The GATE 2026 XE paper was rated Moderate. The paper structure remains unique, requiring candidates to attempt General Aptitude (GA), Engineering Mathematics (Section A), and any two optional sections (B through H). While Section A was moderately tough this year, the technical sections were concept-heavy with a strong emphasis on NAT (Numerical Answer Type) questions.
Sterilization, Mass Transfer, Drying Kinetics, Microbiology.
Expected Qualifying Cutoff 2026
Given the moderate difficulty and the rise in applicants for interdisciplinary branches, the qualifying cutoff for XE is expected to stay in the range of recent high-competition years.
Category
2026 (Expected)
2025 (Actual)
2024 (Actual)
General (GEN)
35.0 - 37.0
35.4
36.2
OBC-NCL / EWS
31.5 - 33.3
31.8
32.5
SC / ST / PwD
23.3 - 25.0
23.5
24.1
IIT Admission Scores (Safe Targets)
GATE XE is a strategic choice for getting into interdisciplinary M.Tech programs at top IITs. Below are the predicted "Safe Scores":
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SampleGATE Engineering Sciences · Free sample (4 questions)A few questions in the exact player you get after buying: the clock, the question palette, then your score and every answer explained.
