The expected PGAT 2026 OBC cutoff ranges from 42 to 62 marks out of 100 depending on the programme, based on previous year merit list trends.
The University of Allahabad conducts the Post Graduate Admission Test (PGAT) each year for admission to MA, MSc, MCom, LLB, MCA and other PG programmes. As per the UP government reservation policy, 27% of seats in every programme are reserved for OBC students. With PGAT 2026 results being declared programme-wise through June and July 2026, this article presents expected OBC cutoff score ranges to help you gauge your admission chances before the official merit list is published.
- PGAT 2026 is a 100-mark, 100-question MCQ test with no negative marking.
- OBC students get 27% of the total seats in each programme as per UP reservation norms.
- Expected OBC cutoffs range from 42 to 62 marks, with MA English and MSc Mathematics being the most competitive.
- OBC cutoffs are typically 5 to 8 marks lower than the corresponding General category closing score.
- The official merit list and cutoff will be published on allduniv.ac.in after result declaration for each programme.
PGAT 2026 OBC Cutoff at a Glance
The table below captures the essential details OBC students should review before interpreting programme-wise expected scores.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Post Graduate Admission Test (PGAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | University of Allahabad (Prayagraj) |
| Total Marks | 100 (100 MCQs, 1 mark each, no negative marking) |
| OBC Reservation | 27% of total seats per programme (UP government norms) |
| Expected OBC Cutoff Range | 42–62 marks (varies by programme) |
| Cutoff Basis | Merit in PGAT + applicable category reservation |
| Result Status | Being declared programme-wise (June–July 2026) |
| Official Portal | allduniv.ac.in |
Previous Year OBC Cutoff Trends
PGAT OBC cutoffs have moved gradually over the past two admission cycles. The figures below are approximate closing merit scores from 2023–24 and 2024–25 merit lists and help project the 2026 expected range.
| Programme | OBC Cutoff 2023–24 (approx.) | OBC Cutoff 2024–25 (approx.) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA English | 53–59 | 55–61 | ↑ Rising |
| MA Hindi | 50–57 | 52–58 | ↑ Rising |
| MA Economics | 49–56 | 51–57 | ↑ Rising |
| MA Political Science | 46–53 | 47–54 | → Stable |
| MA Sociology | 43–50 | 44–51 | → Stable |
| MSc Mathematics | 53–59 | 54–61 | ↑ Rising |
| MSc Physics | 49–56 | 50–57 | ↑ Rising |
| MSc Chemistry | 46–53 | 47–54 | → Stable |
| MCom | 46–52 | 48–54 | ↑ Rising |
| MBA | 51–58 | 53–60 | ↑ Rising |
High-demand programmes like MA English, MSc Mathematics, and MBA have shown a 1–3 mark upward shift each year. Less competitive programmes have remained broadly stable with only marginal changes.
Programme-Wise Expected OBC Cutoff 2026 (Arts)
The scores below are expected figures based on 2024–25 trends and are not confirmed cutoffs. Actual merit scores will be published by the University of Allahabad after the result for each programme is declared.
| Arts Programme | Expected OBC Cutoff 2026 (out of 100) | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
| MA English | 56–63 | High |
| MA Hindi | 53–60 | High |
| MA Economics | 52–59 | Moderate–High |
| MA Political Science | 48–56 | Moderate |
| MA Psychology | 51–58 | Moderate–High |
| MA Sociology | 45–52 | Moderate |
| MA History (Ancient) | 44–51 | Moderate |
| MA History (Medieval and Modern) | 44–51 | Moderate |
| MA Geography | 46–53 | Moderate |
| MA Philosophy | 42–50 | Moderate |
| MA Education | 44–51 | Moderate |
| MA Journalism and Mass Communication | 50–57 | Moderate–High |
| MA Music and Performing Arts | 42–50 | Low–Moderate |
OBC students scoring 53 marks or above are well-positioned for most Arts programmes. MA English and MA Hindi have the highest OBC cutoffs among Arts subjects due to their large applicant pools.
