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GATE qualifying marks
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GATE qualifying marks are the minimum marks out of 100 that you need in a paper to be called "qualified" and receive a scorecard. For the General category the mark is the paper's mean plus standard deviation, but never below 25 or above 40. Other categories get a percentage of the General mark, and only qualified candidates receive a GATE score.
The rule
For the General category the qualifying mark is max(25, min(40, μ + σ)), where μ is the mean and σ the standard deviation of marks of all candidates who appeared in that paper.
| Category | Qualifying mark |
|---|---|
| General | max(25, min(40, μ + σ)) |
| OBC-NCL and EWS | 0.9 × General |
| SC, ST and PwD | 2/3 × General |
Articles from before 2025 often leave out the cap of 40 and say "25 or μ + σ, whichever is higher".
Examples
An illustrative case: if μ + σ comes to 33.4, the General qualifying mark is 33.4, OBC-NCL and EWS get about 30.1, and SC, ST and PwD about 22.3. If μ + σ is 22, the floor makes it 25. If it is 44, the cap makes it 40.
Official GATE 2026 values show the rule in practice:
| Paper | General | OBC-NCL/EWS | SC/ST/PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science (CS) | 30.0 | 27.0 | 20.0 |
| Instrumentation (IN) | 39.8 | 35.8 | 26.5 |
| Architecture (AR) | 40.0 | 36.0 | 26.6 |
In 2026, six papers sat exactly at the cap of 40 (AR, EY, MT, PE, XH-English and XH-Sociology) and six at the floor of 25 (AE, AG, BM, CH, CY and GE). These are illustrations only, since GATE 2027 values are computed after the exam.
What qualifying does and does not mean
Reaching the mark earns you a scorecard, as the GATE scorecard page explains. It does not earn a seat. Institutes and PSUs set their own cut-offs, and PSUs add conditions such as age and degree percentage. The GATE cut-off guide separates qualifying cut-offs from admission cut-offs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the qualifying mark the same every year?
No. It depends on the mean and standard deviation of that year's paper, so it varies between 25 and 40.
Do I get a scorecard if I score below the qualifying mark?
No. Only qualified candidates receive a scorecard and a GATE score.
Official sources
- GATE 2026 cut-off table: official qualifying marks by paper.
- GATE 2027 information brochure: the current rule, in section 8.
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- GATE scoreThe GATE score runs up to 1000 and is worked out from your marks, the qualifying mark and the top scorers' average. See the formula, an example, validity.
- GATE scorecardThe GATE scorecard goes only to qualified candidates. See the free window, the Rs.500 fee after it, the 31 December 2027 limit and the three-year validity.
- Normalised marksNormalised marks adjust raw marks so candidates in different sessions of one GATE paper can be compared fairly. See the formula with a worked example.
- GATE cut-offGATE cut-off explained: the qualifying-marks formula with its 25 floor and 40 cap, official 2026 cut-offs by paper and category, and admission or PSU cut-offs.
- GATE score & normalisationHow the GATE score is calculated from your marks: the formula with a worked example, normalisation across sessions, qualifying marks by category and validity.
More in GATE
- GOAPSGOAPS is the GATE Online Application Processing System. See what it is used for, the GATE 2027 dates and fees, DigiLocker and photo rules, and documents.
- COAPCOAP is the portal where GATE candidates accept, retain or reject M.Tech offers from IITs and IISc. See how it works, what it is not, and who can register.
- M.Tech stipendGATE qualifiers admitted to M.Tech can get Rs.12,400 a month, generally for 22 months. See the rules, the direct-PhD fellowship and why it is not automatic.
- CCMTCCMT is the centralised counselling for GATE-based M.Tech, M.Arch and M.Plan seats at NITs and IIITs. See how it differs from COAP and what to check.
- MSQAn MSQ in GATE has four options with one or more correct answers, no negative marking and no partial credit. See how it is scored and how to attempt it.
- Multi-session paperA multi-session GATE paper is held in more than one session, and you sit only one. See how sessions are assigned, why marks are normalised and the key facts.
- NAT questionA NAT question in GATE has no options. You key in a number on a virtual keypad, with no negative marking. See how it is scored and how to attempt it well.
- Answer key challengeThe GATE answer key challenge lets you contest a provisional key on set dates for a fee. See the sequence, how to prepare a challenge and what is not announced.