CEED 2026 Regular Fee Window Closed; Late-Fee Submissions Now Open

The application window for the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026 has officially closed as of November 10, 2025, marking the end of the registration period. All aspirants who successfully submitted their forms must now pivot their focus entirely to the entrance exam, scheduled for January 18, 2026. The next critical milestone is the Admit Card release on January 2, 2026. This national-level test is the mandatory gateway for admission into Master of Design (M.Des) and Ph.D. programs at premier institutions like the IITs and IISc. Use this guide to streamline your preparation for the multi-faceted Part A (CBT) and Part B (Drawing/Sketching) exam.

The registration phase for the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026, the premier entrance test for postgraduate design programs in India, has officially concluded. The initial deadline for applications with the regular fee passed on November 5, 2025, and the final chance for submission, albeit with a late fee of ₹500, ended on November 10, 2025. Conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), the closure of the application portal signals the transition into the most intensive phase of the admission cycle: preparation for the entrance examination.

​Candidates who have successfully registered must now channel all their energy into maximizing their performance in the upcoming exam, which is slated for January 18, 2026. The CEED examination is a rigorous assessment, testing aptitude across visual perception, drawing, creativity, and analytical skills, designed to filter candidates for Master of Design (M.Des) and Ph.D. programs at top institutions including IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Hyderabad, Roorkee) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. With the admit card release scheduled for January 2, 2026, the next two months are crucial for focused revision and practice.

​ Key Dates: From Admit Card to Result Declaration

​With the registration complete, aspirants must now keenly track the subsequent dates leading up to the final result. Adhering to this timeline is critical for a smooth examination and admission process.

• ​Admit Card Release: The CEED 2026 Admit Card will be available for download from the official IIT Bombay website starting January 2, 2026, at 1:00 PM. Candidates must download and print this document clearly, as it is mandatory for entry into the exam hall.
• ​Admit Card Correction Window: Candidates will have a short window, generally until January 8, 2026, to report and rectify any discrepancies in the admit card details (such as personal information or photo).
• ​CEED 2026 Examination Date: The three-hour exam (9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon) is scheduled for January 18, 2026 (Sunday). The exam is divided into two distinct parts: 
  • ​Part A (Computer-Based): 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (1 hour).
  • ​Part B (Drawing/Sketching): 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon (2 hours).
• ​Post-Exam Milestones: 
  • ​Release of Draft Answer Key (Part A): January 20, 2026.
  • ​Declaration of CEED 2026 Results: March 4, 2026.
  • ​Score Cards Available: March 10, 2026.

​Strategic Preparation: Decoding the CEED Exam Pattern

​The CEED examination is designed to test a comprehensive range of design-related aptitudes. An effective preparation strategy must meticulously balance the objective, analytical skills required for Part A with the creative, hands-on ability needed for Part B.

• ​Part A: The Computer-Based Test (CBT) – 1 Hour 
  • ​Focus Areas: This section is designed to test knowledge across six key areas: Visualization & Spatial Ability, Environmental & Social Awareness, Analytical & Logical Reasoning, Language & Creativity, Design Thinking & Problem Solving, and Observation & Sensitivity to Design.
  • ​Question Types: Includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
  • ​Strategy: Time management is paramount here. Practice solving previous years' Part A papers to improve speed and accuracy, particularly in analytical and spatial reasoning problems.
• ​Part B: The Sketching & Drawing Test – 2 Hours 
  • ​Focus Areas: This is the subjective, offline component where candidates demonstrate their creative drawing, sketching, visualization, and problem-solving skills through hands-on work.
  • ​Assessment: Evaluates the candidate’s ability to generate innovative design concepts, communicate ideas clearly through sketches, and understand design principles.
  • ​Strategy: Dedicate daily time to freehand sketching and conceptual drawing. Practice different drawing types, including perspective, human figures (proportion), and product rendering. Develop the ability to articulate a creative solution concisely within the given time limit.

​Essential Tips for the Final 60-Day Prep Window

​With the exam less than two months away, every day counts. Aspirants should adopt a high-intensity, structured approach to ensure comprehensive coverage and skill refinement.

• ​Intensive Mock Test Schedule: Take at least one full-length mock test every week under strict exam conditions (9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon). Analyze the performance to pinpoint weak areas in both Part A and Part B.
• ​Focused Sketching Practice: Since Part B is highly subjective and weighted heavily (though specific weightages vary across institutes for final admission), dedicate dedicated time to creative drawing exercises. Practice storytelling through visuals and quick idea generation.
• ​Design Awareness Deep Dive: Enhance your general knowledge of design. Read about design history, famous designers, current design trends (especially UX/UI and Sustainability), and the role of design in contemporary society. Read magazines and articles related to product, industrial, and interaction design.
• ​Part A Revision: Systematically revise core topics in Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge that relate to science, technology, and art. Elementary Math and Science concepts often feature in Part A.
• ​Portfolio Readiness: Although the CEED score is the first filter, admission to IITs and IISc almost universally involves a Personal Interview/Studio Test/Portfolio Review phase later on. Start curating and documenting your best design work and creative projects now, ensuring it is ready for submission when required after the result declaration in March 2026.

​Conclusion

​The conclusion of the CEED 2026 application window signifies that the preparatory stage is now fully underway. With all procedural hurdles cleared, the focus shifts entirely to maximizing performance on January 18, 2026. Success in CEED requires a blend of rigorous analytical training for Part A and unbridled creative expression for Part B. Aspirants who judiciously manage their time between now and the exam date, prioritizing past paper practice and targeted creative work, will significantly enhance their chances of securing admission into the prestigious M.Des and Ph.D. programs offered by India’s leading design institutes.

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