GATE 2026 Answer Key Challenge Window Opens Today; IIT Guwahati Launches Objection Link on GOAPS with ₹500 Fee Per Question
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 cycle has officially entered its most interactive phase. IIT Guwahati has activated the formal objection portal, turning the spotlight back on the candidates to ensure the accuracy of the final results. For regular updates on PSU recruitment through GATE 2026 and M.Tech stipends, follow Only Education News.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has officially opened the objection window for the GATE 2026 provisional answer keys today. Candidates who appeared for any of the 30 papers across the February sessions can now contest the official answers via the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. This critical three-day window allows students to challenge discrepancies they may have found in the provisional keys released earlier this week. The portal will remain active until February 28, 2026, after which no further objections will be entertained.
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How to Raise an Objection on GOAPS: Step-by-Step
The challenge process is strictly digital and requires a high level of technical justification. Candidates should follow these steps:
- Log in to GOAPS: Access the portal using your Enrollment ID/Email Address and Password.
- Select the 'Contest Answer Key' Tab: Once logged in, navigate to the section for challenging the provisional key.
- Identify the Question: You must provide the correct Question ID as found in the master question paper (not the serial number from your response sheet).
- Upload Documentation: This is the most vital step. Candidates must upload a clear PDF justification. IIT Guwahati recommends using standard textbooks as references rather than local coaching notes or handwritten solutions.
- Pay the Fee: A non-refundable fee of ₹500 per question must be paid through the online gateway.
Key Details: Fees and Refunds
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Objection Period | February 25 – February 28, 2026 |
| Fee Amount | ₹500 per question challenged |
| Payment Mode | Credit Card / Debit Card / Net Banking |
| Refund Policy | Fee is refunded only if the challenge is accepted by the expert committee |
The Impact of a Successful Challenge
It is important to note that if an objection is upheld by the subject matter experts, the benefit is often extended to all candidates who appeared in that specific session. This could result in a change of the answer (affecting the raw score) or the question being marked as MTA (Marks to All), which can significantly shift the percentile landscape during the normalization process.
What Happens Next?
Once the window closes on February 28, the expert committees at IIT Guwahati will review every submission. A Final Answer Key will then be released in early March, which will be the basis for the GATE 2026 Results scheduled for March 19, 2026.
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