GATE 2026 Answer Key [OUT] LIVE: Response Sheet and Provisional Answer Key Available at gate2026.iitg.ac.in; Check Direct Link

Once the objection window opens, candidates can follow the steps below to raise objections against the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 answer key:
Step 1: Visit the official GOAPS portal.
Step 2: Log in using your Enrollment ID and Password.
Step 3: Click on the “Answer Key Challenge” link.
Step 4: Select the question number and the answer option you want to challenge.
Step 5: Click on the “Challenge” option.
Step 6: Upload valid supporting documents or proof.
Step 7: Review your challenge and pay the required fee.
Step 8: Submit the objection and save a copy for future reference.

As of now, there is no official update regarding the objection window or the fee for raising objections in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 answer key.
In GATE 2025, the objection fee was ₹500 per question. Therefore, it is expected that the fee may remain the same this year as well, although official confirmation is still awaited.

As of now, there is no official confirmation regarding the date to raise objections against the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 answer key.
However, based on previous trends, the exam authorities usually open the objection window along with the release of the provisional answer key. Therefore, it is expected that Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati will activate the objection window soon.

After analysing the trends, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• The qualifying cutoff for the General category has ranged from around 28 to 34 over the past five years. This shows some fluctuation depending on the difficulty of the exam and other factors.
• OBC-NCL cutoffs tend to be approximately 10-11% lower than the General category cutoffs.
• SC/ST/PwD cutoffs are significantly lower, usually around 66% of the General category cutoffs.

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 Expected Qualifying Marks for CS and EC papers are as follows:
Computer Science and Information Technology (CS)

• General Category: 30–32
• OBC-NCL/EWS: 28–30
• SC/ST/PWD: 20–22

Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC)

• General Category: 30–32
• OBC-NCL/EWS: 26–28
• SC/ST/PWD: 19–21

These are expected cut-off ranges based on previous trends and exam difficulty level. The official qualifying marks will be released along with the GATE 2026 results.

• 1-mark MCQs: You will get +1 mark for every correct answer, and 0.33 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.

• 2-mark MCQs: You will get +2 marks for every correct answer, and 0.66 marks will be deducted for each incorrect response.

• MSQs and NAT questions: There is no negative marking for these types of questions.

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 Response Sheet contains the following important details:

• Candidate’s Name
• Enrollment ID/Registration Number
• Exam Paper/Subject Code
• Exam Date and Session (Forenoon/Afternoon)
• Question ID for each question
• Status of the Question (Answered/Not Answered/Marked for Review)
• Option Selected by the Candidate
• Correct Option

For papers conducted in a single session, the raw marks are directly considered for score calculation. However, for papers held in multiple sessions, the raw marks are converted into normalised marks to ensure fairness across different shifts.
In GATE 2026, normalisation is applicable only to papers conducted in two shifts, such as Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) and Civil Engineering (CE). For all other single-session papers, the raw marks are used directly to compute the GATE score based on the qualifying criteria.

As per the information available in the official information brochure, the GATE result is expected to be released on March 19, 2026.

• The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2024 scorecard is valid for three years from the date of result declaration.
• Candidates who wish to improve their scores can appear for the GATE exam again in the following year.
• If a candidate has multiple valid GATE scorecards, any one of them can be used for admission or recruitment purposes.

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) response sheet is a document that contains the answers marked by a candidate during the exam. It is released on the official website along with the provisional answer key.

Candidates can download it by logging into the GOAPS portal using their credentials. The response sheet helps candidates compare their answers with the provisional answer key and calculate their expected scores.

The candidate required the following login credentials to check the GATE answer key and response sheet at the GOAPS portal:

• Enrollment ID (sent during registration)
• Password

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has released the GATE response sheet, master question paper, and provisional answer Key of the master question paper for the exams held on February 07, 08, 14 and 15, 2026, at the GOAPS Portal on February 22, 2026.

The IIT Guwahati has activated the GATE 2026 answer key and response sheet download link at the GOAPS portal. Candidates can check the direct link provided below to download the GATE answer key PDF.

GATE 2026 Answer Key Download Link

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) has released the Candidate response sheet, master question paper, and provisional answer Key of the Master Question Paper are uploaded in the GOAPS Portal. Keep checking this blog for the direct link to download the GATE answer key.

