GATE Safe Score 2026 - The score that you should aim to be able to qualify for the exam and apply for admission is called the GATE 2026 safe score. Achieving the GATE 2026 safe score enables you to apply for admission to MTech programs in the GATE Participating institutes.
According to the GATE previous year trends, the safe marks & score trends for 2026 are:
- Top IITs: Aim for 60–75+ marks (around 750+ score) for popular branches.
- Top NITs/IIITs: Aim for 40–50+ marks (around 600-750+ score).
- PSUs: Generally requires a score of 750–850+.
- Qualifying Marks: Generally 25–35, depending on the paper's difficulty (e.g., ~30-32 for CSE/Data Science, 29-31 for Civil).
We have also provided the discipline-wise safe score for the General Category below:
- Computer Science (CSE): 40-45+ (for IITs).
- Mechanical (ME): 36-40+ (for IITs).
- Civil Engineering (CE): 27-29.5+ (for IITs).
- Electrical/Electronics (EE/EC): ≥ 820-840 score.
Though GATE 2026 safe score guarantees admission, it does not guarantee admission in your dream college. If you have a particular GATE participating institute in mind, you must check the cutoff for that particular institute before applying.
Also Check: GATE 2026 Expected Cutoff for Top Branches
What is GATE Safe Score 2026?
The following table provides a general differentiation between Top Score, Safe Score, and Unsafe Score for GATE 2026 based on trends for admission to M.Tech programs.
| Category | Marks Range (out of 100) | Description | Example Institutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Score | 60+ | Excellent performance; guarantees admission to high-demand branches in top IITs and PSUs. | IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras |
| Safe Score | 45-60 | Good chances for admission to IITs or top NITs; comfortable for mid-to-high demand branches. | IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, NIT Trichy, NIT Surathkal |
| Unsafe Score | Below 45 | Risky for top institutes; may get mid-tier NITs or other colleges, but no guarantee for competitive branches. | Newer NITs (e.g., NIT Goa), IIITs, State Engineering Colleges |
The video by Ankit Goyal explains the GATE Safe score and compares it with last year's GATE scores. You can review the video for the GATE safe score as per your subject.
Subject-Wise Safe Score for GATE 2026
The following table lists expected safe scores (raw marks out of 100) for various subjects in GATE 2026. These represent marks that are considered "safe" to comfortably qualify for the GATE 2026 exam.
| Discipline | Cutoff Range |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering | 32 – 34 |
| Agricultural Engineering | 24.6 – 26 |
| Architecture and Planning | 40 – 43 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 24 – 26 |
| Biotechnology | 37 – 40.2 |
| Civil Engineering | 27 – 29.5 |
| Chemical Engineering | 24.1 – 26.3 |
| Computer Science and Information Technology | 27 – 29.5 |
| Chemistry | 24 – 27 |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | 36.5 – 38 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 24 – 26.7 |
| Electrical Engineering | 25 – 28 |
| Environmental Science and Engineering | 37.1 – 39.5 |
| Ecology and Evolution | 35 – 37 |
| Geomatics Engineering | 41 – 43 |
| Geology and Geophysics (Geology) | 41.3 – 44 |
| Geology and Geophysics (Geophysics) | 48.7 – 50.4 |
| Instrumentation Engineering | 32 – 33.5 |
| Mathematics | 24.5 – 26 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 28 – 29.6 |
| Mining Engineering | 24 – 26.7 |
| Metallurgical Engineering | 40.1 – 43.5 |
| Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | 24.4 – 26 |
| Petroleum Engineering | 41.6 – 43.7 |
| Physics | 31 – 33.1 |
| Production and Industrial Engineering | 29.7 – 31.2 |
| Statistics | 26 – 28 |
| Textile Engineering and Fibre Science | 27 – 29.8 |
| Engineering Sciences | 35 – 36.4 |
| Humanities & Social Sciences (Economics) | 36 – 38.1 |
| Humanities & Social Sciences (English) | 47.7 – 49 |
| Humanities & Social Sciences (Linguistics) | 48 – 50 |
| Humanities & Social Sciences (Philosophy) | 38.5 – 40 |
| Humanities & Social Sciences (Psychology) | 52 – 54 |
| Humanities & Social Sciences (Sociology) | 27 – 35.6 |
| Life Sciences | 28 – 30 |
Source: Video by Ankit Goyal
Also Read:
- GATE Score Calculation 2026, Formula, Calculation Method, Normalization, Marks vs Score vs Rank
- GATE 2026 Score Validity: Check for M.Tech Admission at IIT and NIT, PSU, and Government Jobs
GATE 2026 Top Branch Cutoff: Category Wise
The GATE Cut off for top branches like CSE, ME, for various categories is:
| Branch-Wise GATE Cutoff Trends | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Different Branches | General Cutoff (Approx) | OBC/EWS | SC/ST/PwD |
| Computer Science (CSE) | 25–29 | 22–26 | 16–19 |
| Mechanical Engg (ME) | 27–34 | 24–31 | 18–23 |
| Civil Engg (CE) | 26–30 | 23–27 | 17–20 |
| Electrical Engg (EE) | 25–33 | 22–30 | 16–22 |
| Electronics (ECE) | 26–29 | 23–26 | 17–19 |
Ques. What is the cut-off for GATE 2026?
