The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 provisional answer key, response sheet, and question paper have been officially published by the organizing institute — Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. Aspirants who appeared in the CBT mode exams conducted on 7, 8, 14, and 15 February 2026 can now access these documents online.
Where to Download GATE 2026 Answer Key and Response Sheet?
Candidates must visit the official GATE website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in to download their personalised response sheet and answer key. The files include the master question paper and official solutions needed to estimate probable scores.
How to Download Official Documents?
- Go to gate2026.iitg.ac.in and open the GOAPS login section.
- Enter Enrollment ID/email ID and password.
- Click on ‘View Response’ to see your recorded answers.
- Select the Master Question Paper and Answer Key link.
- Download and save PDFs for future reference and score calculation.
These details help candidates compare their answers with official solutions and estimate their likely scores ahead of the result announcement.
Objection Window and Final Answer Key
The authorities have also activated an objection window for the provisional answer key. Candidates finding discrepancies in the provided answers can challenge them by submitting valid justification within the stipulated period. After reviewing all valid objections, the final answer key will be published ahead of the GATE 2026 result declaration.
Marking Scheme and Score Estimation
The GATE exam includes various question formats — including MCQs, Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
- MCQs: +1 mark for correct, -1/3 for wrong (1-mark questions); +2 for correct, -2/3 for wrong (2-mark questions).
- MSQs/NATs: No negative marking.Using the provisional answer key with recorded responses enables candidates to calculate estimated scores based on the marking pattern.
Result Date and Next Steps
Based on the final answer key, the GATE 2026 results are scheduled to be announced on 19 March 2026. Qualified candidates can use their GATE scorecards for postgraduate admissions (MTech, PhD) at premier institutes such as IITs, NITs, and other reputed universities. GATE scores are also used by various public sector undertakings (PSUs) for recruitment