EXAM SYLLABUS

UCEED 2026 is conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to B.Des programs at IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, IIT Roorkee, and IIITDM Jabalpur. The exam has two parts:

The UCEED exam syllabus outlines the skills needed to excel in the test.

Part A of UCEED will assess areas such as visualization and spatial ability, practical and scientific knowledge, observation and design sensitivity, as well as environmental and social awareness.

Part B focuses on evaluating your drawing skills and design aptitude.

PART A DESCRIPTION

Part A is conducted for 200 marks; the maximum allotted time is 2 hours.

The UCEED Syllabus for Part A consists of the following seven topics.

Syllabus for Visualisation and Spatial Ability

This section consists of pictorial and diagrammatic questions to test your understanding of the transformation and manipulation of 2D shapes and 3D objects and their spatial relationships. Essential things to study related to this topic are listed below:

Pattern and Design of Paper Folding Materials and Type of Texture

Texture Materials, Production Materials, Decoration Materials, and Wall Protection.

Conventional/Unconventional Materials for Construction, Design, and Decoration

Optical Illusion (2D/3D objects and understanding) 

Syllabus for Observation and Design Sensitivity Syllabus

The questions are designed to test your ability to detect concealed properties in ordinary things, people, situations, and events and to think critically about them. You are applying attention to specific details, analysing, reasoning, classifying, inferring, and predicting—the ability to discern subtle differences in visual properties and aesthetic outcomes. The following UCEED syllabus topics are crucial to prepare for the upcoming exam.

 Logos and Punchlines, Type of Logos, Designs of Logos Chronology, Hidden meanings in logos, Punchlines Perspective, Colour Theory, and Line Theory,

 Elements of Design, Principles of Design, Colour Psychology and Significance, Photography Evolution of Camera, Type of Cameras, Camera and its functioning technologies and terms Accessories, Photography Glossary,

Typography Element and Principles of Design Lines, Shape, Form, Colour, Pattern, Texture.

Syllabus for Environmental and Society

This section tests your General Awareness of environmental factors such as climate, population, water, vegetation, pollution, weather, natural resources, etc., and their implications on the design of products, images, infrastructure, and environment.

You should be aware of social and cultural connections with the design, the history of the designed artefact, and socially responsible and environmentally sustainable design responses. 

Essential things to study related to this topic are listed below.

History of Indian Art/Design, An overview of World Art, Art and Architecture, Social and Cultural relation with Art/Design.

Environmentally Sustainable Designs, Indian cultural background and famous Structures, Musical instruments, Musical Maestros, Dance forms, Crafts, and Dresses.

Syllabus for Analytical and Logical Reasoning

This section of the UCEED Exam Syllabus tests the ability to look at qualitative or quantitative information and discern patterns within the information. You should be able to weigh opinions, arguments or solutions against appropriate criteria.

Also, you should be able to check for hidden bias or assumptions and whether evidence and argument support conclusions. Use logic and structured thinking to deduce from a short passage which of several statements is the most accurate response to a posed question. Going through Data Interpretation, brainteasers, and patterns can be an advantage.

Arguments, Assumptions, Course of Action, Assertion and Reasoning, Causes and Effect, Analogies, Direction and Distance, Mathematical Tricks, Cubes, Linear and Matrix Arrangement.

 Syllogism (a process of logic in which two general statements lead to more precise information), Punch Line, etc.

Syllabus for Language and Creativity

Proficiency in reading and comprehending Standard English. 

You should be able to understand and use Standard English, have reading comprehension, and know English grammar.

You should also be able to think creatively about alternatives, distinguish innovative options, and think outside the box.

Grasp of verbal and non-verbal analogies, metaphors, signs and symbols.

Syllabus for Design Thinking and Problem-Solving

You should be able to use visual analogies, metaphors, signs, and symbols. Also, you must understand the complexity, identify the problem, generate alternatives, evaluate the options, and select solutions.

