The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) 2026, conducted by Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), is now open for registration. The exam is scheduled for January 18, 2026, and the registration process began through the official portal.
Key Dates & Application Information
Candidates planning to appear for UCEED 2026 must note the following timeline:
- Registration opens: October 1, 2025.
- Last date for registration (regular fee): October 31, 2025.
- Last date with late fee: Early November 2025.
- Exam date: January 18, 2026 (9:00 AM to 12:00 noon).
- Admit card release: Early January 2026.
Eligibility Criteria for UCEED 2026
To apply for UCEED 2026 candidates must fulfil the eligibility requirements:
- They must have appeared for their Class XII (or equivalent) examination for the first time in either 2025 or 2026.
- Candidates from any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts & Humanities) are eligible.
- Candidate must not have appeared for the qualifying exam for the first time before 2025.
Exam Pattern & Admission Process
The UCEED exam is split into two parts:
- Part A (computer-based test): contains multiple choice, multiple select, numerical answer type questions.
- Part B (design/drawing test): offline drawing test for creative and visualization skills.
Post result, candidates with valid UCEED scores can apply for Bachelor of Design (BDes) admissions across participating institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, IIT Roorkee and IIITDM Jabalpur.
Seat Matrix & Participating Institutes
For the 2026 cycle, the total seats across participating institutes have been revised to a value of 245 seats, representing several IITs combining their intake.
Why It Matters?
This registration window opens a key pathway for students interested in design and interdisciplinary technology-oriented education. UCEED success offers entry into India’s premier technological and design institutes, combining creative ability with engineering foundations.
What Applicants Should Do?
- Ensure eligibility (class XII year, stream) before applying.
- Keep scanned documents and photo ID ready before registration.
- Pick preferred exam centre early as seat may fill up.
- Practice both the technical aptitude (Part A) and design drawing (Part B) components seriously.
- Monitor the official website for updates on admit cards, seat allocation, and counselling.