GATE 2026 Preparation: Here's what aspirants are targeting, IIT and NIT admission tops the Shiksha Poll
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
Result - 19 Mar '26
What motivates aspirants to crack the GATE exam 2026: A recent Shiksha poll with 993 votes reveals students motivation to crack GATE exam. Read below to know more.
Recently, Shiksha conducted a poll on "What motivates you most to crack GATE 2026" and with 993 votes, majority of aspirants have opted for IITs and NITs. Let's get deeper to understand, what does number say about aspirants goals.
Quick update:
- IIT Guwahati is conducting GATE 2026.
- The GATE 2026 application form fees are revised for all categories. For more details, visit the GATE 2026 admission and exam details.
- A new sectional paper, Energy Science (XE-I), is introduced under Engineering Sciences. The
- GATE 2026 examination will be held on February 7, 8, 14, and 15 in two shifts.
Admission to Top IITs and NITs through GATE 2026
For decades, IITs and NITs have been a top priority for engineering students. With 45% votes, it clearly shows its consistency among GATE aspirants for MTech and research.
⭐Why they shine so bright: An IIT/NIT admission through GATE more than a degree. Students who enter these institutes get high-package placements, research opportunties and more.
A Dream PSU Job with 42% Votes
42% of aspirants have said their motivation is securing a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) job through GATE. PSUs like ONGC, SAIL, GAIL, NTPC, and AAI have great job security, salaries, and additional perks and benefits. In addition, they offer better work and personal space with financial stability.
The close percentage difference between IIT/NIT admission and PSU jobs shows how equally popular both career routes have become among GATE aspirants.
Financial Stability
While only 13% of students selected financial stability as their top motivation, this number cannot be overlooked. For many aspirants, cracking GATE is a means to a secure and comfortable life. Both MTech admissions and PSU jobs are in a way offer rewarding career, but some aspirants prefer GATE as a mode of lifting their family's financial condition, making it personal
Also read:
After JEE session 2 is completed, only those candidates who are aiming for IITs need to start preparing for JEE Advanced after clearing JEE Main. Those who are above the 98th percentile should start preparing for JEE Advanced as soon as possible. Those below this, between the 95th and 98th percentile, should focus on attempting more mock tests and previous year question papers so that they have a better chance of clearing JEE Advanced
Yes, IIT Madras MBA admissions are open now. The institute is accepting online applications for its MBA course through the DoMS admission portal. Students must apply before the last date of application.
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What the Shiksha Poll Reveals About GATE 2026 Aspirants
Thus, the poll highlights that -
- IIT and PSU remains neck to neck competition
- Apsirants are more career and tech focused now.
The GATE exam continues to be a gateway to multiple opportunities, whether it is pursuing advanced education at IITs and NITs, landing a dream PSU job, or achieving financial stability.
The Shiksha poll for GATE 2026 reveals a clear picture: most aspirants are motivated by academic and career goals, with financial security as a strong underlying factor.
Upasana Pradhan is an Mtech graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering from DTU who specialises in curating postgraduate and undergraduate engineering entrance exam content, such as GATE, TS PGECET, KCET,
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Yes, with 50 marks in the GATE exam candidates can get admission to few IITs and NITs as well.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
For top NITs, the safe score in GATE will be roughly around 650 - 750 scores. However, it also depends on other factors, such as category, past year trends, etc.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Here are some colleges that offer M.Tech admission in CSE round -
- Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur
- Central University of Rajasthan
- Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology
- Central Institute of Technology, Kokrajhar
- Central University of Rajasthan
- Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
The GATE CCMT cutoff for CSE (round 1) at NIT Delhi can be checked below -
- Minimum GATE score - 668
- Maximum GATE score - 741
T
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Yes, 65 marks in GATE is considered as good and is expected to correspond to a AIR of 800-1000. Students who secure 65 marks do have good options in getting into IITs and NITs for branches like EE, ME, CE, etc.
H
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
MTech in CSE, ECE, ME, CE, DA, and EE usually have the highest salaries in India. Many IITs and IIITs offer placement packages over 50 LPA. However, the average package remains around 20 to 30 LPA.
For subjects like EE, CE, and ME opportunities for high salaries are mainly through PSU jobs, as these
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
There are 20000+ seats for M.Tech admission through GATE including IITs, NITs, and IISc admission. Each IITs have an approximately seat intake of 1000+ seats. On the other hand, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, have around 20000+ seats.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
The GATE 2026 toppers list will be released after the result, along with qualifying marks. Last year, 21 students secured GATE score of 1000, securing top AIR position in their respective subjects.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
Candidates can check toppers list on official website - gate2026.iitg.ac.in under GATE papers section. The topper's list will have the name of candidate, with raw marks and scores.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
Swarnava Biswas was the ECE topper in GATE 2025, securing 82.67 marks out of 100 and GATE score of 1000.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Admission to the BTech courses offered by IIT Madras are entrance-based and done on the basis of scores obtained in JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. Seats are allocated through JoSAA counselling after the results of the entrance exams are out. Students who clear the IIT Madras BTech cutoff are then required to go through document verification and pay the required fees to complete the process.