
The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has officially released the much-awaited GATE 2026 answer key and candidate response sheet. Students who appeared for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering can now access these documents online to estimate their scores before the final results are announced in March.
The answer key, specifically the provisional answer key, along with the master question paper and individual response sheets, is now available on the official website. Candidates can visit the portal at gate2026.iitg.ac.in and log in to the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) to view and download their respective papers.
With the release of the answer key, the conducting institute has also activated the online challenge window. Candidates who find discrepancies in the provisional answer key can raise objections by paying a nominal fee per question.
While the official portal requires login credentials for access, candidates can navigate directly to the GOAPS login page using the steps below. The direct link to access the answer key and response sheet is available on the homepage of the official website.
How to download GATE 2026 Answer Key and Response Sheet?
To download the answer key and your specific response sheet, follow these step-by-step instructions :
Step 1. Go to the official GATE 2026 website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
Step 2. On the homepage, click on the link that says "GOAPS Login" or "Candidate Login."
Step 3. You will be redirected to a login page. Enter your registered Enrolment ID/Email Address and Password.
Step 4. Once logged in, look for the link titled "Answer Key" or "View Response".
Step 5. Click on the relevant link. You will be able to view your response sheet, the master question paper, and the provisional answer key. Download the PDFs and save them for future reference.
Direct Link: GATE Answer Key 2026
GATE 2026: Objection Window and Challenge Fee
IIT Guwahati has invited challenges to the provisional answer key from dissatisfied candidates. If you believe an answer provided in the key is incorrect, you can submit an online objection.
Here is how to challenge the GATE 2026 answer key:
Exam Overview and Marking Scheme
The GATE 2026 examination was successfully conducted by IIT Guwahati in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. The exam covered 30 subjects and included three types of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
For candidates eager to calculate their probable scores, it is important to understand the marking scheme:
MCQs: For 1-mark MCQs, +1 mark is awarded for correct answers and -1/3 mark for incorrect ones. For 2-mark MCQs, +2 marks are given for correct answers and -2/3 mark for wrong answers.
MSQs and NATs: There is no negative marking for Multiple Select Questions and Numerical Answer Type questions.
The provisional answer key is currently available for candidate estimation and feedback. Following the conclusion of the objection window, IIT Guwahati will release the final answer key. Based on the finalized key, the institute will announce the GATE 2026 results on March 19, 2026.
Qualifying scores in GATE open doors to postgraduate admissions (MTech, PhD) at IITs, NITs, and other premier institutions, as well as recruitment opportunities in various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) .
For the latest updates, candidates are advised to keep checking the official website regularly.
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