GATE Syllabus

Yes, the GATE General Aptitude syllabus is common for all branch papers in GATE. Candidates must check the GATE syllabus PDF carefully before starting their preparation. The GATE GA syllabus includes the following -

• Verbal aptitude (basic English grammar and vocabulary)
• Quantitative Aptitude - Data interpretation and numerical computation and estimation
• Analytical Aptitude and Spatial Aptitude

MCQs, MSQs, and NATs are types of questions that are asked in GATE-

Each question has a different marking scheme. Candidates must check GATE marking scheme carefully. 

No, applicants cannot opt for any paper from the combination list. Candidates can only select from the options provided by the GATE authorities in the GATE 2026 paper combination list. For example, a CS student has the free will to choose from the following set of exam papers: DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, and ST. 

Candidates can download GATE syllabus from the official website - gate2027.iitm.ac.in. The syllabus is available in PDF format. Before downloading, check the GATE paper code and branch name. The GATE exam syllabus is available for 30 papers.

Two paper combination in GATE allows candidates to take two papers in the examination. The main objective of the GATE two paper combination facility is to broaden the skill set and techniques of the aspirants in relevant field they are applying for.

There are mainly three pools in CSE that aspirants can look out for -

• Theory (Algorithm analysis and designing, cryptography, etc.)
• Systems (Compiler design, operating systems, etc.)
• Intelligent systems (AI, ML, Game theory, etc.)

Yes, candidates from any academic background can apply for GATE CSE. If you look at the GATE two paper combination list, students with different backgrounds/disciplines are eligible to take the exam. 

The eligible two-paper combination for GATE CSE can be checked below -

• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Geomatics Engineering
• Mathematics
• Physics
• and Statistics

The marking distribution of the GATE Data Science question paper is as follows -

• General aptitude - 15 marks
• Subject-based questions - 85 marks
• Total marks allotted - 100 marks

The GATE DA question paper marking scheme is as follows -

• Questions are either of 1 or 2 marks
• For 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for an incorrect response.
• For 2- mark MCQ, 2/3rd mark will be deducted for an incorrect response. 
• There is no negative marking for MSQs and NATs. 

The exam duration of the GATE exam is three hours. The language of the GATE question paper is English, comprising General Aptitude (GA) and the candidate's selected subject. 

The GATE question format are as follows -

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)
• Numerical Answer Type (NATs)

IIT Guwahati introduced the GATE Energy Science paper in 2026, as the new optional paper under the Engineering Sciences (XE), with the code XE-I. The candidates applying in GATE 2026 see this addition first, and it is aimed at expanding the scope of this exam to the modern themes in energy fields