Best Free Resources for GATE CSE 2026

GATE 2026 is a national-level aptitude that tests the student’s understanding of various undergraduate subjects in engineering and science. Among engineering students, GATE CSE (Computer Science Engineering) is the most commonly opted stream for higher studies or to secure jobs in public sector companies. The GATE exam aims to evaluate the candidate's knowledge of subjects like programming, data structures, algorithms, computer networks, and databases. The following article covers the best free resources for GATE CSE preparation.

Best Free Resources for GATE CSE Prep

Preparing for the CSE subject under GATE can be a challenging journey as the syllabus is vast and the level of the exam is quite high. The GATE CSE exam consists of 65 questions carrying 100 marks in total. The exam is conducted across 3 hours and has MCQ-type questions with negative marking.

Candidates preparing for the GATE 2026 CSE paper can refer to the following free resources to study and prepare through different styles of learning:

1. GATE CSE Previous Years Papers

The previous year’s papers on the CSE subject are one of the easily available and best free resources for CSE GATE preparation. They are available as PDFs on the official website. Integrating PYQs into your GATE CSE preparation can help in identifying the commonly asked questions and recurring topics that must be covered while preparing for GATE 2026 to score well in the exam. Aspirants can click to see GATE  previous years papers.

2. Online Sources

The most common source of the best free resources for GATE CSE preparation is online. This includes online courses, websites, and online student forums that are focused on covering the GATE CSE syllabus holistically. These include:

• NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning)

NPTEL is a portal run in partnership between the government of India and professors from IITs and IISc to provide self-paced or regular courses on various STEM subjects. It is a vast directory of video lectures, free PDFs, student communities, and interactive sessions with professors to facilitate learning in engineering subjects like CSE.

• GATE Overflow

GATE Overflow is a website that has various free resources for CSE preparation including books and test series. The website also allows aspirants to ask questions and get answers from previous toppers, counsellors, and GATE experts. It also provides access to blogs that have updated information and detailed explanations about different GATE CSE topics.

• Neso Academy

NESO Academy has a website as well as a YouTube channel that contains bite-sized videos on various GATE CSE topics. It is a free resource with engaging content and helps in quick revision while preparing for the GATE exam.

• GATE Smashers

GATE Smashers is another YouTube channel that offers among the best free resources for GATE CSE preparation. It has comprehensive playlists related to various CSE, mathematics, and other topics covered in the GATE exam. They have a range of bite-sized and detailed videos that cover all the topics thereby acting as a useful tool during GATE preparation.

• GeeksforGeeks

GeeksforGeeks is an online community of engineering and GATE aspirants that covers all engineering topics. They have a free section of tutorials, quizzes and daily problem solving that can prove beneficial while preparing for GATE CSE.

Also Read: Tips to Get Top Rank in GATE 2026 in 5 Months

3. Free Books for GATE CSE Prep

Another best resource to prepare for GATE CSE is the free literature or books available online to cover all the topics. There are multiple legal websites in India that are free from copyright law which can be used to access these books. These include the National Digital Library (developed by IIT Kharagpur), Project Gutenberg, Open Library, and others.

4. Free Notes and Mock Test for GATE CSE Topics

Aspirants can easily access free notes on GATE CSE topics through websites like Examrace and GATE Forum. These websites have plenty of free material on GATE CSE and have also compiled previous years' papers for comprehensive practice. Students can refer to these free GATE CSE resources for notes however it is advised to prepare your own handwritten notes for better preparation and recollection.

Also Read: Avoid These 9 Common Mistakes in GATE Preparation 2026

GATE CSE Syllabus

The GATE CSE syllabus covers all topics covered in the UGC-recognized and AICTE-approved curriculums taught across various engineering colleges in India. The syllabus is vast and candidates are advised to create a structured road map to cover the entire syllabus. A brief regarding the GATE CSE Syllabus is given below:

• Engineering Mathematics
• Discrete Mathematics
• Digital Logic
• Computer Organization and Architecture
• Programming and Data Structures
• Algorithms
• Theory of Computation
• Compiler Design
• Operating Systems
• Databases
• Computer Networks

Using free resources for GATE CSE preparation is ideal for cost savings without compromising on the quality of preparation. Free GATE study material for CSE are flexible and self-paced thereby allowing students and working professionals to decide the pace for their preparation.

Must Read: Important Instructions to fill out the GATE 2026 Form