What is CEED and which institutes accept it?

CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design) is conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to MDes (Master of Design) programs at IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Jodhpur, IISc Bengaluru, and IIITDM Jabalpur. A valid CEED score is also increasingly used by other design institutes. CEED is the PG equivalent of UCEED and is extremely competitive given the prestige of the admitting institutions.

What is the CEED 2027 exam structure?

CEED has two parts. Part A is a 3-hour computer-based test with MSQ, MSQ (Multiple Select), and NAT question types covering visual sensitivity, analytical reasoning, language skills, and design awareness — worth 40 marks. Part B is an offline sketching and design task component evaluated subjectively by IIT Bombay — worth 60 marks. Only candidates who qualify Part A are considered for Part B evaluation.

What design disciplines can I pursue with CEED?

With a good CEED score, candidates can pursue MDes in disciplines such as Interaction Design, Industrial Design, Visual Communication, Mobility and Vehicle Design, Textile Design, Ceramic and Glass Design, Accessory Design, and Animation Design depending on the specialisations offered by the accepting institute. IIT Bombay offers the widest range of MDes specialisations among CEED-accepting institutes.

How important is a portfolio for CEED admissions?

A strong portfolio is extremely important for the final selection stage after CEED. While CEED determines shortlisting, each IIT conducts its own portfolio review and interview to make final admission decisions. A portfolio should demonstrate design process, creative thinking, visual communication skills, and project outcomes across multiple mediums. Quality of ideation and process documentation is valued over polished final outcomes.

Can someone from a non-design background appear in CEED?

Yes, CEED is open to candidates from any discipline — engineering, arts, commerce, and sciences — as long as they hold a bachelor's degree. Many CEED qualifiers come from engineering backgrounds and bring analytical and technical skills that complement their design education. What matters is the ability to think creatively, visualise spatially, and communicate ideas visually, not prior formal design training.

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CEED Preparation Guide

IIT Bombay

Your Complete Preparation Guide for CEED 2027 — strategy, study plan, tips & more.

DifficultyHard

Total Marks100

Duration180 min

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Exam Overview

Mode

Computer Based Test (CBT) + Offline Drawing/Sketching

Frequency

Once a year (January)

Next Exam Date

January 2027

EEligibility Criteria

Bachelor's degree in any discipline with minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD); final year students eligible

ANumber of Attempts

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

Expert Preparation Tips

Part B (subjective drawing and design) carries 60% of CEED marks — practice daily sketching, visual storytelling, product ideation, and 2D/3D composition to maximise Part B scores.

For Part A, study design history, design principles, environmental awareness, and current design trends — watch TED design talks and follow international design awards to build design vocabulary.

Build a diverse portfolio that shows design process rather than just finished work — include ideation sketches, concept explorations, prototypes, and reflections for each project.

Attempt UCEED and NATA past papers to sharpen your visual aptitude and spatial reasoning skills, which overlap significantly with CEED Part A requirements.

Exam Pattern at a Glance

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration (est.)
Visualisation and Spatial Ability	18	20	36 min
Environmental and Social Awareness	18	20	36 min
Analytical and Logical Reasoning	18	20	36 min
Language and Creativity	18	20	36 min
Design Thinking and Problem Solving	18	20	36 min
Total	90	100	180 min

Important Dates

Registration Opens

October–November 2026

Next Exam Date

January 2027

Conducted By

IIT Bombay

Frequently Asked Questions

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