GATE 2026 CSE Live: MTech shift 1, 2 question paper analysis out; qualifying marks, exam dates
Sundararajan | February 9, 2026 | 10:28 PM IST | 16 mins read
GATE 2026 February 8 paper was held in two shifts for CS-1, ST, CS-2, EY, NM, and PE. Updates on pattern, exam timings, paper analysis, memory-based questions, expected cut-offs, result date, and qualifying marks.
Candidates preparing for GATE 2025 can now access the official syllabus. The detailed syllabus PDF is available for download as PDF here.
Download NowThe Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has conducted the GATE 2026 day 2 exam in two shifts at various exam centres. As per subject experts, the GATE 2026 day 3 exam will be held on February 14 in two shifts. The day 2 shift 2 paper was “moderate to tough,” while shift 1 was "moderate" in difficulty.
Several subject experts and coaching centres will issue the unofficial GATE 2026 answer key along with analysis for candidates, so that they can evaluate their expected marks.
The computer-based exam for MTech admissions will be conducted for seven subjects. Candidates can download GATE 2026 admit card at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
According to the GATE shift 1 analysis, the paper was moderate in difficulty, and the GA section was easy, focused on conventional topics such as dice, pythagoras theorem, and age-distance related problems.
Candidates appearing for the Master of Technology (MTech) entrance exam can download the GATE 2026 admit card from the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can access the GATE admit card 2026 using their enrollment number and password.
The admit card for the GATE 2026 exam was issued on January 13, and the examination will be conducted over four days on February 7, 8, 14, and 15 for 30 test papers.
GATE exam pattern 2026
The GATE entrance exam will be conducted for 3 hours and consists of 30 questions in English. The GATE question paper carries a total of 100 marks, with general aptitude (GA) common to all papers accounting for 15 marks, and the remaining 85 marks covering the specific test paper syllabus.
Candidates will have to reach their allotted GATE exam centres well before the reporting time to complete entry procedures such as ID checks and security screening, and follow all exam-day guidelines issued by IIT Guwahati.
GATE Exam 2026: Things to carry
The list of documents that candidates need to carry to the GATE exam centre is given 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.
Candidates are not permitted to bring electronic devices, calculators, smartwatches, manuscripts or any other prohibited items into the GATE examination hall.
GATE 2026 exam schedule
The exam schedule for GATE day 1 and day 2 is as follows:
|
GATE 2026 exam date |
GATE 2026 exam timings |
GATE 2026 paper |
|---|---|---|
|
February 7, 2026 |
9:30 am to 12:30 pm |
AG, ES, GG, IN, MA, MN, TF, XE, XL |
|
2:30 pm to 5:30 pm |
AE, BT, CH, CY, GE, PH, XH |
|
|
February 8, 2026 |
9:30 am to 12:30 pm |
CS-1, ST |
|
2:30 pm to 5:30 pm |
CS-2, EY, NM, PE |
The GATE exam will be conducted for admission to MTech and PhD programmes offered by IITs, NITs, IIITs, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore. GATE 2026 scores will also be used by the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) for recruitment.
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