PART B DESCRIPTION

According to the UCEED exam pattern, Part B contains only two questions, each worth 50 marks, with a total duration of 60 minutes. This section is designed to assess your drawing abilities and involves subjective evaluation.

EXAM SYLLABUS

UCEED 2026 is conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to B.Des programs at IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, IIT Roorkee, and IIITDM Jabalpur. The exam has two parts:

The UCEED exam syllabus outlines the skills needed to excel in the test.

Part A of UCEED will assess areas such as visualization and spatial ability, practical and scientific knowledge, observation and design sensitivity, as well as environmental and social awareness.

Part B focuses on evaluating your drawing skills and design aptitude.

PART A DESCRIPTION

Part A is conducted for 200 marks; the maximum allotted time is 2 hours.

The UCEED Syllabus for Part A consists of the following seven topics.

Syllabus for Visualisation and Spatial Ability

This section consists of pictorial and diagrammatic questions to test your understanding of the transformation and manipulation of 2D shapes and 3D objects and their spatial relationships. Essential things to study related to this topic are listed below:

Pattern and Design of Paper Folding Materials and Type of Texture

Texture Materials, Production Materials, Decoration Materials, and Wall Protection.

Conventional/Unconventional Materials for Construction, Design, and Decoration

Optical Illusion (2D/3D objects and understanding) 

Syllabus for Observation and Design Sensitivity Syllabus

The questions are designed to test your ability to detect concealed properties in ordinary things, people, situations, and events and to think critically about them. You are applying attention to specific details, analysing, reasoning, classifying, inferring, and predicting—the ability to discern subtle differences in visual properties and aesthetic outcomes. The following UCEED syllabus topics are crucial to prepare for the upcoming exam.

 Logos and Punchlines, Type of Logos, Designs of Logos Chronology, Hidden meanings in logos, Punchlines Perspective, Colour Theory, and Line Theory,

 Elements of Design, Principles of Design, Colour Psychology and Significance, Photography Evolution of Camera, Type of Cameras, Camera and its functioning technologies and terms Accessories, Photography Glossary,

Typography Element and Principles of Design Lines, Shape, Form, Colour, Pattern, Texture.

Syllabus for Environmental and Society

This section tests your General Awareness of environmental factors such as climate, population, water, vegetation, pollution, weather, natural resources, etc., and their implications on the design of products, images, infrastructure, and environment.

You should be aware of social and cultural connections with the design, the history of the designed artefact, and socially responsible and environmentally sustainable design responses. 

Essential things to study related to this topic are listed below.

History of Indian Art/Design, An overview of World Art, Art and Architecture, Social and Cultural relation with Art/Design.

Environmentally Sustainable Designs, Indian cultural background and famous Structures, Musical instruments, Musical Maestros, Dance forms, Crafts, and Dresses.

Syllabus for Analytical and Logical Reasoning

This section of the UCEED Exam Syllabus tests the ability to look at qualitative or quantitative information and discern patterns within the information. You should be able to weigh opinions, arguments or solutions against appropriate criteria.

Also, you should be able to check for hidden bias or assumptions and whether evidence and argument support conclusions. Use logic and structured thinking to deduce from a short passage which of several statements is the most accurate response to a posed question. Going through Data Interpretation, brainteasers, and patterns can be an advantage.

Arguments, Assumptions, Course of Action, Assertion and Reasoning, Causes and Effect, Analogies, Direction and Distance, Mathematical Tricks, Cubes, Linear and Matrix Arrangement.

 Syllogism (a process of logic in which two general statements lead to more precise information), Punch Line, etc.

Syllabus for Language and Creativity

Proficiency in reading and comprehending Standard English. 

You should be able to understand and use Standard English, have reading comprehension, and know English grammar.

You should also be able to think creatively about alternatives, distinguish innovative options, and think outside the box.

Grasp of verbal and non-verbal analogies, metaphors, signs and symbols.

