GATE CS
GATE 2026 - Computer Science & Information Technology
Engineering Mathematics, Digital Logic, Computer Organization, Programming, Algorithms, TOC, Compilers, OS, Databases, Networks.
Syllabus & Units
Engineering Mathematics
Discrete maths, linear algebra, calculus, probability and statistics.
Digital Logic
Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential circuits, number representations.
Computer Organization & Architecture
Machine instructions, pipelining, memory hierarchy, I/O.
Programming & Data Structures
C, recursion, arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, BST, heaps, graphs.
Algorithms
Searching, sorting, hashing, asymptotic analysis, greedy, DP, divide & conquer, graph algorithms.
Theory of Computation
Regular and context-free languages, automata, pumping lemma, Turing machines, undecidability.
Compiler Design
Lexical analysis, parsing, syntax-directed translation, runtime, code generation, optimization.
Operating Systems
Processes, threads, IPC, concurrency, deadlock, scheduling, memory management, file systems.
Databases
ER model, relational algebra, SQL, normalization, indexing, transactions, concurrency control.
Computer Networks
OSI / TCP-IP, link layer, routing, IPv4 / CIDR, transport, sockets, application protocols.
FAQs
What is the GATE CS exam pattern?
Single 3-hour computer-based test with 65 questions for 100 marks: 10 from General Aptitude (15 marks) and 55 from CS / IT (85 marks). Mix of MCQs, MSQs (multi-select), and NATs (numerical). Negative marking applies to MCQs only.
How much weight does each subject carry?
Engineering Mathematics is roughly 13 percent. The 10 CS subjects share the rest. The heaviest subjects historically are DBMS, Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Algorithms, and Data Structures, each in the 8 to 12 percent range.
How long should I prepare?
12 months is the comfortable plan if you start from scratch. 6 months works if your basics from a B.Tech / BSc CS are solid. 3 months works only if you are revising, not learning, and you commit to disciplined PYQ practice.
Are previous-year questions enough?
Necessary but not sufficient. PYQs build pattern recognition. You also need at least one mock series and one decent textbook per subject for the gaps PYQs do not cover.
GATE CS or GATE DA, which one for me?
GATE CS is broader and is the gateway for traditional CS M.Tech / PSU jobs. GATE DA is narrower and tilts heavily towards probability, linear algebra, and ML; pick it if your target is an AI / data science programme or job. The blog has a full comparison.
Does this site cover the full syllabus?
Yes. All 10 GATE CS units have unit-level notes plus a 10-question quiz. The notes are starting points and revision aids; pair them with a primary textbook (Cormen, Galvin, Tanenbaum, Korth, Padma Reddy) for first-time learning.