Most Scoring Topics in GATE 2026 Data Analytics (DA) – High-Weightage Areas

Feature

Details

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Duration

3 Hours

Total Questions

65

Total Marks

100

Question Types

MCQ (Multiple Choice), MSQ (Multiple Select), NAT (Numerical Answer)

Sections

General Aptitude (15%), Engineering Mathematics (CSE) / Maths (DA), Core Subject

Marking Scheme

1 or 2 marks per question; negative marking for MCQs only

Chapter Name

Percentage Distribution

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%

Chapter Name

Topic Name (Specific Subtopic)

Question Count

Aptitude

Dice folding and visualization

2

Geometry – cross-section visualization

2

Graph coloring (minimum colors)

2

Inference from the passage

2

Infinite series sum

2

Permutations – Divisibility rule

2

Pie chart – percentage calculation

2

Probability of combinations (girls/boys)

2

Profit/Interest calculation (returns)

2

Verbal analogy

2

Aptitude Total

20

Artificial Intelligence

AI – Adversarial search (alpha-beta pruning)

1

AI – Heuristic admissibility (h1, h2)

1

AI – Search strategy (A*) and heuristic admissibility

1

Alpha-beta pruning in adversarial search

1

Bayesian network – conditional independence

1

Bayesian network – joint probability computation

1

BFS vs DFS – state expansion count

1

BFS vs DFS – state space expansion

1

Logic representation – rugby and round balls

1

Neural network – weight equivalence

1

Propositional logic – tautology identification

1

Artificial Intelligence Total

11

Calculus and Optimization

Function continuity and differentiability (piecewise)

1

Limits and logarithmic expansion

1

Local maxima/minima (quartic polynomial)

2

Logistic function derivative (0.4 value)

1

Optimization – function continuity and differentiability

2

Optimization – local minima (2nd derivative test)

2

Optimization – Taylor series and limits

1

Calculus and Optimization Total

10

Database Management and Warehousing

ER model – relational schema (DB constraints)

1

Functional dependencies (derivable attributes)

2

Normalization & z-score

1

Relational algebra – ensuring team members in defender/forward

1

Relational algebra – set operations (Team/Defender)

1

SQL – Index optimization (hash vs B+)

2

SQL query result count (joins with conditions)

1

Database Management and Warehousing Total

9

Linear Algebra

Determinant of M²+12M

1

Eigenvalues and matrix properties

1

Eigenvalues and signs of matrix

1

Eigenvalues of matrices

1

Eigenvalues, determinant and matrix property

1

Matrix rank and nullity (subspaces)

1

Matrix solution scenarios (unique/infinite/none)

2

Projection matrix properties

2

Python recursion & tree traversal

1

Singular values and their sum (SVD)

2

Subspaces of R³

1

Vector subspace properties

1

Linear Algebra Total

15

Machine Learning

Clustering – single linkage algorithm

2

Decision tree – Information gain (entropy)

2

Fisher Linear Discriminant (between/within scatter matrices)

1

k-means clustering – point assignment

1

k-means clustering properties

2

k-NN classifier (minimum k for classification)

1

ML – Linear separability of datasets

4

Naive Bayes – number of parameters estimation

1

Neural network – weight equivalence (ReLU)

1

PCA, Naive Bayes, Logistic regression (classification of models)

1

SVM – support vectors

1

Machine Learning Total

17

Probability and Statistics

Binary search recurrence relation

1

Covariance between random variables

1

Dynamic programming (prefix computation)

1

Expected throws until two consecutive even outcomes

1

Logic – Propositional representation (balls/rugby)

1

Poisson distribution & Normal distribution properties

2

Probability – Bayes theorem

2

Probability – conditional expectation and variance

1

Probability – conditional/joint events

3

Probability – event intersection (T ∩ S)

1

Probability – expected value (die throws)

1

Probability – exponential distribution parameter

2

Probability – joint PDF and expectation

2

Probability – uniform distribution (X,Y)

1

Probability – uniform distributions

1

Probability – z-score normalization

1

Probability of combinations (girls/boys)

1

Python list reverse (recursion)

1

Sample mean update with new data

1

Sorting algorithms – bubble/insertion/selection passes

1

Probability and Statistics Total

26

Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms

AI – Heuristic admissibility (h1, h2)

1

Array prefix computation (dynamic programming)

1

Bayesian network joint probability

1

Binary search comparisons recurrence

1

Binary search complexity analysis

1

Binary tree node relationships (height, leaves)

1

Binary tree properties (height, nodes)

1

Covariance between random variables

1

DFS edge classification (tree/cross/back)

2

Double-ended queue operations (insert/remove)

1

k-NN classifier (minimum k for classification)

1

Python list reverse using recursion

1

Python recursion – counting tree nodes

1

Quicksort – swaps count

1

Relational algebra – SQL tuple verification

1

Sorting algorithms – bubble/insertion/selection passes

1

Stack vs queue vs hash table (matching)

1

Topological sort of DAG

2

Tree traversal combinations (preorder/inorder/postorder)

1

Uniform hashing – expected probes

1

Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms Total

22

Grand Total

Combination of both 2025 and 2024 GATE question paper

130