The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, the organizing institute for GATE 2026, has officially released the provisional answer key, candidate response sheet, and master question paper on February 22, 2026. This follows the successful conduct of the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 as a computer-based test (CBT) on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, in forenoon (9:30 AM–12:30 PM) and afternoon (2:30 PM–5:30 PM) sessions across multiple centers in India.
Candidates who appeared for any of the 30 test papers can now access and download these documents to evaluate their performance, calculate estimated scores, and raise objections if needed before the final answer key is prepared.
Key Highlights (as of February 23, 2026):
Provisional Answer Key & Response Sheet Status: Released and available via the GOAPS portal.
Access Portal: Login required at the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS).
Official Website:https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in/ (direct notifications confirm uploads).
GOAPS Login Portal:https://goaps.iitg.ac.in/login (use your enrollment ID/application number, registered email, and password to download).
What’s Available:
Candidate Response Sheet (your recorded answers).
Master Question Paper.
Provisional Answer Key (for the master question paper).
Next Steps:
Candidates can challenge discrepancies in the provisional answer key (objection window details will be updated on the official site soon).
Final answer key will be released after reviewing valid challenges.
GATE 2026 Results are scheduled for announcement on March 19, 2026.
Scorecards will be available for free download from March 27 to May 31, 2026 (later with a fee).
How to Download GATE 2026 Answer Key, Response Sheet, and Question Paper:
Visit the official GATE 2026 website: https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in/.
Click on the GOAPS Portal or direct login link.
Log in using your Enrollment ID/Application Number and Password (or recover credentials if forgotten via the portal options).
Navigate to the relevant section.
Download the PDF files for your response sheet, master question paper, and provisional answer key.
Use these to cross-check answers and estimate your raw marks (considering the marking scheme: +1/+2 for correct MCQs/MSQs/NATs, negative for incorrect MCQs).
Tips for Candidates:
Compare your response sheet with the provisional key to calculate tentative scores.
Prepare evidence if raising objections (fee may apply per challenge).
Keep checking the notifications section on gate2026.iitg.ac.in for updates on objection window, final key, and result.
GATE scores are valid for 3 years from the result date and are used for M.Tech/PhD admissions, PSU recruitments, etc.