Complete Guide to GATE CS/IT 2026: Syllabus, Subject-Wise Weightage, Exam Pattern & Preparation Roadmap
Exam Pattern (GATE CS/IT)
- Total Marks: 100
- Total Questions: 65
- Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
- Mode: Online (CBT)
- Question Types: MCQ, MSQ, NAT
- Negative Marking: Yes (1/3 for 1-mark MCQ- 2/3 for 2-mark MCQ- No negative for MSQ and NAT)
- Sections: General Aptitude (15 Marks)- Core Subject (CS/IT) (85 Marks)
Detailed Syllabus for GATE CS/IT (Based on Latest Exam Pattern)
1. General Aptitude (GA) – 15 Marks
- Verbal Ability
- Numerical Ability
- Analytical Skills
- English Grammar
2. Core Subjects (CS/IT) – 85 Marks
- Discrete Mathematics: Propositional and first-order logic, sets, relations, functions, partial orders and lattices, groups, graphs, trees, spanning trees, connectivity, graph coloring, combinatorics
- Digital Logic: Boolean algebra, logic gates, minimization, combinational & sequential circuits, flip-flops, counters, multiplexers
- Computer Organization & Architecture: Number systems, memory hierarchy, cache, addressing modes, ALU, CPU, pipelining, instruction sets, I/O, interrupts
- Programming & Data Structures: C, Recursion, arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary trees, BST, heaps, graphs, hash tables
- Algorithms: Searching, sorting, asymptotic analysis, divide and conquer, greedy, dynamic programming, backtracking, NP-completeness
- Theory of Computation: Regular languages, finite automata, context-free grammars, Turing machines, decidability
- Operating Systems: Processes, threads, scheduling, synchronization, deadlocks, memory management, virtual memory, file systems
- Databases: ER models, relational algebra, SQL, normalization, transactions, concurrency, indexing, file structures
- Computer Networks: OSI & TCP/IP models, switching, IP addressing, subnetting, routing, flow control, congestion control, protocols (TCP, UDP, HTTP, FTP, etc.)
- Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Probability and Statistics
Subject-Wise Weightage (Based on Analysis of Past 5 Years)
| Subject | Approx. Weightage |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 15 marks |
| Algorithms | 8 – 10 marks |
| Data Structures | 6 – 8 marks |
| Computer Networks | 8 – 10 marks |
| Operating Systems | 8 – 10 marks |
| Databases | 6 – 8 marks |
| Theory of Computation | 6 – 8 marks |
| Digital Logic | 4 – 6 marks |
| Computer Architecture | 4 – 6 marks |
| Discrete Mathematics | 5 – 7 marks |
| Programming in C | 3 – 5 marks |
| Engineering Mathematics | 4 – 6 marks |
One of the best 12 month comprehensive study plan for your upcoming GATE CS/IT Exam
Month 1-2: Easy Subjects (30- 40 marks)
- Programming in C
- Data Structures
- Theory of Computation
- Digital Logic
- Aptitude
Month 3-6: Conceptual Subjects (35 – 45 marks)
- Operating Systems (OS)
- DBMS + SQL practice
- Computer Networks
- Computer Organization and Architectures
- Compiler Design
Month 7-8: Advanced Concepts (10 – 15 marks)
- Discrete Mathematics
- Engineering Mathematics
Month 9: Revision Round 1
- Revise notes, make cheat sheets/formulas
- Solve previous year questions (GATE 2010–2025)
- Give Mock tests – Purchase any test series for better questions practice
Month 10: Mock Tests + Weak Area Focus
- Attempt full-length mock tests (1 per week)
- Focus on weak subjects from test analysis
Month 11: Revision Round 2 + PYQs
- Short notes review, concepts recap
- Solve only PYQs again topic-wise
Month 12: Final Practice and Confidence Building
- Practice 3–5 full mock tests
- Stay calm, avoid new topics
All the Best! Please keep in touch.
Rahul MasterG
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