The CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 is officially prescribed by CDAC for both the January 2026 and July 2026 cycles of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing Common Admission Test. The CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 is divided into three sections — Section A (common to all), Section B, and Section C — each of 1 hour with 50 multiple-choice questions and +3 / -1 marking. The full syllabus PDF is available on the official CDAC admission booklet at cdac.in. By understanding the CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 in detail, you can prepare effectively for the CDAC C-CAT 2026 exam — next scheduled for 4 – 5 July 2026 (August 2026 batch) — and improve your chances of scoring a top rank for admission to PG Certificate Programmes such as PG-DAC, PG-DBDA, PG-DITISS, PG-DESD, PG-DVLSI, PG-DIoT, PG-DAI, and PG-DCSF.
Latest: – CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 remains unchanged for both cycles. The January 2026 cycle is concluded; the July 2026 cycle (August 2026 batch) exam is on 4 – 5 July 2026. Start your preparation by downloading the syllabus PDF below.
CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026
How to study the CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026?
To effectively study the CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026, begin with the theory for each topic in Section A (universal for all candidates). If you are aiming for Category III PG Certificate Programmes like PG-DAC, cover Section B and Section C as well. Use standard reference books for each subject area and revise through CDAC C-CAT previous year question papers and mock tests. Building short notes for formulas, OS concepts, networking protocols, and core data structures will make revision much faster. If you encounter doubts, reach out to your teachers or peer study groups.
CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 PDF Download Link – Click here to access the official CDAC C-CAT admission booklet at cdac.in (contains the full syllabus PDF).
CDAC C-CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Before diving into the CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 sections, understand the exam pattern so that you can plan section-wise preparation accordingly.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 1 hour per section |
| Sections | 3 sections — A, B, C (50 MCQs each) |
| Medium / Language | English |
| Total Questions | 100 (Category II: A + B) or 150 (Category III: A + B + C) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct, -1 for wrong, 0 for unattempted |
| Maximum Marks | 300 (Category II) or 450 (Category III) |
| Frequency | Twice a year (January & July) |
| July 2026 Exam Date | 4 – 5 July 2026 (August 2026 batch) |
CDAC C-CAT 2026 Section A Syllabus
Section A is compulsory for every CDAC C-CAT candidate. It contains 50 questions and tests aptitude, English, reasoning, and computer fundamentals. Key topics:
- English: Grammar (tenses, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement), Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitutions), Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, Para Jumbles, Idioms & Phrases.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Number Systems, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Averages, Simple & Compound Interest, Permutations & Combinations, Probability, Mensuration, Algebra basics.
- Reasoning & Logical Ability: Series (number, letter, figure), Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Syllogisms, Statement & Conclusions, Analogies, Classification, Data Sufficiency, Puzzles.
- Computer Fundamentals: Number systems (binary, octal, hex), Boolean algebra, basic logic gates, computer organization basics, input/output devices, memory types, generations of computers, MS Office & Internet basics.
CDAC C-CAT 2026 Section B Syllabus
Section B is attempted by both Category II and Category III candidates. It focuses on core computer science subjects taught in undergraduate engineering / MCA / M.Sc. (CS/IT) programmes:
- Computer Architecture: CPU organization, registers, instruction cycle, pipelining, addressing modes, memory hierarchy, cache, virtual memory, I/O organization.
- Operating Systems: Process management, threads, scheduling, deadlocks, synchronization, memory management (paging, segmentation), file systems, I/O management, basics of Unix / Linux commands.
- Data Communication & Computer Networks: OSI & TCP/IP models, transmission media, switching, IP addressing, subnetting, routing protocols, application-layer protocols (HTTP, FTP, SMTP, DNS), basics of network security.
- Database Management Systems: ER model, relational model, SQL queries, normalization (1NF, 2NF, 3NF, BCNF), keys, joins, transactions, ACID properties, indexing basics.
- Programming in C: Data types, operators, control flow, functions, pointers, arrays, structures, file I/O, recursion, dynamic memory allocation.
CDAC C-CAT 2026 Section C Syllabus
Section C is attempted only by Category III candidates aiming for programming-intensive courses like PG-DAC, PG-DESD, PG-DVLSI, PG-DIoT, and PG-DCSF. It tests advanced programming and data structures:
- Data Structures: Arrays, Linked Lists (singly, doubly, circular), Stacks, Queues (linear, circular, priority, deque), Trees (binary, BST, AVL, B/B+), Heaps, Hashing, Graphs (BFS, DFS, shortest path, MST).
