GATE 2026 Answer Key Live: Response Sheet Answer Key Question Paper Link at gate2026.iitg.ac.in

A GATE score of 650+ (55 to 65 marks out 100) is considered safe for electronics and communication engineering branch in GATE.

• To get GATE AIR under 10, GATE score above 900 will be required, which can be roughly around 85 to 90 marks in GATE.
• For GATE AIR rank under 50, candidates need to secure at least 75 to 85 marks in GATE 2026 exam.
• For GATE AIR rank under 100, 70 to marks in GATE exam can be required. 
• For top IIT admissions, starting GATE safe score can be around 700-800. However, for top branches/specialisations, a GATE score above 900 is required. 
• For top NITs, safe GATE score can be around 650 - 750.
• For PSU recruitment through GATE, a score ranging from 700 -900+ (which is roughly around 75+ marks) will be required, depending on the popularity and academic performance as well. 

Based on the past year’s trends and analysis, increase in registrations, and inclination towards data science subjects/disciplines such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, quantum tech, etc, there can be a slight increase in the cutoff trend, especially for CSE, EE, EC, DA, CE and ME papers. 

Candidates who have appeared for GATE exam can access the GOAPS portal to download answer key following the steps below -

• Go to GATE official website and 
• Enter enrollment ID and password at login page
• Select download GATE response sheet
• Save and tally your answers

Candidates must use the marking scheme to evaluate their scores they have obtained in the GATE 2026.

The GATE exam cutoff score are different for all 30 subjects. Students must note that the cutoff varies depending on the difficulty level, number of candidate appeared, and past cutoff factors. The GATE passing marks will be released for three categories - General, OBC-NCL/EWS, and SC/ST/PwD. The cutoff marks for general category will be high compared to other two categories. 

According to past cutoff trends and analysis, check institute-wise GATE score required -

The GATE conducting authorities usually takes 10 to 15 days to review and prepare answer key for all 30 GATE papers and release answer key along with response sheet and question paper. Based on the past year's answer key release trends, GATE will publish answer key by 25 to 27 Feb or anytime soon.

The credentials required to check and download official GATE answer key are as follows -

• Enrollment ID
• and Password

Yes, there is negative marking for GATE 2026 exam. Negative marking implies for MCQs only. 

• For one mark MCQ- 1/3rd mark will be deducted and for 2 mark MCQ - 2/3rd mark will be deducted.
• There is no negative marking for MSQs and NATs.
• Also, no partial marking is offered to MSQs.

Here are some of the IITs that usually offer admission to MTech with low GATE marks -

• IIT Jammu
• IIT Dharwad
• IIT Goa
• IIT Bhilai

These IITs mainly accept GATE scores from 500 to 600 marks, which is around AIR of 1200 - 1500. 

The GATE 2026 exam was conducted on Feb 7, 8, 14, and 15 in two shifts. The exam timings were-

• Forenoon - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
• Afternoon - 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Candidates can check the GATE exam answer key 2026 following the steps below -

• Go to official website 
• Click on GATE application form portal
• Enter enrollment ID and password 
• Click on the answer key option and download

The official website to answer key of GATE 2026 is gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates must keep their credentials ready.

IIT Guwahati is expected to release GATE answer key 2026 anytime soon. Candidates who attempted the exam on the scheduled date and shift timings will be able to check the official answer key.