GATE 2026 CSE 1 and CSE 2 Live Updates: Feb 8 Question Paper Analysis & Answer Key

The GATE Qualifying Cutoff is the minimum score required to pass the exam and is set by the organising institute for each subject. It determines whether a candidate can apply for admissions or PSU recruitment. On the other hand, the Admission Cutoff is the score required to secure a seat in a specific program at a particular institute. Admission cutoffs vary by institution, program, and category (General, OBC, SC/ST), depending on the number of applicants, seat availability, and competition. While qualifying ensures eligibility, meeting the admission cutoff is essential for securing a seat in postgraduate programs or institutions like IITs, NITs, or PSUs.

Today (Feb 8) is Day 2 of Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. The following papers will be conducted today along with GATE CSE paper -

Yes, GATE score of 700 is good and enough to secure a seat NITs and IITs. However, it also depends on several factors, such as diffculty level of question paper, number of candidates registered, and past cutoff trends.

Here are some high-weightage CSE topics that students must not miss -

• Engineering Mathematics - carries 13 to 15 marks, important chapters include linear algebra, probability, and calculus
• Data Structure and Algorithms - 12 to 15 marks, important topics include arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees and BST, graphs (BFS and DFS), Sorting and Searching, and Time complexity
• Operating Systems - 8 to 10 marks, process scheduling, memory management, file systems, paging and segmentation, and deadlocks
• Computer Networks - 7 to 10 marks, routing algorithms, OSI and TCP/IP models, error detection (CRC, checksum, flow and congestion control, routing algorithms, IP addressing and subnetting
• Databases - 6 to 8 marks, ER model, SQL queries, normalisation, transaction and concurrency, and indexing

If there is any system glitch in the system, then candidates are advised to report to the invigilator immediately. A new system will allocated to the student, and they will be able to resume from where he/she has left (in the timer). 

The ideal number of attempts to secure a GATE 2026 rank under 500 can be around 55 to 60 questions.

No, once the admit card is issued, it cannot be changed no matter what. The GATE hall ticket will contains details regarding exam and candidate.

The steps to download GATE exam hall ticket can be checked below -

• Go to official website
• Click on the applicant portal
• Login using enrollment ID and password
• Download admit card and take printout

This year, IIT Guwahati have made following changes, which can be checked below -

• The GATE 2026 application fees have been revised. 
• A new sectional paper, called Energy Science, is introduced under Engineering Sciences. The GATE Energy-Science paper code is XE-I. 

Candidates appearing for GATE 2026 exam TODAY must report to the centre at least 90 minutes before the commencement of exam time. No late entry will be allowed. 

Engineering Mathematics - carries 13 to 15 marks, important chapters include linear algebra, probability, and calculus. Getting all correct answers, can fetch you good marks in GATE CS exam 2026.

No, negative marking in GATE is applicable only for MCQs only. MCQs are asked for 1 and 2 mark questions. For a 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer, and for a 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.

Candidates can check GATE CS syllabus (computer network) below -

• Concept of layering: OSI and TCP/IP Protocol Stacks; Basics of packet, circuit and virtual circuitswitching
• 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 notation, Basics of IP support protocols (ARP, DHCP, ICMP), Network Address Translation (NAT)
• Transport layer: flow control and congestion control, UDP, TCP, sockets; Application layer protocols: DNS, SMTP, HTTP, FTP, Email.

The steps to download GATE exam hall ticket can be checked below -

• Go to official website
• Click on the applicant portal
• Login using enrollment ID and password
• Download admit card and take printout.

GATE authorities do not issue any dresscode guidelines to students. However, the frisking process conducted is quiet strict, therefore it is advised to wear loose and comfortable clothing to GATE exam centre. Candidates can check GATE dresscode below -

GATE mock tests play a very important role in preparation. With the help of mock test papers, students can benefit the following -

• Since GATE mock test offers a real time exam experience (how CBT exam is conducted), it significantly improve time management
• Improves accuracy to attempt questions
• Helps to analyse your strengths and weaknesses
• Reduce exam day stress and anxiety

Tomorrow, IIT Guwahati will be conducting GATE 2026 exam for Computer Science and Information Technology. The exam will be held in two shifts. Many experts online have predicted that -

• Importance will be given more to MSQs
• GATE CSE question paper 2026 may have more conceptual-based questions
• Engineering mathematics can be a gamechanger for GATE CS aspirants.

Candidates appearing for GATE 2026 exam tomorrow (Feb 8) must carry the following documents to the exam centre -

• GATE 2026 admit card
• Valid ID proof

Students must reach the exam centre at least 90 minutes before the exam time. No late entry is accepted. 

The GATE ST (Statistics) syllabus 2026 covers following sections -

• Calculus
• Matrix theory
• Probability
• Standard Discrete and Continuous Univariate Distributions
• Stochastic Processes
• Estimation
• Testing of Hypotheses
• Non-parametric Statistics
• Multivariate Analysis
• Regression Analysis

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is conducted online for 100 marks. The paper pattern of GATE CS can be checked below -

GATE Computer Science and Engineering is conducted in multiple sessions. The shift timings can be checked below -

Candidates appearing for GATE 2026 Feb 8, must carry the following documents to the centre -

• GATE hall ticket
• Valid ID proof

Along with the above documents, students must also carry a transparent water bottle and pen/pencil for rough work purpose.

The following papers will be conducted tomorrow (Feb 8) along with GATE 2026 CS exam paper -