Will IIT Kanpur offer PhD in Design course through CEED 2026?

Yes, IIT Kanpur will offer a PhD in Design course through CEED 2026. Candidates seeking admission to the program need to take the CEED 2025 entrance exam. The application forms for CEED will open in October 2025. Note that IIT Bombay will not consult any joint counselling for PhD candidates. As such, shortlisted candidates will have to apply directly to the participating institute.

Will CEED have partial marking?

Part A of the CEED 2026 question paper will have three types of questions: NAT (Numerical Answer Type): 8 questions MSQ (Multiple Select Question): 10 questions MCQ (Multiple Choice Question): 26 questions The MSQ and MCQ type questions will have partical scoring. For instance, each NAT question carries 4 marks. Also, each MSQ may have one or more than one correct choice(s) out of the four given. If you get all the correct options, you will be awarded 4 marks. However, if all four options are correct, and you select only three correct options, you will get 3 marks.

Can I apply to PhD courses based on CEED 2026 scores?

IIT Bombay conducts the CEED entrance exam for M.Des and PhD courses. So, yes, you can take the CEED 2026 exam if you plan to get admission to the PhD program offered by participating colleges. Fill out the CEED 2026 application form before the last date. Applications will open in the first week of October 2025. If you qualify in the CEED exam, you will have to apply directly to the participaiting institute. The institute may have additional admission rounds or eligibility criteria.

Can I prepare for UCEED 2026 exam at home?

It is very much possible for candidates to prepare for the UCEED exam at home. To prepare for the exam follow these tips: Make a study plan Divide the syllabus into smaller chunks and allocate time accordingly. Refer to the exam pattern Take notes during study Work on your drawing and visulalization skills Work on your creativity. Solve sample papers and also previous years' papers. Take mock tests. Take help from your peers, if need be.

Will CEED 2026 participating colleges conduct further admission rounds?

Candidates may note that qualifying in CEED is no guarantee for admission to any program. After qualifying in the exam, the candidate must apply to the respective institutes for admission and fulfil other requirements, such as tests and/or interviews. Each participating institute may have its own set of eligibility criteria and admission rounds. So, visit the institute portal for the latest updates. The announcement for admission to the postgraduate programmes in design will be notified separately by these institutes.

Can I prepare for CEED by practicing previous year question papers only?

Since CEED is a general aptitude test, you can benefit greatly by practicing previous year question papers. Also, after practicing the papers, it is highly important to analyse your strong and weak areas for the exam and then work on them accordingly. But that being said, you can’t prepare for the CEED only on the strength of solving the sample papers. You need to read the text books to learn the concepts, understand the various dynamic. Note that unless your theoretical knowledge is sound, you won’t be able to feel truly confident.

Is there negative marking in CEED 2025?

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.

How can I develop my drawing skills for CEED 2025?

The sketching part of CEED will include stages like - representation, in the form of geometric figures like lines, squares, and triangles, outline drawing, detailing, and shading. If you are a beginner, focus more on outline drawing, representation, and the easier aspects, rather than focusing on detailing and shading. As you become more adept, you can start adding nuances to your drawing. When making a sketch, focus on the following points: Shape of the figure Proportion Line quality

What is the weightage of CEED Part A exam?

In Part A of the CEED exam, candidates have to attempt 44 questions. Part A of the CEED exam includes MSQs, MCQs, and NAT questions. Maximum marks that aspirants can secure in the CEED Part A exam are 150. Its weightage is 25%. Part A will be a computer-based exam of 1 hour duration. Note that the CEED exam has two parts - Part A and Part B. Both parts are mandatory. If a candidate attempts Part A, but doesn’t attempt Part B, he or she will not be considered for admission.

I am not able to complete CEED syllabus. What should I do?

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.

Will the question paper include questions from all topics mentioned in CEED syllabus?

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.

What are the important topics for CEED 2026?

IIT Bombay has released the syllabus for CEED 2026. 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

Does IIT Bombay recommend any books for CEED exam preparation?

IIT Bombay is exam conducting body for CEED 2026. The institute, however, doesn’t prescribed any study material for the exam. So, in a bid to help the candidate, we bring you a list of recommended books for CEED 2026 after consulting previous years’ CEED question papers. The names suggested by toppers and experts have also been taken into account when compiling this list. CEED ENTRANCE by Academy of Fashion & Art Academy of Fashion & Art CEED Common Entrance Exam for Design Pattern & Scheme Preparation Book 2022 Examinspect CEED & NID M.Des Entrance Books and Test Series Ashish Popli, Pradosh Swain, Rishabh Rhode Question Bank for NID, NIFT, CEED & UCEED (Revised 2024 edition) Ashok Goel and Arjun Kamal Introduction to Design UCEED | CEED | NID | NIFT Sanjay Reddy, Mukti Masih, et al.

