For students aspiring to build a career in design, the Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design (UCEED) stands as a prestigious and competitive entryway into India’s top tier design institutions. Conducted by IIT Bombay under the guidance of the UCEED-CEED Implementation Committee, UCEED evaluates a candidate’s aptitude in areas essential for a successful career design, such as visual perception, creativity, logical reasoning, and communication skills. As of 2026, UCEED is the designated entrance exam for admission to the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs at the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, and IITDM Jabalpur. Apart from these participating institutes, many reputed private universities and design schools accept UCEED scores as result-sharing institutes.
The placements of top UCEED colleges like IIT Bombay’s IDC School of Design report impressive outcomes with recruiters such as Microsoft, Google, TCS Samsung, etc. Average placement packages for design graduates from IITs typically ranges between 10-16 lakhs per annum, with top offers up to 20-25 lakhs per annum. On the contrary, the result-sharing institutes offer diverse design specializations, industry collaborations, and global exposure, but placement figures vary between Rs. 4-10 lakhs per annum, depending on the institute and student profile.L
UCEED Exam Highlights
Get an overview of UCEED entrance exam with tentative dates for UCEED 2026 exam. Candidates appearing for the UCEED exam 2026 are advised to check the official website frequently to stay updated on the latest information.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Name | Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design |
| Conducting Body | IIT Bombay |
| Frequency of Conduct | Once a year |
| Language | English |
| UCEED Official Website | www.uceed.iitb.ac.in |
| Exam Mode | Online and Offline |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Total Marks | 300 marks |
| UCEED 2026 Registration Start Date | October 2025 (Tentative Date) |
| UCCED 2026 Registration Last Date | October 2025 (Tentative Date) |
| UCEED 2026 Admit Card Date | January 2026 (Tentative Date) |
| UCEED 2026 Exam Date | January 2026 (Tentative Date) |
| Declaration of UCEED Result 2026 | March 2026 (Tentative Date) |
UCEED Eligibility Criteria 2026
It is advisable to the candidates to check the UCEED 2026 eligibility criteria before applying for the entrance exam. A candidate must fulfill following three UCEED exam eligibility criteria.
- Age Limit: Candidates belonging to the General and OBC must be born on or after October 1, 2001 (SC/ST/PwD candidates have a five-year relaxation).
- Number of Attempts: A candidate can attempt UCEED a maximum of two times, and that too in a consecutive years. The UCEED score is valid for one year and only for admissions in the same corresponding years.
- Qualifying Examination: Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts, in the appearing year of the exam.
UCEED Exam Pattern
PART A (Total marks: 200; Maximum time: 2 hours)
| PART A | ||||||
| Section | Type of Questions | No. of Questions | Marks for correct answer | Marks for wrong answer | Marks for question not attempted | Total marks for the section |
| 1 | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 56 |
| 2 | Multiple Select Question (MSQ) | 15 | Partial Marking | -1 | 0 | 60 |
| 3 | Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) | 28 | 3 | -0.71 | 0 | 84 |
| Total | 57 | 200 | ||||
UCEED Exam: PART B (Total marks: 100; Maximum Time: 1 hour)
| PART B | ||
| Type of Questions | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
| Sketching | 1 | 50 |
| Design Aptitude | 1 | 50 |
UCEED Syllabus 2026
Each section of UCEED syllabus 2026 is divided into Part A (computer-based) and Part B (Drawing Test). Each test evaluates distinct cognitive and creative abilities.
The UCEED syllabus for Part A and Part B are given below:
UCEED Syllabus – Part A—Computer-Based (Objective)
| Topics | Description |
| Visualization and Spatial Ability | Ability to transform 2D and 3D objects, unfloding shapes, and architectural vision |
| Observation and Design Sensitivity | Identification of hidden patterns, interpreting visual data. Attention to detail, classification, analysis, inference, and prediction. |
| Environmental and Social Awareness | General awareness of environmental, cultural, and social issues. |
| Analytical and Logical Reasoning | Pattern recognition, puzzels, and logic-based questions |
| Language and Creativity | Command over English, creative use of words in given scenarios |
| Design Thinking and Problem Solving | Ability to approach practical problems with innovative and aesthetic solutions |
Let’s understand UCEED syllabus topic-wise for Part A.
