MUMBAI, Oct 3: Registration for the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) 2027 has opened, giving students seeking admission to Bachelor of Design programmes at participating IITs and IIITDM Jabalpur an opportunity to begin the application process.
The online registration process began on October 1, 2026, and candidates can submit applications with the regular fee until October 31. IIT Bombay, which conducts UCEED, has announced that a late-registration window will remain available until 5 pm on November 6, subject to payment of the applicable additional fee.
UCEED is used for admission to B.Des programmes at IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, IIT Roorkee and IIITDM Jabalpur. The examination is open to students from all academic streams, meaning candidates studying Science, Commerce, Arts and Humanities at the Class 12 level can seek to appear for the test if they meet the prescribed eligibility conditions.
For UCEED 2027, candidates must have appeared for their Class 12 or equivalent examination for the first time in either 2026 or 2027. Students who first appeared for the qualifying examination in 2025 or earlier are generally not eligible, subject to the specific exception mentioned for boards whose 2024-25 results were declared after September 30, 2025.
The examination also carries an age requirement. Candidates belonging to the Open, EWS or OBC-NCL categories should have been born on or after October 1, 2002, while the corresponding date for candidates from the SC, ST and PwD categories is October 1, 1997. Candidates are also allowed a maximum of two attempts, and those attempts must be made in consecutive years.
The entrance examination is scheduled for January 17, 2027. It will be conducted from 9 am to noon at designated examination centres. Candidates will subsequently be able to access the draft answer key and response information before the final answer key is released.
According to the official schedule, the draft answer key for Part-A is due on January 19, while candidates can submit comments on the draft until January 21. The final answer key is scheduled to be released on January 26. Shortlisting based on Part-A is expected on February 4, followed by declaration of the UCEED 2027 results on March 6.
The examination is a three-hour, centre-based test. It is structured to assess abilities relevant to design education rather than being limited to conventional school subjects. Candidates planning to participate are therefore required to familiarise themselves with the examination format and instructions before submitting their applications.
IIT Bombay has also published detailed instructions regarding the registration process. Applicants have been asked to enter accurate information concerning their qualifying examination and category and upload valid documents in the formats prescribed by the examination authorities.
The registration requirements include a recent colour photograph, signature and proof of age. Depending on the candidate’s circumstances, additional documentation relating to the qualifying examination or reservation category may also be required.
Candidates seeking benefits under EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST or PwD categories must provide the relevant certificates in the prescribed format. The examination authority has stated that information and documents submitted by applicants may be verified at a later stage, and candidature can be cancelled if incorrect or false information is discovered.
The application fee varies according to nationality and candidate category. For Indian nationals, the regular fee is Rs 2,000 for female candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST or PwD categories, while the fee for other Indian candidates is Rs 4,000. The stated fee applies during the regular registration period ending October 31.
A late fee of Rs 500 will be added for Indian applicants registering after October 31 and before the portal closes at 5 pm on November 6. Foreign applicants are subject to separate fee arrangements based on their nationality and OCI or PIO status.
The examination authority has also made provisions for candidates with disabilities who require assistance. Eligible PwD candidates can request the services of a scribe for Part-A, subject to submission of the required documentation. Compensatory time is also available under the prescribed conditions.
Candidates must select three examination cities in order of preference while completing the registration. IIT Bombay has listed 30 cities for the examination, including Delhi, Chandigarh/Mohali, Jaipur, Lucknow, Jammu’s neighbouring major examination locations where applicable, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune and several other centres across the country.
The examination authority has clarified that candidates cannot request a change in the examination date or time. Changes to examination cities after completion of registration will also not ordinarily be entertained, making it important for applicants to enter their preferences carefully.
After the UCEED result is declared, candidates who qualify will have to separately apply for admission to B.Des programmes at the participating institutions. The B.Des application process is scheduled to begin on March 15, 2027.
The participating institutions will subsequently conduct seat allocation through multiple rounds. The first round is scheduled for April 21, with further rounds continuing through June and July. The admission schedule published by IIT Bombay states that seat-allocation dates are tentative and may be modified if required.
The opening of UCEED registration provides students interested in design education with an early opportunity to plan their entrance examination preparation. Since the eligibility rules permit applicants from different academic streams to participate, students do not need to have studied a particular stream such as Science to register for the examination.
The all-stream eligibility is particularly relevant for students from Arts and Humanities and Commerce backgrounds who are considering design as a higher-education option. The participating institutes use UCEED scores for their B.Des admission process, subject to the separate eligibility conditions prescribed for admission.
Students should distinguish between eligibility for appearing in UCEED and eligibility for admission to a particular B.Des programme. The examination website specifies separate conditions for the admission stage, including age, qualifying examination and UCEED qualification requirements.
With registration now underway, candidates have until October 31 to complete their applications without a late fee. Those who miss the regular deadline will receive one additional opportunity during the late-registration period ending November 6.
The examination authority has advised applicants to read the information brochure carefully before filling out the form. Correct documentation, accurate personal details and compliance with the eligibility requirements will be essential for a valid application.
UCEED 2027 will ultimately serve as the entrance route for students seeking B.Des admission at seven participating institutions. With the registration window now open, applicants will need to complete the initial formalities before turning their attention to preparation for the January examination.