PGAT 2026 Safe Score for OBC and EWS: Minimum Marks to Secure PG Seat

For PGAT 2026, a safe score of 120–145 marks for OBC category and 135–155 marks for EWS category (out of 300 total) is expected to secure a PG seat at the University of Allahabad, based on 2025 cutoff trends.

The University of Allahabad conducts PGAT (Post Graduate Admission Test) for admissions to over 9,400 PG seats across arts, science, commerce, and professional programs. With results expected in the first week of July 2026 and e-counselling to follow, knowing your safe score by category helps you plan your program choices with confidence. OBC students get 27% reservation and EWS students get 10% reservation, so competition within each category is separate from the general pool.

• PGAT 2026 total marks: 300 (150 MCQs × 2 marks each; ?0.5 for wrong answers)
• Minimum qualifying score: 33% = 99 marks for all categories including OBC and EWS
• OBC reservation: 27% of total seats; EWS reservation: 10% of total seats
• Based on 2025 data, OBC cutoffs ranged from 76 to 178 marks across programs
• Based on 2025 data, EWS cutoffs ranged from 88 to 168 marks across programs
• Expected safe score: OBC 120–145 marks; EWS 135–155 marks for most programs

What Is a Safe Score in PGAT 2026?

A safe score is a mark that sits comfortably above the expected closing cutoff for a given program and category, giving you a strong chance of seat allotment even if competition increases slightly year on year. It is not an official figure published by the University of Allahabad — it is an estimate derived from previous years’ closing cutoffs and admission patterns.

For PGAT 2026, safe scores are estimated by adding a buffer of 8–12 marks to the 2025 program-wise closing cutoffs for OBC and EWS students. This buffer accounts for natural year-to-year variation in difficulty and applicant numbers. For highly competitive programs such as MA Economics, MA Sociology, and MCA, a buffer of 15+ marks above the 2025 cutoff is recommended.

• Minimum to qualify for merit list: 99 marks (33% of 300) for all categories
• Comfortable safe score buffer: 8–12 marks above the previous year’s closing cutoff for your program and category
• High-demand programs (MA Economics, MA Sociology, MCA): aim 15+ marks above the 2025 OBC or EWS closing cutoff

Expected Safe Score for OBC and EWS by Program (PGAT 2026)

The table below lists expected safe scores for key PGAT 2026 programs for OBC and EWS students, based on 2025 cutoff trends. All values are predicted and will be confirmed only after the official result and merit list are released.

All safe score figures are expected estimates based on 2025 closing cutoffs. Official PGAT 2026 cutoffs will be published with the merit list after result declaration in July 2026.

PGAT 2025 Category-wise Cutoff: OBC and EWS

The 2025 closing cutoffs are the primary reference for estimating PGAT 2026 safe scores. The table below shows the actual last-admitted mark for OBC and EWS students in selected programs from the 2025 admission cycle.

High-demand programs like MA Economics, MCA, and M.Com maintained OBC cutoffs above 140 marks in 2025. Classical language and niche science programs showed markedly lower cutoffs, sometimes below 100 marks for OBC students.

Factors That Affect PGAT Cutoff for OBC and EWS

Cutoffs shift from year to year based on several variables. Understanding these helps you set a realistic target for PGAT 2026.

• Number of applicants per category: A larger pool of OBC or EWS applicants for a program raises competition and pushes the cutoff higher within that reserved quota.
• Exam difficulty level: A harder PGAT 2026 paper lowers average scores, pulling cutoffs down. An easier paper can drive them up.
• Seat intake in the reserved quota: Programs with fewer reserved seats see sharper competition within OBC and EWS pools.
• Negative marking impact: The ?0.5 deduction per wrong answer penalises over-attempting students and can widen the gap between scores, affecting where the cutoff lands.
• Program popularity cycles: MA Economics, MA Sociology, MCA, and M.Ed attract a consistently large applicant base, keeping their cutoffs high across all categories year after year.

How to Estimate Your PGAT 2026 Admission Chances

Once you have your score, use these steps to assess your OBC or EWS admission prospects for PGAT 2026.

1. Check the qualifying threshold first: You need at least 99 marks to appear in any category’s merit list. Scoring below this means you are not eligible regardless of category.
2. Compare your score with the 2025 cutoff for your target program: Use the table above. If your score is 10+ marks above the 2025 OBC or EWS closing cutoff, you are in a strong position.
3. Track the official merit list after results: PGAT 2026 results are expected in the first week of July 2026. The University will then publish program-wise merit lists with category-wise ranks on its official portal.
4. Register for e-counselling promptly: OBC and EWS students must participate in online counselling and list their program preferences in order. Seat allotment is based on merit rank within the reserved quota, and late registration can result in missing preferred programs.
5. Prepare your category certificate in advance: OBC and EWS students need a valid caste or income-and-asset certificate issued by a competent authority, dated within the current year. Carry the original and attested copies for document verification at the department.