GATE 2026 English (XH-C2) Paper Analysis: Difficulty, Weightage & Cutoffs
Comprehensive Review of Feb 7 English Paper, Subject-wise Marks Distribution, and Admission Cutoffs.
Updated: just now
Categories: GATE 2026, Paper Analysis, English Literature.
GATE 2026 English (XH-C2) Detailed Analysis
Difficulty Level & Student Reaction
The GATE 2026 English paper was rated Moderate to Hard. While the General Aptitude was scoring, the core English section (C2) required deep conceptual clarity. MSQs were particularly dense, covering multi-genre literature and complex theoretical frameworks.
General Aptitude: Easy to Moderate
Reasoning (B1): Moderate
English (C2): Moderate to Hard
Subject-Wise Marks Weightage
| Subject Domain | High-Yield Topics (2026 Trends) | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-genre Literature | 19th & 20th Century Novels, Poetry, Non-fiction prose. | High |
| Literary Theory & Criticism | Post-structuralism, Deconstruction, Feminism, Post-colonialism. | High |
| Indian Writing in English | Post-independence authors, Dalit literature, Translations. | Moderate |
| Cultural Studies | Popular culture, Media studies, Tradition vs. Modernity. | Moderate |
| Research Methodology | Interpretive techniques, Literary forms and devices. | Low-Moderate |
Expected Qualifying Cutoff 2026
Based on initial feedback, the cutoff for XH-C2 is expected to stay in line with previous "Hard" cycles. Scoring between 45–50 marks is considered a strong performance.
| Category | 2026 (Expected) | 2025 (Actual) | 2024 (Actual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (GEN) | 42.0 - 46.0 | 40.0 | 48.0 |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | 38.0 - 41.0 | 36.0 | 43.2 |
| SC / ST / PwD | 28.0 - 31.0 | 26.6 | 32.0 |
IIT Admission & PSU Scope
Top IITs (Ph.D. / M.A.)
Marks: 60+ | Score: 700+
Newer IITs
Marks: 50+ | Score: 550+
Research Fellowships
Marks: 65+ | Rank: Under 100
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