Updated on 06 Jan 2026
By Sakshi Rajawat , Content Writer
Candidates must regularly visit the official UCEED website (uceed.iitb.ac.in) for all announcements. This includes the admit card release and further exam instructions. Below are the latest updates for UCEED Exam 2026:
UCEED 2026 notification was released by IIT Bombay on October 1, 2025.
UCEED Exam Date is confirmed to be January 18, 2026 (Sunday).
UCEED Admit Card will be available for download on January 02, 2026.
Draft Answer Key and candidate response sheet for Part A releases on January 20, 2026.
Final UCEED Answer Key for Part A will be released on January 28, 2026.
UCEED Exam 2026 (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design) is the key B.Des entrance exam conducted by IIT Bombay. UCEED 2026 exam date is January 18, 2026, held in a single session from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The online registration period began on October 01, 2025. It closed on November 10, 2025 (with a late fee). The official UCEED 2026 result is anticipated on March 06, 2026. The UCEED 2026 Admit Card will be made available on January 02, 2026. This competitive exam assesses Design Aptitude for admission to top design institutes, including IITs.
IIT Bombay will conduct the UCEED exam 2026 for candidates looking to apply for BDes programs at IITs and IIITDM Jabalpur. Candidates are advised to check the table below for UCEED 2026 important dates:
| Dates | Events |
| 02 Jan 2026 | UCEED 2026 Admit Card Release |
| 18 Jan 2026 | UCEED 2026 Exam Date |
| 20 Jan 2026 | Draft Answer Key Publication |
| 22 Jan 2026 | Window to Challenge Draft Answer Key |
| 28 Jan 2026 | Final Answer Key Release |
| 06 Mar 2026 | UCEED 2026 Result Declaration |
| 10 Mar – 31 Jul 2026 | Availability of UCEED Scorecard |
| Apr 2026 (Tentative) | Seat Allotment Round I |
| Apr – May 2026 (Tentative) | Round I: Seat Withdrawal / Exit Option |
| May 2026 (Tentative) | Seat Allotment Round II |
| May – Jun 2026 (Tentative) | Round II: Seat Withdrawal / Exit Option |
| Jun 2026 (Tentative) | Seat Allotment Round III |
| Jun 2026 (Tentative) | Round III: Seat Withdrawal / Exit Option |
| Jun 2026 (Tentative) | Seat Allotment Round IV |
| Jun – Jul 2026 (Tentative) | Round IV: Seat Withdrawal / Exit Option |
| Jul 2026 (Tentative) | Seat Allotment Round V |
| 06 Nov – 10 Nov 2025 | UCEED 2026 Application Window (Late Fee) |
| 01 Oct – 05 Nov 2025 | UCEED 2026 Application Window (Regular Fee) |
The official UCEED Exam 2026 schedule is as follows:
| Day, Date (IST) | Session Time | Test Papers / Sections |
| Sunday, January 18, 2026 | 9:00 am to 12:00 noon (Total 3 hours) | UCEED 2026 Paper (Part A + Part B) |
| January 18, 2026 | 9:00 am to 11:00 am (2 hours) | Part A (CBT): NAT, MSQ, MCQ Sections |
| January 18, 2026 | 11:00 am to 12:00 noon (1 hour) | Part B (Subjective): Drawing and Design Aptitude Question. |
UCEED Exam 2026 is the mandatory B.Des entrance exam. It is conducted by IIT Bombay for B.Des Admission into prestigious institutes like the IITs. The primary highlights of the UCEED 2026 examination are summarized below.
