CEED Syllabus 2026 (Part A & Part B): Download Section-wise Syllabus PDF, Important Topics

Common Entrance Examination for Design 2025 ( CEED )

DeskCalelnderResult - 10 Mar '25 - 31 Jul '25

Sayeba Naushad
Updated on Jul 9, 2025 09:52 IST

By Sayeba Naushad, Assistant Manager

CEED Syllabus 2026 - IIT Bombay will release the syllabus for CEED 2026 on its admission portal. The syllabus will be outlined in the CEED information brochure 2026. The candidate needs to go through the syllabus to learn the full details of the syllabus, including exam sections, subject-wise topics, and weightage. 

The CEED 2026 entrance exam will have two parts: 1) Online-based Part A, and 2) Offline-based Part B. The CEED syllabus will include the topics for each part and highlight the types of questions asked and skills tested. 

Along with the syllabus, the candidate must also consult the CEED exam pattern, as it will define the test structure, section-wise questions, and marking scheme. IIT Bombay i likely to revise the syllabus and exam pattern for CEED for 2026. The CEED exam is conducted for admission to the B.Des course. To get a good score in the CEED 2026, it is important to cover the syllabus completely, solve sample papers, and take mock tests.  

Q:   When will the CEED 2025 exam be conducted?
A: 

IIT Bombay will conduct the CEED 2025 exam tentatively in January 2025 (9 am - 12 noon).

The exam will include two sections - Part A and Part B. Part A of the exam was administered in a computer-based mode, whereas Part B will be held offline. It is mandatory for candidates to qualify for Part A. If the candidate fails to qualify for Part A, his or her Part B answers booklet will not be evaluated. The final score of CEED 2024 will be calculated by giving weightage to both Part A and Part B.

The cut-off marks for Part A will be released a few days after the exam. 

Q:   When will the CEED 2025 syllabus be released?
A: 

The CEED syllabus was revised in the previous edition. 

IIT Bombay had released a detailed syllabus for CEED 2024 on March 3, 2023. The syllabus outlined the subject-wise topics candidates need to prepared for CEED 2024 and next editions of the exam. 

In other words, the revised syllabus is effective from 2024 onward. Candidates appearing in CEED 2025 must make it a point to follow the revised syllabus for exam preparation. 

Q:   What will be the structure of the CEED question paper 2025?
A: 

The CEED 2025 exam will 3 hours long and have two parts. 

Part A of the CEED 2025 question paper will be computer-based mode and include three types of questions - MCQ, MSQ, and NAT. The duration of Part A will be 1 hour. Meanwhile, Part B will be 2-hour long and include subjective questions. Part B will be conducted offline. 

It may be noted that Part B answers booklets will be evaluated only of the candidate qualified for Part A. So, to be included in the merit list, the candidate must qualify for Part A.

Table of content
  • CEED 2026 subject-wise Syllabus
  • Compare New and OLD CEED Syllabus
  • Important Topics for CEED Preparation
  • CEED 2026 Preparation Tips from Toppers
  • CEED Exam Pattern 2026
  • CEED Syllabus 2026 - FAQs
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CEED 2026 subject-wise Syllabus

The CEED 2026 exam will be conducted following a revised syllabus. The syllabus will be outlined in the CEED information brochure. The expected syllabus for CEED 2026 for both Part A and Part B is given in the tables below. 

CEED 2026 Part A Syllabus

Topic

Description

Visualization and spatial reasoning

Ability to visualize 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

Capacity to detect concealed properties in day-to-day 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 analyze 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. 

CEED 2026 Part B Syllabus

Topic

Description

Drawing

Ability to draw products, people, or scenes in proportion with good line quality, composition, proportion, perspective, and shading.

Creativity

Capacity 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

Capability to understand the user and the context, knowledge of properties of materials, and their appropriate use in design.

Note: Given that CEED will be an aptitude test, no books are recommended by exam officials for preparation. Nevertheless, the candidate is recommended to practice their drawing, rendering, and visualization skills. In addition, previous years' question papers could be a good source of material to prepare for CEED 2026.

Focus more on Part B of the CEED 2026 question paper

The CEED 2026 final score will be calculated by giving 25% weightage to Part A, and 75% weightage to Part B. So, when preparing for the exam, the candidate has to pay THREE times more attention to Part B!  

