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The UCEED 2026 notification is anticipated to be announced in October 2025. Candidates aiming to pursue a Bachelor of Design (B.Des) from IITs are required to participate in and successfully pass the UCEED 2026 examination. The UCEED application form for 2025 will be accessible online starting from October 2024. UCEED 2026 is scheduled tentatively for January 2026.
Administered by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay under the UCEED-CEED Implementation Committee (UCI Committee), UCEED is the gateway for admission to the B.Des program at various prestigious institutions including IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, and IIITDM Jabalpur.
UCEED scores are utilized for admission through a Joint Seat Allotment Process conducted by IIT Bombay, with participation from several renowned institutions. Candidates obtaining a UCEED merit rank are eligible for the seat allotment or counselling process, with scores also considered by result-sharing institutes for admission. UCEED is an annual exam, that attracts thousands of candidates each year.
UCEED 2026 Highlights
UCEED, conducted by IIT Bombay, is a national-level entrance exam for undergraduate design courses, offering B.Des programs. The exam features a unique format with both online CBT (Part A) and offline (Part B) components.
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) |
| Conducting Body | IIT Bombay |
| Exam Type | National Level |
| Courses offered | B.Des |
| Application mode | Online mode |
| Exam mode | Part A – Online CBT & Part B – offline |
| Exam frequency | Once a year |
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| No. of test cities | 27 |
| Information Brochure | UCEED 2026 Information Brochure |
| Exam website | uceed.iitb.ac.in |
UCEED 2026 Exam Dates
The UCEED 2026 exam is scheduled for the third week of January, serving as a pivotal moment for aspiring designers to showcase their skills and creativity. It marks an opportunity for individuals to embark on their journey towards pursuing a career in design.
| Events | Dates 2026 (Tentative) |
| Online registration begins | 1st week of October 2025 |
| Last date to register | 2nd week of November 2025 |
| Last date of registration with late fee | 3rd week of November 2025 |
| Publication of admit card | 1st week of January 2026 |
| The last date of rectification in the admit card | 2nd week of January 2026 |
| UCEED 2026 exam date | 3rd week of January 2026 |
| Draft answer key releases | 4th week of January 2026 |
| Uploading comments related to the draft answer key | 4th week of January 2026 |
| Final answer key releases | 1st week of February 2026 |
| Cut off announcement (Part A) | 2nd week of February 2026 |
| Declaration of results | 2nd week of March 2026 |
| Downloading of scorecard | 2nd week of March to 2nd week of June 2026 |
| The application starts for B.Des course | 3rd week of March 2026 |
| Seat Allotment Round 1 | 2nd week of April 2026 |
| Seat Allotment Round 2 | 2nd week of May 2026 |
| Seat Allotment Round 3 | 2nd week of June 2026 |
| The last date for scorecard downloading | 2nd week of June 2026 |
UCEED 2026 Application Form
The registration process for UCEED 2026 will be commenced through online mode, marking the beginning of the journey for aspiring candidates. Starting from the 1st week of October 2025, applicants are required to carefully navigate through the registration steps. Understanding the eligibility criteria thoroughly is essential before proceeding with the registration process to ensure compliance. Adherence to deadlines and accuracy in providing information are critical aspects of a successful registration experience.
- Registration for UCEED 2026 has commenced through online mode.
- Candidates can fill out the application form starting from 1st week of October 2025.
- It’s crucial for students to thoroughly understand the eligibility criteria before initiating the registration process.
- Accuracy is paramount when filling out the application form as any incorrect or incomplete information could result in rejection.
- Admitting institutions reserve the right to cancel admission if any information provided during registration is found to be inaccurate or incomplete.
- The last date for online registration is the 2nd week of November 2025.
- Candidates who miss the initial registration deadline can still apply by paying a late fee.
- The deadline for registration with a late fee is until 3rd week of November 2025.
- During registration, candidates need to have certain documents ready, including a coloured photograph, scanned signature, qualifying exam certificates, category certificates, and ID proof.
- Ensuring all necessary documents are prepared and adhering to deadlines is crucial for a successful registration process.
