GATE 2026 CSE Expected Cut Off, Overall Difficulty Level

GATE 2026 CSE Expected Cut Off: The analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the GATE 2026 Computer Science exam, comparing the two shifts (Set 1 and Set 2). The discussion covers subject-wise difficulty, question patterns, and topic weightage, culminating in an overall comparison of the papers. The aim is to highlight key differences and common trends observed in the examination.

General Aptitude was consistent, emphasising logical thinking. Digital Logic, DBMS, C Programming, and Data Structures were generally scoring. Engineering Mathematics and Algorithms included tricky, logical questions. Computer Networks and TOC/Compiler Design had balanced but distinct challenges across shifts, influencing the overall expected cut-off range of 30-32 marks for the General Category.

Also, check: GATE 2026 Expected Cut-Off – Branch-wise Prediction

GATE 2026 CSE Expected Cut Off (Post Normalisation)

GATE 2026 CSE Shift 1 was categorised as Moderate to Tough, characterised by more theoretical and lengthy questions requiring significant reading time. Set 2 (Shift 2) was categorised as Easy to Moderate, with generally more straightforward and direct questions.

GATE CSE 2026 Shift-wise Difficulty Level

1. General Aptitude

The General Aptitude section maintained its consistency with previous years, presenting no significant surprises. The emphasis was placed on logical thinking rather than complex formula application.

• Probability: Questions appeared in both the mathematics and aptitude sections. They were solvable using logical thinking and case analysis, without requiring advanced formulas like NCR/NPR.

• English: Questions were primarily analogy-based, where understanding word meanings and sentence context was sufficient. Extensive grammatical knowledge was not essential.

• Figurative Questions: Some questions involved figures presented in a puzzle format, which could be solved through logical reasoning.

Conclusion: This section was generally considered straightforward and accessible for students with strong logical thinking abilities.

2. Digital Logic

Digital Logic questions were present in both shifts, exhibiting some differences in difficulty.

Conclusion: Digital Logic was generally scoring. Well-prepared students likely solved all four questions in either shift.

3. Engineering & Discrete Mathematics

Engineering Mathematics

There was a noticeable difference in the perceived difficulty of the Mathematics section between the two shifts. While students generally felt Shift 1 math was easy and Shift 2 math was tough, faculty analysis attributed this to a specific puzzle-based conditional probability question in Shift 2. This question required extensive case-by-case counting, making it difficult under exam pressure, despite not demanding complex conceptual understanding. Topics included Linear Algebra, Probability, and Calculus. The questions were less about lengthy calculations and more tricky and logical, testing problem-solving skills.

Discrete Mathematics

• Shift 1: Featured a higher number of questions, notably good quality questions from Graph. It also showcased interlinking of subjects, requiring knowledge of both Graph Theory and Algorithms. The difficulty was Moderate to Tough.

• Shift 2: Contained fewer questions from Discrete Mathematics, which were comparatively easier than in Shift 1. The difficulty ranged from Easy to Tough.

4. Database Management Systems (DBMS)

The weightage for DBMS was nearly identical in both shifts, and the subject was considered easy overall. Some questions were highly straightforward, being either concept-based, formula-based, or requiring direct memorisation, enabling quick solutions.

5. Theory of Computation (TOC) & Compiler Design (CD)

Theory of Computation (TOC)

While some students found Shift 1 tough, the questions were assessed as tricky, not fundamentally difficult. Shift 1 had a higher weightage and included one lengthy question, contributing to moderate difficulty. Shift 2 was comparatively Easy.

Compiler Design (CD)

The weightage for Compiler Design was higher than in previous years, with Shift 2 having an equal number of questions as TOC. Questions were well-distributed across all topics, not just concentrated on Parsing. Solvable questions were present from typically easier topics like Lexical Analysis and Code Optimisation.

6. C Programming & Data Structures

This section was highly scoring, with most questions being straightforward and based on standard patterns. A notable exception was a single puzzle-like question that required finding the input that would produce a given output, a reverse-engineering task considered difficult. Shift 2 had a particularly high weightage, with approximately 8 questions contributing to 12-13 marks. Aside from the one puzzle question, the section was neither lengthy nor excessively difficult.

7. Algorithms

Algorithm questions were largely predictable and aligned with preparatory course content.

• Shift 1: The four questions covered predicted topics: Time Complexity, Minimum Cost Spanning Tree (MCST), and Graph Traversals. The Time Complexity question was noted as slightly tricky. Overall difficulty for prepared students was Easy to Moderate.

• Shift 2: Included an easy MSQ on Time Complexity (Recurrence Relations) and a standard question on arranging functions by asymptotic complexity. A particularly tricky, puzzle-like question presented an algorithm and asked for its best-case and worst-case complexity, which was challenging for students. Overall difficulty was Easy to Moderate.

8. Computer Networks (CN)

Both shifts featured a mix of easy and challenging questions, resulting in an overall balanced difficulty.

Overall Comparison: The difficulty level for Computer Networks between the two shifts is considered equivalent.

9. Computer Organization & Architecture (COA) and Operating Systems (OS)

• Shift 1: Included a question on pipelining that diverged from standard formats, making it difficult for students.

• Shift 2: Was perceived as easier due to several straightforward questions.

• COA: Two separate questions on Direct Mapping were asked, one of which was an exact copy of a 2022 GATE PYQ (Previous Year Question).

• OS: Two extremely easy, theoretical questions appeared: one on identifying a scheduling algorithm that avoids starvation, and another on the contents of the heap.
  The presence of these simpler questions provided students with extra time for more complex problems, contributing to the perception of Shift 2 being easier.

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