GATE 2026 normal registration process is over on Sunday 28 September. Now candidates can apply with late fees. We are discussing here the past cutoff of gate. The GATE 2025 cutoff marks vary by subject and category, covering 30 papers. The qualifying marks for the general category usually range from 25 to 40, with lower cutoffs for OBC-NCL/EWS and SC/ST/PwD categories.
But before jumping on the Cut Off you must also ensure that your gate 2026 question paper has three sections given below
MCQ
MSQ and
NAT
MCQ questions require candidates to pick one correct answer from the given choices, but what is an MSQ? We have tried to explain both MSQ and NAT after the cut-off paragraph. You can check
Branch-Wise GATE 2025 Cutoff
| Paper | General | OBC-NCL/EWS | SC/ST/PwD |
| Computer Science (CS) | 35.8 | 32.2 | 23.8 |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 29.2 | 26.2 | 19.4 |
| Electronics & Communication (ECE) | 25.0 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 25.0 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 29.2 | 26.2 | 19.4 |
| Chemical Engineering (CH) | 27.7 | 24.9 | 18.4 |
| Biotechnology (BT) | 28.0 | 25.2 | 16.5 |
| Biomedical Engineering (BM) | 29.2 | 26.2 | 16.6 |
| Instrumentation (IN) | 32.4 | 29.1 | 21.5 |
| Mathematics (MA) | 29.2 | 26.2 | 19.4 |
| Architecture (AR) | 37.3 | 33.5 | 24.8 |
| Aerospace Engineering (AE) | 29.8 | 26.8 | 19.8 |
| Chemistry (CY) | 27.5 | 24.7 | 18.3 |
| Environmental Science (ES) | 25.9 | 23.3 | 17.2 |
| Geology (GG) | 48.7 | 43.8 | 32.4 |
| Geophysics (GG) | 54.8 | 49.3 | 36.5 |
| Mining Engineering (MN) | 25.5 | 22.9 | 17.0 |
| Metallurgical Engineering (MT) | 46.2 | 41.5 | 30.8 |
| Petroleum Engineering (PE) | 37.8 | 34.0 | 25.1 |
| Physics (PH) | 26.5 | 23.8 | 17.6 |
| Production & Industrial (PI) | 43.7 | 39.3 | 29.1 |
| Statistics (ST) | 25.0 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| Textile (TF) | 38.8 | 34.9 | 25.8 |
| Engineering Sciences (XE) | 40.3 | 36.2 | 26.8 |
| Humanities (XH-C1–C6) | 40–62 | 34–56 | 25–41 |
| Life Sciences (XL) | 33.9 | 30.5 | 22.5 |
Important Details
- Each paper carries a total of 100 marks.
- The cutoffs vary slightly every year depending on exam difficulty and the number of candidates.
- Qualifying cutoffs are NOT the same as admission cutoffs, which may be higher at top institutes.
For specific branch cutoffs not listed above or detailed institute-wise admission cutoffs, recent official notifications or respective IIT/NIT websites should be checked.
MSQ (Multiple Select Questions) in the GATE exam require selecting all and only the correct options to get full marks. There may be one, more than one, or all correct answers among the four given choices for each MSQ.
What is MSQ Questions
Key Features of MSQ in GATE
- Here each MSQ four options, and more than one may be correct.
- Candidates must select every correct option and must not select any incorrect ones to receive marks; there is no partial marking—full marks are awarded only if the exact combination is chosen.
- There is no negative marking for MSQ questions, so incorrect attempts do not incur penalties, but partial correctness gives zero marks.
- MSQs can carry either 1 or 2 marks depending on the question.
- The format assesses comprehensive conceptual understanding and the ability to recognize multiple correct statements, making them more complex than typical MCQs.
Example:
“Which of the following are primary colors?”
- (A) Red
- (B) Blue
- (C) Green
- (D) Yellow
Correct Answer: (A), (B), (C). Selecting ALL and ONLY these fetches full marks. Selecting only (A) and (B) or (A), (B), (D) gives zero marks.
Tips for Attempting MSQs
- Carefully evaluate each choice as an independent true/false decision instead of searching for one best answer.
- Attempt all MSQs, since there is no penalty for wrong answers.
MSQs are a distinctive feature in GATE, demanding accuracy and a holistic grasp of concepts to score
Now, let us understand the Numerical Ability Test
The Numerical Answer Type (NAT) section in the GATE exam tests calculation, conceptual, and analytical skills using problems that require a direct numeric answer entered via a virtual keyboard—no options are provided.
NAT or Numerical Ability Test
How the questions are asked is given here
Key Features of NAT Questions
- Response Format: Candidates enter a calculated value (integer or decimal) rather than picking from options.
- Nature of Questions: NATs can cover formula application, theory, data interpretation, or basic principles, requiring careful computation and conceptual understanding.
- Scoring: Each NAT may carry one or two marks, and there is no negative marking for incorrect attempts or unattempted questions.
- Rounding Off: Answers must be rounded only at the final step, and accepted answers must fall within the “accepted range” set in the answer key for official papers.
- Types: NATs are found across all branches and can involve reasoning, calculation-based, or practical scenario questions.
Example of a NAT Question
- “A wire’s diameter is increased by 2%. What is the percentage change in spring stiffness? (Correct answer format: 4.08)”
- “Calculate the output value of a circuit given input voltage and resistances. (Answer: Numeric value only)”
Exam Pattern and Importance
- NATs form a significant portion of each GATE paper; the distribution varies by branch (e.g., in Mechanical Engineering: around 35 NATs per paper).
- Candidates need to show clear step-wise calculations and understand practical scenarios or theoretical applications.
- No negative marking makes it safe to attempt every NAT.
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