GATE 2026 DA Important Topics: Exam Date (OUT), Topic-Wise Weightage, Pattern, and Revision Tips
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
Result - 27 Mar '26 - 31 May '26
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) syllabus, important topics, high-weightage chapters can be checked here. A thorough understanding of syllabus, important GATE DA topics, and their respective weightage is crucial for aspirants aiming to excel in this examination. Read below for more.
IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 DA syllabus on official website. Candidates who want to appear for the GATE DA paper must fill out the GATE 2026 application form, which was available on gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
Latest Update: GATE 2026 branch-wise exam schedule released
GATE 2026 DA Marks: Distribution and Weightage
The GATE 2025 DA question paper comprises two sections -
- General aptitude - 15 marks
- Subject questions - 85 marks
A total of 100 marks is allotted for the GATE 2026 DA question paper. The question types include Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Negative marking applies only to MCQs, with a deduction of 1/3 mark for 1-mark questions and 2/3 mark for 2-mark questions. There is no negative marking for MSQs and NAT questions.
GATE 2026 DA Exam Date
IIT Guwahati will conduct GATE DA exam on February 15 in second shift (2:30 pm to 5:30 pm). Candidates appearing for exam must download their admit card on January 2.
Also Read:
GATE 2026 DA Syllabus- Topics and Weightage
The GATE Data Science and Artificial Intelligence syllabus, as per the GATE 2025 exam, is as follows. Aspirants can also check an approximate weightage section-wise below-
| Subjects | Approximate Weightage/Marks |
|---|---|
| Probability and Statistics | 16 marks |
| Linear Algebra | 10 marks |
| Calculus and Optimisation | 8 marks |
| Programming, Data Structures, and Algorithms | 21 marks |
| Database Management and Warehousing | 8 marks |
| Machine Learning | 11 marks |
| Artificial Intelligence | 11 marks |
GATE 2026 DA Expected Questions (Topic-Wise)
IIT Guwahati conducted the GATE exam in 2018, and looking at the pattern and format of the questions, here are some expected questions that can be asked from following topics covered in the GATE 2026 DA question paper -
| Topics |
Expected Questions in the following topics |
|---|---|
| Data Structures and Algorithms |
Tree Traversal, Hashing, Stack application, Graph traversal, Time complexities, master theorem, sorting, searching, shortest path, minimum cost spanning tree |
| Programming in Python |
Recursion, List and dictionary comprehension, List, Tuple, set, and dictionary data types, and Scope of variable in a function |
| Database Management and Warehousing |
Checking FD’s, Additional FD’s, Finding Normal Form of the relation, Decomposition properties, Tuple relational calculus, Data normalisation, OLAP operations, Equivalence FD’s, Decomposing the relation, B and B+ tree insertion and deletion, |
| Machine Learning |
Decision trees -information gain, entropy, K-value selection in KNN, K-means, single linkage clustering in KNN, Model parameters in Naive Bayes, model parameters in ANN, Hyper plane, decision boundary, and linearly non-separable data, distance-weighted KNN, decision trees pruning, cross validation techniques, etc. |
| Artificial Intelligence |
Iterative deepening search, depth limited search, bi-directional search, rules of inference, tautologies, exact inference through variable elimination, quantifies and multiple quantifiers |
GATE 2026 DA Important Formulas (Topic-Wise)
| Topics/Subjects | Important Formulas to Focus |
|---|---|
| Probability and Statistics | Baye's Theorem, Mean and Variance, Probability and Distributions (Binomial, Poisson, and Normal Distribution) |
| Linear Algebra | Matrix operations, Principal component analysis - (Formula for Eigenvalues of Covariance Matrix) |
| Calculus and Optimization | Gradient Descent Update Rule, Lagrange Multiplier Method |
| Machine Learning | Loss Functions, Naïve Bayes Classifier |
| Data Structures and Algorithms | Time Complexity (Big-O Notation), Dynamic Programming |
| Artificial Intelligence | Minimax Algorithm (Game Theory), Perceptron Rule (Basic Neural Network) |
Quick Tips for Memorisation and Problem Solving
- Revise short notes, mind maps, and cheat sheets for quick concept review.