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the syllabus for CEED 2025 - Part B?
A: 

Candidates preparing for the CEED 2025 exam need to follow the following syllabus when preparing for Part B of CEED 2025:

Drawing: Ability to draw products, people, or scenes in proportion with good line quality, composition, proportion, perspective, and shading. 

Creativity: Capacity 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: Capability to understand the user and the context, knowledge of properties of materials, and their appropriate use in design.

Q:   When will the application form for CEED 2025 open?
A: 

The CEED 2025 applications opened on October 1, 2025. The application has to be filled online at ceed.iitb.ac.in.

The candidate can apply with both regular and late fees.

All the details pertaining to the CEED 2025 application form has been updated on the admission portals, including the information brochure. The candidate needs to carefully go through the brochure to check their eligibility. Note that information entered by the candidate at the time of submitting their application form will be verified at the time of counseling. Any candidate who doesn’t meet the criteria will be disqualified.

Q:   What is the syllabus for CEED 2025 - Part A?
A: 

As per the latest syllabus for CEED, Part A will include the following topics:

Visualization and spatial reasoning: Ability to visualize and transforms 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: Capacity to detect concealed properties in day-to-day life and think critically about them. Attention to detail, classification, analysis, inference, and prediction. 

Environment and society: General awareness of the environment, social and cultural connections with design. 

Analytical and logical reasoning: Ability to analyze 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.

View Syllabus
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Compare New and OLD CEED Syllabus

The Old CEED syllabus for Part A is given below.

Topics Description
Visualization and Spatial Ability Pictorial and diagrammatic questions to test the understanding of transformation and/or manipulation of 2D shapes and 3D objects and their spatial relationships; knowledge of practical and everyday mechanical and scientific concepts.
Environmental and Social Awareness General awareness of environmental factors such as climate, vegetation, weather, water, population, water, pollution, natural resources, etc., and their impact and implications on the design of products, images, infrastructure, and environment. Awareness of social and cultural connection with the design, history of the designed artifact, and socially responsible and environmentally sustainable design responses. History of art, sculpture, and literature.
Analytical and Logical Reasoning Ability to look at information, be it qualitative or quantitative in nature, and discern patterns within the information. Ability to weigh opinions, arguments, or solutions against appropriate criteria. Ability to check for hidden bias or hidden assumptions and whether evidence and argument support conclusions. Ability to use logic and structured thinking to deduce from a short passage, which of a number of statements is the most accurate response to a posed question. Data Interpretation, brainteasers, and patterns.
Language and Creativity Ability to understand and use Standard English. Reading comprehension, knowledge of English grammar, such as sentence structure and usage, the use of tenses, verb patterns, articles, and active and passive constructions, etc. & vocabulary skills. Ability to think creatively in terms of alternatives, ability to distinguish innovative options, and think out of the box.
Design Thinking and Problem Solving

Ability to use visual analogies, metaphors, signs, and symbols. Ability to understand complexity, identify problems, generate alternatives, evaluate options, and select solutions.

Observation and Design Sensitivity

Ability to detect concealed properties in ordinary things, people, situations, and events, and think critically about them. Applying attention to certain details, analysing, reasoning, classifying, inferring, and predicting. Ability to discern subtle differences in visual properties and aesthetic outcomes.

In the old syllabus for Part B, questions were asked from the following topics.

Topics Description
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 Ability to communicate concepts and ideas clearly with the help of text and visuals.
Analytical and Problem Solving Skills Ability to understand the user and the context, knowledge of properties of materials and processes and their appropriate use in design, originality of solutions, ability to create characters, plots, and stories, etc.

Also Read:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Will the question paper include questions from all topics mentioned in CEED syllabus?
A: 

The topics listed in the CEED syllabus is indicative in nature. Also, the syllabus is exhaustive in the sense that questions may be asked from all or some of the topics. So, the candidate can’t skip any topics when preparing for CEED. 

The candidate is urged to go through the previous years' question papers to get an idea about the paper structure and types of questions asked. That being said, keep in mind that the syllabus has been revised for CEED.

