The GATE 2026 response sheet and provisional answer key have been released by IIT Guwahati on 22nd Feb,2026. IIT Guwahati has not released the official GATE exam dropped questions 2026 list yet.
- According to subject experts who have already analysed the full paper, confirmed that for the GATE 2026 exam, apart from EE and Physics 1-2 questions, no questions appear to be wrong or will be dropped.
- If any candidates think any answer of provisional answer key is wrong, then they can raise objections when the objection window is available.
- If there are any GATE exam dropped questions, then it will be mentioned in the final answer key, and full marks will be given to all candidates who appeared for that paper.
The IIT Guwahati will confirm the final decision after reviewing the objections.
Related Links:
- GATE Cutoff 2026: Check Branch-wise Cutoff for IITs, NITs, Marks vs Ranks and College Predictor
- Check Branch-wise GATE Cutoff for IITs and NITs
- GATE 2026 Minimum score for Scorecard
Key Summary
- Dropped questions are removed due to errors or ambiguity.
- Full marks are generally awarded to all candidates.
- Negative marking does not apply.
- Rank impact is minimal since marks are added uniformly.
- Final score and AIR depend on normalisation.
What Are GATE Exam Dropped Questions 2026?
As per the Centre for Engineering Studies live Video analysis for GATE 2026 EE paper, the following questions can be challenged.
| Question & Topic | Core Issue | Challenge Strength |
|---|---|---|
| VSI – RMS Current through Switch S1 (Power Electronics) | Confusion between switch current and diode current; RMS should be calculated only for switch conduction, but some solutions include diode current | Strong |
| RL Load with Diode – Maximum Current (Power Electronics) | Exact maximum current requires solving a nonlinear equation; analytical solution not feasible in exam conditions and approximation not clearly stated | Moderate |
| Transformer with Complex Turns Ratio – Y Parameters (Power Systems / Network Theory) | Requires use of complex conjugate while deriving Y-parameters; many may miss this step leading to incorrect results | Weak (Conceptual trap) |
Check the video here:
Similarly according to Dr M. Shamim from The Optimist Classes, two questions from GATE 2026 physics are wrong and can be challenged
| Subject | Topic | Given in Answer Key | Claimed Correct Answer | Core Issue | Challenge Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Physics (MSQ) | Operator ( A = e^{i\theta B} ) | Only A & (possibly others) marked correct | A & D definitely correct; C may also be correct | Confusion regarding determinant vs modulus of determinant | Strong (due to ambiguity) |
| Classical Mechanics | Numerical value of f | 1/6 | 1/3 | Final numerical answer appears halved | Very Strong |
You can check the video here:
As of now, there is no major updates regarding the GATE exam dropped questions 2026. But some of user are commenting their doubts regarding the wrong answer on the Youtube video comment sections:
Source: YouTube
GATE 2025 Question Paper with Solution PDF
| GATE 2025 Paper | Question Paper PDF | Solution PDF |
|---|---|---|
| GATE Question Paper with Solution PDF 2025 CSE Slot 1 | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 CSE Question Paper with Solution PDF Slot 2 | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 DA Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 ECE Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 EE Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 English Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Aerospace Engineering Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Agricultural Engineering Question Paper with Answer Key | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Architecture and Planning Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Biomedical Engineering Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Biotechnology Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Civil Engineering Question Paper with Solution PDF Slot 1 | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Civil Engineering Question Paper with Solution PDF Slot 2 | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Chemical Engineering Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Chemistry Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Environmental Science Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Ecology and Evolution Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Geomatics Engineering Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Geology and Geophysics Question Paper with Solution PDF Slot 1 | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Geology and Geophysics Question Paper with Solution PDF Slot 2 | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Instrumentation Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Mathematics Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Mechanical Engineering Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Mining Engineering Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Metallurgical Engineering Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 NM Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Petroleum Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Physics Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Production Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Sociology Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Statistics Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Textile Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Engineering Science Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Economics Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| GATE 2025 Life Science Question Paper with Solution PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
Common Reasons for GATE Exam Dropped Questions 2026
Most dropped questions are technical errors rather than conceptual issues. Historically, 0-2 questions per branch may be dropped in some years. Since GATE is highly competitive, even a 1 dropped 2-mark question can slightly change score trends.
| Reason | Explanation | Impact on Students |
|---|---|---|
| Incorrect Data | Numerical values are wrong | Full marks are usually given |
| Multiple Correct Answers | More than one valid option | May drop or accept multiple |
| Ambiguous Language | Confusing wording | Question removed |
| Key Error | Official answer key mistake | Corrected or dropped |
Ques. How many questions are usually dropped in GATE?
Ans. It varies yearly. Some years have none, while others may have 1–2.
Ques. Who decides whether a question is dropped?
Ans. The organising IIT Guwahati and subject experts review objections for GATE 2026 and decide whether a question is required to be dropped or not.
How Are Marks Awarded for Dropped Questions?
When a question is dropped:
- Full marks are awarded
- Negative marking does not apply
- Score calculation is adjusted
| Question Type | Marks | If Dropped |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Mark MCQ | +1 | +1 to all |
| 2-Mark MCQ | +2 | +2 to all |
| NAT (2 Marks) | +2 | +2 to all |
Ques. Will I get marks even if I did not attempt it?
Ans. Yes, usually full marks are awarded to all candidates of that session for that paper. So even if you have attempted the questions, you will get full marks for the dropped questions.
How GATE 2026 Dropped Questions will Affect Rank and Cutoff?
Since all candidates receive marks equally, the overall competition level usually stays the same. However, for students in close rank ranges like Top 100 or Top 500, even a small change in marks can slightly affect their final rank.
| Scenario | Effect on Marks | Effect on Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Question Dropped | +1 or +2 marks | Minimal change |
| 2 Questions Dropped | +2 to +4 marks | Slight shift possible |
| Multi-session Paper | Normalization adjusted | May affect AIR slightly |
Read More:
- GATE cutoff marks for IIT and NIT for General category
- GATE cutoff marks for IIT and NIT for SC category
- GATE cutoff marks for IIT and NIT for OBC category
- GATE Cutoff 2026, Branch-wise Cutoff for IITs, NITs
Ques. Can dropped questions increase the cutoff?
Ans. Not really. When a question is dropped, marks are usually given to all candidates equally. Because everyone benefits in the same way, the overall cutoff does not change much.
Ques. Do dropped questions affect PSU shortlisting?
Ans. Mostly no. However, it can help slightly if the extra marks push a candidate’s final score above a PSU eligibility or shortlisting cutoff. In such cases, it may indirectly improve chances.
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