CEED 2026: Registration Starts, Exam Date, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Question Paper and Cut off

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Sajad Ahmad Dar

Content Writer | Updated on - Oct 3, 2025

CEED Latest Updates

03 Oct, 2025 IIT Bombay has started CEED 2026 registration; the last date to register with a regular fee is October 31, 2025. Apply Here

CEED Entrance Exam will be held on January 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, for the M.Des program by IIT Bombay. The notification for admission to the Design postgraduate program, like M.Des at IITs has been released by October 01, 2025. CEED 2026 Applications is available on the official website of CEED: ceed.iitb.ac.in

  • IIT Bombay began CEED 2026 Registration for the M.Des program on 1st October 2025 at 5 PM.
  • The last date to register for CEED 2026 with regular fee is October 31, 2025 (11.55 PM). You can register with a late fees by November 7, 2025 (5 PM).
  • The CEED Application fee is INR 4000 for the General Category and INR 2000 (Reserved category & Females of all categories).
  • CEED 2026 admit card is scheduled to be out on January 2, 2026, 1 PM onwards.
  • After the exam, the Part A answer will be out on January 28, and cutoff on February 5, 2026.
  • CEED 2026 result will be released on March 4, 2026 and the scorecard will be available for download from March 10 to July 31, 2026.

CEED 2026 is conducted both online and offline. Part A of CEED 2026 exam is conducted in a computer-based format, whereas Part B is conducted offline. Notably, Part B answer booklets are only assessed upon qualification in Part A.

  • CEED 2026 Part A exam duration is one hour and encompasses sections on NAT, MSQ, and MCQ.
  • CEED exam Part B exam duration is 2 hours and involves two questions: one on Drawing and the other on Design aptitude.
CEED 2026

Also Check:

CEED Registration

CEED Exam Dates

Key Summary

CEED exam is held once a year for M.Des and PhD admissions at IITs, IISc & select institutes. Last year CEED statistics show that 5090 students registered, 4371 appeared and 1848 students qualified.

  • The CEED 2026 exam date is January 18, 2026 (9 AM – 12 Noon). The official Notification has been released on October 1, 2025 (by IIT Bombay).
  • The CEED Registration start on the 1st October 2025 and end on 31st October 2025 (late fee till 7th November).
  • The CEED Application Fee for General is ₹4000, Women/SC/ST/PwD is ₹2000 and Late fee is ₹500
  • The CEED exam has 2 parts: Part A (1 hour, 150 marks): NAT, MSQ, MCQ (objective) and Part B (2 hours, 100 marks): Sketching, Creativity, Form & Visual Sensitivity, Problem Identification (subjective).
  • You do not require any age/attempt limit for CEED 2026. The final year students (graduating by July 2026) are eligible.

What is CEED Entrance Exam 2026?

The Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026 is a national-level design entrance examination conducted by IIT Bombay for M.Des and Ph.D programs. CEED offers admission in IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee, and IIITDM Jabalpur. The objective of the Common Entrance Exam for Design (CEED Exam 2026) is to assess the candidate’s aptitude for design, involving visual perception ability, drawing skills, logical reasoning, creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills.

CEED 2026 FAQs

Ques: What is the CEED exam for?

Ans: The CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design) exam is a national-level entrance test conducted by IIT Bombay. The CEED exam is used for

  • Admission to postgraduate M.Des (Master of Design)
  • Admission to Ph.D. in Design programs at Indian premier institutes, such as IITs and IISc.

Ques: How many times is the CEED exam conducted in a year?

Ans: CEED exam is conducted once in a year. The exam is conducted once a year in 27 cities across the nation. The CEED 2026 exam consists of two papers - Part A and Part B.

  • Part A is a computer-based test on Aptitude and Math
  • Part B is a paper-based test with questions on drawing.

Ques: How difficult is it to crack CEED?

Ans: CEED is a national-level design entrance exam conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to the M. Des program. The difficulty level of the exam is typically moderate to high.

CEED 2026 Exam Dates

The CEED exam 2026 is set to be held on January 18, 2026.

