A decade ago, about 8 lakh students sat GATE. In 2026, registrations crossed 10 lakh for the first time — the biggest competition the exam has ever seen. But the raw number hides the real story: where the crowd is going. Here’s what 15 years of GATE data actually shows.
1. The pool has doubled in 15 years
GATE has grown from about 4 lakh registrations in 2010 to 9.36 lakh in 2025 — then broke 10 lakh in 2026. There was a dip around 2022–24 (fee hikes and fewer M.Tech takers), but the exam roared back to record highs.
GATE registrations by year
In lakh (1 lakh = 100,000). Selected years.
One number stays remarkably steady: only about 80% of those who register actually appear. Roughly one in five drops out before exam day — every year.
2. Computer Science isn’t just leading — it’s dominating
CS/IT is now the single largest paper by a wide margin. In 2025, about 1.70 lakh candidates took CS — more than the next three papers combined.
Candidates by paper — GATE 2025 (top papers)
Approx. number who appeared, in thousands.
The pattern across recent years is clear: CS, Electronics and Data Science are surging, while the traditional core branches — Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Aerospace — stay flat or drift slightly down. The centre of gravity has moved to computing.
3. The CS cutoff is a rollercoaster — don’t plan around one year
Students often fixate on “last year’s cutoff.” But the CS qualifying cutoff (General) swings hard with paper difficulty. Look at the last five years:
GATE CS qualifying cutoff (General category)
Marks out of 100.
2022 was conceptually brutal → cutoff crashed to 25.0. 2023 was gentler → it spiked to 32.5. The takeaway: the cutoff reflects the paper, not the competition. Chasing a single year’s number is a trap — prepare to clear the band (roughly 25–33), not one figure.
4. “Qualifying” is the easy part
Here’s the reality check every aspirant needs. In 2024, of ~6.5 lakh who appeared, about 1.29 lakh qualified — roughly 1 in 5. That sounds encouraging… until you realise qualifying is just the entry ticket.
What this means if you’re targeting 2027
- Expect a bigger crowd, not a smaller one. 10 lakh+ is the new normal — plan for the top ranks, not just the cutoff.
- CS is the most crowded arena. More takers means rank pressure is fiercest here; a “safe” score keeps rising. Depth beats cramming.
- Watch Data Science & AI. If it fits your background, DA is newer, growing, and less saturated than CS — a genuine strategic option.
- Don’t prep for one cutoff. Aim well above the band. A candidate built for 60+ is safe in any year’s difficulty swing.
FAQ
How many people take GATE each year?
Registrations grew from ~4 lakh (2010) to 9.36 lakh (2025) and crossed 10 lakh in 2026. About 80% of those who register actually appear.
Which is the most popular GATE paper?
Computer Science (CS/IT) by a wide margin — about 1.70 lakh candidates in 2025, more than the next three papers combined.
What’s a good GATE CS score?
The General qualifying cutoff sits around 25–33, but that’s just to qualify. For an IIT M.Tech seat or top PSU, aim for 65–75+ marks (a high-90s percentile).
Is Data Science & AI (DA) worth choosing?
It’s new (from 2024) and growing fast (~57k in 2025) but still less saturated than CS. If your background fits, it can be a smart, forward-looking pick.
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Sources: Figures compiled from GATE Statistical Reports (IIT organising institutes) and reporting by Collegedunia, Physics Wallah, Careers360 and Shiksha. Charts are original to FirstVidya; figures as reported (registered vs appeared noted where relevant).