GATE Response Sheet, Provisional Answer Key & Objection Process
After the exam, GATE releases your response sheet (showing your submitted answers) and the provisional answer key within about a week. A short challenge window follows — typically around one week — during which you can raise objections to specific answer keys by paying a per-question challenge fee. The final answer key (and result) incorporates decisions on all valid objections.
GATE 2026 post-exam timeline (verified)
| Milestone | Date (2026 cycle) |
|---|---|
| Response sheet available | ~22 February 2026 |
| Provisional answer key released | ~22 February 2026 |
| Answer key challenge window closes | ~28 February 2026 |
| Final answer key + result declared | 19 March 2026 |
| Scorecards available on GOAPS | 27 March 2026 |
Dates shift by ±1–2 weeks each cycle. Always confirm the exact schedule on the official GATE portal.
How to check and challenge
- Download your response sheet — Log in to GOAPS after the exam. Your response sheet shows which option you selected for each question.
- Compare with the provisional answer key — The provisional answer key is published alongside the response sheet. Match your answers against the key to estimate your score.
- Raise objections (if any) within the window — If you believe an answer in the provisional key is wrong, you can raise an objection by paying the per-question challenge fee through GOAPS within the challenge window. If your objection is upheld, the fee is refunded. If rejected, it is forfeited.
The challenge window is typically about one week: For GATE 2026, the challenge window was approximately 22–28 February 2026. This window is short. Plan to review your response sheet immediately after it is released and raise any objection well before the closing date.