Syllabus for Design Thinking and Problem-Solving

You should be able to use visual analogies, metaphors, signs, and symbols. Also, you must understand the complexity, identify the problem, generate alternatives, evaluate the options, and select solutions.

PART B DESCRIPTION

According to the UCEED exam pattern, Part B contains only two questions, each worth 50 marks, with a total duration of 60 minutes. This section is designed to assess your drawing abilities and involves subjective evaluation.

Note: The topics above are exhaustive and indicative of the nature of the questions. However, UCEED may not cover all the topics.

EXAM PATTERN

The key features of the UCEED question paper is mentioned below:

a. The question paper now has two parts - Part A and Part B. Both parts are mandatory.

b. The UCEED exam will have one question paper. The test duration for Paper B is 60 minutes. The duration of Part A is 2 hours.

c. The question paper will be set in English

d. The total marks for the exam (Part A + Part B) will be 300 marks. 

Types of Questions and Marking Scheme

The Part A UCEED question paper consists of three types of questions:

Section 1: Numerical Answer Type (NAT)

a. 14 questions worth 4 marks each; no negative marking.

b. For NAT questions, answers are numbers that must be entered using a virtual keyboard on the computer screen, without any answer options provided.

Section 2: Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)

15 questions, each potentially having one or more correct options out of four choices. The marking scheme is as follows:

Full Marks (+4): Awarded if all correct options are chosen and no incorrect options are selected.

Partial Marks (+3): Given if all four options are correct but only three are chosen, with no incorrect options selected.

Partial Marks (+2): Given if three or more options are correct but only two correct options are chosen, with no incorrect options selected.

Partial Marks (+1): Given if two or more options are correct, but only one correct option is chosen with no incorrect options selected.

Zero Marks (0): Awarded if no option is chosen (i.e., unanswered).

Negative Marks (-1): Applied in all other cases where incorrect options are selected.

Section 3: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

28 questions, with 3 marks awarded for each correct answer and a penalty of 0.71 marks for each incorrect answer.

Each MCQ presents four choices, out of which only one is correct.

MARKING SCHEME

EXAM PATTERN

The key features of the UCEED question paper is mentioned below:

a. The question paper now has two parts - Part A and Part B. Both parts are mandatory.

b. The UCEED exam will have one question paper. The test duration for Paper B is 60 minutes. The duration of Part A is 2 hours.

c. The question paper will be set in English

d. The total marks for the exam (Part A + Part B) will be 300 marks. 

Types of Questions and Marking Scheme

The Part A UCEED question paper consists of three types of questions:

Section 1: Numerical Answer Type (NAT)

a. 14 questions worth 4 marks each; no negative marking.

b. For NAT questions, answers are numbers that must be entered using a virtual keyboard on the computer screen, without any answer options provided.

Section 2: Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)

15 questions, each potentially having one or more correct options out of four choices. The marking scheme is as follows:

Full Marks (+4): Awarded if all correct options are chosen and no incorrect options are selected.

Partial Marks (+3): Given if all four options are correct but only three are chosen, with no incorrect options selected.

Partial Marks (+2): Given if three or more options are correct but only two correct options are chosen, with no incorrect options selected.

Partial Marks (+1): Given if two or more options are correct, but only one correct option is chosen with no incorrect options selected.

Zero Marks (0): Awarded if no option is chosen (i.e., unanswered).

Negative Marks (-1): Applied in all other cases where incorrect options are selected.

Section 3: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

28 questions, with 3 marks awarded for each correct answer and a penalty of 0.71 marks for each incorrect answer.

Each MCQ presents four choices, out of which only one is correct.

MARKING SCHEME

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates must meet certain minimum qualifications to be eligible for the exam. Here are the latest eligibility criteria and academic requirements:

Reservation Criteria

The category-wise reservation criteria for the B.Des course at participating colleges is given in the table below.

