GATE Syllabus

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 the GATE syllabus 2026 on the official website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The syllabus is released for all 30 subjects. The steps to download the exam syllabus can be checked below -

• Visit the GATE official website
• Click on the GATE papers and select the subject/discipline you are applying for
• Download the syllabus PDF and start your preparation. 

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)

The GATE 2026 exam date February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. The exam will be held in two shifts- forenoon (9:30 to 12:30 pm) and afternoon (2:30 pm to 5:30 pm). Candidates can find the GATE 2026 exam schedule on our page or can check the official GATE 2026 website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in. 

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