How can I improve my English language abilities for CEED Entrance Exam?

To improve your English language skills, you should develop a habit of reading English newspapers daily. Apart from this, you can also practice grammar by attempting past year question papers and mock tests. There are many good books in the market to polish your English comprehension skills. Word Power Made Easy is one example. Check out the list of recommended books for the English language and start working. Note that it is not enough to just read the book with your eyes, you need to bring out your pen and paper and do sufficient practice. Also, when reading, make it a habit to read out loud. It will improve your pronunciation and give you a better grip on vocabulary.

Which are the best books for CEED 2026 preparation?

The best books for CEED 2026 preparation are: Cracking CEED & UCEED (2022 Edition) by Ashok Goel and Arjun Kamal CEED+NID (M.DES) [Paperback] Academy of Fashion & Art Preparation Kit CEED Common Entrance Exam for Design Pattern & Scheme Preparation Book 2022 [Paperback] Examinspect CEED ENTRANCE by Academy of Fashion & Art Ceed & Nid (M.Des) Entrance Books And Test Series by TRENDZ ACADEMY

Where can I download previous years CEED question papers?

The candidate can download the previous years’ question papers for the CEED exam from the CEED 2026 - IIT Bombay admission portal - ceed.iitb.ac.in. Alternatively, the candidate can also download the question papers from this page. The candidate can download the question papers along with the answer keys. However, note that the question paper and answer keys for the current academic session (or CEED 2026) will only be available after the exam has been conducted. The previous years’ question papers can be used by the candidate to improve their problem-solving ability and improve conceptual understanding.

Is the CEED exam tough?

The difficulty level of CEED exam has been maintained by authorities over the years. However, most design aspirants share that if difficulty level of all design entrance exams conducted for PG level courses is compared then CEED is slightly easier than NID Entrance Exam. This is primarily because the drawing questions asked in NID that are considered to be tougher than those put forth in CEED exam. Note that CEED exam is for admission to the M.Des courses offered by the eight participating colleges. Meanwhile, the NID that for the M.Des programme has three participating colleges.

When will CEED Examination 2026 be held?

CEED Entrance Examination 2026 will be conduced on January 18, 2026. The exam timing will be 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Can I apply for CEED if I am from a non-design background?

Yes, candidates from engineering, architecture, arts, science, or commerce backgrounds can apply. Candidates must have completed a graduate degree/diploma/postgraduate degree program of a minimum of THREE years (after 10+2 level).

Do mock tests and CEED sample papers have the sample role?

No, mock tests are not the same as CEED question or sample papers. It is because the main purpose of the mock tests is to help the candidate get acquainted with the exam pattern and system, especially if the exam is conducted in an online mode. The mocks will allow the candidate get accustomed with the exam mode, navigation, scoring, and answering patterns. To some extent it also may help the candidate improve problem-solving and time-managment skills, which are typically the exclusive domain of CEED sample papers. Additionally, mock tests are meant to be taken in the last few days of the exam. On the other hand, sample papers are typically solved even in the early stages of exam preparation.

Does IIT Roorkee offer PhD in Design course through CEED?

IIT Roorkee doesn't offer PhD in Design course through CEED. It only offers a MDes in Industrial Design. Admission to the M.Des program will be based on CEED 2026 merit rank. The candidate will have to apply directly to the participating college once results are declared.

Are CEED 2026 eligibility criteria the same as those required by the participating colleges?

The candidate must note that IIT Bombay is only responsible for conducting the CEED Entrance exam. Unlike UCEED, it will not conduct any Joint Seat Allotment. This means the eligibility criteria prescribed by IIT Bombay is limited to appearing in the CEED 2026 exam. Further, the participating institutes of CEED 2026 will individually determine the eligibility criteria for the M.Des courses. The eligibility criteria will be uploaded on the admission portals of these institutes.

How many students appear for CEED exam?

A total of 5090 candidates registered for CEED 2025, out of which 4371 candidates appeared, and 1848 candidates qualified in the exam.

Where can I download previous years CEED question papers?

