Is it possible to prepare for the GATE exam right from the 1st-year of engineering? If yes, what should be the best approach to do it?

You are still eligible for M.Tech admission at SIT Pune without GATE score. In this case, you will have to take an entrance test followed by a personal interview round. Based on the combined score of entrance exam and personal interview, you will get admission.

For the DJ Sanghvi PhD admissions, candidates will most probably be needing a valid GATE or PET score. Sponsored candidates may be considered under specific norms, as per previous records.

Qualifying mark of GATE exam usually varies every year depending on certain factors. Candidates can refer to expected cutoff based on last year's trends 

• General - 25 to 32
• OBC - 22 to 28
• SC/ST/PwD - 17 to 25

GATE score is preferred for admissions in DJ Sanghvi M.Tech courses. If you do not have a GATE score, you can still be considered when seats remain vacant. Final selection depends on institute-level merit norms.

Yes, you can get admission in DBS Global University M.Tech without GATE score. The university also accepts valid CUET-PG scores for M.Tech admission. Alternatively, students may appear for the university's entrance test.