The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has opened the application portal for Master of Design (MDes) by Research admissions for the 2026 academic session. Candidates who have qualified in the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026 are eligible to apply for the programme. Interested applicants can submit their applications through the official IIT Bombay academic portal until 23 March 2026. The institute will conduct further evaluation through a written test and interview before final selection.
IIT Bombay MDes by Research Admission 2026 Important Dates
The admission process for the design programme begins after the announcement of the CEED results and scorecards. Key dates related to the IIT Bombay MDes admission process are listed below:
- CEED 2026 Result Date: 04 March 2026
- CEED 2026 Scorecard Download: 10 March 2026 onward
- Application Last Date for IITB MDes by Research: 23 March 2026
Candidates must complete the application process within the deadline, as late submissions are generally not considered.
Eligibility for IIT Bombay MDes by Research Programme
Admission to the programme requires candidates to qualify in the national-level CEED examination. The exam is conducted annually by IIT Bombay for admission to postgraduate design programmes across several institutions in India. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Valid CEED 2026 score
- Relevant undergraduate degree in design, engineering, architecture or related disciplines
- Fulfilment of additional academic requirements specified by IIT Bombay
CEED scores are used by individual institutes for admissions, and each institute conducts its own selection process.
IIT Bombay MDes Selection Process: Written Test and Interview
After the application deadline, IIT Bombay will shortlist candidates based on their CEED scores and academic qualifications. Shortlisted candidates will be required to participate in:
- Design aptitude written test
- Personal interview or portfolio review
The final selection will depend on the candidate’s overall performance in these evaluation stages.
Design Streams Offered at IIT Bombay
The IDC School of Design at IIT Bombay offers several specialisations under the MDes and MDes by Research programmes. Applicants may apply to design streams such as:
- Industrial Design
- Communication Design
- Animation
- Interaction Design
- Mobility and Vehicle Design
These programmes aim to prepare students for careers in design research, product innovation and creative industries through advanced academic training and practical projects. IIT Bombay conducts the CEED examination annually to shortlist candidates for design programmes, and the CEED 2026 exam was held on 18 January 2026 across various centres in India. Candidates interested in postgraduate design studies are required to complete both the CEED qualification stage and the institute-level admission process to secure a seat in the MDes by Research programme.
