The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati has officially released the GATE 2026 answer key along with the candidate response sheets. Aspirants who appeared for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering between February 7 and February 15 can now access these documents. This release marks a crucial step for candidates to estimate their performance before the final results.
The release of the provisional answer keys follows the successful conduct of the national-level examination across various centers. By cross-referencing the official keys with their recorded responses, candidates can calculate their raw scores. This transparency allows students to identify potential discrepancies and prepare for the next phase of the admission process.
IIT Guwahati has also made the master question papers available for all test papers. This ensures that every candidate can verify the sequence of questions and the corresponding correct options. The availability of these documents on the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) portal provides a streamlined experience for over eight lakh applicants.
How to Download the GATE 2026 Answer Key
To access the documents, candidates must follow a specific set of steps on the official website. First, visit the GOAPS portal and log in using your unique enrollment ID or email address and password. Once logged in, look for the “Candidate Response” and “Answer Key” tabs.
After clicking the respective links, the PDF files for your specific paper will appear on the screen. It is highly recommended to save these files and take a printout for future reference. Comparing the response sheet with the provisional key is the most accurate way to predict your GATE score.
Understanding the Marking Scheme
Most GATE papers, including Civil (CE), Mechanical (ME), and Computer Science (CS), follow a 100-mark structure. Out of this, 15 marks are dedicated to General Aptitude, while the remaining 85 marks cover the core subject and Engineering Mathematics. This balanced distribution tests both logical reasoning and technical depth.
However, certain papers like Geology and Geophysics (GG) or Architecture and Planning (AR) have a slightly different format. These include a combination of compulsory sections and optional parts. Despite these variations, the General Aptitude section remains a constant weightage across all 30 test papers.
Challenging the Provisional Answer Key
The current release is provisional, meaning candidates have the right to contest any answer they believe is incorrect. IIT Guwahati will open a specific window for submitting challenges. During this period, students must provide valid documentary evidence to support their claims. A nominal fee is usually charged for every challenge submitted.
Once all objections are reviewed by an expert committee, the final GATE 2026 answer key will be prepared. The final results, which will be announced on March 19, 2026, will be based solely on this refined version of the answer key. No further changes will be entertained after the final declaration.
Importance of the GATE Score
The GATE score is not just an entry ticket to M.Tech and Ph.D. programs at IITs, NITs, and IISc. It also serves as a primary criterion for recruitment in several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like IOCL, ONGC, and GAIL. Given the high stakes, candidates are advised to be meticulous while calculating their probable scores.
High-performing candidates often use this interim period to research various institutional specializations or prepare for PSU interviews. Since the validity of a GATE score is three years, a strong performance this year can open doors for multiple admission cycles.
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