GATE 2026 CSE Exam Analysis (Feb 8): Shift 1 & 2 Paper Review, Difficulty Level, Memory-Based Questions & Answer Key

Once a candidate steps out of the exam hall after GATE 2026 exam, GATE 2026 CSE live updates are their first search. GATE 2026 Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) exam has been completed on 8 February 2026. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati conducted the GATE 2026 CSE exam in 2 shifts. 8 in two shifts. 

Candidates who appeared for CSE-1 (Shift 1) and CSE-2 (Shift 2) are now looking for:

• GATE 2026 exam analysis
• Memory-based question paper
• GATE 2026 Answer key 

These will help students to estimate their scores and understand the difficulty level of the  Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering.

As per the reactions of the appeared candidates, we can mark GATE 2026 CSE 2 shift 2 paper as moderate to difficult. CSE-1 was moderately tough with lengthy questions. The GATE 2026 answer key (memory-based) has started circulating online via the Edtech platforms.

GATE 2026 CSE Exam Overview (Feb 8)

Here is the quick snapshot of the GATE 2026 CSE exam:

Read Also: GATE 2026 Exam Details

GATE 2026 CSE 2 Shift 2 Paper Analysis

The GATE 2026 CSE 2 shift 2 exam concluded at 5:30 PM. Students' feedback indicated that the paper was conceptual and calculation-intensive.

GATE CSE Shift 2 Paper Analysis Highlights:

What candidates shared about GATE 2026 exam analysis:

Student Feedback Snapshot:

What students shared on Social Media:

• “Questions required strong conceptual clarity”.
• “Time management was crucial”.
• “Doable but not easy”.

Memory-Based Questions: GATE 2026 CSE 2

Some GATE 2026 CSE 2 memory-based questions:

• Aptitude Question:
  Water:P::Food: Q
  Options involved thirst and hunger
• Core CS Question:
  Which of the following is NOT a property of Boolean Algebra?

The Memory-based GATE 2026 CSE question paper answer key has been shared by many edtech sites.

GATE 2026 CSE 1 Shift 1 Paper Analysis

GATE 2026 CSE-1 paper was somewhere between moderate and difficult. The focus was on concept-based and lengthy questions.

Section-wise Insights:

Let’s look at each section:

Question Pattern:

• More MSQs and NAT questions
• NAT questions: calculation-heavy
• MSQs: tested conceptual depth

GATE 2026 CSE 1 Memory-Based Questions

True/False Statements (Theory of Computation):

• Grammar must be left-factored for LL(1)
• Grammar must be left recursive for LL(1)
• LL(1) parser uses backtracking
• LL(1) parser is more powerful than SLR(1)

Question 1

Number of total players are 63. What is the total number of games played?

Answer:
63

Question 2 (MSQ)

Let G(V,E)G(V, E)G(V,E) be a simple undirected graph with unique edges. Select the correct statements.

Answer:
This question tests basic properties of a simple undirected graph.
(Exact options are required to mark final correct choices; only partial statement is available.)

Question 3

Consider a matrix with entries from the set {0,1}\{0,1\}{0,1}. If the number of times 1 occurs in every row and in every column is fixed, how many such matrices are possible?

Answer:
This is a combinatorics/matrix counting problem.
(The complete matrix size and row/column constraints are needed to compute the final count.)

Question 4 (MSQ)

Given a function involving the absolute value ∣n∣|n|∣n∣, identify the correct statements regarding continuity, differentiability, and extrema.

Answer:

• The function is continuous.
• The function is not differentiable at the point where ∣n∣|n|∣n∣ changes sign (typically at n=0n = 0n=0).
• Presence of local maxima/minima depends on the exact functional form.

Question 5

A function is defined as a piecewise function involving an exponential term and a constant value at a point. Determine whether the function is continuous at (n = 0).

Answer:
To check continuity at (n = 0), we verify:

• Left-hand limit (LHL)
• Right-hand limit (RHL)
• Value of the function (f(0))

If LHL = RHL = f(0), then the function is continuous.
This question is based on comparing limits at the boundary point.

Question 6

8-bit signed integers (X) and (Y) are represented in sign-magnitude form as:

[X = 10110100,\quad Y = 01001100]

Which operation results in overflow?

Options:
(a) (Z = X - Y)
(b) (X + Y)
(c) (-X + Y)
(d) (-X - Y)

Answer:
Overflow occurs in sign-magnitude representation when the result exceeds the 8-bit range.

The correct option that leads to overflow is:

(b) (X + Y)

Question 7

A discrete random variable (X) takes values (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) with given probabilities (P(X)). Find the required probability-based result.

