Quick answer: GATE DA 2027 has 65 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours: General Aptitude carries 15 marks and the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence syllabus carries 85 marks. There is no separate Engineering Mathematics section. 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 DA 2027 syllabus with the section-wise structure, GATE 2026 cutoffs and a preparation plan.
📋 Table of Contents
- GATE DA 2027 overview
- Exam pattern and marks distribution
- Question types and marking scheme
- GATE DA 2027 syllabus (official)
- General Aptitude syllabus
- GATE 2026 cutoff and statistics
- Allowed second papers
- Important dates and eligibility
- Preparation strategy
- What a GATE DA score gets you
- GATE DA course, notes and test series
- FAQs
GATE Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) 2027: Overview
GATE Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) has grown into one of the biggest GATE papers within a few years: 69,242 candidates appeared in 2026. It opens M.Tech AI/DS and related programmes at IITs and IISc, and its syllabus blends probability and statistics, linear algebra, calculus and optimisation, programming and DSA, databases, machine learning and AI.
Who usually takes this paper: Students and graduates of CSE, IT, AI/DS, ECE, EE, Mathematics and Statistics who meet the degree-level eligibility. DA is the most cross-disciplinary paper in GATE.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | GATE 2027: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence |
| Paper code | DA |
| 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 DA 2027 Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution
GATE DA 2027 has 65 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours: General Aptitude carries 15 marks and the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence syllabus carries 85 marks. There is no separate Engineering Mathematics section.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | 10 | 15 | 5 × 1 mark + 5 × 2 marks |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (subject) | 55 | 85 | No separate Engineering Mathematics section |
| 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 DA 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 DA 2027 syllabus, followed by the complete official topic list as published in Appendix D of the GATE 2027 Information Brochure.
| # | Section |
|---|---|
| 1 | Probability and Statistics |
| 2 | Linear Algebra |
| 3 | Calculus and Optimization |
| 4 | Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms |
| 5 | Database Management and Warehousing |
| 6 | Machine Learning |
| 7 | AI |
Complete GATE DA 2027 syllabus: topic-wise
Section 1: Probability and Statistics
Counting (permutation and combinations), probability axioms, Sample space, events, independent events, mutually exclusive events, marginal, conditional and joint probability, Bayes Theorem, conditional expectation and variance, mean, median, mode and standard deviation, correlation, and covariance, random variables, discrete random variables and probability mass functions, uniform, Bernoulli, binomial distribution, Continuous random variables and probability distribution function, uniform, exponential, Poisson, normal, standard normal, t-distribution, chi-squared distributions, cumulative distribution function, Conditional PDF, Central limit theorem, confidence interval, z-test, t-test, chi-squared test.
Section 2: Linear Algebra
Vector space, subspaces, linear dependence and independence of vectors, matrices, projection matrix, orthogonal matrix, idempotent matrix, partition matrix and their properties, quadratic forms, systems of linear equations and solutions; Gaussian elimination, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, determinant, rank, nullity, projections, LU decomposition, singular value decomposition.
Section 3: Calculus and Optimization
Functions of a single variable, limit, continuity and differentiability, Taylor series, maxima and minima, optimization involving a single variable.
Section 4: Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms
Programming in Python, basic data structures: stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, hash tables; Search algorithms: linear search and binary search, basic sorting algorithms: selection sort, bubble sort and insertion sort; divide and conquer: mergesort, quicksort; introduction to graph theory; basic graph algorithms: traversals and shortest path.
Section 5: Database Management and Warehousing
ER-model, relational model: relational algebra, tuple calculus, SQL, integrity constraints, normal form, file organization, indexing, data types, data transformation such as normalization, discretization, sampling, compression; data warehouse modelling: schema for multidimensional data models, concept hierarchies, measures: categorization and computations.
Section 6: Machine Learning
Supervised Learning: regression and classification problems, simple linear regression, multiple linear regression, ridge regression, logistic regression, k-nearest neighbour, naive Bayes classifier, linear discriminant analysis, support vector machine, decision trees, bias-variance trade-off, cross-validation methods such as leave-one-out (LOO) cross-validation, k-folds cross-validation, multi-layer perceptron, feed-forward neural network;
Unsupervised Learning: clustering algorithms, k-means/k-medoid, hierarchical clustering, top-down, bottom-up: single-linkage, multiple-linkage, dimensionality reduction, principal component analysis.
Section 7: AI
Search: informed, uninformed, adversarial; logic, propositional, predicate; reasoning under uncertainty topics – conditional independence representation, exact inference through variable elimination, and approximate inference through sampling.
