Likhith · November 5, 2025 
Introduction
Every year, thousands of aspirants vie for GATE scores to secure admission in premier MTech programs and PSU jobs. While your GATE score determines your rank, it’s the cutoff marks that decide eligibility for various branches and categories. Understanding these cutoffs, raw marks thresholds can help you strategize preparation and set realistic targets. This blog covers: Branch-wise GATE 2025 cutoff marks for GEN, OBC-NCL/EWS, and SC/ST/PwD categories
GATE 2025 Cutoff Marks by Branch & Category
| Discipline | GEN | OBC–NCL / EWS | SC / ST / PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering | 28.9 | 28.0 | 19.2 |
| Agricultural Engineering | 25.0 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| Architecture & Planning | 40.0 | 38.0 | 28.6 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 29.2 | 28.2 | 19.4 |
| Biotechnology | 28.0 | 25.2 | 18.6 |
| Civil Engineering | 28.2 | 24.8 | 19.4 |
| Chemical Engineering | 27.7 | 24.9 | 18.4 |
| Computer Science & Information Technology | 29.2 | 28.2 | 19.4 |
| Data Science & Artificial Intelligence | 29.0 | 28.1 | 19.3 |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering | 25.0 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| Electrical Engineering | 25.0 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| Environmental Science & Engineering | 26.1 | 23.4 | 17.4 |
| Ecology & Evolution | 30.5 | 25.5 | 20.3 |
| Geomatics Engineering | 25.7 | 23.1 | 17.1 |
| Geology & Geophysics (Geology) | 38.4 | 34.5 | 25.6 |
| Geology & Geophysics (Geophysics) | 40.0 | 38.0 | 28.6 |
| Instrumentation Engineering | 25.8 | 23.0 | 17.0 |
| Mathematics | 25.0 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 35.8 | 32.2 | 23.8 |
| Mining Engineering | 30.8 | 27.5 | 20.4 |
| Metallurgical Engineering | 40.0 | 38.0 | 28.6 |
| Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering | 25.1 | 22.5 | 16.7 |
| Petroleum Engineering | 31.1 | 27.9 | 20.7 |
| Physics | 26.8 | 24.1 | 17.8 |
| Statistics | 30.2 | 27.1 | 20.1 |
| Textile Engineering | 34.7 | 31.2 | 23.1 |
| Engineering Sciences | 35.4 | 31.8 | 23.5 |
| Life Sciences | 31.3 | 28.1 | 20.8 |
Source: https://gate2025.iitr.ac.in/cut-off-marks.html
Interpreting the Cutoff Table
- GEN Category: The most competitive benchmarks—branches like Architecture & Planning and Metallurgical Engineering demand 40 raw marks (out of 100).
- OBC-NCL/EWS: Reserved category cutoffs are typically 5–10% lower than GEN, balancing equity and merit.
- SC/ST/PwD: Further concessions apply, with cutoffs often 60–70% of GEN thresholds.
High-demand streams such as Mechanical Engineering (35.8 GEN) and Engineering Sciences (35.4 GEN) require strong preparation, while niche fields like Instrumentation and Geomatics may have relatively lower cutoffs.
Why Cutoff Marks Matter
1. Eligibility for Score Calculation
To avoid disqualification, secure at least the qualifying raw marks for your paper. These cutoffs represent the minimum raw marks you must achieve to have your GATE score computed.
2. Setting Target Raw Marks
Aim 10–15% above the listed cutoff to ensure a buffer against normalization and session variability. For instance, targeting 45 marks in Mechanical Engineering can translate into a strong GATE score.
3. Planning Branch Preferences
Use cutoff trends to rank your preferred specializations realistically during counselling registration. If your practice-test raw marks hover around 30, you might consider Mining or Civil instead of Arch & Planning.
How to Use Cutoff Data in Your Preparation
- Benchmark Practice Tests
Compare your raw scores against cutoffs in each discipline. Identify gaps and allocate study time accordingly.
- Session-wise Strategy
Although GATE 2025 was a single-session for most papers, anticipate future multi-session normalization by practicing diverse difficulty-level sets.
- Topic Prioritization
Focus on high-weightage areas in branches with steep cutoffs—e.g., Thermodynamics and Design for Mechanical Engineering.
- Mock Score Conversion
Approximate your expected GATE score using the normalization formula and cutoff data to simulate rank outcomes.
Which Branches Are the Most Competitive?
- Architecture & Planning and Metallurgical Engineering top the charts with 40 raw marks required for GEN.
- Geophysics follows closely at 40 marks, reflecting specialized demand.
- Mechanical and Engineering Sciences require 35+ marks, signaling stiff competition.
If you excel in core technical concepts and problem-solving, targeting these branches can yield high GATE scores but demands rigorous preparation.
How Career Plan B Helps
At Career Plan B, we leverage GATE cutoff data to craft personalized study roadmaps. Our services include:
- Raw Marks Diagnostics: Analyze mock test performance against branch-wise cutoffs
- Psycheintel Assessments: Identify strengths and learning gaps
- Targeted Topic Coaching: Focus sessions on high-impact subjects
- Application Strategy: Optimize branch preferences and counselling choices
With expert guidance, convert your raw marks into competitive GATE scores and secure admission in top institutes or PSU roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do these cutoff marks represent?
They are the minimum raw marks required in GATE 2025 to have scores calculated and be eligible for admissions. - Why are some branch cutoffs higher than others?
Higher cutoffs reflect greater competition and higher demand for certain disciplines. - Should I target exactly the cutoff marks?
No, aim at least 10–15% higher to account for normalization and ensure a safe margin. - How do OBC-NCL/EWS and SC/ST/PwD cutoffs work?
Reserved categories receive 5–10% concessions on raw marks, ensuring equitable access. - Can cutoff data predict my final GATE score?
Combined with the GATE score formula, raw cutoff targets help estimate likely score ranges.
Conclusion
Understanding GATE 2025 cutoff marks branch-wise and category-wise is crucial for strategic preparation and realistic goal-setting. Whether you’re eyeing Architecture & Planning, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering, these benchmarks guide your study plan and mock-test targets.
For expert career guidance, contact career plan b.
