GATE 2026 Cutoff: Branch-Wise Cutoff for IITs & NITs, Safe Score

40 marks in GATE will approximately give a rank between 2000 to 5000 depending on the paper difficulty level and the number of registered candidates in that particular branch.  Obtaining 40 marks is mainly considered average, opening chances to a few new IITs (less popular branches) and NITs.

However, rank for 40 marks in the Graduate Aptitude in Engineering can give a different rank value for different branches and disciplines. For example, 40 marks in GATE CSE can correspond to 2000 to 5000 rank. On the other hand, 40 marks in GATE ME, can correspond to 2700 - 7100 rank. 

Advice to students who secured 40 marks in GATE exam: Better to apply in some state-level colleges or new NITs. 

The cutoff score in GATE is the minimum mark required to qualify for the exam. The conducting body releases the qualifying cutoff along with result. It determines, whether a candidate is eligible to participate in the counselling round or not. 

The cutoff score in GATE varies every year (category-wise), depending on the number of students registered, difficulty level of the question paper, and previous year's trends. The GATE cutoff score are mainly of two types - admission and qualifying cutoff.

Indian Institute of Technology will release GATE cutoff 2026 soon. The IITG GATE 2026 result has been declared. The conducting body releases the exam result and cutoff for all 30 subjects. The cutoff for GATE 2026 will be available category-wise. Candidates securing the minimum cutoff will be eligible to participate in counselling. 

Note: The minimum qualifying cutoff will be different for all subjects. 

The highest GATE cutoff score for NIT M.Tech admission typically ranges from 800 to 850 in the first round. Some of the top NITs include NIT Surathkal, NIT Trichy, and NIT Warangal, accept admissions with GATE score 800 above for branches like EC, CS, ME, and EE.

Qualified candidates have to register at the CCMT portal to participate in the GATE counselling. The counselling process will begin in June/July.

Based on the past-year's records and experts analysis, it is expected that the average expected cutoff for GATE exam 2026 can fall somewhere between 28 to 37 for general category, 26 to 28.3 marks for OBC-NCL/EWS category, and 27 -31 for SC/ST category. 

The above cutoff mark can vary for each paper, depending on the question paper difficulty level and past cutoff trends. 

Yes, it is expected that the GATE 2026 cutoff may increase compared to last year, for the following reasons -

• Increase in the number of registered applicants.

• Difficulty level of the question paper

• Inclination towards newer branches, such as Data Science, Machine Learning, Quantum Tech, etc. 

• Due to the introduction of new and innovative programmes, there can be slight increase in the cutoff trend, especially for CSE, EE, EC, DA, CE and ME

A GATE score of 500 can be roughly around 40 to 50 raw scores out of 100 marks. However, it can vary depending for each engineering discipline. For example, for CSE it can be around 45 to 56 marks, for mechanical engineering it can correspond around 46 - 55, and for ECE it can roughly correspond around 50 to 60 marks depending on the paper difficulty level. 

Scoring 700 marks in GATE is considered great. It can roughly estimate around 60 to 70 marks in GATE out of 100. With 700 marks, students have high chances to get admission to IITs, NITs, and for PSUs even. 

Based on last year's cutoff mark and number of students appearing in the exam, the expected GATE cutoff for DA this year can be checked below -

The following IITs have the lowest GATE cutoffs -

• IIT Mandi
• IIT Palakkad
• IIT Tirupati and 
• IIT Dharwad

These IITs mostly offer admission with GATE AIR between 3000 - 5000 ranks (approx) for computer Science and engineering.

The GATE cutoff for computer Science and engineering will be available along with result announcement on March 19. As per the past year's cutoff trends, the expected GATE 2026 CSE cutoff can be around 30 to 34 marks for general category. 

Candidates can also refer to last year's GATE CSE cutoff below for a better understanding -

• General category - 29.2 marks
• OBC-NCL/EWS  - 26.2 marks
• SC/ST and PwD - 19.4 marks

The GATE marks is the actual marks obtained by the candidate. It is calculated out of 100. On the other hand, the GATE scores is calculated out of 1000 using a formula of GATE normalisation process. The GATE result will be released on March 19. 

A GATE score of 700 to 800 is mainly required for M.Tech admission at IIT (especially for top IITs). However, the score also depends on the IIT popularity, branch popularity, and other factors. For new IITs, a GATE score of 500 to 600 is mainly required. 