UCEED 2026 Application Fee
Application Fee for UCEED requires payment through online channels such as debit cards, credit cards, or net banking, facilitating a seamless process for candidates. Those registering post the deadline are subject to an additional late fee, underscoring the importance of adhering to the specified timelines.
| Category | Fee |
| Indian Nationals | All female candidates: Rs. 1900 |
| ST/SC/PWD: Rs. 1900 | |
| All other candidates: Rs. 3800 | |
| Foreign nationals | Candidates from Non-SAARC countries: US $ 400 |
| Candidates from SAARC countries: US $ 500 |
How to Fill UCEED 2026 Application Form?
- Visit the Online Website: Open your web browser and navigate to the official UCEED website. Look for the option labelled “Registration Portal” and click on it.
- Create an Account: Upon accessing the registration portal, you’ll be prompted to create an account. Provide a valid email address, as this will be used for verification purposes. An email verification link will be sent to the provided email address. Click on it to verify your account.
- Login and Fill Application Form: Once your account is verified, log in using the credentials provided during the account creation process. Fill out the application form by entering your personal details, qualifications, and other necessary information as required.
- Upload Required Documents: Scan the required documents such as photographs, signatures, and any other specified documents in the prescribed format. Upload these scanned images to the designated sections of the application form.
- Pay Registration Fee: Proceed to the payment section and select the preferred payment mode (debit card, credit card, or net banking). Follow the instructions to complete the payment process securely.
- Verify and Submit Application: Before submitting, carefully review all the information entered to ensure accuracy. Once verified, submit the application form.
- Print Fee Receipt and Application: After successful submission, you will be provided with a fee receipt. Additionally, it’s advisable to print a copy of the completed application form for your reference and records.
UCEED 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for UCEED 2026 outline the requirements for candidates aspiring to appear in the exam. Candidates must fulfil these criteria to be considered eligible for UCEED 2026. It is essential for candidates to carefully review and understand these eligibility conditions before applying for the exam.
- Qualifying Exam: Candidates must have passed the 12th level (any stream) or its equivalent from a recognized board/authority. Appearing candidates are also eligible.
- Total Attempts: Candidates can attempt UCEED a maximum of two times in consecutive years. The UCEED score is valid for one year and only for admission in the corresponding year.
- Age Limit (as of 2026): Candidates belonging to the Open/OBC-NCL/EWS category should have been born on or after 1st October 2001. For ST/SC/PWD candidates, the birth date should be on or after 1st October 1996.
Note: In case later it is found that any candidate does not meet any of the eligibility clauses, his/her registration will get cancelled.
UCEED 2026 Exam Pattern
The UCEED 2026 Exam Pattern outlines the structure and format of the UCEED exam for the upcoming year. It provides insights into the types of questions, duration, and mode of examination.
- Exam Structure: The UCEED exam consists of two compulsory parts – Part A and Part B.
- Exam Mode: Part A is conducted in online CBT mode, while Part B, which includes the drawing skill test, is held in offline mode.
- Duration: The total duration of the exam is 3 hours.
- Medium Language: The medium of language for the exam is English only.
- Total Marks: The UCEED exam is of a total of 300 marks, with Part A comprising 200 marks and Part B comprising 100 marks.
- Total Questions: Part A consists of 57 questions, while Part B has 2 questions – one on design aptitude and one on drawing.
- Types of Questions: Part A includes numerical answer type questions (NAT), multiple select questions (MSQ), and multiple-choice questions (MCQ). Part B assesses drawing skills through subjective evaluation.
Part A (2 hours):
| Section | Type of Questions | No. of Questions | Marks for Right Answer | Marks for Incorrect Answer | Marks for Unattempted Questions | Total Marks for Section |
| 1 | Numerical Answer Type | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 56 |
| 2 | Multiple Select Question | 15 | Partial Marking | -1 | 0 | 60 |
| 3 | Multiple-Choice Question | 28 | 3 | -0.71 | 0 | 84 |
| Total | 57 | 200 |
Part B (1 hour):
| Type of Questions | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
| Sketching | 1 | 50 |
| Design Aptitude | 1 | 50 |
UCEED 2026 Syllabus
The UCEED 2026 syllabus encompasses a comprehensive array of topics essential for aspiring designers, including practical knowledge, spatial reasoning, design sensitivity, analytical reasoning, environmental awareness, creativity, and language proficiency, ensuring a holistic preparation for the entrance examination.
