GATE 2026 XE Cutoff: Expected Marks & Past Year Trends for Engineering Sciences
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
GATE 2026 Scorecard (free download)
27 Mar '26 - 31 May '26
The GATE cut off for XE for the 2026 session is expected to be released soon. The cut off will be released after the results are out. Meanwhile, candidates can check here the expected GATE 2026 cut off XE.
Expected Marks for 2026 Session & Past Year Trends
GATE 2026 Cutoff for XE: The GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences (XE) cutoff for General category candidates is expected to be around 35-37, for OBC-NCL/EWS candidates it is expected to be around 31-33, while for SC/ST/PwD the cut off is based to be around 23-25. These figures are calculated based on pre-exam analysis, paper difficulty. Like previous year 2025 the cutoff can be similar to 35.4. The GATE exam for XE was conducted on Feb 7, 2026 in first shift and the exam was of moderate to difficult level. Although some questions were lenghty, good attempts were still 55-56 questions.
It is important for students who appeared in GATE 2026, to understand GATE 2026 Cutoff for Engineering Science (XE). Knowing cut off marks of GATE 2026 for XE will help them know the minimum marks required to get admission into IITs, NITs, and IIITs, along with as Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). For the GATE 2025 Engineering Sciences (XE) paper. Check GATE branch wise dates for the 2026 session. Candidates can check here the cut off of GATE 2026 XL to know the minimum marks required to crack the exam.
Latest on GATE 2026: GATE 2026 Result OUT Live: scorecard link, branch-wise cutoff, toppers list, final answer key
The cutoff for GATE 2026 is divided into types: qualifying cutoff, and admission cutoff. Qualifying cutoff of GATE determines if you have passed exam, and admission cutoff varies by institute based on competition and seat availability. After analysing past year cut off trends for XE paper, it has been noticed that different combinations (Materials Science vs. Atmospheric Science) can vary in difficulty. IIT Guwahati will utilize normalization formula to level playing field before finalizing cutoff.
Also read:
- Key Insights - GATE 2026 Engineering Science (XE)
- Expected GATE 2026 XE Qualifying Cutoff
- GATE Cut off 2026 - Factors Influencing Cutoff
- Past year Cut off trends - GATE XE Official Qualifying Cutoff (2021–2025) - Category-wise out of 100 marks
Key Insights - GATE 2026 Engineering Science (XE)
- Most XE students apply for interdisciplinary programs.
- Top IITs (IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur) conduct written tests OR interviews for XE candidates.
- GATE score serves as 70% weightage, remaining 30% depends on interview.
- For NITs, the Centralized Counselling for M.Tech handles the admission process
- XE candidates find seats in Thermal, Fluid, or Materials streams with scores ranging from 450 - 600.
Also read: GATE EE Syllabus 2026
Expected GATE 2026 XE Qualifying Cutoff
| Institute |
Specialisation |
Expected GATE Score (General) |
|---|---|---|
| IISc Bangalore |
Materials Engineering / Computational Science |
750 - 850 |
| IIT Bombay |
Energy Science / Materials Science |
700 - 800 |
| IIT Madras |
Industrial Tribology / Ocean Engineering |
650 - 750 |
| IIT Delhi |
Energy Studies / Atmospheric Sciences |
680 - 780 |
| IIT Kanpur |
Materials Science / Fluid & Thermal Sciences |
650 - 750 |
| IIT Roorkee |
Disaster Mitigation / Polymers |
600 - 700 |
| IISc Bangalore |
Materials Engg / Computational Science |
780 - 860 |
| IIT Kharagpur |
Cryogenic Engg / Water Resources |
600 - 700 |
Also read: GATE 2026 DA Syllabus
GATE Cut off 2026 - Factors Influencing Cutoff
| Factor |
Impact on Cutoff |
Key Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Difficulty |
Inverse Relationship |
High difficulty leads to lower cutoffs (2022 session); easier papers push cutoffs higher. |
| Candidate Volume |
Direct Competition |
An increase in applicants for a paper like XE typically raises qualifying threshold. |
| Overall Performance |
Statistical Shift |
Calculated via Mean & Standard Deviation; top 10% of performers set baseline. |
| Category Reservation |
Proportional Decrease |
OBC/EWS cutoffs are usually 90% and SC/ST/PwD are 66.6% of General cutoff. |
| Historical Trends |
Consistency Benchmark |
IITs aim for standard consistency; historical data helps predict likely range. |
| Seat Availability |
Admission Specific |
Affects COAP and CCMT requirements; fewer seats in top IITs drive up admission scores. |
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Past year Cut off trends - GATE XE Official Qualifying Cutoff (2021–2025) - Category-wise out of 100 marks
| Exam Year |
Organizing Institute |
General (UR) |
OBC-NCL / EWS |
SC / ST / PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
IIT Roorkee |
35.4 |
31.8 |
23.5 |
| 2024 |
IISc Bangalore |
36.2 |
32.5 |
24.1 |
| 2023 |
IIT Kanpur |
37.9 |
34.1 |
25.2 |
| 2022 |
IIT Kharagpur |
40.3 |
36.2 |
26.8 |
| 2021 |
IIT Bombay |
37.0 |
33.3 |
24.6 |
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MANIT M.Tech fellowship is paid every month based on your attendance. You need to fill out a simple form and get it signed by your teacher. This shows you attended your classes and did your lab assistant work. Once the department confirms this, the money goes straight to your bank account.
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Yes, COAP is only for M.Tech and PhD admissions at IITs and IISc Bangalore. The portal also updates job offers for some PSUs. Overall, around 23+ IITs participate in GATE COAP counselling every year.
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With a GATE EC 2026 score of 609 and EWS category rank, you are well within the cutoff range for M.Tech in VLSI/Microelectronics at several IITs (like IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee) and top NITs (like NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, NIT Calicut). Your score is strong enough to target premier in
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