GATE 2026 Expected Cut-Off – Branch-wise Prediction, IITs, NITs, Marks vs Ranks and College Predictor
IIT Guwahati will release the GATE Cutoff 2026 on the official website gate2026.iitg.ac.in after the declaration of the GATE Results 2026. The cutoff is issued in two categories: the qualifying cutoff, which is the minimum score required to pass the exam, and the admission cutoff, which determines eligibility for admission into IITs, NITs, and GFTIs.
Based on previous years’ trends and the expected GATE 2026 difficulty level, qualifying marks are likely to be around 30–32 for CSE and Data Science, 29–31 for Civil, 34–36 for Mechanical, and 25–27 for Electrical/Electronics.
For admissions, candidates targeting IITs through GATE 2026 may require approximately 40–45 marks in CSE and Data Science, 36–40 marks in Mechanical, Civil, or Aerospace, and 32–35 marks in Electrical or Electronics. For NIT admissions, a GATE score of 650–750+ is generally needed for top NITs, 500–650 for mid-tier NITs, and 350–500 for newer NITs. The final GATE Cutoff 2026 will vary across branches and categories, depending on exam difficulty, seat availability, and demand for specific courses.
GATE Cutoff 2026 (Expected)
The final GATE Cutoff 2026 will be released after the declaration of results. However, the expected cutoff range, based on previous years’ analysis, helps candidates set realistic score targets and plan their preparation more effectively. Knowing the likely cutoff allows aspirants to aim higher and improve their chances of qualifying and securing admissions.
Expected GATE 2026 Qualifying Cutoff (Branch-wise)
| GATE Cutoff 2026 (Expected) | |||
|
Branch |
GEN |
OBC-NCL / EWS |
SC / ST / PwD |
|
Civil Engineering (CE) |
30–33 |
27–30 |
20–23 |
|
Computer Science (CS) |
30–34 |
27–31 |
20–23 |
|
Mechanical Engineering (ME) |
37–40 |
33–37 |
25–28 |
|
Electrical Engineering (EE) |
26–29 |
24–27 |
18–21 |
|
Electronics & Communication (EC) |
29–32 |
27–30 |
20–23 |
Expected GATE Cutoff Trend Comparison (General Category)
This comparison highlights the expected change in GATE 2026 qualifying cutoffs against GATE 2025 marks for the General category. It helps candidates understand branch-wise trends and set realistic score targets.
| Expected GATE Cutoff Trend Comparison (General Category) | |||
| Branch | GATE 2025 Qualifying Marks | Expected GATE 2026 Cutoff | Cutoff Trend |
| Computer Science (CSE) | 29.2 | 30–32 | Slight increase due to a rise in the number of applicants |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 35.8 | 36–38 | Stable to marginal increase |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 25.0 | 26–27 | Moderate increase expected |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 29.2 | 30–31 | Largely stable due to the normalisation effect |
| Electronics & Communication (EC) | 24.2 | 25–27 | Likely increase based on recent trends |
How Much Score Do You Really Need for IITs & NITs Through GATE 2026?
Candidates targeting admissions to top IITs such as IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras should closely analyse previous years’ admission trends and competition levels. Clearing the GATE qualifying cutoff only ensures eligibility; however, the admission cutoff is significantly higher due to factors like institute reputation, limited seats, and high demand for specific branches.
GATE Cutoff Marks for IIT & NIT Admissions
In top IITs, branches like CSE, Mechanical, and Electronics attract maximum competition, and general category candidates usually need scores above 65 to secure admission. For top NITs, a 60+ score is generally required for high-demand branches, as seat availability is limited and competition remains strong.