GATE CSE Syllabus 2026: Important Topics, Weightage, Marking Scheme
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Content Writer | Updated On - Jul 29, 2025
GATE CSE Syllabus is categorized into three sections which include Core Discipline, Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude consisting of some of the popular topics viz. Core Discipline if further divided into 10 sections i.e Computer Organization and Architecture, Databases, and Computer Networks, Operating System, Digital Logic, Algorithms, Theory of Computation, Compiler Design, Programming and Data Structures, etc.
GATE CSE question paper consist of a total of 65 questions in either Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) or Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) or Numerical Answer type (NAT) question format carrying a total of 100 marks distributed among these three sections with 15 marks provisioned for General Aptitude, 13 marks for Engineering Mathematics and 72 marks provisioned for the Core Discipline.
Table of Content
1.1 GATE CSE Syllabus 2026: General Aptitude
1.2 GATE CSE Syllabus 2026: Section 1- Engineering Mathematics
GATE CSE Syllabus: Section Wise
GATE CSE syllabus comprises 10 sections divided into three papers: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Computer Science Paper. The syllabus of General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics are common among different languages while the syllabus of computer science comprises topics from core engineering subjects. 72% of the syllabus is from the core discipline, 13% from engineering mathematics and the remaining 15% comprises general aptitude.
GATE CSE Syllabus 2026: General Aptitude
General Aptitude consists of Verbal Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude, Analytical Aptitude and Spatial Aptitude which includes questions based on General English based on basic knowledge of tenses, prepositions, and comprehension, the Quantitative Aptitude mainly deals with basic knowledge on percentage, ratio and proportion, geometry, elementary statistics while the Spatial Aptitude deals with rotation, mirroring and patterns in 2 and 3-dimensional representation.
These subsections are explained in detail in the following table:
| Topic | Sub Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Aptitude Basic English grammar | Articles, prepositions, adjectives, tenses, verbal noun agreement, narrative sequencing, context reading and comprehension |
| Quantitative Aptitude Data interpretation | Numerical computation and estimation which includes percentage, ratio, permutation and combination, exponent and logarithm, elementary statistics and probability, data graphs (bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphs representing data), 2- and 3-dimensional plots, maps, and tables, mensuration and geometry |
| Analytical Aptitude Logic | Numerical relations and reasoning, analogy, deduction and induction |
| Spatial Aptitude Transformation of shapes | scaling, mirroring, rotation, translation, patterns in 2 and 3 dimensions, paper folding |
GATE CSE Syllabus 2026: Section 1- Engineering Mathematics
Engineering Mathematics consist of Discrete Mathematics which includes sets, relations, monoids and groups, prepositional and first order logic , Linear Algebra includes matrices, determinants, eigen values and vectors, Calculus consist of limits, integration, differentiation, while Probability and Statistics deals with mean, median, mode, standard deviation, random variables etc.
These sub sections are explained in detail in the following paragraphs:
| Topic | Sub Topics |
|---|---|
| Discrete Mathematics | prepositional and first order logic, Graphs consisting of connectivity, matching, coloring, Sets, relations, functions, partial orders and lattices, Combinatorics consisting of counting, recurrence relations, generating functions, monoids and groups |
| Linear Algebra | system of linear equations, matrices, determinants, LU decomposition, eigenvalues and eigenvectors |
| Calculus | limits, integration, maxima and minima, continuity and differentiability, mean value theorem |
| Probability and Statistics | mean, median, mode and standard deviation, conditional probability and bayes theorem, Uniform, normal, exponential, poisson and binomial distributions, random variables |
GATE CSE Syllabus 2026: Section 2: Core Discipline
| Topic | Sub Topics |
|---|---|
| Digital Logic | Boolean algebra, combination and sequential circuit, number representations and computer arithmetic (fixed and floating point), minimization |
| Computer Organization and Architecture | machine instructions and addressing modes, Memory hierarchy consisting of cache, main memory and secondary storage, ALU, datapath and control unit, I/O interface (interrupt and DMA mode), Instruction pipelining, pipeline hazards |
| Programming and Data Structures | programming in C, arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary search trees, binary heaps, graphs, recursion |
| Algorithms | algorithm design techniques consisting of greedy, dynamic programming and divide-and-conquer, sorting, searching, hashing, graph traversals, minimum spanning trees, shortest paths |
| Theory of Computation | regular expressions and finite automata, turing machines and undecidability, regular and contex-free languages, context-free grammars and push-down automata, pumping lemma |
| Compiler Design | lexical analysis, parsing, syntax-directed translation, local optimization, intermediate code generation, runtime environments, Data flow analyses consisting of constant propagation, liveness analysis, common sub expression elimination |
| Operating System | inter-process communication, threads, system calls, concurrency and synchronization, CPU and I/O scheduling, deadlock, file systems, memory management and virtual memory |
| Databases | relational model consisting of relational algebra, tuple calculus, ER model, integrity constraints, normal forms, indexing (e.g., B and B+ trees), file organization, transactions and concurrency control |
| Computer Networks | 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, Basics of IP support protocols (ARP, DHCP, ICMP), Network Address Translation (NAT), fragmentation and IP addressing, IPv4, CIDR notation, transport layer: flow control and congestion control, UDP, TCP, sockets, application layer protocols: DNS, SMTP, HTTP, FTP, Email |
GATE CSE Syllabus 2026- Important Topics With Weightage
The GATE committee fixes varied weightage on various topics from year to year. The highest weightage provisioned for important topics covering CSE syllabus over the years is listed below:
- Programming and Data Structures,
- Computer Network,
- Operating System,
- Computer Organization and Architecture
Tabulated below is a representation of the section-wise weightage being offered for various GATE CSE syllabus topics:
| Topics | Year-wise Weightage of Important Topics (Marks) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GATE 2022 (Expected) | GATE 2021 | GATE 2020 | GATE 2019 | GATE 2018 | GATE 2017 | GATE 2016 | |
| General Aptitude | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 13 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
| Discrete Mathematics | 11 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 7 | 4 | |
| Digital Logic | 6 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Computer Organization and Architecture | 8 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 7 |
| Programming and Data Structures | 15 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 11 |
| Algorithms | 7 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 11 |
| Theory of Computation | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 |
| Compiler Design | 4 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Operating System | 9 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Databases | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| Computer Networks | 10 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
GATE CSE 2026 Exam Pattern
As already discussed in earlier sections, GATE CSE is a 100 marks paper consisting of 65 questions either in Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ ) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) and Multiple Select Questions (MSQ).
