CEED 2026 application form opened, no prior design degree required

CEED 2026: The application form opened for the CEED 2026. Candidates interested in applying to the courses offered by IITs, IIIT, and IISc Banglore can apply. Important thing to note is that it does not need prior design degree

The Common Entrance Examination for Design, is on January 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The exam is conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to postgraduate design programs (M.Des and PhD) in IITs and other participating institutes.

Content

Schedule

Eligibility

Exam Pattern

Courses in each IITs and Other Institutes

Application fees

CEED 2026

Application fee

Eligibility criteria

• You have completed your graduation  or are appearing for the final examination of a degree, diploma, or postgraduate program of a minimum of three years’ duration after the 10+2 level by July 2026.
• Candidates with the GD Arts diploma program (10+5 level) by July 2026 are also eligible.
• There is no age limit to appear for CEED 2026.
• There is no restriction on the number of attempts; candidates can appear any number of times.
• CEED 2026 is open to both Indian and foreign nationals

Appearing Candidates can also apply for CEED 2026

Final-year students applying for CEED 2026 must upload the following documents during registration:

• A recent color photograph (within last 6 months) in .jpg format.
• A clear scanned copy of their signature in .jpg format.
• Scanned copy of the degree/diploma certificate if the course is completed.
• If the final degree certificate is not available yet, upload a copy of the final year mark list or the provisional certificate.
• If the course is still ongoing, upload a certificate from the Principal or Head of Department of the college, certifying the current status in the prescribed format.
• Category certificate for candidates applying under EWS/SC/ST/OBC-NCL, valid as per specified dates.
• PwD candidates must upload a valid disability certificate or medical certificate stating at least 40% disability.
• If applicable, proof of change of name such as a gazette notification, marriage certificate, or passport pages.

Exam Pattern

Part A (1 hour, Computer-Based)

• Contains 44 objective questions: Numerical Answer Type (NAT), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ).
• NAT: 8 questions, 4 marks each, no negative marking.
• MSQ: 10 questions, 4 marks each, partial marking for partially correct answers, -1 for incorrect answers.
• MCQ: 26 questions, 3 marks each, -0.5 for incorrect answers.
• Total marks for Part A: 150.
• This section tests design aptitude, logical and analytical reasoning, environmental and social awareness, visualization, and observation skills.

Part B (2 hours, Pen-and-Paper Based)

• Contains 5 subjective questions assessing design, drawing, creativity, visual, and problem identification skills.
• Answers are written or drawn in an answer booklet, not on the computer.
• Each question carries 20 marks, no negative marking.
• Total marks for Part B: 100.
• Candidates must first qualify in Part A for their Part B answers to be evaluated.

Both parts must be attempted in a single sitting, and the medium of the exam is English. Part B emphasizes drawing and hand-sketching skills, while Part A is a screening section with objective questions.

Syllabus

CEED 2026 will be in two parts (A & B).

Part-A will have questions related to the following topics: ● Visualization and spatial reasoning: Ability to visualise and transform 2D shapes and 3D objects and their spatial relationships. ● Practical and scientific knowledge: Know-how of scientific principles and everyday objects. ● Observation and design sensitivity: The capacity to detect concealed properties in daily life and think critically about them. Attention to detail, classification, analysis, inference, and prediction. ● Environment and society: General awareness of environmental, social and cultural connections with design. ● Analytical and logical reasoning: Ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative information. ● Language: Proficiency in reading and comprehending Standard English. ● Creativity: Grasp of verbal and non-verbal analogies, metaphors, signs, and symbols. ● Art and Design knowledge: Awareness about art/artifact/product, artists/designers, art/design history, and trends. ● Design methods and practices: Knowledge of media, materials, production processes, and ergonomics.

Part B of CEED 2026 will have questions related to the following topics:

● Drawing: Ability to draw products, people or scenes in proportion with good line quality, composition, proportion, perspective, and shading. ● Creativity: Ability to think out-of-the-box and come up with unique as well as diverse solutions.  ● Communication: Skills to communicate concepts and ideas clearly with the help of text and visuals. ● Problem identification: Skills to understand the user and the context, knowledge of properties of materials and their appropriate use in design

Students will learn to design for real-world diversity, using guidelines like ADA or Indian accessibility standards, and develop empathy-driven solutions that benefit society at large. By mastering universal design, candidates not only address functional needs but also contribute to ethical, responsible, and future-oriented design practices that value inclusivity and social impact.

Courses offered

How to apply?

Candidates will be able to apply online on IIT Bombay website: www.ceed.iitb.ac.in

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