GATE 2026 DA Important Topics: Check Topic-Wise Weightage, Pattern, Revision Tips and more
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2025 ( GATE )
Admit Card - 2 Jan '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 the 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 the official website. Candidates who want to appear for the GATE DA paper must fill out the GATE 2026 application form, which is now available on gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
GATE 2026 DA Marks: Distribution and Weightage
The GATE 2025 DA question paper comprises two sections -
- General aptitude - 15 marks
- Subject questions - 85 marks
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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.
Also Read:
- GATE 2026 Registration Link activated at gate2026.iitg.ac.in: Apply now at GOAPS portal
- Why GATE DA is emerging as the new-age CS: Check rising trends, and career prospects
- GATE 2025 CS Shift 1 and 2 question paper answer key
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)
50 students received domestic offers with package more than INR 1 crore per annum during the IIT Delhi placement drive 2023. Further, the highest international package offered during IIT Delhi placements 2023 stood at INR 2.5 crore per annum.
According to media reports, the highest package offered during IIT Roorkee placements 2024 as compared with 2023 and 2022 are presented below:
Particulars | Placement Statistics (2022) | Placement Statistics (2023) | Placement Statistics (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
Highest domestic package | INR 2.15 crore per annum | INR 1.30 crore per annum | NA |
Highest international package | INR 2.15 crore per annum | INR 1.06 crore per annum | INR 2.05 Crore per Annum |
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15 Feb '26 - 19 Feb '26
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7 Jun '26 - 23 Jun '26
This year, IIT Guwahati is conducting GATE 2026, and two things have been modified -
- The GATE fees have been revised for all categories
- A new sectional paper has been introduced, called Energy Science (under Engineering Sciences).
The details are available on the official website as well as in the information brochure.
The sector-wise placement distribution recorded during IIT Delhi placements 2025 is presented below:
Sectors | Placement Distribution (2025) |
|---|---|
Core (Technical) | 34% |
IT | 20% |
Analytics | 7% |
Consulting | 14% |
Management | 13% |
Finance | 4% |
Others | 8% |
A total of 1,200 offers were made and 1,150 students were placed during the Phase 1 of IIT Delhi placements 2025. Further, more than 50 international offers were made during IIT Delhi Phase 1 placements 2024-25.
According to NIRF report 2025, the median package received during BTech placement 2024 was INR 19.08 LPA. Further, 711 students were placed and 49 students opted for higher studies out of total 946 students during IIT Delhi BTech placement 2024.
According to unofficial sources, the placement rate recorded during IIT Delhi BTech placements 2023 was 90.01%.
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 the 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 under timed conditions.
- 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 new topics and focus on confidence-building revision.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 weeks ago
The GATE exam is conducted once a year. The entrance test takes place on multiple dates and shifts for 30 test papers. For 2026, IIT Guwahati is conducting the exam on February 7, 8, 14, and 15.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Yes, IIT Guwahati has extended the GATE 2026 registration date with late fees. The new GATE 2026 registration date is October 13.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
If you notice an error or discrepancy after submitting your GATE form, don't panic. Once the application correction window opens, log in via GOAPS using your credentials and make the corrections. Details like category, gender, exam city, paper choice, date of birth, etc., can often be edited — usual
D
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
The GATE cutoff changes every year depending on seat intake, number of applicants appeared in exam, toughness of question paper, and previous cutoff trends. Candidates who meet cutoff score can participate for counselling.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Based on the previous year's trends, the GATE 2026 expected cutoff for computer Science and engineering can be checked below-
- For General category it might go around 30 to 31.0
However, the GATE cutoff varies every year, depending on the difficulty level, number of applicants appearing for the exam,
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
No, a duplicate GATE 2026 admit card will not be provided at the test center. Candidates must carry their own admit card along with the mentioned documents and items to the GATE exam center. IIT Guwahati will release the GATE admit card on January 2.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates will get only one scribble pad at a time. They must write their name and registration number before using it. If the rough sheet gets filled, then they can ask for another one scribble pad after returning the previous one to the invigilator. After the exam concludes, candidates must retur
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, candidates will get a scribble pad in the GATE exam 2026 to do the rough work. Candidates have to write their name and registration number on the scribble pad before using it. However, the rough sheet must be returned after the completion of the exam.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The barcode present in the GATE admit card 2026 carries the candidate's information. It is required for a faster verification process and fraud prevention. So, make sure it does not get tampered. Carry multiple copies in case your GATE 2026 hall ticket is torn or tampered.
T
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates who are appearing for the GATE exam must carry a valid ID proof along with a passport-size photograph, transperant water bottle, and pen (blue or black) along with GATE 2026 hall ticket. We advise to carry atleast two to three copies of admit card to the centre.
A
Contributor-Level 7
The institute has released the 2024 placement report on the official website. However, there are no data points to conclude the placement statistics. The key highlights of IIT Madras placements 2024 are presented below:
Particulars
Placement Statistics (2024) (phase 1)
Median package
INR 19 LPA
Internship offers
19% increase compared with previous year
Placement rate
50% students placed
Top recruiters
JP Morgan Chase, Texas Instruments, Adobe
Note: The above-mentioned placement data is sourced from media reports and, hence may vary.