GATE Application Date:28 Aug' 25 - 28 Sep' 25
What is Good Score in GATE 2026- Candidates who attempt the GATE exam often wonder, "what is a good GATE score?” Students can find out what constitutes a good score for GATE 2026 on this page. A good score in GATE 2026 is one that allows candidates to clear the cut-off and participate in the counselling. Detailed information on what makes a good GATE score in 2026, how the GATE scores are calculated, and the GATE cutoff for NITs can be found below. The GATE 2026 exam will be held on February 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2026. The GATE 2026 result will be announced on March 19, 2026.
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A good GATE 2026 score helps candidates gain admission into MTech courses, help in recruitment and also apply for admission in foreign institutes. GATE 2026 will be held for admission into PG programs offered by the IITs, NITs, and other renowned institutions. Candidates can also use their good score in GATE 2026 to apply for a job in PSUs. Read the complete article to know what is good scores in the GATE exam.
GATE is an online entrance examination conducted every year by one of the seven IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kharagpur, Madras, Roorkee, and Kanpur) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, in rotation. In 2026, IIT Guwahati is responsible for conducting the exam. This entrance exam consists of many events, starting from the release of the GATE application form to the result. Along with the GATE result, the authorities also release the qualifying GATE cutoff. Once the GATE cutoff is released, GATE counselling is conducted for admission into MTech across IITs in India.
Disciplines like Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Civil Engineering (CE) receive the highest number of applications resulting in these exams being held in two sessions. The marks obtained by the students in these disciplines are calculated through the normalization formula. In contrast, the raw marks obtained by candidates in single-session papers (excluding ME, CS, EC, EE, and CE) are used directly in the score calculation formula to derive the GATE scores. Candidates must note that the raw marks of candidates will be out of 100, whereas the GATE scores are out of 1000.
The authorities calculate the GATE 2026 score using the normalized or actual marks of the candidates as per the GATE Paper appeared for. Candidates can also use the GATE score calculator of Careers360 to predict their expected scores. The GATE score card contains the following details:
GATE 2026 is one of the most important entrance exams for admission into the M.Tech programmes. Also, many PSU recruitments are done on the basis of marks secured by the candidates in the GATE examination 2026. In simple terms, a good gate score is one that lands you into IITs, NITs, or other renowned institutes offering M.Tech programs or gets you recruited in PSUs offering jobs through GATE.
The minimum mark required by the candidates in order to be eligible for admission is the GATE qualifying cutoff. Candidates can find the GATE qualifying cutoff in the table below.