It is advised to check the past year's GATE cutoff trends before opting for counselling and admission. 

Many new IITs do accept low GATE scores for M.Tech admission. Some old IITs also accept low GATE score, depending on category and other factors. Here are some IITs that accept low GATE scores for admission. 

• IIT Bhubaneswar

• IIT Mandi

• IIT Bhilai

• IIT Ropar

• IIT Jodhpur

These IITs mainly accept GATE scores starting from 330 to 400 (General Category), mainly in Round 4 or 5 of COAP counselling.

Based on previous year's cutoff trends and experts analysis, here is an expected GATE score range required for M.Tech admission -

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.

Many new NITs do accept 500 score in GATE for M.Tech admission. Here are some NITs that accept GATE scores between 400 - 500 -

• National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli

• Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur

• National Institute of Technology, Silchar

• National Institute of Technology, Warangal

• NIT Mizoram

• NIT Raipur

• NIT Agartala

• NIT Arunachal Pradesh

Candidates who have passed GATE exam can download scorecard. The validity of GATE exam scorecard is three years. It is available from March 27 at GOAPS portal. Candidates use their enrollment ID and password to download.

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.

After the declaration of GATE result, the qualified candidates will have to participate in counselling process. It must be noted that, IIT Guwahati does not conduct GATE counselling. 

Admission counselling is done by COAP and CCMT portals. 

• Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP) is the centralised portal for counselling used by IITs and IISc that allow GATE qualified candidates to view and accept choices for M.Tech or PSU jobs based on their scores. 

• On the other hand, CCMT (Centralised counselling for MTech/MArch/M.Plan) portal used for offering M.Tech admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. 

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 are core branches.

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
• Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology

Securing 2500 rank in GATE is considered good. With this rank, you can get admission to new IITs, top NITs and IIITs as well. However, opportunities for PSU jobs can be limited.  GATE AIR of 2500 can roughly correspond a GATE score of 670 to 750. 

• Possible NITs include - NIT Trichy, NIT Suratkal, NIT Calicut
• New IITs - IIT Bhilai, IIT Patna, IIT Mandi, etc. 

The GATE CCMT cutoff for CSE (round 1) at NIT Delhi can be checked below -

• Minimum GATE score - 668
• Maximum GATE score - 741

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.

Yes, with 50 marks in the GATE exam candidates can get admission to few IITs and NITs as well. 

Based on the question paper difficulty level of GATE CS 1 and CS2, it is expected that the normalisation will not be more than +-4 to 5 marks. GATE CSE paper was moderate to tough. The result will be declared on March 19. Candidates can check their qualifying status at GOAPS portal using their enrollment ID and password. 

A GATE score of 550 in mechanical engineering will fetch you a rank range of 1500 - 3000. Students with this GATE score range can opt for M.Tech at NIT Calicut, NIT Trichy, etc. 

No, there is no subject-wise cutoff mark for GATE exam. The scores along with minimum-qualifying cutoff will be released (category-wise) along with normalised score. 

• GATE Marks out of 100
• GATE Scores out of 1000

Candidates who have passed GATE exam can download scorecard. The validity of GATE exam scorecard is three years. It is available from March 27 at GOAPS portal. Candidates use their enrollment ID and password to download.

The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, will be conducting the GATE 2026 exam. The dates are OUT now. IIT Guwahati last conducted the GATE exam in 2018. Candidates who want to apply for M.Tech or any research programmes can apply for GATE. The application window is available till October 7 without late fees (revised), till October 13 (with late fee) and the exam will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14, and 15. 

The expected GATE 2026 exam cutoff may be somewhere around 28-37 for general category, 26 -28.3 for OBC/EWS and 27-31 for SC/ST category. The actual GATE 2026 cutoff will be announced along with the results in March.

Many PSUs accept the GATE score for recruitment. Here are some top PSUs that accept GATE scores for jobs -

• Airports Authority of India (AAI)
• Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)
• Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
• Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
• Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS)
• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

Most of the PSUs accept the current GATE scorecard for recruitment. Therefore, it is important to stay updated with the recruitment notifications. 

The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, has released the GATE 2026 exam dates on the official website. Candidates can check the GATE 2026 dates below -