GATE 2026 CSE Syllabus, Download PDF & Ace Computer Science Exam

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering

Last Date to Apply
09th October, 2025

Ridhima Jindal
Ridhima Jindal

Table of Content

Many colleges and universities offer an intriguing program called Computer Science & Engineering that integrates the logical and scientific aspects of technology and computing. Students who study computer science and information technology have the chance to learn about coding, programming languages, software programs, algorithms, operating systems, database management systems, etc.

GATE 2026 CSE Syllabus PDF Download

Check the updated GATE syllabus for Computer Engineering 2026 before you begin your study period if you are a GATE CSE aspirant. IIT Roorkee has released the GATE Syllabus for CSE. Check out the GATE syllabus for CSE 2026 if you plan to take the Computer Science Engineering section of the Graduate Aptitude Tests in Engineering (GATE).

It is advised to understand every subject and all pertinent ideas covered by the computer science engineering curriculum. In this article, students quickly walk through the GATE Computer Science 2026 syllabus. General Aptitude (GA) will follow the same syllabus and carry a 15% weighting, while Computer Science (CS) receives an 85% weighting.

Also Read - Check Here the Complete GATE Exam Syllabus

Detailed GATE Syllabus for CSE 2026

The list below is detailed information for the GATE Syllabus for CSE 2026:

Section 1: Engineering Mathematics

  • Discrete Mathematics: Propositional and first order logic. Sets, relations, functions, partial orders and lattices. Monoids, Groups. Graphs: connectivity, matching, coloring. Combinatorics: counting, recurrence relations, generating functions.
  • Linear Algebra: Matrices, determinants, system of linear equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, LU decomposition
  • Calculus: Limits, continuity and differentiability. Maxima and minima. Mean value theorem. Integration.
  • Probability: Random variables. Uniform, normal, exponential, poisson and binomial distributions. Mean, median, mode and standard deviation. Conditional probability and Bayes theorem

Section 2: Digital Logic

Boolean algebra: Combinational and sequential circuits. Minimization. Number representations and computer arithmetic (fixed and floating point)

Section 3: Computer Organization and Architecture

Machine instructions and addressing modes. ALU, data-path and control unit. Instruction pipelining, pipeline hazards. Memory hierarchy: cache, main memory and secondary storage; I/O interface (interrupt and DMA mode).

Section 4: Programming and Data Structures

Programming in C, Recursion. Arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary search trees, binary heaps, graphs.

Section 5: Algorithms

Searching, sorting, hashing. Asymptotic worst case time and space complexity. Algorithm design techniques: greedy, dynamic programming and divide-and-conquer. Graph traversals, minimum spanning trees, shortest paths

Section 6: Theory of Computation

Regular expressions and finite automata. Context-free grammars and push-down automata. Regular and context-free languages, pumping lemma. Turing machines and undecidability. .

Section 7: Compiler Design

Lexical analysis, parsing, syntax-directed translation. Runtime environments. Intermediate code generation. Local optimization, Data flow analyses: constant propagation, liveness analysis, common subexpression elimination.

Section 8: Operating System

System calls, processes, threads, inter-process communication, concurrency and synchronization. Deadlock. CPU and I/O scheduling. Memory management and virtual memory. File systems.

Section 9: Databases

ER-model. Relational model: relational algebra, tuple calculus, SQL. Integrity constraints, normal forms. File organization, indexing (e.g., B and B+ trees). Transactions and concurrency control.

Section 10: Computer Networks

Concept of layering: OSI and TCP/IP Protocol Stacks; Basics of packet, circuit and virtual circuit switching; Data link layer: framing, error detection, Medium Access Control, Ethernet bridging; Routing protocols: shortest path, flooding, distance vector and link state routing; Fragmentation and IP addressing, IPv4, CIDR notation, Basics of IP support protocols (ARP, DHCP, ICMP), Network Address Translation (NAT); Transport layer: flow control and congestion control, UDP, TCP, sockets; Application layer protocols: DNS, SMTP, HTTP, FTP, Email.

Algorithms, Theory of Computation, Programming and Data Structures, Digital Logic, Operating Systems, Databases, and Computer Networks are the ten sections that make up the CSE portion of the GATE 2026 syllabus. Digital Logic, Computer Organization and Architecture, Compiler Design, Engineering Mathematics, and Programming and Data Structures round out the list of topics. If they want to ace the test, students must study all of these sections.

