Quick answer: GATE CS 2027 has 65 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours: General Aptitude carries 15 marks, Engineering Mathematics 13 marks and core Computer Science and Information Technology subjects 72 marks. The exam is a Computer Based Test conducted by IIT Madras on 6 to 21 February 2027. MCQs carry negative marking (1/3 or 2/3); MSQ and NAT questions do not. Below is the complete, official GATE CS 2027 syllabus with the section-wise structure, GATE 2026 cutoffs and a preparation plan.
📋 Table of Contents
- GATE CS 2027 overview
- Exam pattern and marks distribution
- Question types and marking scheme
- GATE CS 2027 syllabus (official)
- General Aptitude syllabus
- GATE 2026 cutoff and statistics
- Allowed second papers
- Important dates and eligibility
- Preparation strategy
- What a GATE CS score gets you
- GATE CS course, notes and test series
- FAQs
GATE Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) 2027: Overview
GATE Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) is the largest GATE paper by far: 2,11,020 candidates appeared in 2026. It is the main route to M.Tech CSE at IITs and IISc, and its score is also used by PSUs and government bodies. The syllabus is compact but deep, from discrete mathematics to computer networks.
Who usually takes this paper: B.E./B.Tech. CSE and IT students and graduates, MCA and M.Sc. (Computer Science) candidates, and anyone with strong programming and CS fundamentals.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | GATE 2027: Computer Science and Information Technology |
| Paper code | CS |
| Organising institute | IIT Madras |
| Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT), English only |
| Exam dates | 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027 (two sessions a day) |
| Duration | 3 hours (4 hours with compensatory time for eligible PwD candidates) |
| Questions / marks | 65 questions / 100 marks |
| Question types | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
| Calculator | On-screen virtual scientific calculator only |
| Result date | 19 March 2027 |
| Score validity | 3 years |
| Official website | gate2027.iitm.ac.in |
GATE CS 2027 Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution
GATE CS 2027 has 65 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours: General Aptitude carries 15 marks, Engineering Mathematics 13 marks and core Computer Science and Information Technology subjects 72 marks.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | 10 | 15 | 5 × 1 mark + 5 × 2 marks |
| Engineering Mathematics | Part of 55 | 13 | Paper-specific maths questions |
| Computer Science and Information Technology (core subject) | Part of 55 | 72 | Mix of 1-mark and 2-mark questions |
| Total | 65 | 100 | 3 hours, CBT |
Question Types and Marking Scheme
| Question type | What it is | Marks | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ | Four options, exactly one correct | 1 or 2 | −1/3 for a 1-mark MCQ, −2/3 for a 2-mark MCQ |
| MSQ | Four options, one or more correct; full marks only for the exact correct combination | 1 or 2 | None (and no partial marks) |
| NAT | Numerical answer typed on a virtual keypad (integer or decimal) | 1 or 2 | None (and no partial marks) |
GATE questions test four abilities: Recall, Comprehension, Application, and Analysis and Synthesis. For NAT answers, round off only at the final step, to the number of decimal places asked in the question.
GATE CS 2027 Syllabus (Official, IIT Madras)
The GATE 2027 syllabus has been revised for most papers, so use this version rather than older lists. Here is the section-wise summary of the GATE CS 2027 syllabus, followed by the complete official topic list as published in Appendix D of the GATE 2027 Information Brochure.
| # | Section |
|---|---|
| 1 | Engineering Mathematics |
| 2 | Digital Logic |
| 3 | Computer Organization and Architecture |
| 4 | Programming and Data Structures |
| 5 | Algorithms |
| 6 | Theory of Computation |
| 7 | Compiler Design |
| 8 | Operating System |
| 9 | Databases |
| 10 | Computer Networks |
Complete GATE CS 2027 syllabus: topic-wise
Section 1: Engineering Mathematics
Discrete Mathematics: Propositional and first order logic. Sets, relations, functions, partial orders and lattices. Monoids, Groups. Graphs: connectivity, matching, colouring. Combinatorics: counting, recurrence relations, generating functions.
Linear Algebra: Matrices, determinants, system of linear equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, LU decomposition.
Calculus: Limits, continuity and differentiability, Maxima and minima, Mean value theorem, Integration.
Probability and Statistics: Random variables, Uniform, normal, exponential, Poisson and binomial distributions. Mean, median, mode and standard deviation. Conditional probability and Bayes theorem.
Section 2: Digital Logic
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 and 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, pipeline hazards.
Section 4: Programming and Data Structures
Programming in C. Recursion. Arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary search trees, binary heaps, graphs.
Section 5: Algorithms
Searching, sorting, hashing. Asymptotic worst case time and space complexity. Algorithm design techniques: greedy, dynamic programming and divide‐and‐conquer. Graph traversals, minimum spanning trees, shortest paths.
