UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design)

UCEED 2026

UCEED 2026 notification will be available in October 2025 following with the online application submissions starting in the 1st week of October 2025. The last date for the submission of online applications is last week of October 2025 (without late fees). However, the UCEED 2026 will allow candidates to continue submitting the forms till the 2nd – 3rd week of November 2025 (with late fees).  UCEED 2026 exam will be conducted between 3rd week of January 2026 although the official dates are yet to be released by the authorities.

The UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design) is a national-level design entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. The UCEED 2026 will be held for candidates seeking admission to the Bachelor of Design (B. Des) programs offered by premier institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, and IIITDM Jabalpur. UCEED evaluates a candidate’s creativity, visual aptitude, logical reasoning, and design thinking skills. The UCEED exam ensures that only the most talented and design-inclined candidates gain entry into these prestigious programs.

The UCEED 2026 exam is open to candidates from all academic streams (Science, Commerce, and Arts). The UCEED exam covers a diverse range of topics such as observation and design sensitivity, geometric and organic shapes, principles of motion, as well as current technological and design trends. UCEED emphasizes a unique blend of artistic ability and technical understanding. As design continues to evolve as a sought-after career path, UCEED has gained prominence as the definitive benchmark for undergraduate design education in India. Candidates aspiring to appear for the UCEED 2026 may continue reading the following article below.

UCEED 2026 – Key Highlights

Basic Information on UCEED

The UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design) is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually by IIT Bombay. The UCEED exam serves as a gateway for admission to undergraduate Bachelor of Design (B. Des) programs at prestigious institutions such as IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee, and IIITDM Jabalpur. UCEED assesses candidates on various skills including creativity, visual perception, analytical reasoning, language proficiency, and design aptitude. The UCEED exam comprises two parts: Part A, which is computer-based and includes objective questions testing logical reasoning, spatial ability, and environmental awareness; and Part B, a pen-and-paper drawing test focusing on sketching and design sensitivity. The UCEED exam is intended for candidates who have completed or are appearing for their 10+2 or equivalent examinations, making it a crucial step for aspiring design candidates seeking admission into some of India’s top design programs. The UCEED score is valid for one year only and is widely recognized by other design institutes as well, providing multiple avenues for admission through a single exam.

UCEED 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)

Following is the list of the UCEED 2026 exam dates. Please note that these dates are only tentative as the authorities are yet to release the dates in their official website.

UCEED 2026 Exam Highlights

UCEED 2026 Eligibility Criteria

UCEED 2026 eligibility criteria requires candidates to be born on or after October 1, 2000 (October 1, 1995 for SC/ST/PwD), with a maximum of two consecutive attempts allowed. Applicants must have passed or be appearing for their Class 10+2 or equivalent exam in 2025 or 2026. Candidates from all academic streams and both Indian and foreign nationals fulfilling the UCEED 2026 eligibility criteria can apply.

• The candidate should be born on or after October 1, 2000, for general, EWS, and OBC-NCL categories. For SC, ST, and PwD categories, the date is relaxed: candidates must be born on or after October 1, 1995.
• Each candidate can appear for UCEED a maximum of two times and only in consecutive years. The UCEED score is valid for one year and only for the corresponding academic year’s admissions.
• The candidate must have appeared in the Class 10+2 (or equivalent) examination for the first time in 2025 or 2026. Candidates who first appeared in 2024 or earlier are not eligible.
• Candidates from all streams – Science, Commerce, Arts & Humanities, are eligible.
• The candidate should have qualified in all five subjects in their qualifying exam.

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UCEED 2026 Application Process

The UCEED 2026 application process will be entirely online and starts in early October 2025. Candidates need to register on the official portal, fill in personal and academic details, select exam cities, upload scanned documents, and pay the application fee. UCEED 2026 will have no offline applications or corrections after submission are allowed.

Steps to Apply for UCEED 2026

Online Mode

• Candidates need to visit the official UCEED website, click on the registration link, and create an account using a valid email ID and mobile number.
• Candidates need to log in and complete all sections with their personal, academic, and contact details.
• Candidates can then select up to three preferred exam cities from the provided drop-down list.
• Upload scanned copies of all required documents (photo, signature, certificates) adhering to file size and format specifications.
• Candidates then need to pay the non-refundable application fee online as per their category, including a late fee if submitting after the deadline.
• Review all entered data, submit the form, and download or print the confirmation page for future reference.

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UCEED 2026 Exam Pattern

The UCEED 2026 exam will consist of two parts: Part A (computer-based) with 57 objective questions covering numerical, multiple select, and multiple-choice types totalling 200 marks. The UCEED 2026 exam pattern with Part B (pen-and-paper) will have two sketching/design aptitude questions totalling 100 marks. The total duration will be of 3 hours for UCEED 2026 exam.

