GATE 2026 CSE Expected Cut Off: Complete Exam Analysis
This detailed evaluation outlines the GATE 2026 Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) paper, comparing both shifts (Set 1 and Set 2). The analysis includes subject-wise difficulty, question types, topic distribution, and overall comparison. The purpose is to underline similarities, highlight differences, and identify recurring patterns across both shifts.
The General Aptitude section remained stable, primarily testing logical reasoning skills. Subjects such as Digital Logic, DBMS, C Programming, and Data Structures proved to be scoring areas. Meanwhile, Engineering Mathematics and Algorithms contained logical yet tricky problems. Computer Networks and TOC/Compiler Design offered balanced challenges across both shifts. These variations influenced the expected overall cut-off range of 30–32 marks for the General category.
GATE 2026 CSE Expected Cut Off (Post Normalisation)
Shift 1 of GATE 2026 CSE was categorized as Moderate to Tough, mainly due to lengthy and theory-heavy questions demanding considerable reading and analytical time. In contrast, Shift 2 (Set 2) was Easy to Moderate, featuring more direct and comparatively simpler questions.
GATE CSE 2026 Expected Cut Off
| Category | Expected Cut Off Marks |
|---|---|
| General | 30-32 marks (higher due to familiar questions & more candidates) |
| OBC | 27-30 marks |
| SC/ST | ~25 marks (±1-1.5 marks) |
GATE CSE 2026 Shift-wise Difficulty Level
1. General Aptitude
The General Aptitude section followed previous trends without major surprises. The focus remained on logical reasoning rather than formula-heavy computation.
Probability: Questions appeared in both Mathematics and Aptitude sections. They were manageable through logical reasoning and case analysis, without the need for advanced formulas such as NCR/NPR.
English: Mostly analogy-based questions that required comprehension of vocabulary and contextual meaning. Deep grammatical knowledge was not necessary.
Figurative Questions:Included puzzle-style figure-based problems solvable through logical interpretation.
Conclusion: This section was widely regarded as simple and manageable for students with strong reasoning skills.
2. Digital Logic
Digital Logic appeared in both shifts with noticeable variation in difficulty.
| Feature | Shift 1 | Shift 2 |
|---|---|---|
| No. of Questions | 4 | 4 |
| Common Topics | K-Map and Number System (Overflow) | K-Map and Number System (Overflow) |
| Difficulty | Considered tougher. | Considered easier. |
| Specifics | A very good MSQ (Multiple Select Question) on K-Map. A question on a saturated counter.- The Overflow question was based on the Sign-Magnitude method. | K-Map and Overflow questions were straightforward.- No questions from Sequential Circuits.The Overflow question was based on Two's Complement representation. |
Conclusion: Digital Logic was largely scoring, and well-prepared candidates could likely solve all four questions in either shift.
3. Engineering & Discrete Mathematics
Engineering Mathematics
A noticeable contrast in difficulty perception existed between the shifts. Students felt that Mathematics in Shift 1 was easier, whereas Shift 2 appeared tougher. Faculty analysis, however, indicated that the difficulty stemmed from a puzzle-based conditional probability question in Shift 2, which required exhaustive case-by-case analysis under exam conditions.
Key topics included Linear Algebra, Probability, and Calculus. The focus was on logical problem-solving rather than extensive calculations.
Discrete Mathematics
Shift 1: Featured more questions, including high-quality Graph-related problems. Interlinked questions required knowledge of both Graph Theory and Algorithms. Overall difficulty was Moderate to Tough.
Shift 2: Had fewer Discrete Mathematics questions, which were relatively simpler. The difficulty level ranged from Easy to Tough.
4. Database Management Systems (DBMS)
DBMS carried almost equal weightage in both shifts and was considered easy overall. Several questions were direct — either concept-driven, formula-based, or memory-oriented — enabling quick answers.
5. Theory of Computation (TOC) & Compiler Design (CD)
Theory of Computation (TOC)
Although some candidates perceived Shift 1 as tough, the questions were more tricky than conceptually hard. Shift 1 had greater weightage and included a lengthy question, raising its difficulty to moderate levels. Shift 2 was comparatively easier.
Compiler Design (CD)
Compiler Design saw increased weightage compared to previous years. In Shift 2, the number of questions matched that of TOC. Questions were evenly distributed across topics, not limited to Parsing. Solvable questions appeared from Lexical Analysis and Code Optimisation.
6. C Programming & Data Structures
This section was highly scoring in both shifts. Most questions were standard and straightforward. However, one puzzle-based question required reverse-engineering input from a given output, which was considered difficult.
Shift 2 carried significant weightage, with approximately 8 questions contributing around 12–13 marks. Except for the single puzzle question, the section was neither lengthy nor overly complex.
7. Algorithms
Algorithm-related questions closely followed predicted patterns aligned with preparation courses.
Shift 1: Four questions covered expected areas — Time Complexity, Minimum Cost Spanning Tree (MCST), and Graph Traversals. The Time Complexity question was slightly tricky. Overall difficulty was Easy to Moderate.
Shift 2: Included an easy MSQ on Time Complexity (Recurrence Relations) and a standard asymptotic complexity ordering question. A tricky puzzle-based algorithm question required identifying best-case and worst-case complexity, posing a challenge. Overall difficulty remained Easy to Moderate.
8. Computer Networks (CN)
Both shifts presented a balanced combination of simple and challenging questions.
| Feature | Shift 1 | Shift 2 |
|---|---|---|
| No. of Questions | 5 | 6 |
| Difficulty | - 4 average questions.- 1 above-average MSQ on HTTP protocol. A question on TCP connection closure was potentially challenging due to its less-tested nature. | - 4 very easy (below average) questions.- 2 challenging questions. |
| Challenging Questions | - HTTP protocol (MSQ)- TCP connection closure | 1. Store-and-forward delay with non-uniform bandwidth: A novel GATE question, directly applying the formula from Kurose & Ross: File Size / min (Bandwidth of all links).2. A lengthy question on Maximum Segment Lifetime (MSL). |
Overall Comparison: The level of difficulty in Computer Networks was nearly equivalent across both shifts.
9. Computer Organization & Architecture (COA) and Operating Systems (OS)
Shift 1: Included a non-standard pipelining question, making it challenging for students.
Shift 2: Appeared easier due to multiple direct questions.
COA: Two Direct Mapping questions were asked, one being an exact replica of a 2022 GATE Previous Year Question.
OS: Two very simple theoretical questions were asked — one related to identifying a scheduling algorithm that prevents starvation, and another concerning heap contents.
The presence of these straightforward questions allowed candidates to allocate more time to complex sections, reinforcing the perception of Shift 2 being easier.