With the clock showing October 29, 2025, design aspirants across India have less than 48 hours to complete their application for the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026. This examination is the mandatory screening test for admissions into the highly sought-after Master of Design (M.Des) and Ph.D. in Design programs at top institutions, including multiple Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.

The organising body, IIT Bombay, has confirmed that the regular registration window for CEED 2026 will officially close on October 31, 2025. Candidates are strongly advised to immediately visit the official website, ceed.iitb.ac.in, to finalize their applications and avoid the subsequent late fee penalty. This article provides a comprehensive guide detailing the critical deadlines, the step-by-step application process, and essential preparation pointers to help you navigate the final push.

Crucial Deadlines and Step-by-Step Application Guide

Securing your registration before the deadline is the absolute first step towards a coveted seat in a premier design school. Missing the regular deadline means incurring a late fee, which can be easily avoided by acting now.

Final Call for Regular Registration:October 31, 2025. Applications must be submitted and the fee paid before this date to avoid the penalty.
Late Registration Window: Candidates who miss the regular deadline can still apply between November 1 and November 7, 2025, by paying an additional late fee.
CEED 2026 Exam Date: The entrance examination is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Admit Card Release: The admit card, which is mandatory for appearing in the exam, will be available for download starting January 02, 2026.
Result Declaration: The CEED 2026 results are expected to be announced on March 04, 2026.

The Online Application Procedure

The entire process is conducted online at ceed.iitb.ac.in. Aspirants should have all necessary documents ready before starting:

New User Signup: Begin by registering with your name, active email ID, and mobile number to create a login account.
Fill Application Form: Log in to the candidate portal and meticulously fill in all personal, academic, and contact details, ensuring they match your official documents.
Select Test Centers: Choose three preferred exam cities in order of priority. Note that popular cities fill up quickly, so early application is beneficial.
Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your recent photograph, signature, qualifying degree/provisional certificate, and the relevant Category Certificate (EWS/OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD), adhering strictly to the specified size and format (JPEG/PDF).
Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking. Women candidates, SC/ST, and PwD applicants are eligible for a reduced fee.

Eligibility and Top Participating Institutions

CEED is designed to be inclusive, welcoming graduates from a variety of academic backgrounds into the realm of advanced design.

Broad Eligibility for M.Des and Ph.D.

The eligibility criteria are designed to be accommodative, having no upper age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts. Key academic requirements are:

Completed or Final Year Degree: Candidates must have completed or be in the final year (expecting results by July 2026) of a degree, diploma, or postgraduate program of at least three years duration (after the 10+2 level).
Diverse Disciplines Accepted: This includes Bachelor's degrees in Engineering (B.Tech./B.E.), Architecture (B.Arch./B.Plan), Design (B.Des./BFA), or even a Master's degree in Arts, Science, or Computer Applications.
Minimum Marks: While CEED itself does not prescribe a minimum mark for the exam, most participating institutes require a minimum of 55\% (or equivalent grade) in the qualifying degree for General/OBC candidates, and 50\% for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

The Premium League of CEED Institutes

Qualifying CEED opens doors to an elite group of institutions, each offering specialized M.Des programs:

IIT Bombay (IDC School of Design): Offers specializations like Industrial, Communication, Animation, Interaction, and Mobility Design.
IISc Bangalore (CPDM): Focuses on Product Design and Engineering.
IIT Delhi: M.Des in Industrial Design.
IIT Hyderabad: M.Des in Visual Design.
IIT Guwahati: M.Des in Design.
IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, and IIT Jodhpur: Offer M.Des programs in Design or specific emerging areas like XR Design.
IIITDM Jabalpur and IIITDM Kancheepuram: Also accept CEED scores for their M.Des programs.

Strategic Preparation for the Two-Part Exam

With the exam scheduled for January 18, 2026, aspirants should now pivot from registration logistics to a focused, high-intensity preparation strategy.

Mastering the Structure

The CEED exam is divided into two parts: Part A (Objective/CBT) and Part B (Subjective/Drawing). Part B is only evaluated if a candidate clears the cut-off score in Part A.

Part A (1 Hour - Screening): Focuses on Visualization and Spatial Ability, Analytical and Logical Reasoning, Environmental and Social Awareness, and Art and Design Knowledge.
- Tip: Practice Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions and Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) from previous years' papers. Since NAT has no negative marking, prioritize accuracy here.
Part B (2 Hours - Aptitude Test): Assesses hands-on design skills through questions on Drawing, Creativity, Communication, and Problem Identification. This section carries the highest weightage for the final score.
- Tip: Commit to daily freehand sketching—practice drawing common objects, human figures in action, and complex perspectives. Work on presenting creative solutions clearly through both sketches and written explanations.

The next few months demand a balanced approach: continuous practice for the technical aptitude in Part A, coupled with an unwavering commitment to refining your creative and presentation skills for Part B.

Conclusion

The final countdown for the CEED 2026 regular registration ends on October 31, 2025. This is your immediate priority. Do not delay your application submission on ceed.iitb.ac.in. Once registered, shift your complete focus to the rigorous preparation plan. Your seat at one of India's premier design institutes hinges on successfully navigating both the final application deadline and the demanding two-part entrance exam in January. Secure your future in design today.

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International Institute of Business Studies - [IIBS], Bangalore