Q:   I am not able to complete CEED 2025 syllabus. What should I do?
A: 

The CEED syllabus can be daunting for some candidates. So, if you are not able to complete it, don'tpanic. The trick in these situations is to first focus on the easy topics and complete the first. If you manage that your anxiety levels will automatically come down. Next move on the moderate difficult topics. If you are able to tackle them, you can start working on the difficult ones. If you get stuck with a topic or problem, it is best to not spend prodigious time trying to master it. Instead move on to the next topic. You can revisit the difficult topic, if you have time.

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Important Topics for CEED Preparation

CEED is an aptitude test, and hence, no specific textbook or guide is recommended by IIT Bombay for its preparation. Candidates are advised to practice their drawing, rendering, and visualisation skills. CEED question papers for previous years are available on Shiksha. Based on previous years’ CEED question papers, some of the important topics that candidates can prepare for the design entrance exam are mentioned below:

Important Topics for CEED

Creative Writing Skills

Drawing Ability and Skills Communication Skills
Design Concepts

How to Develop Characters

Logical Reasoning
Light and Shadow Perspective Design

Logo Design

Problem Identification & Design Problem Solving

Scale and Proportion Product Designing
Basics of Drawing- Lines and Shapes

Gradation Chart

Colour Theory, Color Schemes and color Compositions
Still Life Drawings, Eye Levels and Symmetrical Drawing Concepts, Object drawings from everyday life Perspective- Types and Usage

Human Body Knowledge

Anatomy, Proportions and Divisions

Basic and advanced Human Drawings Hands and Feets Study
Human Features

Animal and Bird Study

Colour Rendering and Design
Inspirational Design Means of Advertisement-Visual Communication

Grid Collages

Metamorphosis

Study of Objects and Lateral Thinking

Compositions

Story Illustrations

Pictograms and Signage

Geometrical and Design Exercise
Compositional sense Placement of different figures proportionally

Sense of proportion

Basics of materials and manufacturing processes Interaction Design and Visual Communication

Sketching

Representation techniques Problem identification & solving Visual perception
Interface design & Product Design Poster, Logo, Character designing Story telling
Drawing of human figures of different postures, actions, and age groups

 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the exam pattern for CEED 2025 - Part A?
A: 

Part A of the CEED 2024 question paper will include three types of questions - NAT, MCQ, and MSQ. The number of questions per question type and marking scheme is given in the table below.

Section

Maximum no. of Questions

No.

of Question

Marks awarded for a correct answer

Marks deducted for a wrong answer

Marks if not

Attempted

Maximum Marks

NAT

8

1 — 8

3

0

24

 

MSQ

10

9 — 18

3

0.25

0

30

MCQ

23

19 — 41

2

0.5

0

46

Total

41

1 — 41

   

100

Note that Part B answer booklet will only be evaluated if the candidate qualifies Part A.

Q:   Is there negative marking in CEED 2025?
A: 

The CEED question paper has two sections - Part A and Part B. Part A will include NAT, MSQ, and MCQ questions, and there is negative marking for M.Sc and MCQ-type questions. However, there is no negative marking for NAT-type questions.

 Meanwhile, Part B will be a subjective paper and will have no negative marking.

The candidate needs to bear this things in mind when preparing, and also attempting the CEED exam. 

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CEED 2026 Preparation Tips from Toppers

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is CEED a tough entrance exam?
A: 

The difficulty level of CEED exam is maintained by authorities over the years. However, most design aspirants share that if the difficulty level of all design entrance exams conducted for PG level courses is compared then CEED is slightly easier than the NID Entrance Exam. This is primarily because the drawing questions asked in NID DAT are considered to be tougher than those put forth in the CEED exam.

The application form for NID DAT 2024 is currently open. The last date to apply for NID DAT 2024 without late fees is December 1, 2023.

Q:   Is CEED a computer-based exam?
A: 

CEED 2024 will have two parts - Part A and Part B. Part A will be conducted as a computer-based test, whereas Part B will be conducted offline. The candidate will be provided answer booklets by the invigilator, where they have enter their answers. 

After the conclusion of the exam, the candidate has to return the answer booklets of Part B to the invigilator. Note that Part B answer booklets will only be evaluated if the candidate qualfiies Part A.

The final score of CEED 2024 will be calculated by giving weightage to Part A and Part B.

