GATE 2026 Answer Key Challenge Window Now Open; Raise Objection by February 28 @goaps.iitg.ac.in

Sapna Content Writer

Content Writer | Updated On - Feb 26, 2026

Candidates who identify discrepancies in the provisional key must submit their challenges through the GOAPS portal.

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 provisional answer key challenge process is live now. IIT Guwahati, the organizing institute, opened the objection window for candidates who wish to contest the official responses. Candidates can access the GOAPS portal to submit their challenges.

The process is time-sensitive, as the window will remain open only until February 28, 2026. This is a crucial step for applicants seeking admission into M.Tech, Research programs, or PSU recruitment, as the final results are scheduled for March 19, 2026, will be based on the verified final answer key.

GATE 2026 Important Dates

Feature	Details
Organizing Institute	IIT Guwahati
Objection Deadline	February 28, 2026
Challenge Fee	INR 500 per question (Non-refundable)
Official Portal	GOAPS (gate2026.iitg.ac.in)
Result Date	March 19, 2026
Mode of Payment	UPI, Netbanking, Credit/Debit Card

For more information, students can visit the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. For easy access, the link is given below:

Direct Link: GATE 2026 Answer Key Challenge Window Now Open

GATE 2026 Answer Key & Objection Details

To ensure transparency, IIT Guwahati has released the master question papers and candidate response sheets along with the provisional keys. Here are the essential details for raising objections:

Who can challenge? Only candidates who appeared for the GATE 2026 exam held on Feb 7, 8, 14, and 15.
The Procedure: Candidates must log in to the GOAPS portal, select the question ID, provide a valid justification, and upload supporting documents.
What is "MTA"? If the answer key lists a question as "MTA" (Marks to All), it means the marks for that question will be awarded to all candidates who attempted that specific paper.
Finality: Once the panel of subject experts reviews the objections, a final answer key will be released. No further challenges will be accepted against the final key.

Expected GATE 2026 Qualifying Cutoff

The following table highlights the expected qualifying marks (out of 100) across various popular disciplines based on previous year trends and exam difficulty:

Discipline (Paper Code)	General (UR)	OBC-NCL / EWS	SC / ST / PwD
Computer Science (CS)	28.5 – 30.0	25.5 – 27.0	19.0 – 20.0
Data Science & AI (DA)	29.0 – 31.0	26.0 – 28.0	19.0 – 20.5
Electrical Engineering (EE)	25.0 – 26.5	22.5 – 24.0	16.5 – 17.5
Electronics & Communication (EC)	25.0 – 26.0	22.5 – 23.5	16.5 – 17.5
Mechanical Engineering (ME)	28.5 – 30.0	25.5 – 27.0	19.0 – 20.0
Life Sciences (XL)	31.0 – 32.0	27.5 – 28.5	20.0 – 21.0

How to Raise Objections Against GATE 2026 Answer Key?

Access the Portal: Visit the official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in and log in using the Enrollment ID/Email Address and Password.
Navigate to Challenges: Click on the link specifically labeled Contest Answer Key or Raise Objection.
Identify the Question: Use the Master Question Paper provided on the website to find the correct Question ID. Do not use the question numbers from your individual response sheet, as those may be shuffled.
Upload Justification: Provide a detailed, step-by-step solution. It is highly recommended to upload a PDF document containing references from standard textbooks to support the claim.
Payment of Fees: Pay the objection fee of INR 500 per question. This can be done via UPI, Netbanking, or Credit/Debit Card.
Final Submission: Review the details and submit. Candidates should save a screenshot or print the acknowledgment for future reference.