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CEED 2026: Registration, Exam Date, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation Tips

By: Sunil Kushwaha

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Registration for CEED 2025, organized by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, is anticipated to begin in October 2024. CEED serves as a common entrance test for design, held annually to facilitate admission to MDes courses offered by various IITs. CEED 2025 is projected to take place in January and will consist of two sections: Part A and Part B. Part A of CEED 2025 is scheduled from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, followed by Part B from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Several IITs and design schools consider CEED scores for PG design course admissions. Following the exam, candidates may undergo interviews or additional tests as per respective college requirements. CEED, conducted annually, offers M.Des programs at IISc Bangalore, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, and IIITDM Jabalpur, while PhD courses are available at various IITs and design schools.  Merit-ranked candidates in CEED 2026 must individually apply to participate institutes, which will then shortlist candidates based on their CEED scores and conduct additional admission rounds as needed.

The CEED exam notification for 2025 is currently pending release by IIT Bombay. Upon its release, information regarding CEED dates, admission procedures, registration fees, and other relevant details will be accessible on the official website ceed.iitb.ac.in.

CEED 2026 Highlights

CEED 2026 conducted by IIT Bombay, stands as a premier national-level entrance exam for aspirants seeking admission to postgraduate design programs, featuring a rigorous examination process encompassing both online and offline components.

Name of ExamCommon Entrance Exam for Design (CEED)
Conducting AuthorityIIT Bombay
Exam LevelNational
Exam FrequencyOnce a Year
LanguageEnglish
Mode of ExamPart A (Online) & Part B (Offline)
Release of ApplicationOctober 2025
CoursesPG Design (M.Des)
Scores Accepting CollegesIITs & Design Schools
Common NameCEED
Conducting InstituteIndian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)
Exam ModeThe entrance exam has two mandatory parts: Part A – offline, Part B – offline
Mode of ApplicationOnline
Exam Duration3 hours
Official Websiteceed.iitb.ac.in

CEED 2026 Exam Dates

The CEED 2026 exam date is a crucial milestone for aspiring design students, marking the opportunity to showcase their creativity and skills in the nationally renowned entrance examination organized by IIT Bombay.

EventsDates 2026 (Tentative)
Registration starts1st week of October 2025
Last date to apply for CEED2nd week of November 2025
Last date to apply with a late fee3rd week of November 2025
Availability of admit card1st week of January 2026
Last date to make the correction2nd week of January 2026
Exam Date3rd week of January 2026
Release of answer key4th week of January 2026
Answer key challenge window4th week of January 2026
Final answer key release1st week of February 2026
Cut-off available2nd week of February 2026
Result announcement1st week of March 2026
Scorecard availability2nd week of March to 2nd week of June 2026

CEED 2026 Application Form

The CEED 2026 application process is an essential step for candidates aspiring to pursue M.Des and PhD courses at renowned institutes across India. Scheduled to commence in the first week of October 2025, this registration period marks the beginning of the journey towards a career in design. Aspirants must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the brochure and instructions provided by the authorities to ensure a smooth application process. With online mode being the sole option for application submission, candidates are urged to prepare their documents and payment details accordingly.

  • CEED 2026 registration will commence in the first week of October 2025.
  • Only online mode will be available for applying for the CEED exam.
  • Candidates will need to upload scanned documents as per the instructions provided by the authority.
  • To complete the registration process, candidates must pay the application fee through the provided payment modes on the website.
  • The application form submission deadline is until the third week of November 2025, with a late fee.
  • There will be no provision for CEED application correction provided by the authority.
  • After filling out the application form, candidates should take several printouts for future reference.
  • It is essential to carefully read the brochure and instructions before filling out the CEED application form.
  • Candidates should ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria before proceeding with the application.
  • Any discrepancy or incorrect information in the application form may lead to rejection, so candidates must fill it out accurately.

CEED 2026 Application Fee

The CEED application process entails adherence to certain financial guidelines, ensuring the application fee remains non-refundable and non-transferable. Candidates can conveniently make payments through various online channels such as net banking, debit card, and credit card. Additionally, candidates should be aware of the processing fees levied by banks, which are separate from the application fee.

CategoryApplication Fee
Women candidatesRs. 1900/-
SC/ST/PwDRs. 1900/-
All other candidatesRs. 3800/-
Late FeeRs. 500/-

How to Fill CEED 2026 Application Form?

