UCEED, CEED 2026 Cut-offs Released for BDes, MDes Admissions; IIT Closing Ranks Indicate High Competition
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has officially released the UCEED and CEED 2026 Part A cut-off marks, a crucial step in the admission process for Bachelor of Design (BDes), Master of Design (MDes) and PhD programmes offered by IITs and participating institutes.
The cut-off marks are used to shortlist candidates for Part B evaluation, following which final merit ranks will be prepared for seat allocation.
UCEED 2026 Part A Cut-off Details
For UCEED 2026, conducted for admission to BDes programmes, IIT Bombay has declared the following statistical parameters:
Mean score: 70.86
Standard deviation: 25.77
Based on these values, the qualifying cut-off for Part A has been calculated category-wise as per the official formula. Candidates securing marks equal to or above the prescribed cut-off are eligible for Part B evaluation.
CEED 2026 Part A Cut-off Details
For CEED 2026, conducted for admission to MDes and PhD programmes, the institute released the following data:
Mean score: 39.35
Standard deviation: 16.89
Only candidates meeting the qualifying threshold will be shortlisted for further evaluation and ranking.
Comparison With Previous Year
A comparison with last year highlights changing performance trends:
UCEED 2025 mean score: 61.50
CEED 2025 mean score: around 45
While UCEED candidates showed an improvement in average scores in 2026, CEED saw a slight decline in the mean score, indicating variations in exam difficulty and performance levels.
Importance of Part A Cut-off
Clearing the Part A cut-off is mandatory for Part B evaluation
Final All India Rank (AIR) is prepared using combined Part A and Part B scores
Qualifying the exam does not guarantee admission, as seat allotment depends on rank, category, preferences and seat availability
IIT BDes Closing Ranks (Previous Year Trends)
Based on previous admission rounds, the general category closing ranks for BDes programmes at IITs were approximately:
| IIT Campus | Closing Rank |
|---|---|
| IIT Delhi | ~41 |
| IIT Hyderabad | ~61 |
| IIT Guwahati | ~96 |
| IIT Roorkee | ~111 |
| IIT Indore | ~119 |
These figures highlight the intense competition for limited design seats at IITs. Actual cut-offs vary each year and differ across categories.
What Candidates Should Do Next
UCEED 2026 results are expected in early March
CEED 2026 results will also be announced in March
UCEED counselling and seat allotment is likely to begin in April
Candidates must ensure they meet eligibility conditions related to age, qualifying examination and category
Relaxation in cut-off marks is applicable for OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST and PwD categories as per norms.
Conclusion
The release of UCEED and CEED 2026 cut-offs marks a key milestone in the design admission process. With high competition and limited seats across IITs, aspirants are advised to closely track their ranks, understand previous closing trends, and prepare strategically for counselling and seat allotment rounds.