Ans. The GATE 2026 cut-off has not been announced yet, as the exam is still pending. However, based on previous years’ data, candidates can estimate the expected qualifying marks for different categories. For instance, the projected cut-off for Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) is expected to be around
- 30–31 for the General category,
- 27.5 for OBC-NCL/EWS, and
- 20 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Ques. What is the minimum GATE score to get into IIT?
Ans. There is no single minimum GATE score for IITs since it significantly depends on the specific institute, the area of study, and the candidate's category. If you are looking for top streams such as Computer Science, the general category cutoffs may be very high, frequently crossing 700 or 750. However, a score in the range of 500 to 650 can be enough for acceptance in less competitive branches or newer IITs.
Ques. What is the rank for 70 marks in GATE?
Ans. A GATE score of 70 can be ranked from about 200 to 5000, but this differs a lot depending upon the branch and the year, with Civil being an example, with 200–1000, and another analysis where 2000–5000 for a 70-75 mark range.
Students might ask: What is the minimum score of GATE one should secure to get into PSUs?
As per a Quora user Thaju Zaman: From the current trend, a gate rank within 200 for general category and within 500 for obc can pretty well assure you a seat in PSUs.
You might also wonder What should be the GATE rank and marks to secure admission to IISc and IITs in CSE (General Category)?
As per Quora user Tushar Pandey: The rank usually doesn’t matter in IISC BANGALORE interviews , at any level. The criteria is just that you should get a call, rest depends on your interview.
Another user said: Admission on IITs will be based on ranks not marks excpet IITR. Rank ~100-150 (Gen. Cat ) will fetch you seat in IISc/ Old 7 IITS + IITH in CSE.
How many questions are required to score 40 marks in GATE?
To score 40+ marks in GATE 2026, you need to aim for at least 42 to 45 raw marks
| If you attempt 30 questions of 2 marks correctly | It can fetch you 60 marks in GATE 2026. |
| If you attempt 20 questions of 2 marks correctly, and 10 questions of 1 mark correctly | It can fetch you 50 marks in GATE 2026 |
| If you attempt 15 questions of 2 marks and 15 questions of 1 mark correctly | It can fetch you 45 marks in the GATE exam |
GATE Cutoff 2026 Expected
The Final cutoff for GATE 2026 will be released after the results, but the expected range will help you to plan better and prepare accordingly. Check below for the qualifying cutoff for GATE 2026, as per the previous year's analysis:
- The core engineering branches, like ME, CE, and EE, have shown increasing trends because of high competition.
- With a tougher exam, your cutoff can drop by 1 to 3 marks, and with an easier exam, it can increase by 3 to 5 marks.
| Branch | GEN | OBC-NCL/EWS | SC/ST/PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 30–33 | 27–30 | 20–23 |
| Computer Science (CS) | 30–34 | 27–31 | 20–23 |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 37–40 | 33–37 | 25–28 |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 26–29 | 24–27 | 18–21 |
| Electronics & Comm. (EC) | 29–32 | 27–30 | 20–23 |
GATE 2026 Cutoff Marks for IIT & NIT Admissions
Based on previous-year closing trends & competition growth estimates, we have provided the expected GATE cut-off.
