Design Aspirants Await Final UCEED and CEED Answer Key Releases
IIT Bombay is set to release the final answer keys for UCEED and CEED 2026 on January 28, following the completion of the draft objection window. This comprehensive report details the evaluation timeline for Part A, the expected cutoff announcement on February 5, and the final result dates in early March for design aspirants nationwide.

Following the release of the draft answer keys and candidate response sheets earlier today, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay is currently overseeing the objection management phase. This period is essential for ensuring that the final scoring for Part A remains accurate and transparent across all test centers.
- Final Key Timeline: The official release of the final answer keys for both examinations is scheduled for January 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
- Objection Status: The window for challenging the draft keys remains open until January 22, allowing students to submit technical queries through the official candidate portal.
- Master Solution: Once the expert committee reviews all valid student feedback, the final key will serve as the absolute master solution for calculating marks.
- Part A Focus: Aspirants are reminded that the answer key release pertains exclusively to Part A; Part B, being a subjective section, does not have a model solution.
Evaluation Milestones and Result Declaration Schedule
The journey for a design aspirant involves multiple stages of evaluation, beginning with the computer-based Part A and culminating in the manual assessment of Part B for shortlisted candidates. The UCEED and CEED 2026 timelines are synchronized to provide a streamlined admission experience for the 2026-27 academic session.
- Cutoff Announcement: Following the final key publication, IIT Bombay will announce the qualifying cutoffs for Part A on February 5, 2026.
- UCEED Results: The final results for the undergraduate level are expected to be declared on March 6, 2026, on the official website.
- CEED Results: For postgraduate aspirants, the results are slated for an earlier release on March 4, 2026, through the designated portal.
- Scorecard Access: Every qualified aspirant can begin downloading their digital scorecards from March 10, 2026, which will remain valid for one year.
UCEED and CEED 2026 Post-Exam Timeline
| Event Description | UCEED (B.Des) Date | CEED (M.Des) Date |
| Draft Answer Key Release | January 20, 2026 | January 20, 2026 |
| Last Date for Objections | January 22, 2026 | January 22, 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Release | January 28, 2026 | January 28, 2026 |
| Part A Cutoff Announcement | February 5, 2026 | February 5, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | March 6, 2026 | March 4, 2026 |
| Scorecard Download Starts | March 10, 2026 | March 10, 2026 |
Conclusion
The period between the draft and final answer key release is a time of high anticipation for every design aspirant in the country. By providing a clear 48-hour window for objections, IIT Bombay ensures that the UCEED and CEED results are backed by a robust and verified evaluation mechanism. As the experts prepare to finalize the Part A scores by January 28, students are shifting their attention toward the potential cutoffs that will determine the evaluation of their Part B creative work. The successful conclusion of this official review phase will ultimately pave the way for a new generation of designers to enter India's most prestigious technology and design institutes this summer.
