GATE 2026 Reservation Criteria, IIT NIT Seat Matrix Explained
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• Updated on 24 Mar, 2026, 10:38 PM, by Arman Kumar
GATE 2026 reservation criteria outlines category-wise seat allocation for IITs, NITs and other institutes. The policy includes vertical and horizontal reservation, applicable during counselling and admissions.
The GATE 2026 reservation criteria define how seats are allocated across categories for postgraduate admissions in engineering institutes. The policy applies during counselling for admissions into IITs, NITs, IIITs and GFTIs. With the GATE 2026 results declared, candidates must understand reservation rules before participating in the upcoming counselling process.
GATE 2026 Category-Wise Reservation Percentage
The reservation policy follows Government of India norms to ensure fair access to education across categories. It is applicable during admission and counselling stages. Before checking institute-wise allocation, candidates can review the category-wise reservation percentages below:
- General (GN): 40.5%
- OBC-NCL: 27%
- SC: 15%
- ST: 7.5%
- EWS: 10%
This structure ensures that seats are distributed proportionately among different categories in participating institutions.
GATE 2026 Seat Distribution in IITs and NITs
Seat allocation for programmes such as MTech, MSc, and PhD is carried out through centralised counselling processes. These include COAP (for IITs) and CCMT (for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs).
Before final allotment, institutions distribute seats based on sanctioned intake and reservation norms:
- Seat allocation varies by institute and branch
- Reservation is applied to total available seats
- Counselling determines final admission based on rank and preference
Candidates are advised to check institute-specific seat matrices during choice filling.
Vertical Reservation Model in GATE 2026
Most institutes follow the vertical reservation model for allocating seats category-wise. This method divides the total intake into fixed percentages for each category. For better understanding, here is an example based on 100 seats:
- General: 40 to 41 seats
- OBC: 27 seats
- SC: 15 seats
- ST: 7 to 8 seats
- EWS: 10 seats
This model ensures that each category receives a fixed proportion of the total seats available in a course.
Horizontal Reservation for PwD Candidates in GATE 2026
In addition to category-based reservation, a horizontal reservation is applied for Persons with Disabilities (PwD). This reservation cuts across all categories.Key highlights of the PwD reservation policy are:
- 5% reservation within each category
- Seats are adjusted from the existing category quota
- If no eligible PwD candidate is available, seats revert to the same category
This ensures inclusivity without increasing the overall seat count.
GATE 2026 Counselling and Admission Process
After the declaration of results, the admission process moves to the counselling stage. Candidates must participate in the respective platforms for seat allotment. Before applying, candidates should note the following key updates:
- GATE 2026 scorecard release: 27 March 2026
- COAP counselling registration: From 27 March 2026
- Counselling rounds begin: From 11 May 2026
The scorecard remains valid for three years, allowing candidates flexibility in admissions and PSU recruitment opportunities.
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