GATE 2026 CS Subject Wise Marks, Percentage of Questions, Weightage

Sakunth Kumar

Updated On: August 12, 2025 06:30 PM

GATE 2026 CS subject wise weightage is divided into three parts: Core Computer Science and Information Technology carries 72% weightage, Engineering Mathematics carries 13% weightage and General Aptitude carries 15% weightage. 

GATE CS Subject Wise Marks Weightage

GATE 2026 CS Subject-Wise Marks: If you are going to appear for GATE Computer Science paper this year, you must be well versed with the GATE 2026 CS subject-wise marks in order to ace the exam with flying colours. The GATE Computer Science Engineering 2026 exam contains three sections - Engineering Mathematics, which has a 13% weightage, General Aptitude, which carries 15% weightage and the core Computer Science and Information Technology, which carries 72% weightage. Some of the highest-weighing subjects of GATE Computer Science Engineering syllabus 2026 include Discrete Maths and Engineering Mathematics with 18 to 21 marks, Computer Networks with 8 to 11 marks weightage, and Algorithms with 7 to 8 marks weightage. Apart from this, there will also be a General Aptitude section in section in the GATE CS paper that will weigh 15 marks.

Understanding the GATE 2026 CS subject-wise marks weightage will help you analyze the important and high-weightage topics. You can focus on high-weightage topics of the GATE CSE syllabus 2026 during your exam preparation. We recommend that you study the complete GATE CSE 2026 syllabus and give extra attention to the important topics. IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE 2026 exam on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. You can check the GATE Computer Science syllabus 2026 weightage, important topics, exam pattern, marking scheme and more here.

GATE CS Subject Wise Weightage and Marks 2026

IIT Guwahati has released the GATE CS subject-wise weightage, along with syllabus and pattern at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The GATE CS weightage 2026 comprises the details about the marks for each topic. If appearing for the GATE 2026 exam, then you must be well aware of the subject-wise weightage & marks. The expected GATE CSE 2026 subject wise weightage 2026 and number of questions can be checked below -

Name of the Subject

Expected Marks

Data Structures

5 - 6

C-Programming

3 - 4

Algorithms

7 - 8

DBMS

7 - 8

Computer Architecture

6 - 7

Digital Logic

6 - 7

Theory of Computation

7 - 8

Operating Systems

6 - 7

Computer N/W

9 - 11

Discrete Maths and Engineering Mathematics

18 - 21

General Aptitude

15

Compiler Design

2 - 3

GATE 2026 CS Topic Wise Percentage of Questions

The topic-wise percentage of questions in GATE CS 2026 is as follows -

Name of the Topic

Percentage of Questions

  • C-Programming

  • Data Structures

  • Algorithms

20%

  • Digital Logic

  • Computer Architecture

  • Operating Systems

20%

  • Discrete Maths

  • Engineering Maths

20%

  • DBMS

  • Computer N/W

25%

  • Other Topics

15%

From the above analysis, it is quite clear that DBMS and Computer N/W have almost 25% weightage in the total marks, and the students need to revise the GATE Syllabus accordingly.

Also Read: GATE 2026 Last Minute Tips and Tricks

GATE 2026 CSE Subject Wise Weightage Important Topics

According to the previous year's paper analysis, GATE CS syllabus 2026 topics like Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Programming and Data Structures, Computer Organization, and Architecture have a number of questions asked of them. These topics in the GATE CSE syllabus 2026 carried a high weightage in the previous year. Therefore, while preparing for the upcoming GATE CSE exam, focus on these important topics. The list of important topics for GATE Computer Science and Engineering in 2026 is given below.

Topics

Weightage of Marks

Programming and Data Structures

15

General Aptitude

15

Computer Networks

10

Engineering Mathematics

13

Operating System

9

Computer Organization and Architecture

8

Databases

7

Algorithms

7

Discrete Mathematics

6

Digital Logic

6

Theory of Computation

6

Compiler Design

4

GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2026

The GATE CSE exam takes place via online mode for the duration of 3 hours involving MCQs and NAT questions. There are a total of 65 questions in the GATE CSE exam comprising the sections of General Aptitude, Mathematics, and Core Discipline (CS). Check the GATE 2026 exam pattern for CSE below.

