CEED 2026 Exam Dates, Registration, Syllabus, PYQs & More [Latest Updates]

Published by Shikha Kumari on Nov 26, 2025

CEED 2026, Common Entrance Examination for Design  is a national-level entrance test conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to Master of Design (M.Des) and Ph.D. programs in Design offered by premier institutes such as IITs and IISc Bangalore. The exam evaluates a candidate’s design aptitude through skills like visualization, creativity, logical reasoning, problem-solving, and drawing.

According to the official brochure, CEED 2026 registration opened on 1 October 2025, the regular-fee last date was 5 November 2025 (11:55 PM IST), and the late-fee window closed on 10 November 2025 (5:00 PM IST). The exam will be held on 18 January 2026 (9 AM–12 Noon), and results will be announced on 6 March 2026.

CEED 2026 Exam Dates 

CEED 2026 follows a fixed timeline defined in the official brochure. Registration, exam, and result schedules are listed below.

The three-hour exam is conducted at multiple centres across India and consists of Part A (Computer-based MCQs) and Part B (Drawing/Descriptive) sections.

CEED 2026 Eligibility Criteria

As per the official brochure, candidates must meet the following eligibility conditions:

• Must have completed or be appearing for the final examination of a Bachelor’s degree / diploma / postgraduate program (minimum 3 years after 10+2).
  
• Candidates who have passed the GD Arts diploma (10+5 level) by July 2026 are also eligible.
  
• There is no age limit and no limit on the number of attempts.
  
• SC/ST/PwD candidates receive 5 years’ relaxation in the upper-age limit for admission (where applicable).
  
• Foreign nationals may apply under the DASA scheme.
  

Documents Required for Registration

CEED 2026 Registration Fees

The registration fee for CEED 2026 is category-specific, with concessions for women and reserved categories. A late fee of ₹ 500 applied for registrations submitted after the regular deadline.

The registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Payment options include net-banking, debit/credit card, or UPI.

CEED 2026 Syllabus Breakdown

The CEED 2026 syllabus aims to test design aptitude, visualization, analytical skills, creativity, and drawing ability. The question paper comprises Part A (Objective) and Part B (Drawing) sections.

Part A – Computer-Based Test

Includes MCQs, MSQs, and NATs, focusing on analytical reasoning, design awareness, and visualization.

Part B – Drawing Section

• Contains one descriptive question (60 marks).
  
• Evaluates creativity, drawing skills, composition, and design thinking.
  
• Requires depiction of objects, products, or scenes with proper proportion and perspective.
  

CEED 2026 Preparation Strategies

A well-structured preparation plan helps balance both Part A and Part B.

• Start Early (6–8 months before exam): Build fundamentals in visualization, reasoning, and drawing.
  
• Practice PYQs (Previous Year Questions): Understand the format and recurring question types; although not repetitive, concepts often reappear.
  
• Part A Focus: Attempt full-length online mock tests to improve accuracy and speed.
  
• Part B Focus: Practice timed sketches daily on real-life themes (e.g., sustainable product design, urban spaces).
  
• Time Management: Allocate roughly 2 hours daily — 1 hour for MCQs, 1 hour for drawing.
  
• Review Answer Keys: Analyzing previous answer keys clarifies evaluation patterns.
  

8-Week Revision Plan (Example)

CEED 2025 Question Paper – Key Insights for 2026

The CEED 2025 question paper consisted of:

• Part A (80 Questions, 200 Marks) – Focused on visualization, logical reasoning, and design awareness.
  
• Part B (1 Drawing Question, 100 Marks) – Tested conceptual thinking and aesthetic representation.
  

Though exact questions change yearly, analyzing past papers helps understand difficulty level and question pattern for 2026.

CEED Exam Eligibility for M.Des Admissions

For M.Des admissions 2026, candidates must:

• Qualify CEED 2026 with a valid score.
  
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).
  
• Meet individual IIT admission criteria for academic performance and portfolio.

