Common Entrance Examination for Design Overview 2026
Common Entrance Examination for Design Overview
CEED 2026 Result
IIT Bombay released the CEED Result 2026 on 4th March 2026 on its official website. Candidates can download their CEED 2026 Scorecard using their User Id and Password.
The CEED 2026 scorecard will be available for download from 10 March 2026 till 31 July 2026. The scorecard will be valid for one year from the date of declaration. No hard copy of the CEED scorecard will be sent to candidates.
Part-A marks will be displayed for all candidates who appeared in CEED 2026. Part-B marks will be available only for shortlisted candidates. Only those who are shortlisted will be assigned a rank.
CEED 2026 Cutoff
The CEED 2026 Part-A cutoff was released on February 5, 2026, on the official website. It was announced in terms of mean and standard deviation.
- Mean: 39.35
- Standard Deviation: 16.89
These values are used to calculate the cutoff marks for Part-A. IIT Gandhinagar has been added as a new participating institute in the CEED exam on 4th March.
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. It involves visual perception ability, drawing skills, logical reasoning, creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Key Summary
CEED exam is held once a year for M.Des and PhD admissions at IITs, IISc and select institutes. Last year CEED statistics show that 5090 students registered, 4371 appeared and 1848 students qualified.
CEED 2026 Exam Dates
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).
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | October 1, 2025 |
| Registration Start | October 1, 2025 |
| Registration End | October 31, 2025 |
| Late Fee Registration | Till November 7, 2025 |
| CEED 2026 Exam Date | January 18, 2026 |
| Part-A Cutoff Release | February 5, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | March 4, 2026 |
| Scorecard Download Period | March 10, 2026 to July 31, 2026 |
CEED 2026 Application Fee
The CEED Application Fee varies by category. A late fee of ₹500 is applicable for registrations after the regular deadline.
- General: ₹4000
- Women/SC/ST/PwD: ₹2000
- Late Fee: ₹500
CEED 2026 Exam Pattern
The CEED exam has 2 parts: Part A and Part B. Part A is objective and Part B is subjective.
| Part | Duration | Marks | Type | Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | 1 hour | 150 marks | NAT, MSQ, MCQ (objective) | Visual perception, logical reasoning |
| Part B | 2 hours | 100 marks | Subjective | Sketching, Creativity, Form & Visual Sensitivity, Problem Identification |
CEED 2026 Eligibility Criteria
There is no age limit or attempt limit for CEED 2026. Final year students who are graduating by July 2026 are eligible to apply.
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 institutes, such as IITs and IISc.
Ques: How many times is the CEED exam conducted in a year?
Ans: The CEED exam is conducted once a year.
CEED 2026 Exam Overview
The Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) is conducted once a year. The exam is held 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.
CEED Difficulty Level
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 being conducted today on January 18, 2026.
| CEED 2026 Exam Date & Schedule | CEED Exam 2026 Events |
|---|---|
| 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 Application Last Date
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.
What Happens After the CEED Exam
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.
Institutes Accepting CEED Scores
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 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.
CEED Application Form 2026
IIT Bombay will release the CEED 2026 application form on its official website: www.ceed.iitb.ac.in/. The application form must be filled out and submitted 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, certain details must be kept in mind.
CEED 2026 Application Documents
Candidates must upload specific documents while filling out the CEED 2026 application form. The required documents, along with their size limits and formats, are listed below.
| Document | File Size | File Format |
|---|---|---|
| Photograph | Size: 3.5 X 4.5 cm Minimum: 5 KB Maximum: 100 KB |
Jpg/jpeg/png |
| Signature | Size: 3.5 X 4.5 cm Minimum: 2 KB Maximum: 50 KB |
Jpg/jpeg/png |
| Copy of degree/diploma | Minimum: 2 KB Maximum: 50 KB |
|
| Certificate from the Principal of the College/Head of Department | Minimum: 2 KB Maximum: 50 KB |
|
| Category Certificate | Less than 500 KB | |
| PwD Certificate | Less than 500 KB | |
| Age & Nationality Proof | Less than 500 KB |
CEED Application Fee
The CEED 2026 application fee is INR 2,000 for women candidates and SC/ST/PwD candidates, and INR 4,000 for all other candidates. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
CEED 2026 also allows candidates to submit 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 Registration FAQs
Who is eligible for CEED exam 2026?