- Memorize important formulas, such as Bayes’ Theorem, Eigenvalues, Gradient Descent, etc.
- Attempt at least 2 to 3 full-length mock tests following real exam guidelines.
- Attempt 50+ NAT-type questions for numerical accuracy.
- Follow a 50-40-30 rule during the exam- (50 mins for General aptitude, 40 mins for medium-difficulty questions, and 30 mins for tough questions & review)
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep before the exam. Avoid starting new topics. Revise what you've read already.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 days ago
No, Indian students don't need JEE, NEET, or GATE exam score to get a seat at Imperial College. However, programs like MBBS (UCAT), MBA (GMAT), and some STEM programs (ESAT, TMUA, GRE) do ask for additional test scores.
Make sure to check entry requirements for desired course before applying at Impe
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, you can get admission in M.Tech without GATE exam at MIT College of Management and Computer Application. In that case, you can appear for PERA CET or MIT-WPU CET exam and get a valid score for admission.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
| Target Performance | Desired Score | Approx. Questions to Attempt | Reasoning |
| Top IITs / PSUs | 70 - 85+ | 55 - 60 Questions | High attempts with near-perfect accuracy are required to compete for the top 500 ranks. |
| Old IITs / Top NITs | 55 - 70 | 45 - 52 Questions | A safe zone where you focus on high-weightage topics and core subjects. |
| Qualification / New NITs | 30 - 45 | 35 - 40 Questions | Focus on General Aptitude, Mathematics, and your the strongest 3–4 technical subjects. |
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
The GATE 2026 results were officially released by IIT Guwahati on March 19, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM IST.
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
| Category | Potential Branches | Admission Chance |
| General | Interdisciplinary branches (Biomedical, Earth System Science, Aquacultural Engineering) | Moderate |
| OBC | Chemical, Cryogenic, or Functional Materials | Moderate to High |
| SC / ST | Core branches (Mechanical, Communication, Structural) | Very High |
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
| Institute Category | Potential IITs | Admission Chance |
| Newer IITs | IIT Jammu, IIT Bhilai, IIT Dharwad | High |
| Mid-Tier IITs | IIT Patna, IIT Mandi, IIT Palakkad | Moderate (Likely in later rounds) |
| Old IITs | IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur | Low for core M.Tech |
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
| Category | Recommended Institutions | Likely Branches |
| Mid-to-Lower NITs | NIT Patna, NIT Meghalaya, NIT Agartala, NIT Srinagar | Power Systems, Control Systems, or Wireless Technologies (often in Spot Rounds). |
| Specialized GFTIs | DIAT Pune, SLIET Longowal, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya | Laser & Electro-Optics, Power Electronics, or Instrumentation. |
| Top Private Universities | BITS Pilani (Higher Degree), VIT Vellore, Thapar Institute, LPU | Various Electrical specializations. |
| State Universities | Anna University (CEG), JNTU Hyderabad, College of Engineering Pune (COEP) | Power Systems or Electrical Machines. |
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
| Category | Chance at Rank 1360 | Likely Specialization |
| General (Open) | Moderate | Advanced Communication Systems, EMLS (Spot Round) |
| OBC-NCL | High | EMLS, Advanced Communication Systems |
| SC / ST / PwD | Very High | VLSI System Design, EMLS |
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
At this score, he should look for specialised or interdisciplinary branches where the OBC cutoff is lower:
IIT Jammu / IIT Dharwad: May get core Electrical or Power Electronics in later rounds.
IIT BHU (Varanasi): Possible for programs like Electrical Machines and Drives or specialised Chemical/Materi
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
| Category | Chance of Admission | Likely Institutes |
| General | Low for premium colleges | State Government Universities, Private Universities, and newer GFTIs. |
| OBC-NCL | Moderate | Newer IIITs (spot rounds), state-level universities, and mid-tier private colleges. |
| SC / ST / PwD | High | Mid-to-lower tier NITs, some IIITs, and newer IITs. |
S
Contributor-Level 8
Upasana Pradhan is an Mtech graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering from DTU who specialises in curating postgraduate and undergraduate engineering entrance exam content, such as GATE, TS PGECET, KCET,
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