IIT Bombay has officially released the draft answer keys and question papers for two major design entrance exams. The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) 2026 and the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026 now have their preliminary answer keys available for public scrutiny.
Exam Details and Availability
Both examinations took place on January 18, 2026, across designated test centers nationwide. The testing window ran from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon, giving candidates three full hours to complete their papers. These crucial exams serve as gateways for admission into prestigious design programs at IIT Bombay and other participating institutions.
Successful candidates can secure seats in Bachelor of Design (BDes), Master of Design (MDes), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs through these examinations. The release of draft materials marks an important phase in the evaluation process.
Understanding the Exam Structure
The entrance tests followed a two-part format that assessed different skill sets. Part A contained objective-type questions that required precise answers. This section included three distinct question types:
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Multiple Selection Questions (MSQs)
Part B differed between the two exams. UCEED candidates faced drawing and design aptitude tests, while CEED aspirants demonstrated their drawing and writing capabilities. This section evaluated creative and practical design skills essential for advanced design education.
Accessing the Draft Materials
Candidates who appeared for either examination can now download the draft answer keys and original question papers. The process involves several straightforward steps that ensure easy access to these important documents.
First, visit the official examination portals at uceed.iitb.ac.in/2026/ for UCEED or ceed.iitb.ac.in/2026/ for CEED. Look for the clearly marked links labeled "draft answer key and question paper." Clicking these links will initiate the download of PDF files containing the relevant materials.
Once downloaded, candidates should save these files securely for future reference. Having these documents readily available proves helpful during the objection submission process and subsequent result verification stages.
Submitting Objections and Queries
IIT Bombay has established a formal procedure for candidates who wish to challenge any aspect of the draft answer keys or question papers. The institution welcomes constructive feedback but requires adherence to specific guidelines.
All objections must reach the authorities through the official candidate login portal exclusively. The administration will not consider requests sent via email or other communication channels. Candidates must submit their concerns before the January 22, 2026 deadline to ensure proper consideration.
When preparing objections, candidates should provide clear question numbers and substantial justifications for their queries. Vague or incomplete submissions may not receive proper attention from the evaluation committee.
Result Timeline and Score Validity
The examination authority has announced specific dates for result declaration and score card availability. According to the official schedule, CEED 2026 results will become public on March 4, 2026. Successful candidates can then download their score cards starting March 10, 2026.
These score cards maintain validity for one full year from the result declaration date. This timeframe gives candidates adequate opportunity to apply for design programs across participating institutions. All updates regarding final answer keys and examination results will appear exclusively on the official IIT Bombay portals.
Prospective design students should monitor these websites regularly for the latest announcements and procedural updates. Staying informed ensures candidates don't miss important deadlines or new developments in the admission process.
