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The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) 2027 is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) for admission to the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programme at IITs and other participating institutes. The exam is one of the most popular design entrance tests in India for students aspiring to build careers in product design, animation, user experience design, visual communication, industrial design and other creative fields.
IIT Bombay has announced the UCEED 2027 Exam Date. The exam will be conducted on Sunday, January 17, 2027, in the forenoon session. The detailed notification, including application dates, eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern and admission process, will be released on October 1, 2026 on the official UCEED website.
UCEED 2027 Exam Date Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| UCEED 2027 Notification Release | October 1, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | October 1, 2026 (Expected) |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 October 2026 |
| Last Date with Late Fee | 7 November till 5 PM |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| UCEED 2027 Exam Date | January 17, 2027 |
| Draft Answer Key Release | To be announced |
| Final Answer Key | To be announced |
| UCEED 2027 Result | Expected in March 2027 |
| B.Des Admission Process | After result declaration |
What is UCEED?
UCEED is conducted for admission to undergraduate design courses in india offered by leading institutes, including IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, IIT Roorkee and IIITDM Jabalpur. The exam evaluates a candidate’s creativity, visualisation ability, logical reasoning, observation skills, design aptitude and problem-solving approach.
Unlike traditional entrance examinations based mainly on academic knowledge, UCEED focuses on assessing how candidates think, interpret situations and develop creative solutions.
UCEED 2027 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates planning to appear for UCEED 2027 must fulfil the eligibility requirements prescribed by IIT Bombay.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must fulfil the following eligibility requirements to appear for UCEED 2027:
Criterion 1 – Age Limit
- Candidates belonging to the OPEN, EWS and OBC-NCL categories must have been born on or after October 1, 2001.
- Candidates belonging to the SC, ST and PwD categories must have been born on or after October 1, 1996.
Criterion 2 – Number of Attempts
- A candidate can appear for UCEED a maximum of two times.
- The attempts must be made in consecutive years.
- The UCEED score remains valid for one academic year only and can be used only for admission in the corresponding academic session.
Criterion 3 – Qualifying Examination
- Candidates must have appeared for their Class XII (or equivalent) examination for the first time in 2025 or 2026 to be eligible for UCEED 2027.
- Students from all streams — Science, Commerce, and Arts & Humanities are eligible to apply.
- Candidates who appeared for their Class XII examination for the first time in 2024 or earlier are not eligible for UCEED 2026.
Important Note on Class XII Appearance
- Appearing in the Class XII examination means that the concerned board has declared the result for that academic year, regardless of whether the examination was conducted or whether a candidate’s result was withheld.
- If a Class XII board declared results for the academic year 2023–24 on or after September 30, 2024, candidates appearing from that board in 2024 may also be eligible for UCEED 2026, provided they satisfy all other eligibility conditions.
- However, if the board declared the 2023–24 Class XII results before September 30, 2024, and an individual candidate’s result was withheld later, that candidate will not be eligible to appear for UCEED 2026.
Qualifying Examinations
| S.No. | Qualifying Examination Accepted for UCEED |
|---|---|
| 1 | Final examination of the 10+2 system conducted by a Central or State Board recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). |
| 2 | Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination conducted by a Board or University recognised by AIU. |
| 3 | Final examination of the two-year course of the Joint Services Wing of the National Defence Academy. |
| 4 | Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) with a minimum of five subjects. |
| 5 | Any Public School, Board or University examination in India or abroad recognised as equivalent to the 10+2 system by AIU. |
| 6 | H.S.C. Vocational Examination. |
| 7 | General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination (London, Cambridge or Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level. |
| 8 | High School Certificate Examination of Cambridge University or International Baccalaureate Diploma of the International Baccalaureate Office, Geneva. |
| 9 | Candidates who have completed Class XII (or equivalent) from a foreign board or a board not listed above must provide an AIU certificate confirming equivalence with Class XII. |
| 10 | If the Class XII examination is not a public examination, candidates must have passed at least one public examination (Board or Pre-University) before appearing for UCEED. |
| 11 | A Diploma of at least three years duration recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) or a State Board of Technical Education. (Note: Some participating institutes may not accept three-year diploma holders as per their individual eligibility rules.) |
Age Limit
The age criteria for UCEED 2027 will be mentioned in the official brochure released by IIT Bombay.
UCEED 2026 Registration Fee Structure
| Category | Candidate Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Nationals | Female Candidates (All Categories) | ₹2,000/- |
| Indian Nationals | SC, ST and PwD Candidates | ₹2,000/- |
| Indian Nationals | All Other Candidates | ₹4,000/- |
| Foreign Nationals (OCI/PIO card holders issued before March 4, 2021) | Female Candidates and PwD Candidates | ₹2,000/- |
| Foreign Nationals (OCI/PIO card holders issued before March 4, 2021) | All Other Candidates | ₹4,000/- |
| Foreign Nationals (including OCI/PIO card holders issued on or after March 4, 2021) | Candidates from SAARC Countries | US $200 |
| Foreign Nationals (including OCI/PIO card holders issued on or after March 4, 2021) | Candidates from Non-SAARC Countries | US $250 |
UCEED 2027 Application Form
The UCEED 2027 application process will be conducted online through the official portal of IIT Bombay. The registration process generally includes:
- Online registration using email ID and mobile number.
