Choosing the right reference books is crucial for GATE CSE/IT preparation. The books listed below are recommended by experts and have proven to be effective for understanding core concepts and solving GATE-level problems. These books cover all subjects in the GATE CSE/IT syllabus and are widely used by successful GATE aspirants.
The following reference books are organized by subject to help you find the right resources for each topic in the GATE CSE/IT 2026 syllabus.
Engineering Mathematics
| S.No. | Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matrices | AR Vasista |
| 2 | Higher Engineering Mathematics | BS Grewal |
| 3 | Probability and Statistics | Miller and Freund |
| 4 | Discrete Mathematics | Schaum's Series |
| 5 | Graph Theory | Narsingh Deo |
| 6 | Numerical Methods | Golden Series |
| 7 | Numerical Methods | Jain and Iyengar |
Theory of Computation
| S.No. | Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Automata | Ullman and Hopcroft |
| 2 | Introduction to Computer Theory | Daniel Cohen (2nd Edition) |
| 3 | Theory of Computer Science (2nd Edition) | Chandrasekaran & Mishra |
| 4 | Switching and Finite Automata Theory | Kohavi |
Algorithms
| S.No. | Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms | Aho, Hopcroft and Ullman |
| 2 | Computer Algorithms | Horowitz and Sahni |
| 3 | Introduction to Algorithms | Thomas Cormen, Charles Leiserson, Ronald Rivest, Clifford Stein |
Digital Logic
| S.No. | Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Digital Logic and Computer Design | Morris Mano |
| 2 | Digital Principles and Applications | Leach and Malvino |
Computer Organization and Architecture
| S.No. | Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Organization and Architecture | William Stallings |
| 2 | Computer Architecture and Organization | Hayes |
Programming Languages
| S.No. | Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Programming Languages | Pratt and Zelkowitz |
| 2 | C Programming Language | Kernighan and Ritchie |
Compiler Design
| S.No. | Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Principles of Compiler Design | Aho and Ullman |
Operating Systems
| S.No. | Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | System Programming and Operating Systems | Dhamdhere |
| 2 | Operating Systems | William Stallings |
| 3 | Operating System Concepts | Galvin and Silberschatz |
Computer Networks
| S.No. | Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Networks | Andrew Tanenbaum |
| 2 | Data Communications | William Stallings |
| 3 | An Engineering Approach to Computer Networks | S Keshav |
Database Management Systems
| S.No. | Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | An Introduction to Database Systems | CJ Date |
| 2 | Database System Concepts | Korth and Sudarshan |
| 3 | Fundamentals of Database Systems | Elmasri and Navathe |
How to Use These Reference Books for GATE 2026 Preparation
Start with Standard Textbooks: Begin with the standard textbooks for each subject to build a strong foundation. These books provide comprehensive coverage of concepts.
Focus on Core Concepts: Pay special attention to fundamental concepts as GATE questions are often based on core principles rather than advanced topics.
Practice Problems: Solve problems from these books regularly. Many GATE questions are inspired by problems from standard textbooks.
Combine with Previous Papers: Use these books alongside GATE previous year papers to understand the type of questions asked and the depth of knowledge required.
Revision Strategy: Keep these books handy for quick reference during revision. Use them to clarify doubts and strengthen weak areas.
Additional Recommendations
If you know of better books than those listed above, please contact us and let us know. We will list them here so that they might be useful for other CSE/IT students preparing for GATE 2026.
Note: While these books are highly recommended, it's important to focus on understanding concepts rather than just reading multiple books. Choose 1-2 books per subject and study them thoroughly.
Related Resources
GATE CSE Syllabus
Complete syllabus for GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
GATE CSE Previous Papers
Previous year question papers with answer keys
GATE CSE Study Notes
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RK Kanodia GATE CSE PDF
Comprehensive GATE CSE study material
GATE CSE Subject Weightage
Topic-wise weightage analysis for CSE
GATE Exam Dates & Eligibility
Important dates, eligibility criteria, and exam pattern