The GATE Answer Key 2026 is a crucial resource for candidates who appeared in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. The GATE 2026 exam took place on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, and IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 response sheet along with the provisional answer key on the official portal at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. This allows test-takers to verify their answers, estimate scores, and raise objections if needed.
GATE Answer Key 2026 Release Date and Time
The provisional GATE 2026 answer key is expected in the last week of February 2026, likely between February 25–28, based on typical timelines and recent updates from reliable sources.
It usually comes a few days after the GATE 2026 response sheet is made available.
Here are the key dates for reference:
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GATE 2026 exam dates: February 7, 8, 14, & 15 2026
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Expected response sheet release: Late February 2026 (shortly after exams)
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Expected provisional answer key release: Last week of February 2026 (around 25–28 February)
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Result date: March 19, 2026
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Final answer key: April 2026 (after objection resolution)
Keep an eye on gate2026.iitg.ac.in for the exact GATE 2026 answer key date and GATE 2026 answer key time, as well as the GATE 2026 result date.
GATE 2026 Answer Key Highlights
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Conducting body: IIT Guwahati
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Exam name: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026
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Official website: gate2026.iitg.ac.in
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Mode of answer key release: Online via the GOAPS portal
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Type of answer key: Provisional (challengeable) and final
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Facility to challenge: Yes, during a specified window after provisional release
How to Download GATE Answer Key 2026
Downloading the GATE 2026 answer key is straightforward once it's live. Follow these steps for the how to download GATE 2026 answer key process and get your GATE 2026 answer key PDF download.
Step-by-Step Process to Download Provisional Answer Key
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Visit the official website: gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
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Look for and click on the “GOAPS Candidate Login” or direct link to “Answer Key/Response Sheet” on the homepage.
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Log in using your GATE 2026 enrollment ID (or registered email ID) and password.
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Select your paper code/subject.
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Click on “Master Question Paper and Answer Key” (or similar option).
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Download the GATE 2026 provisional answer key PDF for your subject and save it.
How to Download GATE 2026 Response Sheet
The GATE 2026 response sheet shows your actual marked answers during the exam (shift-wise).
Steps to Download the GATE Response Sheet 2026
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Go to gate2026.iitg.ac.in and access the GOAPS login page.
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Enter your enrollment ID/email and password, then submit.
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Click on the “View Response Sheet” link (once available).
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View your marked responses on screen.
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Download the PDF for your records.
Note: The response sheet displays your answers as recorded in the computer-based test. Pair it with the provisional GATE answer key to calculate your expected score accurately. Use GATE 2026 response sheet download or GATE response sheet login on the portal when the feature activates.
How to Calculate Marks Using the GATE Answer Key 2026
To estimate your performance, use the GATE 2026 marking scheme and match your response sheet against the official key.
The standard marking includes:
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1-mark MCQs: +1 for correct; -1/3 for wrong.
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2-mark MCQs: +2 for correct; -2/3 for wrong.
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NAT (Numerical Answer Type) and MSQ (Multiple Select Questions): No negative marking for wrong answers.
Steps to calculate:
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Compare your responses from the response sheet with the official GATE Answer Key 2026.
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Tally correct and incorrect answers section-wise (General Aptitude + Subject-specific).
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Apply the marking scheme to get your raw marks.
This helps with calculate GATE score using the answer key and understanding the GATE 2026 marking scheme.
GATE 2026 Answer Key Objection / Challenge Process
Candidates can challenge discrepancies in the provisional key.
How to Raise Objections Against the GATE Answer Key 2026
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Log in to the GOAPS portal during the objection window (typically a few days after provisional release).
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Select the question(s) you wish to challenge.
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Provide a clear explanation or upload supporting documents.
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Pay the objection fee per question (refundable if the challenge is accepted).
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Submit and keep the acknowledgement for reference.
The window is usually short, so act quickly. After reviews, IIT Guwahati releases the final key. Key terms: challenge GATE answer key 2026, GATE answer key objection fee, GATE provisional vs final answer key.
GATE 2026 Provisional vs Final Answer Key
| Type | Purpose | Can be Challenged | Basis for Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provisional answer key | Initial answers for candidate verification and score estimation | Yes | No |
| Final answer key | Corrected version after reviewing objections | No | Yes |
The GATE provisional answer key 2026 lets you raise issues, while the GATE final answer key 2026 is used for official scoring.
GATE 2026 Result Date and Scorecard
The GATE 2026 result date is March 19, 2026, with results prepared strictly based on the final answer key. The scorecard, showing marks, normalized score (if applicable), qualifying status, and cutoff, will be available shortly after via GOAPS (expected around March 27, 2026, for free download). Use the GATE scorecard 2026 download on the portal.
