GATE CSE Syllabus (Topic-wise) with Subject Weightage
The full GATE CSE syllabus broken down by subject, with approximate marks weightage from past papers so you know where to invest your time.
By Zen Alpha Faculty · IIT, NIT & ex-ISRO mentors · Updated 2 November 2026
GATE CSE tests ten core areas plus General Aptitude. The syllabus is stable, so understanding it once lets you plan your whole preparation. Below is the subject list with approximate marks weightage. These figures are indicative, based on recent papers — treat them as a guide, not a guarantee, because weightage shifts a little every year.
How to read weightage
Use weightage to decide depth and order, not to skip subjects. GATE questions are interlinked, and a "small" subject can still decide your rank in a tight cutoff.
Approximate subject-wise weightage
| Subject | Approx. marks (of 100) |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 15 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 10–13 |
| Discrete Mathematics | 6–9 |
| Programming & Data Structures | 8–12 |
| Algorithms | 6–9 |
| Theory of Computation | 6–9 |
| Compiler Design | 3–6 |
| Operating Systems | 6–9 |
| Databases (DBMS) | 5–8 |
| Computer Networks | 5–8 |
| COA & Digital Logic | 7–10 |
What each subject covers
Engineering & Discrete Mathematics
Linear algebra, calculus, probability, set theory & algebra, combinatorics, graph theory, mathematical logic. High-return and foundational — do not postpone it.
Programming & Data Structures
Programming in C, recursion, arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary search trees and heaps. Expect output-prediction and pointer questions.
Algorithms
Searching, sorting, asymptotic analysis, greedy, divide-and-conquer, dynamic programming, and graph algorithms (shortest paths, minimum spanning trees).
Theory of Computation & Compiler Design
Regular languages and finite automata, context-free grammars and pushdown automata, Turing machines and undecidability; lexical analysis, parsing, syntax-directed translation, runtime environments and code generation.
Operating Systems, DBMS & Computer Networks
Processes and scheduling, synchronization, deadlock, memory and file systems; ER model, relational algebra, SQL, normalization, transactions and indexing; the layered model, IP addressing and routing, TCP/UDP, and application protocols.
COA & Digital Logic
Number systems, Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential circuits; machine instructions, addressing modes, ALU and datapath, pipelining, and memory hierarchy (cache, main memory).
To see exactly how deep each topic goes, study the solved papers on our free GATE PYQ pages — the real questions define the real syllabus better than any list.
Frequently asked questions
Which subject has the highest weightage in GATE CSE?+
General Aptitude (15 marks) and Engineering Mathematics (about 10–13 marks) are consistently the largest single blocks, followed by Programming & Data Structures and COA/Digital Logic.
Can I skip low-weightage subjects like Compiler Design?+
It is risky. Compiler Design is small (about 3–6 marks) but overlaps with Theory of Computation and is scoring once understood. In a competitive cutoff, those marks matter.
Does the GATE CSE syllabus change every year?+
No. The syllabus is very stable with only minor occasional revisions, so you can prepare confidently from the current syllabus.
Is General Aptitude important in GATE?+
Very. It is 15 marks that are comparatively easy to score fully. Toppers rarely lose marks here, so never ignore it.
Put this into practice on Zen Alpha
Free GATE previous-year papers with solutions, mock tests, notes and 1:1 doubt support — built by IIT, NIT & ex-ISRO mentors.