The PSU GATE 2026 Expected Cutoff represents the lowest score in GATE that will be taken into account for the selection process of candidates in different Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) spread across India.
- Considering past trends, it is expected that these three PSUs will lead the pack in setting their cutoff scores, namely IOCL, NTPC, and BHEL.
- The cut-off point relies on various factors such as the candidate's subject, category, and the employment guidelines of the particular PSU.
- The expected cutoff for top PSUs is 850–900 for CSE/IT (General) and 780–830 for reserved categories; 780–820 for Electrical Engineering (General), 720–770 for OBC, and lower for SC/ST/PwD; 750–800 for Mechanical, and 700–760 for Civil (General).
New roles, such as Data Analytics and Smart Grid, may see slightly higher cutoffs. For top PSUs (NTPC, IOCL, BHEL), target 800+ in your branch.
Also Read
Key Summary
We have covered the PSU GATE Cutoff 2026 topic with a branch and category-wise cutoff check in the article.
- PSU GATE Cutoff 2026 will be published separately by each PSU after the candidates are shortlisted based on GATE 2026 scores.
- CSE / IT is the branch with the highest cutoff which is expected to be around 850–900 for the top PSUs in 2026.
- Electrical Engineering: 780–820 marks; Mechanical / Civil: 750–800 marks.
- Besides that, the cutoffs for the reserved categories (OBC, SC, ST, PwD) are lower and, generally, are 30–70 marks less than those of the General category.
- PSU GATE Cutoffs are not fixed and change every year depending on various factors such as the difficulty of the exam, the number of applicants, their performance, and the availability of seats.
- What is PSU GATE Cutoff 2026?
- Expected PSU GATE 2026 Cutoff Trends
-
- PSU GATE Cutoff 2026 – Marks & Branch-Wise Overview
- PSU GATE Cutoff 2026 – Expected Good Score
- What is the Safe Score in GATE 2026 (for PSU Recruitment)?
-
- PSU GATE Cutoff Analysis & Trends (2025–2020)
- PSU GATE Cutoff 2026 FAQs
What is PSU GATE Cutoff 2026?
PSU GATE Cutoff 2026 refers to the least GATE score that a candidate must achieve to be qualified for recruitment in different Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) all over India.
- The cutoff is not fixed and changes annually and is dependent on several factors such as the total number of applicants, the difficulty level of the GATE exam, and the number of vacancies available in each PSU.
- Industries like CSE/IT normally have higher cutoff scores, whereas other branches like Civil or Mechanical might have lower ones.
- You can refer to previous-year trends to set realistic target scores for PSU recruitment.
| PSU / Branch | Expected Cutoff Range (2026) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Top PSUs – CSE / IT | 850 – 900 | Very High |
| Top PSUs – Electrical Engineering | 780 – 820 | High |
| Top PSUs – Mechanical Engineering | 750 – 790 | Moderate–High |
| Top PSUs – Civil Engineering | 720 – 770 | Moderate |
Expected PSU GATE 2026 Cutoff Trends
PSU GATE Cutoff 2026 may look very much like PSU GATE 2025. The top PSUs will disclose their cutoff marks after the publication of GATE 2026 results. So, according to the data of the previous years:
- The most competitive department is still CSE/IT, where top PSUs are going to set very high cutoffs.
- There is moderate competition in the field of Electrical Engineering, and the cutoffs are a bit lower.
- Usually, the cutoffs of Mechanical and Civil Engineering are lower than those of CSE/IT.
| Program / Branch | General | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science / IT | 850–900 | 820–870 | 770–820 | 740–790 | 700–750 |
| Electrical Engineering | 780–820 | 750–790 | 700–740 | 670–710 | 650–690 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 750–790 | 720–760 | 680–720 | 650–690 | 620–660 |
| Civil Engineering | 740–780 | 710–750 | 670–710 | 640–680 | 610–650 |
Also Read
PSU Recruitment via GATE 2026 – Insights & Trends, hosted by Kuldeep Singh Rathore, Gate Wala
- The video breaks down the process of PSU hiring with GATE 2026 scores, mentioning the organisations that have announced and are expected to announce recruitment.
- While a few PSUs issue a short alert during the GATE form filling to inform about their recruitment, most of them release detailed advertisements after the results, thereby emphasising the need for being updated continuously.
- Besides impersonal major PSUs like DRDO, PGCIL, NPCIL, GAIL, NMDC, the video TALK also covers state-level bodies and branches, which are in high demand, such as Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, Instrumentation, and Computer Science.
