IIT Guwahati to Release GATE 2026 Answer Key Soon? Check Expected Date
GATE 2026 exam is over and IIT Guwahati is expected to release the official answer key soon. Candidates will be able to download the key and response sheet to estimate scores and raise objections within the given window.
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 officially concluded on February 15, 2026, marking the end of the national-level entrance test for millions of engineering aspirants. This year, the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) acted as the organizing body for all 30 test papers, including the newly introduced Energy Science section.
As the exam ends, the focus has shifted to the GATE 2026 provisional answer key and response sheets, which are essential for candidates to calculate their probable scores and assess their qualifying chances.
Latest Updates on GATE 2026 Answer Key Release
While IIT Guwahati has not yet specified an exact hour, official timelines and previous trends provide a clear window for the upcoming events:
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GATE 2026 Provisional Answer Key: Expected to be released in the last week of February 2026.
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Response Sheets: Candidates can typically access their recorded responses on the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) portal a few days before the answer key.
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Official Result Date: Confirmed for March 19, 2026.
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Scorecard Availability: Qualified candidates can download their scorecards from March 27 to May 31, 2026, free of cost.
How to Download the GATE 2026 Provisional Answer Key
Once the link is activated, candidates should follow these steps on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in:
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Visit the official GOAPS portal.
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Log in using your Enrolment ID/Email Address and Password.
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Click on the link for “View Response” to see your recorded answers.
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Select “Master Question Paper & Answer Key” to download the official PDF for your specific subject code.
GATE Objection Process: Challenging the Key
IIT Guwahati will provide a dedicated GATE objection window for candidates who find discrepancies in the provisional key.
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Fee: Candidates must pay a non-refundable fee of ₹500 per question (for Indian candidates) or US$10 (for international candidates).
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Documentation: Valid justification and supporting documents must be uploaded for the challenge to be considered.
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Final Answer Key: If an objection is found valid by subject experts, the key will be revised. The final answer key will then be published and used for calculating the final GATE exam results.
GATE 2026 Scoring and Normalisation
Candidates can estimate their marks using the standard marking scheme:
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MCQs: +1 or +2 for correct answers; -1/3 (for 1-mark) or -2/3 (for 2-mark) for incorrect ones.
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MSQs & NATs: No negative marking for incorrect attempts.
The final scores will undergo a normalisation process for multi-session papers (like Computer Science) to ensure fairness across varying difficulty levels.
Why Your GATE Score Matters
The GATE score validity extends for three years from the date of result announcement. Beyond securing admission into M.Tech and PhD programmes at IITs, NITs, and IIITs, the score is a primary criterion for PSU recruitment. Major organizations like NPCIL have already confirmed they will use GATE 2026 scores for their hiring process.
Aspirants are advised to keep their login credentials ready and regularly monitor the official IIT Guwahati portal for the live answer key link.