Candidates must have a graduate, postgraduate, or diploma degree of a minimum of three years after the 10+2 level. Candidates appearing for the final examination of such a program by July 2026 are also eligible.
Candidates who have passed the GD Arts diploma program (10+5 level) by July 2026 are also eligible.
What is the registration fee for CEED exam?
The CEED 2026 registration fee is Rs. 4,000 for all other candidates and Rs. 2,000 for women and SC/ST/PwD candidates. A late fee of Rs. 500 is added to these amounts if applying after the regular closing date.
- 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.
How many attempts for CEED?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design) exam. Candidates can take it as many times as they wish, provided they 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 with a maximum time of one hour.
CEED 2026 Part B is expected to be of a total of 100 marks with a maximum time of 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 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.
CEED Exam Pattern 2026
The CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design) exam pattern has two parts, A and B, for a total duration of three hours.
Part A is a computer-based, objective-type test lasting one hour. It includes 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. Candidates respond to design, drawing, and creative questions.
Part A Details
- Duration: 1 hour.
- Mode: Computer-based.
- Content: Objective-type questions.
- Evaluation: Answers are submitted on the computer.
Part B Details
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Mode: Pen-and-paper.
- Content: Subjective questions.
- Evaluation: Answers are given in the provided answer booklet.
CEED Marks Distribution
| 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
- Visualization and Spatial Ability: Pictorial and diagrammatic questions assessing understanding of transforming and manipulating 2D shapes, 3D objects, and spatial relationships.
- Observation and Design Sensitivity: Detecting hidden properties in everyday life, promoting critical thinking. Recognizing subtle visual distinctions and aesthetic outcomes.
- 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.
- 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.
- Language and Creativity: Proficiency in comprehending English passages. Cultivating creative thinking, differentiating innovative alternatives, and thinking beyond conventional boundaries.
- 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
Is CEED tougher than JEE?
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. Both exams are difficult.
Can I give CEED after BTech?
The source does not provide an answer to this question.
CEED 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Yes, candidates appearing for the final exam or completing a 3-year degree, diploma, or postgraduate degree programme (after 10+2 level) can apply for CEED 2026. Candidates must also pass the GD Arts diploma programme (10+5 level) by July 2026.
How to Prepare for CEED
The CEED exam assesses creativity, design skills, and problem-solving ability. Regular practice is the key to preparation.
- Practice sketching and drawing regularly.
- Practice with design software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Remember that a unique design concept is the solution to every problem.
CEED Placements and Salary
CEED placements are competitive. Graduates from design institutes like the IIT IDC School of Design and other IITs secure average packages ranging from INR 5-15 LPA.
Graduates from top-tier programs have a chance of getting a 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.
CEED Exam Question Paper
CEED exam question papers help candidates practice 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 listed below.
| 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 Seat Matrix FAQs
Ques: How many seats are in CEED?
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?
The CEED Seat Matrix varies from college to college. There is no fixed number of seats every year for CEED.
CEED Books for Preparation
CEED books are divided into Part A and Part B.
CEED 2026 Preparation Books for Part A
These books cover the topics asked in Part A of the CEED exam. Part A tests visualisation, reasoning, and aptitude.
| 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
These books focus on the drawing and design skills needed for Part B of the exam. Part B requires practical sketching and design ability.
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Design Drawing | Francis DK Ching |
| Perspective Drawing Handbook | Joseph D'Amelio |
| Art perception | David Cycleback |
| Drawing made easy | Subodh Narvekar |
CEED 3 Month Preparation Plan
The CEED exam is held in January every year. Candidates have 3 to 3.5 months to prepare for CEED 2026.
Before starting the plan, two things must be done. First, know the CEED Syllabus to understand the topics. Second, know the CEED exam pattern and marking scheme to understand how many marks can be deducted for 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 |