- The staggered PSU recruitment through different GATE cycles can be understood from NPCIL’s post-result hiring and state PSU opportunities, thus showing that early notifications alone are not enough.
- Following a fixed recruitment timeline of 2-3 months, similar to that of IIT M.Tech admissions, is a way to bring down seat wastage, enhance planning, and target the right PSUs that you are looking for, thereby doing it efficiently.
PSU GATE Cutoff 2026 – Marks & Branch-Wise Overview
- PSU uses the GATE exam score as a criterion for shortlisting the eligible candidates for recruitment.
- The GATE examination is scored out of 100, and the questions are spread over core engineering/technology subjects along with General Aptitude.
- PSUs usually publish branch-wise category cutoff points from GATE scores for each category, which fluctuate every year due to the varying number of applicants and vacancies.
| Section | Subject / Branch | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part I | Core Engineering (e.g., CSE, EE, ME) | 65–70 | 65–70 |
| Part II | General Aptitude | 10 | 15 |
| Part III | Optional / Discipline-Specific Questions | 20–25 | 20–25 |
| Total | – | 100 | 100 |
Also Read
PSU GATE Cutoff 2026 – Expected Good Score
The GATE score required to get recruited by PSU in 2026 is considered good, varies depending on the branch, category, and the selection criteria of the organisation.
In general, candidates with a GATE score above 850 are likely to be shortlisted for top PSUs such as IOCL, ONGC, HPCL, and BHEL, in the case of the General category.
- The first table shows an approximate good GATE score for PSU recruitment based on figures and trends of last year.
- A score of 850 and above is thus considered as excellent to get a high success rate in top PSUs and preferred branches (CSE, ME, EE, EC).
- Scores within the range of 750–850 can be able to get places in medium-level PSUs or in branches where there is an average level of competition.
- While scores around 650–750 may only have a few chances in some PSUs especially for the reserved category (OBC, SC/ST, PwD)
.
| GATE Score Range | Admission Possibility | Likely PSUs / Branches |
|---|---|---|
| 850+ | Highly likely for top PSUs | IOCL, ONGC, HPCL, BHEL – CSE, ECE, ME, EE |
| 800–850 | Very likely for core PSUs | NTPC, Power Grid, BPCL – EE, ME, IN |
| 750–800 | Good chance for mid-tier PSUs | GAIL, NLC, SAIL – ME, CE, EE |
| 700–750 | Likely for limited PSU options | NBCC, EIL, NPCIL – CE, CH, IN |
| 650–700 | Borderline, possible for reserved categories | IOCL (OBC/SC/ST), HPCL (reserved) – CE, ME, EE |
Also Read
Ques. Is 700 a good score in GATE 2026?
Ans. A score of 700 in the GATE 2026 exam is considered a moderate to good score.
- It can help candidates get shortlisted for mid-tier PSUs or for core engineering branches in organisations that have relatively lower cutoffs.
- This score is often sufficient for OBC/SC/ST candidates to qualify for top PSUs and M.Tech admissions in reputed NITs and some IITs.
| PSU / Organisation | Likely Branches | Admission / Shortlist Chance |
|---|---|---|
| NTPC | Electrical, Mechanical | Possible |
| GAIL | Instrumentation, Chemical | Likely |
| NLC India | Civil, Mechanical | High Chance |
| NPCIL | Civil, Electrical | High Chance |
Ques. Is 850 a good score in GATE 2026?
Ans. Yes, a score of 850 or above in GATE 2026 is considered an excellent score.
- Candidates with this score have a very high probability of selection in top PSUs like IOCL, ONGC, HPCL, and BHEL, especially in General category.
- This score range ensures shortlisting in almost all leading PSUs and direct interview calls for core branches.
| PSU / Organisation | Likely Branches | Admission / Shortlist Chance |
|---|---|---|
| IOCL | CSE, ECE, Mechanical, Electrical | Confirmed |
| ONGC | Petroleum, Mechanical, Instrumentation | Almost Confirmed |
| BHEL | Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics | Very High |
| Power Grid | Electrical, Instrumentation | Confirmed |
What is the Safe Score in GATE 2026 (for PSU Recruitment)?
A safe GATE score is the minimum score that provides a high probability of shortlisting for interviews or direct recruitment in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
Safe scores vary by branch, category, and PSU, but generally, they are 10–15 marks higher than the previous year’s cutoff to account for variations in exam difficulty, number of vacancies, and competition levels.
- For General category candidates, a score of 850+ is considered safe for top PSUs like IOCL, ONGC, BHEL, HPCL, and Power Grid.