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 Expected Qualifying Marks for different branches are as follows:
Mechanical Engineering (ME)

• General Category: 36–38
• OBC-NCL/EWS: 32–34
• SC/ST/PWD: 24–26

Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC)

• General Category: 25–27
• OBC-NCL/EWS: 22–24
• SC/ST/PWD: 16–18

These are expected cut-off ranges based on previous trends and exam difficulty level. The official qualifying marks will be released along with the GATE 2026 results.

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) Chemistry qualifying marks over the past few years show slight variations across categories.

• In 2025, the qualifying marks were 25 for General, 22 for OBC-NCL/EWS, and 16.6 for SC/ST/PWD.
• In 2024, the cut-off was 25.2 for General, 22.6 for OBC-NCL/EWS, and 16.7 for SC/ST/PWD.
• In 2023, candidates needed 26.5 (General), 23.8 (OBC-NCL/EWS), and 17.6 (SC/ST/PWD) to qualify.
• In 2022, the qualifying marks were slightly higher at 27.5 for General, 24.7 for OBC-NCL/EWS, and 18.3 for SC/ST/PWD.
• In 2021, the cut-off saw a significant rise, reaching 36.2 for General, 32.5 for OBC-NCL/EWS, and 24.1 for SC/ST/PWD.
• In 2020, the qualifying marks were 26.7 (General), 24 (OBC-NCL/EWS), and 17.8 (SC/ST/PWD).

Candidates are advised to keep their Enrollment ID and Password ready for quick login once the portal is activated. Having the credentials handy also prevents last-minute delays or login issues.

• Visit the official website of the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE).

• Click on the link that says “GATE 2026 Response Sheet” on the homepage.

• You will be redirected to the GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) portal.

• Log in using your Enrollment ID/Email ID and Password.

• After logging in, click on the Response Sheet link.

• The response sheet will appear on the screen.

• Download and save the PDF for future reference.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 response sheet along with provisional answer key on its official website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in. 

Based on previous years’ trends, the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) provisional answer key is generally released within 8–10 days after the examination concludes. A look at the past few years confirms this pattern:

• GATE 2025: The exam was conducted on February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025, and the provisional answer key was released on February 27, 2025, after 10 days.

• GATE 2024: The exam took place on February 3, 4, 10, and 11, 2024, while the answer key was published on February 19, 2024 — within 8 days.

• GATE 2023: The examination was held on February 4, 5, 11, and 12, 2023, and the provisional answer key was released on February 21, 2023, after 9 days.

Usually, the exam conducting body releases the GATE answer key within 8–10 days. So, it is expected that the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) will release the provisional answer key today. Candidates should regularly check this blog for the latest updates on the GATE answer key 2026.

During the past few years, the PSUs that have used GATE scores in their recruitment process are:

• Airports Authority of India (AAI)
• Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
• Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
• Coal India Limited (CIL)
• Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS)
• Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL)
• Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)
• Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL)

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) will be using
GATE 2026 results of CE, CH, EC, EE, IN, & ME test papers for recruitment

• The qualifying cutoff for the General category has ranged from around 26 to 33 over the past five years. This shows some fluctuation depending on the difficulty of the exam and other factors.
• OBC-NCL cutoffs tend to be approximately 10-11% lower than the General category cutoffs.
• SC/ST/PwD cutoffs are significantly lower, usually around 66% of the General category cutoffs.

The table given below shows the category-wise GATE PH cutoff scores over the past five years:

The GATE provisional key can be challenged by candidates. The final answer key is released after reviewing objections. No further changes are allowed after the final key.

The GATE cutoff is the minimum score a candidate must obtain to qualify for further processes, such as admission into postgraduate programs. The table provided below shows the GATE MA cutoff, let’s look at the cutoff scores over the past five years for different categories:

The GATE scorecard will remain valid for THREE years from the date of the announcement of results. If any candidate wants to improve his/her GATE scores can take the examinations again next year. In case of multiple valid scorecards, any of them can be utilized for admission/recruitment purposes.

• The qualifying cutoff for the General category has ranged from around 32.5 to 25 over the past five years. This shows some fluctuation depending on the difficulty of the exam and other factors.
• OBC-NCL cutoffs tend to be approximately 10% lower than the General category cutoffs.
• SC/ST/PwD cutoffs are significantly lower, usually around 67% of the General category cutoffs.

The table given below shows the category-wise GATE PH cutoff scores over the past five years:

Candidates are allowed to challenge the provisional key. There will be a specific window to submit objections which will open along the release of provisional answer key. After review, a final answer key will be released.