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CEED Exam Pattern 2026

Apart from knowing the CEED syllabus, it is also highly important for candidates to understand the CEED 2026 exam pattern. The CEED exam pattern is different for Part A and Part B of the exam. Given below are some of the major highlights for both parts of the past year CEED exam:

CEED Exam Pattern Particulars Part A Part B
Exam mode

Online

Offline

  • Answers have to be entered in the answer booklet provided by the invigilator
Number of questions

41

5

Type of questions
  • Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
  • Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)
  • Multiple Select Question (MSQ)\
  • The paper will test the design, drawing, and writing skills of the candidate
Duration

1 hour

2 hours

Total marks

100

100

Exam mode

Online

Offline

Language of question paper English  

Read More: Important topics to study for CEED

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How should I start preparing for CEED 2025?
A: 

You can start preparing for CEED exam by following the below steps:

Understand CEED exam pattern and syllabus well.
Note that the CEED syllabus has been revised for both Part A and Part B.
IIT Bombay will release the detailed exam pattern when it releases the information brochure, sometime in September.
Make a well thought-out timetable for CEED preparation
Practice as many CEED previous year question papers and sample papers as possible
Take notes when you are studying.
Analyse your weak areas for the exam and work to improve those areas/subjects
Take mock tests.

Q:   Can I prepare for CEED 2025 exam without coaching?
A: 

It is very much possible to prepare for CEED without coaching. But before you embark on exam preparation on your own, you need the conviction that you can do it. If you are not convinced yourself and only decide to forgo coaching on the advice of others, the journey may be difficult.

If you prepare for the exam on your own, you need to be serious and plan the preparation smartly. For instance, after going through the syllabus, you must be able to decide the difficulty level, time it will take to cover the syllabus, and do revision. 

Remember, there are many instances of toppers who managed to ace the CEED exam without the aid of any coaching. Further, the final outcome may not depend on whether you do coaching or not, but the quality of your preparation.

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CEED Syllabus 2026 - FAQs

Go through the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the CEED 2026 syllabus below.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Why should I consult CEED 2025 syllabus to prepare for the exam?
A: 

There are multiple reasons why you must consult the official syllabus when preparing for the CEED 2025 exam.

Using the syllabus of CEED, you can identify which topics carry more weightage and a higher chance of being asked in the exam. 

Note that questions in the CEED 2025 exam will be asked as per the official syllabus only. 

So, following the syllabus is non-negotiable.

The CEED 2025 exam will be conducted by following a revised syllabus. 

When preparing for the exam, the candidate can refer to the syllabus and find out which topics are redundant and which topics are important. 

In addition to the syllabus, also consult the exam pattern. 

Q:   Has the syllabus changed for the CEED 2025 exam?
A: 

IIT Bombay released a notification on March 3 saying the design entrance exam effective 2024 onward will be conducted following a revised syllabus. 

As per the revised syllabus, Part A will now have topics like Visualization and spatial ability, Practical and scientific knowledge, Observation and design sensitivity, Environment and society, Analytical and logical reasoning, Language, Creativity, Art and Design knowledge, and Design methods and practices.

Meanwhile, Part B will have the following topics: Drawing, Creativity, Communication, and Problem identification. 

Note that the UCEED 2025 exam syllabus has also been changed. IIT Bombay conducts the UCEED exam for admission to the B.Des programme offered by participating colleges. 

Q:   What are the important topics for CEED 2025?
A: 

IIT Bombay has released the syllabus for CEED 2024. When preparing for the exam, the candidate had to also pay special attention to the important topics as they carry more weightage and also have a higher chance of being asked in the exam.

Here are important topics of CEED:

Creative Writing Skills

Drawing Ability and Skills

Communication Skills

Design Concepts

How to Develop Characters

Logical Reasoning

Light and Shadow

Perspective Design

Logo Design

Problem Identification & Design Problem Solving

Scale and Proportion

Product Designing

Basics of Drawing- Lies and Shapes

Graduation Chart

Colour Theory, Colors Scheme and colors Compositions

Still Life Drawings, Eye Levels and Symmetrical Drawing Concepts, Object drawings from everyday life

