IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 Master Question Papers along with official answer keys for all test papers. Candidates who appeared for the examination can now access these documents through the official portal at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The release comes ahead of the GATE 2026 result, which is expected to be announced today.
GATE 2026 Master Question Paper & Answer Key
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, as the organizing institute for GATE 2026, has released the Master Question Papers and corresponding Answer Keys for all test papers conducted during the examination. Candidates can now download these materials from the official website to verify their responses and calculate probable scores before the official results are declared.
The Answer Keys were open for challenges by candidates during February 25 to February 28, 2026. With the objection window now closed, IIT Guwahati has finalized the keys and made them available for all aspirants.
Also Read:GATE 2026 Result OUT, Direct Result Link Activated at gate2026.iitg.ac.in
Important Note on Answer Key and Question Paper Order
The Answer Key matches the order of questions as they appear in the Master Question Paper. Candidates should note that the order in which questions and options appeared on their individual candidate console during the examination may differ from the order in the Master Question Paper.
Therefore, it is essential that candidates refer to the Master Question Paper and the associated Answer Key together for accurately checking the correctness of their responses.
GATE 2026 Marking Scheme
Understanding the marking scheme is crucial for candidates to calculate their expected scores accurately. Below is the detailed marking scheme as specified by IIT Guwahati:
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Only one of the given options is the correct answer
Negative marking applies:
- 1/3rd negative marks for wrong answers to one-mark questions
- 2/3rd negative marks for wrong answers to two-mark questions
Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)
- All correct options must be chosen to get full marks
- No wrong answer must be selected
- No partial marking for MSQs
- No negative marking for MSQs
Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
- Candidate’s numerical response must be within the range specified in the Answer Key
- No negative marking for NATs
Special Note on MTA
In the Answer Key files, MTA stands for “Marks To All,” which means that for those specific questions, the marks allotted will be given to all candidates appearing for that test paper.
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GATE 2026 Test Papers: Master Question Paper & Answer Key PDF Download
Candidates can download the Master Question Paper and Answer Key for their respective test papers from the table below:
How to Calculate Your Probable GATE 2026 Score
Candidates can calculate their expected scores using the marking scheme outlined above. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Download the Master Question Paper and Answer Key for your specific test paper
- Match your responses with the official answer key
- Count the number of correct answers for each question type (MCQ, MSQ, NAT)
- Apply the marking scheme:
- For MCQ 1-mark questions: Add 1 mark for each correct answer, subtract 1/3 mark for each wrong answer
- For MCQ 2-mark questions: Add 2 marks for each correct answer, subtract 2/3 mark for each wrong answer
- For MSQ questions: Add full marks only if all correct options were chosen
- For NAT questions: Add full marks if answer falls within the specified range
- Total your marks to get the probable score
How to Download GATE 2026 Master Question Paper & Answer Key from Official Website
Follow these steps to access the Master Question Paper and Answer Key:
- Visit the official GATE 2026 website: gate2026.iitg.ac.in
- Navigate to the “GATE 2026 Master Question Papers and Answer Keys” section on the homepage
- Click on your specific test paper code (e.g., CS-1, ME, EC, etc.)
- Download the Master Question Paper PDF
- Click on the corresponding Answer Key link for your test paper
- Save both documents for future reference and score calculation
FAQs
Q1: What login details are required to download the GATE 2026 scorecard?
A: Candidates need their Enrolment ID and password to log in to the GOAPS portal and download their scorecards.
Q2: Can candidates still challenge the GATE 2026 Answer Key?
A: No, the objection window was open from February 25 to February 28, 2026, and is now closed.
Q3: What does MTA mean in the Answer Key?
A: MTA stands for “Marks To All,” indicating that marks for those questions will be awarded to all candidates appearing for that test paper.
Q4: Is there negative marking for MSQ and NAT questions?
A: No, there is no negative marking for Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
Q5: When will the GATE 2026 results be announced?
A: The GATE 2026 results are expected to be announced today, March 19, 2026.
Q6: How can I verify my responses if the question order is different?
A: Candidates must refer to the Master Question Paper along with the Answer Key, as the order in the Master Paper matches the key. The order on individual candidate consoles may have been shuffled.
