The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 has successfully concluded. With the final exam shift ending on February 15, 2026, lakhs of engineering aspirants across India are now waiting for one major update: the GATE exam answer key and response sheet.
IIT Guwahati, the organizing institute for this year, is expected to release the candidate response sheets and provisional answer keys very soon. This article covers everything you need to know about the expected dates, how to download your papers, and what to do if you find a mistake in the official key.
GATE 2026: Exam Concludes, What Comes Next?
The GATE 2026 examination was conducted on February 7, 8, 14, and 15. Since the exams were held online (Computer Based Test), IIT Guwahati recorded every answer marked by candidates.
Before releasing the correct answers, the institute typically releases the Response Sheet. This is a PDF file that shows exactly which options you selected during the exam. A few days later, the Provisional Answer Key is released. By comparing these two documents, you can calculate your raw score before the actual result is declared.
Important Dates: Answer Key and Response Sheet
While IIT Guwahati has confirmed the result date, the exact dates for the answer key are based on past trends. Here is the expected schedule:
- GATE 2026 Exam Dates: February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026 (Completed)
- Response Sheet Release Date: Expected by February 18–22, 2026
- Provisional Answer Key Release: Expected in the 3rd week of February 2026
- Objection Window: Open for 2–3 days after the answer key release
- Final Answer Key Release: March 2026
- GATE 2026 Result Date: March 19, 2026 (Official)
How to Download Your GATE 2026 Answer Key
Once the links are active, you can access your papers through the GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) portal. Follow these simple steps:
- Visit the official website: gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
- Look for the “Login” button to access the GOAPS portal.
- Enter your Enrollment ID or Email Address and your Password.
- Solve the arithmetic captcha and click “Submit”.
- On your dashboard, you will see options to “View Response Sheet” or “View Answer Key”.
- Click carefully to download the PDF files.
Tip: It is highly recommended to print or save your response sheet immediately. It might not be available after the results are declared.
How to Calculate Your Score
To calculate your marks, you need to match your response sheet with the official GATE exam answer key. Keep the marking scheme in mind:
- For 1-mark MCQs: +1 for correct, -1/3 for incorrect.
- For 2-mark MCQs: +2 for correct, -2/3 for incorrect.
- NAT (Numerical Answer Type) & MSQ (Multiple Select Questions): No negative marking.
Sum up your total positive marks and subtract the total negative marks to get your raw score out of 100.
Challenging the Answer Key
Sometimes, the official answer key might have an error. If you are 100% sure that an answer provided by IIT Guwahati is wrong, you can challenge it.
- This facility is available for a short period (usually 2-3 days).
- You must pay a fee (typically ₹500 per question) to raise an objection.
- You must upload valid proof (like a screenshot from a standard textbook) to support your claim.
- If your challenge is accepted, the fee is usually refunded, and the answer is corrected for everyone.
Why This Matters
The GATE score is not just for M.Tech admissions in IITs and NITs. Many Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like ONGC, NTPC, IOCL, and GAIL use these scores for direct recruitment. Knowing your raw score early helps you prepare for upcoming interviews or decide if you need to apply for other counseling processes like CCMT.
Read More : RRB NTPC Latest News 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When will the GATE 2026 response sheet be released?
The response sheet is expected to be released between February 18 and February 22, 2026. This is usually the first document released after the exam.
2. Is the provisional answer key the final result?
No. The provisional key is released first to invite objections. After experts review the challenges, a Final Answer Key is released. The actual result is based on the Final Key.
3. Where can I find the official GATE exam answer key?
You can find it only on the official IIT Guwahati website (gate2026.iitg.ac.in) by logging into your candidate portal.
4. Do I get a refund if my objection is rejected?
No. If the committee decides that the original answer key was correct, your objection fee will not be refunded.
5. Can I download my response sheet after the results are out?
Usually, no. The response sheets are often taken down shortly before or after the results are announced. You should download it as soon as it is released.