- Visualisation and Spatial: This section consists of pictorial and diagramatic questionswhich examines your knowledge of the 2D and 3D shapes transformation and manipulation and their spatial relationships. Important topics to be covered are:
- Isometric views
- Mirror and rotational symmetry
- Folding-unfolding of paper
- Spatial understanding of objects and shapes
- Transformation of shapes (rotation, translation, reflection)
- 2D and 3D conversion
- Observation and Design Sensitvity: The questions are designed to test your skills to detect concealed properties in ordinary things, people, situation, and events and to think critically about them. It evaluates your focus on detail, classification, analysis, inference, and prediction. Important topics to be covered:
- Detection of patterns and anomalies in images
- Visual comparisons and analogies
- Sensitivity to details and unusual elements
- Design-based contextual judgements
- Environmental and Social Awareness: This section assesses you general awareness of environmental factors and their implications on the design of products, images, infrastructure, and environment. Candidates must be aware of social and cultural connections with the design and its history. Important topics to be covered:
- History of Indian art/design
- An overview of world art and architecture
- Social and cultural relation with art/design
- Environmentally sustainable designs
- Indian cultural background and famous structures
- Musical Instruments, musical maestros, dance forms, crafts and dresses
- Analytical and Logical Reasoning: This section of UCEED syllabus tests the ability to look at qualitative or quantitative information and discern patterns within the information. You should be able to make difference between opinions, arguments, and solutions against appropriate criteria. Use logic and structured thinking to deduce from a short passage. Going through data interpretation, brainteasers, and patterns can be an advantage. Important topics to be covered:
- Arguments
- Assumptions
- Course of Action
- Assertion and Reasoning
- Causes and Effect
- Analogies
- Direction and Distance
- Mathematical tricks
- Cubes, Linear and Matrix Arrangements
- Syllogism
- Punch Line
- Language and Creativity: This section emphasis more on proficiency in reading and comprehending standard language. Important topics to be covered:
- Reading comprehension
- English grammar
- Verbal and non-verbal analogies
- Metaphors
- Signs and symbols
- Design Thinking and Problem-Solving: You should be able to visual analogies, metaphors, and symboles. Identify the complexity, identify the problem, generate alternatives, evaluate the options and select solutions.
UCEED Syllabus – Part B—Pen and Paper Based (Subjective)
| Topics | Description |
| Drawing | Ability to represent objects in proportion, use perspective, shading, and composition |
| Creativity | Out-of-the-box thinking, unique ideas for a give time |
| Visual Communication | Use of visuals to explain ideas, storytelling through sketches. |
UCEED 2026 Preparation Tips
Candidates who are planning to appear for the UCEED 2026 can kick-start their preparation with an effective preparation startegies to obtain good score in the UCEED entrance exam. Following are some UCEED preparation tips:
- Understand the UCEED Exam Format Thoroughly: Many candidates start their preparations without the clarity about the exam pattern. Students are advised to analyze previous year’s papers, understand time distribution, and the weightage of each section.
- Build a Creative Foundation: Candidates must practice real-life objects and human figures in motion. With regular sketching and doodling will helps you train your eyes and mind. Also, practicing drawing real-life objects and human figures in motion will enhance your creativity.
- Strengthen Visualization Skills: To enhance the visualization skills, use modeling tools, paper folding, or 3D drawing.
- Practice Logical and Analytical Questions: Solve puzzles, sudoko, non-verbal reasoning books. Practicing logical and analytical questions on daily basis will improve the reasoning part.
- Boost your Creativity: Observe the world around you, carry a sketchbook, and document real-life observations—street scenes, product packaging , natural forms.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs and Social Issues: Regulary read newspapers & magazines and stay updated with the environmental and social awareness section.
- Mock Tests and Time Management: Students should take full-length mock tests at least twice a month during your final 3-4 months of preparation. Analyze your mistakes, especially in Part A where negative marking applies.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
UCEED is a national-level entrance exam for B.Des programs, conducted by IIT Bombay on belhalf of the UCEED-CEED Implementation Committee.
The UCEED entrance exam has two parts: Part A (computer-based, includes NAT, MSQ, and MCQ) and Part B (Pen and paer based, focuses on creative skills). Both parts are mandatory.
A candidate can attempt UCEED a maximum of two times and only in consecutive years.
Yes. In Part A, MCQs and MSQs have negative marking. NAT questions do not have negative marking. Part B has no negative marking.