GATE 2026 PSU OBC Cutoff: Expected Marks at NPCIL, BHEL and ONGC

GATE 2026 PSU cutoff for OBC category at NPCIL is expected between 37 and 50 marks, at BHEL between 30 and 43 marks, and at ONGC between 49 and 62 marks out of 100 — based on 2025 recruitment trends.

PSU recruitment through GATE draws thousands of applicants every year, and OBC students benefit from relaxed cutoffs compared to General category. GATE 2026 is conducted by IIT Guwahati, and major PSUs like NPCIL, BHEL, and ONGC are expected to use GATE 2026 scores for Graduate Trainee and Scientific Officer recruitment. The OBC cutoff is typically 5–8 marks below the General cutoff, though this varies by PSU and discipline. All figures below are expected marks based on 2025 trends and are not confirmed official cutoffs.

• GATE 2026 is conducted by IIT Guwahati with a total of 100 marks.
• OBC cutoffs for PSUs are typically 5–8 marks lower than General category cutoffs.
• NPCIL OBC cutoff (expected): 37–50 marks depending on discipline.
• BHEL OBC cutoff (expected): 30–43 marks depending on discipline.
• ONGC OBC cutoff (expected): 49–62 marks depending on discipline.
• Each PSU announces its own cutoff separately after GATE results are declared.

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What is the GATE 2026 PSU OBC Cutoff?

The GATE 2026 PSU cutoff for OBC category is the minimum GATE score an OBC student must secure to be shortlisted for a PSU’s recruitment process. Each PSU sets its own cutoff for each discipline and category. OBC (Other Backward Classes — Non-Creamy Layer) students get a relaxed cutoff under the government’s reservation policy, which mandates 27% seats reserved for OBC in central government recruitment including PSU jobs.

PSUs typically release a shortlist based on GATE scores, followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. The cutoff marks discussed here are expected figures based on 2024 and 2025 trends. Official GATE 2026 PSU cutoffs will be released by each PSU separately after the GATE 2026 result is declared.

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GATE 2026 Expected OBC Cutoff at NPCIL

NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited) recruits Scientific Officers through GATE scores in disciplines like Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, and Electronics and Telecommunication. The NPCIL OBC cutoff for GATE 2026 is expected to range from 37 to 50 marks, based on 2025 recruitment data. Mechanical and Electrical branches generally see higher cutoffs due to larger applicant pools in those disciplines.

NPCIL shortlists students for a written test and interview after evaluating GATE scores. The OBC relaxation at NPCIL is typically 5–7 marks below General in most disciplines, based on previous year trends.

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GATE 2026 Expected OBC Cutoff at BHEL

BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) is one of the most popular PSUs for GATE aspirants, recruiting Engineer Trainees across disciplines including Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, and Instrumentation. BHEL OBC cutoff for GATE 2026 is expected to range from 30 to 43 marks, based on 2024–2025 trends. BHEL cutoffs are generally lower than NPCIL and ONGC due to a higher intake of trainees each year.

BHEL recruits across a large number of vacancies each year, which keeps its cutoffs relatively accessible. OBC students targeting BHEL through GATE 2026 should aim for a score above 38 marks to secure shortlisting in most disciplines, based on 2025 trends.

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GATE 2026 Expected OBC Cutoff at ONGC

ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) is among the most sought-after PSUs in India, which drives its GATE cutoffs to the highest levels among major public sector employers. ONGC recruits Graduate Trainees through GATE in disciplines such as Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Petroleum, and Geology and Geophysics. ONGC OBC cutoff for GATE 2026 is expected to range from 49 to 62 marks, based on 2025 trends.

ONGC’s high cutoff reflects its premium pay package and limited vacancy intake. OBC students targeting ONGC through GATE 2026 should aim for a score above 50 marks for strong shortlisting chances, especially in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

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Factors Affecting GATE PSU Cutoff for OBC Category

Several factors shape the GATE PSU cutoff for OBC students each year. Knowing these helps you set a realistic score target for GATE 2026:

• Number of OBC vacancies — A higher number of reserved seats lowers the cutoff; fewer seats push it higher.
• Volume of OBC applicants — A surge in OBC applicants for a discipline raises the cutoff for that branch.
• GATE 2026 paper difficulty — A tougher paper generally yields lower overall scores, which can bring PSU cutoffs down.
• PSU pay scale and reputation — Premium employers like ONGC attract a higher volume of applicants, sustaining elevated cutoffs even for OBC category.
• Discipline-specific competition — Mechanical and Electrical Engineering see the most applicants and therefore consistently report the highest branch cutoffs.
• Previous year trends — PSUs calibrate their shortlisting thresholds based on prior-year data; a year with fewer vacancies can raise OBC cutoffs noticeably.

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