CEED 2026 Regular Fee Window Closes; Late-Fee Payments Now Accepted

The Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026, the mandatory gateway for M.Des and Ph.D. admissions at premier IITs and IISc, has closed its regular registration window. Aspirants who missed the November 5, 2025, deadline are currently availing the late-fee payment option, which was open until November 10, 2025 (5:00 PM). With the exam scheduled for January 18, 2026, this article outlines the final application process, the two-part exam structure (Part A & B), and the critical cut-off requirements for securing a seat at top institutions like IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay.

The Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026, conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to postgraduate (M.Des) and Ph.D. design programs at the IITs and IISc Bangalore, is in the final stages of its application process. The window for regular fee registration officially closed on November 5, 2025. Aspiring postgraduate design students who could not complete their registration by this date were granted a brief extension under the late-fee payment window, which ended on November 10, 2025, at 5:00 PM.

​Candidates who successfully utilized the late-fee option, paying an additional ₹500 above the regular fee (₹4,000 for General/OBC-NCL Male; ₹2,000 for all women/SC/ST/PwD), have secured their chance to appear for the crucial exam on January 18, 2026. This rigorous entrance test is mandatory for securing admission to the highly coveted Master of Design programs, which are known for their academic excellence and world-class infrastructure. Aspirants should now shift their entire focus from application logistics to intensive preparation for the two-part examination.

​ CEED 2026 Timeline and Admission Process Updates

​With the registration period now officially closed (even with the late fee), the focus shifts entirely to the exam and subsequent results. Candidates must be aware of the upcoming milestones.

• ​Closed Registration Dates: 
  • ​Last Date for Regular Fee Registration: November 5, 2025 (Closed)
  • ​Last Date for Late Fee Registration (₹500 extra): November 10, 2025 (Closed at 5:00 PM)
• ​Crucial Upcoming Dates: 
  • ​Admit Card Download Starts: January 2, 2026
  • ​CEED 2026 Examination Date: January 18, 2026 (Sunday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon)
  • ​Announcement of Part-A Cut-off: February 5, 2026
  • ​Declaration of CEED Results: March 4, 2026
  • ​Score Card Download: March 10, 2026
• ​The Two-Part Eligibility Check: The admission process hinges on a two-step evaluation based on the CEED score: 
  • ​Step 1: Part-A Cut-off: Candidates must meet the minimum qualifying marks in the Part A (Computer-Based Test) to have their Part B (Sketching/Design Aptitude) evaluated.
  • ​Step 2: Final CEED Score: The final score (60% weightage to Part A and 40% to Part B) is used by the admitting institutions (IITs/IISc) for the final shortlist before the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) / Portfolio Review / Interview rounds.

​The CEED Exam Structure: Mastering Part A & Part B

​CEED is a three-hour, two-part examination specifically designed to test a candidate's visual, analytical, and design capabilities essential for postgraduate studies.

• ​Part A: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
  • ​Weightage: 25% of the total score.
  • ​Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT).
  • ​Sections: Visualisation and Spatial Ability, Environmental and Social Awareness, Analytical and Logical Reasoning, Language and Creativity, Design Thinking and Problem Solving.
  • ​Critical Note: Part A acts as the screening section. Failure to clear the category-wise cut-off (e.g., typically around 25-30 marks for the General category) means Part B will not be assessed.
• ​Part B: Drawing and Sketching Test
  • ​Weightage: 75% of the total score.
  • ​Format: Primarily includes drawing, sketching, creative writing, and design problem-solving on the answer sheet.
  • ​Assessment Focus: Evaluates the candidate's drawing skills, observation, sense of proportion, perspective, creative ability, and visualization skills.
  • ​Preparation Tip: Since Part B accounts for a high proportion of the marks, consistent practice in freehand sketching and storyboarding is essential for success.
• ​Final Preparation Strategy: The remaining weeks should be used to practice full-length mock tests strictly following the 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon slot. Focus on speed and accuracy for Part A, and practice timed conceptual sketching for Part B.

​ Top Institutes and High CEED Cut-offs

​CEED opens the door to the most prestigious design programs in India. A high CEED score is indispensable for admission to the 'Participating Institutes' (PIs).

• ​CEED Participating Institutes (PIs) for M.Des: 
  • ​IISc Bangalore: Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing (CPDM)
  • ​IIT Bombay: IDC School of Design (Industrial Design Centre)
  • ​IIT Delhi: Department of Design
  • ​IIT Guwahati: Department of Design
  • ​IIT Hyderabad: Department of Design
  • ​IIT Kanpur: Design Programme
  • ​IIT Roorkee: Department of Design
  • ​IIITDM Jabalpur: Design Discipline
• ​Score and Selection Intensity:
  • ​The cut-offs for the final admission stages at institutes like IDC, IIT Bombay, and IISc Bangalore are extremely high, often requiring a final CEED score that places the candidate among the top 100-150 ranks, depending on the category and specialization.
  • ​Post-CEED, each IIT conducts its own admission process, which typically includes a rigorous Written Test, Design Studio Test, and a Personal Interview (PI). The CEED score usually receives a significant weightage (e.g., 40-50%) in the final merit list.
• ​Result Sharing Institutes: Apart from the IITs and IISc, over 50 other reputed institutions across India, such as Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology, UPES, and World University of Design (WUD), also accept CEED scores, significantly widening the admission opportunities for qualified candidates.

​Conclusion

​The closure of the CEED 2026 late registration window marks the end of the application phase. Aspiring Master of Design students must now channel all their energy into preparing for the January 18, 2026, examination. Clearing the Part A cut-off and scoring highly in the Part B sketching component are the dual challenges that must be mastered to gain entry into the elite M.Des programs at the IITs and IISc. Strategic, focused preparation in the remaining weeks is the only path to a successful postgraduate design career.

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