  • Step 1: Visit the CEED 2026 Website: Access the official website of CEED 2026 using the provided link.
  • Step 2: Click on the ‘Register’ Button: Locate and click on the ‘Register’ button to initiate the registration process.
  • Step 3: Enter Registration Details: Fill in the required registration details as prompted and complete the registration process.
  • Step 4: Login and Fill Remaining Details: After registration, log in to your account and provide additional details such as guardian information, address, and educational qualifications.
  • Step 5: Upload Scanned Images: Upload the scanned images of documents as per the specified requirements within the registration form.
  • Step 6: Pay Application Fee: Proceed to pay the application fee through the provided online payment mode.
  • Step 7: Take Printout: Once the application process is complete, ensure to take a printout of the application form for future reference and use.

CEED 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for CEED 2026 set forth by IIT Bombay outline the minimum academic qualifications and conditions for candidates aspiring to pursue postgraduate design programs. These criteria serve as the foundation for determining the eligibility of applicants seeking to appear for the prestigious CEED examination.

  • Qualifying Exam: Candidates must possess a degree, diploma, or postgraduate degree of at least three years’ duration to be eligible for CEED.
  • Appearing Candidates: Those who are appearing for the final examination by July 2026 are also eligible to apply for CEED.
  • Eligibility for GD Arts Diploma Holders: Candidates with a GD Arts diploma program (10+5 level) are also eligible to apply for CEED.
  • Age Limit: There is no upper or lower age limit specified to apply for the CEED exam.
  • Attempts: The authority does not prescribe any attempt limit for CEED. Candidates can attempt the exam as many times as they wish.

CEED 2026 Exam Pattern

The CEED 2026 exam pattern delineates the structure and format of the examination, outlining the distribution of marks, types of questions, and duration of the test. It serves as a blueprint guiding candidates in their preparation for this renowned national-level entrance exam administered by IIT Bombay.

  • Exam Duration: The CEED exam will be held in the morning shift, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, totalling 3 hours.
  • Parts: The exam consists of two parts: Part A and Part B.
  • Mode: Part A is conducted online, while Part B is conducted offline.
  • Type of Questions: CEED includes NAT (Numerical Answer Type), MSQ (Multiple Select Questions), and MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions).
  • Language: The question papers are presented in the English language.

Part A:

SectionNo. of QuestionsQuestion No.Marks if CorrectNegative MarkingTotal Marks
NAT81 – 84032
MSQ109 – 18Partial Marking-140
MCQ2619 – 443-0.578
Total441 – 44150

Part B:

SectionNo. of QuestionsQuestion No.Total Marks
Sketching Question1120
Creativity Question1220
Form Sensitivity1320
Visualization Question1420
Problem Identification1520
Total51 – 5100

CEED 2026 Syllabus

Preparation for the CEED examination requires candidates to familiarize themselves with the official syllabus provided by the exam authorities. The syllabus, released alongside the information bulletin through online channels, outlines the topics and areas of focus for both Part A and Part B of the examination, guiding candidates in their study endeavours.

PartContent
AVisualization and spatial reasoning
Observation and design sensitivity
Analytical and logical reasoning
Creativity
Design methods and practices
Practical and scientific knowledge
Environment and society
Language
Art and Design knowledge
BDrawing
Communication
Creativity
Problem identification

CEED 2026 Preparation Tips

Preparing for CEED 2026 requires strategic planning and focused efforts to excel in the exam. Here are eight effective preparation tips to enhance your performance:

  1. Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the CEED exam pattern, including the types of questions, marking scheme, and duration of the exam.
  2. Create a Study Schedule: Develop a structured study timetable allocating sufficient time for each section of the exam, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all topics.
  3. Strengthen Design Fundamentals: Focus on enhancing your design fundamentals, including sketching, visualization, and problem-solving skills, as these are crucial for CEED.
  4. Practice Previous Years’ Papers: Solve previous years’ CEED question papers and sample papers to understand the exam format, identify recurring themes, and improve time management.
  5. Develop Time Management Skills: Practice time-bound mock tests regularly to improve your speed and accuracy in solving questions within the stipulated timeframe.
  6. Enhance Creative Thinking: Engage in creative activities, such as sketching, doodling, and brainstorming, to foster innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
  7. Seek Feedback: Share your design work with peers, mentors, or instructors to receive constructive feedback and identify areas for improvement.
  8. Stay Updated: Stay updated with current design trends, industry developments, and technological advancements to broaden your perspective and enhance your design knowledge.

CEED 2026 Exam Centers

CEED 2026 Exam Centers are venues where the CEED exam will be conducted across various cities. These centres are strategically selected to accommodate candidates from different regions.

Exam Centers
AhmedabadJaipur
BhopalKozhikode
BengaluruKolkata
BhubaneswarLucknow
CoimbatoreMysuru
ChandigarhNagpur
ChennaiMumbai
DelhiNoida
DehradunPatna
ErnakulamPune
HyderabadPanaji
GuwahatiRaipur
JaipurThrissur
VisakhapatnamThiruvananthapuram

CEED 2026 Admit Card

The admit card or hall ticket for CEED 2026 will be accessible for download exclusively through the official website. It is anticipated to be available starting from the first week of January 2026. It’s essential to note that no offline mode will be permitted for obtaining the admit card.