The candidate can download the previous years’ question papers for the CEED exam from the CEED 2026 - IIT Bombay admission portal - ceed.iitb.ac.in. Alternatively, the candidate can also download the question papers from this page. The candidate can download the question papers along with the answer keys. However, note that the question paper and answer keys for the current academic session (or CEED 2026) will only be available after the exam has been conducted. The previous years’ question papers can be used by the candidate to improve their problem-solving ability and improve conceptual understanding.

When will CEED Examination 2026 be held?

CEED Entrance Examination 2026 will be conduced on January 18, 2026. The exam timing will be 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Is the CEED exam tough?

The difficulty level of CEED exam has been maintained by authorities over the years. However, most design aspirants share that if difficulty level of all design entrance exams conducted for PG level courses is compared then CEED is slightly easier than NID Entrance Exam. This is primarily because the drawing questions asked in NID that are considered to be tougher than those put forth in CEED exam. Note that CEED exam is for admission to the M.Des courses offered by the eight participating colleges. Meanwhile, the NID that for the M.Des programme has three participating colleges.

Do I need a portfolio to apply to IIT Delhi through CEED 2026?

The design task/interview for admission to the M. Des. in Department of Design, IIT Delhi will be held in May 2026 (tentative). As part of the design task/interview, the candidate is required to upload your digital portfolio. The portfolio must include five best projects (maximum size 10 MB) of the candidate. The official site reads" To merge and compress your works in a single PDF, you may use online tools such as (https://smallpdf.com/compress-pdf)". The filename of the pdf must be your IIT Delhi application number. The candidate may carry their physical portfolio on the day of the interview as well, but it is not mandatory.

When will CEED 2026 counselling registration open?

The counseling process for CEED 2026 will commence within a few days of the declaration of results. CEED 2026 results are scheduled to be declared on March 4, 2026. Candidates who have been shortlisted and allocated a merit rank can participate in the counseling. The counseling application form will open at individual participating colleges.

Will there be joint counselling for CEED 2026?

IIT Bombay will not conduct any Joint Counseling for CEED 2026. Instead, the participating colleges will conduct the counseling at an institute level. The candidate will have to go to the admission portal of the institute and fill in the counseling registration form. The counseling admission portal will have all the relevant details pertaining to the admission process, seat matrix, eligibility, etc.

What is the last date to fill out the CEED 2026 application form?

IIT Bombay will release the admission schedule for the CEED 2026 exam, including the application start and last dates, at the time of the release of the application form. The CEED application form is expected to open in the first week of October 2025. The candidate will also has the option to apply with late fees of INR 500 in the first week of November 2025. IIT Bombay may also extend the last dates for submission of the form.

How can I check the status of my CEED 2026 registration form?

Candidates can know the status of their CEED 2026 application form on the official registration portals of the exam. In a situation wherein any more information or document is required then the CEED office gets in touch with aspirants through their registered email. It may be note that complete applications will be rejected. The application form for CEED 2026 will open tentatively in October 2025. The candidate must carefully go through the step-wise process to fill out the form.

Which are the best books for CEED 2026 preparation?

The best books for CEED 2026 preparation are: Cracking CEED & UCEED (2022 Edition) by Ashok Goel and Arjun Kamal CEED+NID (M.DES) [Paperback] Academy of Fashion & Art Preparation Kit CEED Common Entrance Exam for Design Pattern & Scheme Preparation Book 2022 [Paperback] Examinspect CEED ENTRANCE by Academy of Fashion & Art Ceed & Nid (M.Des) Entrance Books And Test Series by TRENDZ ACADEMY

Will the admission cut-off of CEED 2026 be released by IIT Bombay?

IIT Bombay will not release any admission cut-offs for CEED 2026. Note that unlike UCEED, IIT Bombay doesn’t conduct any Joint Seat Allotment. In fact, IIT Bombay is only responsible for conduct of the CEED 2025 exam and declaration of results. Candidates will have to apply to the participating institute themselves based on their CEED 2026 scores. These participating institutes will then prepare admission cut-off based on parameters like number of applicants, seat intake, category under which admission is sought, etc. Note that the Part A cut-off for CEED 2026 will be released tentatively in the 2nd week of February 2026.

What is the difference between the admission and qualifying cut-off of CEED?

The CEED exam has two parts - Part A and Part B. The Part B answer booklet will be evaluated only if the candidate qualifies Part A. The minimum marks needed to qualify Part A is the qualifying cut-off for CEED - Part A. On the other hand, the admission cut-off would be released by the CEED participating institutes. It is the minimum score one needs to score for admission to the M.Des programmein their chosen category.

