If you want to begin your career in design with the highest standard of education in India, the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) is the gateway. Conducted by IIT Bombay, it opens the door to the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programme at the country’s top IITs.

 What is UCEED?

UCEED is a national-level entrance exam for admission to the B.Des programme offered at:

• IIT Bombay
  

• IIT Delhi
  

• IIT Guwahati
  

• IIT Hyderabad
  

• IIT Indore
  

• IIT Roorkee
  

• IIITDM Jabalpur
  

In addition, many other institutes across India accept the UCEED score for B.Des admissions (list published on official UCEED website).

 Who Can Appear for UCEED 2026?

You are eligible ONLY if you satisfy all three:

1) Age limit

• Born on or after Oct 1, 2001 (OPEN/EWS/OBC-NCL)
  

• Born on or after Oct 1, 1996 (SC/ST/PwD)
  

2) Attempt limit

• Maximum two attempts, in consecutive years only
  

3) Class 12 appearance

• First appearance in Class XII in 2025 or 2026
  

• Candidates from ANY STREAM (Science / Commerce / Arts & Humanities) are eligible
  

Official UCEED 2026 Dates (as per brochure)

Registration Fee (Official)

Indian Nationals

• ₹ 2000 — Female / SC / ST / PwD
  

• ₹ 4000 — All other categories
  

Foreign Nationals

• SAARC: USD 200
  

• Non-SAARC: USD 250
  

Late fee = ₹ 500 / USD 50

UCEED 2026 Exam Structure

Total Duration: 3 hours (Part A + Part B together)

PART A — 2 Hours — Computer Based — 200 Marks

• NAT — 14 Q
  

• MSQ — 15 Q (with partial marking)
  

• MCQ — 28 Q
  

PART B — 1 Hour — On paper — 100 Marks

• Sketching (50 marks)
  

• Design aptitude response (50 marks)
  

Part B is evaluated only if Part A score meets category cutoff.

After UCEED — B.Des Admission Rules

You MUST — after results — apply separately for B.Des through joint seat allocation portal (March–April 2026 window). Rank alone does not grant a seat.

Stream Eligibility for institutes

• All streams allowed: IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore
  

• Only PCM required: IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee
  

• PCM / PCB allowed: IIITDM Jabalpur
  
  

What do B.Des Students Study at IIT?

Depending on the institute, students may specialize in:

• Product Design
  

• Communication & Visual Design
  

• Interaction & UX Design
  

• Animation & Film
  

• Mobility & Transportation Design
  

• Space / Industrial Design
  

• Systems & Social Design Innovation
  
  

The pedagogy is studio-based, project-heavy and industry-aligned.

UCEED is not just another exam — it is the most recognized design entrance exam in India and a direct pathway to the world-class design ecosystem of IITs.

If you are serious about design as a career, start your preparation, watch deadlines, and register in October 2025.