GATE Electrical Cutoff 2026: Branch-Wise Qualifying Marks & Exam Dates
The GATE Electrical Cutoff 2026 for the General category settled at 27.7 marks, marking an increase from the 25 marks recorded in 2025. This GATE Electrical Cutoff is the minimum qualifying score released by IIT Guwahati, making candidates eligible for M.Tech admissions and PSU recruitment. The 2026 cutoff for Electrical Engineering saw a slight uptick compared to the previous year, reflecting shifts in exam difficulty and candidate performance.
GATE 2026: Key Dates for Electrical Engineering Aspirants
Below are the important dates for the GATE 2026 examination and related processes, crucial for all Electrical Engineering candidates.
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Online Registration (without late fee) Closed | October 7, 2025 |
| Online Registration (with late fee) Closed | October 10, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | January 13 |
| GATE 2026 Exam Dates | February 7, 8, 14, 15 |
| Result & Cutoff Release | March 19 |
GATE 2026 Electrical Engineering Cutoff by Category
The qualifying cutoff marks for GATE Electrical Engineering in 2026 vary across different reservation categories.
| Category | Qualifying Marks (Out of 100) |
|---|---|
| General | 27.7 |
| OBC-NCL/EWS | 24.9 |
| SC/ST/PwD | 18.4 |
Branch-wise GATE 2026 Qualifying Cutoffs
Here’s a snapshot of the minimum qualifying cutoffs for various engineering branches in GATE 2026 for the General category.
| Branch | General Category Cutoff (Out of 100) |
|---|---|
| Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) | 30 |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 27.7 |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 28.7 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC) | 26.4 |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 25.2 |
| Chemical Engineering (CH) | 25 |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) | 26.4 |
GATE Electrical Cutoff Trends: 2024 to 2026
Analyzing the General category qualifying cutoff for Electrical Engineering over the past three years reveals shifting trends.
| Year | Electrical Engineering (General) Cutoff (Out of 100) |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 27.7 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2024 | 27.6 |
GATE 2026 Counselling Schedule Overview
The CCMT counselling process for M.Tech admissions based on GATE 2026 scores has specific dates for registration and other activities.
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| CCMT 2026 Dates Announced | April 27 |
| CCMT Registration Begins | May 15 |
| CCMT Counselling Expected to Begin | May |
| GATE 2026 Counselling Open | May 28 |
FAQs
Q: What is considered a good GATE score for Electrical Engineering admissions?
A: While the qualifying GATE Electrical cutoff for General category in 2026 is 27.7 marks, a competitive score for admission to top IITs typically ranges from 700 to 800, and for NITs, a score of 600+ is often considered safe for Electrical Engineering.
Q: How is the GATE Electrical Engineering cutoff determined?
A: The GATE Electrical Engineering cutoff is determined by factors such as the number of candidates appearing for the exam, the overall difficulty level of the paper, and the total number of available seats in M.Tech programs and PSUs. The qualifying cutoff is released by the organizing IIT.
Q: Does the GATE Electrical Engineering cutoff vary for IITs and NITs?
A: Yes, the GATE qualifying cutoff is a minimum eligibility score, but individual IITs and NITs release their own admission cutoffs, which are generally higher and vary by institute, program, and category. These admission cutoffs are typically released after each round of COAP and CCMT counselling.
Q: Can I get into a PSU with just the qualifying GATE Electrical cutoff?
A: Merely meeting the qualifying GATE Electrical cutoff does not guarantee PSU recruitment. Top PSUs usually require a much higher GATE score, often near 800 or more for the General category in core engineering branches, followed by group discussions and personal interviews.
Q: Are there different cutoffs for different rounds of GATE counselling?
A: Yes, for admission to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs through COAP and CCMT counselling, separate admission cutoffs are released after each round. These cutoffs can fluctuate based on seat availability and candidate preferences in subsequent rounds.
Q: What is the validity period of a GATE score?
A: A GATE score remains valid for three years from the date of the announcement of the results. This means candidates can use their GATE 2026 score for admissions or PSU recruitment until March 2029.