Number of attempts

1. You can attempt UCEED a maximum of two times. These attempts must be taken consecutively.

2. The UCEED score is valid for one year and only for admissions in the same academic year. Students in class 12 in the current academic year can also apply. 

Institute-Specific UCEED Eligibility Criteria

In addition to the eligibility criteria mentioned above, the participating institutes have their own eligibility conditions as given below -

Science stream: Candidates from the scientific stream who have taken Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as subjects are eligible to apply to all five schools.

Non-Science stream: Candidates from other fields (arts, business, and science without mathematics, physics, or chemistry) may apply to IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT Delhi.

IIT Guwahati, IIITDM takes only science students.

Eligibility Criteria For Foreign Nationals

Below is the UCEED List of qualifying tests for foreign nationals meeting the eligibility criteria of the UCEED exam.

a. Any public school, board, or university examination in India or a foreign country is recognized as equivalent to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

b. General Certificate Education (GCE) examination (London, Cambridge, or Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) Level.

c. High School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge University or International Baccalaureate Diploma of the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

There are two important points to note in this regard:

a. If you're a candidate who has completed their Class XII (or equivalent) exam outside India or from a Board not mentioned above, you need to produce a certificate from the Association of Indian Universities stating that the examination you have passed is equivalent to the Class XII examination.

b. If the Class XII exam is not a public examination, you should have already passed at least one public (Board or Pre-University) exam before appearing for UCEED.

IMPORTANT DATES

The last date for rectification of discrepancies in the UCEED Admit card was January 08, 2026. IIT Bombay will conduct the UCEED Entrance Exam on January 18, 2026. The exam will be held between 9 AM to 12 PM at the allotted centers.

UCEED Draft Answer Key and candidates’ response for Part-A will be out on January 20, 2026. The last date for uploading comments (if any) on the Draft Answer Key in the candidate’s portal is January 22, 2026, 05:00 pm.

UCEED 2026 Admit card was out on January 02, 2026, at 01:00 pm. UCEED 2025 application form with regular fees is closed and with late fee is closed. The admission portal includes all key updates related to the UCEED 2026 exam, including important dates.

EXAM ANALYSIS

UCEED 2025 Exam Analysis (for UCEED 2026 Preparation)

For students preparing for UCEED 2026, analysing the UCEED 2025 exam (held in January 2025) gives a realistic idea of question types, difficulty, and scoring patterns.

In the UCEED 2025 paper, Part A (objective section with Multiple Choice Questions, Multiple Select Questions, and Numerical Answer Type questions) was reported to be moderate to difficult, especially in areas like visualisation, reasoning, and numerical aptitude, with time management being a challenge for many students. Visualisation and numerical ability were frequently cited as the toughest areas that required quick thinking and problem-solving speed.

Part B, the design/drawing section, was seen as moderate, focusing on creative drawing, spatial understanding, and idea representation, where clarity and neat presentation mattered more than artistic perfection. In feedback from students, some found the paper lengthier and unpredictable compared to previous years, indicating that the variation in question patterns can make the exam feel tougher in parts. Overall, the paper required a blend of analytical skills and design creativity.

Last 2 Years Cutoffs (2024 & 2025)

UCEED 2025 Cutoff (General Category):
Part A qualifying cutoff was around 93–95 marks for the General category for admission consideration in design programs.
OBC-NCL/EWS cutoff was around 83–85 marks, and SC/ST/PwD cutoffs were approximately 50–60 marks.

UCEED 2024 Cutoff (General Category):

The cutoff for UCEED 2024 (General) was around 85–90 marks, with similar relative cutoffs for other categories.

The trend shows that the UCEED qualifying cutoffs have been rising slightly year to year, reflecting competitive participation and variation in paper difficulty.

