The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) 2026 provides a direct path for students to join Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs at top Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). IIT Bombay conducts this national-level exam. Increasingly, students from various fields, not just design, are choosing UCEED. This exam allows them to pursue a promising career in the growing design industry.
Why Students are Choosing UCEED
Many students are now opting for the UCEED exam to get into design courses at IITs. Here are the main reasons:
- Open to All Study Streams: A key reason is that students from any stream – Science, Commerce, or Arts & Humanities – can apply for UCEED. This makes it a widely accessible option for many.
- Lower Competition: Compared to popular engineering (B.Tech) or postgraduate (M.Tech) courses at IITs, the competition for B.Des programs through UCEED is relatively less intense.
- Dual Degree Choice: After completing the third year of the B.Des program, students have the option to switch to a dual degree program. This allows them to earn two degrees by the end of their studies.
- Diverse Elective Courses: The B.Des curriculum includes a large number of elective courses. These options give students a chance to specialize in various design areas and prepare for real-world design challenges.
- Practical Design Projects: Each semester involves a series of design projects. These projects include field trips and real-world experiences, helping students understand design methods and solve practical problems.
- Benefits of IIT Education: IITs offer excellent facilities, strong technical knowledge, and diverse academic programs. They are involved in important design and research projects for the country.
- Many Career Opportunities: The design industry is growing and offers many job roles and career paths for graduates.
IITs Accepting UCEED 2026 Scores
Below is the list of IITs that accept UCEED 2026 scores for admission to their Bachelor of Design programs:
| Sr No. | Institute | Design Department |
| 1 | IIT Bombay | IDC School of Design |
| 2 | IIT Delhi | Department of Design |
| 3 | IIT Guwahati | Department of Design |
| 4 | IIT Hyderabad | Department of Design |
| 5 | IIT Roorkee | Department of Design |
| 6 | IIITDM Jabalpur | Design Discipline |
| 7 | IIT Indore | School of Innovation |
UCEED 2026 Eligibility Rules
Candidates must meet the following rules to appear for the UCEED 2026 exam:
Age Limit
Candidates must be born on or after October 1, 2001 . For those belonging to the SC, ST, or PwD categories, the birth date must be on or after October 1, 1996 . These age criteria are based on the current official guidelines for UCEED 2026.
Number of Attempts
A student can take the UCEED exam a maximum of two times . These attempts must be in consecutive years. The UCEED score is valid for one year only , specifically for admissions in the same academic year it was taken.
Qualifying Examination
Candidates must have passed all subjects in their 10+2 exam in 2025 . Alternatively, they must be appearing for their 10+2 qualifying examination for the first time in 2026 . Students from all streams (Science, Commerce, and Arts & Humanities) are eligible to apply. Students who appeared for their Class 12 exam in 2024 or earlier are not eligible to appear in UCEED 2026.
