The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has officially released the provisional answer key along with candidate response sheets for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 on 23 February 2026. Aspirants who appeared in the multi-day, computer-based examination can now log in at the official GATE portal gate2026.iitg.ac.in to view and download their documents using their credentials.
How to Download GATE 2026 Answer Key and Response Sheets?
Candidates can follow these steps to access their files directly from the official portal:
- Visit gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
- Navigate to the GOAPS login section.
- Enter Enrollment ID/email ID and password to log in.
- Select the Response Sheet and Answer Key links.
- Download and save PDFs for future reference and score estimation.
The answer key includes the master question paper and official provisional solutions across all subjects covered in GATE 2026. Comparing recorded responses with the answer key enables candidates to estimate their likely scores ahead of the final results
Objection Window Now Open
Along with the provisional answer key, the conducting authority has activated the objection submission window. Candidates who believe there are discrepancies or errors in any of the answers can raise formal challenges through the portal within the specified timeframe. After all eligible objections are reviewed by experts, the final answer key will be prepared and released.
GATE 2026 Exam Overview and Marking
The GATE 2026 exam was held in CBT mode on 7, 8, 14 and 15 February 2026 for a total of 30 subjects relevant to engineering and science disciplines. The paper format included multiple choice questions (MCQs), multiple select questions (MSQs), and numerical answer type (NAT) questions. Candidates can use the marking scheme and provisional key to estimate total scores and probable rankings.
Upcoming Results and Next Steps
After the objection period closes and the final answer key is prepared, the GATE 2026 results will be compiled and announced. According to official timelines, the result publication is scheduled for 19 March 2026. Qualified candidates will receive scorecards that can be used for admissions to postgraduate programs such as M.Tech and PhD at IITs, NITs, IISc and other institutions. The scores are also widely accepted by public sector undertakings (PSUs) for recruitment purposes.
Estimating Scores and Planning Ahead
Candidates are advised to download their provisional answer key and response sheets promptly to estimate their scores. Understanding strengths and areas for improvement can help with preparation for future academic or recruitment opportunities. Regularly visiting the official GATE portal will ensure timely access to final results, scorecards and other key announcements.