GATE Cutoff Marks For IIT And NIT For SC Category: M.Tech Admission Ranks & Counselling Timelines
GATE Cutoff Marks for IIT and NIT for SC Category for Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay settled at 650 in 2025, a significant difference compared to IIT Dhanbad’s 400 for the same branch. The GATE Cutoff Marks for IIT and NIT for SC Category are the minimum scores required for M.Tech admissions, with 2026 qualifying cutoffs officially released, while institute-specific admission data for 2026 is still awaited. Historically, these cutoffs for the SC category typically range 25-35% lower than the General category, with around 5000 candidates securing seats annually across IITs and NITs.
GATE 2026 Examination and Result Dates
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 schedule outlines key dates for registration, examination, and result announcement.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Opens | August 25-28, 2025 |
| Online Registration Closes (without late fee) | September 25-28, 2025 |
| Online Registration Closes (with late fee) | October 06-07, 2025 |
| Admit Cards Available for Download | January 13, 2026 |
| GATE 2026 Examinations | February 07, 08, 14, 15, 2026 |
| Announcement of Results | March 19, 2026 |
GATE 2026 Minimum Qualifying Cutoff for SC/ST Categories
The official qualifying cutoff marks for GATE 2026 have been released, indicating the minimum score required to clear the examination for various papers.
| Paper | SC/ST/PwD Qualifying Marks (Out of 100) |
|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) | 20 |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 23.8 |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 16.6 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) | 16.6 |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 19.4 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences (English) | 26.6 |
IIT M.Tech Admission Cutoffs for SC Category: 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited)
While 2026 admission cutoffs for specific IIT programs are still pending, the 2025 data provides a valuable benchmark for SC category candidates.
| IIT | Branch | SC Category GATE Score (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Bombay | Computer Science and Engineering | 650 |
| IIT Bombay | Aerospace Engineering | 333 |
| IIT Bombay | Mechanical Engineering | 433 |
| IIT Bombay | Chemical Engineering | 400 |
| IIT Bombay | Electronics & Communication / Electrical / Information and Networking Engineering | 467 |
| IIT Bombay | Biomedical Engineering | 267 |
| IIT Delhi | Computer Science and Engineering | 600 |
| IIT Delhi | Computer Technology | 350 |
| IIT Delhi | Cyber Security | 540 |
| IIT Madras | Metallurgy | 199 |
| IIT Madras | EC, EE, EP (Highest Reported) | 760 |
| IIT Roorkee | Data Science | 510 |
| IIT Roorkee | Artificial Intelligence | 520 |
| IIT Gandhinagar | Computer Science and Engineering | 450 |
| IIT Gandhinagar | Artificial Intelligence | 400 |
| IIT Dhanbad | Computer Science and Engineering | 400 |
| IIT Dhanbad | Computer Science & Information Security | 400 |
| IIT Dhanbad | Data Analytics | 350 |
COAP 2026 Counselling Schedule for IIT M.Tech Admissions
The Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP) 2026 facilitates M.Tech admissions to participating IITs and IISc, with multiple rounds for offer acceptance.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| COAP 2026 Registration Start | March 27, 2026 |
| Round 1 Offers | May 11 – May 13, 2026 |
| Round 2 Offers | May 17 – May 20, 2026 |
| Round 3 Offers | May 24 – May 27, 2026 |
| Round 6 Offers | June 13 – June 17, 2026 |
| Round 7 Offers | June 20 – June 23, 2026 |
| Round 8 Offers | June 27 – July 01, 2026 |
| Round 9 Offers | July 04 – July 05, 2026 |
| Round 10 Offers | July 11 – July 12, 2026 |
| Final Round Concludes | July 10, 2026 |
CCMT 2026 Counselling Timeline for NIT, IIIT, and GFTI Admissions
The Centralized Counselling for M.Tech./M.Arch./M.Plan. (CCMT) 2026 provides a unified platform for admissions to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs based on GATE scores.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CCMT 2026 Registration Start | May 15, 2026 |
| Last Date for CCMT 2026 Registration | June 5, 2026 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment (Tentative) | June 2026 |
| Special Rounds (Tentative) | July 2026 |
FAQs
Q: What is a good GATE score for SC category candidates aiming for IITs?
A: For top IITs, SC category candidates typically need a GATE score above 500-650, while newer IITs may consider scores in the 350-450 range. Specific branch preferences also influence these scores.
Q: How much lower are GATE cutoffs for SC candidates compared to the General category?
A: GATE cutoff marks for the SC category are generally 25-35% lower than those for the General category across IITs and NITs.
Q: Does clearing the GATE exam guarantee admission to an IIT or NIT?
A: No, clearing the GATE exam only makes a candidate eligible to apply for M.Tech programs. Final admission depends on the institute-specific admission cutoffs, which are typically higher than the qualifying cutoffs, and performance in subsequent selection processes like interviews.
Q: Which counselling portals are used for M.Tech admissions through GATE scores?
A: For IITs and IISc, the Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP) is used, while for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, the Centralized Counselling for M.Tech./M.Arch./M.Plan. (CCMT) is the platform.
Q: Are there any specific IITs known for having lower GATE cutoffs for SC candidates?
A: Historically, newer IITs and certain branches in established IITs, such as Metallurgy at IIT Madras or Data Analytics at IIT Dhanbad, have shown relatively lower GATE admission cutoffs for SC category candidates.
Q: What is the validity period of a GATE score?
A: A GATE score obtained by a candidate remains valid for a period of three years from the date of the announcement of results.
Q: How many seats are reserved for SC category candidates in IITs and NITs?
A: Approximately 15% of seats are reserved for the SC category in IITs and NITs for M.Tech admissions through GATE.
What is the GATE qualifying cutoff for SC candidates in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) for 2026?
For the GATE 2026 Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) examination, the qualifying cutoff for SC/ST/PwD candidates is 20 marks. This represents the minimum score required to qualify for the GATE 2026 examination.
Where can I find the official GATE 2026 cutoffs for admission to IITs and NITs?
The IIT Guwahati has updated its official website and will release the GATE 2026 Cutoff soon. For M.Tech admissions, IITs use the COAP (common offer acceptance portal) counselling, while some top NITs and IIITs use CCMT.
When are the GATE 2026 admission cutoffs for IIT M.Tech programs expected to be released?
The IIT Guwahati has stated that it will release the GATE 2026 Cutoff soon on its official website. Specifically, the GATE CSE cutoffs 2026 for IIT M.Tech admission are yet to be released.
What is the distinction between GATE qualifying cutoff and GATE admission cutoff?
The GATE qualifying cutoff is the minimum marks required to qualify for the GATE exam. The GATE admission cutoff refers to the marks needed for admission into M.Tech programs at institutes like IITs and NITs. Candidates typically need to secure more than the qualifying marks to be eligible for admission.
Do GATE cutoffs differ across various institutes and candidate categories?
Yes, GATE cutoffs vary widely between IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other institutes. They also depend on your category (General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST) and the specific branch of engineering.
