GATE CSE Syllabus 2026: Exam Dates (OUT), Check Pattern, Books, PSUs, and More
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
CCMT 2026 Online Registrations (Round 1)
15 May '26 - 5 Jun '26
IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 syllabus for computer science and information technology. The syllabus consists of a total of 11 sections, including 9 Computer Science Engineering topics, Engineering Mathematics, and General Aptitude. Candidates can download the GATE 2026 CS syllabus PDF here, along with the preparation tips and pattern. Read below for more.
GATE 2026 Computer Science and Information Technology Syllabus
GATE CSE Syllabus 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has released the GATE syllabus for CSE. Candidates who are preparing to take the GATE exam can check the syllabus of the GATE Computer Science syllabus on this page. The GATE syllabus CSE will help the aspirants know the topics to study for the exam. The link to download the GATE Syllabus 2026 for CSE PDF is on the page below. The GATE 2026 CS exam dates is February 8 (shift 1 and 2).
Apart from the syllabus, candidates should also check the GATE exam pattern as it will help them in making the GATE preparation strategy. Detailed information about topics and chapters in the GATE CSE syllabus is below.
GET REAL-TIME UPDATES HERE: GATE 2026 Feb 7 Exam Live Updates
What is GATE Computer Science and Information Technology?
Computer science and information technology an engineering discipline that delves into the theory, computation, and algorithms of computer systems and networks for business fields. The GATE CSE 2026 exam syllabus comprises topics and subjects such as programming, algorithms, engineering mathematics, Boolean algebra, discrete mathematics, data structures, etc.
Computer science and information technology are among the most demanding courses, with massive career opportunities. Last year (2025), 207851 candidates registered for the GATE CS, out of which 170825 candidates appeared for the exam.
| Important Links For GATE 2026 | |
|---|---|
| GATE Syllabus | GATE Previous Year Question Papers |
- Click here to download the GATE 2026 CS Syllabus PDF
- GATE 2026 CS1 and CS2 Syllabus: Exam Pattern
- Last Year's GATE Cutoff for CS and IT
Click here to download the GATE 2026 CS Syllabus PDF
GATE 2026 Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) Syllabus
The GATE 2026 exam dates have been released. The GATE 2026 exam will take place on February 7, 8, 14, and 15. The entrance test will be held in two sessions - Morning (9:30 am to 12:30 pm) and Afternoon (2:30 pm to 5:30 pm).
The GATE 2026 computer science and information technology paper will be held in CS1 and CS2. The paper-wise GATE exam dates have been announced on the official website.
Candidates appearing for the exam must carry their GATE CSE admit card and a valid photo identity proof. Candidates can download their hall ticket using the GATE enrollment ID and password.
The GATE 2026 Computer Science and Information Technology syllabus details all the sections. Candidates can check below -
Section I - Engineering Mathematics
| Topics |
Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Discrete Mathematics |
Propositional and first-order logic | sets, relations, functions, partial orders and lattices | Monoids | Groups | Graphs: connectivity, matching, and colouring | Combinatorics: counting, recurrence, relations, generating functions |
| Linear Algebra |
Matrices | Determinants | Systems of Linear Equations | Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors | LU decomposition |
| Calculus |
Limits | Continuity and Differentiability | Maxima and Minima | Mean Value Theorem | Integration |
| Probability and Statistics |
Random variables | Uniform, Normal, Exponential, Poisson and Binomial Distributions | Mean, median, mode and standard deviation | Conditional Probability and Baye’s Theorem |
GATE 2026 CSE Syllabus (Subject-Specific)
| Section |
Topics |
|---|---|
| Digital logic |
Boolean Algebra | Combinational and Sequential Circuits | Minimization | Number Representations and Computer Arithmetic (fixed and floating point) |
| Computer Organization and Architecture |
Machine Instructions and Addressing Modes | ALU | Data-Path and Control-Unit | Instruction Pipelining | Pipeline Hazards | Memory Hierarchy: Cache, Main Memory, and Secondary Storage | I/O interface (interrupt and DMA mode) |
| Programming and Data Structures |
Programming in C | Recursion | Arrays | Stacks | Queues | Linked Lists | Trees | Binary Search Trees | Binary Heaps | Graphs |
| Algorithms |
Searching | Sorting | Hashing | Asymptotic Worst Case Time and Space Complexity | Algorithm Design Techniques | Greedy, Dynamic Programming, and Divide-Conquer | Graph Traversals | Minimum Spanning Trees | Shortest Paths |