Perspective- Types and Usage

Human Body Knowledge

Anatomy, Proportion and Division

Basic and advanced Human Drawings

Hands and Feet Study

Human Features

Animal and Bird Study

Colour Rendering and Design

Inspirational Design

Means of Advertisement-Visual Communication

Grind Colleagues

Metamorphosis

Study of Objects and Lateral Thinking

Compositions

Story Illustrations

Pictograms and Signage

Geometrical and Design Exercise

Compositional sense

Placement of different figure proportionally

Sense of proportion

Basics of materials and manufacturing processes

Interaction Design and Visual Communication

Sketching

Representation techniques

Problem identification & solving

Visual perception

Interface design & Product Design

Poster, Logo, Character designing

Story telling

Q:   As per the CEED syllabus 2025, what types of questions will be asked in CEED exam?
A: 

The CEED exam has two parts - Part A and Part B. 

Part A will include the following type of questions - Numerical Answers Type (NAT), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The questions will be objective-type. 

Meanwhile, Part B of the question paper for CEED 2024 will include subjective-type questions. The questions will test the design, drawing, and writing skills of the candidate. The candidate will have 2 hours to attempt Part B, while for Part A, the candidate will get 1 hour.

Q:   With CEED syllabus revised, should I solve previous years question papers?
A: 

The CEED syllabus was revised in the previous edition.

It is very important for the candidate to solve previous years’ question papers. The reason being the question papers will help the candidate identify the types of questions asked, marking scheme, difficult level, etc.

Considering the syllabus for CEED has been revised, the candidate may solve only those questions that are still included in the topic. Carefully go through the revised syllabus and check out the topics; identify the topcis that are same as last year. You can use the question papers and solve questions for the common topics.

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CEED Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, CEED is one of the accepting exams for admission to MDes programme at School of Design, MIT WPU. However, it is not mandatory to pass CEED. Aspirants can also appear for MIT WPU CET for admission to the course. Aspirants applying for BDes do not require qualifying CEED. They need to pass any of

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 2 months ago

The CEED 2025 Part A cutoff has been officially released by IIT Bombay on February 6, 2025. The cutoff is presented in terms of the mean and standard deviation of all candidates' scores:

  • Mean: 45 .48

  • Standard Deviation : 16.98

To determine the qualifying marks for different categories, the following fo

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

There is no limit on the number of times a candidate can appear for the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED). Candidates are free to attempt the exam multiple times, as long as they fulfill the eligibility criteria for each attempt.

  • Unlimited Attempts: Candidates can sit for the CEED exam as

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, but only in Part A.

  • In Part A (the computer-based section), some questions have negative marking.

  • Typically, Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) in Part A carry negative marks for wrong answers.

  • However, Numerical Answer Type (NAT) and Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) usually do not have negative mark

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

The final CEED score is calculated by combining your performance in Part A and Part B of the exam, but with different weightages.

Here's how it works:

  • Part A (Objective section) - 25% weightage

  • Part B (Drawing and Design section) - 75% weightage

  • Final CEED Score = (Part A score * 0.25) + (Part B score *

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

The CEED score required for IITs (like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Guwahati, etc.) varies each year depending on:

  • The difficulty level of the exam,

  • The number of applicants, and

  • The number of available seats.

Generally, to get a call from top IITs, candidates usually need to qualify CEED a

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

A good score in CEED typically depends on the year's difficulty level, overall performance of candidates, and cutoffs set by individual institutes.

In general:

  • A score above 45-50 in Part A is considered safe for qualifying.

  • A final combined score (Part A + Part B) of above 60-65 out of 100 is usually

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

CEED is organized and conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

No, candidates must apply separately to each participating institute and follow their individual admission procedures after qualifying CEED.

Once the CEED results are declared, candidates must apply separately to each institute that accepts CEED scores (like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IISc

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

The CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design) is conducted to assess a candidate's aptitude for design. It is primarily used for admission to Master of Design (M.Des.) and Ph.D. programmes in Design at top institutes like IITs.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 9

19 Institutes accepting CEED

World University of Design

Sonepat Private

World Univ
  • 8.05 Lakh
  • 2 years
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  • 1.03 Lakh
  • 2 years
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School of Design, UPES

Dehradun Private

School of
  • 13.15 Lakh
  • 2 years
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  • Full Time
  • 3.20 Lakh
  • 2 years
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  • Full Time

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