GATE 2026 CSE Live: MTech shift 1, 2 question paper analysis out; qualifying marks, exam dates

Candidates can check the things to carry to the GATE 2026 exam centre below:

• Printed copy of the GATE 2026 admit card.
• A valid government-issued photo ID (such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, or passport) for identity verification.
• Disability certificate, if applicable.

The GATE 2026 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is being administered by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Yes, the GATE 2026 exam includes negative marking, which applies only to multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

The timings for Shift 2 (Afternoon Session) for the GATE 2026 examination conducted by IIT Guwahati are as follows:

1. Exam Start Time: 2:30 PM
2. Exam End Time: 5:30 PM

No, candidates are not allowed to carry calculators, along with mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, or electronic or communication machines inside the GATE 2026 examination hall.

The authority has already conducted 22 papers on February 7 and 8, 2026. Out of which GATE CSE1 paper was the toughest out of all GATE 2026 papers.

There is no negative marking for GATE CSE MSQs and NAT. Candidates can check the GATE 2026 marking scheme below:

• For 1 mark MCQ: +1 for correct, -1/3 for incorrect
• For 2 mark MCQ: +2 for correct, -2/3 for incorrect

Candidates can check the top IITs that offer admission for MTech Data Science and Artificial Intelligence below: 

1. IIT Madras
2. IIT Hyderabad
3. IIT Jodhpur
4. IIT Delhi
5. Indian Institute of Information and Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad

Yes, MTech students admitted through a valid GATE 2026 score to AICTE-approved institutes such as IITs, NITs, and IIITs are eligible for a monthly stipend of Rs 12,400 under the teaching assistantship scheme. Leading institutes offering this support include IIT Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Hyderabad, Guwahati, IISc Bangalore, and several NITs.

A rank within 200–300 is usually considered good for getting direct admission to top IITs or IISc. A rank below 1,000 is also strong for securing seats in NITs and other leading institutes.

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) offers 57 postgraduate (PG) programmes based on a valid Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) score. GATE cut-off marks show MTech Computer Science and Engineering and allied courses continued to record the highest qualifying marks/ MTech CSE closed at 71.20896 GATE normalised score – highest among the core engineering courses. 

Other engineering branches such as electrical engineering and electronics and communication engineering also recorded the highest cut-offs. 

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) will conduct the computer-based GATE 2026 exam for admission to MTech and PhD programmes on February 14 and 15 in dual shifts. The morning shift will be held from 9:30 am to 12;30 pm, whereas the afternoon shift will take place from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

The GATE exam includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. MCQs have one correct option out of four, MSQs may have more than one correct option, and NAT questions require candidates to enter the answer using an on-screen virtual keypad.

IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE 2026 exam for remaining days on February 14 and 15.

The questions asked in the EY, NM, and PE sections in GATE 2026 Feb 8 shift 2 are given below. 

The list of questions asked in GATE 2026 Feb 8 shift 2 CSE-2 paper is given in the table below.

The GATE 2026 Day 2 examination was held across two shifts for multiple subjects, including CS-1, ST, CS-2, EY, NM, and PE. As per subject experts, the Feb 8 Shift 2 paper was rated moderate to tough in terms of difficulty.

GATE 2026 CSE Analysis: Shift 2 paper ‘moderate to tough’ with tricky MSQs; EY, NM, PE ‘easy’

The list of questions asked from various topics for the GATE 2026 CSE afternoon paper is as follows. 

• Algorithm
• COA
• Operating system
• Pogramming & Data structure
• Database
• Computer network
• Discrerte mathematics
• Compiler design
• TOC

As per the subject experts, the GATE 2026 EY paper was moderate in difficulty level. Questions from Population Ecology, Community Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, and Evolutionary Processes were asked. 

According to subject experts, the GATE 2026 February 8 shift 2 paper was moderate to tough in difficulty level. The paper had lengthy questions that test students' time management skills. 

The GATE 2026 paper analysis for forenoon paper is shown in the table below as per Careers360 subject experts. 

