UCEED 2026 Registration Open: The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) 2026 registration has officially commenced, offering aspiring design students a gateway into premier Bachelor of Design (BDes) programs at India’s leading institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and others. This article elaborately covers everything about the UCEED 2026 registration process, including eligibility, important dates, exam pattern, syllabus, frequently asked questions, and useful tips, designed to help candidates navigate the admission journey confidently and efficiently.
UCEED 2026 Registration Starts
The anticipation is over as the UCEED 2026 registration opened on October 1, 2025, at 5 PM through the official portal uceed.iitb.ac.in. The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) is a national-level entrance exam conducted once yearly by IIT Bombay. It determines admission to BDes programs across seven participating institutes, including IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, IIT Roorkee, and IIITDM Jabalpur. This year’s exam is scheduled for January 18, 2026, with a 3-hour duration, testing candidates’ design aptitude, creativity, and reasoning skills.

Eligibility Criteria for UCEED 2026 Registration
Before proceeding with the UCEED 2026 application, candidates must satisfy three critical eligibility criteria:
- Age Limit: Candidates belonging to the OPEN/EWS/OBC-NCL category should have been born on or after October 1, 2001. For those in the SC, ST, or PwD categories, the birthdate should not be earlier than October 1, 1995.
- Number of Attempts: Applicants can appear for UCEED a maximum of two times in two consecutive years. The exam score is valid for one academic year only.
- Qualifying Examination: Candidates must be appearing for their Class XII (or equivalent) examination for the first time in 2025 or 2026. Students from all streams—Science, Commerce, and Arts & Humanities—are eligible. Those who appeared first in 2024 or earlier are not eligible for UCEED 2026.
These criteria ensure a fair and streamlined examination process for all aspiring designers.
Important Dates and Deadlines for UCEED 2026
Timely registration is crucial for participation in UCEED 2026. Here’s the essential timeline for applicants:
Event | Date |
---|---|
Online Registration Starts | October 01, 2025, 5 PM |
Last Date for Regular Fee Registration | October 31, 2025, 11:55 PM |
Last Date for Late Fee Registration | November 7, 2025, 5 PM |
Admit Card Download Start | January 2, 2026 |
Discrepancy Rectification Deadline | January 8, 2026 |
UCEED 2026 Exam Date | January 18, 2026 (9 AM – 12 PM) |
Draft Answer Key Release – Part A | January 20, 2026 |
Final Answer Key Release | January 28, 2026 |
Cutoff Marks Announcement | February 5, 2026 |
Result Declaration | First week of March 2026 |
Scorecard Download Deadline | Second week of June 2026 |
UCEED 2026 Registration Application Process
Applying for UCEED 2026 is fully online and requires candidates to upload specific documents and pay application fees through the official portal. The steps are as follows:
- Visit the official website: uceed.iitb.ac.in.

- Click on the UCEED 2026 registration link.

- ONLINE REGISTRATION PORTAL using a valid email ID and phone number.

- Register your email ID and contact details to access online service with personal, academic, and category details.
- Upload scanned documents, including a recent passport-sized photograph, signature, and Class XII certificate or principal’s certificate if appearing in 2026.
- Pay the application fee online (₹4000 for general candidates; ₹2000 for female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates).
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference.
UCEED 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The UCEED exam consists of two mandatory parts:
- Part A: Computer-based test with 57 questions covering Numerical Answer Type (NAT), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ). The duration is 2 hours, testing visualization, spatial reasoning, logical thinking, and English comprehension.
- Part B: Offline drawing test for 1 hour with two questions focused on sketching and design aptitude aimed at assessing candidates’ creativity, proportion, perspective, and problem-solving ability.
The total maximum marks are 300, with Part A carrying 200 marks and Part B 100 marks.
UCEED 2026 Syllabus
- Visualization and Spatial Ability: Mental manipulation of 2D and 3D shapes.
- Observation and Design Sensitivity: Awareness about aesthetics and design inconsistencies.
- Environmental and Social Awareness: Understanding design in societal and cultural contexts.
- Analytical and Logical Reasoning: Problem-solving and logical thinking.
- Language and Comprehension: English proficiency.
- Practical and Scientific Knowledge: Scientific principles and real-world applications.
- Drawing and Design Aptitude: Sketching ability and creativity in practical design tasks.
Who can apply for UCEED 2026?
Candidates who pass Class XII in 2025 or appear in 2026 are eligible, regardless of their stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts & Humanities).
Can candidates outside India apply?
Yes, foreign nationals, including OCI/PIO cardholders, can apply with applicable fees.
Is there an age relaxation for reserved categories?
Yes, SC/ST/PwD candidates have a relaxation in age eligibility criteria.
How many times can one attempt UCEED?
Maximum of two attempts in consecutive years.
What documents are required at registration?
Recent photograph, scanned signature, Class XII certificate or school principal’s certificate, and relevant category certificates if applicable.
Can the application fee be paid offline?
No, the fee must be paid online through the official portal.
Conclusion
This year’s UCEED 2026 registration marks the starting line for thousands aiming to enter the prestigious design programs of IITs and allied institutes. Staying informed about eligibility rules, exam patterns, syllabi, registration procedures, and deadlines is essential to ensure smooth application and preparation. Candidates are encouraged to register early, prepare strategically using the syllabus, and keep track of updates on the official website. UCEED opens the doors to a promising career in design, balancing creativity with logical thinking, making the journey worthwhile for passionate aspirants.
By following this comprehensive guide on UCEED 2026 registration and related details, aspirants can confidently embark on their path to join some of India’s best design colleges and shape their future creatively and innovatively.
All updates, detailed notifications, and application forms will continue to be hosted at the official UCEED website: uceed.iitb.ac.in.
FAQ About UCEED 2026 Registration
Q1: What is the registration fee for UCEED 2026?
The fee is ₹4000 for male general category candidates and ₹2000 for female and reserved category candidates.
Q2: What happens if I miss the regular registration deadline?
Candidates can apply with a late fee of ₹500 until November 7, 2025.
Q3: When will the admit card be available?
From January 2, 2026, onwards.
Q4: How is UCEED 2026 scored?
The exam is scored out of 300 marks, combining Part A (computer-based) and Part B (drawing-based).
Q5: Are students from commerce and arts eligible?
Absolutely, all streams are eligible to apply for UCEED.