The CDAC C-CAT 2027 syllabus has three sections. Section A covers English, aptitude, reasoning and computer fundamentals. Section B covers C, data structures, C++, operating systems, networking and basics of big data and AI. Section C covers computer architecture, digital electronics and microprocessors. It applies to the January 2027 C-CAT.
CDAC C-CAT Syllabus 2027
This page lists the official C-CAT topics for each section, the exam pattern, the section each course needs and the books C-DAC recommends.
What is the CDAC C-CAT 2027 syllabus for each section?
C-DAC gives an indicative, topic-level syllabus for each of the three C-CAT sections, as shown below.
| Section | Topics | Who writes it |
|---|---|---|
| Section A | English; Quantitative Aptitude; Reasoning; Computer Fundamentals and Concepts of Programming | All candidates |
| Section B | C Programming; Data Structures; Object Oriented Programming Concepts using C++; Operating Systems and Networking; Basics of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence | All candidates |
| Section C | Computer Architecture; Digital Electronics; Microprocessors | Category III candidates only |
C-DAC does not publish sub-topics, so use the reference books listed below to judge depth. Section B now includes basics of big data and AI, so do not rely on older study plans that skip it.
What is the CDAC C-CAT 2027 exam pattern and marking?
Every C-CAT section has 50 multiple-choice questions with four options, lasts one hour and carries 150 marks.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-based test at C-DAC test centres |
| Medium | English |
| Questions per section | 50 (one correct option out of four) |
| Marking | +3 for a correct answer, -1 for a wrong answer, 0 if unattempted |
| Category II total | Sections A + B: 100 questions, 2 hours, 300 marks |
| Category III total | Sections A + B + C: 150 questions, 3 hours, 450 marks |
In July 2026 the sections ran back to back in a morning or afternoon slot: Section A at 9:30 am or 2:00 pm, Section B at 10:45 am or 3:15 pm, and Section C at 12:00 noon or 4:30 pm.
Which C-CAT sections do you need for your course?
The course category you pick in the application form decides which sections you write, and it cannot be changed later.
| Course category | C-CAT sections | PG Certificate Programmes (August 2026 list) |
|---|---|---|
| Category II | A + B (2 hours, 300 marks) | PGCP-AC (Advanced Computing, formerly PG-DAC), PGCP-BDA (Big Data Analytics), PGCP-AI (Artificial Intelligence), PGCP-ITISS, PGCP-MC (Mobile Computing), PGCP-ASSD, PGCP-HPCSA, PGCP-FBD (FinTech and Blockchain), PGCP-CSF (Cyber Security and Forensics), PGCP-RAT (Robotics) |
| Category III | A + B + C (3 hours, 450 marks) | PGCP-ESD (Embedded Systems Design), PGCP-VLSI (VLSI Design) |
PGCP-AC, the old PG-DAC, needs only Sections A and B. Category III candidates also get a Category II rank, so they can choose courses from both lists.
How should you prepare for each C-CAT section?
Start with Section A, because a poor Section A score means no rank in any category. Candidates in the lowest 10% of Section A are not ranked at all.
- Section A: revise grammar and reading for English, and practise arithmetic and reasoning sets daily against the clock (50 questions in 60 minutes).
- Section B: write and trace C and C++ programs by hand (pointers, arrays, structures, classes), revise common data structures, OS concepts such as processes, scheduling and memory, and networking basics, then read an introduction to big data and AI.
- Section C: revise number systems, logic gates and combinational and sequential circuits, computer organisation, and 8085 microprocessor architecture and programming.
Because each wrong answer costs 1 mark, skip questions where you cannot rule out at least two options. Practise full sections from CDAC C-CAT previous year papers under timed conditions.
Where can I download the C-CAT syllabus PDF?
The C-CAT syllabus is part of C-DAC’s admission booklet, which is released for each batch on the admission page. The current booklet is for the August 2026 batch.
- LINKC-DAC PG Certificate Programmes Admission Booklet, August 2026 batch (latest)Official site · cdac.inOpen
- LINKC-DAC PG Certificate Programmes admission page (official website)Official site · cdac.inOpen
Which books are best for CDAC C-CAT 2027?
C-DAC’s admission booklet lists these reference books for C-CAT topics and advises reading beyond them.
| Section | Topic | Reference books |
|---|---|---|
| A | English | Any high school grammar book (e.g. Wren and Martin) |
| A | Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning | Quantitative Aptitude Fully Solved (R. S. Aggarwal); Quantitative Aptitude (M. Tyra); Barron’s New GRE |
| A | Computer Fundamentals and Concepts of Programming | Foundations of Computing (Pradeep Sinha and Priti Sinha) |
| B | C Programming | The C Programming Language (Kernighan and Ritchie); Let Us C (Yashavant Kanetkar) |
| B | Data Structures | Data Structures Through C in Depth (S. K. Srivastava) |
| B | Operating Systems and Networking | Operating System Principles (Silberschatz, Galvin, Gagne); Data Communication and Networking (Forouzan) |
| B | OOP Concepts using C++ | Test Your C++ Skills (Yashavant Kanetkar) |
| B | Basics of Big Data and AI | Fundamentals of Data Engineering (Joe Reis, Matt Housley); Artificial Intelligence for Dummies (John Paul Mueller, Luca Massaron) |
| C | Computer Architecture | Computer Organization and Architecture (William Stallings) |
| C | Digital Electronics | Digital Design (Morris Mano); Digital Design: Principles and Practices (John Wakerly); Modern Digital Electronics (R. P. Jain) |
| C | Microprocessors | Microprocessor Architecture, Programming and Applications with 8085 (Ramesh Gaonkar); The Intel Microprocessors (Barry Brey) |