GATE Computer Science Engineering Marking Scheme 2026

Candidates must be familiar with the GATE Exam marking scheme, exam format, and GATE exam patterns in addition to the GATE CSE syllabus 2026. The marking scheme and pattern for the GATE CSE exam are listed below for the applicants' reference.

Particulars

Specifications

Exam duration

3 hours

Exam mode

Online

Type and total number of Questions

Total 65 Questions

Total marks of the exam

100

Total number of sections

  • Aptitude
  • Engineering Mathematics
  • Subject-specific questions

Marking Scheme

  • General Aptitude – 15 Marks
  • Subject Marks – 85 Marks
  • Total Marks – 100 Marks

Negative Marking Scheme

  • There is negative marking for selecting the incorrect response in an MCQ.
  • A wrong answer will result in a deduction of 1/3 of the mark for a 1-mark MCQ.
  • For 2-mark multiple-choice questions, a wrong response will result in a 2/3 mark deduction.
  • There is no deduction for the MSQ or NAT.

GATE CSE Preparation 2026

The section below offers some general advice for GATE CSE Preparation 2026, though each candidate's preparation plan will vary depending on their capacity for learning and retention. Candidates can refer to it as a guide.

  • Make sure to prepare and practice for this paper every day. Start with topics that have a higher weighting and more topics to cover.
  • Pay equal attention to theoretical and numerical questions while studying.
  • Math topics can be easily scored between 13 and 15 points, so devote a lot of time to them each day.
  • In the GATE CSE exam, the General Aptitude section is also significant and can earn up to 15 points. As a result, be sure to cover all the material and take as many practice tests as you can.
  • The best books, study guides, YouTube videos, telegram groups, and other resources for GATE CSE preparation should all be gathered.

Important Books for GATE CSE Preparation:

The table below is a list of all the important books that can be referred to while studying for GATE CSE

GATE Topics

Books and Author

Engineering Mathematics

  • Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Erwin Kreyszig
  • Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications by Kenneth Rosen

Theory of Computation

  • An Introduction to Formal Languages and Automata by Peter Linz

Computer Organization & Architecture

  • Computer Architecture – A Quantitative Approach by Hennessy and Patterson
  • Computer Organization and Embedded systems by Carl Hamacher

Programming & Data Structures

  • Classic Data Structures by Debasis Samanta
  • The C Programming language by Dennis Richie

Digital Logic

  • Digital Electronics by S. Salivahanan & S. Arivazhagan
  • Digital Design by Morris Mano

Computer Networks

  • Computer Networks by Peterson & Davie
  • Data Communications and Networking by Kurose & Ross and Behrouz A. Forouzan

Algorithms

  • Introduction to Algorithms by Cormen
  • Data Structures & Algorithms by R.S. Salaria

Compiler Design

  • Compiler Design in C by Allen I Holub
  • Compilers: Principles, Techniques and Tools by Aho & Ullman

Operating System

  • Operating Systems by Stallings
  • Operating System Concepts by Galvin

Databases

  • Database System Concepts by Henry. F. Korth
  • Normalization and indexing by Shamkant B. Navathe

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does GATE 2025 include a new subject?

The GATE 2025 exam does not include any new subjects. Geomatics Engineering and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (combined) were added as new subjects last year.

What are the best books for the GATE Aptitude section?

Following is the list of books for the GATE aptitude section 1. Verbal and Non-verbal reasoning by Dr R S Aggarwal 2. Quantitative aptitude by Dr R S Aggarwal 3. English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin.

Does GATE offer benefits to candidates in CSE?

GATE is undoubtedly advantageous for CSE if you want to get accepted to a reputable university for MTECH or ME.

Does the GATE 2025 Syllabus have any changes?

The GATE 2025 syllabus and brochure have been made available by the organization in charge of administering the test. There is no change to the exam's curriculum, and candidates can review the syllabus for their GATE 2025 paper in the table above.

What does the GATE 2025 Computer Science syllabus have?

Engineering Mathematics, Digital Logic, Computer Organization and Architecture, Programming and Data Structures, Algorithms, Theory of Computation, Compiler Design, Operating System, Databases, and Computer Networks are among the topics covered in the GAT

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