Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) 2026 is one of the most important design entrance exams in India. Conducted by IIT Bombay, CEED opens the door to postgraduate design programmes such as Master of Design (M.Des) and PhD in Design at some of the country’s top institutes, including IISc Bangalore, IITs, and IIITDMs.
With design playing a vital role in industries ranging from technology and manufacturing to healthcare, entertainment, and mobility, CEED offers students an opportunity to join specialised design courses that combine creativity with innovation. Each participating institute has its own focus areas, IIT Bombay’s Industrial Design Centre is globally recognised, IIT Jodhpur offers India’s first XR Design programme, and IISc Bangalore has a strong emphasis on product design and engineering.
This article presents a detailed guide to CEED courses in India 2026, highlighting the programmes, duration, fees, and specialisations across all participating institutes.
- What is CEED?
- CEED 2026 at a Glance
- CEED 2026 Participating Institutes
- IISc Bangalore: M.Des in Product Design & Engineering
- IIT Bombay – Industrial Design Centre (IDC)
- IIT Delhi – Department of Design
- IIT Guwahati – Department of Design
- IIT Hyderabad – School of Design
- IIT Jodhpur – M.Des in XR Design
- IIT Kanpur – Department of Design
- IIT Roorkee – Industrial Design
- IIITDM Jabalpur – Design Thinking & Innovation
- IIITDM Kancheepuram – Interdisciplinary Design & Innovation
- Comparative Fee Table of CEED M.Des Courses
- CEED PhD Opportunities
- Key Takeaways for CEED 2026 Aspirants
- Conclusion
What is CEED?
Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) is a national-level exam organised by IIT Bombay. It evaluates a candidate’s design aptitude through their creativity, visualisation, drawing skills, logical reasoning, and problem-solving ability.
- Purpose: Admission to postgraduate design programmes (M.Des, PhD).
- Conducting Body: IIT Bombay.
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in Design, Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, or related fields.
- Ideal Candidates: Students who want to build careers in industrial design, product innovation, animation, communication design, interaction design, and advanced design research.
CEED 2026 at a Glance
The table below provides a snapshot of CEED 2026.
CEED 2026 Participating Institutes
There are 10 institutes that will admit students through CEED 2026. These include IISc Bangalore, eight IITs, and two IIITDMs. Each institute offers unique specialisations and course structures, giving aspirants the flexibility to choose programmes based on their interests.
IISc Bangalore: M.Des in Product Design & Engineering
IISc Bangalore offers a programme that blends design and engineering. The course prepares students to innovate in product development by focusing on aesthetics, ergonomics, design methodology, and manufacturing systems.
- Duration: 2 years (4 semesters).
IIT Bombay – Industrial Design Centre (IDC)
IIT Bombay’s Industrial Design Centre is the most reputed design school in India. It offers CEED courses across multiple domains such as Industrial Design, Communication Design, Animation, Interaction Design, and Mobility & Vehicle Design.
- Duration: 2 years (M.Des).
- Course Structure: Year one focuses on fundamentals, while year two includes projects and thesis.
IIT Delhi – Department of Design
IIT Delhi offers a studio-based design programme that integrates research, creativity, and live industry projects. The department trains students for both academic and professional design careers.
- Duration: 2 years.
IIT Guwahati – Department of Design
IIT Guwahati was among the first IITs to launch a design programme. Its M.Des includes a mandatory thesis and focuses on visual design, ergonomics, usability, and graphic communication.
- Duration: 2 years.
IIT Hyderabad – School of Design
IIT Hyderabad offers four distinct M.Des specialisations: Visual Design, Product Design, Interaction Design, and Design Studies. It also has a self-sponsored option for working professionals.
- Duration: 2 years.
IIT Jodhpur – M.Des in XR Design
IIT Jodhpur is the first institute in India to offer an M.Des in Extended Reality (XR). The programme combines augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality to create immersive experiences for healthcare, education, and entertainment.
- Duration: 2 years.
IIT Kanpur – Department of Design
IIT Kanpur focuses on creativity, prototyping, and leadership in design. Its course encourages critical thinking and prepares students for global design challenges.
- Duration: 2 years.
IIT Roorkee – Industrial Design
IIT Roorkee offers a comprehensive Industrial Design programme with emphasis on sustainability, materials, ergonomics, and prototyping.
- Duration: 2 years.
IIITDM Jabalpur – Design Thinking & Innovation
IIITDM Jabalpur integrates design, ergonomics, and material studies. Students undergo internships and thesis projects, making it a practical, industry-oriented programme.
- Duration: 2 years.
IIITDM Kancheepuram – Interdisciplinary Design & Innovation
IIITDM Kancheepuram offers an interdisciplinary design course aimed at nurturing innovation leaders. Its curriculum blends design with technology and industry applications.
- Duration: 2 years.
Comparative Fee Table of CEED M.Des Courses
Here’s a comparative view of annual fees across institutes to help aspirants make informed decisions.
CEED PhD Opportunities
Beyond M.Des, CEED also opens doors to PhD programmes in design across IITs and IISc.
- Duration: 3–5 years.
- Areas of Research: Industrial design, user experience (UX), XR/AR/VR, mobility design, sustainability, and advanced design theory.
- Career Scope: Research, academia, consulting, and leadership roles in design-driven organisations.
Key Takeaways for CEED 2026 Aspirants
- CEED offers entry into 10 top institutes, including IITs, IISc, and IIITDMs.
- Fees vary significantly—from just ₹20,000 per year at IISc to over ₹3 lakh per year at IIT Hyderabad (self-sponsored).
- Course duration for M.Des is 2 years, while PhD programmes range from 3–5 years.
- Each institute has its own specialisation such as XR at IIT Jodhpur, Animation at IIT Bombay, and Industrial Design at IIT Roorkee.
Conclusion
The CEED 2026 exam is the gateway to India’s finest design institutes. From Industrial Design and Product Innovation to XR and Animation, CEED courses cater to every design aspirant’s dream. Choosing the right institute depends on your career goals, budget, and preferred specialisation. For example, aspirants interested in mobility and vehicle design should look at IIT Bombay, while those fascinated by immersive XR technology may prefer IIT Jodhpur.
Staying updated with official notifications at ceed.iitb.ac.in is essential for applicants. With proper preparation and clarity of focus, CEED 2026 can pave the way for a successful design career in India and abroad.
