Begin Your Design Journey at IIT Bombay; UCEED 2026 Registration Now Open with Late Fee

Missed the UCEED 2026 regular registration deadline? Design aspirants still have a crucial second chance! The window for late registration for the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) is open until November 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM, with a minimal late fee of INR 500. This is your essential step towards B.Des admission in prestigious IITs and leading design institutes. Learn the final steps to register, understand the key exam pattern, and mark your calendar for the exam on January 18, 2026. Do not let this final opportunity slip by.

The path to a Bachelor of Design (B.Des) degree at India's most coveted institutions, including the illustrious IITs, begins with the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED). While the regular registration period for UCEED 2026 has concluded, the conducting body, IIT Bombay, has extended a critical lifeline for all aspiring designers. The late registration window is now active, granting candidates a final opportunity to apply for the exam by paying an additional late fee.

​This news serves as an urgent reminder for anyone who missed the initial deadline. The late registration period is exceptionally brief and is the last chance to secure a seat for the UCEED 2026 examination, which is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026. Failure to register by the late deadline will irrevocably close the door to UCEED-based B.Des admissions for the upcoming academic year.

• ​Final Registration Deadline:November 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM (IST).
• ​Late Fee Applicable: An additional fee of INR 500 is required over the standard registration charges.
• ​Exam Date: The computer-based test will be held on January 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.

​ The UCEED 2026 Advantage: Eligibility and Participating Institutes

​UCEED is much more than just an entrance exam; it is the single gateway to premier design education offered by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and several other result-sharing institutes. Success in UCEED 2026 provides a highly competitive edge in the B.Des admission landscape.

• ​Eligibility for the Exam: The criteria for appearing in UCEED are notably inclusive of all academic backgrounds, promoting diversity in design education. 
  • ​Stream Agnostic: Students from all streams (Science, Commerce, Arts & Humanities) are eligible to apply.
  • ​Academic Year: Candidates should have appeared for the Class XII (or equivalent) examination for the first time in either 2025 OR 2026. Those who appeared in 2024 or earlier are generally not eligible.
  • ​Age Limit: Candidates in the OPEN/EWS/OBC-NCL category must have been born on or after October 1, 2000. Relaxation applies to SC/ST/PwD candidates.
• ​Pathway to Top B.Des Programs: A UCEED rank is mandatory for applying to the undergraduate design programs at the following Participating Institutes: 
  • ​IIT Bombay
  • ​IIT Delhi
  • ​IIT Guwahati
  • ​IIT Hyderabad
  • ​IIT Indore
  • ​IIT Roorkee
  • ​IIITDM Jabalpur
  • ​Note: Several other private and government colleges are also Result-Sharing Institutes, which use the UCEED score for their respective B.Des admissions. This greatly expands the opportunities for qualified candidates.

​Registration Process and What to Expect on Exam Day

​Completing the late registration for UCEED 2026 requires diligence, as the online portal will automatically close after the deadline on November 7. Aspirants must ensure they have all necessary documents ready for upload. The exam itself is a comprehensive test of aptitude, creativity, and observational skills, divided into two key parts.

• ​Mandatory Registration Steps: The application process is entirely online via the official UCEED portal. 
  • ​Account Creation/Login: Register or log in using your valid email ID.
  • ​Form Filling: Accurately fill in personal, academic, and contact details.
  • ​Document Upload: Upload required documents, including a recent color photograph, signature, and category certificates (if applicable), strictly adhering to the specified file format and size limits.
  • ​Fee Payment: Pay the regular category-based application fee (e.g., INR 4,000 for General/OBC-NCL males; INR 2,000 for SC/ST/PwD/Female candidates) PLUS the non-refundable late fee of INR 500.
  • ​Final Submission: Download and print a copy of the completed application form for future reference.
• ​The UCEED 2026 Examination Structure: The three-hour exam on January 18, 2026, is divided into two parts: 
  • ​Part-A (Computer Based): Tests Design Aptitude, Visualisation and Spatial Ability, Analytical and Logical Reasoning, Environmental and Social Awareness, Language and Creativity, and Design Sensitivity. This section includes Numerical Answer Type (NAT), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ).
  • ​Part-B (Pen and Paper Mode): Evaluates drawing skills, observation, imagination, and communication skills through a single question, which must be answered on the provided sheet.

​Conclusion: The Urgency of the November 7th Deadline

​The UCEED 2026 late registration deadline on November 7, 2025, is the final countdown for design aspirants. Given the high stakes of securing admission to top B.Des programs, every eligible candidate must prioritize completing their application immediately to avoid missing out on this career-defining opportunity. Successful registration opens the door to a structured preparation phase leading up to the January 18th exam, moving you one step closer to realizing your design career ambitions.

For regular updates follow Only Education News. For more details on management entrance exams and courses, check here: Design Exams List.