| Theory of Computation |
Regular Expressions and Finite Automata | Context-Free Grammars and Push-Down Automata | Regular and Context-Free Languages | Pumping Lemma | Turning Machines and Undecidability |
| Compiler Design |
Lexical Analysis, Parsing, Syntax-Directed Translation | Runtime Environments | Intermediate Code Generation | Local Optimisation | Data Flow Analyses: Constant Propagation, Liveness Analysis, Common Sub Expression Elimination |
| Operating System |
System Calls, Processes, Threads, Inter-Process Communication, Concurrency and Synchronisation Deadlock | CPU and I/O Scheduling | Memory Management and Virtual Memory | File Systems |
| Databases |
ER-Model | Relational Model: Relational Algebra, Tuple Calculus | SQL | Integrity Constraints | Normal Forms | File Organization | Indexing (e.g B and B+ Trees) | Transactions and Concurrency Control |
| Computer Networks |
Concept of Layering: OSI and TCP/IP Protocol Stacks, Basics of Packet, Circuit and Virtual Circuit-Switching | Data Link Layer: Framing, Error Detection | Medium Access Control | Ethernet Bridging | Routing Protocols: Shortest Path, Flooding, Distance Vector, and Link State Routing | Fragmentation and IP Addressing | IPv4 | CIDR Rotation | Basics of IP Support Protocols (ARP, DHCP, and ICMP) | Network Address Translation (NAT) | Transport Layer: Flow Control and Congestion Control | UDP, TCP, Sockets | Application Layer Protocols: DNS, SMTP, HTTP, FTP, and Email |
Commonly asked questions
GATE papers have three major sections; General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics & Specific Subject. There are 65 questions asked for 100 marks in GATE exam.
General aptitude questions are asked for 15 marks, Engineering mathematics in some paper codes, 13 marks and the rest 72 marks from the chosen subject.
In some paper codes engineering mathematics will be excluded only 15 marks general aptitude questions and rest 85 marks will be of chosen subject.
According to topper's and experts, the ideal number of questions to attempt correctly is 50 to 55, to obtain a GATE rank under 1000.
Yes, GATE has negative marking for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) only. In GATE question paper, MCQs will be of one and two marks. Hence, the marking scheme for such questions can be checked below -
- For one mark MCQ - 1/3rd mark will be deducted
- For two mark MCQ - 2/3rd mark will be deducted
GATE 2026 CS1 and CS2 Syllabus: Exam Pattern
The GATE 2026 examination will take place on February 7, 8, 14, and 15 for 30 test papers. GATE CSE 2026 will be conducted on Feb 8 in two shifts. Candidates can check the GATE exam pattern below -
- The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) will be conducted online, and the question paper will be in English.
- The test paper duration is three hours, and the total marks for the GATE 2026 question paper are 100.
- The general aptitude section carries 15 marks, and the engineering mathematics section carries 13 marks.
- GATE 2026 CSE question paper will have subject-specific questions of 72 marks.
- The marking scheme of the questions is 1 or 2 marks. For a one-mark question, 1/3rd mark will be deducted, and for a two-mark question, 2/3rd mark will be deducted.
- There is no negative marking for multiple-choice questions and numerical-aptitude test questions.
Eligible Two-Paper Combinations for GATE 2026 CSE Paper
The GATE two-paper combination allows candidates to choose one or two papers to gain a broader scope and showcase their proficiency in two disciplines. The allowed two-paper combinations for GATE 2026 Computer Science and Information Technology are as follows -
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA)
- Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC)
- Geomatics Engineering (GE)
- Mathematics (MA)
- Physics (PH)
- Statistics (ST)
GATE 2026 CSE Syllabus: Recommended Books
Here are some GATE computer science and information technology books for GATE 2026 preparation-
| Book Name |
Author |
|---|---|
| Digital Logic and Computer Design |
M. Morris Mano |
| Computer Organization |
Carl Hamachar |
| Fundamentals of Data Structure |
Sartaj Sahni |
| Fundamentals of Computer Algorithms |
Rajasekaran, Sahni, and Horowitz |
| Principles of Compiler Design |
Alfred Aho and Jeffery Ullman |
| Data Communication and Networking |
Behrouz A. Farouzon |
| An introduction to formal languages and automata |
Peter Linz |
| Data Structures and Algorithms MADE EASY |
Narasimha Karumanchi |
PSUs That Accept GATE 2025 CSE Scores
The PSUs that consider GATE CS scores for recruitment are as follows -
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
- Airports Authority of India (AAI)
- POWERGRID
GATE Previous Year's Question Papers
