CEED 2026 Part-B Evaluation Continues Ahead of March 4 Result Date
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay is currently conducting the manual evaluation of CEED 2026 Part-B answer scripts. Following the release of Part-A cut-offs on February 5, expert design faculty are assessing the creative and sketching skills of shortlisted candidates. Final results and All India Ranks are scheduled for declaration on March 4, 2026, on the official portal ceed.iitb.ac.in, serving as the gateway for M.Des and PhD admissions at IITs and IISc.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has reached the critical final phase of the evaluation process for the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026. As of today, February 16, the manual grading of Part-B answer booklets is in full swing, following the announcement of the Part-A qualifying marks on February 5. This subjective assessment is being performed by a panel of expert design faculty who are scrutinizing the sketching, creativity, and problem-solving abilities of the candidates who successfully crossed the initial screening threshold. With the final result date fixed for March 4, 2026, the current administrative stretch is vital for determining the merit ranks of thousands of postgraduate design aspirants across the country.
Subjective Grading Standards and Manual Review
The CEED 2026 Part-B section is a pen-and-paper test that carries a significant 75% weightage in the final score calculation, making it the primary "rank maker" for the session. According to the official CEED evaluation criteria, the process involves a "double-blind" review system to ensure absolute fairness. Each booklet is reviewed independently by multiple examiners; if the scores vary by more than a specified margin, a third senior expert intervenes for moderation. This rigorous manual evaluation focuses on five core design competencies: sketching proficiency, visual storytelling, form sensitivity, creative thinking, and logical problem identification.
- Part-A Weightage: 25% (Computer-based screening)
- Part-B Weightage: 75% (Manual design assessment)
- Part-A Cut-off Release: February 5, 2026
- Final Result Declaration: March 4, 2026
- Scorecard Download Starts: March 10, 2026
| Section in Part-B | Marks Allocated | Evaluation Focus |
| Sketching | 20 | Line quality, proportion, and perspective |
| Creativity | 20 | Originality of ideas and out-of-the-box thinking |
| Form Sensitivity | 20 | Aesthetic sense and material understanding |
| Visual Sensitivity | 20 | Composition and rendering skills |
| Problem Identification | 20 | Design thinking and user-centric approach |
Admission Timeline and Institutional Rounds
The culmination of the Part-B assessment will lead to the declaration of the merit list on March 4 via the official CEED 2026 portal. Candidates must note that securing a rank in the entrance test is merely the first step. Following the result announcement, qualified individuals must apply separately to the participating institutes, such as IDC School of Design (IIT Bombay), Department of Design (IIT Delhi), and IISc Bangalore. These institutes will conduct their own independent selection rounds, which typically include a studio test, portfolio review, and a personal interview to finalize the 2026-27 intake for Master of Design (M.Des) and PhD programs.
- Scorecard Validity: Valid for one year from the date of declaration.
- Tie-Breaking Rule: Part-B marks are the primary factor in breaking score ties.
- Counseling: No centralized counseling; students must apply to colleges individually.
- Registration Sharing: Over 20 other non-IIT institutes also accept the CEED 2026 score for admissions.
Conclusion
As the expert panels at IIT Bombay continue their detailed evaluation, the design community awaits the March 4 milestone with high anticipation. The CEED 2026 process remains a benchmark for design merit in India, blending analytical aptitude with creative execution. Aspirants are encouraged to utilize the weeks leading up to the result by refining their physical and digital portfolios for the upcoming institutional rounds. Once the results are live, the portal will enable candidates to download their digital scorecards starting March 10, which will remain an essential document for all future admission formalities. Maintaining a regular check on the NTA-style official updates is advised as the session moves toward its final competitive conclusion.
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