General Aptitude)
  • Section B (Computer Programming and Concepts) 
  • Section C (Computer Architecture)

Before starting the preparation process, candidates are advised to go through the syllabus of CDAC C-CAT 2026. This will ensure that the candidates know which topics will be referred to while preparing the CDAC C-CAT 2026 question paper. The subjects and topics included in the CDAC C-CAT 2026 syllabus will be at the same level as those at the graduation level. Along with the syllabus, the candidates are advised to check the CDAC C-CAT 2026 exam pattern. Read to know more about the CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026.

Table of contents
  • CDAC C-CAT 2026 Syllabus
  • CDAC C-CAT 2026 Best Books
  • CDAC C-CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
  • CDAC C-CAT 2026 Marking Scheme
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CDAC C-CAT 2026 Syllabus

 

Sections

Topics

DURATION

Section A

English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, Computer Fundamentals & Concepts of Programming

1 hour

Section B

C Programming, Data Structures, Object Oriented Programming Concepts using C++, Operating Systems & Networking, Basics of Big Data & Artificial Intelligence

1 hour

Section C

Computer Architecture, Digital Electronics, Microprocessors

1 hour

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Do I have to study the entire CDAC C-CAT syllabus?
A: 

Yes. The candidates are advised to study the entire CDAC C-CAT syllabus. This will help the candidates to understand which topics have to be studied in the entrance examination to perform well in the examination. Since the question paper is prepared as per the syllabus, the candidates will be able to benefit by being familiar with the syllabus.

Q:   Is the CDAC C-CAT question paper prepared from the syllabus?
A: 

Yes. The authorities will prepare the CDAC C-CAT question paper based on the official syllabus. All of the topics present in the syllabus will be considered and accordingly the questions will be prepared for the upcoming entrance examination. Therefore, the candidates are advised to check the CDAC C-CAT syllabus carefully before commencing their preparation process. The official CDAC C-CAT syllabus is released online by the authorities.

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CDAC C-CAT 2026 Best Books

Candidates can check the list of best books for CDAC C-CAT 2026 below. The section-wise reference books have been given to help with the preparation process for CDAC C-CAT 2026. 

SECTION

TOPIC

REFERENCE BOOK

A

English

  • Any High School Grammar Book (e.g. Wren & Martin)

Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning

  • Quantitative Aptitude Fully Solved (R. S. Aggarwal)
  • Quantitative Aptitude (M Tyara)
  • Barron’s New GRE

Computer Fundamentals & Concepts of Programming

  • Foundations of Computing (Pradeep Sinha & Priti Sinha)

B

C Programming

  • C Programming Language (Kernighan & Ritchie)
  • Let Us C (Yashavant Kanetkar)

Data Structures

  • Data Structures Through C in Depth (S. K. Srivastava)

Operating Systems & Networking

  • Operating System Principles (Silberschatz, Galvin, Gagne)
  • Data Communication & Networking (Forouzan)

OOP Concepts

  • Test Your C++ Skills (Yashavant Kanetkar)

Basics of Big Data & AI

  • Fundamentals of Data Engineering (Joe Reis, Matt Housley)
  • Artificial Intelligence for Dummies (John Paul Mueller, Luca Massaron)

C

Computer Architecture

  • Computer Organization & Architecture (William Stallings)

Digital Electronics

  • Digital Design (Morris Mano)
  • Digital Design: Principles & Practices (John Wakerly)
  • Modern Digital Electronics (R. P. Jain)

Microprocessors

  • Microprocessor Architecture, Programming & Applications with 8085 (Ramesh Gaonkar)
  • The Intel Microprocessor (Barry Brey)
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the best books for the CDAC C-CAT Section A paper?
A: 

To prepare for the CDAC C-CAT Section A paper, the candidates are advised to refer to the following list of books.