Section 6: Theory of Computation
Regular expressions and finite automata. Context-free grammars and push-down automata. Regular and context-free languages, pumping lemma. Turing machines and undecidability.
Section 7: Compiler Design
Lexical analysis, parsing, syntax-directed translation. Runtime environments. Intermediate code generation.
Local optimisation, Data flow analyses: constant propagation, liveness analysis, common sub expression elimination.
Section 8: Operating System
System calls, processes, threads, inter‐process communication, concurrency and synchronization. Deadlock. CPU and I/O scheduling. Memory management and virtual memory. File systems.
Section 9: Databases
ER‐model. Relational model: relational algebra, tuple calculus, SQL. Integrity constraints, normal forms. File organization, indexing (e.g., B and B+ trees). Transactions and concurrency control.
Section 10: Computer Networks
Principles of Layering; Basics of switching (circuit, packet and virtual circuit) and performance metrics;
Data link layer: error detection, Medium Access Control, Ethernet; Distance vector and link state routing; IPv4 – Fragmentation, CIDR Notation, Network Address Translation; TCP- flow control and congestion control, socket API; DNS and HTTP.
General Aptitude (GA) Syllabus: 15 Marks, Common to All Papers
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Aptitude | Basic English grammar, vocabulary (words, idioms, phrases in context), reading comprehension, narrative sequencing |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Data interpretation (graphs, charts, maps, tables), ratios, percentages, powers, exponents, logarithms, permutations and combinations, series, mensuration and geometry, elementary statistics and probability |
| Analytical Aptitude | Deduction and induction, analogy, numerical relations and reasoning |
| Spatial Aptitude | Translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling and grouping, paper folding, cutting and patterns in 2D and 3D |
GATE CS 2026 Cutoff, Qualifying Marks and Statistics
These are the official GATE 2026 figures for Computer Science and Information Technology from the GATE 2026 Statistical and Performance Report (IIT Guwahati). They are the best guide to what to expect in GATE CS 2027. Qualifying marks are out of 100; the qualifying GATE score for the general category is always 350.
| Paper | Registered | Appeared | Qualified | Qualified % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) | 2,59,922 | 2,11,020 | 40,661 | 19.3% |
| Paper | GEN | OBC-NCL / EWS | SC / ST / PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) | 30 | 27 | 20 |
| Paper | Highest marks | Mean of top 0.1% (or top 10) | Average marks | Std. deviation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) | 92.57 | 77.03 | 18.51 | 11.58 |
What this means for you: in GATE 2026 the average CS candidate scored 18.51 marks, while the top 0.1% averaged 77.03. Crossing the general qualifying mark of 30 puts you in the top 19% of candidates, but admissions to top IITs and PSU interview calls usually need a score far above the qualifying line.
How the qualifying marks and GATE score are calculated
For each paper, the general-category qualifying mark is max(25, min(40, μ + σ)), where μ and σ are the mean and standard deviation of the marks of all candidates who appeared. OBC-NCL/EWS qualifying marks are 90% and SC/ST/PwD qualifying marks are about two-thirds of the general value.
Your GATE score (out of 1000) is computed as Score = 350 + 550 × (M − Mq) / (M̄t − Mq), where M is your marks (normalised marks for multi-session papers), Mq is the general qualifying mark and M̄t is the mean marks of the top 0.1% or top 10 candidates, whichever is larger. A score of 350 corresponds to the qualifying mark and 900 to the top-candidate average.
Which Papers Can Be Combined with GATE CS 2027?
You may appear in one or two GATE papers. As per the tentative list in the GATE 2027 brochure, the second paper allowed with CS as the primary paper is: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA), Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC), Geomatics Engineering (GE), Mathematics (MA), Physics (PH), Robotics and Automation (RA), Statistics (ST), Mechanical Engineering (ME). The fee for two papers is twice that of one paper.
GATE 2027 Important Dates, Fee and Eligibility
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration (regular period) | 2 to 27 September 2026 (closed) |
| Extended period with late fee | Up to 12 October 2026 (closed) |
| Special window (late fee) | 15 October 2026, 10:30 AM to 16 October 2026, 10:29 AM (closed) |
| Exam city notification | 4 January 2027 |
| Admit card | To be announced on GOAPS |
| GATE 2027 exam | 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027 |
| Result | 19 March 2027 |
Application fee per paper (regular period): ₹1,000 for female, SC, ST and PwD candidates and ₹2,000 for all others; ₹1,500 and ₹2,500 respectively in the extended period and special window.
Eligibility: candidates in the third or higher year of any undergraduate degree, or who have completed a government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities, are eligible. M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc. students from the fifth semester and M.Sc./M.A./MCA students from the first year are also eligible. There is no age limit. All dates are as per the brochure and subject to change, so always confirm on the official website.