| Parts | Syllabus |
| Part A | Practical and scientific knowledge: Understanding of scientific principles and everyday objects. |
| Visualization and spatial reasoning: Ability to visualize and transform 2D shapes and 3D objects and understand their spatial relationships. | |
| Observation and design sensitivity: Capacity to identify hidden properties in everyday objects, think critically, and pay attention to details, analysis, inference, and prediction. | |
| Analytical and logical reasoning: Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative information. | |
| Environment and society: General awareness of the social, environmental, and cultural implications of design. | |
| Creativity: Understanding of non-verbal and verbal analogies, signs, metaphors, and symbols. | |
| Language: Proficiency in reading and comprehending Standard English. | |
| Part B | Design aptitude: Ability to respond practically and appropriately to situations/problems with empathy and ingenuity. |
| Drawing: Rendering of people or scenes in proportion with good line quality, shading, perspective, and ability to draw products. |
UCEED 2026 Preparation Tips
Preparing for UCEED 2026 requires a strategic approach and effective study techniques. Here are some helpful tips to excel in the exam:
- Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, including the types of questions, marking scheme, and duration of the exam.
- Create a Study Schedule: Develop a well-structured study schedule that allocates sufficient time for each section of the exam, focusing on your strengths and weaknesses.
- Practice Regularly: Practice solving previous years’ question papers and sample papers to improve your time management and problem-solving skills.
- Strengthen Design Fundamentals: Focus on building a strong foundation in design fundamentals, including sketching, visualization, and creativity.
- Enhance Visualization Skills: Practice visualizing and interpreting complex designs, patterns, and shapes to improve your spatial awareness and visualization skills.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Keep yourself updated with current events, trends, and developments in the field of design and technology.
- Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to assess your preparation level and identify areas that need improvement.
- Stay Calm and Confident: Maintain a positive attitude, stay calm during the exam, and believe in your abilities to perform well.
UCEED 2026 Admit Card
The UCEED 2026 admit card will be available from the 1st week of January 2026, and is a mandatory document for candidates to carry on the exam day, along with a valid photo ID. It contains essential instructions and candidate details.
In case of any discrepancies, candidates must contact the UCEED office at IIT Bombay before the last date for rectification, which is until the 2nd week of January 2026. Failure to address discrepancies may lead to issues during the exam. Therefore, candidates are advised to carefully review their admit cards and ensure all details are accurate to avoid any inconvenience on the exam day.
UCEED 2026 Exam Centres
The UCEED 2026 Examination will be held across 27 cities in India. Below is the list of cities where the exam centres will be located.
| UCEED 2026 Exam Centres | |
| Ahmedabad | Jaipur |
| Bengaluru | Kolkata |
| Bhopal | Kozhikode |
| Bhubaneshwar | Lucknow |
| Chandigarh | Mumbai |
| Chennai | Mysuru |
| Coimbatore | Nagpur |
| Dehradun | Noida |
| Delhi | Panaji |
| Ernakulam | Patna |
| Guwahati | Pune |
| Hyderabad | Raipur |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Thrissur |
| Visakhapatnam | – |
UCEED 2026 Answer Key
The UCEED Answer key for 2026 will be released in January 2026. The draft key was published online along with the question papers, providing students with the opportunity to submit their comments or objections until 25th January 2026 through the online website. It’s important to note that comments or objections submitted via email or any offline mode will not be considered.
Following the review of all comments, the final decision was made by the UCI Committee, and the final key was made available on 1st February 2026. Additionally, the UCEED 2026 Result is expected to be released in the 1st week of March 2026.
UCEED 2026 Result
The UCEED Result is slated for release on 1st week of March 2026. Successful candidates will be assigned a common merit rank (All India Rank). However, it’s crucial to understand that qualifying for UCEED doesn’t guarantee admission to B.Des programs in any institute.
Following the announcement, scorecards will be available for download from 2nd week of March to 2nd week of June 2026 To access their scorecards, candidates must log in to the portal using their credentials. Aspirants must secure their scorecards within the provided timeframe for further reference and admission processes.
UCEED 2026 Cut-Off
The UCEED Cut-Off for Part A in 2026 will be released in 1st week of February 2026. This cut-off announcement is available online for different categories, presented both in marks and percentage formats.