- Algorithms: Sorting (bubble, insertion, selection, merge, quick, heap), Searching (linear, binary), Recursion, Divide & Conquer, Greedy & Dynamic Programming basics, Time & Space Complexity (Big-O analysis).
- Object Oriented Programming (C++): Classes & Objects, Constructors & Destructors, Inheritance (single, multiple, multilevel, hybrid), Polymorphism (function overloading, operator overloading, virtual functions), Encapsulation, Abstraction, Templates, Exception Handling, STL basics.
- Discrete Mathematics: Set theory, relations & functions, propositional logic, graph theory basics, combinatorics.
CDAC C-CAT Section-wise Weightage (Indicative)
Each section carries 50 questions of 3 marks each (150 marks per section). The indicative topic weightage within each section, based on past papers, is shown below to help you prioritise high-yield areas.
| Section | Key Areas | Indicative Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Section A | Quantitative Aptitude | ~35-40% |
| Section A | Reasoning & Logical Ability | ~25-30% |
| Section A | English | ~20-25% |
| Section A | Computer Fundamentals | ~10-15% |
| Section B | Operating Systems + Networks | ~40% |
| Section B | DBMS + Computer Architecture | ~30% |
| Section B | C Programming | ~30% |
| Section C | Data Structures + Algorithms | ~55% |
| Section C | OOP / C++ | ~35% |
| Section C | Discrete Mathematics | ~10% |
CDAC C-CAT Course Categories — Which Sections to Attempt?
CDAC C-CAT 2026 categorises PG Certificate Programmes based on the sections candidates need to attempt. Check the table below to plan accordingly:
| Category | Sections to Attempt | Eligible Programmes (Indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Category II | Section A + Section B (2 hours, 100 MCQs) | PG-DBDA, PG-DITISS, PG-DAI, PG-DBA (varies by year) |
| Category III | Section A + Section B + Section C (3 hours, 150 MCQs) | PG-DAC, PG-DESD, PG-DVLSI, PG-DIoT, PG-DCSF |
Note: Category III candidates can be considered for both Category II and Category III courses, provided they meet the qualifying criteria for each. Category II candidates can apply only for Category II courses.
CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 PDF Download
The complete official CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 PDF is part of the CDAC Admission Booklet, released by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing. You can download it directly from the official admissions portal:
- CDAC C-CAT Admission Booklet (Official) — contains syllabus PDF
- CDAC C-CAT Admission Page (Official)
- Official Website of CDAC
Best Books for CDAC C-CAT Preparation
The following reference books are widely recommended for CDAC C-CAT 2026 preparation, covering all three sections of the syllabus:
- English: High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin; Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- Quantitative Aptitude: Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R. S. Aggarwal; How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
- Reasoning: A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R. S. Aggarwal
- Computer Fundamentals: Computer Fundamentals by P. K. Sinha; Fundamentals of Computers by V. Rajaraman
- C Programming: Let Us C by Yashavant Kanetkar; The C Programming Language by Kernighan & Ritchie
- OOP / C++: Object Oriented Programming with C++ by E. Balagurusamy; The C++ Programming Language by Bjarne Stroustrup
- Data Structures: Data Structures Through C by S. K. Srivastava; Data Structures and Algorithms Made Easy by Narasimha Karumanchi
- Operating Systems: Operating System Concepts by Silberschatz, Galvin & Gagne
- Networks: Data Communications and Networking by Behrouz Forouzan; Computer Networks by Andrew Tanenbaum
- DBMS: Database System Concepts by Silberschatz, Korth & Sudarshan
- Computer Architecture: Computer Organization & Architecture by William Stallings
CDAC C-CAT 2026 Preparation Tips
- Section A is Critical: Without qualifying Section A, you will not get a rank in any category. Treat it as your top priority.
- Time Management: Each section is exactly 60 minutes for 50 questions — about 70 seconds per question. Practise speed problem-solving daily.
- Mind the Negative Marking: -1 per wrong answer is significant. Skip questions you are unsure about rather than guessing.
- Programming Practice: If aiming for Section C, code regularly in C and C++. Trace pointer arithmetic, recursion, and OOP scenarios on paper.
- Mock Tests: Attempt at least 6-8 full-length mock tests in the final 4 weeks — ideally on the CBT interface to get used to the platform.
- Revise Core CS Concepts: OS scheduling, memory management, TCP/IP addressing, SQL joins, and data structure operations are recurring areas in CDAC C-CAT.
