GATE 2026 Qualifying Marks: Expected Cutoff and Category-Wise Trends

The GATE 2026 qualifying cutoff is expected to be around 28-37 for the general category, 26-28.3 for OBC/EWS and 27-31 for SC/ST category. IIT Guwahati will release the official qualifying cutoff along with GATE result 2026 at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.

Based on past year trends, the expected GATE 2026 exam cutoff may vary across all 30 subjects. For PSU recruitment, the estimated GATE score may range from 700-800. Understanding these cutoffs helps you plan your preparation strategy and set realistic targets.

What Are GATE Qualifying Marks?

GATE qualifying marks are the minimum marks you need to score to pass the exam and become eligible for the admission process. Think of these marks as the entry barrier. Only students who meet this threshold will be eligible for further admission procedures.

Students scoring below the cutoff will be marked as not qualified, even if they fall just one mark short. The qualifying marks differ for each of the 30 subjects and vary based on several factors like difficulty level, number of candidates appeared, and past cutoff trends.

The GATE passing marks will be released for three categories: General, OBC-NCL/EWS, and SC/ST/PwD. As expected, the cutoff marks for the general category will be higher compared to the other two categories.

GATE 2026 Expected Cutoff by Subject

Here's a breakdown of the expected minimum qualifying cutoff marks for the General Category across different GATE papers:

• Aerospace Engineering (AE): 28-34
• Agricultural Engineering (AG): 24-29
• Architecture and Planning (AR): 40-43
• Biomedical Engineering (BM): 25-29
• Biotechnology (BT): 28-31
• Civil Engineering (CE): 30-33
• Chemical Engineering (CH): 24-27.5
• Computer Science and Information Technology (CSE): 30-34
• Chemistry (CY): 24-27
• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA): 36.5-38.7
• Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC): 24-27
• Electrical Engineering (EE): 25-28
• Environmental Science and Engineering (ES): 26-29
• Mechanical Engineering (ME): 36-40
• Mathematics (MA): 24-27
• Physics (PH): 31-33.2
• Statistics (ST): 25-28

These are preliminary estimates based on expert analysis and historical trends. Your actual qualifying marks may vary depending on the exam's difficulty level and other factors.

GATE Marks vs Rank: What to Expect

Based on last year's results, here's how marks typically correspond to ranks:

GATE AIR Range	Expected Marks (out of 100)
1 to 10	85-90 marks
10 to 50	82-87 marks
50 to 100	80-85 marks
100 to 200	78-83 marks
500 to 1000	74-79 marks
1000 to 2000	72-77 marks
5000 to 10000	60-65 marks

Understanding this correlation helps you set realistic targets based on the institutions or PSUs you're aiming for.

Scores Required for IITs, NITs, and PSU Recruitment

Let's talk about what scores you need for admission to top institutions and PSU recruitment.

To get a GATE AIR under 10, you'll need a GATE score above 900, which roughly translates to 85-90 marks. For a rank under 50, aim for 75-85 marks, and for a rank under 100, target around 70+ marks.

For top IIT admissions, a safe GATE score is around 700-800. However, for the most competitive branches and specializations, you'll need a score above 900. Top NITs typically require a safe GATE score around 650-750.

For PSU recruitment through GATE, a score ranging from 700-900+ (roughly 75+ marks) will be required. The exact requirement depends on the popularity of the PSU and the specific position you're applying for.

Do Qualifying Marks Change Every Year?

Yes, the minimum qualifying marks change every year. Several factors influence these changes:

• GATE question paper difficulty level
• Number of candidates who appeared for the exam
• Category type
• Past year cutoff trends

This is why you should always aim to score well above the expected cutoff. It gives you a safety margin and better chances of securing admission to your preferred institution.

Qualifying Cutoff vs Admission Cutoff

Many students confuse qualifying cutoff with admission cutoff. Let's clear this up.