It’s essential to understand that the cut-off is determined based on several factors including the number of candidates, marks obtained, and overall performance. Below is a table illustrating the cut-off for various categories.
| Category | Cut off in Percentage | Cut off in Total marks |
| ST | 5% | 50 |
| SC | 5% | 50 |
| PWD | 5% | 50 |
| OBC-NCL | 9% | 90 |
UCEED 2026 Counselling/ Admission
Admission into the B.Des programme at various participating institutions will commence following the declaration of rank lists. Only candidates who have qualified for UCEED will be eligible to participate in UCEED Counselling/Admission, which is scheduled to commence from the 2nd to 3rd week of March 2026.
A common application form will be available online where students will need to provide their details and select their preferred choice of institutes. Additionally, students must submit the required fee and upload specified documents. Seat allocation will be determined based on the candidate’s All India Rank (AIR), category, and seat availability at the institution. Final admission decisions will be confirmed by the admitting institutions.
UCEED Participating Institutions
The UCEED exam opens doors to prestigious design institutions such as IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, and IIITDM Jabalpur, providing aspirants with opportunities to pursue their passion for design at esteemed institutions across India.
Participating Institutes:
| Participating Institutes | |
| IIT Bombay | IIT Hyderabad |
| IIT Delhi | IIITDM Jabalpur |
| IIT Guwahati | – |
Result Sharing Institutes:
| Result Sharing Institutes | |
| Alliance University, Bengaluru | Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bengaluru |
| World University of Design, Sonepat | Presidency University, Bangalore |
| RV University, Bengaluru | Flame University, Pune |
| Department of Design, Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), New Delhi | Lovely Professional University, Phagwara |
| JK Lakshmipat University, Jaipur | MIT ID Indore – Avantika University |
| Institute of Design, Nirma University, Ahmedabad | UPES School of Design, Dehradun |
| Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) | Jain (Deemed-to-be-University), Bangalore, etc. |
UCEED 2026 FAQ’s
What is UCEED, and who conducts the exam?
UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design) is an entrance exam conducted for admission to Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs at IITs and some other institutes. It is conducted by IIT Bombay.
What are the eligibility criteria to appear for UCEED 2026?
Candidates must have passed the 10+2 or equivalent exam in 2025 or appearing in 2026. Additionally, certain age and nationality criteria apply.
When will the UCEED 2026 exam be held, and what is its duration?
The UCEED 2026 exam is scheduled to be held on [insert exam date]. It is a 3-hour exam.
How can I register for UCEED 2026, and what is the registration fee?
Registration for UCEED 2026 can be done online through the official website. The registration fee varies for different categories.
What is the exam pattern for UCEED 2026, and what are the marking schemes?
UCEED comprises two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A is a Computer-Based Test, while Part B involves a drawing test. The marking schemes vary for different types of questions.
Is there any negative marking in UCEED, and how are marks awarded for different question types?
Yes, there is a negative marking for some question types in UCEED. Marks are awarded differently for Numerical Answer Type, Multiple Select Questions, and Multiple-Choice Questions.
Can I choose my preferred exam centre for UCEED 2026?
Yes, candidates can select their preferred exam centre during the registration process.
How can I prepare effectively for UCEED, and are there any recommended study materials?
Effective preparation for UCEED involves understanding the exam pattern, practising previous years’ question papers, and enhancing design aptitude and drawing skills. There are several recommended study materials available online and in bookstores.
Are there any reservation policies applicable to UCEED candidates?
Yes, there are reservation policies for candidates belonging to certain categories such as SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwD, and EWS.
What are the career prospects after clearing UCEED, and which institutions accept UCEED scores for admission?
Candidates clearing UCEED can pursue Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs at IITs and other participating institutes. Additionally, they can explore various career opportunities in the field of design across industries such as product design, user experience design, fashion design, etc.
As a dedicated Biology Science graduate, I’m passionate about sharing the latest updates in national and state entrance exams through my blog. I aim to keep aspiring students informed about exam trends, important dates, and changes in syllabi. With a keen interest in education, I strive to offer valuable insights for students navigating the competitive landscape of entrance examinations and admission tests. Stay updated with me.