CEED 2026 Exam Date & Schedule CEED Exam 2026 Events
October 01, 2025 Registration starts
October 31, 2025 Last date to apply for CEED 2026
November 07, 2025, 5:00 pm Last date to apply with a late fee
January 02, 2026, 01:00 pm Availability of CEED admit card
January 08, 2026, 5:00 pm Last date to make corrections to the admit card

January 18, 2026 (Sunday)

9:00 am to 12:00 noon

CEED 2026 Exam Date
January 20, 2026 Release of draft answer key for Part A
January 22, 2026, 5:00 pm Last date to upload comments on the draft answer key
January 28, 2026, 5:00 pm Final answer key release for Part A
February 05, 2026 CEED Exam Cut-off available
March 04, 2026 CEED 2026 Result Announcement
March 10, 2026 to July 31, 2026 CEED Scorecard availability

CEED Exam Dates FAQs

Ques: What is the last date for CEED application 2026?

Ans: The CEED 2026 registration last date with a regular fee is October 31, 2025, and the last date with a late fee is November 7, 2025. Registration for CEED 2026 is open from October 1, 2025.

Ques: What's Next After the CEED Entrance Exam?

Ans: After the CEED 2026 Entrance Exam, the results are announced on the official website ceed.iitb.ac.in. After the results are released:

  • Candidates are required to apply individually to the institutions of their choice using the CEED Score card.
  • Each Institute will have a separate application process, portfolio review, interview rounds, etc.
  • CEED does not conduct any joint counseling for the shortlisted candidates.

Ques: Does IIT accept CEED?

Ans: There are 10 participating institutes that accept the CEED score, including IISc Bangalore, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Jodhpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, IIITDM Jabalpur and IIITDM Kancheepuram. There are also other CEED result-sharing institutes that offer admission based on CEED scores.

CEED Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

There are certain conditions that a candidate has to fulfill before filling the application form. CEED 2026 Eligibility Criteria lays out various academic and age limit conditions as given below.

  • Age limit: No age limit
  • Number of attempts: No restriction on the number of attempts
  • Accepted degree types: Any recognized 4-year or 3+2 years (after 10+2 level) or 3-year degree/diploma/postgraduate degree program after 10+2
  • Final year students: Final year candidates or those awaiting results can apply for CEED 2026, provided they show proof of eligibility during admissions
  • GD Arts diploma program (10+5 level): Candidates passing the program by July 2026 are eligible

Note: CEED Eligibility for securing minimum marks may be different as per the institutions. Please check it on the website of the concerned institution before selecting the institution.

Also Check:

CEED Admit Card

CEED Application Form 2026

IIT Bombay will release the CEED 2026 application form on its official website: www.ceed.iitb.ac.in/. You must fill out and submit the CEED application form 2026 before the last date to avoid any late fees. The CEED 2026 application form last date will be provided in the official brochure.

CEED Statistics for the last year:

Category PwD Status Registered Appeared Qualified
Open No 3094 2609 919
Yes 19 18 11
OBC - NCL No 1112 1000 376
Yes 2 2 2
EWS No 141 125 33
Yes 0 0 0
SC No 566 483 401
Yes 2 1 1
ST No 153 132 104
Yes 1 1 1
Total 5090 4371 1848

CEED Entrance Exam Documents Guidelines 2026

While uploading documents during CEED Registration, you must keep the details in mind.

Document File Size File Format
Photograph Size: 3.5 X 4.5 cmMinimum: 5 KBMaximum: 100 KB Jpg/jpeg/png
Signature Size: 3.5 X 4.5 cmMinimum: 2 KBMaximum: 50 KB Jpg/jpeg/png
Copy of degree/diploma Minimum: 2 KBMaximum: 50 KB PDF
Certificate from the Principal of the College/Head of Department Minimum: 2 KBMaximum: 50 KB PDF
Category Certificate Less than 500 KB PDF
PwD Certificate Less than 500 KB PDF
Age & Nationality Proof Less than 500 KB PDF

CEED Application Fee

A registration fee of INR 2,000 is applicable for all the women candidates, INR 2,000 for SC/ST and PwD candidates and INR 4,000 for all other candidates.