Expected Cutoffs for UCEED 2026

Based on past cutoff trends, expected exam difficulty, and scoring patterns, UCEED 2026 qualifying cutoffs are likely to be in the following range:

Expected Qualifying Cutoff (General): ~90–100 marks

OBC-NCL/EWS (Expected): ~80–90 marks

SC/ST/PwD (Expected): ~50–60 marks

These expected cutoffs reflect a continuation of the trend from 2024 and 2025, where rising competition and mixed difficulty papers kept the qualifying marks high, especially in the objective section (Part A).

Key Takeaways for UCEED 2026 Aspirants

The UCEED 2025 paper had a moderate to difficult Part A, especially in reasoning and spatial/visual questions, with Part B requiring solid drawing and idea expression.

Cutoff marks have been gradually increasing over the last few years, indicating rising competition and slightly tougher objective sections.

For UCEED, students should aim to score above ~90 marks (General) to remain competitive for top seats, while area-wise strong performance in visualisation and drawing can boost overall performance even if the objective section is tough.

STUDY TIPS

1. Improve your free sketching skill - Sometimes in UCEED, sketching with instruments is restricted. So, it is necessary to improve your free sketching skills. Used right equipment for sketching such as 2 grades of pencil: H-grade for rough work, light drawings and B for rapid work and shading.

2. Read comic strips or watch cartoons - It is advisable to read the comic strip daily in online or newspapers. Reading comic strips helps you to develop the ability to present your idea in a storytelling format. Comic strips are actually a good example of storyboarding. Sometimes in UCEED there are questions which ask to represent a storyline. Hence, reading comic strips enhance sketching skills as well as story-telling ability.

3. Solve UCEED sample papers - Solving the UCEED sample papers helps to understand the format of the questions and difficulty level of the exam. Constantly solving the UCEED sample papers assists to improve your speed and accuracy of the answer.

4. Time management - Time management holds an important factor in life to be a successful person. Prioritize the important things and devote your time to them. If you manage your time exceptionally well then you can achieve your time. Using your time management skills, you can develop to boost your ability to function more efficiently.

5. Improve visualization and observation skills - Through UCEED  students will be judged on their creativity and innovation skills. Creativity can be developed with inner thought, passions and exposure to innovative ideas. Enhancing the observation skill helps in developing creative thinking and innovative ideas.

6. Give UCEED mock test - Participating in the UCEED mock test will help you to get a clear picture of the actual entrance test. Giving the mock test regularly will help you gain confidence and get rid of the exam stress. Analyzing the performance of mock tests is the next step to implement the exam strategy. Mock test is the indicator to figure out the area where a candidate needs to work on. 

STUDY PLANS

The only deciding factor for the selection or rejection of a candidate is the Strategy & Planning which is used by them for their preparation for the UCEED Examination. A good and result-oriented Strategy & Planning for the examination will definitely allow the candidates to make their way through UCEED Examination.

UCEED 1-Month Study Plan

Week 1: Concept Building & Familiarisation

Focus on understanding the UCEED exam pattern and syllabus, especially Part A (NAT, MSQ, MCQ) and Part B (drawing). Revise basic concepts of visualization, spatial reasoning, simple mathematics, and general awareness related to design and daily life. Start light daily sketching practice to improve hand control and observation.

Week 2: Strengthening Core Areas

Increase focus on logical reasoning, design aptitude, pattern recognition, and visualization questions. Practice previous year Part A questions topic-wise. For Part B, practice object drawing, human figures, scenes, and perspective, focusing on clarity rather than perfection.

Week 3: Practice & Speed Improvement

Begin solving full-length mock tests or sectional tests. Work on time management, especially for Part A. Analyze mistakes carefully to avoid repetition. For Part B, practice complete drawing questions within time limits, improving idea expression and neatness.

Week 4: Revision & Final Polishing

Revise all key topics, formulas, and question types. Focus on accuracy rather than learning new topics. Practice 2–3 full mock tests, revise weak areas, and continue daily drawing practice. Keep revision light and stay mentally relaxed before the exam.