| UCEED Exam Features | Details |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay |
| UCEED 2026 Exam Date | January 18, 2026 |
| Exam Slots | Single session: 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon |
| Application Mode | Online via the official website: uceed.iitb.ac.in |
| Application Fees (Indian Nationals) | ₹2,000 (Female/SC/ST/PwD) / ₹4,000 (Other Candidates) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Must have appeared for Class XII (or equivalent) for the first time in 2025 or 2026. |
| Total Test Sections | 2 Parts: Part A (CBT) and Part B (Drawing Test) |
| Exam Pattern | Part A: CBT (2 hours); Part B: Pen-and-Paper (1 hour) |
| Question Types | NAT, MSQ, and MCQ (in Part A); Subjective Drawing (in Part B) |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks (Part A: 200, Part B: 100) |
| Result Date | Expected on March 06, 2026 |
UCEED 2026 test centres cover major metropolitan areas and key regional hubs. The exact venue address will be provided on the UCEED Admit Card.
| UCEED 2026 Exam Cities | UCEED 2026 Exam Cities | UCEED 2026 Exam Cities |
| Ahmedabad | Bengaluru | Bhopal |
| Bhubaneswar | Chandigarh/Mohali | Chennai |
| Coimbatore | Dehradun | Delhi |
| Ernakulum | Guwahati | Hyderabad |
| Hubballi (Hubli) | Jaipur | Kolkata |
| Kozhikode | Lucknow | Mumbai |
| Nagpur | Noida | Panaji |
| Patna | Pune | Raipur |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Thrissur | Visakhapatnam |
Note: The UCEED-CEED Implementation Committee (UCIC) reserves the right to remove a city or allot a city that was not among the preferences based on operational needs.
Candidates preparing for UCEED exam 2026 should carefully note the key components of the process for this entrance exam, as released by IIT Bombay. These dates are extremely important for B.Des admissions at participating institutes.
Registration Window: Online registration began on October 01, 2025 (1:00 PM).
Deadline (Regular): The deadline for online registration with no late fee was November 05, 2025.
Deadline (Late Fee): November 10, 2025 (5:00 PM) was the final registration deadline for those who paid a late fee of ₹500.
Form Correction: Once the application is finally submitted, changes are generally not possible. Candidates must ensure accuracy before final submission.
Mock Test: The official UCEED mock test link and previous year papers are available on the website (uceed.iitb.ac.in) to help candidates practice the exam structure and interface.
Admit Card: The UCEED 2026 Admit Card will be available for download from the candidate portal on January 02, 2026 (1:00 PM).
Rectification: The deadline to rectify any discrepancies in the Admit Card is January 08, 2026 (5:00 PM).
Exam Date: The UCEED 2026 exam is conducted in a single session on January 18, 2026 (Sunday).
Sessions: The exam time is from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The total duration is 3 hours (180 minutes) for Part A (CBT) and Part B (Drawing).
Response Sheet: The candidate's recorded responses for Part A and the Draft Answer Key will be released on January 20, 2026.
Objection Window: Candidates can submit comments/challenges on the Draft Answer Key through the portal until January 22, 2026 (5:00 PM).
Final Answer Key: The Final Answer Key for Part A will be released on January 28, 2026 (5:00 PM).
Result Declaration: The UCEED Exam result is expected to be announced on March 06, 2026.
Cut-off: The cut-off marks for Part A will be announced on February 05, 2026.
Scorecard: The official UCEED Score Card will be available for download from March 10, 2026, until July 31, 2026.
Admission to the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs at the participating institutions, including the IITs, through UCEED 2026 is a multi-stage process. The UCEED Score is a crucial component, but final selection often depends on subsequent application and counselling procedures.
| Stage | Process Details |
| UCEED Examination | Candidates must secure a valid UCEED Score by meeting the minimum UCEED Part A Cut-off set by IIT Bombay and the category-wise rank list. The score is valid for admission in the 2026-2027 academic year. |
| Application for Admission | After results, candidates must apply separately to the Participating Institutes (IITs, IIIT-DM Jabalpur) via their individual B.Des application portals. A fee is usually required. |
| Common Counselling (JOSAA/UCEED specific) | The IITs (IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad) usually follow a common counselling procedure for seat allotment. Candidates list their preferred institute and program. |
| Final Selection | Selection is primarily based on the UCEED Rank (All India Rank or Category Rank) and the availability of seats. There is no further interview or written test conducted by the IITs for final admission. |
The final merit list for admission to the B.Des programs at the IITs is determined almost 100% by the UCEED 2026 Rank.
