GATE 2026 Answer Key – Download Response Sheet & Check Paper Solutions

Description: GATE 2026 Answer Key will be released soon. Check exam dates, fees, eligibility, and step-by-step process to download the answer key PDF.

GATE 2026 Answer Key

The GATE 2026 Answer Key will be released after the successful completion of the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. Candidates who appeared in the examination will be able to download the official answer key and response sheet to estimate their probable scores.

The answer key plays an important role for aspirants preparing for higher studies and government jobs 2025 opportunities. It allows candidates to verify their answers and raise objections within the prescribed time window if any discrepancy is found.

Job Overview

The GATE 2026 examination was conducted in February 2026 across multiple exam cities in India. The answer key will be released online in provisional form, followed by the final answer key after reviewing objections.

Candidates should regularly check the official portal to stay updated regarding the release of the answer key and result announcements.

Important Dates

• The online application process began on 25 August 2025. The last date to apply under Phase I was 28 September 2025, while the extended Phase II deadline was 09 October 2025.
• The examination was conducted from 07 to 15 February 2026. Admit cards were released on 03 January 2026. The GATE 2026 Answer Key will be notified soon. The result is scheduled to be declared on 19 March 2026.

Application Fee

• The application fee structure was category-based.
• For Phase I, candidates belonging to General, OBC, and EWS categories paid ₹2000. Candidates from SC, ST, and PwD categories paid ₹1000. All female candidates were also required to pay ₹1000.
• During Phase II with late fees, the fee increased to ₹2500 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates. SC, ST, and PwD candidates paid ₹1500, and female candidates also paid ₹1500.

Age Limit

• There is no specific minimum or maximum age limit for appearing in GATE 2026. Candidates only need to satisfy the prescribed educational qualification requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates who have passed or are appearing in qualifying degree programs were eligible to apply. Acceptable qualifications include B.E., B.Tech, B.Pharm, B.Arch, B.Sc. (Research), B.S., M.Sc., M.A., MCA, M.E., M.Tech, dual degree, and integrated courses.

Applicants should refer to the official information brochure for complete branch-wise eligibility details.

Exam Cities Details (Major Zones)

GATE 2026 was conducted across multiple IIT zones.

• Under the IIT Kanpur zone, key cities included Aligarh, Prayagraj, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Sagar, and Satna.
• Under the IIT Roorkee zone, important centres included Ambala, Kurukshetra, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla-Solan, Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali-Chandigarh, Patiala, Pathankot, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Noida, Saharanpur, Dehradun, Haldwani, and Roorkee.
• Under the IIT Delhi zone, exam cities included Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Jammu-Samba, Srinagar, Leh, Indore, Ujjain, New Delhi, Ajmer, Alwar, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur, Greater Noida, and Mathura.

For complete city details, candidates should consult the official brochure.

Photo, Thumb Impression, and Signature Instructions

• Candidates were required to upload a recent passport-size color photograph with a white background. The face should occupy at least 75 percent of the photograph.
• For the thumb impression, applicants needed to draw a 3 cm × 5 cm rectangular box on A4 paper and place the left thumb impression within the box.
• For the signature, candidates had to draw a 2 cm × 7 cm rectangular box on A4 paper and sign within the box using black or blue pen in running handwriting.

How to Download GATE 2026 Answer Key

Follow the steps below once the answer key is released:

Step 1: Visit the official GATE portal.
Step 2: Click on the link for “GATE 2026 Answer Key.”
Step 3: Log in using your enrollment ID and password.
Step 4: Download the provisional answer key and response sheet.
Step 5: Match your responses with the official answers.
Step 6: Save the PDF for future reference.

How to Raise Objection Against Answer Key

If candidates find any discrepancy, they can challenge the provisional key.

First, log in to the candidate portal. Next, select the question you want to challenge. Upload valid supporting documents and pay the prescribed objection fee. Finally, submit the challenge before the deadline.

Only valid objections supported by proper proof will be considered.

Official Notification PDF

Candidates should always verify information through the official GATE 2026 information brochure and portal. The answer key and response sheet links will be activated there once released.

FAQs – GATE 2026 Answer Key

Q1. When will the GATE 2026 Answer Key be released?
The provisional answer key will be released soon after the February 2026 examination.

Q2. Can I challenge the GATE answer key?
Yes, candidates can submit objections within the specified window after the provisional key is released.

Q3. Is there any age limit for GATE 2026?
No, there is no age limit. Candidates must only meet the educational eligibility criteria.

Q4. When will the GATE 2026 result be declared?
The result is scheduled to be announced on 19 March 2026.

Q5. Why is the answer key important?
It helps candidates estimate their scores and predict their qualifying status before the final result.