GATE DA 2025 Answer Key PDF with Solutions & Cutoffs
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering): The GATE 2025 exam for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) was one of the most anticipated and competitive papers this year. With rapid growth in demand for AI and analytics roles, the DA paper continues to attract students from various academic backgrounds. Following the exam, candidates have been eager to analyze their performance, estimate their scores, and check category-wise cutoff expectations. This blog provides all essential information related to the GATE 2025 DA paper, including the official answer key PDF, syllabus, paper pattern, marking scheme, and strategic tips for future aspirants.
What is GATE 2026 DA?
The GATE 2025 paper for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) has become one of the most sought-after specializations in the GATE ecosystem. This paper evaluates candidates across a range of core and applied areas, including mathematics, programming, databases, machine learning, and AI logic. With rapid growth in the demand for data scientists and AI professionals, this paper attracts candidates from diverse academic backgrounds, including computer science, mathematics, and electronics. The answer key for GATE DA 2025, released by IIT Roorkee, provides the correct responses to all questions and helps candidates estimate their scores and assess qualification chances.
Streamwise Syllabus Breakdown
The official syllabus for GATE DA 2025 spans six major domains:
Probability and Statistics: Random variables, distributions, statistical inference
Linear Algebra: Vector spaces, eigenvalues, matrix operations
Calculus and Optimization: Differentiation, Taylor series, maxima-minima
Programming, Data Structures & Algorithms: Python, graphs, trees, sorting algorithms
Database Systems: SQL, normalization, data models, indexing
Machine Learning and AI: Supervised/unsupervised learning, neural networks, logical reasoning, search algorithms
Candidates who prepared systematically across these domains were better equipped to attempt conceptual and applied questions.
Total Candidates Appeared in GATE DA 2025
The GATE 2025 DA paper saw considerable participation:
Total Registered Candidates: 75,854
Total Appeared Candidates: 57,054
With over 57,000 candidates appearing for the paper, competition was intense. The DA paper is now among the top five in terms of participation, reflecting its growing popularity and career relevance.
Paper Pattern for GATE DA 2025
The DA paper followed the standard GATE format:
Total Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
Total Questions: 65
Total Marks: 100
Breakdown:
General Aptitude (GA): 10 questions (15 marks)
DA Subject Questions: 55 questions (85 marks)
Question types included:
MCQs: Multiple Choice, with negative marking
MSQs: Multiple Select, no negative marking
NATs: Numerical Answer Type, no negative marking
GATE DA Answer Key 2025 PDF Download Link
The official answer key for GATE DA 2025 was released by IIT Roorkee on the GOAPS portal. This key includes the correct responses to all 65 questions from the DA paper, helping candidates cross-check their answers and estimate their probable scores. Alongside the key, IIT Roorkee also provided a window to challenge the responses before finalizing results. Candidates are encouraged to download the answer key PDF for future reference and use it as a learning tool for error analysis. To access the GATE DA 2025 answer key, log in to the official GATE 2025 website and navigate to the “Candidate Login” section.
Cutoff Marks for GATE DA 2025
The official cutoff scores for the GATE 2025 Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) paper were released by IIT Roorkee shortly after the result announcement. These benchmarks are essential for determining qualification status across different categories.
Candidates in the General category were required to score at least 29.0 marks to qualify. This reflects a moderately challenging paper where conceptual clarity was crucial.
For those in the OBC-NCL and EWS categories, the qualifying mark was slightly lower at 26.1 marks. This marginal difference indicates that competition remained tough across all groups, and high precision in problem-solving was necessary to meet the benchmark.
The qualifying mark for SC, ST, and PwD candidates was set at 19.3 marks. While this threshold provides more accessibility, it still demands consistent preparation across all major topics of the DA syllabus.
It’s important to note that these cutoffs only represent the minimum qualification. For admissions into top IITs or for PSU shortlisting, aspirants generally require scores in the 55–70+ range, depending on the institute and the year’s competition.
Marking Scheme Summary
The GATE DA 2025 exam used a structured marking scheme consistent with other GATE papers, aimed at rewarding accurate responses while penalizing guesswork in select question types.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) had negative marking:
For 1-mark questions, -1/3 mark was deducted for each incorrect answer.
For 2-mark questions, -2/3 mark was deducted for each wrong attempt.
Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions did not carry any negative marking, encouraging logical deduction and calculated risk.
The overall mark distribution was as follows:
General Aptitude: 15 marks
DA Subject Questions: 85 marks
Understanding this structure helps candidates formulate an attempt strategy—especially when deciding how much to guess or skip in high-stakes sections. Precision and confidence are key when approaching MCQs, while MSQs and NATs allow more exploration without fear of penalty.
Strategy for GATE 2026 Aspirants
For candidates targeting future GATE DA attempts:
Begin with core concepts in probability, linear algebra, and supervised learning
Regularly refer to the official syllabus and plan topic-wise practice
Use previous year papers and official answer keys to simulate exam experience
Focus on General Aptitude to secure easy marks
Track your progress with mock tests and detailed error analysis
With smart planning, deep conceptual understanding, and consistent practice, cracking GATE DA becomes a structured and achievable goal.
Conclusion
The release of the GATE 2025 DA answer key and cutoff scores offers clarity for thousands of aspirants reviewing their performance and planning their next steps. Whether you’re waiting for admission calls, preparing for COAP/CCMT counseling, or aiming to retake the exam in 2026, understanding the paper’s structure and performance benchmarks is key. Download the official syllabus, analyze the solutions, and keep refining your strategy—success in GATE DA is built on both insight and consistency.
GATE FAQS
Admit cards will be available for download in January 2025.
GATE scores are valid for three years from the date of result announcement.
Yes, but only during the correction window, and you may need to provide supporting documents.
Upload the side of your ID showing your photo, name, date of birth, and ID number.
Yes, but you must upload an affidavit with your photo ID.
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