Do mock tests and CEED sample papers have the sample role?

No, mock tests are not the same as CEED question or sample papers. It is because the main purpose of the mock tests is to help the candidate get acquainted with the exam pattern and system, especially if the exam is conducted in an online mode. The mocks will allow the candidate get accustomed with the exam mode, navigation, scoring, and answering patterns. To some extent it also may help the candidate improve problem-solving and time-managment skills, which are typically the exclusive domain of CEED sample papers. Additionally, mock tests are meant to be taken in the last few days of the exam. On the other hand, sample papers are typically solved even in the early stages of exam preparation.

Who topped the CEED 2025 exam?

Rohit Ravindra Waghmare topped the CEED topper list 2025 with 82.38 marks out of 100. CEED 2023 exam was topped by Khyati Rathor, who secured the AIR 1. She secured 68.85 marks in the exam, out of a total of 100 marks. The 2nd position was occupied by Simon George Cherian, who scored 66.63 marks. The final place in the podium, of AIR 1 rank, was occupied by Aritra Guha Ray.

What is the difference between CEED and UCEED exam?

Both CEED and UCEED exams are conducted by IIT Bombay. However, CEED scores are used to shortlist candidates for admission to the M.Des courses, whereas UCEED is an entrance exam for admission to the B. Des course. IIT Bombay also conducts a Joint Admission Process (or counseling) for UCEED qualified candidates. However, IIT Bombay doesn't conduct any joint counseling for CEED qualified candidates. Instead, candidates who have been assigned CEED merit ranks will have to apply directly to the participating college.

How do I take admission to Ph.D through CEED?

To be considered for admission to the PhD courses, the candidate needs to first qualify in the CEED 2026 entrance exam. Next, the candidate needs to apply directly to the participating college. Note that the participating college may conduct further admission rounds, inclduing interviews. The institute's admission portal will have the detailed admission process and requirements.

How many seats are there in CEED?

Seats available for CEED admission vary from one institute to the other (that accept the exam scores for admission). For e. g, IIT Hyderabad has 30 seats, while IISc Bangalore has 18 seats. Candidates are informed that CEED is just a qualifying exam. Thus, any aspirant who clears CEED exam may have to appear in further admission rounds that may be conducted by the participating college. The application process at the participating colleges typically open once the CEED entrance exam results are announced.

Can I use previous years' CEED score for admission purpose?

The CEED score is valid for a period of one year from the date of declaration of the result. This means you can use CEED 2026 scores for admission in the current academic session only. You can't use for admission in the next year. Likewise, you can't use CEED 2025 scores for admission in the upcoming session.

What is the procedure for preparing the CEED 2026 result?

The result of CEED 2026 will be prepared by giving weightage to the Part A and Part B sections. Part A will carry 25% weightage, whereas Part B will be worth 75% weightage. CEED FINAL Score = 0.25 x (Marks obtained in Part A) + 0.75 x (Marks obtained in Part B) Note that it is mandatory for candidates to qualify for Part A to be included in the CEED 2026 merit list. In case the candidate fails to qualify for Part A, his or her Part B answer booklets will not be evaluated.

Does IIT Bombay recommend any books for CEED exam preparation?

IIT Bombay is exam conducting body for CEED 2026. The institute, however, doesn’t prescribed any study material for the exam. So, in a bid to help the candidate, we bring you a list of recommended books for CEED 2026 after consulting previous years’ CEED question papers. The names suggested by toppers and experts have also been taken into account when compiling this list. CEED ENTRANCE by Academy of Fashion & Art Academy of Fashion & Art CEED Common Entrance Exam for Design Pattern & Scheme Preparation Book 2022 Examinspect CEED & NID M.Des Entrance Books and Test Series Ashish Popli, Pradosh Swain, Rishabh Rhode Question Bank for NID, NIFT, CEED & UCEED (Revised 2024 edition) Ashok Goel and Arjun Kamal Introduction to Design UCEED | CEED | NID | NIFT Sanjay Reddy, Mukti Masih, et al.

Which are the best books for CEED 2026 preparation?

The best books for CEED 2026 preparation are: Cracking CEED & UCEED (2022 Edition) by Ashok Goel and Arjun Kamal CEED+NID (M.DES) [Paperback] Academy of Fashion & Art Preparation Kit CEED Common Entrance Exam for Design Pattern & Scheme Preparation Book 2022 [Paperback] Examinspect CEED ENTRANCE by Academy of Fashion & Art Ceed & Nid (M.Des) Entrance Books And Test Series by TRENDZ ACADEMY

How can I improve my English language abilities for CEED Entrance Exam?

