GATE Data Science And AI Cutoff 2026: Qualifying Marks, Admission Scores & Key Dates
From 17.5 (SC/ST) to 26.4 (General), the GATE Data Science and AI Cutoff 2026 for qualifying marks spanned across categories. This cutoff is the minimum score required to qualify the examination, with results announced on March 19, 2026. The official GATE 2026 cutoff for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence was released on March 28, 2026, by IIT Guwahati (Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati).
GATE 2026 Important Dates: Application & Examination Schedule
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 followed a structured timeline for applications and examinations.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Opens | August 25, 2025 |
| Online Registration Closes (without late fee) | September 25, 2025 |
| Online Registration Closes (with late fee) | October 6, 2025 |
| Admit Card Available | January 13, 2026 |
| GATE 2026 Examination Dates | February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026 |
| Result Announcement | March 19, 2026 |
| Official Cutoff Release | March 28, 2026 |
GATE Data Science and AI Qualifying Cutoff 2026
The GATE Data Science and AI (DA) qualifying cutoff for 2026 varied by candidate category, determining eligibility for further admission processes.
| Category | Qualifying Marks (Out of 100) |
|---|---|
| General | 26.4 |
| EWS | 23.7 |
| OBC-NCL | 23.7 |
| SC | 17.5 |
| ST | 17.5 |
Expected GATE DA Admission Scores 2026 for Top Institutes
Admission to postgraduate programs in Data Science and AI at premier institutions often requires scores significantly higher than the qualifying cutoff.
| Institute / Category | Expected GATE Score (Out of 1000) |
|---|---|
| IISc Bangalore | 850+ |
| IIT Bombay (Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai) | 800+ |
| IIT Kharagpur (Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur) | 760+ |
| IIT Guwahati (Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati) | 750+ |
| Other IITs, Top NITs | 650-720 |
| Newer IITs, Good NITs | 550-650 |
FAQs
Q: What is considered a good GATE Data Science and AI score for IIT admissions?
A. A GATE score of 700+ is generally considered safe for admission to most IITs for Data Science and AI programs, with top IITs often requiring 800+ scores.
Q: How is the GATE Data Science and AI cutoff determined?
A. The GATE Data Science and AI cutoff is determined based on factors such as the number of candidates appearing, the difficulty level of the exam, and the previous year’s cutoff trends.
Q: Does qualifying the GATE DA exam guarantee admission to an M.Tech program?
A. No, qualifying the GATE DA exam does not guarantee admission. It makes candidates eligible to participate in the counselling processes like COAP and CCMT, where admission cutoffs are applied by individual institutes.
Q: Are there different cutoffs for various specializations within Data Science and AI?
A. While the GATE DA paper has a single qualifying cutoff, individual institutes may have varying admission cutoffs for specific M.Tech specializations within Data Science and AI, depending on program popularity and seat availability.
Q: What is the validity period of a GATE score?
A. A GATE score remains valid for a period of three years from the date of the announcement of the results.
