GATE 2026 Cut Off: Branch-Wise Expected Qualifying Marks & Previous Year Trends
GATE 2026 Cut Off: The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 has now concluded, and candidates are actively searching for the expected cut-off marks to evaluate their chances of qualification. The official GATE 2026 cut off will be released along with the result by Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, but based on exam difficulty, candidate volume, and past trends, experts have shared branch-wise expected cut-off ranges.
GATE cut off marks are crucial for:
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M.Tech / M.E / PhD admissions
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PSU recruitment shortlisting
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Fellowship and research opportunities
GATE 2026 Result & Cut Off Release Date
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GATE 2026 Result Date (Expected): 19 March 2026
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Official Cut Off Release: Along with result
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Scorecard Availability: After result declaration
Only candidates scoring equal to or above the qualifying cut off will be considered GATE qualified.
GATE 2026 Expected Cut Off (Branch-Wise)
Below is the expected qualifying marks for major GATE papers, prepared after analysing:
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February 7 & 8 question papers
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Shift-wise difficulty level
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Number of candidates (8+ lakh applicants)
🔹 GATE 2026 Expected Cut Off Marks
| Paper | General | OBC-NCL / EWS | SC / ST / PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology (BT) | 35 – 37 | 32 – 34 | 25 – 27 |
| Mathematics (MA) | 25 – 27 | 23 – 25 | 16 – 18 |
| Chemistry (CY) | 25 – 27 | 23 – 25 | 16 – 18 |
| Physics (PH) | 30 – 32 | 28 – 30 | 22 – 24 |
| Life Sciences (XL) | 31 – 33 | 28 – 30 | 20 – 22 |
These are expected ranges, not official figures.
GATE Previous Year Cut Off Trends (Quick Insight)
Understanding past cut-off trends helps candidates judge realistic chances.
🔹 GATE 2025 Cut Off (General Category – Approx.)
| Paper | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Biotechnology | 35.5 |
| Mathematics | 25.0 |
| Chemistry | 26.1 |
| Physics | 30.7 |
| Life Sciences | 32.4 |
In most branches, cut off varies by ±1.5 marks each year, depending on difficulty.
Factors That Decide GATE 2026 Cut Off
The GATE qualifying cut off is not fixed and depends on multiple factors:
1️⃣ Difficulty Level of Question Paper
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Tough paper → Lower cut off
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Easy paper → Higher cut off
2️⃣ Number of Candidates Appeared
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GATE 2026 saw record participation (8+ lakh)
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Higher competition usually pushes cut off upward
3️⃣ Seat Availability
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Limited seats in top IITs/NITs increase effective cut off
4️⃣ Category-Wise Reservation Rules
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SC/ST/PwD cut off is approx. two-thirds of General
What Happens After Clearing GATE 2026?
If you qualify GATE 2026, you can:
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Apply for M.Tech / M.E admissions
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Participate in COAP / CCMT counselling
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Apply for PSU recruitment
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Register for PhD with fellowship
⚠️ Remember:
GATE qualification ≠ admission guarantee
Final selection depends on rank, interview, and institute criteria.
NaukriBee Insight
If your marks are within ±2 marks of expected cut off, do not lose hope.
Many PSUs and institutes shortlist candidates based on score, not just qualification status.
FAQs – GATE 2026 Cut Off
Q1. When will GATE 2026 cut off be released?
👉 Along with the result, expected on 19 March 2026.
Q2. Is the cut off same for all institutes?
👉 No. GATE qualifying cut off is minimum eligibility.
Institutes and PSUs have their own higher cut offs.
Q3. Is expected cut off reliable?
👉 It gives a close estimate, but only official cut off is final.
Q4. Can I apply for PSU if I just clear cut off?
👉 Most PSUs require high GATE scores, not just qualification.
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