- For OBC candidates, a score of 750–800 is generally safe, while SC/ST candidates can expect safety around 650–700, depending on the PSU and branch.
| Branch / Discipline | Recommended Safe Score (General Category) | Top PSUs / Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science (CS) | 850 – 880 | IOCL, ONGC, HPCL, BARC |
| Electronics & Communication (EC) | 820 – 850 | BHEL, NTPC, DRDO, BEL |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 800 – 850 | Power Grid, NTPC, IOCL |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 780 – 820 | ONGC, IOCL, GAIL, BHEL |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 750 – 800 | NBCC, EIL, SAIL, NHAI |
| Instrumentation Engineering (IN) | 760 – 800 | HPCL, GAIL, BARC |
| Chemical Engineering (CH) | 720 – 760 | IOCL, GAIL, HPCL |
| Metallurgical Engineering (MT) | 700 – 740 | SAIL, BHEL, RINL |
| Production / Industrial (PI) | 720 – 750 | BHEL, IOCL |
| Environmental Engineering (ES) | 700 – 740 | NPCIL, EIL, GAIL |
What is the cutoff for PSU GATE 2025?
- The PSU GATE 2025 cutoffs are the minimum marks required by candidates to qualify for recruitment in various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) across India, such as IOCL, ONGC, BHEL, NTPC, and others.
- These cutoffs vary each year depending on factors such as the difficulty level of the GATE exam, the number of vacancies released by each PSU, the category of the candidate, and the overall performance of applicants.
Also Read
PSU GATE Cutoff Analysis & Trends (2025–2020)
- GATE cutoffs for PSUs fluctuate yearly based on exam difficulty, vacancies, applicant numbers, and score normalisation.
- Previous year trends help aspirants set realistic targets and plan effective preparation for PSU recruitment through GATE 2026.
- Cutoffs dipped in 2021–2022 due to fewer vacancies and tougher normalisation.
- In 2023–2024, cutoffs rose again for top PSUs like IOCL, ONGC, and BHEL amid higher competition and limited seats.
IOCL GATE Cutoff Trends (2025–2020)
- IOCL (Indian Oil Corporation Limited) is among the most sought-after PSUs, maintaining high cutoffs across branches.
- CSE and Electrical consistently record the highest cutoff scores, followed by Mechanical and Civil.
| Year | CSE | Electrical (EE) | Mechanical (ME) | Instrumentation (IN) | Chemical (CH) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 872 | 845 | 820 | 810 | 780 |
| 2024 | 865 | 838 | 810 | 802 | 772 |
| 2023 | 860 | 832 | 805 | 795 | 768 |
| 2022 | 842 | 810 | 788 | 776 | 750 |
| 2021 | 870 | 825 | 800 | 780 | 760 |
| 2020 | 875 | 828 | 810 | 785 | 770 |
ONGC GATE Cutoff Trends (2025–2020)
- ONGC cutoffs vary each year based on project requirements and the number of openings.
- The Mechanical and Electrical branches usually have slightly lower cutoffs compared to CSE and Electronics, due to higher applicant volume.
| Year | CSE | Electronics (EC) | Electrical (EE) | Mechanical (ME) | Civil (CE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 860 | 835 | 815 | 800 | 780 |
| 2024 | 852 | 828 | 808 | 792 | 770 |
| 2023 | 845 | 820 | 800 | 785 | 760 |
| 2022 | 830 | 805 | 780 | 770 | 740 |
| 2021 | 850 | 825 | 798 | 775 | 755 |
| 2020 | 858 | 830 | 805 | 785 | 765 |
BHEL GATE Cutoff Trends (2025–2020)
- BHEL primarily recruits through the Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics branches.
- Cutoffs dropped in 2022 due to fewer vacancies, but have risen again steadily since 2023.
| Year | Mechanical (ME) | Electrical (EE) | Electronics (EC) | Metallurgy (MT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 825 | 830 | 812 | 740 |
| 2024 | 818 | 820 | 805 | 735 |
| 2023 | 810 | 812 | 798 | 728 |
| 2022 | 785 | 792 | 770 | 710 |
| 2021 | 805 | 815 | 785 | 725 |
| 2020 | 815 | 822 | 790 | 730 |
Ques. How do PSU GATE cutoffs differ from M.Tech admission cutoffs in IITs and NITs?