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UCEED 2026 Syllabus

The UCEED 2026 syllabus includes visualization and spatial reasoning, practical and scientific knowledge, observation and design sensitivity, environment and society, analytical reasoning, language proficiency, creativity, and drawing skills. Part A in UCEED syllabus focuses on analytical and logical skills, while Part B of UCEED syllabus tests drawing and design aptitude.

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UCEED 2026 Scholarship Details

• Merit-Based Scholarships:Some participating institutions offer scholarships for top performers in UCEED. These scholarships reward high ranks in the entrance exam and are typically merit-based. The eligibility criteria and the scholarship amount depends on the policies of the admitting institute.
• Need-Based Financial Aid:Several participating IITs and design institutions provide financial assistance or tuition waivers for students from economically weaker backgrounds. The criteria, application process, and documentation required for need-based aid are institute-specific.
• Institution-Specific Offers:Certain private institutes, such as JS Institute of Design, offer specific scholarships for UCEED rank holders. For example, JSID grants a 25% tuition fee scholarship to students who secure a UCEED rank up to 2000 for their undergraduate design programs.

UCEED 2026 – Preparation Tips

Effective UCEED 2026 preparation involves understanding the syllabus and exam pattern, improving visualization and drawing skills, practicing previous papers, and enhancing logical reasoning and creative thinking. Regular mock tests and time management practice are crucial for success.

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UCEED 2026 Admit Card

The UCEED 2026 admit card will be available for download on the official website approximately two weeks before the exam date. Candidates must download and print their UCEED 2026 admit cards as it is mandatory to carry it to the exam center along with a valid ID proof.

UCEED 2026 – Cut Offs

UCEED 2026 cut offs are category-dependent and based on statistical calculations of candidate scores. General category UCEED cut offs generally range between 55-65 marks, with relaxed thresholds for reserved categories. Candidates must meet the UCEED 2026 cut off to qualify for counselling.

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UCEED 2026 Results

The UCEED 2026 results are expected in March 2026. Candidates can check their UCEED 2026 scores and rank by logging into the official portal. The UCEED 2026 scorecard will include marks for Part A and Part B, qualifying cut offs, and overall ranks, serving as the basis for admission and counselling.

UCEED 2026 Counselling Process

UCEED 2026 counselling will start after result declaration and will involve online registration, choice filling, seat allotment, fee payment, and document verification. There are typically five UCEED 2026 counselling rounds, with seat allotment depending on rank, category, and preferences. Candidates must accept and confirm their seats promptly to secure admission.

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UCEED 2026 Instructions

1. Candidates should upload their photograph and signature with the preferred size in the portal which should be clearly visible.
2. Candidates need to carry their admit card/hall ticket to the exam centre. Candidates will be prohibited from entering the exam hall without this document.
3. Candidates will also be required to carry a valid ID proof such as – Voter ID Card/ Aadhaar Card/ PAN Card/ Driving License, etc.
4. It is advisable for all candidates to enter the designated exam hall before time for a smooth security process before the beginning of exam.
5. Any candidate violating the rules will be strictly dealt as per the norms of the exam centre.
6. Any candidate pursuing any unfair means in the exam hall will be dealt with as per the rules and regulations of the test centre.

UCEED 2026 – FAQs

Q1. Who is eligible to appear for UCEED 2026?

Ans. Candidates who are born on or after October 1, 2000 (for General category) and October 1, 1995 (for SC/ST/PwD categories), and have passed or are appearing for their Class 10+2 or equivalent examination in 2025 or 2026, are eligible. They can attempt the UCEED exam a maximum of two times in consecutive years.

Q2. What is the format and duration of the UCEED 2026 exam?

Ans. UCEED 2026 comprises two parts: Part A is a computer-based test of 2 hours with 57 objective questions, and Part B is a pen-and-paper drawing test lasting 1 hour with 2 questions. The total duration of the exam is 3 hours.

Q3. How can candidates apply for UCEED 2026?

Ans. The UCEED 2026 application process is entirely online. Candidates must register on the official UCEED website, fill in the required details, upload necessary documents, choose exam centers, and pay the application fee within the stipulated timeframe.

Q4. When and how will the UCEED 2026 results be announced?

Ans. The UCEED 2026 results are expected to be declared in the first week of March 2026. Candidates can check their results and download the scorecard by logging into the official UCEED portal using their registered credentials.

Q5. What is the counselling process after UCEED 2026 results?

Ans. Qualified candidates must register online for UCEED 2026 counselling, fill in institute preferences, and participate in seat allotment rounds. They need to pay the seat acceptance fee and complete document verification at the allotted institute to confirm admission. The UCEED counselling usually consists of five rounds with options to freeze, float, or decline seats.