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GATE 2026 CE Cutoff: Expected Marks, Past Trends & PSU Targets

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• Updated on 14 Feb, 2026, 8:57 PM, by Ishita Tanwar

GATE 2026 CE qualifying marks are expected between 29–33 for General category, with OBC at 26–28 and SC/ST at 19–20. Admission cutoffs for IITs and NITs are higher, and PSUs require scores above 70+. Past trends show slight fluctuations due to paper difficulty and candidate volume

GATE 2026 CE Cutoff: Expected Marks, Past Trends & PSU Targets

The GATE 2026 Civil Engineering (CE) exam was conducted by IIT Guwahati on February 14, 2026, in two shifts: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The exam evaluated candidates’ knowledge in Structural, Geotechnical, Environmental, and Transportation Engineering. Understanding the GATE 2026 CE cutoff is crucial for admissions into IITs, NITs, IIITs, and securing recruitment in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). The cutoff is categorized into qualifying cutoff, which determines whether a candidate passes, and admission cutoff, which varies by institute and seat availability.

 

Expected GATE 2026 CE Qualifying Cutoff

Category

Expected Marks (Out of 100)

General (GEN)

29.2 – 33.0

OBC-NCL / EWS

26.2 – 27.5

SC / ST / PwD

19.4 – 20.0

General candidates aiming for top IITs like Bombay, Delhi, or Madras should target 65+ marks, while top NITs require 45–55 marks or a GATE score above 650 for high-demand specializations.

 

GATE 2026 CE Admission & PSU Target Scores

Target Institution / PSU

Required Marks (Out of 100)

Expected GATE Score

Top IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Madras)

65+

750 – 900+

Top NITs (Trichy, Warangal, Surathkal)

45 – 55

650 – 750+

Top-Tier PSUs (IOCL, NTPC, PGCIL)

70 – 80+

800+

Candidates targeting PSU recruitment must secure high scores to be among the top 100–200 ranks, ensuring eligibility for interviews.

 

Past Year GATE CE Cutoff Trends

Year

General (GEN)

OBC-NCL / EWS

SC/ST/PwD

2025

29.2

26.2

19.4

2024

28.3

25.4

18.8

2023

26.6

23.9

17.7

2022

30.4

27.3

20.2

2021

29.2

26.2

19.4

The qualifying marks fluctuate yearly based on exam difficulty and candidate volume. For example, in 2023 the cutoff dropped to 26.6 due to a tougher paper, while 2022 saw a peak of 30.4 marks.

 

Factors Influencing GATE 2026 CE Cutoff

Factor

Impact

Details

Difficulty Level

Inverse

Tough papers lower qualifying marks by 1–3 points

Candidate Volume

Upward Pressure

More applicants increase competition, raising cutoff

Seat Availability

Admission-Specific

Limited seats in top programs raise admission-based cutoff

Normalization

Fairness Adjustment

Marks normalized for multiple sessions to ensure equity

 

About GATE CE Exam

The GATE CE exam is conducted in computer-based mode and tests:

  • General Aptitude (15%)
  • Engineering Mathematics (13%)
  • Core Civil Engineering Subjects (72%)

Core subjects include:

  • Structural Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Transportation Engineering

Candidates can use this cutoff analysis to plan strategies for IIT/NIT admission and PSU recruitment, targeting high accuracy in core subjects and securing a top rank.