Before appearing for the exam, candidates must ensure to obtain a clear printout of the admit card. In the event of identifying any discrepancies in the details provided on the admit card, candidates are advised to promptly communicate the issue to ceed@iitb.ac.in. The deadline for rectifying any errors or inaccuracies in the admit card will be extended until the second week of January 2026.

CEED 2026 Answer Key

The CEED 2026 answer key is expected to be released in the fourth week of January 2026, provided by the authority through online mode. Candidates will have the opportunity to challenge the draft answer key by submitting objections online in January 2026. 

The final answer key, addressing any objections, is anticipated to be published in the first week of February 2026. This key will encompass the correct answers to the questions posed in the CEED exam.

CEED 2026 Result

The CEED 2026 result will be declared through online mode in the first week of March 2026. Candidates who have appeared for the exam can access their results by logging in with their credentials. Unlike hard copies, the results will be available for download online.

Following the announcement of the result, the CEED 2026 scorecard will be accessible for download from the second week of March to the second week of June 2026. Part A marks will be visible to all candidates, while Part B marks will be disclosed only to those selected for the next round. The scorecard will remain valid for one year from the date of the result declaration.

CEED 2026 Cut-off

The CEED 2026 cut-off is anticipated to be unveiled in the second week of February 2026 following the announcement of the results. Accessible through online mode, candidates can gauge their eligibility for admission based on the released cut-off scores.

With the expected mean and standard deviation around 41.90 and 16.72, respectively, for Part A of the exam, candidates must secure marks surpassing the cut-off to qualify for subsequent admission rounds. This criterion serves as a crucial benchmark for determining candidates’ eligibility for further stages of the admission process.

CEED 2026 Admission Procedure

Following the release of the CEED scorecard, the admission process will commence, wherein participating institutions will conduct individual counselling sessions for admission. Unlike centralized counselling, each institution will organize its counselling procedures.

To secure admission, candidates might need to qualify for additional admission rounds such as interviews or group discussions. During the admission process, candidates are required to furnish original documents along with photocopies for verification purposes. This decentralized approach ensures that candidates are evaluated thoroughly by the respective institutions and facilitates a tailored admission process based on their requirements and criteria.

CEED 2026 Participating Colleges

Here is a list of colleges participating in CEED 2026, offering various design courses across India.

InstituteAffiliation
IISc, BangaloreVIT School of Design
IIT, DelhiWorld University of Design (WUD)
IIT, BombayMIT ID Indore – Avantika University
IIT, GuwahatiSrishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Tech
IIT, HyderabadSchool of Planning and Architecture
IIT, RoorkeeDr Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University
IIT, KanpurRV University

CEED 2026 FAQ’s

What is CEED and who conducts the exam?

CEED stands for Common Entrance Examination for Design, which is conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.

What are the eligibility criteria for appearing in CEED 2026?

Candidates must hold a degree, diploma, or postgraduate degree of a minimum of three years duration or be appearing for the final examination by July 2025. There is no age limit to apply for CEED.

How can I apply for the CEED exam and what is the application fee?

Candidates can apply for CEED online through the official website by filling out the application form and paying the requisite application fee. The fee varies for different categories of candidates.

What is the exam pattern for CEED 2026?

CEED consists of two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A is conducted in online mode and consists of multiple-choice and numerical answer-type questions. Part B is a drawing test conducted in offline mode.

Is there any negative marking in the CEED exam?

Yes, there is negative marking for some question types in Part A. Marks are deducted for incorrect answers in multiple select questions and multiple-choice questions.

Can I choose my preferred exam centre for CEED 2026?

Yes, candidates can choose their preferred exam centre during the application process based on availability.

Are there any specific preparation materials or books recommended for CEED?

Yes, there are various preparation materials and books available specifically designed for CEED preparation. Candidates can refer to previous years’ question papers, sample papers, and reference books on design concepts and drawing skills.

How can I download my CEED admit card?

Candidates can download their CEED admit card from the official website by logging in with their credentials. The admit card contains important details such as exam date, time, and venue.

What are the career prospects after qualifying in CEED?

Qualifying in CEED opens up opportunities for pursuing postgraduate design programs at prestigious institutes and universities. Graduates can explore careers in various fields such as product design, user experience design, graphic design, etc.

Is there any age limit for appearing in the CEED exam?

No, there is no upper or lower age limit to apply for the CEED exam.

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