Test Paper | Cut-off (GEN) | Cut-off (OBC-NCL/EWS) | Cut-off (SC/ST/PwD) |
Aerospace Engineering | 28.9 | 26 | 19.2 |
Agricultural Engineering | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Architecture and Planning | 40 | 36 | 26.6 |
Biomedical Engineering | 29.2 | 26.2 | 19.4 |
Biotechnology | 28 | 25.2 | 18.6 |
Civil Engineering | 29.2 | 26.2 | 19.4 |
Chemical Engineering | 27.7 | 24.9 | 18.4 |
Computer Science and Information Technology | 29.2 | 26.2 | 19.4 |
Chemistry | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | 29 | 26.1 | 19.3 |
Electronics and Communication Engineering | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Electrical Engineering | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Environmental Science and Engineering | 26.1 | 23.4 | 17.4 |
Ecology and Evolution | 39.5 | 35.5 | 26.3 |
Geomatics Engineering | 25.7 | 23.1 | 17.1 |
Geology and Geophysics (Geology) | 38.4 | 34.5 | 25.5 |
Geology and Geophysics (Geophysics) | 40 | 36 | 26.6 |
Instrumentation Engineering | 25.6 | 23 | 17 |
Mathematics | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Mechanical Engineering | 35.8 | 32.2 | 23.8 |
Mining Engineering | 30.6 | 27.5 | 20.4 |
Metallurgical Engineering | 40 | 36 | 26.6 |
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | 25.1 | 22.5 | 16.7 |
Petroleum Engineering | 31.1 | 27.9 | 20.7 |
Physics | 26.8 | 24.1 | 17.8 |
Production and Industrial Engineering | 35.6 | 32 | 23.7 |
Statistics | 30.2 | 27.1 | 20.1 |
Textile Engineering and Fibre Science | 34.7 | 31.2 | 23.1 |
Engineering Sciences | 35.4 | 31.8 | 23.5 |
Humanities and Social Sciences (Economics) | 40 | 36 | 26.6 |
Humanities and Social Sciences (English) | 40 | 36 | 26.6 |
Humanities and Social Sciences (Linguistics) | 40 | 36 | 26.6 |
Humanities and Social Sciences (Philosophy) | 40 | 36 | 26.6 |
Humanities and Social Sciences (Psychology) | 40 | 36 | 26.6 |
Humanities and Social Sciences (Sociology) | 40 | 36 | 26.6 |
Life Sciences | 31.3 | 28.1 | 20.8 |
GATE Paper Code | Qualifying GATE Cutoff Marks | ||
General | OBC-NCL/EWS | SC/ST/PWD | |
| Aerospace Engineering | 33.3 | 29.9 | 22.1 |
| Agricultural Engineering | 25 | 22.5 | |
| Architecture and Planning | 41.5 | 37.3 | 27.6 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| Biotechnology | 38.9 | 35 | 25.9 |
| Civil Engineering | 28.3 | 25.4 | 18.8 |
| Chemical Engineering | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| Computer Science and Information Technology | 27.6 | 24.8 | 18.4 |
| Chemistry | 25.2 | 22.6 | 16.7 |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | 37.1 | 33.3 | 24.7 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 25 | 22.5 | |
| Electrical Engineering | 25.7 | 23.1 | 17.1 |
| Environmental Science and Engineering | 37.9 | 34.1 | 25.2 |
| Ecology and Evolution | 35.8 | 32.2 | 23.8 |
| Geomatics Engineering | 41.1 | 36.9 | 27.4 |
| Geology and Geophysics (Geology) | 42 | 37.8 | 28 |
| Geology and Geophysics (Geophysics) | 49 | 44.1 | 32.6 |
| Instrumentation Engineering | 32.7 | 29.4 | 21.8 |
| Mathematics | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 28.6 | 25.7 | 19 |
