IIT Bombay is set to release the UCEED 2026 final answer key for Part A on January 28, following the completion of the draft objection window. Candidates can download the revised model solutions from the official portal to verify their final scores before the results are announced on March 6The final answer key is a decisive document for the 2026 admission cycle, as it forms the basis for the Part A cut-off and subsequent merit list preparation. Stay updated on the official UCEED website to access the PDF and evaluate your chances of securing a B.Des seat at premier IITs.

As of January 29, 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has successfully reached the final stages of the answer key verification process. Following the UCEED-2026 entrance examination held on January 18, the draft answer key was previously released to allow candidates to submit their feedback. The objection window closed on January 22, and subject experts have since been reviewing the challenges raised by students regarding the Part A model answers. The release of the final key-PDF is now the immediate focus for thousands of design aspirants, as it will provide the ultimate clarity on their performance in the objective section of the paper.

Final Review and Evaluation Process

The UCI Committee follows a rigorous protocol to ensure that the UCEED-2026 evaluation is both transparent and error-free.

• Expert Scrutiny: Every objection submitted during the draft phase is evaluated against standard design principles and the official marking scheme.
• Binding Decisions: The revisions reflected in the key-PDF are final and binding; no further requests for changes will be entertained once the document is uploaded to the portal.
• Part A Importance: Only Part A scores are used to determine the initial cut-off; Part B (the drawing section) is only evaluated for candidates who meet the prescribed threshold in the objective section.

Accessing the Answer Key and Next Steps

Candidates can download the official document from the candidate portal by logging in with their registered credentials.

• Downloading the Key: Navigate to the "Downloads" section on the official-site to find the link for the final Part A answer key.
• Score Calculation: Students are advised to use the master question paper alongside the key to calculate their marks, keeping in mind the negative marking applicable to specific sections.
• Result Timeline: Following the final key release, the official-site will publish the Part A cut-off marks on February 5, with the comprehensive results and rank list scheduled for March 6, 2026.

Impact on 2026 Admissions

The finalization of the answer key marks a pivotal turn in the 2026 admission cycle for Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs.

• Merit List Foundation: The scores derived from the final key will be the foundation for the merit-list, which dictates seat allotment for IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT Roorkee.
• Participating Institutes: Beyond the IITs, several other universities will use these finalized scores to admit students into their respective design programs for the upcoming academic session.
• Scorecard Validity: Once the results are declared, the merit-list rankings will be reflected on the UCEED scorecards, which remain valid for one year from the date of issuance.

Conclusion

The release of the UCEED 2026 final answer key is the last step in the verification phase before the evaluation of the subjective Part B begins. By providing a binding key-PDF, IIT Bombay ensures that all candidates are assessed on a fair and standardized scale. For aspirants, this document serves as the final tool to estimate their standing in the 2026 competitive landscape. As the official-site prepares for the result declaration in March, candidates should keep their portal credentials handy and monitor the merit-list announcements to plan their subsequent counseling and portfolio submissions.