CEED 2026 Regular Fee Window Closes; Late-Fee Submission Facility Now Open

The regular application window for the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026 has officially closed, but aspiring M.Des and Ph.D. design candidates have a final lifeline. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has opened the late registration window, allowing submissions with an additional penalty fee of ₹500. This is the absolute last chance to register for the national-level exam, which is mandatory for admission to premier design programs at IITs, IISc, and numerous leading design schools. The final deadline is November 10, 2025, so applicants must act immediately to avoid missing the CEED 2026 exam on January 18, 2026.

The race to secure a spot in India's top postgraduate design programs has reached its final checkpoint. The Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026—the gateway to Master of Design (M.Des) and Ph.D. degrees at prestigious institutions including the IITs and IISc—saw its regular application period close on November 5, 2025. However, for those candidates who missed the initial cutoff, the organizing body, IIT Bombay, has provided a critical, albeit brief, extension. The online registration portal on ceed.iitb.ac.in is currently accepting applications with a late fee of ₹500 added to the standard registration fee. This late registration window is the final opportunity to enrol for the CEED 2026 exam, which is scheduled for January 18, 2026. Aspiring designers must treat this deadline with utmost urgency, as the portal closed decisively on November 10, 2025.

​ The Critical Late Registration Protocol

​The late registration window serves as a crucial, non-negotiable final opportunity for M.Des aspirants. The process is identical to the regular application, with the sole distinction of the additional penalty fee. Candidates must complete all steps meticulously to ensure their application is successfully processed before the final deadline.

• ​Late Fee Details: Candidates must pay the standard application fee (₹4,000 for General/OBC-NCL/EWS; ₹2,000 for Women/SC/ST/PwD candidates) plus an additional, non-refundable late fee of ₹500.
• ​Essential Steps for Submission:
  • ​Login/Register: Visit the official CEED 2026 portal (ceed.iitb.ac.in) and log in or register as a new user.
  • ​Fill Application Form: Carefully enter all personal, academic, and contact details.
  • ​Upload Documents: Accurately upload required documents, including photograph, signature, and category certificates (if applicable), ensuring they meet the specified file size and format.
  • ​Fee Payment: Proceed to the payment gateway and pay the total fee (Regular Fee + ₹500 Late Fee) via online modes like credit card, debit card, or Net Banking.

​ Key Dates and Upcoming CEED 2026 Milestones

​With the registration phase drawing to a close, the focus for all registered candidates shifts entirely to the preparation for the main examination and subsequent procedural steps. A clear understanding of the upcoming milestones is vital for effective planning.

• ​CEED 2026 Exam Schedule: 
  • ​Admit Card Download Starts: January 2, 2026 (Candidates must download and verify details immediately).
  • ​CEED 2026 Exam Date: January 18, 2026 (Sunday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon). The exam is conducted in two mandatory parts: Part A (Computer-Based) and Part B (Sketching/Drawing and Descriptive).
  • ​Part A Cut-Off Release: February 5, 2026 (Only candidates clearing the cut-off for Part A will have their Part B evaluated).
  • ​Result Declaration: March 4, 2026.
  • ​Scorecard Download: March 10, 2026 to July 31, 2026 (The scorecard is necessary for admission applications to participating institutions).
• ​The Two-Part Examination Structure:
  • ​Part A: Assesses Visualisation, Spatial Ability, Logical Reasoning, GK (Design), Environmental and Social Awareness, and Language and Creativity. This section is computer-based.
  • ​Part B: Assesses Drawing, Creativity, Communication Skills, and Problem Identification. This section is manually evaluated and is the most crucial part for assessing design aptitude.

​ Strategic Preparation for M.Des Aspirants

​The remaining period until the January 18 exam requires a highly focused and strategic preparation plan. Success in CEED, and consequently securing a seat in a top M.Des program, hinges on mastering both the objective and subjective elements of the test.

• ​Mastering Part A: Dedicate focused time to practicing Numerical Answer Type (NAT), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ). Utilize past years' papers to identify frequently tested topics such as logos, symbols, color theory, and spatial reasoning. Practice mock tests under timed conditions to improve speed and accuracy.
• ​Excelling in Part B (The Creative Component): This part requires daily practice of freehand sketching, proportion, perspective drawing, and creative ideation. Focus on visual storytelling and developing multiple design solutions for real-world problems. Annotate your sketches to clearly communicate your design thinking and rationale.
• ​Career Outlook Post-M.Des: The M.Des degree from a top CEED-accepting institution unlocks highly rewarding career paths in the rapidly expanding design sector. Graduates are in high demand for roles such as: 
  • ​UX/UI Designer (Salaries often start high in the tech and IT sector).
  • ​Product Designer (Physical and Digital Products).
  • ​Design Strategist/Consultant.
  • ​Industrial Designer.
  • ​Design Researcher.

​Conclusion

​The closure of the regular fee window for CEED 2026 serves as an urgent reminder for all M.Des aspirants to check their application. With the clock ticking, successful registration should be followed immediately by an intensified, structured preparation plan that equally balances the analytical rigour of Part A and the creative skill required for Part B. Secure your application now, and start your final preparation push to unlock your future in postgraduate design.

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