- Filling personal and academic details.
- Uploading photograph, signature and required documents.
- Selecting examination centres.
- Paying the application fee.
- Submitting the application form.
Candidates should carefully verify all details before final submission because incorrect information may lead to rejection of the application.
Test Cities
| S.No. | Exam City | S.No. | Exam City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ahmedabad | 15 | Kolkata |
| 2 | Bengaluru | 16 | Kozhikode |
| 3 | Bhopal | 17 | Lucknow |
| 4 | Bhubaneswar | 18 | Mumbai |
| 5 | Chandigarh/Mohali | 19 | Nagpur |
| 6 | Chennai | 20 | Noida |
| 7 | Coimbatore | 21 | Panaji |
| 8 | Dehradun | 22 | Patna |
| 9 | Delhi | 23 | Pune |
| 10 | Ernakulam | 24 | Raipur |
| 11 | Guwahati | 25 | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 12 | Hubballi (Hubli) | 26 | Thrissur |
| 13 | Hyderabad | 27 | Visakhapatnam |
| 14 | Jaipur |
Candidates can opt for three exam cities.
UCEED 2027 Admit Card Schedule
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Admit Card Download Portal | www.uceed.iitb.ac.in |
| Availability of UCEED 2026 Admit Card | January 01, 2027 from 01:00 PM onwards |
| Last Date for Rectification of Discrepancies in Admit Card | January 07, 2027, up to 05:00 PM |
UCEED 2027 Exam Pattern
UCEED consists of two parts:
- UCEED 2026 Question Paper Pattern, Syllabus and Evaluation Process
- UCEED 2026 Question Paper Details
UCEED 2026 Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 3 Hours |
| Mode of Question Paper | Computer-Based Test (CBT) for Part-A and subjective drawing/design test for Part-B |
| Language of Question Paper | English Only |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks |
| Number of Parts | Two Parts – Part-A and Part-B |
| Attempting Both Parts | Mandatory |
| Error in Question Paper | Any error detected will be reviewed by the UCI Committee, whose decision will be final |
Part-A (Computer-Based Test)
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Total Marks | 200 Marks |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Sections | 3 Sections |
| Total Questions | 57 Questions |
Part-A Question Distribution
| Section | Question Type | Number of Questions | Marks for Correct Answer | Negative Marking | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 14 | 4 Marks | No Negative Marking | 56 |
| Section 2 | Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) | 15 | Partial Marking Applicable | -1 Mark in applicable cases | 60 |
| Section 3 | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) | 28 | 3 Marks | -0.71 Marks | 84 |
| Total | 57 | 200 |
Part-A Section Details
Section 1: Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
- Total Questions: 14
- Candidates have to enter the numerical answer using a virtual keyboard.
- No answer choices will be provided.
- Each correct answer carries 4 marks.
- No negative marking for incorrect or unanswered questions.
Section 2: Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)
- Total Questions: 15
- One or more options may be correct among the four given choices.
| Response Type | Marks Awarded |
|---|---|
| All correct options selected and no incorrect option selected | +4 Marks |
| All four options are correct, but only three correct options selected | +3 Marks |
| Three or more options are correct, and only two correct options selected | +2 Marks |
| Two or more options are correct, and only one correct option selected | +1 Mark |
| Question not attempted | 0 Marks |
| Other combinations involving incorrect options | -1 Mark |
Section 3: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
- Total Questions: 28
- Each question has four options.
- Only one option is correct.
- Correct answer: +3 Marks
- Incorrect answer: -0.71 Marks
- Unattempted question: 0 Marks
Part-B (Drawing and Design Aptitude Test)
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Hour |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks |
| Number of Questions | 2 Questions |
| Mode | Subjective Evaluation |
| Answer Format | Drawing and written answers in answer booklet |
| Evaluation | Manual evaluation by expert examiners |
| Mandatory | Yes |
Part-B Question Structure
| Question Type | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Sketching | 1 | 50 |
| Design Aptitude | 1 | 50 |
| Total | 2 | 100 |
Important Points
- Part-B questions will appear on the computer screen, but answers must be drawn/written in the provided answer booklet.
- Answer booklets will be collected after the examination.
- PwD candidates using a scribe cannot take assistance in Part-B as it evaluates drawing skills.
- Both Part-A and Part-B must be completed within their allotted time.
