Lowest GATE Cutoff For Iit: Trends, Admission Scores & Counselling 2026
Lowest GATE Cutoff For IITs for some newer institutes saw a slight increase, with IIT Jammu’s General category Round 1 score rising from 480 in 2023 to 520 in 2025. The lowest GATE cutoff for IIT is the minimum score or rank required for admission to various M.Tech programs across the Indian Institutes of Technology, which typically ranges from 550-650 for newer IITs and can be significantly lower in spot rounds for specific interdisciplinary programs. This trend reflects increasing competition and the strategic opportunities available for candidates with diverse scores.
GATE Cutoff Trends for IITs: 2023 to 2025 (General Category)
The following table illustrates the year-on-year GATE score trends for Round 1 admissions to various Indian Institutes of Technology for the General category.
| Institute | 2023 GATE Score | 2024 GATE Score | 2025 GATE Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| IISc Bangalore | 890 | 900 | 900+ |
| IIT Bombay | 750 | 750 | 750+ |
| IIT Madras | 760 | 845 | 852 |
| IIT Delhi | 700 | 725 | 750+ |
| IIT Kanpur | 730 | 740 | 740+ |
| IIT Kharagpur | 710 | 720 | 725+ |
| IIT Roorkee | 690 | 700 | 710+ |
| IIT Guwahati | 670 | 680 | 685+ |
| IIT Hyderabad | 680 | 710 | 720+ |
| IIT BHU (Varanasi) | 660 | 675 | 690+ |
| IIT Dhanbad (ISM) | 620 | 640 | 650+ |
| IIT Indore | 610 | 630 | 640+ |
| IIT Ropar | 600 | 620 | 630+ |
| IIT Gandhinagar | 590 | 610 | 620+ |
| IIT Jodhpur | 580 | 600 | 610+ |
| IIT Patna | 570 | 590 | 600+ |
| IIT Mandi | 560 | 580 | 590+ |
| IIT Bhubaneswar | 550 | 570 | 580+ |
| IIT Tirupati | 520 | 550 | 560+ |
| IIT Palakkad | 510 | 540 | 550+ |
| IIT Goa | 500 | 530 | 540+ |
| IIT Jammu | 480 | 510 | 520+ |
GATE 2026 Qualifying Cutoff Marks by Category
The official GATE 2026 qualifying cutoff marks, released by IIT Guwahati, represent the minimum scores required to clear the examination across various engineering disciplines.
| Branch | General (Marks out of 100) | OBC-NCL/EWS (Marks out of 100) | SC/ST/PwD (Marks out of 100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science (CSE) | 30 | 27 | 20 |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 25.2 | — | — |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 27.7 | — | — |
| Electronics & Communication (ECE) | 26.4 | — | — |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 28.7 | — | — |
| Humanities & Social Sciences (English) | 40 | 36 | 26.6 |
GATE 2026 COAP Counselling Schedule
The Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP) manages the M.Tech admission process for IITs, with the 2026 schedule outlining key dates for registration and offer rounds.
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| COAP Registration Begins | March 27 |
| Round 1 Counselling | May 11 – May 13 |
| Round 5 Counselling Ends | June 10 |
| Subsequent Rounds (up to Round 10) | Through June and July |
Illustrative Lowest GATE Admission Scores for IITs (General Category)
While top IITs and popular branches demand high GATE scores, opportunities exist in newer IITs or interdisciplinary programs, often through later counselling rounds.
| Institute | Branch/Program | Year | GATE Score (General Category) | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Dhanbad (ISM) | Metallurgical Engineering | 2022-23 | 314 | M.Tech Admission |
| IIT Delhi | Material Science and Engineering | 2023-24 | 350 | Spot Round |
| IIT Kharagpur | Material Science and Engineering | 2023-24 | 432 | M.Tech Admission |
| IIT Madras | Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering | 2022-23 | 419 | M.Tech Admission |
| Newer IITs (e.g., Bhilai, Palakkad, Jammu) | Various Programs | 2025 (Expected) | 550-650 | General Range |
| IITs | Interdisciplinary/MS Research Programs | Ongoing | Lower than M.Tech Core | General Observation |
FAQs
Q. What is considered a good GATE score for admission to top IITs in 2026?
A. For top-tier IITs like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras, a GATE score generally above 750-800 is considered competitive for popular branches in the General category.
Q. Do all IITs have the same GATE cutoff for M.Tech admissions?
A. No, each IIT sets its own GATE cutoff, which varies based on the institute, specific branch, candidate category, and overall competition.
Q. Can I get into an IIT with a low GATE score?
A. Yes, it is possible to gain admission to IITs with relatively lower GATE scores, especially in newer IITs, less competitive or interdisciplinary branches, or through later counselling rounds like spot admissions.
Q. How does the GATE qualifying cutoff differ from the admission cutoff for IITs?
A. The GATE qualifying cutoff is the minimum score required to pass the exam and be eligible to apply, while the admission cutoff is the significantly higher score needed to actually secure a seat in a specific IIT program.
Q. When will the final GATE 2026 admission cutoffs for IITs be released?
A. The final GATE 2026 admission cutoffs for IITs are released after each round of the COAP counselling process, which begins in May and continues through subsequent rounds.
Q. Are there opportunities for M.Tech research programs at IITs with lower GATE scores?
A. Yes, M.Tech research programs at IITs often have lower GATE cutoff requirements compared to regular M.Tech programs, though they typically involve an interview process.
Q. What factors influence the GATE cutoff for IITs each year?
A. Several factors influence the GATE cutoff, including the number of applicants, the difficulty level of the exam, the availability of seats in a particular course, and the candidate’s reservation category.
