UCEED CEED 2026: Jain, Mahindra, FLAME Expand Design Seats

The admission landscape for design aspirants has significantly broadened for the 2026-27 academic year. Prestigious universities—Jain University, Mahindra University, and FLAME University—have announced they will use UCEED (BDes) and CEED (MDes) scores for their design program admissions. This move establishes UCEED and CEED as the most versatile national-level gateways for BDes and MDes, not just for the IITs but also for top private institutions. Aspiring designers now have more choices than ever to pursue specializations like UX/UI, Product Design, and Communication Design. Apply directly to these result-sharing institutes and leverage your national aptitude test score.

The journey for aspiring designers seeking admission to Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Master of Design (MDes) programs has just become more expansive and competitive. The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) and the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED)—the principal national-level design aptitude tests conducted by IIT Bombay—have significantly increased their reach for the 2026-27 admission cycle.

​In a major development that widens opportunities for creative aspirants, Jain (Deemed-to-be-University), Mahindra University, and FLAME University have officially joined the ranks of UCEED and CEED "result-sharing institutes." This means that candidates who perform well in these rigorous national aptitude tests can now use their scores to apply for seats in the BDes and MDes programs offered by these premier private institutions. This inclusion not only validates the quality and importance of the UCEED–CEED examination framework but also provides a much-needed increase in high-quality design seats across the country, especially in high-demand fields like UX/UI Design, Interaction Design, and Design Innovation.

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 UCEED–CEED: The Universal Gateway to Design Education

​The decision by these prominent universities to accept UCEED and CEED scores further cements the exams’ status as the benchmark for design aptitude in India, moving beyond their traditional association solely with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and IIITDM Jabalpur. This is excellent news for design aspirants, as a single, focused preparation effort for UCEED or CEED can unlock access to a significantly wider portfolio of top-tier educational institutions.

• ​For BDes Aspirants (via UCEED): High school students can now target the undergraduate design programs at FLAME University, Mahindra University, and Jain University, in addition to the highly selective BDes programs at the IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Roorkee).
• ​For MDes Aspirants (via CEED): Graduates seeking specialized postgraduate design qualifications can use their CEED score to apply for the MDes programs at Jain University and Mahindra University, alongside premier institutions like IISc Bangalore and the IITs.
• ​Aptitude-Based Selection: UCEED and CEED are holistic tests that evaluate essential design skills: visualisation, spatial ability, creative and analytical thinking, observation, and communication. By adopting these scores, the new result-sharing institutes ensure they are recruiting candidates with proven fundamental design aptitude.

​ New Options: BDes and MDes Programs at Result-Sharing Universities

​The entry of Jain, Mahindra, and FLAME Universities introduces new educational philosophies, program specializations, and geographical choices for design students. Unlike the common counseling process for IITs, aspirants must note that admission to these "result-sharing" institutes requires direct application to the university portals.

• ​Mahindra University, Hyderabad: The university's School of Design Innovation offers a BDes in Design Innovation. It emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and leveraging UCEED/CEED scores as a significant factor, alongside a mandatory Personal Interview (PI), to select candidates with potential in human-centered design and innovation.
• ​Jain (Deemed-to-be-University), Bangalore: Jain University’s School of Design, Media, and Creative Arts now accepts both UCEED (for BDes) and CEED (for MDes) scores. Their programs often focus on industry-relevant specializations such as Communication Design, Product Design, and UI/UX, capitalizing on Bangalore's reputation as India's technology hub.
• ​FLAME University, Pune: FLAME University, which is known for its liberal arts-led pedagogy, accepts the UCEED score for its BDes program. For candidates who submit a valid UCEED score, the university often waives its internal entrance test, the FLAME Design Aptitude Test (FDAT), proceeding directly to the Online Personal Interview (OPI). The university’s programs are structured to foster creative thinking within a broad liberal education framework.

​ Aspirant Strategy: Dual Preparation and Application Timing

​This shift in the admission landscape necessitates a proactive and dual-pronged strategy for design aspirants. Success requires not only excelling in the national entrance exam but also being strategically aware of the individual application cycles of these private institutions.

• ​Priority 1: UCEED/CEED Preparation: Since the exam scores are now accepted by a broader network of top colleges, maximizing the score in UCEED (for BDes) and CEED (for MDes) becomes paramount. Aspirants must dedicate time to both the objective, analytical Part A and the subjective, drawing-based Part B of the exams.
• ​Priority 2: Early Direct Application: Unlike the IITs, many private result-sharing institutes, including FLAME and Mahindra University, follow an early decision admission cycle. Candidates are strongly advised to apply directly to these universities well before the UCEED/CEED results are officially declared (typically in March). These universities may offer conditional admission based on expected scores or past academic performance.
• ​Priority 3: Portfolio and Interview Focus: The new entrants often place a significant weight on the Personal Interview (PI) and the applicant's Design Portfolio. Aspirants must use the time between the national test and the PI to curate a strong portfolio that showcases their creative process, problem-solving skills, and passion across diverse design mediums. This will be the differentiating factor in the final selection.

​Conclusion

​The inclusion of Jain University, Mahindra University, and FLAME University in the UCEED–CEED admission process marks a landmark moment for design education in India. It offers design aspirants unprecedented flexibility and a multitude of high-quality options to launch their careers in the rapidly growing creative and innovation economy. With the UCEED and CEED exams scheduled for January and February 2026, aspirants must leverage this news to fine-tune their study plan, maximize their test scores, and apply strategically to secure their place in the next generation of design leaders.

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