| Mining Engineering | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| Metallurgical Engineering | 41 | 36.9 | 27.3 |
| Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | 25.1 | 22.5 | 16.7 |
| Petroleum Engineering | 42.6 | 38.3 | 28.4 |
| Physics | 32 | 28.8 | 21.3 |
| Production and Industrial Engineering | 30.5 | 27.4 | 20.3 |
| Statistics | 26.6 | 23.9 | 17.7 |
| Textile Engineering and Fibre Science | 28.1 | 25.2 | 18.7 |
| Engineering Sciences | 36.2 | 32.5 | 24.1 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences (Economics) | 37 | 33.3 | 24.6 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences (English) | 48 | 43.2 | 32 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences (Linguistics) | 49.7 | 44.7 | 33.1 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences (Philosophy) | 39.3 | 35.3 | 26.1 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences (Psychology) | 52.7 | 47.4 | 35.1 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences (Sociology) | 36 | 32.4 | 24 |
| Life Sciences | 29.3 | 26.3 | 19.5 |
GATE Paper Code | Qualifying cutoff Marks | ||
General | OBC-NCL/EWS | SC/ST/PWD | |
Statistics | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Physics | 31.1 | 27.9 | 20.7 |
CS | 32.5 | 29.2 | 21.6 |
ECE | 29.9 | 26.9 | 19.9 |
CE | 26.6 | 23.9 | 17.7 |
IN | 34.8 | 31.3 | 23.2 |
Electrical engineering | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 28.4 | 25.5 | 18.9 |
XE | 37.9 | 34.1 | 25.2 |
CH | 32.10 | ||
GATE Paper 2022 | GATE Qualifying Marks | ||
General | OBC-NCL/ EWS | SC/ST/PwD | |
CS | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
ECE | 25 | 22.5 | 16.5 |
Biotechnology | 35.5 | 31.9 | 23.6 |
Chemical Engineering | 25.3 | 22.7 | 16.8 |
Statistics | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Metallurgical engineering | 46.2 | 41.5 | 30.8 |
GATE Maths cut-off | 27.3 | 24.5 | 18.2 |
Electrical engineering | 30.7 | 27.6 | 20.4 |
Textile engineering and fibre science | 36.8 | 34.9 | 25.6 |
Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 28.1 | 25.2 | 18.7 |
GATE Physics cut-off | 26.5 | 23.8 | – |
GATE Life Science Cut off (Botany/ Zoology) | 33.9 | 30.5 | 22.5 |
Ecology and life sciences | 33.4 | 30 | 22.2 |
Agriculture Engineering | 26.3 | 23.6 | 17.5 |
GATE Chemistry cut-off | 27.5 | 24.7 | 18.3 |
Mining Engineering | 25.5 | 22.9 | 17 |
| Chemistry Engineering | 25.3 | 23.7 | 17.8 |
| Civil Engineering | 31.4 | 28.3 | - |
Engineering Sciences (Fluid Mechanics/ Thermodynamics) | 40.3 | 36.2 | 26.8 |
GATE Paper Code | Highest Score | Highest Marks (out of 100) | Cut-off Marks (out |
AE | 1000 | 84 | 26.3 |
AG | 1000 | 61.33 | 25 |
AR | 1000 | 79.67 | 40.9 |
BM | 1000 | 64 | 25 |
BT | 1000 | 75.33 | 30 |
CE* | 1000 | 95.56 | 29.2 |
CH | 1000 | 89.67 | 35.1 |
CS* | 1000 | 87.81 | 26.1 |
CY | 996 | 91.33 | 36.2 |
EC | 1000 | 82 | 25 |
EE | 974 | 85.33 | 30.3 |
ES | 966 | 88 | 39.6 |
EY | 1000 | 78 | 35.7 |
GG (Geology) | 945 | 72.67 | 38.9 |
GG (Geophysics) | 1000 | 68.67 | 44.8 |
IN | 933 | 79 | 36 |
MA | 1000 | 68.33 | 29 |
ME* | 979 | 93.22 | 33 |
MN | 1000 | 77.67 | 31 |
MT | 923 | 87.67 | 48.5 |
PE | 947 | 88.67 | 51.4 |
PH | 1000 | 69.67 | 32.8 |
PI | 939 | 83.67 | 35.7 |
ST | 1000 | 51.67 | 25 |
TF | 945 | 79.67 | 41.8 |