The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. CEED 2026 will also provide an opportunity to fill out the application form after the regular closing date by paying a late fee of INR 500 along with the application fee.

Category Fees
Female candidates (all categories) Rs. 2000
SC/ST/PwD candidates Rs. 2000
All other candidates Rs. 4000

CEED Application Fee

Also Check:

CEED Exam Pattern

CEED Syllabus 2026

CEED Registration FAQs

Ques: Who is eligible for CEED exam 2026?

Ans: Candidates must have a graduate/postgraduate/diploma for a minimum of three years after the 10+2 level, or must be appearing for the final examination of such a program by July 2026, or must have passed the GD Arts diploma program (10+5 level) by July 2026.

Ques: What is the registration fee for CEED exam?

Ans: For CEED 2026 registration, the fee is Rs. 4,000 for all other candidates, but Rs. 2,000 for women and SC/ST/PwD candidates. If applying after the regular closing date, a late fee of Rs. 500 is added to these amounts.

  • All other candidates: ₹ 4,000
  • Female candidates (all categories): ₹ 2,000
  • SC/ST/PwD candidates: ₹ 2,000
  • Late fee: ₹ 500, applicable to all candidates for registrations submitted after the regular closing date.

Ques: How many attempts for CEED?

Ans: There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design) exam.

  • You can take it as many times as you wish, provided you meet the eligibility criteria for each attempt.
  • There is also no age limit for taking the exam.

CEED 2026 Exam Pattern

CEED 2026 Pattern will have Part A and Part B.

  • Part A is expected to be of 150 Marks and the Maximum Time will be one hour.
  • CEED 2026 Part B is expected to be of a total of 100 marks and the maximum time will be 2 hours.

CEED Exam Pattern for Part A

CEED Part A is expected to be of 150 Marks and the Maximum Time will be one hour. This part will be a computer-based test and will have three sections.

  • Section 1 is NAT (Numerical Answer Types)
  • Section 2 is MSQ (Multiple Selection Question)
  • Section 3 is MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions).
Section No. of Questions Question Number Marks for each correct answer Marks for each wrong answer Marks for Unattempted questions Total Marks
NAT 8 1-8 4 0 0 32
MSQ 10 9-18 Partial Marking -1 0 40
MCQ 26 19-44 3 -0.5 0 78
Total 44 1-44 150
CEED Exam Pattern for Part A

CEED Exam Pattern for Part B

CEED 2026 Part B is expected to be of a total of 100 marks and the maximum time will be 2 hours. It will consist of 5 questions, which will test design, drawing, and writing skills.

  • The part B questions will be displayed on the computer screen
  • The answers should be written/drawn in the answer book provided by the invigilator.
  • The Part B Answer booklet will be collected after the examination.
  • All the questions are mandatory in this part.
Section No. of Questions Question Number Partial Marks Negative Marks Marks
Sketching 1 1 Yes No 20
Creativity 1 2 Yes No 20
Form Sensitivity 1 3 Yes No 20
Visual Sensitivity 1 4 Yes No 20
Problem Identification 1 5 Yes No 20
Total 5 1 to 5 100

CEED Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs

Ques: What is the structure of CEED exam?

Ans: The CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design) exam pattern consists of two parts, A and B, for a total duration of three hours.

  • Part A is a computer-based, objective-type test lasting one hour, comprising Numerical Answer Type (NAT), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) that assess visual-spatial abilities, analytical reasoning, and design sensitivity.
  • Part B is a two-hour, pen-and-paper subjective test where candidates respond to design, drawing, and creative questions.

Part A:

  • Duration: 1 hour.
  • Mode: Computer-based.
  • Content: Objective-type questions.
  • Evaluation: Answers are submitted on the computer.

Part B:

  • Duration: 2 hours.
  • Mode: Pen-and-paper.
  • Content: Subjective questions.
  • Evaluation: Answers are given in the provided answer booklet.

Ques: How many marks are in the CEED exam?

Ans: The CEED Entrance Exam Pattern and CEED marks is:

Question Type Number of Questions Total Marks
Numerical Answer Type 8 33
Multiple Select Questions 10 40
Multiple Choice Questions 26 78
Total 44 150

CEED 2026 Syllabus

There is no specific prescribed CEED Syllabus. Candidates can refer to the previous year trends to understand the type of questions asked.

