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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
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Also read: How to Prepare for GATE
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. |
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
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
We have given weightage to GATE 2026 as per the chapters. You can check it below:
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)
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:
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% |
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)
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)
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
| GATE 2026 Syllabus for Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DA) |
| Most Repeated Questions in GATE – Free PDF Download |
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)
There’s no fixed rule. Some years, January papers are rated tougher; in others, April seems more calculative. That’s why it’s wise to attempt both sessions the better score counts.
Generally, Electrical (EE) and Electronics (EC) are said to be tougher as they have a tricky numerical and conceptual mix.
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.
Both are tough. JEE Advanced checks the deeper problem-solving for undergrad admission, while GATE checks the advanced UG-level engineering knowledge.
No. Each year the level changes: sometimes lengthy but moderate, sometimes conceptually tough. That’s why cutoffs also fluctuate yearly.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
The link to the question paper is attached here. You can also find the answer key that will help you analyse your in-depth performance. Careers360 provides students with preparation tips that will help them utilise their time effectively in preparartion.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-metallurgical-question-papers
Thank you
Hello,
Yes, you can get admission in M.Tech CSE without GATE .
Through university entrance exams
Many universities conduct their own M.Tech entrance exams. You have to qualify the test and sometimes attend an interview.
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,
Here is a link for the sample papers for GATE Exam with DA subjects. Tap on the link given below to open it:
Thankyou.
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