CEED Answer Key 2026: Release Date & How to Raise Objections

CEED Answer Key 2026 is an essential tool for candidates appearing in the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) conducted by IIT Bombay.  Released in two stages, the provisional and the final answer key it allows aspirants to cross-check their responses for Part A, estimate scores, and raise objections if necessary. By analyzing the answer key, candidates can gauge their performance, understand potential qualifying chances for Part B evaluation, and plan their preparation for the final merit declaration and admission into M.Des programs at leading institutes.

CEED Answer Key 2026

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay is set to conduct the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026 on January 18, 2026. Following the exam, the CEED answer key 2026 becomes the most crucial document for aspirants to estimate their performance and predict their chances of getting into prestigious M.Des programs at IITs and other result-sharing institutes.

Here, we cover everything from downloading the CEED 2026 answer key PDF to calculating your scores and raising a CEED answer key objection 2026.

CEED Answer Key Release Date 2026

IIT Bombay typically releases the answer key in two stages: the CEED provisional answer key 2026 (Draft) and the CEED official answer key 2026 (Final).

How to Download CEED 2026 Answer Key PDF?

Candidates can access the CEED answer key Part A 2026 directly from the official portal once it is released. Note that answer keys are only published for Part A; Part B is a subjective paper and does not have a model answer key.

1. Visit Official Website: Go to @ceed.iitb.ac.in.

2. Navigate to Downloads: Look for the link titled "CEED 2026 Draft Answer Key" or "Final Answer Key" on the homepage.

3. Login (If required): For the CEED response sheet 2026, you must log in using your registered email ID and password.

4. Save the PDF: The CEED 2026 answer key PDF will open in a new tab. Download and save it for cross-referencing.

CEED 2026 Response Sheet 

The CEED response sheet 2026 contains the specific answers marked by the candidate during the computer-based Part A exam. It is released alongside the provisional key on January 20, 2026. By comparing your response sheet with the CEED official answer key 2026, you can accurately determine the number of correct and incorrect attempts.

CEED 2026 Score Calculation (Part A)

To estimate your marks before the results, follow the official marking scheme for Part A. The total marks for Part A are 150.

• Section 1: NAT (Numerical Answer Type) – 3 Marks for each correct answer; No negative marking.

• Section 2: MSQ (Multiple Select Questions) – 3 Marks for each correct answer; -1 forwrong answers (Note: All correct options must be selected to earn full marks).

• Section 3: MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) – 2 Marks for each correct answer; 0.5 Negative Marking for every wrong answer.

Final Score Weightage

The final merit rank is not based on Part A alone. The CEED 2026 score calculation uses a weighted formula:

Total Score = (0.25 × Part A Marks) + (0.75 × Part B Marks).

How to File CEED Answer Key Objection 2026?

If you find any discrepancy in the CEED provisional answer key 2026, IIT Bombay allows you to challenge it through the candidate portal.

• Window: Challenges must be submitted between January 20 and January 22, 2026.

• Procedure: Log in to the portal, select the question number, and upload valid supporting documents or references to justify your claim.

• Finality: The expert committee reviews all objections. If valid, a CEED official answer key 2026 (Final) is released, which cannot be challenged further.

CEED 2026 Marks vs Rank (Expected)

The CEED 2026 marks vs rank relationship is influenced by factors such as the overall difficulty level of the exam and the performance of candidates appearing that year. While the final ranks are announced only after result declaration, past trends help estimate the expected Part A qualifying cut-off for different categories. The table below gives a realistic expectation based on previous years’ analysis.

Important Note

• μ (mu) represents the mean score of all candidates.

• σ (sigma) represents the standard deviation of scores.

• These values are calculated by IIT Bombay, and actual cut-offs may vary slightly each year.