  • IIT Bombay has revised CEED 2026 syllabus PDF.
  • The older syllabus for CEED exam weighed visual-spatial components more
  • The latest revised syllabus balances it with analytical and scientific concepts.

CEED 2026 Syllabus: Part A

  1. Visualization and Spatial Ability: Pictorial and diagrammatic questions assessing understanding of transforming and manipulating 2D shapes, 3D objects, and spatial relationships.
  2. Observation and Design Sensitivity: Detecting hidden properties in everyday life, promoting critical thinking. Recognizing subtle visual distinctions and aesthetic outcomes.
  3. Environmental and Social Awareness: Grasping environmental impact on design: climate, population, water, pollution. Familiarity with design terminology, cultural significance, historical context, and responsible, eco-conscious design. Knowledge of art, sculpture, and literary history.
  4. Analytical and Logical Reasoning: Proficiency in logical analysis and solution selection. Evaluating opinions, arguments based on pertinent criteria. Applying structured thinking to deduce precise responses from provided passages.
  5. Language and Creativity: Proficiency in comprehending English passages. Cultivating creative thinking, differentiating innovative alternatives, and thinking beyond conventional boundaries.
  6. Design Thinking and Problem Solving: Understanding context, user requirements, and limitations. Optimal selection of solutions for specified design challenges.

CEED 2026 Syllabus: Part B

  • Drawing: Ability to draw products, people, or scenes in proportion with good line quality, composition, proportion, perspective, and shading.
  • Creativity: Ability to think out of the box and come up with unique as well as diverse solutions.
  • Communication Skills: Ability to communicate concepts and ideas clearly with the help of text and visuals.
  • Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to understand the user and the context, knowledge of properties of materials and process and their appropriate use in design, originality of solutions, ability to create characters, plots, and stories, etc.

CEED Syllabus FAQs

Ques: Is CEED tougher than JEE?

Ans: CEED and JEE are rigorous and competitive; they cater to different academic and career aspirations. CEED challenges one's creativity and design acumen, whereas JEE tests scientific and analytical prowess. We can say that both exams are difficult.

Ques: Can I give CEED after BTech?

Ans: Yes, if you are appearing for the final exam or completing a 3-year degree/ diploma / postgraduate degree programme (after 10+2 level) can apply for CEED 2026. Candidates must pass the GD Arts diploma programme (10+5 level) by July 2026.

Ques: How can I crack CEED realistically?

Ans: The CEED exam assesses candidates' creativity, design skills and problem-solving ability.

  • So it is crucial to practice sketching and drawing regularly.
  • You can also practice with design software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
  • Remember that your unique design concept is the solution to every problem.

Ques: What is the package after CEED exam?

Ans: CEED placements are highly competitive, with graduates from premier design institutes like the IIT IDC School of Design and other IITs securing average packages ranging from INR 5-15 LPA. Graduates from top-tier programs have a chance of getting much higher salary. Top recruiters such as 3M, Accenture, Adobe, and Samsung hire CEED graduates for roles in UX/UI design, product design, and graphic design roles.

Also Check: Top Colleges in India Accepting CEED

CEED Exam Question Paper

CEED exam question paper will help you practice the previous year questions.

Paper Name Question Paper Solution PDF
CEED 2025 Question Paper Download Check here
CEED 2024 Question Paper Download Check here
CEED 2023 Question Paper Download Check here

CEED 2026 Participating Institutes and Seat Intake

The CEED 2026 participating institutes and expected seat intake for CEED M.Des 2026 are:

Participating Institute Department M.Des Seat Intake
IISc Bangalore Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing 18
IIT Bombay IDC School of Design (Industrial Design Centre) 78
IIT Delhi Department of Design 20
IIT Guwahati Department of Design 33
IIT Hyderabad Department of Design 30
IIT Kanpur Design Program 78
IIT Roorkee Department of Design 20
IIT Jodhpur School of Liberal Arts 25
IIITDM Jabalpur Design Discipline 30
IIITDM Kancheepuram School of Interdisciplinary Design and Innovation 25
Total 357

CEED 2026 Participating Institutes and Seat Intake

CEED Seat Matrix FAQs

Ques: How many seats are in CEED?

