GATE 2026 Questions Difficulty Level: Easy, Moderate, or Tough?

GATE 2026 Questions Difficulty Level: Easy, Moderate, or Tough?

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Shivani PooniaUpdated on 07 Oct 2025, 01:40 PM IST

GATE 2026 Questions Difficulty Level : Knowing the difficulty level of questions in the GATE exam is very important for GATE 2026 aspirants, whether the questions are easy, moderate, or tough. This can help candidates strategize their preparation, manage time during the exam, and focus on high-weightage topics. In this article, we have provided the GATE 2026 exam with the expected difficulty level, the subject-wise difficulty trend of the past five years, the exam pattern, and the previous year’s chapter-wise weightage of important subjects such as CSE, EE, Civil, DA, and Electrical. Scroll down to learn more

This Story also Contains

  1. GATE 2026 Difficulty Level Analysis: Easy, Moderate, or Tough Questions (Expected)
  2. GATE Subject-wise Difficulty Level Of the Past 5 Years
  3. GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
  4. Previous Year GATE Analysis: Chapter-wise Weightage
  5. GATE 2026 Expected Cutoff
GATE 2026 Questions Difficulty Level: Easy, Moderate, or Tough?
GATE 2026 Questions Difficulty Level: Easy, Moderate, or Tough?

GATE 2026 Difficulty Level Analysis: Easy, Moderate, or Tough Questions (Expected)

Are you thinking about the difficulty level of GATE 2026? Based on our analysis of the past few years' difficulty level of the questions of the GATE exam, we are providing you with the expected difficulty level of GATE 2026. This table also provides factors affecting the prediction. Check the GATE 2026 question difficulty level expected below:

Branch

Predicted Difficulty Level

Key Factors Driving Prediction

CSE (Computer Science & Engg.)

Moderate-to-Tough

More MSQs/NATs on algorithms, DBMS, OS; competition from IT sector graduates.

EE (Electrical Engineering)

Tough

Heavy on numerical problems; power systems, machines, and signals expected to be lengthy.

EC (Electronics & Communication)

Moderate-to-Tough

More focus on communication, signals, and digital circuits; VLSI weight may rise.

ME (Mechanical Engineering)

Moderate

Standard mix of theory + numericals; design and thermodynamics will remain scoring.

CE (Civil Engineering)

Moderate

Structural and environmental expected to dominate; numericals in geotech and transportation.

DS (Data Science & AI)

Moderate-to-Tough

Paper still evolving; focus on ML, probability, statistics, data interpretation, and coding logic.

GATE Subject-wise Difficulty Level Of the Past 5 Years

It is always recommended to know the previous few years difficulty level of questions. It will give an idea of what kind of questions will come this time. Here you can check it:

Year

CSE

Electrical (EE)

Electronics & Comm (EC)

Mechanical (ME)

Civil (CE)

Data Science & AI (DA)

2025

Moderate

Moderate

Moderate

Moderate

Easy to Moderate

Moderate to Hard

2024

Moderate to Tough

Hard

Moderate to Tough

Moderate

Moderate

Moderate to Hard

2023

Moderate to Tough

Moderate

Moderate

Moderate to Tough

Moderate to Tough


2022

Easy to Moderate

Moderate

Moderate to Tough

Moderate

Moderate


2021

Easy to Moderate

Moderate

Moderate to Hard

Moderate

Easy to Moderate



Also read: GATE Previous Years Question Papers

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern

The GATE exam pattern will give a good idea about how the questions are going to be. All the subjects will have the same paper pattern:

Particulars

Details

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Duration

3 hours (180 minutes)

Total Marks

100 marks

Total Questions

65 questions (MCQ, MSQ, NAT)

Sections

General Aptitude (15%), Engineering/Subject (85%)


Also Read: GATE - A Complete Guide

Previous Year GATE Analysis: Chapter-wise Weightage

We have given weightage to GATE 2026 as per the chapters. You can check it below:

GATE CS and IT Weightage 2026

This table will provide you with the chapter-wise weightage. The weightage is made according to the last 5 years of GATE question papers.

Chapter

Weightage

Aptitude

16.40%

Engineering Mathematics

15.73%

Programming and Data Structures

9.89%

Computer Networks

9.89%

Computer Organization & Architecture

9.44%

Operating System

8.54%

Theory of Computation

8.76%

Digital Logic

7.19%

Algorithms

4.94%

Databases

4.72%

Compiler Design

4.49%


Also Read: GATE 2026 Syllabus for Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT)

GATE Electrical Engineering Weightage 2026

The GATE Electrical Engineering weightage is as follows. This will provide you with the chapters that are most important.