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 DA 2026 Cutoff, Qualifying Marks and Statistics
These are the official GATE 2026 figures for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from the GATE 2026 Statistical and Performance Report (IIT Guwahati). They are the best guide to what to expect in GATE DA 2027. Qualifying marks are out of 100; the qualifying GATE score for the general category is always 350.
| Paper | Registered | Appeared | Qualified | Qualified % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) | 91,764 | 69,242 | 12,849 | 18.6% |
| Paper | GEN | OBC-NCL / EWS | SC / ST / PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) | 26.4 | 23.7 | 17.5 |
| Paper | Highest marks | Mean of top 0.1% (or top 10) | Average marks | Std. deviation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) | 90 | 72.01 | 15.45 | 11 |
What this means for you: in GATE 2026 the average DA candidate scored 15.45 marks, while the top 0.1% averaged 72.01. Crossing the general qualifying mark of 26.4 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 DA 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 DA as the primary paper is: Computer Science and Information Technology (CS), Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC), Electrical Engineering (EE), Mathematics (MA), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Physics (PH), Robotics and Automation (RA), Statistics (ST), Engineering Sciences (XE). 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 DA 2027 Preparation Strategy
- The mathematics block (Probability and Statistics, Linear Algebra, Calculus and Optimization) is the biggest share of DA and directly supports Machine Learning. Make it your strongest area.
- Machine Learning questions test understanding, not just definitions: bias-variance, regularisation, SVM, PCA, clustering and neural networks with small numericals.
- Programming in Python, Data Structures and Algorithms questions follow the CS style: code tracing, complexity and standard algorithms.
- Database Management and Warehousing and AI (search, logic, reasoning under uncertainty) are compact and high-yield for the time invested.
- In 2026 the general qualifying mark was 26.4 and the top 0.1% averaged 72.01. Use topic-wise tests early and full mocks in the last 8 weeks.
- 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 DA 2027 Score?
GATE DA scores are used for M.Tech/MS/PhD admissions in AI, data science and allied programmes at IITs, IISc and other institutes, and increasingly by organisations hiring for data roles that accept GATE.
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 DA 2027 Course, Notes and Test Series
PiyushAI is the home of GATE DA preparation: Piyush Wairale (IIT Madras) has taught 20,000+ students and mentored a GATE DA All India Rank 2. Everything below is on www.piyushwairale.com.
Best GATE DA 2027 Course and Test Series (complete bundle)
Full video course for every DA subject, the 2027 test series and daily practice in one package.
Topic-wise, subject-wise and full-length mocks in the real GATE interface.
Daily questions to keep every DA subject fresh until exam day.
Subject-wise courses and notes for Data Science and AI.
Best GATE Aptitude Test Series 2027
Secure the 15 General Aptitude marks with topic tests and full GA mocks.
GATE 2027 courses, notes and test series by Piyush Wairale (IIT Madras)
Free lessons on YouTube (@piyushwairaleiitm)
GATE DA 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GATE DA 2027 exam pattern?
GATE DA 2027 has 65 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours: General Aptitude carries 15 marks and the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence syllabus carries 85 marks. There is no separate Engineering Mathematics section. Questions are MCQ, MSQ and NAT, and each carries 1 or 2 marks.
Is there negative marking in GATE DA 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 DA 2026 cutoff?
The GATE 2026 qualifying marks out of 100 were Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA): 26.4 (GEN), 23.7 (OBC-NCL/EWS), 17.5 (SC/ST/PwD).
When is the GATE DA 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.
Does GATE DA have a separate Engineering Mathematics section?
No. DA has General Aptitude (15 marks) and 85 marks of subject questions. The mathematics (probability, statistics, linear algebra, calculus and optimisation) is part of the DA syllabus itself.
Which papers can be combined with GATE DA 2027?
Data Science and AI (DA) can be combined with CS, EC, EE, MA, ME, PH, RA, ST or XE.
How long is the GATE DA 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.
More GATE 2027 guides: GATE 2027 syllabus and exam pattern for all 30 papers | GATE General Aptitude 2027 | GATE AE 2027 | GATE AG 2027 | GATE AR 2027 | GATE BM 2027 | GATE BT 2027 | GATE CE 2027 | GATE CH 2027 | GATE CS 2027 | GATE CY 2027 | GATE EC 2027 | GATE EE 2027 | GATE ES 2027 | GATE EY 2027 | GATE GE 2027 | GATE GG 2027 | GATE IN 2027 | GATE MA 2027 | GATE ME 2027 | GATE MN 2027 | GATE MT 2027 | GATE NM 2027 | GATE PE 2027 | GATE PH 2027 | GATE PI 2027 | GATE RA 2027 | GATE ST 2027 | GATE XE 2027 | GATE XH 2027 | GATE XL 2027
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