UCEED Exam Date 2026: Complete Schedule & City — Explained

UCEED Exam Date 2026 is expected to be January 18, 2026, based on the annual cycle followed by IIT Bombay for the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) entrance test. This national-level examination is the mandatory gateway for students seeking admission to design programs at IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee, and IIITDM Jabalpur. The official notification is typically released in the first week of October, initiating a three-month window for registration and preparation.

UCEED Exam Date 2026 and Important Schedule

The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) follows a strict timeline. Candidates must monitor these dates to avoid late registration fees, which typically add ₹500 to the standard application cost. The registration process is entirely online through the IIT Bombay admission portal.

What is the UCEED 2026 City Intimation Slip?

The UCEED 2026 city intimation slip is a preliminary document released before the actual admit card. Its primary purpose is to inform candidates about the specific city where their examination center is located. This allows outstation students to make travel and lodging arrangements well in advance, especially during the peak winter travel season in January.

It is critical to understand that the city intimation slip is not the admit card. It does not contain the specific name of the exam center or the roll number. It only confirms the assigned city. If there is a discrepancy between the city you selected as your first preference and the city mentioned in the slip, you must contact the UCEED office at IIT Bombay immediately via the official helpdesk email.

To download the city intimation slip, candidates must log in to the portal using their registered email ID and password. The slip will display your application number, candidate name, and the assigned exam city. For help with exam strategies, refer to our /exam-preparation section.

How to Download UCEED 2026 Admit Card?

The UCEED 2026 admit card is the only valid document that permits entry into the examination hall. It contains the exact address of the test center, reporting time, and specific instructions for Part A and Part B of the exam. IIT Bombay does not send hard copies of the admit card by post.

1. Visit the official UCEED portal at uceed.iitb.ac.in.
2. Click on the 'Candidate Portal' link on the homepage.
3. Enter your login credentials (Email ID and Password).
4. Locate the 'Download Admit Card' tab.
5. Verify all details: Name, Category, Date of Birth, and Exam Center Address.
6. Download the PDF and take a clear color printout on A4 paper.

In case of any errors in the admit card, such as a misspelled name or incorrect category, candidates must report the issue before the specified deadline (usually the second week of January). Failure to rectify errors may lead to disqualification during the counseling process.

UCEED 2026 Eligibility Criteria and Age Limit

Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the three-fold eligibility criteria: age limit, number of attempts, and educational qualification. Admission is strictly based on the UCEED rank, provided the candidate has passed the qualifying examination.

• Age Limit: General and OBC-NCL candidates must be born on or after October 1, 2001. SC, ST, and PwD candidates receive a 5-year relaxation, meaning they must be born on or after October 1, 1996.
• Number of Attempts: A candidate can attempt UCEED a maximum of two times in consecutive years. The UCEED score is valid only for admission in the same academic year.
• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2025 or be appearing for the exam in 2026. Students from all streams (Science, Commerce, Arts/Humanities) are eligible.

For those looking for other opportunities after graduation, you can explore /government-jobs for design-related roles in the public sector.

UCEED 2026 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

The UCEED exam consists of two parts, both of which are mandatory. Part A is a computer-based test that evaluates visualization and logical skills, while Part B is a paper-based test focusing on drawing and design sensitivity.

The total duration of the exam is 3 hours. Part A takes 2 hours, and Part B takes 1 hour. Part B is only evaluated if the candidate clears the cutoff for Part A. The Part A cutoff is determined based on the mean and standard deviation of marks obtained by all candidates in Part A.

Detailed Syllabus for UCEED 2026

The UCEED syllabus is designed to test a candidate’s innate ability rather than rote learning. Preparation should focus on observation and practical application of design principles. The syllabus for 2026 includes several key areas across both parts of the exam.

Part A Syllabus Topics

• Visualization and Spatial Reasoning: Understanding 2D and 3D objects, their transformations, and spatial relationships. This includes orthographic projections and folding patterns.
• Observation and Design Sensitivity: Ability to detect concealed

  UCEED 2026 FAQs

  • What is the UCEED 2026 exam date?
    The tentative UCEED 2026 exam date is January 18, 2026.
  • When does UCEED 2026 registration start?
    Registration typically starts in the first week of October 2025.
  • What is the UCEED city intimation slip?
    It is a preliminary document informing candidates of their exam city, released before the admit card.
  • What is the application fee for UCEED 2026?
    The fee is ₹4,000 for General/OBC Male candidates and ₹2,000 for Female/SC/ST/PwD candidates.
  • What is the official website for UCEED?
    The official website is uceed.iitb.ac.in.

  How to follow this exam update

  Staying updated with the UCEED 2026 schedule is crucial for a smooth application and exam experience. Bookmark the official portal and check TrueJobs for the latest updates and detailed guides on the exam pattern and syllabus to ensure your preparation is on track.

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