OBC GATE Cutoff: Category-Wise Qualifying Marks & Admission Trends 2026
The OBC GATE Cutoff for 2026 saw the qualifying marks for Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) settle at 27 for the OBC-NCL/EWS category. This OBC GATE Cutoff is the minimum score required for candidates to be considered eligible for M.Tech admissions and PSU recruitment, typically reflecting a slight relaxation compared to the General category cutoffs. For instance, the General category cutoff for CSE in 2026 was 30 marks, indicating a 3-mark difference for OBC-NCL/EWS candidates.
GATE 2026 Qualifying Cutoffs for OBC-NCL/EWS by Branch
The following table outlines the minimum qualifying marks for various engineering branches in the GATE 2026 examination for candidates belonging to the OBC-NCL/EWS category. These cutoffs are crucial for eligibility in postgraduate programs and PSU recruitments.
| Branch (Paper Code) | OBC-NCL/EWS Cutoff (Marks out of 100) |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering (AE) | 26 |
| Agricultural Engineering (AG) | 22.5 |
| Architecture & Planning (AR) | 37.3 |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 25.8 |
| Computer Science & IT (CS) | 27 |
| Data Science & AI (DA) | 26.1 |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 22.5 |
| Electronics & Communication (EC) | 22.5 |
| Instrumentation Engineering (IN) | 23 |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 22.5 |
GATE Qualifying Cutoffs: 2026 vs 2025 vs 2024 for OBC-NCL/EWS
Analyzing the OBC GATE cutoff trends over the past three years provides insight into the fluctuating difficulty and competition levels across popular engineering disciplines.
| Branch (Paper Code) | OBC-NCL/EWS Cutoff 2026 (Marks) | OBC-NCL/EWS Cutoff 2025 (Marks) | OBC-NCL/EWS Cutoff 2024 (Marks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering (AE) | 26 | 26 | 29.9 |
| Agricultural Engineering (AG) | 22.5 | 22.5 | 22.5 |
| Architecture & Planning (AR) | 37.3 | 36 | 37.3 |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 25.8 | 26.2 | 25.4 |
| Computer Science & IT (CS) | 27 | 26.2 | 24.8 |
| Data Science & AI (DA) | 26.1 | 26.1 | – |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 22.5 | 22.5 | 23.47 |
| Electronics & Communication (EC) | 22.5 | 22.5 | 23.50 |
| Instrumentation Engineering (IN) | 23 | 23 | – |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 22.5 | 32.2 | 23.1 |
GATE 2026 Counselling Schedule
The counselling process for M.Tech admissions based on GATE 2026 scores is conducted through COAP (Common Offer Acceptance Portal) for IITs and CCMT (Centralized Counselling for M.Tech/M.Arch/M.Plan Admissions) for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| GATE 2026 Exam Dates | February 7, 8, 14, 15 |
| GATE 2026 Result Declaration | March 19 |
| GATE 2026 Scorecard Release | March 27 |
| COAP 2026 Registration Begins | March 27 |
| COAP 2026 Round 1 Offers | May 11 |
| CCMT 2026 Registration Begins | May 15 |
| Main COAP Offer Rounds Conclude | June 10 |
FAQs
Q: What is the primary difference between GATE qualifying cutoff and admission cutoff?
A: The GATE qualifying cutoff is the minimum score required to pass the exam and receive a scorecard, making a candidate eligible for further processes. The admission cutoff, on the other hand, is the higher score or rank required by individual institutes (IITs, NITs) for actual admission into their M.Tech programs.
Q: How is the OBC GATE cutoff calculated for various branches?
A: The OBC GATE cutoff is typically set lower than the General category cutoff, often around 90% of the General category qualifying marks, as per reservation policies. It also depends on factors like the exam’s difficulty, the number of candidates, and seat availability in a particular branch.
Q: Does the GATE 2026 OBC cutoff vary for different IITs and NITs?
A: Yes, while the GATE qualifying cutoff is uniform across all candidates for a specific paper and category, the admission cutoffs for M.Tech programs vary significantly between different IITs and NITs. Each institute releases its own admission cutoffs based on its intake capacity and applicant pool.
Q: What is a good GATE score for OBC candidates aiming for top NITs?
A: For OBC candidates targeting top NITs like Trichy, Warangal, or Surathkal, a GATE score of 600+ is generally considered competitive for popular M.Tech branches such as CSE, ME, and ECE. For mid-tier NITs, scores between 500-650 can secure admission.
Q: Are there separate counselling processes for IITs and NITs based on GATE scores?
A: Yes, admissions to IITs are primarily managed through the Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP), while admissions to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs are handled via the Centralized Counselling for M.Tech/M.Arch/M.Plan Admissions (CCMT). Candidates must register for both portals if they wish to apply to both types of institutions.