XE | 1000 | 90.33 | 37 |
XH-C1 (Economics) | 1000 | 62.67 | 29.4 |
XH-C2 (English) | 986 | 77.67 | 41.7 |
XH-C3 (Linguistics) | 1000 | 65.67 | 35.3 |
XH-C4 (Philosophy) | 1000 | 71 | 37.9 |
XH-C5 (Psychology) | 1000 | 77.33 | 48.5 |
XH-C6 (Sociology) | 1000 | 66 | 34.3 |
XL | 983 | 74.33 | 36 |
Paper Name | Paper Code | Qualifying Marks | ||
General | OBC (NCL) | SC/ST/PwD | ||
Life Sciences | XL | 31.7 | 28.5 | 21.1 |
Civil Engineering | CE | 32.9 | 29.6 | 21.9 |
Electrical Engineering | EE | 33.4 | 30.0 | 22.2 |
Computer Science and Information Technology | CS | 28.5 | 25.6 | 19.0 |
Mechanical Engineering | ME | 34.0 | 30.6 | 22.6 |
Petroleum Engineering | PE | 39.8 | 35.8 | 26.5 |
Electronics and Communication Engineering | EC | 28.8 | 25.9 | 19.2 |
Chemical Engineering | CH | 35.7 | 32.1 | 23.8 |
Chemistry | CY | 26.7 | 24.0 | 17.8 |
Biotechnology | BT | 30.7 | 27.6 | 20.4 |
Engineering Sciences Minor | XE | 26.0 | 23.4 | 17.3 |
Textile Engineering and Fibre Science | TF | 37.1 | 33.3 | 24.7 |
Aerospace Engineering | AE | 27.2 | 24.4 | 18.1 |
Agricultural Engineering | AG | 26.3 | 23.6 | 17.5 |
Architecture and Planning | AR | 34.8 | 31.3 | 23.2 |
Ecology and Evolution | EY | 42.2 | 37.9 | 28.1 |
Geology | GG | 38.4 | 34.5 | 25.6 |
Geophysics | GG | 51.9 | 46.7 | 34.6 |
Instrumentation Engineering | IN | 34.6 | 31.1 | 23.0 |
Mathematics | MA | 25 | 22.5 | 16.7 |
Mining Engineering | MN | 32.7 | 29.4 | 21.8 |
Metallurgical Engineering | MT | 49.2 | 44.2 | 32.8 |
Physics | PH | 37.2 | 33.4 | 24.8 |
Production and Industrial Engineering | PI | 36.6 | 32.9 | 24.4 |
Statistics | ST | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Biomedical Engineering | BM | 25.0 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Quick Links:-
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GATE Cutoff for BHEL Recruitment | ||||
Discipline | UR | OBC | SC | ST |
Mechanical | 79.31 | 75.18 | 61.33 | 53.84 |
Electrical | 69.98 | 66.04 | 53.99 | 50.59 |
Electronics | 68.68 | 65.32 | 56.46 | 49.13 |
Metallurgy | 65 | 57.67 | 56.67 | 48.67 |
GATE Cutoff for NTPC Recruitment | ||||
Discipline | General | OBC | SC | ST |
Electrical | 66.69 | 61.11 | 50.93 | 49.28 |
Mechanical | 76.31 | 68.69 | 55.83 | 49.72 |
Electronics | 63.74 | 55.85 | 47.47 | 47.1 |
Instrumentation | 63.33 | 55 | 43 | 46.67 |
Civil | 73.12 | 70.34 | 64.84 | 57.56 |
IT | 65.93 | 55.76 | 50.71 | 37.71 |
GATE Cutoff for GAIL Recruitment | ||||
Discipline | UR | OBC-NCL | SC | ST |
Chemical | 68.4 | 64 | 60.75 | 53 |
Mechanical | 82.58 | 80.37 | - | 73.72 |
Electrical | 77.95 | 74.54 | 66.24 | 61.82 |
Instrumentation | 75.37 | 70.50 | - | 56.23 |
Business Information System | 70.41 | 64.29 | 61.82 | - |
Telecom/Telemetry | 76.22 | 70.39 | 66.34 | 58.73 |
GATE Cutoff for HPCL Recruitment | ||||
Discipline | UR | OBC | SC | ST |
Mechanical | 75.14 | 70.69 | 58.34 | 50.85 |
Civil | 66.97 | 62.26 | 54.91 | 54.26 |
Electrical | 67.35 | 65.23 | 53.55 | 51.61 |
Instrumentation | 61.33 | 57.33 | 44.67 | 35.33 |
E &TC | 63.18 | 62.88 | 53.35 | 47.83 |
Chemical | 54 | 51.67 | 44.33 | 41 |
To know more about the GATE scores used by PSUs, check What are the GATE Scores for PSU Recruitment?
