This page lists GATE CS previous year question papers for 17 years, 2010 to 2026, with 52 official PDFs (question papers and answer keys). GATE CS (GATE Computer Science and Information Technology) is conducted by IISc Bangalore or one of the IITs, in rotation, and covers General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics and CS core. Pick a year below for the paper, answer key and a timed practice plan; confirm dates and pattern on gate2027.iitm.ac.in.
Year-wise question papers
GATE CS 2026
GATE CS 2026 question papers (CS1 and CS2) and official answer keys from IIT Guwahati.
GATE CS 2025
GATE CS 2025 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2024
GATE CS 2024 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2023
GATE CS 2023 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2022
GATE CS 2022 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2021
GATE CS 2021 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2020
GATE CS 2020 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2019
GATE CS 2019 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2018
GATE CS 2018 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2017
GATE CS 2017 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2016
GATE CS 2016 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2015
GATE CS 2015 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2014
GATE CS 2014 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2013
GATE CS 2013 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2012
GATE CS 2012 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2011
GATE CS 2011 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
GATE CS 2010
GATE CS 2010 question paper: official source, timed attempt plan, error log.
Prefer to practise one subject at a time? GATE CS topic-wise PYQs lists every question from these papers by subject and concept, with the official key.
Answer first
For GATE CS (CSE), solve paper-code-specific previous year questions under timed conditions, keep General Aptitude alive weekly, and build a chapter-weight tally from roughly the last decade of CS papers. Mixed-branch PDF dumps destroy the signal you need for M.Tech and PSU cut-off maths.
GATE CS previous year papers
Year-wise CS practice plans, MSQ/NAT drills, error-log use, and multi-week schedules.
GATE CS syllabus & pattern
CS paper-code focus notes; always download the live CS syllabus PDF for your target year.
GATE 2025 year page
Newest full-length template notes shared across codes, then apply them to CS only.
Why CS-only PYQs matter
- Official weightage: Chapter importance is visible only inside paper code CS.
- NAT precision: CSE NATs often punish bit/byte unit slips and off-by-one complexity counts. Re-key every NAT before checking the key.
- MSQ logic: Multi-select traps need past-paper reps with written option audits.
- PSU/M.Tech alignment: Same CS papers feed both goals with different cut-off maths.
Pattern snapshot (verify brochure)
Single paper CBT, typically three hours. GA is common across codes; Engineering Mathematics appears in many papers including CS. Core is Computer Science and Information Technology-specific. Question types include MCQ, MSQ, and NAT with different negative-marking rules.
| Block | Role in CS prep |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude | Fixed short daily/weekly block; high ROI marks |
| Engineering Mathematics | Weekly NAT pairs from sticky chapters (LA, calculus, probability) |
| Core CS | Pareto chapters from your 8-10 year tally; MSQ justification drills |
Core topic map for GATE CS
We tagged every question in the official GATE CS papers from 2016 to 2026 (one set per year) by subject. The table shows the marks each subject carried in each paper; select a subject to see every question it asked, grouped by concept and year.
| Subject | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GA | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15.0 |
| Engg Maths | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 7.2 |
| Discrete Maths | 7 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8.6 |
| Digital Logic | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6.4 |
| COA | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 7.4 |
| Prog & DS | 12 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 10.7 |
| Algorithms | 7 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 6.8 |
| TOC | 5 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 7.8 |
| Compilers | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6.1 |
| OS | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 8.8 |
| DBMS | 6 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 7.0 |
| CN | 8 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 8.2 |
What eleven papers show: Programming & Data Structures is the heaviest technical subject (about 10.7 marks a year), then OS, Discrete Maths and Computer Networks (8–9 each), with TOC close behind. Algorithms swings widely, from 3 to 10 marks. Compiler Design and Digital Logic are the lightest at about 6. Engineering Maths averages about 7 and GA is always 15. Full ranking and method: GATE CS topic-wise PYQs.
Prep timelines using CS PYQs
3-month plan
In month 1, sit one full CS paper to see where you stand, and work on your three weakest chapters. In month 2, practise PYQs topic by topic, starting with the units that carry the most marks. In month 3, alternate full papers with revising the formulas from your error log.
6-month plan
Finish syllabus with weekly CS PYQ tagging. Second half: one full paper most weeks plus chapter revision from misses only.
12-month plan
Syllabus → chapterwise CS PYQs → full papers → revision cycles. Keep GA alive all year.
Common mistakes
- Solving mixed-paper dumps (CE/EC/CS mixed folders).
- Ignoring the latest official CS syllabus PDF.
- No NAT re-entry practice.
- Skipping GA because core feels endless.
FAQ
Where can I find GATE CS previous year question papers?
Prefer official GATE releases for paper code CS (Computer Science and Information Technology) from IISc/IITs portals. This hub organises CSE practice plans for CS without mixed-branch dumps.
How many years of GATE CS PYQs should I solve?
Aim for 8-10 recent years of paper code CS for chapter weightage, with every recent year timed at least once.
Are GATE CS PYQs enough?
They are the best practice you can get, but they don’t replace the official syllabus, studying the concepts, and keeping up General Aptitude and Engineering Maths.
Should I mix other GATE paper codes with CS?
No for core weightage learning. GA can be cross-practised; Engineering Maths templates can transfer; core numericals should stay CS-only.
How should I use an error log?
Same day: tag miss by block (GA/maths/core), topic, and miss type (concept/silly/time/misread). Next sessions repair logged items only.
Topic-wise or year-wise for GATE CSE/EE/ME?
Both. Topic-wise extracts repair weak chapters; full year papers train MSQ/NAT selection and stamina.
Where to get the official papers
GATE CS question papers, answer keys and notifications are published by the IISc or IIT organising that year’s exam on its own GATE website (IIT Madras for GATE 2027: gate2027.iitm.ac.in). Download them from there. We link to the official files and add practice notes, but the latest official notification is the final word on dates, pattern and eligibility.