GATE 2026 PSU cutoff for SC and ST students is expected to range between 530 and 615 (GATE Score out of 1000) depending on the branch and PSU, based on 2025 merit list trends.
Major Public Sector Undertakings such as BHEL, ONGC, NTPC, IOCL, GAIL, and PGCIL recruit engineers through GATE scores. SC and ST students qualify under reserved category quotas and the merit list cutoff for these categories is typically 120–160 score points lower than the General category. GATE 2026 is conducted by IIT Guwahati and PSU recruitment using GATE 2026 scores is expected to begin after results are declared.
- GATE 2026 is conducted by IIT Guwahati; official portal is gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
- SC category students can expect PSU merit list cutoff scores between 540 and 615 across major branches.
- ST category students can expect PSU merit list cutoff scores between 490 and 565 across major branches.
- PSU cutoffs are based on GATE Score (out of ~1000), not GATE marks (out of 100).
- All figures below are expected based on 2025 trends; official cutoffs are announced by each PSU separately.
| Direct Link to GATE 2026 Official Website (Active) |
GATE 2026 PSU Cutoff for SC and ST: Overview
PSU recruitment through GATE works on a merit list system where each company sets a minimum GATE Score for each category. SC and ST students receive reserved quota relaxation with the cutoff meaningfully lower than the General category, in line with government reservation policy. GATE 2026 PSU cutoffs will be announced independently by each PSU once recruitment opens using GATE 2026 scores.
Note: PSU cutoffs are published as GATE Score (approximately 350–1000), not GATE marks (out of 100). A student scoring 52 marks out of 100 in the GATE 2026 ME paper may receive a GATE Score of approximately 640–670, depending on paper difficulty and topper performance.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | GATE 2026 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) |
| Conducting Body | IIT Guwahati |
| GATE Total Marks | 100 marks |
| GATE Score Scale | Approximately 350 to 1000 (normalized) |
| Category Relaxation | SC/ST cutoff is 120–160 score points lower than General |
| Merit List Basis | GATE Score (not raw marks) |
GATE 2026 Expected PSU Cutoff for SC and ST by Branch
The table below shows expected GATE 2026 PSU merit list score ranges for SC and ST students across key engineering branches, based on 2025 recruitment data. These are predictions; official figures will be confirmed when PSUs release their GATE 2026 recruitment notifications.
| Branch | General (Expected Score) | SC Expected Score | ST Expected Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 735–770 | 575–610 | 525–560 |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 715–750 | 555–590 | 505–540 |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 695–730 | 535–570 | 485–520 |
| Electronics and Communication (EC) | 720–755 | 560–595 | 510–545 |
| Computer Science (CS) | 730–765 | 570–605 | 520–555 |
| Chemical Engineering (CH) | 710–745 | 545–580 | 495–530 |
| Instrumentation Engineering (IN) | 700–735 | 540–575 | 490–525 |
PSU-wise Expected GATE 2026 Cutoff for SC and ST
Different PSUs set merit list cutoffs based on their vacancy count and branch requirements. The expected GATE 2026 score ranges for SC and ST students across major recruiting PSUs are listed below, based on 2025 trends.
| PSU | Branch | SC Expected Score | ST Expected Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHEL | Mechanical Engineering | 580–605 | 530–555 |
| BHEL | Electrical Engineering | 560–585 | 510–535 |
| ONGC | Mechanical / Petroleum | 590–615 | 540–565 |
| NTPC | Electrical Engineering | 580–600 | 530–550 |
| NTPC | Mechanical Engineering | 575–600 | 525–550 |
| IOCL | Chemical Engineering | 555–580 | 505–530 |
| GAIL | Mechanical / Chemical | 565–590 | 515–540 |
| PGCIL | Electrical Engineering | 565–588 | 515–538 |
| HPCL | Mechanical / Chemical | 558–583 | 508–533 |
GATE 2025 PSU Cutoff for SC and ST (Reference)
GATE 2025 category-wise PSU cutoff scores for SC and ST students are the primary benchmark for estimating GATE 2026 merit list thresholds. The figures below reflect 2025 reported trends.
| PSU | Branch | General (2025) | OBC (2025) | SC (2025) | ST (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BHEL | ME | 742 | 693 | 582 | 532 |
| BHEL | EE | 723 | 674 | 563 | 513 |
| ONGC | ME | 757 | 708 | 597 | 547 |
| NTPC | EE | 748 | 699 | 588 | 538 |
| IOCL | CH | 728 | 679 | 568 | 518 |
| GAIL | ME | 733 | 684 | 573 | 523 |
| PGCIL | EE | 735 | 686 | 575 | 525 |
Factors Affecting GATE PSU Cutoff for SC and ST
Several variables shift the PSU merit list cutoff for reserved categories each year. Understanding these helps SC and ST students set a realistic score target.
- Reserved vacancy count: More SC/ST vacancies lower the cutoff; fewer push it up.
- GATE paper difficulty: A tougher paper reduces raw marks and may slightly shift normalized scores downward.
- Applicant pool size: Higher turnout of eligible SC/ST applicants increases competition and raises the cutoff.
- Branch demand: ME and EE consistently see higher PSU cutoffs than less-recruited disciplines like IN or PI.
- PSU selection process: Score-only PSUs tend to set higher cutoffs than those running multi-stage processes.
- Score normalization: Consistent marks targets (for example, 50+ in ME) map to a comparable GATE Score range each year, making 2025 data a reliable guide for 2026.
GATE 2026 PSU Cutoff SC ST FAQs
Ques. What is the expected GATE 2026 PSU cutoff for SC category in Mechanical Engineering?
Ans. Based on 2025 trends, SC students in ME can expect a PSU merit list cutoff of around 575–610 GATE Score. This varies by PSU and the number of vacancies released for that recruitment cycle.
Ques. Is the GATE PSU cutoff for ST lower than for SC?
Ans. Yes. ST students typically see a cutoff about 40–55 score points below the SC cutoff for the same branch and PSU. Both categories receive reserved quota relaxation compared to General and OBC students.
Ques. Do all PSUs use the same GATE 2026 cutoff for SC and ST students?
Ans. No. Each PSU sets its own merit list cutoff based on vacancy count, branch requirements, and internal policy. The ranges listed here are expected figures based on historical data and are not official announcements.
Ques. Is GATE Score different from GATE marks for PSU cutoff purposes?
Ans. Yes. GATE marks are raw scores out of 100. GATE Score is a normalized value (roughly 350–1000) calculated using a standard formula. PSUs use the GATE Score for merit lists, not the raw marks.
Ques. When will the official GATE 2026 PSU cutoff for SC and ST be published?
Ans. PSUs announce their recruitment notifications and merit list cutoffs independently, typically after GATE 2026 results are declared. Check each PSU’s official website for confirmed category-wise cutoffs once recruitment opens.
Ques. What marks should SC and ST students target in GATE 2026 for top PSU recruitment?
Ans. For top PSUs like ONGC and NTPC, SC students should target at least 50–55 marks out of 100, which typically corresponds to a GATE Score of 575–615. ST students should aim for 45–50 marks, corresponding to roughly 525–565 score points.
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