Chapter Name

Weightage

Analog and Digital Electronics

18.41%

Aptitude

15.87%

Control Systems

9.52%

Electric Circuits

8.57%

Electrical and Electronic Measurements

13.33%

Electrical Machines

5.40%

Electromagnetic Fields

2.86%

Engineering Mathematics

4.13%

Power Electronics

4.44%

Power Systems

9.84%

Signals and Systems

7.62%

Grand Total

100.00%

Also Read:

GATE Civil Engineering Weightage 2026

The GATE civil weightage is as follows:

Chapter Name

Weightage

Aptitude

15.87%

Engineering Mathematics

13.02%

Environmental Engineering

11.11%

Geomatics Engineering

6.35%

Geotechnical Engineering

13.97%

Structural Engineering

16.51%

Transportation Engineering

10.79%

Water Resources Engineering

12.38%

Grand Total

100.00%


Also Read: GATE 2026 Syllabus for Civil Engineering (CE)

GATE ECE Weightage 2026

This table will give you a clear idea of the most important chapters to study in GATE ECE.

Chapter Name

Weightage

Analog Circuits

11.38%

Aptitude

15.38%

Communications

9.23%

Control Systems

8.62%

Digital Circuits

7.69%

Electromagnetics

6.77%

Electronic Devices

8.62%

Engineering Mathematics

11.08%

Networks, Signals, and Systems

7.38%

Signals and Systems

13.54%

Grand Total

100.00%


Also Read: GATE 2026 Syllabus for Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC)

GATE Mechanical Engineering Weightage 2026

Engineering maths has the highest weightage of 27.62% followed by Fluid mechanics. The other chapters weightage is as follows:

Chapter Name

Weightage

Applied Mechanics and Design

23.81%

Aptitude

15.87%

Engineering Mathematics

27.62%

Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences

17.78%

Materials, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering

14.92%

Grand Total

100.00%


Also Read: GATE 2026 Syllabus for Mechanical Engineering (ME)

GATE Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Weightage 2026

Aptitude always has 10 questions. Apart from that, probability and DSA have the highest weightage of 16.92%.

Chapter Name

Weightage

Aptitude

15.38%

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

8.46%

Calculus and Optimization

8.46%

Database Management and Warehousing

8.46%

Linear Algebra

10.77%

Machine Learning

14.62%

Probability and Statistics

16.92%

Programming, Data Structures, and Algorithms

16.92%

Total

100.00%

Also read

UPES M.Tech Admissions 2026

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GATE 2026 Expected Cutoff


GATE 2026 expected cutoff gives an estimate of the minimum marks required to qualify for various branches and institutes. Check the predicted cutoff trends based on previous years’ data.

Paper / Branch

General

OBC-NCL / EWS

SC / ST / PwD

CSE (CS)

27 – 30

24 – 26

18 – 20

Electrical (EE)

25 – 28

22 – 25

16 – 18

Electronics & Comm (EC)

26 – 29

23 – 26

17 – 19

Mechanical (ME)

28 – 32

25 – 29

18 – 21

Civil (CE)

25 – 30

22 – 26

16 – 20

Data Science & AI (DA)

30 – 35

27 – 31

20 – 23

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which branch of GATE is generally said to be considered toughest?
A:

Generally, Electrical (EE) and Electronics (EC) are said to be tougher as they have a tricky numerical and conceptual mix.

Q: Is GATE 2026 going to be tougher than previous years?
A:

Overall GATE exam will be moderately, but in some papers, it is considered to be difficult. The table is given above with subject names and their predicted difficulty level.

Q: Is GATE tougher than JEE Advanced?
A:

Both are tough. JEE Advanced checks the deeper problem-solving for undergrad admission, while GATE checks the advanced UG-level engineering knowledge.

Q: Does the difficulty level remain the same every year?
A:

No. Each year the level changes: sometimes lengthy but moderate, sometimes conceptually tough. That’s why cutoffs also fluctuate yearly.

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

Hello,

No,For Mtech you are not eligible to give GATE examination in 2nd year diploma and after completing your diploma degree

Only bachelor's degree holders can give GATE examination

Thank you

Hello

If you're in 2nd year right now, you can’t register for GATE 2026 just yet.
The exam is only open to students in the 3rd year or beyond in their degree.
It’s mainly because the GATE tests subjects that are usually taught later in your course.
But don’t worry, you are in a great position to start preparing early!
Focus on your basics, practice problem-solving, and build strong concepts now.
By the time you reach 3rd year, you’ll be well ahead of the game.

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,

In the GATE application form , you should enter your name exactly as it appears in your official ID proof , even if the order is different.

For example:

  • If your ID proof shows Surname + First Name , enter it in the same way in the form.

  • Do not change the order to First Name + Surname.

This is important because your GATE admit card and scorecard will match your ID proof.

Keep it exactly the same to avoid any issues later.

Hope it helps !

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!!