Last chance to apply! CEED 2026 registration deadline is today, don’t miss your opportunity

Today, October 31, 2025, is the final date to register for the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED 2026) with the regular application fee. Design aspirants aiming for M.Des and Ph.D. admissions at premier IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Hyderabad, IISc Bangalore) must submit their application forms online by the end of today. While the portal accepts applications with a late fee until November 7, 2025, saving money is a smart first step. Secure your seat for the January 18, 2026, exam and avoid the penalty! Review the two-part exam pattern and key dates now.

The clock is ticking for all serious design aspirants targeting postgraduate (M.Des) and Ph.D. programs at the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Today, October 31, 2025, marks the absolute last day to submit your online application for the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026 while availing the standard, regular registration fee. Missing this deadline means a mandatory late fee will be applicable for the remaining short window.

​The CEED qualification is the indispensable first step for admission into post-graduate design programs offered by top institutions like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, and IISc Bangalore. Design is a rapidly evolving field, and securing admission through CEED is a hallmark of quality and rigor. Aspirants must act now, not only to save money but to transition into the next, critical phase of exam preparation.

​ Application Deadlines and Fee Structure Alert

​The application process, managed by IIT Bombay, is entirely online. Candidates must complete all steps—registration, form filling, document upload, and fee payment—before the respective deadlines.

• ​Today's Critical Deadline (Regular Fee): October 31, 2025 (11:55 PM IST) 
  • ​This is the final opportunity to apply without incurring a penalty. The regular fee is approximately ₹4,000 for General/OBC-NCL Male candidates, and ₹2,000 for Female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates.
• ​Late Application Window (With Penalty):November 1 to November 7, 2025 
  • ​Candidates who miss the regular deadline can still apply until November 7, 2025, but will be required to pay an additional late fee of ₹500.
  • ​Aspirant Tip: Completing the application today is highly recommended. The late fee is a preventable expense, and rushing the form during the penalty window increases the risk of errors that could lead to disqualification.
• ​Key Future Dates: 
  • ​Admit Card Release: January 2, 2026
  • ​CEED 2026 Exam Date: January 18, 2026 (Sunday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon)
  • ​Result Declaration: March 6, 2026 (Tentative)

​ Navigating the CEED 2026 Two-Part Exam Pattern

​The CEED 2026 examination, scheduled for January 18, 2026, is a comprehensive, three-hour test designed to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude for design. The paper is mandatory for both M.Des and Ph.D. applicants and is divided into two parts, each essential for qualification.

​Part A: Computer-Based Screening Test (1 Hour)

​Part A is a computer-based, objective-type test (CBT) that acts as the primary screening tool. Only candidates who score above the Part A cut-off marks will have their Part B answer booklet evaluated.

• ​Question Types: Numerical Answer Type (NAT), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ).
• ​Key Syllabus Areas: 
  • ​Visualization and Spatial Reasoning: Assessing the ability to visualize and manipulate 2D and 3D forms.
  • ​Analytical and Logical Reasoning: Testing problem-solving abilities and critical thinking.
  • ​Observation and Design Sensitivity: Evaluating the ability to detect subtle properties in daily life and think critically about them.
  • ​Environmental and Social Awareness: General awareness of socio-cultural and environmental connections with design.

​Part B: Drawing and Design Skills Test (2 Hours)

​Part B is a subjective, pen-and-paper test that assesses a candidate’s practical creative, drawing, and problem-solving skills. This part holds significant weight in the final score.

• ​Skills Evaluated: 
  • ​Drawing & Sketching: Testing the ability to draw products, people, or scenes with correct proportion, composition, perspective, and shading.
  • ​Creativity and Innovation: Assessing the capacity to respond to design problems with ingenuity.
  • ​Communication Skills: Evaluating the ability to express concepts and solutions clearly through drawing and writing.

​Note: The Final CEED Score is calculated by giving weightage to both parts. Typically, the formula is: Final Score = (0.25 \times Marks in Part A) + (0.75 \times Marks in Part B).

​ CEED Score: Your Gateway to Elite Design Institutions

​Qualifying the CEED exam opens the doors to some of the most sought-after M.Des specializations and research opportunities in India. The CEED score is accepted by all major IIT Design Departments (Industrial Design, Visual Communication, Interaction Design, etc.) as well as IISc Bangalore's Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing (CPDM).

​Participating IITs and Key M.Des Disciplines:

• ​IIT Bombay (IDC): Industrial Design, Visual Communication, Interaction Design, Animation Design, Mobility and Vehicle Design.
• ​IIT Delhi: Industrial Design, Visual Communication.
• ​IIT Guwahati (DoD): Design (comprehensive program).
• ​IIT Hyderabad (DoD): Visual Design, Interaction Design, Product Design.
• ​IISc Bangalore (CPDM): Product Design and Engineering.

​Post-CEED Selection Process:

​Qualifying CEED 2026 only makes you eligible to apply to the CEED-accepting institutions. Each IIT/IISc then conducts its own subsequent admission process, which typically includes:

• ​Application to the Institute: Separate online application to each desired IIT/IISc.
• ​Design Aptitude Test (DAT) / Written Test: An institute-specific test for further shortlisting.
• ​Studio Test & Interview: A mandatory final stage where a candidate's portfolio, design aptitude, and professional goals are assessed.

​IN CONCLUSION :  The countdown is now critical. Ensure your application for CEED 2026 is submitted by the midnight deadline to avoid the penalty fee and secure your chance to compete for a seat in the premier M.Des programs at the IITs. Start your final push for preparation now.

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