Many GATE aspirants often worry about their college CGPA, assuming it will determine their success in the exam. However, year after year, GATE toppers prove that CGPA is not the ultimate deciding factor. For instance, S H Gautham Gudimella, who secured AIR 1 in 2023, and Vantedu Nithin Sai Ram, AIR 40 in 2025, achieved top ranks despite not having very high CGPAs. Their success highlights that determination, practice, and strategy matter far more than past academic scores.
Is CGPA Required for GATE?
The requirement of CGPA in GATE can be understood in two parts:
- Yes, CGPA is important when it comes to admissions through GATE. Institutes such as IITs, NITs, IISc, and IIITs, as well as PSUs and Ph.D. programs, usually have a minimum CGPA requirement.
- No, CGPA is not required to appear for GATE. Students can write GATE regardless of their CGPA. Even candidates in the third year of a B.Tech program, the fifth year of MBBS, or the first year of M.Sc, M.Tech, or MA are eligible to take the exam.
CGPA Requirements After GATE
While CGPA is not required for attempting GATE, it does play an important role after the exam.
- IITs and NITs usually require a minimum CGPA of 6 to 6.5 or 60–65% marks.
- PSUs typically set the minimum requirement at 6.5 CGPA or 60% marks.
- For Ph.D. programs, institutes often require a CGPA of 6.5 to 7.0 along with a valid GATE score.
This means a student with low CGPA can still qualify GATE but must fulfill these requirements for admissions or jobs.
GATE Toppers with Low CGPA 2025
The toppers of GATE 2025 show that success in the exam is not limited to students with high CGPA. The table below presents subject-wise toppers along with their raw scores and GATE scores for 2025.
GATE Toppers with Low CGPA 2024
The toppers of 2024 also demonstrate that CGPA is not the only factor that determines performance in GATE. The following table provides details of toppers from different streams in 2024.
Civil Engineering Toppers from 2020 to 2025
Civil Engineering is one of the most competitive branches in GATE. The table below lists the toppers from 2020 to 2025.
Civil Engineering Topper Trends
Key Takeaways
- Low CGPA does not prevent success in GATE. Many toppers had average academic performance but achieved excellent ranks.
- CGPA is important only at the stage of admissions or recruitment, not for writing the exam.
- With strong preparation and strategy, candidates with lower CGPAs can still enter top institutes or secure PSU jobs.
Conclusion
CGPA is often viewed as a measure of academic ability, but GATE proves that it is not the ultimate criterion for success. Many toppers with low CGPA have secured top ranks, including AIR 1 positions. While a minimum CGPA is required later for admissions or PSU recruitment, it should not discourage students from attempting GATE. Success in GATE depends on problem-solving ability, practice, and focus rather than past grades. Candidates should concentrate on preparation to achieve high scores, which can outweigh an average academic record.
