GATE CSE Chapter Wise Weightage 2026 - Topic-Wise Marks Distribution

GATE CSE Chapter Wise Weightage 2026 - Topic-Wise Marks Distribution

Shivani PooniaUpdated on 04 Dec 2025, 11:13 AM IST

Gate CSE Chapter Wise Weightage 2026 - The Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) paper is one of the most popular and is chosen by thousands of candidates every year. Therefore, knowing the gate CSE chapter-wise weightage 2026 will help you to understand which subjects are asked more in the exam but you should also know GATE CSE subject wise weightage 2026. This way, you can plan your preparation smartly and also give more time to high-weightage topics to increase your overall score in GATE exam 2026. If you scroll down, you will find the GATE CSE chapter-wise weightage for the past 5 years provided in this article, along with preparation resources. We have included the chapters with the highest weightage, their key topics, the recommended books for each, as well as previous year papers to support your preparation.

LiveGATE Admit Card 2026 LIVE: IIT Guwahati will issue MTech exam hall ticket today? Test timings, guidelinesJan 12, 2026 | 10:16 PM IST

The GATE 2026 exam sectional papers are listed below

XE Paper Sections

Code

XH Paper Sections

Code

XL Paper Sections

Code

Engineering Mathematics

(Compulsory) (15 marks)

A

Reasoning and Comprehension

(Compulsory) (25 marks)

B1

Chemistry

(Compulsory) (25 marks)

P

Any TWO optional Sections

(2x35 = 70 marks)


Any ONE optional Section

(60 marks)


Any TWO optional Sections

(2x30 = 60 marks)


Fluid Mechanics

B

Economics

C1

Biochemistry

Q

Materials Science

C

English

C2

Botany

R

Solid Mechanics

D

Linguistics

C3

Microbiology

S

Thermodynamics

E

Philosophy

C4

Zoology

T

Polymer Science and Engineering

F

Psychology

C5

Food Technology

U

Food Technology

G

Sociology

C6



Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

H





Energy Science (Newly Introduced)

I




Read More

This Story also Contains

  1. Gate CSE Chapter Wise Weightage 2026
  2. Preparation Resources For GATE CSE 2026
  3. GATE CSE Previous Year Question Papers
GATE CSE Chapter Wise Weightage 2026 - Topic-Wise Marks Distribution
GATE CSE Chapter Wise Weightage 2026

Gate CSE Chapter Wise Weightage 2026

Let’s look at the GATE CSE chapter-wise weightage 2026. As per the table given below, you will be able to see the chapter-wise distribution of the different chapters in CSE for the last 5 years. You can do GATE CSE subject wise weightage 2026 pdf download from various resources.

Chapter

Weightage

Engineering Mathematics

16.40%

Aptitude

15.73%

Computer Networks

9.89%

Programming and Data Structures

9.89%

Computer Organization & Architecture

9.44%

Operating System

8.54%

Databases

8.76%

Theory of Computation

7.19%

Digital Logic

4.94%

Compiler Design

4.72%

Algorithms

4.49%

Grand Total

100.00%

As seen, EM (Engineering Mathematics) has the highest weightage with 16.4% average marks obtained in the last 5 years. While the lowest goes to algorithms. However, Engineering Mathematics is an important topic and can not be ignored. In this way you should know GATE 2026 subject wise weightage CSE.

Related links:

Preparation Resources For GATE CSE 2026

The following books are in accordance with GATE subject wise weightage for CSE and the high-weightage chapters, along with the main topics, and the recommended books. You can use these resources to ace your preparation for GATE 2026.

Subject

High-weightage Chapter

Main Topics

Recommended Book

Aptitude (15.73%)

Numerical Ability

Percentages, Ratios, Averages, Time & Work, Speed & Distance, Profit & Loss, Number Series, Simple & Compound Interest

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal

Engineering Mathematics (16.40%)

Linear Algebra

Matrices, Eigenvalues & Eigenvectors, Systems of Linear Equations, Vector Spaces

Higher Engineering Mathematics by B.S. Grewal

Programming & Data Structures (9.89%)

Trees and Graphs

Binary Trees, AVL Trees, Binary Search Trees, Graph Traversals (DFS, BFS), Spanning Trees, Graph Representations

Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis in C by Mark Allen Weiss

Computer Networks (9.89%)

TCP/IP and OSI Models

OSI Layers, TCP/IP Stack, IP Addressing, Routing Protocols, UDP vs TCP, Application Layer Protocols (HTTP, DNS)

Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach by James Kurose and Keith Ross

Computer Organization & Architecture (9.44%)

Memory Hierarchy and Cache

Cache Mapping Techniques, Memory Access Time, Virtual Memory, RAM & ROM, Instruction Cycles, Pipeline Architecture

Computer Organization and Design by David A. Patterson and John L. Hennessy

So, now you not only know the GATE CSE chapter-wise weightage 2026 but also got a clear idea about the main topics and the books to refer to while preparing for them which will help you to understand subject wise weightage in GATE for CSE 2026. For the main resource, you can use the GATE past 10 year's question paper. This will definitely help you in scoring better marks.

Also Read:

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the rank for 70 marks in GATE CSE?
A:

The rank for 70 marks varies every year depending on difficulty. In recent trends, 70 marks usually fall in the range of Rank 100–200 (approx.).

Q: Is 2 years enough for GATE CSE?
A:

Two years is more than enough if you plan your preparation properly. The first year can be used to complete the syllabus and strengthen concepts, and the second year for solving mock tests, revising, and improving speed and accuracy.

Q: Is GATE tough for CSE?
A:

GATE CSE is considered moderately tough. The syllabus is vast and covers multiple subjects like Programming, Algorithms, Operating Systems, DBMS, and Mathematics. With regular study, concept clarity, and practice of previous papers, it becomes manageable.

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

Hello,

Yes, you can get admission in M.Tech CSE without GATE .

  1. Through university entrance exams
    Many universities conduct their own M.Tech entrance exams. You have to qualify the test and sometimes attend an interview.

  2. Through JET for M.Tech
    JET (JAIN Entrance Test) is conducted by Jain University.
    It is

Hii

No  you cannot get admission to IIT for M Tech if your B Tech is not completed at the time of admission, even if you clear the GATE cutoff but Yes, you can appear for GATE 2028 in your 3rd year of B Tech even if your degree is

Hello,

The link to the question paper is attached here. You can access the question papers along with the answer key on the careers360 website. Careers360 also provides students with preparation tips that will help them in preparing and the mock test and analyse their in-depth performance.

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/last-15-years-gate-papers-solutions

Thank you.

Hello aspirant,

If you missed the correction window for GATE 2026, the portal will not allow changes right now. Usually, IIT opens a correction period only once. Since you need to change your surname, the best option is to contact the GATE organizing institute through their official support email or