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 been successfully conducted, and candidates are now eagerly waiting to know 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 IIT Guwahati, but based on exam difficulty, candidate turnout, and previous year trends, experts have released branch-wise expected cut-off ranges.
GATE cut-off marks play a crucial role in:
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M.Tech / M.E / PhD admissions
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PSU recruitment shortlisting
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Research fellowships and assistantships
GATE 2026 Result & Cut Off Date
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GATE 2026 Result (Expected): 19 March 2026
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Official Cut Off Release: Along with result
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Scorecard Download: 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)
The expected cut-off shared below is prepared after analysing:
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February 7 & 8 question papers
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Shift-wise difficulty level
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Subject-wise exam analysis
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8+ lakh candidate participation
🔹 GATE 2026 Expected Qualifying Marks
| Paper | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Biotechnology | 35.5 |
| Mathematics | 25.0 |
| Chemistry | 26.1 |
| Physics | 30.7 |
| Life Sciences | 32.4 |
These are expected cut-offs and may vary slightly when official data is released.
GATE Previous Year Cut Off Trends
Looking at previous trends helps candidates understand how cut-offs usually fluctuate.
🔹 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-offs change by ±1 to 2 marks depending on difficulty and competition.
Factors That Decide GATE 2026 Cut Off
The GATE cut-off is not fixed and depends on multiple factors:
1️⃣ Difficulty Level of the Exam
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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 recorded over 8 lakh applicants, increasing competition.
3️⃣ Number of Seats Available
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Limited seats in IITs, NITs, and IISc can raise the effective cut-off.
4️⃣ Category-Wise Reservation
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SC/ST/PwD cut-off is usually around two-thirds of General category.
What After Clearing GATE 2026?
Candidates qualifying GATE 2026 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 programs with fellowship
⚠️ Important:
GATE qualification does not guarantee admission or PSU selection.
Final selection depends on rank, score, interviews, and institute-specific criteria.
NaukriBee Insight
If your score is within ±2 marks of the expected cut-off, don’t panic.
Many PSUs and institutes shortlist candidates based on GATE score and rank, not just qualifying 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 GATE cut off same for all institutes?
👉 No. GATE cut off is minimum eligibility. Institutes and PSUs set higher internal cut-offs.
Q3. Are expected cut-offs reliable?
👉 They provide a close estimate, but only official cut-offs are final.
Q4. Can I get PSU with just qualifying marks?
👉 Most PSUs require high GATE scores, not just qualification.
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