CEED Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Minimum Qualification & Registration Details

Published by Shikha Kumari on Nov 27, 2025

The CEED 2026 eligibility criteria require candidates to have completed or be appearing for the final year of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification after 10+2, with no upper age limit.
A 5-year relaxation is applicable for SC/ST/PwD candidates, and foreign nationals can apply through the DASA scheme. The minimum qualification is a 3-year undergraduate degree (such as B.Des, B.Tech, BFA, or equivalent), allowing final-year students (appearing in 2026) to apply.

This article covers the CEED 2026 eligibility, registration process, syllabus link to qualification, and preparation plan for the exam on January 18, 2026.

CEED 2026 Eligibility Criteria 

The CEED 2026 exam eligibility is clearly defined in the official IIT Bombay brochure:

• Educational Qualification: A candidate must have completed a Bachelor’s degree (minimum three years after 10+2) or be appearing for the final exam by July 2026.
  
• Age Limit: There is no upper age limit to appear for CEED.
  
• Relaxation: Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories are eligible for a 5-year relaxation in the upper age limit applicable during admissions.
  
• Foreign Nationals: Candidates with equivalent qualifications can apply via the DASA scheme.
  

Eligibility Qualification Table

CEED 2026 Registration and Eligibility Verification

The CEED 2026 registration began on 1 October 2025 and closed on 5 November 2025 (regular fee), with a late fee window until 10 November 2025.

During registration, candidates must verify eligibility and upload supporting documents to confirm their qualification and category.

Documents Required for Eligibility Verification

CEED 2026 Registration Fees

The CEED 2026 registration fees are based on the candidate’s category. Payment can be made through debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI. A late fee of ₹500 applies beyond the regular deadline.

The registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Candidates must upload valid certificates to claim category concessions.

CEED 2026 Syllabus and Eligibility Link

The CEED 2026 syllabus is designed to assess the skills expected from a bachelor’s-level student in design, engineering, or fine arts. It tests visualization, creativity, logical reasoning, and design thinking across Part A (Objective) and Part B (Drawing).

Syllabus Areas and Relation to Qualification

The syllabus assumes a 10+2 foundation and bachelor’s-level understanding of design concepts and analytical thinking.

CEED 2026 Preparation Based on Eligibility

Candidates meeting the eligibility can start preparation focusing on both Part A and Part B:

• Bachelor’s students should apply conceptual learning to visualization and creativity-based questions.
  
• Final-year students can use college project work and sketching to build design problem-solving ability.
  
• SC/ST/PwD candidates can utilize relaxed eligibility to attempt CEED without any age restriction.
  

Preparation Tips

• Study 2 hours daily — 1 hour for Part A MCQs, 1 hour for Part B sketching.
  
• Solve previous year papers (PYQs) for familiar question types.
  
• Focus on observation-based problems and user-centered design thinking.
  
• Complete a 12-week plan with 5 full mock tests before January 18, 2026.
  

CEED 2026 Registration Last Date and Eligibility Impact

The last date for CEED 2026 registration was 5 November 2025, with the late fee window closing on 10 November 2025.
Eligible candidates must have verified qualifications before submission:

• Final-year candidates: Upload an appearing certificate.
  
• Graduates: Upload a degree certificate.
  

Incorrect or missing documents can lead to rejection of application.

CEED 2025 Question Paper and Answer Key for Practice

To prepare effectively, candidates should analyze the CEED 2025 question paper and official answer key available on ceed.iitb.ac.in.

CEED 2025 Paper Pattern

• Part A: 80 questions (MCQs, MSQs, NATs) – 200 marks
  
• Part B: 1 drawing question – 100 marks
  
• Total: 300 marks
  

The CEED 2025 Answer Key was released as follows:

These resources help eligible candidates understand question trends and evaluate performance accurately.

CEED Exam Eligibility for Final-Year Students

Final-year bachelor’s degree students are fully eligible to appear for CEED 2026, provided they complete their degree by the time of M.Des admission (July 2026).
They must upload a provisional certificate or principal’s letter during registration and submit the final degree certificate before admission confirmation.

Conclusion

The CEED 2026 eligibility criteria require a bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years after 10+2) with no age limit. SC/ST/PwD candidates receive a 5-year relaxation, and foreign applicants can apply through DASA. The registration period ran from 1 October to 5 November 2025, with a late window until 10 November 2025. The exam is on 18 January 2026, the results on 6 March 2026, and M.Des applications from 14 March to 10 April 2026. Prepare strategically using CEED 2025 question papers, focus on the syllabus areas linked to your background, and ensure your eligibility documents are valid before applying. Your path to IIT Bombay M.Des admission 2026 begins with accurate eligibility and consistent preparation.

FAQs

Q1. Who is eligible for CEED 2026 registration?

Candidates who have completed or are appearing for the final year of a Bachelor’s degree (minimum three years after 10+2) or GD Arts diploma (10+5 level) by July 2026 are eligible for CEED 2026. There is no restriction on the number of attempts. Candidates from **any discipline, Design, Architecture, Engineering, or Fine Arts—**can apply. Final-year students must upload an appearing certificate, while graduates must submit a degree certificate during registration on ceed.iitb.ac.in.

Q2. Is the 75% criteria removed from JEE 2026?

As per the latest updates from NTA, the 75% eligibility criterion for JEE Main and JEE Advanced 2026 remains in place. Candidates must have secured at least 75% aggregate marks in Class 12 (or be in the top 20 percentile) to qualify for IIT admissions. For SC/ST candidates, the requirement is 65%. While this rule does not apply to CEED, it continues to be mandatory for engineering admissions through JEE.

Q3. What is the age limit for CEED exam?

There is no upper age limit to appear for the CEED 2026 exam. Candidates of any age who meet the educational qualification (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) are eligible. Additionally, SC/ST/PwD candidates receive a five-year relaxation in the upper age limit when applying for M.Des admissions at IITs. This makes CEED one of the most inclusive design entrance exams in India, encouraging applicants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

Q4. How do I prepare for CEED 2026?

To prepare for CEED 2026, focus equally on Part A (MCQs on reasoning, visualization, design awareness) and Part B (drawing and creativity). Start by solving previous year question papers, analyzing CEED 2025 patterns, and building skills in sketching, observation, and logical thinking. Devote 2 hours daily, 1 hour for MCQs and 1 for drawing. Strengthen knowledge in art, design principles, and current design trends. Consistent practice and timed mock tests are key to performing well in the exam