  • English - Any High School Grammar Book (e.g. Wren & Martin)
  • Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning - Quantitative Aptitude Fully Solved (R. S. Aggarwal), Quantitative Aptitude (M Tyara), Barron's New GRE.
  • Computer Fundamentals & Concepts of Programming - Foundations of Computing (Pradeep Sinha & Priti Sinha)
Q:   Which are the best books to study CDAC C-CAT Section C?
A: 

To prepare for the CDAC C-CAT Section C paper, the candidates are advised to check the best reference materials. The list of best books to study CDAC C-CAT Section C are listed below.

  • Computer Architecture - Computer Organization & Architecture (William Stallings)
  • Digital Electronics - Digital Design (Morris Mano), Digital Design: Principles & Practices (John Wakerly), Modern Digital Electronics (R. P. Jain)
  • Microprocessors - Microprocessor Architecture, Programming & Applications with 8085 (Ramesh Gaonkar), The Intel Microprocessor (Barry Brey)
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CDAC C-CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

Through the CDAC C-CAT exam pattern 2026, candidates can check the examination mode, duration, sections, total number of questions, marking scheme and more. The question paper will consist of 3 sections. Each section should be completed in 1 hour. The question paper will include 150 objective, multiple-choice questions.

The CDAC C-CAT marking scheme is as follows:

  • For every correct answer: +3 marks 
  • For every incorrect answer: -1 mark
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the duration of CDAC C-CAT paper?
A: 

The time duration of the CDAC C-CAT exam is 180 minutes. The question paper includes 150 multiple-choice questions. Please note that no extra time will be given to complete the question paper. 

Q:   What are the sections included in CDAC C-CAT paper?
A: 

CDAC C-CAT paper consists of three sections:.

  • Section A - English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning
  • Section B - Computer Fundamentals, C Programming, Data Structures, Data Communication & Networking, Object Oriented Programming Concepts, Operating Systems
  • Section C - Computer Architecture, Digital Electronics, Microprocessors
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CDAC C-CAT 2026 Marking Scheme

The CDAC C-CAT 2026 question paper will include 150 objective, multiple-choice questions. CDAC C-CAT marking scheme is as follows:

  • For every correct answer: +3 marks 
  • For every incorrect answer: -1 mark
 
 
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CDAC C-CAT Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a month ago

Criterion Rule for 2026 Ranking
Disqualificationthe lowest 20% (A & B) or 10% (C) of performers.
Minimum ScoreMust be greater than 0 in all attempted sections.
1st Tie-BreakerHigher marks in Section A.
2nd Tie-BreakerHigher accuracy ratio  (Correct / Attempted).
3rd Tie-BreakerOlder age  (preference for older candidates).

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

No, candidates in the lowest 10 -20% of performers may not be included in the rank list, depending on overall performance. Here it is-

  • the lowest Performers Excluded: Candidates in the the lowest 20% of performers for Sections A & B, or the the lowest 10% for Section C, do not receive a rank.
  • Minimum

...Read more

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

To be eligible for a CDAC C-CAT rank, candidates must score above zero in all the sections they attempted.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

The official rank list for the February 2026 batch will be released on January 22, 2026.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

CDAC C-CAT exam consists of 150 questions in total, with a maximum score of 150 marks across Sections A, B, and C.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

You can calculate your score using the official marking scheme:

+3 marks for correct answers

–1 mark for incorrect answers

0 marks for unattempted questions

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

Yes, candidates must pay a non-refundable fee of INR 500 per question to raise an objection to the CDAC C-CAT 2026 answer key.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

Yes, candidates can raise objections if they find errors in the provisional answer key. The objection window usually opens within 48 hours of the answer key release.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

During CDAC C-CAT counselling, seat allotment is based on your C-CAT rank, chosen preferences, and seat availability. Higher-ranked candidates get priority during the allocation process.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Yes. Participating in CDAC C-CAT online counselling is mandatory. Without selecting courses and centres during this stage, you will not be considered for seat allocation.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

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