GATE CS 2027 Preparation Strategy
- Engineering Mathematics for CS is mostly Discrete Mathematics (logic, sets, graphs, combinatorics) plus linear algebra and probability. It is worth 13 marks and supports Algorithms and TOC too.
- Algorithms, Data Structures, Operating Systems, Databases and Computer Networks are the heavyweights. Solve every GATE PYQ in these subjects at least twice.
- Theory of Computation and Compiler Design are short subjects with high return. Learn the standard constructions and closure properties thoroughly.
- Digital Logic and COA are numerical: cache mapping, pipelining hazards and number representation questions repeat in pattern every year.
- With over two lakh candidates, CS is multi-session and normalised. The 2026 general qualifying mark was 30 but IIT admissions need ranks in the top few hundred, so treat 70+ as the target.
- Solve previous GATE papers (2007 to 2026 are available on the official website) section by section, then as timed full-length papers.
- Practise every numerical with the GATE virtual calculator, since no physical calculator is allowed.
- From December, take one full mock a week in the real interface and analyse every mistake, especially negatively marked MCQs.
What Can You Do with a GATE CS 2027 Score?
GATE CS scores drive M.Tech/MS/PhD admissions at IITs, IISc and NITs, and are used in recruitment by bodies such as CRIS and other PSUs and government organisations listed in the GATE brochure.
Under MoE guidelines, admitting institutes give at least 70% weightage to GATE performance for M.Tech admissions with scholarship. Qualifying GATE does not by itself guarantee admission, a scholarship or a job; each institute and employer applies its own criteria.
GATE CS 2027 Course, Notes and Test Series
Get structured guidance for GATE Computer Science and Information Technology from Piyush Wairale (IIT Madras) on www.piyushwairale.com. Start with the section that is common to every paper, then build your subject preparation:
Best GATE Aptitude Test Series 2027
General Aptitude is 15 of your 100 marks in GATE CS. Topic-wise tests, full GA mocks in the real interface and solved PYQs from 2010 to 2026.
GATE Engineering Mathematics courses
Linear Algebra, Calculus and Probability and Statistics taught for GATE, for the 13-mark Engineering Mathematics section.
All GATE courses, notes and test series
Browse every GATE course, notes package and test series in the PiyushAI store.
Engineering Mathematics courses: Linear Algebra · Calculus · Probability and Statistics
Writing two papers in GATE 2027?
Adding GATE DA as your second paper?
DA is an allowed second paper with CS. Get the complete GATE DA 2027 course and test series.
Adding GATE RA as your second paper?
RA is an allowed second paper with CS. Get the complete GATE RA course, notes and test series.
GATE 2027 courses, notes and test series by Piyush Wairale (IIT Madras)
Free lessons on YouTube (@piyushwairaleiitm)
GATE CS 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GATE CS 2027 exam pattern?
GATE CS 2027 has 65 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours: General Aptitude carries 15 marks, Engineering Mathematics 13 marks and core Computer Science and Information Technology subjects 72 marks. Questions are MCQ, MSQ and NAT, and each carries 1 or 2 marks.
Is there negative marking in GATE CS 2027?
Yes, but only for MCQs. A wrong 1-mark MCQ costs 1/3 mark and a wrong 2-mark MCQ costs 2/3 mark. MSQ and NAT questions have no negative marking, and there is no partial marking for any question.
What was the GATE CS 2026 cutoff?
The GATE 2026 qualifying marks out of 100 were Computer Science and Information Technology (CS): 30 (GEN), 27 (OBC-NCL/EWS), 20 (SC/ST/PwD).
When is the GATE CS 2027 exam?
GATE 2027 will be held on 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027 in forenoon (9:30 AM to 12:30 PM) and afternoon (2:30 PM to 5:30 PM) sessions. The paper-wise schedule will be published on the official website, and results are scheduled for 19 March 2027.
Which IIT is conducting GATE 2027?
IIT Madras is the organising institute for GATE 2027. The official website is gate2027.iitm.ac.in.
Which papers can be combined with GATE CS 2027?
Computer Science and IT (CS) can be combined with DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, RA, ST or ME. The CS plus DA combination is especially popular.
How many candidates appeared for GATE CS in 2026?
According to the GATE 2026 Statistical Report, 2,59,922 candidates registered, 2,11,020 appeared and 40,661 qualified in Computer Science and IT.
How long is the GATE CS 2027 score valid?
The GATE 2027 score is valid for three years from the date the results are announced.
Sources: GATE 2027 Information Brochure, IIT Madras (gate2027.iitm.ac.in); GATE 2026 Statistical and Performance Report, IIT Guwahati. Last updated 27 October 2026.
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