CEED: syllabus, exam pattern & eligibility
Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED). Admission to M.Des. and Ph.D. design programmes at IITs and other participating institutes
- Category
- Design
- Conducted by
- IIT Bombay, under the UCEED-CEED Implementation Committee (UCIC)
- Level
- Postgraduate design entrance
- Frequency
- Yearly
- Mode
- Part A computer-based; Part B drawn and written in an answer booklet
- Languages
- English
- Application fee
- Rs 2,000 for all women and for SC/ST/PwD candidates; Rs 4,000 for all others; a late fee of Rs 500 applies after 31 October 2026; non-refundable, bank charges extra (CEED 2027 brochure).
Eligibility
- Education: A graduate degree, diploma or postgraduate degree of at least three years after Class 12, or appearing for the final exam of such a programme by July 2027, or the 5-year Government Diploma in Art (after Class 10) by July 2027. Admitting institutes may set their own eligibility.
- Age: No age limit.
- Attempts: No limit on the number of attempts.
Exam pattern
Part A
60 min · 44 questions · 150 marks
- NAT (numerical answer): 8 questions, 32 marks
- MSQ (multiple select): 10 questions, 40 marks
- MCQ: 26 questions, 78 marks
Part B
120 min · 5 questions · 100 marks
Syllabus
Part A
Visualization and spatial reasoning, Practical and scientific knowledge, Observation and design sensitivity, Environment and society, Analytical and logical reasoning, Language, Creativity, Art and design knowledge, Design methods and practices
Part B
Drawing, Creativity, Communication, Problem identification
Important dates (CEED 2027)
- Registration opens: 2026-10-01
- Registration closes with regular fee: 2026-10-31
- Late registration closes (5:00 pm): 2026-11-06
- CEED 2027: 2027-01-17
- Result: 2027-03-03
Selection process
CEED gives a score; each admitting institute then shortlists on it and runs its own tests and interviews. Part A cut-off is announced before the result.
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Frequently asked questions
What is CEED?
CEED stands for Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED). Admission to M.Des. and Ph.D. design programmes at IITs and other participating institutes. It is conducted by IIT Bombay, under the UCEED-CEED Implementation Committee (UCIC). Level: Postgraduate design entrance.
Who is eligible for CEED?
Education: A graduate degree, diploma or postgraduate degree of at least three years after Class 12, or appearing for the final exam of such a programme by July 2027, or the 5-year Government Diploma in Art (after Class 10) by July 2027. Admitting institutes may set their own eligibility. Age limit: No age limit. Attempts: No limit on the number of attempts.
What is the exam pattern of CEED?
Part A: 60 minutes, 44 questions, 150 marks. Part B: 120 minutes, 5 questions, 100 marks. Mode: Part A computer-based; Part B drawn and written in an answer booklet.
How often is CEED held?
Yearly.
When is CEED held?
CEED 2027 cycle: Registration opens 2026-10-01; Registration closes with regular fee 2026-10-31; Late registration closes (5:00 pm) 2026-11-06; CEED 2027 2027-01-17; Result 2027-03-03.
How are candidates selected through CEED?
CEED gives a score; each admitting institute then shortlists on it and runs its own tests and interviews. Part A cut-off is announced before the result.
What is the application fee for CEED?
Rs 2,000 for all women and for SC/ST/PwD candidates; Rs 4,000 for all others; a late fee of Rs 500 applies after 31 October 2026; non-refundable, bank charges extra (CEED 2027 brochure).
Compiled from public sources, last checked 2026-10-04. Dates, fees and rules change, so confirm with the official website before you apply.