The qualifying GATE cutoff is the minimum mark required to be eligible for the GATE admission counselling process. It's announced by the conducting IIT and includes qualifying marks for each paper. Meeting this cutoff doesn't guarantee you'll be selected for admission. It simply makes you eligible to participate in the counselling process.

The admission GATE cutoff, on the other hand, is the final opening and closing rank score fixed by participating institutes to select candidates. Each institution releases its own admission cutoff on their respective counselling portals (CCMT/COAP). This cutoff includes opening and closing ranks for courses offered at the institute.

How to Check GATE Qualifying Marks 2026

Checking GATE qualification marks is straightforward. You won't need any credentials to access the qualifying marks when they're first published. The authorities will activate the link on the official website homepage, and the information will be available for each subject along with the number of candidates registered and appeared for each GATE paper.

The GATE 2026 scorecard will be released on March 27, 2026, and will be available for free download until May 31. After that, you can still access it until December 31, 2026, by paying a fee of INR 500.

To download your scorecard, you'll need to login to the GOAPS portal using your enrollment ID or registered email ID and password. Only candidates who have qualified will be eligible to download their GATE result scorecard 2026. Remember, the scorecard is valid for three years.

Previous Year GATE Cutoffs at a Glance

GATE 2025 Cutoff Highlights

IIT Roorkee conducted GATE 2025, with results announced on March 19. Here are some key cutoffs from last year:

• Computer Science (CS): 29.2 (GEN), 26.2 (OBC-NCL/EWS), 19.4 (SC/ST/PwD)
• Mechanical Engineering (ME): 35.8 (GEN), 32.2 (OBC-NCL/EWS), 23.8 (SC/ST/PwD)
• Electrical Engineering (EE): 25 (GEN), 22.5 (OBC-NCL/EWS), 16.6 (SC/ST/PwD)
• Electronics and Communication (EC): 25 (GEN), 22.5 (OBC-NCL/EWS), 16.6 (SC/ST/PwD)
• Civil Engineering (CE): 29.2 (GEN), 26.2 (OBC-NCL/EWS), 19.4 (SC/ST/PwD)
• Data Science and AI (DA): 29 (GEN), 26.1 (OBC-NCL/EWS), 19.3 (SC/ST/PwD)

The total number of candidates registered was 936,019, with 747,319 actually appearing for the exam.

GATE 2024 Cutoff Highlights

IISc Bengaluru conducted GATE 2024, with results declared on March 16. Notable cutoffs included:

• Computer Science (CS): 27.6 (GEN), 24.8 (OBC-NCL/EWS), 18.4 (SC/ST/PwD)
• Data Science and AI (DA): 37.1 (GEN), 33.3 (OBC-NCL/EWS), 24.7 (SC/ST/PwD)
• Mechanical Engineering (ME): 28.6 (GEN), 25.7 (OBC-NCL/EWS), 19 (SC/ST/PwD)
• Electronics and Communication (EC): 25 (GEN), 22.5 (OBC-NCL/EWS), 16.6 (SC/ST/PwD)

The total registration was 826,239 candidates, with 653,292 appearing for the exam.

Key Takeaways for GATE 2026 Preparation

Understanding the qualifying marks and cutoff trends gives you a clear target for your preparation. Here are some practical tips:

First, don't just aim for the qualifying marks. Set your target higher to ensure a comfortable margin. This approach protects you from unexpected changes in cutoff and improves your chances of getting into top institutions.

Second, use previous year cutoffs as a reference, but remember they're not fixed. Each year brings different challenges and opportunities.

Third, focus on understanding the exam pattern and solving previous year question papers. This practice helps you identify important topics and understand how questions are framed.

Finally, keep track of important dates and make sure you download your GATE hall ticket 2026 on time. Missing deadlines can cost you a year of preparation.

The GATE 2026 exam is being conducted by IIT Guwahati, and branch-wise exam dates have been announced. Stay updated with official notifications and prepare systematically to achieve your target score.