- MCQs holding 1 mark have a provision for awarding 1 mark for each correct answer and 1/3 marks deduction for each wrong answer.
- MCQs holding 2 marks have a provision for awarding 2 marks for each correct answer and 2/3 marks deduction for each wrong answer.
- MSQs and NATs have no provision for negative marking against each incorrect answer. None of the sections offer partial marking for partial correct answer.
Tabulated below is a representation of the section-wise distribution of marks for GATE CSE 2026.
| Section | Number of questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Engineering | 25 (MCQ/NAT) | 1 | 25 |
| 30 (MSQ/NAT) | 2 | 60 | |
| General Aptitude | 10 (NAT/MCQ/MCQ) | 1 or 2 | 15 |
| Total | 65 | - | 100 |
GATE CSE Marking Scheme 2026
Though there is not much change in the marking scheme in various sections for different years, below is presented a tabular representation of the marking scheme for the year 2026:
| Sections | Total Questions | Total Marks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mark Questions | 2 marks Questions | ||
| General Aptitude | 5 | 5 | (5 x 1) + (5 x 2) = 15 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 25 | 30 | (25 x 1) + (30 x 2) = 85 |
| Core Discipline- Computer Science Engineering | |||
| Total | 30 | 35 | 100 |
GATE CSE Preparation Books
Though many online resources, books, and study materials are provided by GATE coaching institutes, some of the books popular among GATE aspirants and come in handy for preparation are tabulated below:
| Books | Authors/Publisher |
|---|---|
| Theory of Computer Science: Automata, Languages and Computation | Mishra K.L.P. |
| Software Engineering: A Practitioner’s Approach | Pressman |
| A Handbook for Computer Science /IT Engineering | Made Easy Editorial Board, Made Easy Publications |
| Computer Organization and Architecture | William Stallings |
| Introduction to Algorithm | Thomas H. Cormen |
| Discrete Mathematics and its Applications | Kenneth. H. Rosen |
| Computer Science and IT Engineering Solved Papers | ME Team, Made Easy Publications |
| Digital Logic and Number representation | Morris Mano |
| GATE Computer Science & Information Technology | GKP, G.K. Pub |
| Graph Theory with Applications to Engineering and Computer Science | Deo and Narsingh, Prentice Hall India Learning Private Limited |
| Database System Concepts | Henry Korth |
| Operating System Concepts | Galvin |
GATE CSE FAQs
Ques. What are some important topics for preparation of GATE CSE?
Ans: Though it is advisable to clear your basics on each topic covered in GATE syllabus, there are few important topics which are interesting to study and scoring as well. Below is listed these important topics:
- Computer Organization and Architecture
- Programming and Data Structures
- Algorithms
- Operating System
- Computer Networks
Ques. What is the section wise weightage of topics in GATE CSE syllabus?
Ans: GATE CSE syllabus can be broadly categorized into three sections - General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics and Core Discipline (CS). Section wise weightage of topics is listed below:
- General Aptitude carries a weightage of 15%.
- Engineering Mathematics carries a weightage of 13%.
- Core Discipline (CS) carries a weightage of 72%.
Ques. What are the future opportunities available after cracking GATE CSE?
Ans: Candidates securing good percentile in GATE have high chances of getting admission in top IITs and NITs even with IISc, Bangalore in computer science branch. Even most top PSUs namely BHEL, GAIL, NTPC, IOCL etc appoint Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) from candidates with high GATE percentile.
Ques. What is the marking scheme for GATE CSE 2026?
Ans: For the year 2026 the GATE committee has categorized MCQs into two categories. In the first type, 1 mark is awarded for each correct answer and 1/3 mark is deducted for each wrong attempt. While the second MCQ offers 2 marks for each correct answer and deducts 2/3 for each wrong attempt. There are no negative markings for Numerical Answer Type (NAT) & Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) questions.
Ques. Suggest some relevant books for GATE CSE preparation?
Ans: Among various resources available online/ offline, some of the bestselling books for GATE CSE preparation as listed below:
- Computer Architecture – A Quantitative Approach by Hennessy and Patterson
- The C Programming language by Dennis Richie
- Data Communications and Networking by Kurose & Ross and Behrouz A. Forouzan
- Introduction to Algorithms by Cormen
- Operating System Concepts by Galvin
- Database System Concepts by Henry. F. Korth
- Compilers: Principles, Techniques and Tools by Aho & Ullman
Ques. What does the GATE CSE syllabus consist of?
Ans: The GATE CSE syllabus comprises of topics namely Engineering Mathematics, General Aptitude and core computer science topics which include Digital Logic, Computer Organization, and Architecture, Algorithms, Compiler Design, Theory of Computation, Operating System, Databases, Programming and Data Structures, and Computer Networks.
Ques. What is the question pattern which is followed in GATE CSE?
Ans: GATE CSE as well as other 28 papers follow the following patterns:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
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