IIT Bombay Announces Commencement of UCEED 2026 Registration at uceed.iitb.ac.in
Today, October 31, 2025, marks the final day to register for the UCEED 2026 without a late fee. Conducted by IIT Bombay, this is the essential entrance exam for B.Des admissions at IITs and major design institutions. The online application closes at 11:55 PM IST at uceed.iitb.ac.in. The exam is scheduled for January 18, 2026. Aspirants who miss today’s deadline must pay an extra fee and apply by November 7, 2025. Secure your application now to compete for a seat in India's top design schools.
The pursuit of a career in design, especially through prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), begins with a single critical step: registering for the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED). For UCEED 2026, conducted by IIT Bombay, the initial registration window is closing tonight, October 31, 2025, at 11:55 PM IST. This is a final, urgent reminder for all aspiring designers across the Science, Commerce, and Arts & Humanities streams to finalize their applications at the official portal, uceed.iitb.ac.in, and secure their spot for the examination scheduled on January 18, 2026.
Failing to meet this October 31 deadline means applicants will be subject to a non-refundable late fee of ₹500 (for Indian Nationals) to register during the extended window, which runs from November 1 to November 7, 2025. Given the high stakes of this national-level entrance test, timely registration is not just a formality—it's the first test of an aspirant’s discipline and attention to detail.
Key Deadlines and Application Essentials
The UCEED 2026 application process requires candidates to upload several documents, including photographs, signatures, and category/qualifying certificates. Errors in submission can lead to rejection, making a thorough review before the final click absolutely mandatory.
- Registration Start Date: October 1, 2025 (5:00 PM IST)
- Final Date (Regular Fee): October 31, 2025 (11:55 PM IST)
- Late Registration Window: November 1, 2025, to November 7, 2025 (5:00 PM IST)
- Late Fee Applicable: ₹500 for Indian Nationals (plus the standard registration fee).
UCEED 2026 Registration Fee Structure (for Indian Nationals)
- Female Candidates (All Categories): ₹2,000
- SC, ST, PwD Candidates: ₹2,000
- All Other Candidates (General/OBC/EWS Male): ₹4,000
Note: A late fee of ₹500 is applicable in addition to the standard fee for registration made between November 1 and November 7, 2025.
A crucial piece of advice for all last-minute applicants: ensure all uploaded documents, especially category certificates, adhere strictly to the format and specifications mentioned in the official UCEED 2026 Information Brochure to prevent application rejection.
UCEED 2026 Exam Pattern: Strategy for Success
The UCEED 2026 examination, a single three-hour paper worth 300 marks, is meticulously structured to evaluate a candidate’s cognitive ability, creative aptitude, and visual skills. Understanding the bifurcated exam pattern is the foundation of a successful preparation strategy. The exam will be held on January 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.
Part A: Computer-Based Test (CBT) – 200 Marks
This section of 2 hours tests objective knowledge and aptitude, with an emphasis on various skills essential for design thinking. It contains 57 questions across three types:
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT): Evaluates problem-solving and simple calculations. There are 14 questions, each carrying 4 marks.
- Multiple Select Questions (MSQ): Assesses comprehensive knowledge, as multiple options can be correct. There are 15 questions, with partial marking and negative marking.
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ): Standard format testing theoretical knowledge and logical reasoning. There are 28 questions, with negative marking for incorrect answers.
Part B: Drawing and Design Aptitude (Offline) – 100 Marks
This critical section of 1 hour is conducted using a physical answer booklet. It is subjective and only the Part B answer books of candidates shortlisted from Part A will be evaluated. This year, the focus has broadened to include:
- Drawing (50 Marks): Tests freehand sketching, composition, proportion, perspective, and storytelling through visuals.
- Design Aptitude (50 Marks): A newly emphasized area, assessing the candidate's ingenuity and empathetic problem-solving approach to real-world scenarios.
Preparation Insight: Aspirants should not solely focus on drawing but also dedicate significant time to contextual problem-solving, analytical skills, and the theoretical aspects of design thinking, which are heavily weighted in both Part A and the new Part B structure. The syllabus for Part A includes Visualization and spatial reasoning, Practical and scientific knowledge, Observation and design sensitivity, Environment and Society, Analytical and logical reasoning, Language, and Creativity.
Gateway to Top Design Institutions
Qualifying in UCEED 2026 is the prerequisite for applying to the highly selective B.Des programs at the Participating Institutes (PIs), all of which are top-tier government institutions, and numerous Result Sharing Institutes (RSIs). Admission to these IITs typically begins around March 2026.
UCEED 2026 Participating Institutes (PIs) for B.Des Admission
Admission to these IITs is based strictly on the UCEED 2026 Rank, followed by a Joint Admission Process (JAP) led by IIT Bombay. There are approximately 225 seats in total across these PIs:
- IIT Bombay (IDC School of Design)
- IIT Delhi (Department of Design)
- IIT Guwahati (Department of Design)
- IIT Hyderabad (Department of Design)
- IIT Indore (School of Innovation)
- IIT Roorkee (Department of Design)
- IIITDM Jabalpur (Design Discipline)
Note: Eligibility for admission varies by institute. While IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT Indore accept candidates from all streams in Class XII, IIT Guwahati and IIT Roorkee require Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. IIITDM Jabalpur accepts PCM or PCM/Biology.
Prominent Result Sharing Institutes (RSIs)
A vast and growing list of prestigious private and government institutions also accept the UCEED score for their B.Des program admissions, expanding the opportunities for qualified candidates. This includes notable names such as:
- FLAME University, Pune
- Mahindra University, Hyderabad
- BITS Design School, Pune
- Jain (Deemed-to-be-University), Bangalore
- Department of Design, Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), New Delhi
- Delhi Technological University (DTU), Delhi
A high UCEED score significantly expands an aspirant's options, opening doors to a wider array of quality design education programs across India. The intense competition for the limited seats at the IITs necessitates a focused and comprehensive preparation strategy starting now.
Conclusion
Today, October 31, 2025, is the final deadline to complete your UCEED 2026 registration with the standard fee. Do not let this crucial window close without securing your application. Log into uceed.iitb.ac.in, fill out the form, upload the required documents, and make the payment before the clock strikes 11:55 PM IST. Securing your application tonight frees you up to fully concentrate on mastering the rigorous UCEED syllabus and excelling on the January 18, 2026, exam day, which is the key to unlocking a career in design at one of India's premier institutes.
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