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GATE Exam Date:07 Feb' 26 - 08 Feb' 26
GATE Exam Pattern for CSE 2026: The conducting body has already published the GATE 2026 CSE exam pattern on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The GATE exam pattern for CSE provides details such as the marking scheme, mode of exam, duration of test, types of questions, and more. Students can check the detailed GATE 2026 exam pattern for CSE in this article. As per the GATE exam pattern, the CSE question paper consists of 65 questions for 100 marks. Aspirants preparing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering must follow the GATE exam pattern and syllabus to plan their preparation strategy. The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2026.
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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.
The authority released the GATE 2026 CSE exam pattern on the official website. Along with the GATE CSE pattern 2026, candidates must know the marking system, mode of examination, and other important details. The GATE CSE 2026 exam pattern can be found below:
Particulars | Specifications |
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 |
|
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) |
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.
Also Read: GATE Syllabus for CSE and IT - Check Computer Science and Information Technology Syllabus
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.
Check the below table to understand the section-wise distribution of marks for the GATE pattern for CSE -
Section | No. of Questions | Marks | GATE Total Marks for CSE |
General Aptitude | 10 | (1 x 5) (2 x 5) | 15 |
Computer Science and Information Technology | 45 | (25 x 1) (30 x 2) | 72 |
Engineering Mathematics | 10 | 13 | |
GATE exam total marks for CSE | 65 | 100 |
Also Read: Gate exam pattern for civil engineering
The authority 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.
Computer Science Engineering Sections | Important Topics |
General Aptitude |
|
Engineering Mathematics |
|
Digital Logic |
|
Computer Organization and Architecture |
|
Programming and Data Structures |
|
Algorithms |
|
Theory of Computation |
|
Compiler Design |
|
Operating System |
|
Databases ER‐model. |
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Computer Network |
|
Also Read: Download Free All subjects GATE Previous Year Papers
Subjects | Weightage |
General Aptitude | 15% |
Engineering Mathematics | 5% |
Computer Organization | 11% |
Operating Systems | 10% |
DBMS | 8% |
Compiler Design | 4% |
Computer Networks | 6% |
Design and Analysis Algorithms | 6% |
Digital Logic | 4% |
Discrete Mathematics and Graph Theory | 10% |
Programming and Data Structures | 12% |
Theory Of Computation | 9% |
Book Name | Author |
Architecture | Hamacher |
Algorithm | Cormen |
Operating System | Galvin |
TOC - Theory of Computation | Ullman |
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)
The GATE CSE exam pattern will include three core areas: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and Computer Science & Information Technology subjects.
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.
Yes, the GATE 2026 CSE pattern is generally same every year.
The Total marks for GATE 2026 exam is 100 marks.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
The total time duration for GATE CSE 2026 is three hours.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
If your GATE 2026 application shows "under scrutiny," continue to monitor your applicant portal and registered email for updates, as this is a routine process where officials verify your details. An "under scrutiny" status does not mean your application is rejected; you may be notified of discrepancies and given a chance to correct them during the application correction window, which opens later. Keep your application details accurate and prepare for the exam while waiting for the correction window to open.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hello,
Yes, you as a Bachelor of Science graduate in home science can appear for the GATE 2026 exam, as the eligibility criteria include graduates from "Science" and other fields, as well as those in the 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate program.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hey! The GATE exam (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is very important for long-term career growth. It opens opportunities for postgraduate studies (M.Tech, MS, PhD) in top institutes like IITs and NITs and is also used by many public sector companies (PSUs) for recruitment, often with higher salary packages. In the long run, qualifying GATE can enhance your technical knowledge, career prospects, and credibility in the engineering field.
If your GATE application shows failed status even after a successful payment, don’t worry, this usually happens due to server or transaction update delays. First, wait for 24–48 hours as sometimes the status gets updated automatically. If it still shows failed, you should raise a query through the GATE application portal by providing your enrollment ID and payment receipt or transaction details. You can also contact the GATE zonal office via email or helpline with proof of payment. Keeping a screenshot of the payment success message will also help in resolving the issue quickly.
Hi dear candidate,
You can refer to the online E Books for GATE examination available on our official website that you can download anytime.
Kindly refer to the link attached below to access them for practice.
Link: GATE E-books and Sample Papers
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