CEED PYQs

Part A – CEED Objective Section (NAT, MSQ, MCQ)

Q1. A cube is painted red on all faces and then cut into 64 smaller cubes of equal size.
How many cubes will have exactly two faces painted red?
Type: NAT (Numerical Answer Type)
Answer: 24

Q2. Four friends — A, B, C, and D — are sitting around a circular table. A is opposite B. C is to the left of D.
If D is sitting next to A, who is to the right of C?
Type: MCQ
Answer: B

Q3. Which of the following images best represents the principle of “negative space” in design?
(a) A solid black square
(b) A white vase between two black profiles
(c) A pattern of repeating lines
(d) A monochrome circle on grey background
Answer: (b)

Q4. Identify the design principle violated if a poster has text aligned randomly and inconsistent margins.
(a) Rhythm
(b) Balance
(c) Alignment
(d) Unity
Answer: (c)

Q5. Arrange the following words to form a meaningful tagline for a campaign promoting eco-friendly transport:
“Green”, “Go”, “Way”, “The”
Answer: “Go the Green Way”

Q6. Identify the designer of the “I love NY” logo.
(a) Paula Scher
(b) Milton Glaser
(c) Massimo Vignelli
(d) Stefan Sagmeister
Answer: (b) Milton Glaser

Q7. The product shown in the image (a lightweight folding chair) is an example of:
(a) Minimalism
(b) Maximalism
(c) Brutalism
(d) Kitsch Design
Answer: (a)

Part B – CEED Drawing and Design Aptitude Section

Q1. Design a public water dispenser suitable for a busy railway station.
Draw it in perspective and label its key functional parts.
Mention how it minimizes water wastage and ensures accessibility for all users.
Marks: 60

Q2. Imagine a street market at sunset.
Depict the scene showing light, shadow, crowd movement, and stall arrangements.
Ensure correct perspective and proportion in your sketch.

Q3. Redesign a home study desk to make it suitable for both adults and children.
Illustrate your concept and explain two innovative features that make it ergonomic.

Q4. Draw a postman riding a bicycle on a rainy day.
Show appropriate details like posture, clothing, and environment that convey movement and weather conditions.

Q5. Redesign a toothbrush for people with limited hand mobility.
Sketch the concept and label features that improve grip and usability.

The CEED 2026 exam follows the officially confirmed schedule:

• Registration: 1 Oct – 5 Nov 2025 (Regular), 10 Nov 2025 (Late).
  
• Exam Date: 18 Jan 2026 (9 AM – 12 Noon).
  
• Results: 6 Mar 2026.
  

The CEED 2026 registration fee is ₹ 4,000 for all other candidates and ₹ 2,000 for women / SC / ST / PwD candidates. The syllabus emphasizes visualization, creativity, and design analysis across two parts. By practicing previous papers and focusing on timed drawing and conceptual clarity, aspirants can confidently aim for M.Des admission at IIT Bombay and other participating institutes.

FAQs

Q1. What is the last date for CEED 2026 registration?

The CEED 2026 registration last date was 5 November 2025 (11:55 PM IST) for regular applications, while the late-fee window remained open until 10 November 2025 (5:00 PM IST). Registrations were accepted only through the official portal ceed.iitb.ac.in. Candidates who completed payment and document uploads before the deadline received confirmation emails with application numbers. After 10 November 2025, the portal automatically closed and no further registrations were allowed, as per IIT Bombay’s official notification.

Q2. What is the syllabus for CEED 2026?

The CEED 2026 syllabus tests design aptitude through two sections — Part A (Computer-based) and Part B (Drawing). Part A covers visualization and spatial ability, design sensitivity, analytical and logical reasoning, language, creativity, and design knowledge. Part B evaluates drawing, creativity, and problem-solving through descriptive sketching tasks. Candidates should focus on topics such as 3D visualization, proportion, perspective, and real-world design scenarios. The updated syllabus and sample questions are available in the CEED 2026 Information Brochure on the official website.

Q3. Where can I find the CEED 2025 question paper?

The CEED 2025 question paper is officially available for download at ceed.iitb.ac.in → Previous Question Papers. IIT Bombay releases both Part A and Part B question papers and answer keys after the exam each year. Reviewing these papers helps candidates understand the question format, difficulty level, and focus areas such as visualization, creativity, and design awareness. Practicing CEED 2025 questions is one of the most effective ways to prepare for CEED 2026, as the conceptual patterns remain consistent across years.

Q4. What is the CEED 2026 registration fee?

The CEED 2026 registration fees are ₹ 4,000 for all other candidates and ₹ 2,000 for women, SC, ST, and PwD candidates. A late fee of ₹ 500 applies for registrations submitted after the regular deadline. Payment can be made online via debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. After payment, candidates receive an online confirmation and application number. These details are required later to download the admit card and check exam results.

Q5. Where are the CEED 2026 exam centres located?

The CEED 2026 exam will be conducted across 20+ major cities in India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Bhopal, and Guwahati. Candidates can choose their preferred three exam centres during registration, and IIT Bombay allocates one based on availability. The exact venue details appear on the admit card released on 2 January 2026. Candidates must carry the printed admit card and a valid photo ID to the centre on 18 January 2026, the scheduled exam date.