IIT Guwahati conducted the GATE 2026 exam in two shifts for CS-1, ST, CS-2, EY, NM, and PE.

Once the GATE 2026 exam is over, candidates will have access to the GATE 2026 question paper and analysis. Candidates will be able to evaluate their expected marks and ranks using the unofficial answer keys.  

According to subject experts, the CS 1 paper was difficult, where tricky questions from the  Compiler and algorithm were asked.  The OS and TOC questions were on the moderate to difficult side, where as CS section had lengthy and logic-intensive questions. 

The CS-1 subject in GATE 2026 day 2 shift 1 paper was the toughest with tricky questions on algorithms, as per the analysis report. 

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) paper for day 2 shift 1 was moderate in difficulty level for both Computer Science (SC) and Statistics (ST) subjects.

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has commenced the day 2 shift 2 for GATE 2026 at 2:30 pm. 

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has concluded the GATE 2026 day 2 shift 1 at 12:30 pm. 

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) will conclude the GATE 2026 day 2 shift 1 at 12:30 pm. 

The GATE 2026 CH question paper was easy to moderate in difficulty. Many questions were of a moderate level, as per the students reactions.

IIT Guwahati has started GATE 2026 shift 1 exam for MTech candidates. The shift 1 will continue till 12:30 pm.

The GATE exam includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. MCQs have one correct option out of four, MSQs may have more than one correct option, and NAT questions require candidates to enter the answer using an on-screen virtual keypad.

No, calculators, along with mobile phones, bluetooth devices, electronic or communication machines are not allowed inside the GATE 2026 examination hall.

To check the GATE 2026 answer key, visit the official GATE website and log in with your credentials. Download the GATE answer key and compare it with your answers to estimate your score.

The minimum GATE score needed for admission to IITs is usually between 500 and 800 or more, depending on the subject, category, and the IIT.

In GATE 2026, a rank within 200–300 is usually considered good for getting direct admission to top IITs or IISc. A rank below 1,000 is also strong for securing seats in NITs and other leading institutes.

IIT Guwahati will begin the GATE 2026 day 2 tomorrow, February 8. As per the schedule, shift 1 will be held from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, and shift 2 will be conducted from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

The General Aptitude (GA) section was easy and could be attempted comfortably. Questions were asked from areas such as dice problems, paper folding, Venn diagrams, permutations and combinations, analogy, and direction sense.

The biotechnology (BT) subject was relatively difficult, and some concepts that had not appeared in previous years were found in this exam.

GATE day 1 shift 2 aspirants have stated that the maths and general aptitude sections were easy to moderate, with not so heavy calculations when compared to shift 1.

According to students, the GATE CH question paper was easy to moderate in difficulty. Many questions were of a moderate level.

The GATE 2026 February 7 Shift 2 exam was successfully conducted at 5:30 pm. The memory-based question and the answer key PDF will be released shortly.

IIT Guwahati will conclude the GATE 2026 February 7 Shift 2 exam at 5:30 pm. After the exam ends, the GATE paper analysis will be released based on students’ feedback.

The GATE 2026 February 7 shift 2 paper will conclude at 5:30 pm. Candidates appearing for AE, BT, CH, CY, GE, PH, and XH will be able to access the memory-based unofficial answer key and question paper after the exam ends.

According to the students' analysis, the mathematics section within the XE paper was challenging and more time-consuming, with the questions ranging from moderate to difficult.

According to students, the GATE 2026 February 7 shift 1 question paper was moderately difficult. The General Aptitude (GA) section was the easiest and helped in scoring marks – focused on conventional topics such as dice, Pythagoras theorem, and age-distance related problems.

For the GATE 2026 examination conducted by IIT Guwahati, the timings for Shift 2 (Afternoon Session) are as follows:

• Exam Start Time: 2:30 PM
• Exam End Time: 5:30 PM

Key features of the GATE virtual calculator are: 

• Functions supported: Allows basic arithmetic, trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential, and memory operations

• Mode of use: Can be operated only with a mouse; keyboard input is disabled during the exam

• Inverse functions: Dedicated keys are provided for inverse operations such as sin⁻¹, without the need for shift or inverse buttons

• Layout: Numeric keys and standard operators are placed on the right, while scientific functions are arranged on the left side

Physical calculators are not permitted inside the GATE examination hall, and carrying one may lead to disqualification. Candidates are required to perform all calculations using the on-screen virtual calculator provided during the exam.