Normalization is applied for multi-session papers. It ensures fairness across different sessions. Your final score may slightly differ from your estimated score. In GATE, only Computer Science & Information Technology and Civil Engineering paper were held in two shifts, so normalizationa will apply only in these subjects.

The GATE response sheet contains the answers marked by candidates during the exam. It helps candidates compare their answers with the official key. It is released along with the answer key.

The table provided below shows the GATE DA cutoff. Let’s look at the cutoff scores over the past five years for different categories:

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati will reelase the GATE 2026 response sheet along with provisional answer key on its official website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can download thier response sheet through the login credictial.

After the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 provisional answer key is released, candidates can download it and estimate their probable scores by following these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official GATE 2026 website.
Step 2: Click on the “Provisional Answer Key” link available on the homepage.
Step 3: Log in to the GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) portal using your credentials.
Step 4: Choose the paper/subject for which you appeared.
Step 5: The answer key PDF will appear on the screen.
Step 6: Compare your recorded responses with the provisional answer key to calculate your expected marks.

The table provided below shows the GATE ECE cutoff, let’s look at the cutoff scores over the past five years for different categories:

Based on previous trends, generally, the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) authorities publish the provisional answer key within 8–10 days of the examination. Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official website for the latest updates and announcements.

In the GATE exam, negative marking applies to certain MCQ questions. However, there is no negative marking for NAT (Numerical Answer Type) questions. Candidates should check the official marking scheme carefully.

The category-wise GATE EE cutoff scores over the past five years are as follows

The table given below shows the GATE CE cutoff. Let’s look at the cutoff scores over the past five years for different categories:

Match your answers with the official answer key and apply the marking scheme given below. Add marks for correct answers and deduct negative marks where applicable. This will give you an estimated raw score.

• 1-mark MCQs: +1 for correct, -0.33 for incorrect
• 2-mark MCQs: +2 for correct, -0.66 for incorrect
• No negative marking for MSQs and NATs

The GATE provisional answer key is the official list of correct answers released along with the candidate's response after the GATE 2026 exam. It helps candidates compare their responses and estimate their scores. This key is open for objections before the final version is published.

The table provided below shows the GATE ME cutoff, let’s look at the cutoff scores over the past five years for different categories:

As per previous trends, usually, GATE releases the provisional answer key within 8–10 days. Here is the past year's trend analysis for reference: 

The GATE CS cutoff is the minimum score a candidate must obtain to qualify for further processes, such as admission into postgraduate programs. The table provided below shows the GATE CSE cutoff, let’s look at the cutoff scores over the past five years for different categories:

Candidates must visit the official GATE website and log in through the GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) portal using the following credentials to download the GATE provisional answer key and response sheet.

• Enrollment ID
• Password
• Security Captcha Code

The candidates are allowed to challenge the provisional key. There will be a specific window to submit objections, which will open along with the release of the GATE provisional answer key. After review, a final answer key will be released.

As of now, official figures for the total number of candidates who appeared in the GATE 2026 exam have not yet been released by the organising institute i.e., Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. However, the data of GATE 2025 is as follows for reference:

• Total number of registrations: 9,36,019
• Number of appeared candidates: 7,47,319

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 was conducted for 30 test papers covering various engineering, science, technology, humanities and other related subjects. Each paper has a unique code and syllabus, and candidates may choose to appear in one or two papers (from allowed combinations) during the exam.

The GATE 2026 exam was successfully conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) on February 07, 08, 14 and 15. It was conducted in two sessions each day across various exam centres in the country. 

The GATE 2026 answer key will be released by the conducting institute, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati). It will be uploaded on the official GATE website- gate.iitg.ac.in.

In 2025, IIT Roorkee released the GATE answer key on February 27, 2025, which was nine days after the last exam held on February 16, 2025. This shows that the answer key is usually published within about a week to ten days after the completion of the examination.

Past trends show that the GATE answer key is generally released 8 to 9 days after the exam. Based on this pattern, the GATE 2026 provisional answer key is expected to be released today or tomorrow.

Candidates can estimate their probable scores using the GATE answer key and response sheet by following the official marking scheme:

• 1-mark MCQs: +1 for correct, -0.33 for incorrect
• 2-mark MCQs: +2 for correct, -0.66 for incorrect
• No negative marking for MSQs and NATs

The GATE 2026 provisional answer keys will be released on the official website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates should regularly visit the website to stay updated about the latest notifications. It is advised to download the answer key only from the official site to avoid incorrect information.