Sections

Total Questions

Total Marks

General Aptitude

10

15

Engineering Mathematics

55

13

Core Discipline- Computer Science and Information Technology

72

Total

65

100

GATE CSE Marking Scheme 2026

Students can check the GATE 2026 marking scheme below. There will be negative markings in the GATE Computer Science and Information Technology paper.

Sections

Total Questions

Total Marks

1 mark Questions

2 marks Questions

General Aptitude

5

5

(5 x 1) + (5 x 2) = 15

Engineering Mathematics

25

30

(25 x 1) + (30 x 2) = 85

Core Discipline- Mechanical Engineering

Total

30

35

100

There is no provision of negative marking in NAT and MSQs. However, MCQs do have a negative marking.

  • 1/3 mark is deducted for every wrong 1 mark MCQ.

  • 2/3 mark is deducted for every wrong 2 marks MCQs.

Also check: GATE 2026 Exam Centres

Advantages of GATE 2026 CSE Subject Wise Weightage Analysis

Analyzing the GATE 2026 CSE subject wise weightage of marks has a number of benefits that can greatly enhance preparation strategies and study efforts. You can achieve good results in GATE by making the best use of your time and effort. Some of the advantages of being aware of the GATE CSE subject wise weightage 2026 have been mentioned below.

  • Comprehending the GATE CSE subject wise weightage allotted to every topic enables you to allocate your study time and effort strategically.

  • By prioritizing the topics with higher weightage, you can ensure thorough coverage and an in-depth understanding of the most important topics.

  • The GATE CSE Subject wise weightage analysis helps you to focus your attention on specific subjects as per their importance.

  • It helps to develop a deep understanding of the core concepts, key formulas, and problem-solving techniques related to the high-weightage subjects.

  • GATE CSE subject wise weightage analysis helps you manage time effectively by giving sufficient time to important topics and not spending days studying low-weightage topics.

  • In case of a shortage of time, students can prioritize the high-scoring subjects and topics while minimizing efforts in areas with lower weightage, and vice versa.

We hope that the above analysis shall help you with the last-minute revision for GATE CS 2026. For the latest updates on the CS exam of GATE, stay tuned to CollegeDekho.

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FAQs

Is there negative marking in the GATE 2026 CSE exam?

Yes, there is negative marking in the GATE 2026 CSE exam. For each 1 mark incorrect answer; 1/3 mark will be deducted and for each 2 mark incorrect answer 2/3 mark will be deducted.

What are the subject wise marks for GATE CSE 2026 exam?

The subject-wise weightage for the GATE CSE 2026 exam varies each year. However, Programming and Data Structures is allotted the highest weightage of 12-13 marks, followed by Algorithms (8-9 marks), Theory of Computation (7-8 marks), Computer Networks (7-8 marks), Operating Systems (7-8 marks), and other subjects.

Which subject has the highest weightage in the GATE CSE 2026 paper?

Discrete Mathematics and Engineering Mathematics have the highest weightage in the GATE subject-wise weightage for Computer Science Engineering. It carries 18-21 marks in the weightage analysis of the GATE exam for CSE.

Is it easy to score 60 marks in the GATE CSE 2026 exam?

Scoring 60+ marks in the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) CSE 2026 exam can be difficult, as it calls for a solid understanding of the subjects covered in the GATE CSE exam and efficient preparation.

What is the exam pattern of GATE CSE 2026?

GATE CSE Exam 2026 involves 65 questions. The question types include - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer type Questions (NAT) like other GATE papers. Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) is considered one of the toughest papers of the GATE exam.

What is the subject wise weightage for GATE CSE 2026?

As per the GATE exam pattern, Computer science and information technology will cover 72 % of the syllabus, whereas Engineering mathematics 13%, and General Aptitude will cover 15% weightage. The GATE CSE question paper pattern 2026 will have three major types of questions including MCQ, MSQ, and NAT.

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