Ans: The CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design) exam does not have a single "total seats" figure because the number of seats varies by institution and program

  • Recent estimates suggest over 300 M.Des seats and numerous PhD positions across various participating institutes.
  • Candidates must apply directly to each institute for admission after taking the CEED exam.

Ques: How does CEED Seat matrix vary?

Ans: The CEED Seat Matrix varies from college to college. There are no fixed number of seats every year for CEED.

CEED Books for Preparation

We have divided the CEED books in Part A and Part B.

CEED 2026 Preparation Books for Part A
Book Author
Cracking CEED & UCEED (with Previous Years' Papers and Mock Tests) Ashok Goel and Arjun Kamal
CEED 2020 Exam Preparation - Advanced Course Study Material ICR Education
CEED & NID MDes Entrance Books and Test Series Ashish Popli, Pradosh Swain, Rishabh Rhode
Verbal and Non-Verbal RS Aggarwal
Quantitative Aptitude RS Aggarwal
Analytical Reasoning M. K. Pandey
CEED 2026 Preparation Books for Part B
Design Drawing Francis DK Ching
Perspective Drawing Handbook Joseph D'Amelio
Art perception David Cycleback
Drawing made easy Subodh Narvekar

CEED Books for Preparation

CEED 3 Month Preparation Plan

The CEED exam is held in January every year. So you have 3 to 3.5 months to prepare for CEED 2026. Keeping this in mind, we have prepared a study plan. Few things that you must note are:

  • Know the CEED Syllabus first to understand the topics you must deal with
  • Know the CEED exam pattern and marking scheme. This will help you understand how many marks can be deducted for making mistakes.
Month Focus Area Daily Study Hours Topics / Activities
Month 1(Foundation & Basics) Understand exam pattern & syllabus Build drawing & visualization basics Develop observation & awareness 1 hr Freehand sketching (objects, daily scenes, human figures)
1 hr Design aptitude basics (shapes, patterns, perspective drawing, light & shadow)
30 min General awareness (design, technology, art movements, trends)
30 min Logical & analytical puzzles
Month 2(Skill Building & Problem Solving) Improve speed & creativity Strengthen Part A visualization & reasoning Enhance Part B sketching/detailing 1 hr Visualization & numerical aptitude (3D rotation, nets, geometry, proportions)
1 hr General design GK (logos, art history, famous designers, architecture, products)
2 hrs Part B sketching practice (storyboards, product redesign, posters, concept sketches)
Month 3(Revision & Exam Strategy) Full-length practice Refine time management Final polish for sketching neatness & speed 2 hrs Part A practice (mock papers + GK revision)
2 hrs Part B sketching (scene drawing, storytelling, product design)
30 min Design awareness updates (new innovations, sustainable products, design trends)
30 min Mock test analysis & feedback

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

Previous Year CEED Questions

In case of any inaccuracy, Notify Us! 

Sample/Mock Papers

Latest CEED News

View More

Fees Structure

Structure based on different categories

CategoriesState
General3800
Women1900
sc1900
pwd1900

In case of any inaccuracy, Notify Us! 

Comments


Found 2 Comments

S
sushreesmita pani
Oct 11, 2023 20:14
Registration is done...?
A
arshin khan
Nov 14, 2023 12:23

If you have applied, then you will be notified on you registered mail ID provided by you at the time of registration and application.

A
archana mohan
Sep 16, 2023 11:22
I have cpmpleted my 4 year graduation and 2years MBA distance with 4+ years of work experience. Am I eligible for the pdh course in IIT?
S
sinbad chongtham
Sep 20, 2023 21:00

If you have completed your MBA degree with at least 60% marks and have qualified for GATE/ CSIR/ UGC/NET/ICAR/ICMR/ DST-INSPIRE Fellowship, you are eligible to apply for admission in Ph.D in Management program at IITs. Work experience is required only for sponsored students.


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