CEED 2027 (Common Entrance Exam for Design), organised by IIT Bombay, is scheduled for 17 January 2027, from 9 am to noon. It is an entrance examination for postgraduate design study, including M.Des and selected Ph.D. programmes.
If you are planning your next step in design, start by checking eligibility and the application calendar. Then build a preparation routine that gives you regular practice in both visual reasoning and communicating ideas on paper. This guide brings the essential exam information together with practical study advice from Pahal Design.
Source: Official CEED 2027 poster
| Milestone | Date |
| Regular registration | 1–31 October 2026 |
| Late registration closes | 6 November 2026 at 5 pm |
| Admit cards released | 1 January 2027 at 1 pm |
| Examination | 17 January 2027, 9 am–noon |
| Draft Part A answer key | 19 January 2027 |
| Answer key comments close | 21 January 2027 at 5 pm |
| Final Part A answer key | 26 January 2027 at 5 pm |
| Part A cutoff announced | 4 February 2027 |
| Results | 3 March 2027 |
| Scorecard download window | 10 March–31 July 2027 |
Source: CEED 2027 official schedule
Add the application deadline to your calendar now. Completing registration early leaves time to check your details and resolve any payment or upload difficulties. Recheck the official website before acting on a deadline.
Applicants need a completed degree or diploma programme of at least three years after Class 12, including the graduate or postgraduate routes specified in the brochure. Candidates taking the qualifying final examination by July 2027 can also apply. Another accepted route is the five-year Government Diploma in Art after Class 10, passed by July 2027.
Source: Eligibility in the official poster
Check the admission rules of each course you want to pursue before choosing where to apply. Use a shortlist with columns for the qualifying degree, application deadline, selection stages and documents required. This makes it easier to manage several applications alongside exam preparation.
| Applicant group | Regular fee |
| Women and SC/ST/PwD candidates | ₹2,000 |
| All other candidates | ₹4,000 |
Late registration adds ₹500. Fees exclude applicable transaction charges and are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Source: CEED 2027 registration fees
Apply through the official CEED registration portal. New applicants create an account with a valid email address and complete email verification; registered applicants can log in. Read the brochure and portal instructions for eligibility, documents and payment requirements before completing the form.
Open the official CEED registration portal
Keep a dedicated folder for your application records and save the confirmation after submission. Use an email account you check regularly so that you can follow any further instructions promptly.
| Component | Duration | Questions | Maximum marks |
| Part A on computer | 1 hour | 44 | 150 |
| Part B in answer booklet | 2 hours | 5 | 100 |
| Part A type | Questions | Correct answer | Wrong answer | Total |
| Numerical answer | 8 | +4 | 0 | 32 |
| Multiple select | 10 | Up to +4 | −1* | 40 |
| Single correct option | 26 | +3 | −0.5 | 78 |
*Multiple-select questions allow conditional partial credit; other incorrect selections attract −1. Unanswered Part A questions receive zero.
Part B assigns 20 marks each to sketching, creativity, form sensitivity, visual sensitivity and problem identification. Both parts are compulsory. Part B is evaluated only for candidates shortlisted through Part A.
Source: Question paper structure in the CEED 2027 brochure
Final score = (0.25 × Part A marks) + (0.75 × Part B marks).
Source: Official CEED scoring formula
Use this structure when planning mocks. Practise completing the objective section within its time limit, then move into a sustained drawing and design session. Review where you lost time as well as where you lost marks.
Part A covers spatial visualisation, everyday science, observation, design and society, reasoning, English comprehension, creative associations, art and design awareness, and materials, production and ergonomics.
Part B covers drawing, creative ideas, visual and written communication, and identifying user problems.
Source: Syllabus in the CEED 2027 brochure
Turn these broad areas into small practice tasks. For example, sketch a bottle from different viewpoints, explain how a stapler works, or identify why a public sign is confusing. A specific task is easier to review than a vague target such as “study design”.
Participating institutes include IISc Bengaluru; IIT Bombay, Delhi, Gandhinagar, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Kanpur and Roorkee; and IIITDM Jabalpur and Kancheepuram.
Source: Participating institutes in the official poster
Qualifying CEED does not guarantee admission. Institutes have separate applications, eligibility requirements and selection processes, which may include tests or interviews.
Source: Official programme and admission information
Compare programmes by their curriculum and the kind of work you want to develop. Look at student projects, studio facilities and research areas. Keep your own design interests visible in this decision instead of relying only on an institute name.
Attempt a previous paper under timed conditions before setting your weekly targets. Record whether each difficulty came from a knowledge gap, a misunderstood instruction, slow execution or an unfinished idea. Choose the next week’s exercises from this record.
Explore CEED previous year question papers at Pahal Design
Spend a manageable period each day drawing objects, people and spaces around you. Start with proportion and perspective, then practise line quality and shading. Revisit the same subject after a few days so you can compare your work and identify progress.
For every design exercise, identify the user, the difficulty they face and the situation in which it occurs. Generate several ideas before choosing one. Use a clear sketch and short annotations to explain how your solution works, why it helps and what its limitations are.
Set aside time after each mock to redo weak answers. For drawing tasks, check whether someone unfamiliar with your idea can understand it from the page. For objective tasks, explain the reasoning behind the answer. Keep a brief error log and revisit recurring problems.
If you are balancing college or work, choose study slots you can maintain consistently. Alternate reasoning practice with drawing and design exercises. Reserve a longer weekly session for a mock or a complete design problem, followed by review. Adjust the balance according to your diagnostic results.
At Pahal Design, we offer classroom and live online preparation for design entrance examinations, including CEED. Our online learning includes interactive classes, revision recordings, mock tests, mentoring and doubt support. Our postgraduate design preparation also includes sketching, design aptitude, portfolio guidance and interview training.
Explore live online coaching | Explore classroom coaching | View postgraduate design courses
Speak to our team about a CEED 2027 preparation plan that fits your starting level, college or work schedule, and preferred learning format. Ask about current batch timings and the support included in your chosen course.
Call or WhatsApp: 8800-226864
Website: www.pahaldesign.com
The examination is on 17 January 2027, from 9 am to noon. Official reference
Regular registration closes on 31 October 2026. With the additional ₹500 late fee, the deadline is 6 November 2026 at 5 pm. Official reference
Yes, if their qualifying final examination is by July 2027 and they satisfy the prescribed education requirements. Official reference
CEED has neither an age limit nor an attempt limit. Official reference
The score remains valid for one year from the result declaration date. Official reference
No. You must meet the chosen institute’s admission conditions and complete its selection process. Official reference
Begin with a diagnostic paper and a small daily sketching routine. Focus on understanding objects, observing users and explaining ideas clearly. Review your first attempts before adding more study material.
Plan short, regular weekday sessions and a longer weekly practice session. Use an error log to select high-priority tasks. The amount of preparation you need depends on your current skills and available study time.
Practise turning a problem into a clear visual explanation. Show the user and context, compare possible solutions, and label the important details. Ask for feedback on clarity, practicality and how well the answer meets the brief.
Make paper-based practice central to your exam preparation. Use digital tools for reference and review if helpful, but build confidence in planning, sketching and annotating an answer with your own drawing materials.
Yes. Pahal Design offers live online design entrance coaching covering CEED, with interactive learning and preparation support. Contact the team for the current batch schedule. Course details
Compare the teaching format, timetable, feedback on drawing assignments, mock review process and access to doubt support. Ask what is included in the specific batch you are considering and how the course will address your weaker areas.