Science and Professional Programme OBC Cutoff 2026
Science, commerce, and professional PG programmes attract technically strong applicants. The expected OBC cutoffs below are based on 2024–25 merit list trends and should be read as indicative ranges only.
| Science / Professional Programme | Expected OBC Cutoff 2026 (out of 100) | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
| MSc Mathematics | 55–62 | High |
| MSc Physics | 51–58 | Moderate–High |
| MSc Chemistry | 48–55 | Moderate |
| MSc Botany | 45–52 | Moderate |
| MSc Zoology | 45–52 | Moderate |
| MSc Statistics | 50–57 | Moderate–High |
| MSc Computer Science | 53–60 | High |
| MSc Biochemistry | 47–54 | Moderate |
| MCom | 49–56 | Moderate |
| MBA | 54–62 | High |
| MCA | 52–60 | Moderate–High |
MSc Mathematics, MSc Computer Science, and MBA have the most competitive OBC cutoffs among science and professional programmes. OBC students targeting these programmes should aim for at least 55 marks.
Factors That Affect the PGAT 2026 OBC Cutoff
Understanding what drives OBC cutoffs helps you set a realistic target and compare your score against the expected range.
- Number of OBC applicants: A surge in OBC applications for a particular programme means more students compete for the same 27% seat share, pushing the cutoff up.
- Total seats per programme: A programme with only 40 seats offers roughly 10–11 OBC seats. Fewer seats equal stiffer competition and higher cutoffs.
- Exam difficulty: A tougher PGAT 2026 paper lowers average scores across categories. OBC cutoffs can fall by 2–4 marks compared to an easy-paper year.
- No negative marking advantage: Because PGAT carries no penalty for wrong answers, more students tend to attempt all 100 questions, which raises the average score and can nudge cutoffs slightly higher.
- Tie-breaking criteria: When two OBC students score the same marks, age and undergraduate percentage are used to determine merit order. This effectively shifts the functional cutoff by a fraction for borderline scorers.
How to Check PGAT 2026 OBC Cutoff After Declaration
The University of Allahabad publishes merit lists and cutoffs programme-wise on its official admission portal. Follow these steps once the cutoff for your programme is released.
- Go to the official portal at allduniv.ac.in.
- Click the PG Admission 2026–2027 link on the homepage.
- Look for the Merit List / Press Release for your programme and download it.
- Open the PDF and locate the OBC category section.
- Note the last OBC rank and corresponding score — this is the closing cutoff for that round.
- Compare your PGAT 2026 score with the OBC closing mark to assess your admission chances.
Results are being released in phases. Bookmark the PGAT 2026 admission page and check it daily for your programme’s press release.
PGAT 2026 OBC Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected PGAT 2026 OBC cutoff for MA English?
Ans. Based on 2024–25 trends, the expected OBC cutoff for MA English is 56–63 marks out of 100. This is a predicted range; the confirmed score will be published in the official merit list on allduniv.ac.in.
Ques. Is the PGAT 2026 OBC cutoff the same for all programmes?
Ans. No. Each programme has its own OBC cutoff based on the number of OBC applicants, available seats, and overall exam performance. High-demand programmes like MA English, MSc Mathematics, and MBA have OBC cutoffs of 55–62, while moderate-demand ones may close at 42–50.
Ques. How many marks should OBC students target to secure PG admission at Allahabad University?
Ans. OBC students aiming at competitive programmes (MA English, MSc Mathematics, MBA, MCA) should target at least 55 marks out of 100. For moderate-demand Arts programmes such as MA History or MA Philosophy, 44–50 marks may be sufficient based on previous year trends.
Ques. What percentage of PGAT 2026 seats are reserved for OBC students?
Ans. As per the Uttar Pradesh government reservation policy, 27% of total seats in each programme are reserved for OBC students. Admission within this pool is purely merit-based, meaning OBC students compete among themselves for these reserved seats using their PGAT score.
Ques. Where is the official PGAT 2026 OBC cutoff published?
Ans. The University of Allahabad publishes programme-wise press releases and merit lists on its official admission portal at allduniv.ac.in under the PG Admission 2026–27 section. Results for different programmes are released on different dates.
Ques. Does PGAT 2026 have negative marking, and how does that affect the OBC cutoff?
Ans. PGAT 2026 has no negative marking. Since students can attempt all 100 questions without risk, average scores tend to be higher than exams with penalty marking. This generally keeps OBC (and all category) cutoffs slightly elevated compared to what they would be in a penalty-based test.
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