The GATE exam includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. MCQs have one correct option out of four, MSQs may have more than one correct option, and NAT questions require candidates to enter the answer using an on-screen virtual keypad.

Candidates appearing for the GATE 2026 examination must carry the following documents to gain entry into the exam hall:

• GATE Admit Card 2026: A printed copy downloaded from the official website

• Valid Photo ID Proof: Any one of Aadhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Driving Licence

• Passport-size Photograph: Same as uploaded in the application form (if required)

• PwD Certificate: For candidates claiming PwD benefits, if applicable

For GATE 2026, the exam for a total of seven subject papers is scheduled at 2:30 PM on february 7, the subject papers are:

• AE (Aerospace Engineering)
• BT (Biotechnology)
• CH (Chemical Engineering)
• CY (Chemistry)
• GE (Geomatics Engineering)
• PH (Physics)
• XH (Humanities and Social Sciences).

Each GATE 2026 paper will be conducted for a duration of three hours, or 180 minutes, across all 30 test papers organised by IIT Guwahati.

Timing details:

• Total exam duration: 3 hours

• Compensatory time: PwD candidates availing the services of a scribe are granted an additional one hour, extending their exam time to four hours

Yes, the GATE 2026 exam includes negative marking, which is applicable only to multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

The GATE 2026 examination, organised by IIT Guwahati, will feature a question paper comprising 65 questions with a total weightage of 100 marks.

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) offers 57 postgraduate (PG) programmes based on a valid Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) score. GATE cut-off marks show MTech Computer Science and Engineering and allied courses continued to record the highest qualifying marks/ MTech CSE closed at 71.20896 GATE normalised score – highest among the core engineering courses. 

Other engineering branches such as electrical engineering and electronics and communication engineering also recorded the highest cut-offs. 

IIT Roorkee GATE cut-offs. 

IIT Guwahati will conduct six subject papers in the second shift, starting from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. GATE papers schedule for February 7 shift 2 are:     

• Aerospace Engineering (AE),
• Biotechnology (BT), 
• Chemical Engineering (CH), Chemistry (CY), 
• Geomatics Engineering (GE), 
• Physics (PH),
• Humanities and Social Sciences (XH).

There will be three types of questions – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Selection Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT). 

• In MCQs, there will be four options with only one correct answer. These questions will attract negative marking. 
• In MSQs, one or more correct options may be valid. There is no negative marking, but no partial credit is awarded. 
• In NAT, candidates are required to enter a numerical value using an on-screen keypad. These questions also carry no negative marking.

Candidates found using unfair means and not complying with the code of conduct and ethics of GATE 2026 will have their candidature cancelled regardless of whether they have been allowed to complete their examination or not. Appropriate legal action will also be initiated against all such candidates, IIT Guwahati said.

Candidates will be provided with a scribble pad for rough work in the exam hall by the invigilator. They are required to write their name and registration number on the scribble pad before they start using it.  

“Before taking the next scribble pad, the previous scribble pad MUST be returned to the invigilator. Any scribble pad in the possession of the candidate MUST be returned to the invigilators after the end of the examination,” the guidelines read. 

GATE shift 1 exam begins. Candidates will be given time till 12.30 pm to attempt 100 marks question paper. 

Candidates are barred from carrying the following items to the exam centre. 

• Mobile phones, even in the switched-off mode, watches of any form are not allowed. 
• Calculators inside the exam hall are strictly prohibited. 
• Electronic, communication devices, wallets, papers, loose sheets, pen, pencil box, pouch,
• and printed or hand-written textual materials.
• All means and modes of communication (verbal or otherwise) among the candidates inside the hall is prohibited.

