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 2021 — January Session — Shift 1

90 questions · 180 minutes · Part A: 40 marks (computer-based MSQ/NAT); Part B: 60 marks (subjective drawing/design tasks)

Difficulty: moderateJanuary 2021

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Test Overview

Total Questions

180

Duration (min)

100

Total Marks

moderate

Difficulty

Sections

Visualisation and Spatial AbilityEnvironmental and Social AwarenessAnalytical and Logical ReasoningLanguage and CreativityDesign Thinking and Problem Solving

Topics Covered

CEED 2021 January Shift 1 — Full Paper

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