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    GATE Exam Pattern for CSE 2026 - Check Marking Scheme, No. of Questions

    GATE Exam Pattern for CSE 2026 - Check Marking Scheme, No. of Questions

    Team Careers360Updated on 11 Dec 2025, 03:34 PM IST

    GATE Exam Pattern for CSE 2026: IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 CSE exam pattern on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. As per the GATE exam pattern, the CSE question paper consists of 65 questions for 100 marks. The pattern key provides details such as the marking scheme, exam mode, duration, types of questions, and more. Aspirants preparing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering must follow the exam pattern and syllabus to plan their preparation strategy. The GATE 2026 CSE exam will be conducted on February 8, 2026. Candidates can check the GATE exam pattern for CSE 2026 on this page.

    This Story also Contains

    1. GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights
    2. GATE CSE Paper Pattern 2026
    3. GATE Marking Scheme for CSE 2026
    4. GATE Syllabus For CSE 2026
    5. GATE Books for CSE (Computer Science Engineering)
    6. Download GATE 2026 CSE Solved Papers PDF Free
    GATE Exam Pattern for CSE 2026 - Check Marking Scheme, No. of Questions
    GATE Exam Pattern for CSE 2026

    According to the GATE CSE exam pattern 2026, the question paper will consist of 11 major sections, including General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, Digital Logic, Computer Organization and Architecture, Programming and Data Structures, Algorithms, Theory of Computation, Compiler Design, Operating Systems, Databases, and Computer Networks. In terms of weightage, Computer Science and Information Technology will account for 72% of the syllabus, Engineering Mathematics will make up 13%, and General Aptitude will contribute 15%.

    The GATE CSE 2026 question paper will feature three main types of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Read the article to know more about the GATE paper pattern for CSE, syllabus, and marking scheme.

    GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights

    The authority released the GATE 2026 CSE exam pattern on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Along with the GATE CSE pattern 2026, candidates must know the marking system, mode of examination, and other important details. Candidates can check the GATE CSE exam pattern 2026 in the table below.

    GATE 2026 CSE Exam Pattern

    ParticularsSpecifications

    GATE CSE Exam Mode

    Online CBT (Computer Based Test)

    GATE CSE Exam Duration

    3 Hours (180 Minutes)

    GATE CSE Total No. of Questions

    65

    GATE CSE No. of Sections

    • General Aptitude

    • Engineering Mathematics

    • Computer science and Information technology

    GATE CSE Total marks of Exam

    100

    GATE CSE Marking Scheme

    1- and 2-mark questions

    GATE Question Paper Pattern for CSE

    MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)

    MSQ (Multiple Select Questions)

    NAT (Numeric Answer Type)

    GATE CSE Paper Pattern 2026

    • The GATE exam pattern for CSE 2026 will include 3 types of questions: MCQ, MSQ, and NAT.

    • For Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) candidates have to select the one correct answer out of four options.

    • For Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) candidates can select more than one correct option out of four options.

    • The numerical Answer Type (NAT) candidate has to enter the correct answer using the virtual numeric keypad on the monitor.

    • There will be negative markings only in MCQ questions. 1/3 mark will be deducted for 1 mark question and for 2 mark question, 2/3 mark will be deducted. There will be no negative markings in MSQ and NAT questions.

    • The GATE CSE Paper pattern is designed to check the recall, comprehension, application, analysis & synthesis abilities of candidates.

    • Candidates have to answer the application & formula-based questions using their recalling ability.

    • There will be diagrams and figures-based questions in the GATE CSE questions papers.

    • There will be some data synthesis and analysis questions. Candidates can solve these questions using analytical and data analysis skills.

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    Also Read: GATE Syllabus for CSE and IT - Check Computer Science and Information Technology Syllabus

    GATE Marking Scheme for CSE 2026

    • The GATE CSE question paper 2026 will have 65 questions for 100 marks.

    • All the questions will be mandatory to answer.

    • There will be 1 mark and 2 marks for MCQ questions. For each 1 mark incorrect answer; 1/3 mark will be deducted and for each 2 mark incorrect answer 2/3 mark will be deducted.

    • There will be no negative marking in the Numerical Answer Type (NAT) and Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) questions.

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    Check the below table to understand the section-wise distribution of marks for the GATE pattern for CSE -

    SectionNo of QuestionsMarksGATE Total Marks for CSE
    General Aptitude10(1 x 5)
    (2 x 5)
    15
    Computer Science and Information Technology45(25 x 1)
    (30 x 2)
    72
    Engineering Mathematics1013
    GATE exam total marks for CSE65
    100
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    Also Read: Gate exam pattern for civil engineering

    GATE Syllabus For CSE 2026

    The authority has released the GATE 2026 syllabus for CSE in PDF format online. Familiarising themselves with the GATE CSE 2026 syllabus will help candidates focus on and practice the key topics.

