As of January 21, 2026, the objection window for the UCEED 2026 draft answer key remains active on the official portal. Candidates who appeared for the exam on January 18 can submit challenges against Part A responses until 5:00 PM tomorrow. IIT Bombay is scheduled to review all grievances before releasing the final answer key on January 28, 2026.This critical phase allows for the correction of discrepancies prior to the official result declaration in March.

Following the successful conduct of the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) on January 18, 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has entered the crucial grievance redressal phase. As of January 21, 2026, the objection window for the Part A draft answer key is fully operational, allowing candidates to scrutinize their responses against the official solutions. This period is a vital component of the evaluation process, as it ensures that any potential errors in the objective section are identified and corrected through candidate feedback before the final scores are computed.

Navigating the Objection Process

Candidates have until 5:00 PM on January 22, 2026, to file their challenges through the centralized candidate portal. The process requires a high degree of precision, as only specific types of technical grievances are entertained by the expert committee.

• Supporting Evidence: Any objection raised must be accompanied by valid academic justifications or visual proof. Candidates are often required to upload reference material to back their claims regarding incorrect question framing or wrong answer choices.
• Portal Submission: Challenges are only accepted via the online dashboard; email or physical post submissions are strictly disregarded.
• Master Question Paper: It is essential to refer to the Master Question Paper available on the website, as question numbering in individual key response sheets may vary due to randomization.
• No Fee Requirement: Unlike many other national-level entrance exams, IIT Bombay typically does not charge a fee for filing an objection during this window.

Timeline for Final Key and Results

The current window is the final opportunity for students to influence the marking of Part A (the objective section). Once the deadline passes tomorrow, the committee will move toward the finalization of the key that will dictate the 2026 ranks.

• Expert Review: Between January 23 and January 27, subject matter experts will review every submitted objection to determine if a change in the answer key is warranted.
• Final Answer Key: The definitive key for Part A will be released on January 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM. No further challenges will be accepted after this document is published.
• Part A Cut-offs: The official qualifying marks for Part A, which determine who moves on to Part B evaluation, will be announced on February 5, 2026.
• Final Results: The comprehensive UCEED 2026 results are slated for declaration on March 6, 2026.

Evaluating Part A and Part B Scores

The UCEED marking scheme is distinct for its multi-layered approach to assessing design aptitude. While Part A is being scrutinized through the current objection window, Part B remains a manually evaluated section.

• Accuracy Check: The final key ensures that the machine-grading of Part A is 100% accurate, which is critical since only candidates who meet the Part A cutoff have their Part B drawings evaluated.
• Probable Score Calculation: Using the current draft key, many aspirants are already calculating their raw scores to estimate their chances at top-tier institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Guwahati.

Conclusion

The continuation of the UCEED 2026 objection window serves as a final safeguard for transparency and accuracy in the design entrance process. As the January 22 deadline approaches, candidates must ensure that any discrepancies they have identified are formally submitted with proper justification. This meticulous review of the answer key is the last step before the focus shifts to the announcement of cut-offs and the final result declaration in March. For many design aspirants, the next few days are a period of quiet anticipation as they await the release of the final key that will ultimately shape their future in the world of professional design.