GATE 2026 answer key has been released by the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) on the official portal gate2026.iitg.ac.in and GOAPS login. Candidates can now download the provisional answer key, response sheet, and question paper, calculate their probable score, and prepare for the results expected in March 2026.
GATE 2026 Answer Key Release Status
-
GATE 2026 provisional answer key: Released.
-
Response sheet: Released.
-
Master question paper: Available with answer key/response sheet.
-
Conducting body: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati).
-
Release date of provisional answer key and response sheet: February 22, 2026.
-
Mode of availability: Online only via gate2026.iitg.ac.in and GOAPS login.
-
Provisional answer key and response sheet: Released on February 22, 2026.
-
Objection window: Expected to open soon (tentative dates: February 25 to February 28, 2026).
-
Final answer key: To be announced after objection review.
GATE 2026 Overview – Exam and Answer Key Quick Facts
| Exam Name | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 |
|---|---|
| Conducting Institute | Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) |
| Exam Dates | 7, 8, 14, 15 February 2026 (as officially notified) |
| Answer Key Type | Provisional answer key with master question paper |
| Response Sheet Status | Released at the GOAPS candidate login |
| Official Website | gate2026.iitg.ac.in |
| Login Portal | GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) login |
| Result Date | Result to be declared on or around 19 March 2026 (as per official schedule) |
Answer Key Download Link (Official): Click here to visit the GATE 2026 answer key and response sheet page (GOAPS login).
GATE 2026 Answer Key Release Details
The GATE 2026 answer key has been released by the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), the organizing institute for this year's examination. The provisional answer keys for all 30 test papers, along with candidate response sheets and master question papers, are now available for download.
The exact release date was February 22, 2026, through the GOAPS portal. This provisional key allows candidates to verify their answers and estimate scores before the final results. It can be challenged during a limited objection window, after which a final answer key will be published following expert review of all submissions.
-
Provisional answer key – purpose: To enable candidates to cross-check responses, calculate tentative scores, and raise objections if discrepancies are found.
-
Final answer key – when and why it is released: Published after the objection window closes, incorporating valid challenges to ensure accuracy for result preparation.
-
Where to download them: Exclusively through the GOAPS login at goaps.iitg.ac.in and the official website gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
GATE 2026 Response Sheet – What It Contains and Why It Matters
The GATE 2026 response sheet is a personalized record provided to each candidate, detailing their attempted questions, selected options, and status for the exam.
It is crucial for verifying answers against the official provisional answer key, identifying any mismatches, and accurately calculating probable marks using the marking scheme.
-
Shows each question ID, chosen option, and whether it was answered or left blank.
-
Allows cross-checking against the official answer key and scoring pattern.
-
Where it is available: GOAPS login via the candidate response URL at goaps.iitg.ac.in.
How to Download GATE 2026 Answer Key and Response Sheet
Step-by-Step Guide to Download from GOAPS
-
Visit the official GATE 2026 website gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
-
Click on the “GOAPS Login” or “Candidate Login” link.
-
Enter your Enrollment ID/Email ID and Password, then submit.
-
On the dashboard, click on “View/Download Answer Key & Question Paper”.
-
Select your paper code to open the provisional answer key PDF and question paper.
-
Click on “Download/Print” to save the answer key PDF for your branch.
-
For the response sheet, click on “View Response Sheet” or “Candidate Response” link and download it as a PDF.
How to Calculate Your GATE 2026 Score Using the Answer Key
GATE 2026 follows the standard marking pattern with 1-mark and 2-mark questions. Negative marking applies only to MCQs, while NAT and MSQ questions have no negative marking. MSQs have no partial marking.
-
For 1-mark MCQs: 1 × correct - 0.33 × wrong.
-
For 2-mark MCQs: 2 × correct - 0.67 × wrong.
-
For numerical answer type (NAT) questions: full marks for correct, no negative for wrong/unattempted.
-
Download your response sheet and corresponding answer key.
-
Mark each question as correct, incorrect, or not attempted based on official answers.
-
Apply the marking scheme category-wise (1-mark, 2-mark, MCQ, NAT).
-
Sum all marks to get your raw score.
-
Note that the final GATE score will be normalised for multi-session papers and published in the official result only.
GATE 2026 Answer Key Objection / Challenge Process
The objection window for the GATE 2026 answer key is expected to open soon, with tentative dates from February 25 to February 28, 2026. Candidates can challenge specific questions or answers by submitting valid proof and paying a fee of INR 500 per question via GOAPS.
Steps to Raise Objections against the GATE 2026 Answer Key
-
Visit gate2026.iitg.ac.in and open the GOAPS login.
-
Login using your Enrollment ID/Email ID and Password.
-
Click on the “Submit Question Objection/Challenge” or “Answer Key Objection” link.
-
Select the paper and question number you want to challenge.
-
Upload supporting documents or an explanation (in PDF or as specified).
-
Pay the required objection fee per question online and submit the form.
-
Save the confirmation/acknowledgement for future reference.
- Challenge Answer Key or Objection Window link.
The exam authority will evaluate objections, and the final answer key will be published after considering valid challenges, with no further correspondence on rejected objections.
GATE 2026 Result Date – When Will Results Be Declared?
The GATE 2026 result is officially scheduled to be declared on March 19, 2026. Results will be available online only on gate2026.iitg.ac.in through the GOAPS login.
What Happens After the GATE 2026 Answer Key and Result?
Following the objection window, the final answer key will be published. Results and scorecards will then be declared on March 19, 2026.
GATE 2026 scores can be used for admission to M.Tech/M.E./PhD programs in IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other institutes, as well as for PSU recruitment. GATE scores are valid for three years from the date of result announcement.
