GATE 2025 Counselling Tips and Hacks to Research Colleges Smartly: Check NIT and IITs cutoff, counselling dates and more
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2025 ( GATE )
Admit Card - 2 Jan '26
How to research colleges and institutes smartly during GATE Counselling: If you have qualified GATE exam and confused on which college to choose during counselling? Here's a smart way to find out. As per experts advice and guidance, check out some tips on how to get into IITs and NITs with GATE scorecard.
Qualified GATE exam? Well, your GATE 2026 rank which is valid for three years, can open opportunities, if done wisely. Achieving good GATE 2026 rank is first stage. The real hustle starts after that. With so many college options, here is a complete process on how to research for colleges during GATE counselling period.
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GATE 2025 Statistics
IISc Bangalore admission is competitive due to high cutoff and limited seats. The entrance tests required for getting admission in the institute are taken by many. Hence, the chances of securing seat becomes less. Students are required to perform well in the entrance exam required for their course to get admission in the institute. In 2024, the JEE Main closing R1 cutoff for General category candidates was 903 for BSc (Research) in Physics.
To be eligible for BSc an IISc Bangalore, candidates must meet with the minimum eligibility criteria set by the institute and go through the selection rounds accepted by the institute. Details around the same are as follows:
- Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as main subjects in their qualifying exam along with any other subjects with first class or 60% aggregate (relaxed to just pass for SC/ ST students)
- Selection: Merit list of one of the national examinations, among Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) KVPY (Stream-SA)/ JEE Main/ JEE Advanced/ NEET (UG) and IISER Aptitude Test
NOTE:
- Candidate must be qualified in any one of the exams mentioned above, and the exam result must be valid as on Aug 1 of the year of admission.
- IISER Aptitude Test is introduced as a new mode of entry for the academic year 2024. Candidates have to apply directly on the IISc admission portal to apply through this mode.
Last year, IIT Roorkee conducted GATE 2025 exam and has showed an impressive record. More than 20 students have scored GATE score of 1000 across various branches.
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Also read:
- GATE 2025 IIT Bombay cutoff OUT
- GATE 2025 IISc Bangalore cutoff OUT
- MTech colleges accepting GATE scores in India
Know Your GATE Rank and Score
Before GATE counselling process start, check following and stay ready
- Check your GATE score and rank
- Compare with last five years GATE cutoff trends and check where you stand. Also refer to GATE top branches and cutoff trends to analyse.
Use the Shiksha GATE college predictors
Understand GATE Counselling Process
To seek admission to the BTech programme offered at IIT Madras, candidates need to visit the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and fill out the application form in online mode for JEE Main. For other courses such as MSc, MTech, BS-MS (Dual Degree) etc., candidates must visit the official website of the respective national-level entrance exam conducting bodies and fill out the application form in online mode. IIT Madras admission to most of the courses is entrance-based.
No, NIT Trichy does not provide direct admission for BTech. NIT Trichy BTech admission is entrance-based. The institute accepts admission to the BTech course through a valid score of JEE Main. Every aspirant needs to qualify for the exam in order to get admission. Selected candidates further need to take part in JoSAA counselling as well. There is no other procedure for admission.
GATE counselling is conducted by COAP and CCMT. COAP counselling portal offer admission to IITs. CCMT offers admission to NITs and others.
Also Read:
- GATE IIT MTech cutoff: category-wise GATE cutoff and more
- GATE 2025 cutoff for NITs: past-year's cutoff trends and analysis
- GATE 2025 score to rank conversion: what aspirants need to know
Identify your Priorities
Every candidate has different career goals. So, ask these three simple questions -
- What is your goal? Do you want to go for higher studies or research work?
- Do you opt for PSU jobs or corporate jobs?
- What is your preferece: IIT in a remote location or get into an IIT or NIT in city?
Now based on above questions, look for brand value, location and campus facilities, research work, placeement, and fee structure.
Did not appear GATE, but want to pursue MTech? Check how to get into IITs without GATE scores?
Research Department Based
Visit official website and look for facilities and features. Check for following -
- Course Curriculum
- Labs and Research Facilities
- Ongoing Projects
Use Online Platforms
Also go through NIRF rankings, recent graduate reviews, and GATE topper's video sharing their experiences.
Make an Institute Checklist
| College Priority | What to do? |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 - Dream Colleges |
IITs or IISc with cutoffs which is close to your GATE rank |
| Tier 2 - Target Mid Colleges |
Institutes where your score is close to past GATE cutoffs |
| Safe Colleges that accept Low GATE scores |
Select colleges where GATE cutoff is below your rank |
Here are some top institutes and their popular programmes offered -
- IIIT Hyderabad - for Computer Science
- NIT Trichy for core engineering branches
- BITS Pilani or Jadavpur University for research based programs
Also Read: GATE 2025 Topper's List
Stay Updated and Flexible with your choices
- Keep checking official website for latest updates
- Be flexible with your choices
Best MTech Engineering Colleges other than IITs and NITs
Apart from IITs and NITs, here are some top MTech colleges that one can consider for admissions through GATE scores -
- VIT Vellore
- DTU
- BITs Pilani
- Jadavpur University
- Thapar University
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
The GATE exam is conducted once a year. The entrance test takes place on multiple dates and shifts for 30 test papers. For 2026, IIT Guwahati is conducting the exam on February 7, 8, 14, and 15.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Yes, IIT Guwahati has extended the GATE 2026 registration date with late fees. The new GATE 2026 registration date is October 13.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
If you notice an error or discrepancy after submitting your GATE form, don't panic. Once the application correction window opens, log in via GOAPS using your credentials and make the corrections. Details like category, gender, exam city, paper choice, date of birth, etc., can often be edited — usual
D
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
The GATE cutoff changes every year depending on seat intake, number of applicants appeared in exam, toughness of question paper, and previous cutoff trends. Candidates who meet cutoff score can participate for counselling.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Based on the previous year's trends, the GATE 2026 expected cutoff for computer Science and engineering can be checked below-
- For General category it might go around 30 to 31.0
However, the GATE cutoff varies every year, depending on the difficulty level, number of applicants appearing for the exam,
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
No, a duplicate GATE 2026 admit card will not be provided at the test center. Candidates must carry their own admit card along with the mentioned documents and items to the GATE exam center. IIT Guwahati will release the GATE admit card on January 2.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates will get only one scribble pad at a time. They must write their name and registration number before using it. If the rough sheet gets filled, then they can ask for another one scribble pad after returning the previous one to the invigilator. After the exam concludes, candidates must retur
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, candidates will get a scribble pad in the GATE exam 2026 to do the rough work. Candidates have to write their name and registration number on the scribble pad before using it. However, the rough sheet must be returned after the completion of the exam.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The barcode present in the GATE admit card 2026 carries the candidate's information. It is required for a faster verification process and fraud prevention. So, make sure it does not get tampered. Carry multiple copies in case your GATE 2026 hall ticket is torn or tampered.
T
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates who are appearing for the GATE exam must carry a valid ID proof along with a passport-size photograph, transperant water bottle, and pen (blue or black) along with GATE 2026 hall ticket. We advise to carry atleast two to three copies of admit card to the centre.
A
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.