The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 exam has been conducted by IIT Roorkee across all 30 papers. Candidates who appeared for the examination can check the expected qualifying marks and previous year cutoff trends to estimate their performance. The GATE 2026 scorecard will be available for download from the official website at gate2026.iitr.ac.in.
KEY POINTS
- GATE 2026 exam conducted by IIT Roorkee for admissions to M.Tech programs and PSU recruitment
- Expected qualifying marks for General category: 28–37 marks (varies by branch)
- GATE scorecard available for free download from March 27 to May 31, 2026
- Qualifying marks differ for General, OBC-NCL/EWS, and SC/ST/PwD categories
GATE 2026: Overview
| Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Event name | GATE 2026 Expected Qualifying Marks |
| Exam name | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering |
| Conducting body | IIT Roorkee |
| Official website | gate2026.iitr.ac.in |
| Academic year | 2025-26 |
| Total papers | 30 |
| Scorecard download | March 27 to May 31, 2026 (free) |
| Extended download | Till December 31, 2026 (₹500 fee) |
GATE 2026 Expected Cutoff: General Category
The expected GATE 2026 qualifying marks vary by branch and category. For the General category, the cutoff is likely to range from 28–37 marks, while for OBC/EWS candidates, it may fall between 26–28.3 marks. For SC/ST category, the expected range is around 27–31 marks.
| GATE Paper | Expected Qualifying Marks (GEN) |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering (AE) | 28–34 |
| Agricultural Engineering (AG) | 24–29 |
| Architecture & Planning (AR) | 40–43 |
| Biomedical Engineering (BM) | 25–29 |
| Biotechnology (BT) | 28–31 |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 30–33 |
| Chemical Engineering (CH) | 24–27.5 |
| Computer Science & IT (CSE) | 30–34 |
| Electronics & Communication (EC) | 24–27 |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 25–28 |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 36–40 |
| Engineering Sciences (XE) | 34–36.7 |
| Life Sciences (XL) | 28–33 |
GATE 2026 Marks vs Rank Analysis
Candidates can estimate their All India Rank (AIR) based on marks scored in the GATE 2026 examination. The expected rank analysis is based on previous years’ trends and performance patterns.
| GATE Marks (out of 100) | Expected AIR |
|---|---|
| 85–90 | 1–10 |
| 82–87 | 10–50 |
| 80–85 | 50–100 |
| 78–83 | 100–200 |
| 76–81 | 200–500 |
| 74–79 | 500–1000 |
| 72–77 | 1000–2000 |
| 70–75 | 2000–5000 |
| 60–65 | 5000–10000 |
For top IIT admissions, a GATE score above 900 (roughly 85–90 marks) is often required. For NITs, a safe score is around 650–750, while PSU recruitment typically demands 700–900+ marks depending on branch and popularity.
GATE 2026 Previous Year Cutoff Trends
Candidates can refer to previous year GATE cutoffs to understand the qualifying marks pattern. The cutoffs vary each year depending on paper difficulty, number of candidates, and category-wise performance.
GATE Electrical Engineering (EE) Cutoff:
- GATE 2025 EE cutoff: General – 25 marks, OBC – 22.5 marks, SC/ST – 16.6 marks
- GATE 2024 EE cutoff: General – 25.7 marks, OBC – 23.1 marks, SC/ST – 17.1 marks
Important Points About GATE Qualifying Marks
- Qualifying marks are the minimum marks required to pass the GATE exam
- Branch-wise cutoff differs for General, OBC-NCL/EWS, and SC/ST/PwD categories
- Meeting qualifying marks makes candidates eligible for counselling, but does not guarantee admission
- Admission cutoffs are set by individual institutes during counselling (CCMT/COAP)
- GATE scorecards will be available for free download from March 27 to May 31, 2026
- Extended download facility available till December 31, 2026, for a fee of INR 500
GATE 2026: PSU Recruitment Cutoff
PSU recruitment generally requires an estimated GATE score of 700–800, depending on the role and branch. Candidates aspiring for PSU jobs through GATE must aim for higher scores to secure their positions.
How to Download GATE 2026 Scorecard?
Candidates will be able to download the GATE 2026 scorecard by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Visit the official website of GATE 2026 at gate2026.iitr.ac.in
Step 2: Click on the ‘Download GATE 2026 Scorecard’ link available on the home page
Step 3: Enter your enrollment ID/email address and password
Step 4: Click on submit and your scorecard will be displayed
Step 5: Download the scorecard and take a printout for future reference
GATE 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| GATE 2026 Scorecard release | March 27, 2026 |
| Free scorecard download window | March 27 to May 31, 2026 |
| Extended download (with fee) | Till December 31, 2026 |
| Fee for extended download | ₹500 |
Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official website at gate2026.iitr.ac.in for the latest updates regarding GATE 2026 scorecard, counselling schedule, and admission notifications.