UCEED 2027: Exam Date, Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility & Participating IITs

UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design) is conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programmes at the IITs and IIITDM Jabalpur. It is the main route into an IIT for students who want to study design, and you do not need JEE to take it.

This guide covers everything about UCEED 2027: dates, eligibility, the Part A / Part B pattern, the marking scheme, how ranks are calculated, and which institutes accept the score.

UCEED is the only design exam where a strong objective score alone can't get you in. Part B (sketching + design aptitude) is evaluated only if you clear the Part A cutoff, but your final rank uses both. Prepare both parts in parallel from day one.

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UCEED 2027 at a Glance

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UCEED 2027 Important Dates

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UCEED 2027 Participating Institutes

UCEED scores are used for B.Des admission at:

Several private and state universities also accept UCEED scores. Each one runs its own admission process, so check its website.

Stream matters for some IITs. IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad and IIT Indore accept students from all streams. IIT Guwahati and IIT Roorkee require PCM. If you are from Commerce or Arts, list your preferences with this in mind.

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UCEED 2027 Eligibility

• Age: you must be born on or after the cutoff date that makes you 24 years or younger (5-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD). Check the brochure for the exact date.
• Qualification: passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2026, or appearing in 2027.
• Attempts: maximum two attempts in consecutive years.
• Stream: any stream for most IITs; PCM is required for IIT Guwahati and IIT Roorkee.

Application fee

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UCEED 2027 Exam Pattern

Part A — 200 marks, 2 hours, computer-based

Part B — 100 marks, 1 hour, pen-and-paper

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How the UCEED Rank Is Calculated

1. Part A cutoff first. IIT Bombay sets a Part A qualifying mark each year using a statistical formula. For General candidates it is roughly the mean plus half the standard deviation, or 10% of Part A marks, whichever is higher. OBC-NCL/EWS cutoffs are 0.9× that figure and SC/ST/PwD cutoffs are 0.5×.
2. Part B evaluated only if you qualify Part A. Otherwise your answer sheet is not marked.
3. Final score = Part A + Part B (out of 300). The rank list is based on this total.

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UCEED 2027 Syllabus

Part A topics

• Visualisation and spatial ability: 2D/3D transformations, mental rotation, folding, sections, top/front views
• Observation and design sensitivity: spotting details, hidden properties, visual errors in images
• Environmental and social awareness: sustainability, materials, everyday design issues
• Analytical and logical reasoning: patterns, sequences, data interpretation, logic puzzles
• Language: reading comprehension, English usage
• Creativity: unconventional thinking, alternative uses
• Design history & awareness: Indian and global design, art, architecture, crafts

Part B topics

• Sketching: perspective, proportion, shading, memory drawing, human figures
• Design aptitude: identifying a user problem and communicating a solution through sketches and notes

For a section-by-section approach, read our UCEED Part A & Part B preparation strategy.

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How to Prepare for UCEED 2027

1. Take a diagnostic mock first. Attempt a full past UCEED paper to find your weakest areas before you plan anything.
2. Practise in the computer-based format. MSQs with partial and negative marking punish guessing. Practise on screen with the same timing.
3. Sketch daily, with a timer. Part B gives you only an hour for two questions. Practise finishing a complete, shaded perspective sketch in 25–30 minutes.
4. Build general design awareness. Read about Indian craft clusters, famous product designers and current design news. Part A regularly tests this.
5. Solve the last 8–10 years' papers. IIT Bombay releases past papers and answer keys, and question styles repeat often.

If you are deciding between UCEED and other exams, see NID vs UCEED vs NIFT. For coaching options, see the Top 10 NID, UCEED & NIFT coaching institutes.

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⚠️ Disclaimer: Information is based on the UCEED 2027 schedule and the most recent official brochure. Confirm the eligibility cutoff date, fees and institute list on uceed.iitb.ac.in.