Rank | Marks | ||||
Mechanical | CSE | Civil | Electronics | Electrical | |
1-10 | 92+ | 80+ | 90+ | 73+ | 91+ |
10-50 | 87-92 | 75-80 | 85-90 | 67-73 | 87-91 |
50-100 | 85-87 | 72-75 | 78-85 | 63-67 | 84-87 |
100-200 | 82-85 | 68-72 | 74-78 | 60-63 | 81-84 |
200-500 | 79-82 | 62-68 | 70-74 | 56-60 | 77-81 |
500-1000 | 75-79 | 56-62 | 64-70 | 50-56 | 72-77 |
1000-2000 | 71-75 | 50-56 | 57-64 | 45-50 | 66-72 |
2000-5000 | 63-71 | 40-50 | 50-57 | 38-45 | 57-66 |
5000-10000 | 51-63 | 32-40 | 40-50 | 28-38 | 46-57 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The GATE 2026 cutoff for IITs reflects the minimum score required which varies depending upon the courses applied for.
IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 scores on March 19, 2026.
GATE scores are computed on a scale of 1000, whereas GATE marks are on a scale of 100. To secure direct admission to IISC/IITs, candidates should aim for a near-perfect score of around 1000.
The GATE scorecard remains valid for three years of being issued. It remains valid as long as your score meets or exceeds the qualifying marks.
A good score in the GATE exam for Computer Science (CSE) is 90 or more.
Typically, the highest GATE cutoff for NITs ranges from 700 to 800, with the lowest around 400 to 500. Thus, a score of 600 to 700 is considered good for GATE.
A score of 93+ is considered outstanding in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). Marks above 90 are generally regarded as good, while scores above 93+ are excellent.
Securing a GATE rank below 200 guarantees candidates admission to the prestigious IITs and IISc. Nevertheless, meeting the eligibility criteria, in addition to achieving the required scores, is imperative for successful admission.
On Question asked by student community
Hello
As an EEE (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) graduate, your core GATE paper is EE (Electrical Engineering).
You can also choose papers like IN (Instrumentation) or EC (Electronics and Communication) if you're comfortable. GATE now allows two-paper combinations EE plus IN is a valid pair.
Choose based on your strengths and future goals (e.g., PSU jobs, M.Tech). Always check the latest GATE brochure for updated paper codes and combinations.
How to clear GATE Exam :
First, know the syllabus and exam pattern.
Make a small study plan and follow it every week.
Read from good books or trusted online notes.
Practice old GATE question papers.
Give mock tests to check speed and accuracy.
Revise your notes and formulas again and again.
How to get Job in PSU:
Score high in GATE, because PSUs take only top ranks.
Keep checking PSU job notices regularly.
Apply on time with your GATE score.
Be ready for interviews or group discussions.
Work on subject knowledge and also your communication skills.
Yes, it will be acceptable. In GATE registration, the name should match your valid photo ID proof in terms of spelling, not the order. Many Indian IDs have surname written first, while the portal generates it as first–middle–last. Since all three parts of your name (Vikash, Rameshbhai, Bhagel) are correct, there won’t be any issue. Just ensure you upload the correct ID proof. During verification, they check spelling, photo, and signature, not the word order.
Hello,
Yes, you can change your category from General to OBC during the GATE 2026 correction window.
GATE always allows candidates to correct details like category. You will need to pay a small correction fee for this change. Make sure you upload a valid OBC certificate as per the format and date mentioned by GATE.
So, wait for the correction window, log in to your application, and update your category to OBC.
Hope it helps !
Hello! If you are preparing for GATE, there are plenty of free resources available online that can boost your preparation. You can easily access e-books, handwritten notes, subject wise PYQs, and test series shared by toppers on different platforms. Along with that, free PDFs and study material are available through various websites and Telegram channels. To make it easier, I will be attaching the link where you can find preparation tips, a study timetable, free study materials, and previous year question papers all in one place.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-timetable
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/how-to-prepare-for-gate
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-material
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-mock-test
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-question-papers
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