FDDI and CEPT University Ahmedabad broaden the UCEED 2026 landscape by adding new design-seat opportunities for aspirants

The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) 2026 has received a massive boost in value with the inclusion of two prominent institutions, the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) and CEPT University, Ahmedabad, as Result-Sharing Institutes. This pivotal decision for the 2026-27 academic session significantly expands the number of available B. Des seats and diversifies the specialization options for design aspirants. Candidates who appear for the UCEED exam on January 18, 2026, must remember to apply directly and separately to both FDDI and CEPT University after the results are declared in March 2026.

The path to a successful career in the design industry has just become wider and more specialized, thanks to a major announcement regarding the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) 2026. The Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) and CEPT University, Ahmedabad, have officially joined the UCEED network as Result-Sharing Institutes. This pivotal change for the 2026-27 academic session means that design aspirants who secure a valid rank in UCEED 2026 will now be eligible to apply for B. Des (Bachelor of Design) programs at these highly reputed institutions. This expansion dramatically increases the total pool of design seats available nationwide, alleviating the pressure caused by the limited intake at the IITs and validating UCEED as the most crucial national-level gateway for aspiring designers.

UCEED’s Expanding Influence: FDDI & CEPT’s Strategic Inclusion

The inclusion of FDDI and CEPT University is a strategic move that enhances the value proposition of the UCEED qualification and diversifies the learning options for aspirants.

• Boost to UCEED Value: The addition of these two specialized institutions further solidifies UCEED's standing as the premier design entrance examination, moving beyond the traditional offerings of the IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, and Roorkee) and IIITDM Jabalpur.
• Diverse Program Choices: Both institutions bring unique, industry-focused B. Des specializations:
  • FDDI (Campuses across India): Renowned for highly niche programs like Footwear Design & Production and Leather Goods & Accessories Design, catering to the booming retail and manufacturing sectors.
  • CEPT University (Ahmedabad): Known for its focus on the Built Environment and Habitat, offering comprehensive B. Des (Honours) majors in Product Design and Communication Design, with a focus on human-centric, sustainable solutions. CEPT is a highly selective institute, offering approximately 80 seats for its B. Des program.
• Increased Seat Intake: While the exact number of seats allotted via UCEED at FDDI and CEPT will be released closer to the application date, their inclusion provides substantial additional opportunities, significantly increasing the probability of a good design seat for meritorious UCEED-qualified candidates.

Navigating the Two-Step Admission Process

Aspirants must understand the crucial distinction that FDDI and CEPT University are Result-Sharing Institutes, not Participating Institutes in the central Joint Admission Process (JAP) conducted by IIT Bombay. This mandates a two-step application strategy.

• Step 1: The UCEED 2026 Prerequisite (January 18, 2026):
  • Candidates must successfully appear for and secure a valid rank in the UCEED 2026 examination, which is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026. The UCEED result is expected on March 6, 2026.
  • Scorecard is Mandatory: The downloadable UCEED 2026 scorecard (available from March 10, 2026) is the non-negotiable document required for eligibility to apply to both institutions.
• Step 2: Direct Institutional Application (March-May 2026):
  • Upon receiving the UCEED result, candidates MUST visit the official admission portals of FDDI and CEPT University separately to fill out their institutional application forms and pay the respective application fees.
  • Critical Institutional Deadlines: The application window for these institutes is anticipated to open in March 2026 and run through April or May 2026. Missing these individual deadlines, regardless of a high UCEED score, means forfeiting the chance of admission.
  • Separate Selection Process: Both FDDI and CEPT may employ their own final selection criteria post-UCEED shortlisting. This often includes a mandatory Portfolio Review and a Personal Interview (PI) to assess the candidate's practical skills and passion for design.

Focused Preparation for the Final Selection Stages

For design aspirants, the focus shifts from just passing the entrance exam to excelling in the institutional selection rounds at FDDI and CEPT University scheduled for mid-2026.

• Portfolio Refinement: The time between the UCEED exam (January 18, 2026) and the institutional applications (starting March 2026) is critical for portfolio development. Candidates must curate a selection of work that demonstrates not only artistic talent but also their design thinking and problem-solving process.
• Understanding Specialized Curricula: Candidates should research the specific B. Des programs at both institutions. For example, understanding FDDI's focus on material science and manufacturing processes or CEPT's emphasis on sustainable and human-centric Product Design will be essential for a compelling personal interview.
• Document Readiness: Candidates must ensure all necessary documents, including academic transcripts (Class XII marks, minimum 50% aggregate required for CEPT), category certificates, and the UCEED scorecard, are ready for quick upload during the institutional application phase.

The inclusion of FDDI and CEPT University in the UCEED network marks a significant advancement for design education in India, offering specialized, high-quality programs to a larger pool of talented aspirants. This expanded opportunity demands a calculated, two-pronged strategy: excelling in the UCEED 2026 written exam and meticulously managing the post-result, direct institutional application process for both FDDI and CEPT University. All design aspirants must dedicate the time immediately following the UCEED 2026 exam on January 18, 2026, to perfecting their Portfolio and Statement of Purpose, and must vigilantly monitor the official websites of FDDI and CEPT University for their respective B. Des application opening dates in March 2026 to secure one of these highly specialized seats.

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