UCEED 2026 Syllabus
Part-A Syllabus
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Visualization and Spatial Reasoning | Ability to visualise and transform 2D shapes, 3D objects and understand spatial relationships. |
| Practical and Scientific Knowledge | Understanding of scientific principles and everyday objects. |
| Observation and Design Sensitivity | Ability to identify hidden properties, analyse details, classify, infer and predict. |
| Environment and Society | Awareness of environmental, social and cultural aspects related to design. |
| Analytical and Logical Reasoning | Ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative information. |
| Language | Reading comprehension and understanding of Standard English. |
| Creativity | Understanding verbal and non-verbal analogies, metaphors, signs and symbols. |
Part-B Syllabus
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Drawing | Ability to draw products, people and scenes with correct proportion, composition, perspective, line quality and shading. |
| Design Aptitude | Ability to respond creatively and practically to problems using innovation and empathy. |
Note: The syllabus topics are indicative. All topics may not necessarily appear in the UCEED 2026 question paper.
UCEED 2026 Evaluation Process
Part-A Evaluation
- Part-A is a computer-based test.
- There is no provision for review, regrading or re-totaling of Part-A marks.
Part-B Evaluation
- Part-B consists of two subjective questions.
- Evaluation is conducted manually by expert examiners.
- No fixed model answer exists for Part-B.
- Answers are evaluated based on creativity, approach and design skills.
Part-B Evaluation Procedure
| Condition | Evaluation Process |
|---|---|
| Difference between two evaluators’ marks ≤ 10 marks | Average of both evaluations will be considered. |
| Difference between evaluators’ marks > 10 marks | Third expert evaluator will assess the answer sheet. |
| Difference continues after multiple evaluations | Moderator will review the answer sheet. |
| Final score calculation | Average of closest evaluations will be considered. |
UCEED 2026 Shortlisting and Ranking
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Shortlisting Basis | Part-A marks will be used for shortlisting candidates. |
| OPEN Category Cut-off | μ + (σ/2) = δ |
| OBC-NCL/EWS Relaxation | 0.9δ |
| SC/ST/PwD Relaxation | 0.5δ |
| Rank Allocation | All shortlisted candidates will receive a rank. |
| Final Score Calculation | Part-A marks + Part-B marks |
Additional Information
- Part-B answers of candidates who are not shortlisted will not be evaluated.
- Evaluated Part-B answer booklets will not be provided to candidates.
- Part-B answer booklets will be preserved only for three months from the UCEED 2027 Exam Date and result declaration.
- No request for re-evaluation or re-totaling will be accepted.
UCEED 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Release of UCEED 2026 Question Paper and Draft Answer Key (Part-A) | January 19, 2027 |
| Official Website | www.uceed.iitb.ac.in |
The UCEED 2027 Exam Date evaluates candidates on creativity, analytical ability, design thinking, visualization skills and drawing aptitude to select students for Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programmes at leading institutes.
UCEED 2027 Preparation Strategy
A good preparation strategy can significantly improve performance in UCEED.
Understand the Exam Pattern
Candidates should first understand the type of questions asked in Part A and Part B. Solving previous-year papers helps identify important topics and difficulty levels.
Improve Sketching Skills
Regular drawing practice is essential for Part B. Students should practise:
- Object drawing
- Perspective sketches
- Human anatomy sketches
- Creative compositions
Develop Observation Skills
UCEED tests creativity and observation. Candidates should observe everyday objects, architecture, advertisements and product designs.
Solve Previous Year Papers
Practising previous years’ question papers helps candidates understand the exam style and improve time management.
Read About Design and Current Affairs
Candidates should stay updated about:
- Famous designers
- Indian art and culture
- Architecture
- Product innovations
- Sustainable design concepts
Colleges Accepting UCEED Score
UCEED scores are accepted for admission to B.Des programmes at participating institutes, including:
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Delhi
- IIT Guwahati
- IIT Hyderabad
- IIT Indore
- IIT Roorkee
- IIITDM Jabalpur
Admission is conducted through the joint counselling process after declaration of results.
Career Opportunities After B.Des
A Bachelor of Design degree opens career opportunities in various industries such as:
- Product Design
- UX/UI Design
- Graphic Design
- Animation and Gaming
- Industrial Design
- Interaction Design
- Automobile Design
- Design Research
- Visual Communication
With increasing demand for creative professionals in technology, manufacturing, entertainment and digital industries, design graduates have excellent career prospects.
Final Word
UCEED 2027 Exam Date is an important opportunity for students who want to pursue design education at premier institutes like IITs. The exam will be conducted on January 17, 2027, and the detailed notification will be released on October 1, 2026. Aspirants should start preparing early by improving creativity, sketching skills, logical reasoning and design awareness. A consistent preparation strategy combined with regular practice can help candidates secure admission to some of India’s top design programmes.
FAQs
Q1. When will UCEED 2027 be conducted?
UCEED 2027 will be conducted on January 17, 2027 (Sunday) by IIT Bombay.
Q2. Who conducts UCEED?
UCEED is conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay).
Q3. What course can students pursue through UCEED?
Candidates can get admission to the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programme through UCEED.
Q4. Can students from Commerce and Arts streams apply for UCEED?
Yes, students from all streams can apply if they fulfil the eligibility criteria.
Q5. Is drawing knowledge necessary for UCEED?
Basic drawing and visualisation skills are important, especially for Part B of the examination.
Q6. When will the UCEED 2027 notification be released?
The detailed notification is expected on October 1, 2026.