To improve your English language skills, you should develop a habit of reading English newspapers daily. Apart from this, you can also practice grammar by attempting past year question papers and mock tests. There are many good books in the market to polish your English comprehension skills. Word Power Made Easy is one example. Check out the list of recommended books for the English language and start working. Note that it is not enough to just read the book with your eyes, you need to bring out your pen and paper and do sufficient practice. Also, when reading, make it a habit to read out loud. It will improve your pronunciation and give you a better grip on vocabulary.

How many sample papers do I need to solve to prepare for CEED 2026?

If you start solving sample papers late in your exam preparation, you must be able to solve around 10-12 sample papers. However, if you start solving sample papers early on, it is not exactly the quantity that you are focusing on. For instance, if you complete a chapter and solve all the relevant problems givn in the sample paper, it will also be very effective. And you can repeat this model for other topics as well. The only difference here is you are not solving the entire sample paper in one go in this case. Rather attacking it one chapter or topic at a time. And once you complete the entire syllabus, you can then attempt the complete sample paper.

What is the right time to solve sample papers for CEED?

You can start solving sample papers for CEED very early on in your exam preparation. For instance, you can do the exercise after completing a chapter. All you have to do is find the relevant questions in the sample papers and start solving. As you move on in your CEED 2026 exam preparation, you the sample papers will be more useful. In fact, as you complete the syllabus, you can attempt the complete sample paper. By solving the sample papers you can improve your problem-solving and time-management skills. Also, you can solve sample papers right up to the exam-day.

Can I also download the solutions of CEED question papers?

IIT Bombay releases the answer keys of the CEED exam along with the question paper. The answer keys contain the answers to the questions asked in the entrance exam. So, if you download the question paper and the corresponding answer key, you can use them for practice. Once you solve a problem, refer to the answer key and check if you have managed to correctly solve the problem. Currently, the CEED admission portal has question papers starting from 2010. Meanwhile, the answer keys are available from 2020 onward. But note that IIT Bombay will not release the detailed solution to a question, but release only the answer option. To get the detailed solutions, you have to check out with the coaching websites and other online sources.

CEED 2026: Registration (Extended Till Nov 5th), Exam Date (Jan 18), Syllabus, Question Paper & Preparation

Registration - 1 Oct '25 - 5 Nov '25

Updated on Nov 5, 2025 10:26 IST

By Sayeba Naushad, Assistant Manager

CEED 2026: IIT Bombay will close the CEED 2026 Registration for the M.Des programme with regular fees today, on November 05, 2025. The registration forms are live now. CEED 2026 Applications will be available on the official website of CEED: https://www.ceed.iitb.ac.in. The last date to fill out the CEED form with regular fees is November 05, 2025. Registration can also be done with late fees of INR 500 till November 10, 2025.

CEED Entrance Exam is scheduled to be held on January 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, for the M.Des Programme by IIT Bombay. Candidates seeking admission to the Design postgraduate programme, like M.Des at IITs, must apply and appear for the CEED 2026 Exam.

Latest Update:

The CEED Application fee is INR 4,000 for the General Category and INR 2,000 (Reserved category & Females of all categories).

Read on to know more about CEED 2026.

Table of content

CEED Exam Highlights 2026
CEED 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
What is the CEED exam?
CEED Eligibility Criteria 2026
CEED Application Form 2026
CEED Admission Process 2026
CEED Syllabus 2026
CEED Exam Pattern 2026
How to Prepare for CEED 2026
CEED Result 2026
CEED Answer Key 2026
CEED Cutoff 2026
CEED Counselling 2026
CEED 2026 Entrance Exam - FAQs

CEED Exam Highlights 2026

CEED 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CEED 2026 exam

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
01 Oct ' 25 - 05 Nov ' 25	CEED 2026 Application DATE
06 Nov ' 25 - 10 Nov ' 25	CEED 2026 Application DATE (Late Fees)
02 Jan ' 26	CEED 2026 Issue of Admit Card
18 Jan ' 26	CEED 2026 exam date
20 Jan ' 26	CEED 2026 Release of DRAFT Answer Key
22 Jan ' 26	CEED 2026 File Challenges Against DRAFT Answer Key
28 Jan ' 26	CEED 2026 Release of FINAL Answer Key
View more Future Events (2)