GATE 2026 DA Exam Analysis: Moderate Difficulty, Maths Heavy & Key Topics
2 minute read
• Updated on 17 Feb, 2026, 1:37 AM, by Disha Yadav
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DA) paper, held on 15 February 2026, was moderate overall, with a strong emphasis on mathematics, probability, DBMS and Python-related questions. Student feedback and expert estimates suggest an expected cutoff in the range of 29-31 marks for the DA paper this year.
The GATE 2026 DA (Data Science & Artificial Intelligence) examination was conducted on 15 February 2026 in the afternoon shift as part of the national postgraduate entrance test administered by IIT Guwahati. The paper drew strong reactions due to its moderate difficulty level and maths-intensive nature.
GATE 2026 DA Paper Overall Difficulty and Question Distribution
According to memory-based analysis:
- The General Aptitude section was reported as easy, offering good scoring opportunities.
- The subject-specific section, however, leaned towards moderate to slightly tough difficulty, with deeper mathematical and statistical concepts.
- Questions were a blend of MCQs, MSQs and numerical answer type (NAT) questions, necessitating both conceptual clarity and calculation speed.
Topics that attracted significant focus included DBMS, probability & statistics, Python fundamentals, and algorithmic concepts, with some questions also testing linear algebra and core data science principles.
GATE 2026 DA Paper: Expected Cutoff and Answer Key
Based on the difficulty level and student feedback, the expected cutoff for GATE 2026 DA is estimated around 29-31 marks for general category candidates, though this could vary slightly after official finalization. Several coaching institutes and expert platforms have also released unofficial answer keys soon after the exam to help candidates estimate their tentative scores before the official key is released.
How GATE 2026 DA Paper Aspirants See the Paper?
Many test-takers highlighted that while the paper was not overwhelmingly hard, it was reasonably challenging, especially due to the presence of higher-order mathematics and statistical questions that demanded careful solving under time pressure. Some students noted that parts of the technical section felt lengthy and time-consuming, contrasting with easier sections such as aptitude.
What Next After GATE 2026 DA Paper Analysis?
Candidates are advised to:
- Compare their responses with memory-based answer keys available online to estimate probable scores.
- Prepare for result announcements, which are typically slated a few weeks after the exam — the official GATE 2026 scorecards are usually released in March 2026.
- Focus on cutoff trends and previous year comparisons to gauge admission chances for M.Tech/Ph.D. programmes or PSU recruitments.
This analysis gives aspirants a clear understanding of how the DA paper unfolded in GATE 2026, helping them to assess performance and plan next steps in admissions.
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