"If any of the prohibited acts or items listed above is detected during the examination, it will automatically lead to CANCELLATION of candidature. Results will NOT be declared for such candidates," IIT Guwahati said.

Gate entry begins for GATE February 7 shift 1 exams. Candidates should carry a color printed copy of the admit card on A4 paper to the exam centre for verification purpose along with a valid original photo identity card.

Entry to the exam hall will begin 40 minutes before the scheduled start time, while candidates can log in and read instructions 20 minutes prior to the exam. Each GATE paper will be held for three hours - shift 1 from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm - and the entry will commence from 8.50 am.

Candidates must carry GATE admit card 2026 downloaded from the GOAPS official portal, goaps.iitg.ac.in/login, using their enrollment ID and password generated during the registration process. Along with the GATE hall ticket, candidates are required to provide original photo-identity proof inside the exam hall.

GATE day 1 shift 1 exam will be conducted for 9 subject papers from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. 

• Agricultural Engineering (AG), 
• Environmental Science and Engineering (ES), 
• Geology and Geophysics (GG), 
• Instrumentation Engineering (IN), 
• Mathematics (MA),
• Mining Engineering (MN), 
• Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF), 
• Engineering Sciences (XE), 
• Life Sciences (XL)

"The Name and Address of Centre No. 2082 has changed. Kindly download the new Admit Card for Centre No. 2082 from the GOAPS Portal," IIT Guwahati informed candidates. 

IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE exam for 30 papers in two shifts. Shift 1 will be held from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and shift 2 from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm.

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) will conduct the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) from today to assess candidates for a comprehensive understanding of different undergraduate-level subjects in engineering, technology, science, commerce, arts, architecture, humanities. GATE exam is held for admission to MTech, direct doctoral, doctoral programmes.

The GATE 2026 exam is a 3-hour online computer-based test (CBT) in English for 30 subjects. It has 65 questions worth 100 marks, including MCQs, MSQs, and NATs.

In GATE ME, wrong answers in multiple-choice questions (MCQs) carry negative marks. For a 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer, and for a 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted. There is no negative marking for wrong answers in MSQ and NAT questions, and no partial marks are awarded for any question.

To download your GATE 2026 admit card, candidates need to visit the official GATE 2026 website or the GOAPS portal, gate2026.iitg.ac.in, log in with their enrollment ID and password.

GATE is a national-level engineering entrance exam in India that tests undergraduate subjects in engineering, science, technology, and humanities. It is used for admission to MTech and PhD programmes at IITs, NITs, and other top institutes, and for recruitment in public sector undertakings (PSUs).

Below are the GATE 2026 exam day guidelines.

• Carry a printed copy of the GATE 2026 admit card to the exam centre.
• Reach the exam centre at least 90 minutes before the exam starts.
• Entry will not be allowed 30 minutes after the exam begins.
• Do not bring banned items such as electronic devices or any suspicious objects.
• You may carry a transparent water bottle, a mask, and a pen or pencil.
• A 20-minute reading time will be given on the computer screen before the exam starts.

Candidates should not wear any metal items or clothes with metal parts. They are advised to wear light and comfortable clothes on the exam day. Female candidates should wear flip-flops or sandals, as per the GATE dress code.

Candidates will have to carry a printed hard copy of the GATE 2026 admit card along with an original and valid photo ID proof—such as Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or PAN Card—the same ID used during GATE registration, as photocopies or digital copies will not be accepted.

For GATE 2026, candidates should wear simple and comfortable clothes for easy security checks, as there is no fixed dress code. Avoid clothes with big buttons, metal zips, heavy designs, and do not wear belts, jewellery, watches, or caps. It is better to wear sandals or slippers instead of shoes.

There is no limit on the number of attempts for GATE 2026. Candidates can take the exam any number of times as long as they meet the educational eligibility criteria.

Physical calculators are not allowed in the GATE 2026 exam. Candidates will instead get a virtual scientific calculator on the computer screen during the GATE exam 2026.

According to the GATE exam schedule, the IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE 2026 examination on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, in a computer-based test (CBT) format.