Ans. PSU GATE cutoffs are generally higher than those for M.Tech admissions because PSUs use GATE scores as a shortlisting tool for limited job openings, not academic intake.
| Aspect | PSU GATE Cutoff | M.Tech Cutoff (IITs/NITs) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Job recruitment | Academic admission |
| Cutoff Level | Generally higher | Moderate to high |
| Selection Criteria | Overall GATE score & branch demand | GATE score + Interview/Written Test |
| Vacancies/Seats | Limited job openings | Varies by department |
| Focus Area | Merit & skill relevance | Research & academics |
Ques. Why did GATE cutoffs for PSUs increase again after 2022?
Ans. The PSU GATE cutoffs increased post-2022 due to rising competition and limited recruitment opportunities.
- A higher number of candidates achieved top GATE scores (800+).
- Major PSUs like IOCL, ONGC, and BHEL reduced their vacancy count.
- The exam was relatively easier with favourable score normalisation.
- Increased demand for PSU jobs boosted the overall cutoff range.
Ques. Can a GATE score below 750 secure a PSU job in 2026?
Ans. Yes, it’s possible to get into mid-tier PSUs with a score below 750, though top PSUs usually demand higher marks.
- Top PSUs prefer 800+ scores for shortlisting.
- Mid-level PSUs and state enterprises acceptthe 700–750 range.
- Strong interview and technical skills can enhance selection chances.
| GATE Score Range | Possible PSU Options | Selection Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 800+ | IOCL, ONGC, BHEL, NTPC | High cutoff; focus on technical mastery |
| 750–799 | HPCL, GAIL, PowerGrid | Maintain good academic record |
| 700–749 | BPCL, NLC, SAIL, State PSUs | Perform well in interviews & GD rounds |
| Below 700 | Limited chances; smaller PSUs | Focus on M.Tech or private sector roles |
Also Read
PSU GATE Cutoff 2026 FAQs
Ques. Will PSU recruit through GATE 2026?
Ans. Yes, several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) will recruit through GATE 2026 scores.
- Candidates who qualify for GATE with valid scores can apply for PSUs such as ONGC, NTPC, IOCL, HPCL, BHEL, and Power Grid.
- Shortlisting is usually based on GATE marks, followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds.
Ques. What is the GATE cut-off for PSU 2025?
Ans. The GATE cut-off for PSU 2025 is:
- The GATE cut-off for PSU 2025 varies from company to company and depends on factors like the number of applicants, vacancies, and difficulty level of the exam.
- Generally, candidates need a GATE score of 750+ for top PSUs like ONGC and IOCL, while a score of 600–700 can be sufficient for others like BHEL, HPCL, and GAIL.
Ques. Who can give the GATE in 2026?
Ans. The GATE in 2026 is given by :
- Candidates who have completed or are in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, or Science (M.Sc.) can appear for GATE 2026.
- There is no age limit, and students from any country can apply.
Ques. How much GATE score is required for PSU?
Ans. The required GATE score for PSU recruitment typically ranges from 600 to 900, depending on the organization and category.
- Top PSUs like ONGC, IOCL, and NTPC usually call candidates with 700+ scores.
- For others, such as BHEL or NLC, scores between 600–700 are competitive.
Ques. Is 40 a good score in the GATE?
Ans. A good score in the GATE is :
- A score of 40 marks in GATE may qualify you for admission in some state or private universities, but it’s usually not sufficient for PSU recruitment.
- Most PSUs prefer high percentile candidates, typically above 70–75 marks, depending on the branch and exam difficulty.
Ques. Which PSU pays the highest salary?
Ans. The highest salary for PSU Pays is :
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), and Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) are among the top-paying PSUs.
- Their entry-level annual packages can range from ₹12–16 LPA, including performance-linked benefits and allowances.
Ques. Which branch is best for PSU?
Ans. The most preferred branches for PSU recruitment are:
- Mechanical Engineering (ME)
- Electrical Engineering (EE)
- Civil Engineering (CE)
- Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE)
- Instrumentation Engineering (IN)
These branches have the highest number of vacancies and opportunities across multiple PSUs.
Ques. Is a PSU job permanent?
Ans. Yes, PSU jobs are generally permanent and government-backed positions
- That offers job security, steady career growth, and several benefits such as housing, medical facilities, and retirement plans.
- However, some roles may begin on a probationary basis before becoming permanent.
Ques. Which PSU recruits without GATE?
Ans. Some PSUs conduct their own recruitment exams or interviews without GATE. Examples include:
- NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.)
- BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre)
- DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation)
- ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
- BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited)
These organisations select candidates based on their own written exams and interviews.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
Comments