Answer:
This is a probability distribution question.
The solution requires using:

[\sum P(X=x) = 1]

and applying expectation/probability formulas depending on what is asked.
(Exact requirement is not fully visible, so final numeric answer cannot be confirmed.)

Question 8

ISP Available IP Address Space is given as:

[202.16.0.0/15]

Answer:
A /15 network means:

• Network bits = 15
• Host bits = (32 - 15 = 17)

Total available IP addresses:

[2^{17} = 131072]

So, the address space contains 131072 IP addresses.

Question 9

Let (L_1) and (L_2) be two languages over alphabet (\Sigma). If (L_1 \cap L_2) is regular, what can be said about (L_2)?

Answer:

• Regular languages are closed under intersection.
• But if (L_1 \cap L_2) is regular, it does not necessarily imply that (L_2) is regular.

So, (L_2) may or may not be regular.

Question 10

Sliding Window Protocol (Lossless Link):

Frame size = 1000 bits
Bandwidth = 100 kbps

Find transmission time.

Answer:

Transmission time:

[t = \frac{\text{Frame size}}{\text{Bandwidth}}]

[t = \frac{1000}{100 \times 10^3}]

[t = 10^{-2}\ \text{seconds}]

Final Answer:

[t = 0.01\ \text{seconds}]

GATE 2026 CS Shift 1 Paper Analysis: Topics Asked

COA, TOC, DBMS were the most asked topics according to the students.

Topics Covered in GATE CS Shift 1 Paper

Expected GATE 2026 CSE Cutoff

Based on initial analysis:

• General category cutoff: Expected around 32-36 marks

How to Calculate Probable GATE 2026 Score Using Answer Key

Let’s decode the GATE 2026 answer key marking scheme:

GATE 2026 Official Answer Key and Result Date

IIT Guwahati is expected to release the GATE 2026 Answer key in the last week of February 2026.

What Does GATE 2026 CSE Shift 2 Question Paper Cover?

The paper had questions from:

• Engineering Mathematics
• Digital Logic
• Programming & Data Structures
• Algorithms
• COA
• Operating Systems
• Databases
• Computer Networks
• Theory of Computation
• Compiler Design
• General Aptitude

Why Refer to GATE 2026 CSE Shift 2 Question Paper?

GATE 2026 CSE Shift 2 question paper PDF will help:

• To understand difficulty trends.
• To identify high-weightage topics.
• To analyse MCQ, MSQ, and NAT distribution.
• To improve GATE preparation strategy.

How to Download Official GATE 2026 CSE Question Paper

IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 CSE question papers. Candidates can download them by following these points:

1. Visit gate2026.iitg.ac.in
2. Click on GATE 2026 Question Paper
3. Select Computer Science and Engineering
4. Download PDF for reference

We Also Covered Other National-level Exam Analysis

• JEE Main 2026 Exam Analysis
• UGC NET December 2025 Analysis

Final Note

GATE 2026 Feb 8 Question Paper and Answer Key Solutions will be provided once the official announcement is made. Students can assess their performance and estimate their marks based on the memory level questions and GATE 2026 paper analysis. It helps in building a smart preparation plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: What is GATE Answer Key 2026?

Ans: Once the exam is conducted, IIT Guwahati (conducting body) releases a set of correct answers for the GATE 2026 exam. This document is referred as GATE 2026 answer key. The challenge window will also be available after the provisional answer key is released.

Ques: Is there any difference between GATE Provisional answer key and final answer key?

Ans: Yes. There is a difference between GATE provisional nd final answer key.

• The provisional answer key will be released earlier
• It will be open for challenges
• It will be subject to change.

But if we looka t GATE final answer key:

• It will be released after the provisional one.
• It will not be open for challenges.
• It will be final, therefore no changes will be made in this. 

Ques: Can someone download the GATE question papers for free?

Ans: Yes. Students can download the previous year's question papers of GATE exam. The memory-based ones can also be downloaded. 

Many coaching sites have already published:

• GATE 2026 question papers (e.g., for Feb 7-8 shifts in CSE, XE, XL) 
• Solutions as free PDFs for score estimation

Ques: How many reasoning and comprehension questions can one expect in GATE 2026 exam?

Ans: GATE generally does not have dedicated reasoning and comprehension questions in most papers. 

Ques: Is there any benefit of attempting two papers of GATE?

Ans: Yes. Many candidates believe that this helps them significantly in boosting the chances of MTech admission. Many aspirants go for:

• CS+DA
• ME+XE

It gives them:

• More opportunities
• Better Prospects
• Scoring potential

But before opting, remember these things:

• You can choose two papers in GATE.
• The second paper costs extra money.
• Both exams happen at different times, so they won’t clash.
• Pick papers with similar syllabus to study easily.
• Many students choose DA + CS or DA + EE because topics are common.