GATE 2026 XE Cutoff: Expected Marks & Past Year Trends for Engineering Sciences

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )

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GATE 2026 Scorecard by paying a fee of INR 500 per test paper

1 Jun '26 - 31 Dec '26

Vikrant
Vikrant Shukla
Deputy Manager
Updated on Mar 25, 2026 12:18 IST
Engineering Sciences is a multidisciplinary paper which features questions on the Mathematics section (XE-A) and optional subjects such as Fluid Mechanics, Materials Science, and Thermodynamics. Check here the GATE 2026 cut off XE and the target scores which students need to crack.

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

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:

Table of contents
  • 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

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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

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34.1

25.2

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40.3

36.2

26.8

2021

IIT Bombay

37.0

33.3

24.6

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About the Author
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Vikrant Shukla
Deputy Manager

Vikrant Shukla - Deputy Manager

Role: News Writer & Editor

Education: Graduation in Mass Communication, Master's in Political Science

Expertise: Engineering and IT & Software Exams

About: Vikrant has 10+ years of ex

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