| Institute Type / Target Branch | Top IITs (IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur) | New/Lower IITs | Top NITs (Trichy, Warangal, Surathkal) | Other NITs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSE / IT | 65–75 | 55–62 | 58–68 | 45–55 |
| Mechanical (ME) | 60–70 | 50–58 | 52–60 | 40 – 48 |
| Electrical (EE) | 55–65 | 48–55 | 50–58 | 38–45 |
| Electronics (EC) | 58–68 | 48–56 | 50–60 | 40 – 48 |
| Civil (CE) | 50–58 | 42–50 | 45–55 | 35–42 |
GATE Cutoff for PSU Jobs
| PSU / Branch (Popular Streams) | GEN | OBC-NCL / EWS | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IOCL (ME / CH / EE / IN / CE) | 75 – 85 | 70 – 80 | 55 – 65 | 50 – 60 |
| NTPC (EE / ME / IN) | 78 – 82 | 72 – 76 | 58 – 65 | 52 – 60 |
| ONGC (ME / PE / EE / IN / GG) | 80 – 85 | 75 – 80 | 60 – 65 | 55 – 60 |
| HPCL (ME / IN / CE / EE) | 70 – 80 | 65 – 75 | 50 – 60 | 45 – 55 |
| BHEL (EE / ME / EC) | 72 – 78 | 68 – 72 | 55 – 60 | 50 – 55 |
| POWERGRID (EE / EC / CE) | 77 – 82 | 71 – 76 | 58 – 63 | 54 – 58 |
Also Read:
- IIT GATE Cutoff, Previous Year Category-wise Opening and Closing Ranks for IIT
- GATE NIT Cutoff 2026- Check Previous Year Opening and Closing score
- PSU GATE Cutoff 2026: Check Branch & Category-Wise Cutoff, and Previous Year Cutoff
Ques. How much GATE score is required for PSU jobs?
Ans. The GATE score required for a job in a PSU changes greatly depending on the PSU, discipline, and year. However, a score between 600 and 850 or a rank below 1000 is a good benchmark for a strong chance.
| IIT Tier | GATE Score Required | Chance with 40 Marks (500-600 Score) |
|---|---|---|
| Top IITs (IISc, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras) | 750+ | Very Low Chance |
| Mid-tier IITs (IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee) | 650 – 750 | Unlikely |
| Lower IITs (IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Jodhpur, IIT Dhanbad, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Mandi, IIT Ropar) | 500 – 650 | Possible |
| NITs(Trichy, Warangal, Surathkal), IIITs & Other Institutes | 400 – 550 | Good Chances |
Ques. Can I get IIT with 40 marks in GATE?
Ans. A GATE score of 40 is not be good enough for getting admission into an IIT since it is a low score compared to the cutoffs of the most desired branches such as CSE, M.E, and E.E.
A score of 40 will only be enough to pass the exam in some of the branches.
What is a Good Score in GATE 2026?
A good GATE score can be categorized based on different admission and job opportunities. Anything above 850 is considered a very good score in GATE 2026.
| GATE Score (Out of 1000) | Category | Admission/Recruitment Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| 850 – 1000 | Excellent | Direct admission to IISc, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, Top PSU calls (IOCL, ONGC, BHEL) |
| 750 – 850 | Very Good | Admission in Top IITs (IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati), Shortlisting for PSUs like HPCL, NTPC |
| 650 – 750 | Good | Admission in Mid-tier IITs, NITs (Trichy, Warangal, Surathkal), IIITs, Some PSU calls |
| 500 – 650 | Average | Admission in Lower IITs, NITs, and State Universities, Few PSU opportunities |
| Below 500 | Below Average | Admission in private universities, state-level colleges, PSU chances are very low |
GATE Good Score FAQs
Ques. Is 5000 a good rank in GATE?
Ans. A GATE rank of 5000 is generally considered average to decent. This rank might get you into mid-to-lower-tier NITs, reputable government colleges, state universities, private colleges, or some older IITs. However, the rank is unlikely to get you into top IITs or premier PSUs.
- M.Tech Admissions: Good chances for admission into NITs (newer/lower-tier), GFTIs, state-level colleges, and private universities.
- PSU Jobs: Possible for some Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) through subsequent counseling rounds, but top PSUs usually require ranks under 200-1000.
- Private Sector: Strengthens your profile for private companies, demonstrating strong engineering fundamentals.
Ques. Has anyone scored 100 marks in the GATE?
Ans. No one has ever scored a complete 100 in GATE. The highest anyone has ever scored is 98.33 from ME in 2015. It is very difficult to score 100 marks in GATE.
Ques. Is 45 marks good in GATE?
Ans. A score of 45 in GATE is decent for clearing the exam (passing is 25-35 marks for General) and might get you into some NITs or state colleges, but it's usually not high enough for top IITs or PSU jobs, which often require 60+ marks; it's a good foundation for interviews at good colleges, but you'll likely need higher marks (60+) for premier institutes, while 65-80+ is generally needed for PSUs.
Ques. Will PSU recruit through GATE 2026?
Ans. Yes, numerous Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are expected to hire through GATE 2026 as a matter of course for their technical and managerial positions. The list of PSUs that accept GATE scores includes the prominent ones like ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, GAIL, and IOCL. Candidates must possess a valid GATE score, and they may have to go through extra selection rounds such as interviews or group discussions.
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