Data Science And Artificial Intelligence GATE Cutoff 2026: Exam-Wide Qualifying Marks & Admission Trends
The Data Science And Artificial Intelligence GATE Cutoff 2026 is the minimum qualifying score required for admission to M.Tech programs and PSU recruitment, with the General category cutoff settling at 26.4 marks. This figure, released by IIT Guwahati on March 19, 2026, reflects a slight decrease from the 2025 cutoff of 29 for the General category, indicating a fluctuating but competitive landscape for this emerging discipline.
GATE 2026 Qualifying Cutoffs for Data Science & AI
The official qualifying marks for the GATE 2026 Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) paper have been released, outlining the minimum scores candidates needed across various categories to qualify.
| Category | GATE DA 2026 Cutoff (Marks out of 100) |
|---|---|
| General | 26.4 |
| EWS | 23.7 |
| OBC-NCL | 23.7 |
| SC | 17.5 |
| ST | 17.5 |
| PwD | 17.5 |
GATE DA Cutoff Trends: 2025 vs 2026
Comparing the qualifying cutoffs for the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence paper over the last two years reveals shifts in the competitive landscape for this GATE subject.
| Category | GATE DA 2025 Cutoff (Marks out of 100) | GATE DA 2026 Cutoff (Marks out of 100) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 29.0 | 26.4 |
| OBC-NCL/EWS | 26.1 | 23.7 |
| SC/ST/PwD | 19.3 | 17.5 |
GATE 2026 Important Dates
Key dates for the GATE 2026 examination cycle, including application, exam, and result announcements, are crucial for all aspirants.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Admit Card Release | January 13, 2026 |
| Exam Dates | February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | February 22, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | March 19, 2026 |
| Scorecard Download | March 28, 2026 – May 31, 2026 |
FAQs
Q? What is considered a good GATE DA score for M.Tech admissions in top IITs?
A. While the qualifying cutoff is lower, a GATE score of 750+ is generally considered safe for M.Tech admission to top IITs for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence programs, with a rank under 200 being highly competitive.
Q? How is the GATE DA cutoff determined each year?
A. The GATE DA cutoff is influenced by several factors, including the overall difficulty level of the exam paper, the total number of candidates who appeared, and previous year’s cutoff trends.
Q? Does the GATE DA qualifying cutoff guarantee admission to an M.Tech program?
A. No, the GATE DA qualifying cutoff is the minimum score required to pass the exam and receive a scorecard. Actual admission cutoffs for M.Tech programs are typically higher and vary by individual institutes and their specific admission processes.
Q? What is the validity period of the GATE 2026 scorecard?
A. The GATE 2026 scorecard is valid for three years from the date of the announcement of results, making it usable for admissions in 2026, 2027, and 2028.
Q? Are there different cutoffs for various specializations within Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in GATE?
A. GATE Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) is a single paper, and the cutoff released is for this specific paper. Individual institutes may have further admission cutoffs for specialized M.Tech programs within DA.
