CEED 2026 Part-B Evaluation Continues Ahead of March Result Release

IIT Bombay is currently conducting the manual evaluation of CEED 2026 Part-B answer booklets following the release of Part-A qualifying marks. With Part-B carrying a 75% weightage in the final score, design experts are assessing the creative and technical aptitude of shortlisted candidates. The official CEED results are scheduled for declaration on March 4, 2026, on the candidate portal. Aspirants who met the Part-A cutoff on February 5 can expect their final ranks to be determined by this rigorous subjective assessment.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has transitioned into the intensive manual evaluation phase for the Part-B section of the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026. As of 11 February 2026, a specialized panel of design experts and faculty members is scrutinizing the subjective answer booklets of candidates who successfully cleared the initial screening. This follows the official announcement of the Part-A qualifying marks on February 5, where the mean was established at 39.35 with a standard deviation of 16.89. This subjective assessment is the most critical component of the entrance cycle, as it determines the final merit ranks for admission into Master of Design (M.Des) and PhD programs across the country.

Manual Assessment and Creative Rubrics

Unlike the computer-based Part-A, the evaluation of Part-B is a qualitative process that focuses on a candidate's drawing skills, visual sensitivity, and problem-solving abilities. The Official CEED Portal has highlighted that Part-B carries a significant 75% weightage in the final score calculation. Each of the five mandatory questions is graded against a predefined rubric that values originality and technical proficiency over mere aesthetic perfection. The Industrial Design Centre (IDC) at IIT Bombay ensures a double-blind review process where multiple examiners assess the same booklet to maintain a high standard of fairness and transparency.

• Sketching and Rendering: Candidates are assessed on their ability to use perspective, light, and shadow to communicate three-dimensional forms.
• Design Thinking: Evaluation focus includes the severity of problems identified in the given scenarios and the feasibility of the proposed solutions.
• Visual Narrative: Storyboarding questions are judged based on sequential clarity, character expressions, and the ability to convey a cohesive message.
• Finality of Marks: IIT Bombay maintains a strict "no re-evaluation" policy for the subjective section, making the current grading phase decisive.

Final Score Compilation and Result Timeline

The compilation of the final results is a complex administrative task that integrates the normalized Part-A marks with the manually assigned Part-B scores. According to the Ministry of Education guidelines for national-level entrance exams, the final result will be declared on March 4, 2026. Only those aspirants whose Part-B was evaluated will be assigned an All India Rank (AIR). While the result will be viewable in early March, the actual digital scorecards—required for the institutional application rounds—will only be available for download from March 10, 2026.

Export to Sheets

• Institutional Application: Following the results, candidates must apply separately to IISc Bangalore and other participating IITs for the second stage of selection.
• Scorecard Validity: The CEED 2026 score will remain valid for exactly one year from the date of declaration for the 2026-27 academic session.
• Qualified Candidates: Approximately 1,850 aspirants are expected to qualify and receive a rank out of the thousands who appeared on January 18.

Conclusion

As the evaluation continues through the remainder of February, the design community awaits the unveiling of the next generation of creative leaders. The heavy weightage given to the subjective section underscores the exam’s intent: to find individuals who can think critically beyond objective data. Aspirants are advised to utilize this waiting period to build their physical and digital portfolios, as most institutes will conduct studio tests and personal interviews starting in April. With the final results just weeks away, the meticulous grading process at IIT Bombay ensures that the integrity of the CEED remains the benchmark for design excellence in India.

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