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GATE Answer Key 2026 LIVE: Response Sheet Soon at gate2026.iitg.ac.in

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GATE answer key 2026

GATE is a national exam that is used for MTech and PhD seats in top colleges like IITs and NITs. Many BTech and science graduates across India write this exam each year. Therefore, the GATE 2026 answer key is a very important update for them.

In 2026, IIT Guwahati is conducting GATE. The official website for all updates is gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Thus, the answer key, response sheet, and later the result will be shared only on this site. Also, students should avoid fake links and always check the address of the website carefully.

GATE Answer Key 2026 Date and Time: Latest Update from IIT Guwahati

This section will help you know when the answer key and response sheet are likely to be released. Therefore, you can plan when to check the website and when to sit with your rough marks.

IIT Guwahati is expected to upload the GATE 2026 response sheet first and the answer key shortly after that. Based on past years, both are usually released within one week after the last exam day. However, the exact dates will be confirmed only through an official notice on the website.

GATE 2026 Important Events (Expected Timeline)

Event Expected Time*
GATE 2026 exam dates Early February 2026
Response sheet release 5–7 days after exam
Answer key release Just after response sheet
Answer key challenge window 3–4 days after key
GATE 2026 result March 2026 (expected)

*These are expected based on past trends. Therefore, students must check gate2026.iitg.ac.in often for real dates.

How to Download GATE 2026 Answer Key at gate2026.iitg.ac.in

In this part, you will see simple steps to get the answer key from the official site. Thus, when the link is live, you can download it without any confusion.

The answer key will be given as a PDF file for each subject paper, such as CSE, ME, CE, EE, EC and others. Also, some students may get the link inside their GATE login page.

Steps to download the answer key:

  • First, open your web browser and go to https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
  • Then look for a link that says “GATE 2026 Answer Key” or “Answer Key and Response Sheet”.
  • Next, click on the link and choose your paper code (for example, CS, ME, CE).
  • After that, click to download the PDF file for that paper.
  • Finally, save the file and, if needed, take a print so you can mark answers on paper.

Also, you should keep your enrolment ID and password ready, as some details may be shared only through the GATE login portal.

GATE 2026 Response Sheet: What It Is and How It Helps

This section explains the response sheet in simple words. Therefore, you will understand why it is as important as the answer key.

The response sheet is a record of your own answers in the exam. It shows each question number and which option or value you marked on the computer. Thus, it works like a mirror of your performance.

With the response sheet, you can: match each of your answers with the official key, count how many are right, wrong, or left blank, and then estimate your marks before the result. Also, if you see any technical issue, you can keep a copy of the response sheet as proof.

GATE 2026 Marking Scheme: How to Calculate Your Score

Here you will learn how marks are given in GATE. Therefore, you can use both the answer key and the response sheet to find your expected score.

GATE papers usually have 65 questions for a total of 100 marks. There are two main types of questions: MCQ (multiple choice) and NAT (numerical answer type). However, not all questions have negative marking.

GATE 2026 Marking Rules (Expected)

Question Type Marks for Right Answer Negative Marking
MCQ – 1 mark +1 –1/3 for wrong answer
MCQ – 2 marks +2 –2/3 for wrong answer
NAT – 1 mark +1 No negative marking
NAT – 2 marks +2 No negative marking

To calculate your score, first add marks for all right answers. Then subtract the negative marks for wrong MCQs. The result is your raw score. Later, for some papers, this raw score is normalized to remove easy or hard shift differences. As a result, the final score is fair for all students.

GATE 2026 Answer Key Challenge: How to Raise Objections

Sometimes students feel that one or more answers in the key are wrong. This section tells you what to do in such a case. Therefore, you can take part in the checking process in a proper way.

IIT Guwahati will open a short window to challenge the answer key. During this time, students can send their doubts with proof.

To challenge the key, you will have to log in to the GATE 2026 portal, select the question, give your reason, and pay a small fee per question. Then the expert team will look at all the challenges. If a mistake is found, the answer key will be changed for everyone, and a final answer key will be released.

GATE 2026 Expected Cut-Offs for MTech and PhD

Cut-offs tell you the minimum marks needed to qualify in a paper. This part gives a rough idea based on past trends. Thus, you can compare your expected score with these numbers.

Cut-offs change every year. They depend on the paper, number of students, difficulty level, and total seats. Also, cut-offs are different for General, OBC, EWS, SC and ST.

Sample GATE Qualifying Cut-Off Range (Past Trend, Approx.)

Paper Category Qualifying Marks (Range)
CSE General 28–30
CSE OBC 25–27
CSE SC/ST 18–20
ME General 25–27
ME OBC 22–24
ME SC/ST 16–18

These values are only examples from earlier years. Therefore, real GATE 2026 cut-offs will be announced only with or after the result.

What GATE 2026 Students Should Do After Answer Key Release

After the answer key and response sheet are out, students often feel both hope and fear. This final section guides you on the next steps. Therefore, you can act in a calm and planned way.

Students should first download both the key and response sheet and calculate their raw score. Next, they can compare this score with past cut-offs for their branch and category. Then they should make a list of target IITs, NITs, IIITs and other colleges for MTech or PhD. Finally, they must keep their documents ready for counselling and watch gate2026.iitg.ac.in for result and admission notices.

Pradnya Kumar is a seasoned content writer who has dedicated her career to illuminating the world of education. With a deep-rooted love for learning and an unwavering commitment to empowering students, she has become a trusted voice in the industry, offering invaluable insights and guidance.

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