As of February 1, 2026, aspirants of the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) are actively reviewing the final answer keys released by IIT Bombay. Following the examination held on January 18, the portal now provides a definitive basis for candidates to calculate their Part-A scores ahead of the result declaration. The selection process has moved into the critical stage of Part-B evaluation for those meeting the established cut-off marks. Official results are slated for release on March 4, marking the next major milestone for Master of Design (M.Des) seekers across participating IITs and IISc.

The post-examination cycle for the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026 has reached a stable phase as of February 1, 2026. Following the release of the final answer key on January 28, candidates across the country are utilizing the official portal to cross-verify their marked responses. This period is essential for students to transition from the uncertainty of the draft phase to a concrete understanding of their performance in the objective section of the exam.

Finalization of Evaluation Metrics

The CEED 2026 official portal concluded the objection management process in late January, leading to the publication of the final answer key for Part-A. This document serves as the absolute authority for scoring the Numerical Answer Type (NAT), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) segments.

• Scoring Accuracy: Candidates are currently matching their downloaded response sheets against the final key to arrive at an estimated raw score.
• Part-A Weightage: While Part-A acts primarily as a gatekeeper, its marks contribute 25% to the final CEED score for shortlisted candidates.
• Objection Resolution: All queries raised during the January 20–22 window have been addressed by the IIT Bombay expert committee, meaning no further challenges to the answer keys are being entertained.

Assessing the Shortlisting Probability

As candidates conclude their review of the CEED Answer Key, the focus has shifted toward the anticipated cut-off marks for Part-A. Only those who score above this threshold will have their Part-B answer booklets evaluated manually by the design faculty.

• Mean and Deviation: The cut-off (δ) is calculated using a formula involving the mean (μ) and standard deviation (σ) of all Part-A scores, ensuring a fair distribution across categories.
• Part-B Significance: Since Part-B carries a 75% weightage in the final merit rank, candidates who find themselves well above the estimated cut-off are currently focusing on the qualitative aspects of their design portfolios.
• Result Sharing Institutes: Beyond the primary IITs, several other Design Schools have begun updating their admission criteria based on the 2026 examination cycle.

Transition Toward Result Declaration

With the answer keys now finalized, the technical team at IIT Bombay is engaged in the comprehensive evaluation of the subjective Part-B scripts for qualified candidates. This manual process is the primary reason for the month-long gap between the answer key release and the final results.

• Scorecard Validity: Candidates are reminded that the CEED 2026 scorecard, once released on March 10, will remain valid for exactly one year from the date of declaration.
• Portfolio Preparation: Many students use this interim period to refine their design portfolios, which are often required for the second stage of admissions (interviews) at various IITs.
• Data Integrity: The automated processing of Part-A responses ensures that the merit list remains free of manual errors, providing a transparent foundation for the March 4 result announcement.

Conclusion

The window for reviewing the final answer keys and response sheets represents the final stage of self-assessment for CEED 2026 candidates. As of February 1, the definitive scoring for Part-A is complete, allowing aspirants to gauge their standing before the official cut-off is announced on February 5. This systematic progression from examination to final key ensures that the upcoming results in March will be a true reflection of the candidates' design aptitude and analytical skills within the 2026 admission framework.