GATE 2026 Computer Science & Information Technology Syllabus

Section 1 : Engineering Mathematics

Engineering Mathematics forms the foundation of Computer Science and Information Technology. This section evaluates mathematical reasoning, logical thinking, probability, linear algebra, discrete mathematics, and calculus concepts that are frequently applied in algorithms, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science, and computer systems.

Discrete Mathematics

Propositional Logic.

First Order Logic.

Sets.

Relations.

Functions.

Partial Orders.

Lattices.

Monoids.

Groups.

Graphs: Connectivity, Matching, Colouring.

Combinatorics: Counting, Recurrence Relations, Generating Functions.

Linear Algebra

Matrices.

Determinants.

System of Linear Equations.

Eigenvalues.

Eigenvectors.

LU Decomposition.

Calculus

Limits.

Continuity.

Differentiability.

Maxima and Minima.

Mean Value Theorem.

Integration.

Probability & Statistics

Random Variables.

Uniform Distribution.

Normal Distribution.

Exponential Distribution.

Poisson Distribution.

Binomial Distribution.

Mean.

Median.

Mode.

Standard Deviation.

Conditional Probability.

Bayes Theorem.

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Preparation Tips

Engineering Mathematics is one of the highest scoring sections in GATE Computer Science & Information Technology. Give special attention to Discrete Mathematics, Graph Theory, Linear Algebra, Probability, Statistics, and Calculus. Practice previous GATE questions regularly and strengthen your conceptual understanding, as these topics are frequently asked in both theoretical and numerical formats.

GATE Computer Science & Information Technology

Sections 2 – 4 Syllabus

Section 2 : Digital Logic

Boolean Algebra & Circuit Design

Boolean algebra and minimization – algebraic technique, Karnaugh map, tabular method. Design of combinational and sequential circuits. Number representation and arithmetic (fixed and floating point).

Section 3 : Computer Organization & Architecture

Computer Architecture

Instruction set and addressing modes. Design of arithmetic and logic unit (ALU). Design of control unit – hardwired and microprogrammed. Memory interfacing and hierarchy: performance, cache memory mapping. I/O interface (interrupt and DMA). Instruction pipelining and pipeline hazards.

Section 4 : Programming & Data Structures

Programming Fundamentals

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

GATE Computer Science & Information Technology

Sections 5 – 7 Syllabus

Section 5 : Algorithms

Searching, Sorting & Algorithm Design

Searching. Sorting. Hashing. Asymptotic worst case time complexity. Asymptotic worst case space complexity.

Algorithm Design Techniques

Greedy method. Dynamic programming. Divide-and-conquer.

Graph Algorithms

Graph traversals. Minimum spanning trees. Shortest paths.

Section 6 : Theory of Computation

Automata & Formal Languages

Regular expressions. Finite automata. Context-free grammars. Push-down automata.

Language Theory

Regular languages. Context-free languages. Pumping lemma.

Turing Machines

Turing machines. Undecidability.

Section 7 : Compiler Design

Compiler Fundamentals

Lexical analysis. Parsing. Syntax-directed translation. Runtime environments. Intermediate code generation.

Compiler Optimization

Local optimisation. Data flow analyses. Constant propagation. Liveness analysis. Common sub expression elimination.

💡 Preparation Tips

Algorithms, Theory of Computation, and Compiler Design are among the highest-weightage subjects in the GATE Computer Science examination. Focus on understanding algorithm complexity, graph algorithms, automata theory, context-free grammars, Turing machines, lexical analysis, parsing, compiler optimization techniques, and previous GATE questions. Regular practice of numerical and conceptual problems will significantly improve your speed and accuracy.

Section 8

Operating System

Complete Syllabus

Process Management

System Calls, Processes, Threads, Inter-Process Communication (IPC), Concurrency and Synchronization.

Deadlock & Scheduling

Deadlock, CPU Scheduling, I/O Scheduling.

Memory & Storage

Memory Management, Virtual Memory, File Systems.

Section 9

Databases

Database Models

  • ✔ ER Model
  • ✔ Relational Model
  • ✔ Relational Algebra
  • ✔ Tuple Calculus
  • ✔ SQL

Advanced Topics

  • ✔ Integrity Constraints
  • ✔ Normal Forms
  • ✔ File Organization
  • ✔ B & B+ Tree Indexing
  • ✔ Transactions & Concurrency Control
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Section 10

Computer Networks

Principles of Layering

Learn layered communication architecture, protocol design, encapsulation, decapsulation, and responsibilities of each network layer.

Switching Techniques

  • Circuit Switching
  • Packet Switching
  • Virtual Circuit Switching

Data Link Layer

Error Detection

Error detection and correction methods.

Medium Access Control

Channel sharing and collision control.

Ethernet

LAN communication standards and operation.

Routing Algorithms

Distance Vector Routing Link State Routing

IPv4 Concepts

Fragmentation
CIDR Notation
Network Address Translation (NAT)

TCP Protocol

Flow Control

Reliable data transmission between sender and receiver.

Congestion Control

Efficient network traffic management.

Application Layer Services

Socket API

Network programming interface.

DNS

Domain Name System resolution.

HTTP

Web communication protocol.