UCEED 3-Month Study Plan

Month 1: Foundation & Concept Clarity

This phase is dedicated to building strong basics. Understand UCEED question trends and revise topics like visual perception, analytical reasoning, basic mathematics, general awareness, and design sensitivity. Start regular sketching practice, focusing on proportion, perspective, and creativity.

Month 2: Practice & Skill Development

Begin topic-wise and mixed question practice from previous year papers. Improve speed and accuracy in Part A. For Part B, practice story-based drawings, product design sketches, and environment scenes, focusing on originality and clarity of ideas.

Month 3: Mock Tests & Final Revision

Shift focus to full-length mock tests and exam simulation. Analyze performance after each test to strengthen weak areas. Refine drawing skills by practicing complete Part B answers within time limits. Revise concepts regularly and avoid last-minute overload.

6-Months Study Plan

1st & 2nd Month

1. Before starting the preparation, go through the detailed UCCED Syllabus and exam pattern.

2. Allot at least 2 hours for preparing each topic

3. Focus more on topics like texture making materials, designs of logos chronology, history of Indian art/design, musical maestros, and syllogism.

4. Be thorough with all the topics by the end of 2nd month.

3rd & 4th Month

1. List out the topics that you are weak and rework on it.

2. Every 10 days once do your revision to remember what you have studied earlier.

3. Solve previous year papers to the difficulty level and the type of questions asked in the exam.

4. Try to analyze your performance after completion of each paper.

5th & 6th Month

1. In the 5th month, start your revision.

2. Make sure to revise all the topics that you have prepared last 4 months.

3. Do not pick any new topic as this will create confusion and fear.

4. Solve as many questions as possible from previous year papers.

5. Also, attempt as many mock test as possible to test your preparation levels

OVERVIEW

The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) is a prestigious national-level entrance exam conducted annually by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) under the guidance of the UCEED-CEED Implementation Committee. It serves as the gateway for admission to Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs (4-year undergraduate) at leading IITs and other participating institutes.

UCEED assesses candidates' design aptitude, including visualization and spatial reasoning, observation and design sensitivity, practical and scientific knowledge, environmental and social awareness, analytical and logical reasoning, language proficiency, and creativity (through drawing in Part B). Unlike traditional entrance exams, it emphasizes creative thinking, problem-solving, and perceptual skills rather than rote academic knowledge.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process for the BDes (Bachelor of Design) program at IIT Bombay involves multiple steps, primarily based on performance in the UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design). Here’s an overview of the process:

1. Qualify in the UCEED Exam

a. Candidates must first appear for and qualify in the UCEED exam, which is the primary entrance test for the BDes programs offered by IIT Bombay and other participating institutions.

2. Obtain a UCEED Rank and Meet the Cut-Off

a. Based on their performance in UCEED, candidates receive a rank and must meet the specific cut-off set for IIT Bombay’s BDes program.

b. The cut-off varies each year depending on the number of applicants, exam difficulty, and available seats.

3. Participate in the Joint Seat Allocation Process

a. Qualified candidates who meet the cut-off are eligible to participate in the UCEED Joint Seat Allocation Process, organized by IIT Bombay.

b. Candidates must register and select their preferences for institutes (such as IIT Bombay, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, etc.) and programs.

c. Seats are allocated based on the candidate's UCEED rank, preferences, and seat availability.

4. Offer of Admission and Document Verification

a. Candidates who are allotted a seat in IIT Bombay’s BDes program receive an offer of admission.

b. Candidates must accept the seat offer and complete the required formalities within the specified time.

c. Document verification is conducted to ensure eligibility criteria are met, including proof of academic qualifications, age, and category (if applicable).

5. Payment of Fees and Enrollment

a. After accepting the admission offer, candidates must pay the required fees to confirm their seat.

b. They then complete the enrollment process to officially join the BDes program at IIT Bombay.

The selection process is competitive, with a high emphasis on UCEED performance, making it essential for candidates to secure a strong rank to improve their chances of admission to IIT Bombay's BDes program.