CEED 2026 Registration to Close on October 31: Apply Soon at ceed.iitb.ac.in

The Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026 regular registration ends on October 31, 2025, at ceed.iitb.ac.in. This is your final chance to apply without a late fee for the prestigious MDes and PhD programs at premier institutions like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IISc Bangalore. Missing the deadline means paying a late fee of ₹500 until November 7, 2025. The CEED exam is scheduled for January 18, 2026. Secure your application immediately.

The path to a coveted Master of Design (MDes) or PhD in Design from India's top-tier institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, runs through a single gateway: the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026. For aspiring postgraduate designers, this is the most critical juncture of the academic year.

​The registration for CEED 2026 is currently underway, but the crucial deadline to submit your application without incurring a late fee is fast approaching. All eligible candidates must complete their application process on the official website, ceed.iitb.ac.in, by October 31, 2025, 11:55 PM. Failing to meet this date will force applicants to pay a late fee of ₹500 to register during the extended window, which closes on November 7, 2025, 5:00 PM. The examination itself is scheduled for January 18, 2026. This article serves as an essential guide to the CEED 2026 schedule, exam structure, and the unparalleled opportunities that await successful candidates. Don't let a procedural delay derail your design dream.

​CEED 2026: Application Essentials and Key Dates

​The CEED examination, conducted by IIT Bombay, is an annual test to evaluate the aptitude of candidates for advanced design studies. Understanding the application logistics and adhering strictly to the timeline is vital.

• ​Application Timeline - Don't Miss the Deadline! 
  • ​Online Registration Start Date: October 1, 2025.
  • ​Registration Deadline (Regular Fee):October 31, 2025 (11:55 PM).
  • ​Registration Deadline (with Late Fee of ₹500): November 7, 2025 (5:00 PM).
  • ​Admit Card Release: January 2, 2026.
  • ​CEED 2026 Exam Date: January 18, 2026 (Sunday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon).
  • ​Declaration of Results: March 4, 2026.
• ​Eligibility Criteria for CEED 2026:
  • ​Candidates must have completed or be appearing for the final examination of a degree, diploma, or postgraduate program of at least three years duration after the 10+2 level.
  • ​This includes B.Tech, B.Arch, BDes, BFA, and Master's degrees in any stream (Arts, Science, Computer Applications).
  • ​Crucially, there is no age limit for appearing in CEED, and candidates can attempt the exam any number of times.
• ​Step-by-Step Registration Process:

1. ​Visit the Official Portal: Navigate to ceed.iitb.ac.in and select the registration link.
2. ​New User Registration: Create an account using a valid email ID, which will be verified.
3. ​Form Filling and Centre Selection: Log in and accurately fill in all personal, academic, and category details. Select three preferred exam centers in order of priority.
4. ​Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of your recent color photograph, signature, qualifying degree/diploma certificate (or a certificate from the principal for final year students), and a valid category certificate (if applicable).
5. ​Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online. (Note: Fee for General/OBC candidates is typically higher than for Women/SC/ST/PwD candidates—refer to the brochure for the exact amount).

​Understanding the CEED 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus

​The CEED examination is designed to test a candidate's overall aptitude for post-graduate studies in design, encompassing analytical, creative, and technical drawing skills. It is a three-hour, two-part paper.

• ​The Two-Part Examination Structure:
  • ​Part A (1 Hour, Online, Computer-Based): This is a screening test. Only candidates who score above the cut-off marks in Part A will have their Part B evaluated. It contains objective questions: 
    • ​Numerical Answer Type (NAT): Enter a numerical answer; no negative marking.
    • ​Multiple Select Question (MSQ): One or more correct answers; partial/negative marking may apply.
    • ​Multiple Choice Question (MCQ): One correct answer; typically includes negative marking.
    • ​Skills Tested: Visualization, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness of Art/Design, Environment and Society, and Analytical Skills.
  • ​Part B (2 Hours, Offline, Drawing/Subjective Test): This section is assessed manually and is mandatory. Questions are displayed on the computer, but the response (drawings/writing) must be recorded in the provided answer booklet. 
    • ​Skills Tested: Drawing and Sketching, Creativity, Communication (visual and verbal), and Problem Identification.
• ​Focus Areas for Preparation:
  • ​Design Fundamentals: Familiarity with design principles, color theory, visual hierarchy, and basic ergonomics.
  • ​Spatial Reasoning: Practice quickly visualizing and transforming 2D shapes into 3D objects and vice versa.
  • ​Observation and Sensitivity: Training yourself to think critically about everyday objects and identify user problems.
  • ​Verbal and Non-Verbal Analogies: Sharpen your logical and creative thinking to grasp analogies, metaphors, and symbols.

​Institutes Accepting CEED 2026 Scores

​A valid CEED score is the passport to MDes and PhD programs at some of India's most prestigious design departments. The counselling process for these institutions is conducted separately, but the CEED score is the primary shortlisting criterion.

• ​Top Participating Institutions (The 'Counselling' Institutes): 
  • ​IIT Bombay (IDC School of Design): Offers MDes in Industrial Design, Communication Design, Interaction Design, Animation, and Mobility.
  • ​IISc Bangalore (Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing - CPDM): Offers MDes in Product Design and Engineering.
  • ​IIT Delhi (Department of Design): Offers MDes in Industrial Design.
  • ​IIT Guwahati (Department of Design): Offers MDes in Design.
  • ​IIT Hyderabad and IIT Kanpur: Offer MDes programs across various specializations.
• ​Result Sharing and Associate Institutions:
  • ​In addition to the premier IITs and IISc, several other reputed institutions also accept CEED scores for their MDes admissions, including: 
    • ​Mahindra University
    • ​Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology
    • ​Alliance University
    • ​GLS University, among others.
• ​Career Trajectory: A post-graduate degree in design from a CEED-accepting IIT significantly elevates a candidate’s career prospects, leading to high-demand roles like UX Researcher, Design Strategist, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, and Design Manager in global tech, automotive, and consulting firms.

​Conclusion

​October 31, 2025, marks the final day for regular registration for CEED 2026—the essential test for securing a postgraduate design seat in a top Indian institution. Given the prestige and career opportunities associated with an MDes from an IIT or IISc, this deadline cannot be overlooked. Ensure your application is submitted before the late fee kicks in, and intensify your preparation for the January 18, 2026, examination. This is the moment to invest in your future as a leading design professional.

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