GATE 2026 Computer Science (CS) Detailed Paper Analysis
Exam Date: Feb 8, 2026Status: Shift 1 & 2 Complete
Overall Difficulty & Student Reaction
The GATE 2026 CS paper presented a balanced but challenging set of questions. Shift 1 was reported as moderate-to-difficult with tricky MSQs in Computer Networks, while Shift 2 felt more approachable but featured lengthy NATs in COA.
Shift 1:
Moderate-Tough
Shift 2:
Moderate
Subject-Wise Weightage (2026 Trends)
Core Subject
Weightage (Approx)
High-Priority Topics in 2026
Algorithms & DS
15-18 Marks
Graph Theory, Dynamic Programming, Hashing.
Discrete Math
12-14 Marks
Propositional Logic, Combinatorics, Set Theory.
Operating Systems
8-10 Marks
Paging, Deadlocks, CPU Scheduling.
Databases (DBMS)
7-9 Marks
Indexing (B/B+ Trees), SQL, Normalization.
Computer Networks
8-10 Marks
TCP Congestion, IPv4/IPv6, Flow Control.
Aptitude & EM
28 Marks
Linear Algebra, Probability, Verbal Ability.
Expected Qualifying Cutoff 2026
Compared to 2025 (29.2 marks for General), the 2026 qualifying marks are expected to remain in a similar range due to the increased number of applicants offsetting the paper's difficulty.
Category
2026 (Exp.)
2025 (Actual)
2024 (Actual)
General (GEN)
29.5 - 31.0
29.2
27.6
OBC-NCL / EWS
26.5 - 28.0
26.2
24.8
SC / ST / PwD
19.5 - 21.0
19.4
18.4
Target Scores for Top IITs (M.Tech CSE)
For the 2026 admissions cycle, securing a seat in the "Old IITs" will likely require the following GATE scores:
Topic tests for GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
Short tests, one topic at a time, with every answer explained.
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SampleGATE Computer Science and Information Technology · Free sample (4 questions)A few questions in the exact player you get after buying: the clock, the question palette, then your score and every answer explained.
#1
Arrays & Linked Lists Fundamentals | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
Start here
10 Qs · ~10 min Mla anant singh leads with 1/10
Instant score, answer review and weak-topic diagnosis
#2
Sorting Algorithms Fundamentals | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#3
Process Scheduling Practice Quiz | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#4
Relational Algebra & SQL Practice Quiz | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#5
OSI & TCP/IP Model Fundamentals | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#6
Finite Automata & Regular Languages Practice Quiz | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#7
Lexical Analysis & Parsing Practice Quiz | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
Instant score, answer review and weak-topic diagnosis
#8
Number Systems & Arithmetic Fundamentals | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
Instant score, answer review and weak-topic diagnosis
#9
Stacks & Queues Fundamentals | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#10
Application Layer (HTTP, DNS) Fundamentals | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#11
Turing Machines & Decidability Advanced Challenge | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#12
Indexing & B-Trees Advanced Challenge | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
Instant score, answer review and weak-topic diagnosis
#13
Semaphores & Synchronization Advanced Challenge | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#14
Dynamic Programming Advanced Challenge | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#15
P, NP & Complexity Classes Advanced Challenge | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#16
Syntax-Directed Translation Advanced Challenge | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#17
Heaps & Priority Queues Practice Quiz | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#18
Graphs: BFS & DFS Practice Quiz | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#19
Binary Trees & BST Practice Quiz | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
Instant score, answer review and weak-topic diagnosis
#20
Computer Networks Practice Quiz | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
Instant score, answer review and weak-topic diagnosis
#21
Databases Practice Quiz | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
Instant score, answer review and weak-topic diagnosis
#22
Operating System Practice Quiz | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
Instant score, answer review and weak-topic diagnosis
#23
Compiler Design Practice Quiz | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#24
Theory of Computation Practice Quiz | GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#25
GATE CS — Operating Systems
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#26
GATE CS — Database Management Systems
10 Qs · ~10 min Anurag Chattopadhyay leads with 10/10
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#27
GATE CS — Data Structures & Algorithms
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#28
GATE CS — Theory of Computation
10 Qs · ~10 min himanshu leads with 5/10
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#29
GATE CS — Computer Networks
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#30
GATE General Aptitude — Grammar and Vocabulary (GATE 2026 pattern)
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#31
GATE General Aptitude — Statements and Logical Inference (GATE 2026 pattern)
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#32
GATE General Aptitude — Arrangements and Puzzles (GATE 2026 pattern)
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#33
GATE General Aptitude — Numbers, Algebra and Logarithms (GATE 2026 pattern)
10 Qs · ~10 min
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#34
GATE General Aptitude — Counting, Probability and Geometry (GATE 2026 pattern)
10 Qs · ~10 min
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