CDAC C-CAT 2026
The CDAC C-CAT is a National level PG Diploma entrance exam for admission to C-DAC’s 24-week, 1200-hour PG Certificate Programmes — PG-DAC, PG-DBDA, PG-DITISS, PG-DESD, PG-DVLSI, PG-DIoT, PG-DAI, and PG-DCSF — offered at C-DAC training centres across India, with the next exam on 4-5 July 2026. Alongside this syllabus, revise using CDAC C-CAT previous year question papers, download your CDAC C-CAT admit card before the exam, and after the exam track your CDAC C-CAT result and rank card on aglasem.com.
CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 – An Overview
| Exam and Syllabus Aspect | Aspect Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CDAC C-CAT 2026 |
| Complete Exam Name | Centre for Development of Advanced Computing Common Admission Test |
| Official Body That Releases Syllabus | CDAC |
| Similar Entrance Exams | PG Diploma Entrance Exams |
| Scale of Exam | National Level |
| Official Website for Syllabus | cdac.in |
| Number of Sections | 3 (A, B, C) |
| Total Questions per Section | 50 MCQs (1 hour each) |
| Total Questions in Exam | 100 (Category II: A+B) or 150 (Category III: A+B+C) |
| Marking | +3 correct, -1 wrong, 0 unattempted |
| July 2026 Exam Date | 4 – 5 July 2026 (August 2026 batch) |
| Changes from Previous Year | No changes — CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 same as previous year |
| Courses Where Admission is Through This Test | PG Certificate Programmes (PG-DAC, PG-DBDA, PG-DITISS, PG-DESD, PG-DVLSI, PG-DIoT, PG-DAI, PG-DCSF) |
| Colleges Where Admission is Through This Test | C-DAC Training Centres across India |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. No. CDAC has not introduced any changes in the CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026. The syllabus continues to be divided into three sections: Section A (English, QA, Reasoning, Computer Fundamentals), Section B (Computer Architecture, OS, Networks, DBMS, C Programming), and Section C (Data Structures, Algorithms, OOP / C++, Discrete Mathematics).
Ans. The CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 has 3 sections: Section A (universal), Section B (Computer Science core), and Section C (programming and data structures). Each section is 1 hour and has 50 MCQs.
Ans. PG-DAC is a Category III course, so you need to attempt all three sections (A + B + C) for a total of 150 MCQs across 3 hours. Without a Category III rank (which requires Section C), you cannot be considered for PG-DAC admission.
Ans. High-weightage topics include: Section A – Quantitative Aptitude (arithmetic, percentages, time-work-distance), Reasoning (series, blood relations, syllogism), Reading Comprehension. Section B – Operating Systems (scheduling, deadlocks), Networks (TCP/IP, subnetting), DBMS (SQL, normalisation), C Programming (pointers, recursion). Section C – Data Structures (trees, linked lists, sorting algorithms), OOP / C++ (inheritance, polymorphism).
Ans. The official CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 PDF is part of the CDAC Admission Booklet, available at cdac.in/index.aspx?id=edu_acts_admission_booklet. It is also accessible from the CDAC admission page on cdac.in.
Ans. Category II candidates attempt Sections A + B and are eligible for courses like PG-DBDA, PG-DITISS, PG-DAI. Category III candidates attempt Sections A + B + C and are eligible for the more programming-intensive courses like PG-DAC, PG-DESD, PG-DVLSI, PG-DIoT, PG-DCSF. Category III candidates can also be considered for Category II courses.
Ans. The CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 PDF lists topics only; for in-depth concept coverage, standard reference books are essential. For example, Let Us C by Yashavant Kanetkar for C Programming, Silberschatz for OS, Forouzan for Networks, Wren and Martin for English, and R. S. Aggarwal for Quantitative Aptitude. Combine these with previous year question papers and mock tests for the best results.
Ans. Yes. The CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026 is the same for both the January 2026 cycle (February 2026 batch) and the July 2026 cycle (August 2026 batch, exam on 4-5 July 2026). Only the exam dates and application windows differ between the two cycles.
If you have any questions about the CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2026, feel free to ask in the comments section below. If you found this page helpful, please share it with others preparing for CDAC C-CAT.
I had given exam of CCAT Feb-2020 batch exam , I got rank sec-A = 1409, sec.A+B=2673, sec.A+B+C=320. Which centres , I could get as per my ranking of category 2 and 3? Can I get any pune centres easily in first or second round? Mostly preferring category 3. Please tell me.
Hey Praneet! I am sorry i don’t know anything regarding this but i want your help for the same exam. Please reach out to me through whatsapp my mobile number is eight nine eight two five two one five 62. I will be giving my first attempt in July. Hope you’ll help.