GATE 2026 CSE Paper Analysis (Shift 1 & Shift 2): Difficulty, Questions & Answer Key Details

The GATE 2026 exam has taken place, and many individuals have shared feedback that the overall examination was not easy and was moderately difficult. Along with the conceptual and calculation-oriented questions in the examination, that were dominating both shifts, making the examination slightly more challenging for the students.

Overall Difficulty Level

GATE 2026 Section-wise Feedback

General Aptitude

• Easy to moderate
• Mostly direct questions

Engineering Mathematics

• Moderate difficulty
• Concept-based problems

Core Computer Science

• Conceptual + calculative questions
• Some lengthy and tricky problems
• Statement-based questions moderate

Important Topics Asked

Shift 1

• Algorithms (highest weightage)
• Graph Theory (tough questions)
• COA (floating-point representation)
• TCP connection problem
• Fewer questions from Computer Networks

Shift 2

• Conceptual theory questions
• Boolean algebra concepts
• Analytical aptitude relations
• Mixed calculative problems

Sample Memory-Based Questions

• Which of the following is not a property of Boolean Algebra
• Grammar & LL(1) parser true/false statements:
  • Left factoring requirement
  • Left recursion
  • Backtracking usage
  • Power compared to SLR(1)

Expected Good Attempts & Cutoff

• Expected General category cutoff: 32 – 36 marks (approx.)
• Moderate attempts considered safe due to tricky questions

Official Answer Key & Result Dates

• Provisional Answer Key: Last week of February 2026
• Objection Fee: ₹500 per question
• Result Date: March 19, 2026
• Scorecard Download: From March 27, 2026

Candidates will be able to check results through the GOAPS portal using enrollment ID and password after declaration.