| Parameter | Typical Weightage (%) | Details |
| UCEED Score/Rank | 100% | Admission to the B.Des programs at the IITs is directly based on the UCEED Rank. |
| Written Test/Interview | 0% | No additional written test or interview is conducted by the IITs after the UCEED exam. |
UCEED Exam 2026 is a important three-hour exam for B.Des Admission, conducted by IIT Bombay on January 18, 2026. Adhering to these mandatory guidelines is essential for all candidates at the UCEED Exam Centre.
| Category | Requirement |
| Admit Card | Must bring a clear printout of the UCEED 2026 Admit Card. Entry is barred without it. |
| Valid Photo ID | Carry the original photo ID used during registration (Aadhaar, Passport, etc.). This is mandatory for verification. |
| Reporting Time | Report to the centre from 7:00 AM. This allows for the mandatory Biometric Verification (thumb impression/photo). |
| Last Entry | Entry will NOT be permitted after the exam starts at 9:00 AM. Candidates must remain for the entire 3-hour duration. |
| Category | UCEED Specific Rules |
| Rough Work | Rough sheets will be provided at the centre for calculations. They must be returned to the invigilator after the exam. |
| Calculations | Personal calculators are prohibited. Part A (CBT) provides an on-screen Virtual Scientific Calculator. |
| Part B (Drawing) | Candidates must bring their own pencils in a transparent packet for Part B. A plain A4-size writing board is optional. |
| Part B Colouring | Only shades of black pencil are permitted. Sketch pens, colour pencils, poster colours, and markers are NOT allowed. |
| Category | Items Strictly Prohibited |
| Banned Devices | All electronic devices are strictly prohibited: mobile phones, smartwatches, digital watches, tablets, and calculators. |
| Stationery/Books | Abacus, slide rule, log books, geometry boxes, study material, notes, and any paper. |
| Dress Code | No specific dress code exists, but wear comfortable, simple clothing. Avoid heavy jewellery, metallic items, or clothes with large pockets to speed up security checks. |
To get a high UCEED 2026 Rank and maximize your chances for B.Des Admission into top institutes like the IITs, an effective preparation strategy is essential. Follow these tips for the upcoming exam by IIT Bombay on January 18, 2026:
Understand the Exam:
Thoroughly comprehend the entire UCEED Syllabus for both Part A and Part B.
Familiarize yourself with the UCEED Exam Pattern and the specific Marking Scheme (e.g., partial marking in MSQ, negative marking in MCQ).
Prioritize Subjects (Part A):
Focus on Visualization and Spatial Reasoning and Observation and Design Sensitivity. These sections have high weightage.
Review core topics like Analytical and Logical Reasoning and Practical and Scientific Knowledge (everyday science).
Master Drawing (Part B):
Dedicate time to practice drawing and sketching daily.
Focus on key skills: Composition, Proportion, Perspective (1-point, 2-point), and Line Quality.
Practice Design Aptitude by solving situational and user-centric problem scenarios.
Daily Revision & Observation:
Maintain a sketchbook to capture your observations of people, products, and scenes from daily life.
Stay updated on Environment and Society topics, current affairs, art, and architectural history.
Mock Tests & Time Management:
Attempt several UCEED Mock Tests under strict, simulated conditions (2 hours for Part A, 1 hour for Part B).
Practice managing time to ensure you complete all questions in both the CBT (Part A) and the Drawing Test (Part B).
Practice Past Papers:
Regularly solve UCEED Previous Years' Question Papers to understand question trends and difficulty.
Analyze the solutions for both the objective and subjective parts for better insight.
Use Credible Sources:
Prepare using recommended books for reasoning (e.g., R.S. Aggarwal) and design drawing (e.g., Francis D.K. Ching).
Refer to the official UCEED website for the most accurate and credible study resources.
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