CEED 2026 registration window opens at IIT Bombay

Aspiring M.Des and Ph.D. design candidates The crucial CEED 2026 registration window is closing soon. Conducted by IIT Bombay, the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) is your gateway to prestigious postgraduate design programs at top IITs, including IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Guwahati. The deadline for registration with the regular fee is October 31, 2025. Don't miss this opportunity! Apply online at the official website, ceed.iitb.ac.in. Details on late registration, the exam date, syllabus, and career scope are covered in this essential update.

The Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026 application window, managed by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), is quickly approaching its regular-fee deadline. This national-level entrance examination assesses a candidate's aptitude for design, encompassing visual perception, drawing skills, logical reasoning, and creativity. Aspirants are strongly advised to complete their registration well before the last date to avoid technical glitches and secure their application with the standard fee. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the upcoming dates, the registration process, and the exciting career avenues that await qualified candidates.

​Crucial CEED 2026 Registration & Key Dates 

​Aspiring designers need to be meticulous about the official timeline released by IIT Bombay. Missing these deadlines could mean missing the chance to appear for one of the most coveted design entrance exams. The registration must be completed online via the dedicated CEED portal on the IIT Bombay official website: ceed.iitb.ac.in.

• ​Regular Registration Window:
  • ​Opened: October 1, 2025
  • ​Closes: October 31, 2025
• ​Late Registration Window (with Late Fee):
  • ​Begins: November 1, 2025
  • ​Ends: November 7, 2025 (with an additional late fee of ₹500)
• ​Admit Card Release: 
  • ​Available for Download: January 2, 2026
• ​CEED 2026 Exam Date: 
  • ​Scheduled for: January 18, 2026 (Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon)
• ​Result Declaration: 
  • ​Expected on: March 4, 2026

​Detailed Examination Structure and Syllabus 

​The CEED 2026 examination is a three-hour test conducted in two mandatory parts—Part A (Computer-Based) and Part B (Offline Sketching/Drawing). Success in the examination requires a balanced preparation across both sections. Part B is evaluated only for candidates who clear the cut-off score in Part A.

• ​Part A (Objective Type - 1 Hour): This section, conducted online, tests fundamental aptitude for design through objective-style questions. 
  • ​Visualization and Spatial Reasoning: Evaluating the ability to manipulate and understand 2D shapes and 3D objects.
  • ​Practical and Scientific Knowledge: Assessment of understanding basic scientific principles and awareness of everyday objects.
  • ​Observation and Design Sensitivity: Focusing on critical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to detect latent properties in daily life.
  • ​Analytical and Logical Reasoning: Questions designed to test the ability to analyze both qualitative and quantitative information.
  • ​Creativity and Language: Assessing proficiency in Standard English, alongside a grasp of verbal and non-verbal analogies and metaphors.
• ​Part B (Subjective Type - 2 Hours): This part, answered offline, is crucial for assessing a candidate's practical design skills. 
  • ​Drawing Skills: The ability to draw people, products, or scenes accurately with good line quality, composition, and perspective.
  • ​Creativity: Evaluating out-of-the-box thinking and the capacity to propose unique and diverse design solutions.
  • ​Problem Identification and Communication: Testing the capability to understand user context, identify design problems, and communicate concepts clearly through visuals and text.
  • ​Form Sensitivity: Assessing the aesthetic and proportional judgment in design.

​Career Trajectory After CEED: Design Specializations 

​A high rank in CEED 2026 opens the door to M.Des programs at prestigious institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee, and IIITDM Jabalpur, among others. These postgraduate specializations lead to high-growth, in-demand design careers in the global market.

• ​User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design: 
  • ​Focuses on enhancing user satisfaction by improving the usability, accessibility, and desirability of digital products (apps, websites, software).
  • ​One of the most sought-after specializations, with roles like UX Researcher and Interaction Designer.
• ​Industrial/Product Design:
  • ​Involves creating concepts and designs for manufactured products such as appliances, consumer electronics, furniture, and automobiles.
  • ​Professionals in this field blend aesthetic appeal with functionality, often leading to roles like Product Design Strategist and Industrial Designer.
• ​Visual Communication/Graphic Design: 
  • ​Deals with developing creative layouts for logos, branding, marketing materials, and digital media.
  • ​Career paths include Brand Identity Designer, Motion Graphic Designer, and Art Director.
• ​Animation and VFX Design:
  • ​Offers opportunities in the fast-paced entertainment and media industry, creating visually stunning content for films, video games, and advertisements.
  • ​Roles include 3D Modeler, VFX Artist, and Animator.

​Conclusion

​With the regular registration deadline for CEED 2026 on October 31, 2025, aspirants must act swiftly. The Common Entrance Examination for Design is more than just an exam; it's a vital stepping stone to a rewarding career in design, offering admission to top-tier postgraduate programs in India. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, gather the necessary documents, and complete your application on the official website, ceed.iitb.ac.in, to begin your journey toward becoming a leading design professional.