    GATE 2026 CSE Syllabus

    Computer Science Engineering SectionsImportant Topics
    General Aptitude
    • Verbal Aptitude
    • Quantitative Aptitude
    • Analytical Aptitude
    • Spatial Aptitude
    Engineering Mathematics
    • Discrete Mathematics
    • Linear Algebra
    • Calculus
    • Probability and Statistics
    Digital Logic

    • Boolean algebra
    • Combination and sequential circuits.
    • Minimization.
    • Number representations and computer arithmetic (fixed and floating point)
    Computer Organization and Architecture
    • Machine instructions, and addressing modes.
    • ALU, data path, and control unit.
    • Instruction pipelining, pipeline hazards.
    • Memory hierarchy.
    Programming and Data Structures
    • Programming in C.
    • Recursion.
    • Arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary search trees, binary heaps, graphs.
    Algorithms
    • Searching, sorting, hashing.
    • Algorithm design techniques: greedy, dynamic programming, and divide‐and‐conquer.
    • Asymptotic worst-case time and space complexity
    • Graph traversals, minimum spanning trees, shortest paths
    Theory of Computation
    • Regular expressions and finite automata.
    • Context-free grammars and push-down automata.
    • Regular and context-free languages, pumping lemma.
    Compiler Design
    • Lexical analysis, parsing, syntax-directed translation. Runtime environments.
    • Intermediate code generation.
    • Data flow analyses
    Operating System
    • System calls, processes, threads, inter‐process communication, concurrency, and synchronization.
    • Memory management and virtual memory.
    • File systems.
    Databases ER‐model.
    • Relational model: relational algebra, tuple calculus, SQL
    • Integrity constraints, normal forms.
    Computer Network
    • Concept of layering
    • Data link layer
    • Basics of IP support protocols
    • Transport layer

    Also Read: Download Free All subjects GATE Previous Year Papers

    Subject Wise Weightage in GATE for CSE

    SubjectsWeightage
    General Aptitude15%
    Engineering Mathematics5%
    Computer Organization11%
    Operating Systems10%
    DBMS8%
    Compiler Design4%
    Computer Networks6%
    Design and Analysis Algorithms6%
    Digital Logic4%
    Discrete Mathematics and Graph Theory10%
    Programming and Data Structures12%
    Theory Of Computation9%

    GATE Books for CSE (Computer Science Engineering)

    Book NameAuthor

    Architecture

    Hamacher

    Algorithm

    Cormen

    Operating System

    Galvin

    TOC - Theory of Computation

    Ullman

    Download GATE 2026 CSE Solved Papers PDF Free

    The aspirants looking for GATE CSE solved papers PDF can download free from the Careers360 website. All the previous years' solved questions and answers are available in the form of sample papers. The candidates can download free GATE CSE question papers, mock tests, and practice for GATE Computer Science.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: How many total marks are there in GATE CSE exam?
    A:

    The total marks for GATE 2026 exam is 100 marks.

    Q: What subjects are covered in the GATE CSE exam pattern?
    A:

    The GATE CSE exam pattern includes three core areas: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Computer Science & Information Technology subjects.

    Q: How is the GATE CSE paper pattern different from other branches?
    A:

    Yes, the GATE exam differs for each engineering branch, as each has its own syllabus, question paper, and exam pattern tailored to the specific subject matter.

    Q: Is the GATE CSE pattern the same every year?
    A:

    Yes, the GATE 2026 CSE pattern is generally same every year.

    Q: What is the GATE exam pattern for CSE 2026?
    A:

    Candidates must answer 65 questions within 3 hours. The GATE CSE exam pattern is divided into three sections: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Core Subject (Computer Science and Information Technology).

    Q: Is the GATE syllabus for CSE and IT the same?
    A:

    The GATE 2026 syllabus for Computer Science and Information Technology (CS and IT) comprises questions from aptitude and the subject. The subject is further divided into sections, including Engineering Mathematics, Digital Logic, Computer Organization and Architecture, Programming and Data Structures, Algorithms, Theory of Computation, Compiler Design, Operating System, Databases, and Computer Networks. Notably, there are a few changes in the GATE 2026 CSE syllabus compared to last year's.

    Q: How section-wise weightage is divided in the GATE exam pattern for CSE 2026?
    A:

    There will be a total of 72 % weightage for the core GATE CSE syllabus, 13% will be engineering mathematics and General Aptitude contains 15% weightage.

    Q: What is GATE 2026 CSE Computer science Syllabus?
    A:

    There are 11 sections in the GATE syllabus for CSE including General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, Digital Logic, Computer Organization, and Architecture, Programming and Data Structures, Algorithms, Theory of Computation, Compiler Design, Operating System, Databases, and  Computer Networks.

    Q: Is there negative marking in GATE 2026 CSE?
    A:

    For each 1 mark incorrect answer; 1/3 mark will be deducted and for each 2 mark incorrect answer 2/3 mark will be deducted.

    Q: What is the total time duration for GATE CSE 2026?
    A:

    The total time duration for GATE CSE 2026 is three hours.

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    Hello, admission for MTech or PhD depends on your GATE score, cutoff, college and branch you choose. Cutoff is different for each and changes every year.

    For more details, please check this link: GATE Cutoff 2026

    Students are advised to carry only their exam admit card and a pen. Only a few exam centres offer a safe area, but usually, exam centres don’t provide storage; you must keep bags and phones outside the gate at your own risk or avoid bringing them.

    Dear Student,

    The college predictor for GATE 2026 at Careers360 is free to use. With GATE 2026 College preditor, you can predict your chances of admisison to top MTech colleges like IITs, NITs, and GFTIs and recruitment in Public Sectro Units (PSUs).

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