GATE 2026 DA Syllabus: Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

2 minute read

Sanhita Kundu

Update on 18 Sep, 2025, 10:17 PM IST

The GATE 2026 DA (Data Science & AI) exam is conducted by IIT Guwahati for candidates who want to specialize in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The exam tests General Aptitude and Core subjects like Probability, Statistics, Linear Algebra, Machine Learning, AI, and Programming. The exam is scheduled on 7, 8, 14, and 15 February 2026. Candidates must thoroughly understand the syllabus, weightage, and exam pattern to plan their preparation efficiently.

 

Table of Contents
  1. GATE 2026 DA General Aptitude Syllabus
  2. GATE 2026 DA Core Subjects Syllabus
  3. GATE 2026 DA Topic-wise Weightage
  4. GATE 2026 DA Exam Pattern
  5. GATE 2026 DA Application Process (Dates: 28 August 2025 -28 September 2025
  6. Important Dates of GATE 2026 DA
  7. Eligibility Criteria for GATE 2026 DA
  8. Conclusion

 

GATE 2026 DA General Aptitude Syllabus

The General Aptitude (GA) section is common to all GATE exams and covers topics from English and Quantitative Aptitude. This section carries 15% weightage in the DA paper. Below is the detailed syllabus for GA:

Topic

Subtopics

Verbal Ability

English grammar, vocabulary, idioms, phrases, reading comprehension, sentence completion, narrative sequencing

Quantitative Aptitude

Number systems, simplification, algebra, linear & quadratic equations, progressions, ratios & proportions, percentages, profit & loss, time & work, time-speed-distance, averages, mixtures, probability, set theory, functions, matrices, statistics (mean, median, mode, SD), data interpretation

Read: GATE 2026 Syllabus

 

GATE 2026 DA Core Subjects Syllabus

The Core Subjects of GATE DA contribute 85% of the total marks. Candidates should focus on both theory and application-based questions in these areas.

 

The table below presents a detailed topic-wise syllabus for GATE 2026 DA:

Topic

Subtopics

Probability and Statistics (14%)

Counting, probability axioms, Bayes theorem, conditional probability, mean, median, mode, SD, correlation, covariance, random variables, PMF, PDF, distributions (uniform, Bernoulli, binomial, Poisson, normal, t, chi-square), CLT, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing

Linear Algebra (8%)

Vector spaces, subspaces, linear dependence & independence, matrices (projection, orthogonal, idempotent), eigenvalues & eigenvectors, determinants, rank & nullity, LU decomposition, SVD, systems of linear equations

Calculus and Optimization (12%)

Single-variable functions, limits, continuity, differentiability, Taylor series, maxima & minima, partial derivatives, gradient descent, convex functions, constrained optimization

Programming, Data Structures & Algorithms (12%)

Python programming, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, hash tables, search algorithms (linear, binary), sorting algorithms (selection, bubble, insertion, merge, quicksort), divide & conquer, graph theory, graph algorithms (traversal, shortest path)

Database Management & Warehousing (10%)

ER model, relational model, SQL queries, integrity constraints, normalization & denormalization, file organization & indexing, data transformation, data warehouse design, OLAP, multidimensional models

Machine Learning (11%)

Supervised learning: regression (linear, multiple, ridge), classification (logistic, k-NN, naive Bayes, SVM, decision trees), cross-validation, neural networks; Unsupervised learning: clustering, dimensionality reduction (PCA)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) (6%)

Search algorithms (informed/uninformed/adversarial), logic (propositional & predicate), reasoning under uncertainty, inference techniques (variable elimination, sampling)

 

GATE 2026 DA Topic-wise Weightage

To help students prioritize, here is the topic-wise weightage of GATE 2026 DA:

Topic

Weightage (%)

Probability & Statistics

14%

Linear Algebra

8%

Calculus & Optimization

12%

Programming, DSA

12%

Database Management & Warehousing

10%

Machine Learning

11%

Artificial Intelligence

6%

General Aptitude

15%

 

GATE 2026 DA Exam Pattern

Understanding the exam pattern of GATE DA 2026 is essential for effective preparation. The following table provides all necessary details:

Parameter

Details

Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Duration

3 hours

Total Marks

100

Section

General Aptitude – 15 marks, Core Subjects – 85 marks

Question Types

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), Numerical Answer Type (NAT)

Marking Scheme

1 or 2 marks per question

Calculator

Virtual Scientific Calculator provided on-screen

 

GATE 2026 DA Application Process (Dates: 28 August 2025 -28 September 2025

Candidates can apply for GATE 2026 DA online through the official GATE portal. Follow these steps:

  1. Visit the official GATE 2026 website.
  2. Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
  3. Fill in personal, educational, and category details.
  4. Upload scanned photographs, signatures, and relevant certificates.
  5. Pay the application fee online through net banking, UPI, or credit/debit card.
  6. Apply and download the confirmation page for future reference.

 

Important Dates of GATE 2026 DA

Event

Date

Application Start

28 August 2025

Application End

28 September 2025

Exam Dates

7, 8, 14, 15 February 2026

Result Announcement

19 March 2026

 

Eligibility Criteria for GATE 2026 DA

  • Candidates must be in the 3rd or higher year of a bachelor’s degree program, or have completed a degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities.
  • There is no age limit to appear for GATE 2026.

 

Conclusion

The GATE 2026 DA syllabus covers a wide range of topics from mathematics, programming, databases, AI, and ML. Candidates should focus on both theory and practice, solve previous year papers, and attempt mock tests to maximize scores. Understanding topic weightage and exam pattern is key to prioritizing preparation efficiently.

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