Candidates can download the GATE Computer Science and Information Technology old question papers below -
| Year | Download Link |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Download Here |
| 2015 | Download Here (CS1) | Download Here |
| 2022 | Download Here |
| 2023 | Download Here |
Candidates can get the GATE Sample and the Previous Year's Question Paper here
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Last Year's GATE Cutoff for CS and IT
The qualifying marks will be available after the declaration of the GATE result. Till then, students can check last year's GATE qualifying marks in the table below:
| Paper Code |
Highest Score |
Highest Marks (out of 100) |
Avg. Marks (out of 100) |
Cut-off Marks (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AE |
1000 |
84.00 |
15.40 |
26.30 |
| AG |
1000 |
61.33 |
11.93 |
25.00 |
| AR |
1000 |
79.67 |
28.95 |
40.90 |
| BM |
1000 |
64.00 |
15.43 |
25.00 |
| BT |
1000 |
75.33 |
18.00 |
30.00 |
| CE* |
1000 |
95.56 |
15.30 |
29.20 |
| CH |
1000 |
89.67 |
19.40 |
35.10 |
| CS* |
1000 |
87.81 |
14.00 |
26.10 |
| CY |
996 |
91.33 |
20.90 |
36.20 |
| EC |
1000 |
82.00 |
12.63 |
25.00 |
| EE |
974 |
85.33 |
17.26 |
30.30 |
| ES |
966 |
88.00 |
23.90 |
39.60 |
| EY |
1000 |
78.00 |
23.50 |
35.70 |
| GG (Geology) |
945 |
72.67 |
25.60 |
38.90 |
| GG (Geophysics) |
1000 |
68.67 |
28.85 |
44.80 |
| IN |
933 |
79.00 |
20.94 |
36.00 |
| MA |
1000 |
68.33 |
19.20 |
29.00 |
| ME* |
979 |
93.22 |
16.60 |
33.00 |
| MN |
1000 |
77.67 |
16.80 |
31.00 |
| MT |
923 |
87.67 |
28.70 |
48.50 |
| PE |
947 |
88.67 |
31.20 |
51.40 |
| PH |
1000 |
69.67 |
22.00 |
32.80 |
| PI |
939 |
83.67 |
19.40 |
35.70 |
| ST |
1000 |
51.67 |
11.30 |
25.00 |
| TF |
945 |
79.67 |
24.50 |
41.80 |
| XE |
1000 |
90.33 |
22.00 |
37.00 |
| XH-C1 (Economics) |
1000 |
62.67 |
17.80 |
29.40 |
| XH-C2 (English) |
986 |
77.67 |
27.00 |
41.70 |
| "XH-C3 (Linguistics) |
1000 |
65.67 |
21.76 |
35.30 |
| XH-C4 (Philosophy) |
1000 |
71.00 |
23.40 |
37.90 |
| XH-C5 (Psychology) |
1000 |
77.33 |
32.60 |
48.50 |
| XH-C6 (Sociology) |
1000 |
66.00 |
21.18 |
34.30 |
| XL |
983 |
74.33 |
23.90 |
36.00 |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
Candidates are offered seat in M.Tech based on GATE scores at NIT Goa. The seats are allotted via CCMT Counselling. In case the seats remain vacant, Non-GATE aspirants can also get admission by passing the written test conducted by the institute.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 days ago
If you are seeking admission in NIT Jamshedpur MTech, then GATE is mandatory. Students applying for non-MTech programmes do not need to appear for GATE. For M.Tech however, GATE followed by the centralised counselling is mandatory. Unless a student is applying through the self-financed/ sponsored ca
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Non-GATE candidates are offered admission in M.Tech based on institute-level examination. NIT Srinagar conducts an entrance test to fill up self-sponsored/ sponsored category and vacant seats after the CCMT Counselling is over. Such candidates have to apply on the institute's website and appear for
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
According to topper's and experts, the ideal number of questions to attempt correctly is 50 to 55, to obtain a GATE rank under 1000.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Candidates who have qualified GATE exam are given preference for admission in M.Arch in BMS School of Architecture. But those who have qualified Karnataka PGCET are also considered for admission.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
hi,
With a GATE EC 2026 score of 609 under the EWS category, you have a strong profile for M.Tech in VLSI and related specializations. Along with IITs and NITs, Lovely Professional University is also a good option to consider for advanced studies in VLSI and Electronics. LPU offers industry-oriented
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, GATE qualified candidates will also have to appear for the PGET exam held on the scheduled date. The merit list will combine performance of both WBUT and GATE paper.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, WBUT PGET do accept GATE score for admission. The merit list will be prepared considering 70% weightage to GATE scores and 30% to PGET.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates with GATE score of 2026, 2025 or 2024 are eligible for BITS HD 2026 entrance examination.
T
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
No, students can not get direct admission in Cluster Innovation Centre MSc. The college only accepts CUET PG score. Hence, having a GATE scorecard will not come in handy during admissions.
V
Contributor-Level 10
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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