CEED Cut Off 2026: Check Expected, Previous Year & Category-Wise Cutoffs

Summary:  Want to know the real CEED cut off 2026 and how it affects your chances at IIT admissions? This blog gives you the complete picture - category-wise cut-offs, CEED Part A cut off, how IIT CEED 2026 cut off marks are calculated, past year trends, and expert tips to stay above the safe score zone.

If you’re aiming for postgraduate design programmes at IITs and top institutes, the CEED 2026 cut off is the first challenge you must clear.

As per the CEED exam pattern 2026, it's a two part exam: Part-A (computer-based objective section) and Part-B (pen & paper based subjective drawing & design section). Only candidates who meet the Part-A qualifying cut off (shortlisting threshold) get their Part-B answer books even evaluated. 

That means Part-A is a gate, not just a score. Understanding how the CEED cut off is calculated, what category-relaxations exist, and how to target and achieve crucial marks is the fastest way to convert effort into a shortlist and eventually admission.

The official CEED 2026 brochure is out with official rules to calculate results and this guide explains them step-by-step, in simple language with examples, historical trends and actionable strategy.

Latest Updates: 

1. CEED 2026 Exam will take place on - 18th January 2025
2. Announcement of CEED cut off marks for Part-A - 5th February 2026
3. Declaration of CEED 2026 final results - 4th March 2026

Download Free Study Material for CEED 2026 by Creative Edge

What is CEED Cut off 2026? How is it Calculated?

CEED Part-A is used to shortlist candidates for evaluation of Part-B. A candidate must meet the CEED Part A cut off (δ) to have Part-B evaluated.

The CEED brochure defines the Part-A cut-off formula for the General (Open) category as:

δ = μ + (σ / 2)

where,

μ = mean of Part-A marks (across all candidates)

σ = standard deviation.

Reserved categories have relaxed cut offs:

OBC-NCL & EWS cut-off = 0.9 × δ

SC/ST/PwD cut-off = 0.5 × δ.

Final CEED score (for ranking) is a weighted combination:

Final score = 0.25 × (Part-A marks) + 0.75 × (Part-B marks).

Which means,

CEED Part A	25% weightage in final score
CEED Part B	Huge 75% weightage in final score

Note:

• There is NO provision for RE-EVALUATION or RE-TOTALLING in CEED 2026.
• Part-B answer books will be evaluated manually ONLY for candidates shortlisted from Part-A.
• Part-B of CEED contains subjective questions, with no model solutions for them. It will be evaluated holistically based on the criteria given in the questions.

Category-Wise CEED Cut Off 2026 [Expected]

CEED 2026 is expected to follow the updated format:

• Part A (Objective): 200 marks

• Part B (Design & Drawing): 100 marks
  Total marks: 300

With increased preparation across aspirants and widening interest in design fields, the CEED cut off 2026 is likely to shift slightly.

Category	Expected Part A Cut Off (2026)
General (GEN)	55 - 60
OBC-NCL	50 - 55
SC/ST/PwD	28 - 32

Expected Impact on CEED Cut Off:

• More applicants will push up cut‐offs slightly.

• If Part A remains algorithmic/visual heavy, shortlisting may tighten.

• Strong performance in Part B design/drawing will play critical role since cut offs filter more.

CEED Cut Off 2025:

News from CEED 2025 reported:

Particulars	Value
Mean	45.48
Standard Deviation	16.98

These are the official statistics released with the results. Using the formula:

Category	Cut Off Calculation
GEN	δ = 45.48 + (16.98 / 2) = 45.48 + 8.49 = 53.97
OBC-NCL/EWS	0.9 × δ = 0.9 × 53.97 ≈ 48.57
SC/PwD	0.5 × δ = 0.5 × 53.97 ≈ 26.99

Check: CEED Eligibility 2026- Age Limit & Educational Qualification

How to Check CEED Cut Off 2026

Following is the step-by-step process to check CEED cut off 2026, when it's released by the conducting body after the exam:

 1. Visit the Official CEED Website 

• Go to ceed.iitb.ac.in.
• CEED is conducted by IIT Bombay, so all official cut-off details are released here.

 2. Find the Latest CEED Notification 

• On the homepage, look for 'CEED 2026 Cut Off' or check under the 'Announcements / Results' section.
• The cut-off is usually declared along with the result or scorecard release.

 3. Login to Candidate Portal 

• Use your registered email ID and password to log in.
• Your Part A Cut Off (qualifying marks) and score details will be shown in your scorecard.

 4. Check Institute-wise Final Cut Offs 

• After CEED results, participating institutes (IITs & others) release their shortlisting criteria and cut-offs for M.Des admission.
• You’ll need to visit individual IIT websites (IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, etc.) to see their admission cut-offs.

Must-know: What is the Difference Between UCEED and CEED? Check Complete Guide

Factors that Determine CEED 2026 Cut-off (and What They Usually Do)

Below is a practical table mapping real drivers of CEED cut-offs to likely outcomes - useful for setting targets and reading the room each year.

Factor (2026)	How it’s measured/defined	Likely impact on Part-A cut-off	Likely impact on Final (A+B) admissions cut-off	Why this happens
Paper difficulty (Part-A)	Overall toughness of NAT/MSQ/MCQ	Harder paper → lower μ & σ → lower δ; Easier → higher δ	Indirect (since A contributes 25% to final)	δ is derived from μ & σ of Part-A.
Distribution of scores (μ, σ) in Part-A	Year’s mean (μ) & std-dev (σ)	Higher μ or σ → higher δ; lower μ/σ → lower δ	Minor	δ is computed from μ and σ.
Number of applicants	Total test-takers	Minimal effect on δ (data-driven)	Higher competition → tighter closing ranks at IITs	More qualified candidates raise the bar at counselling
Seat matrix by institute/programme	Total seats & category split at IITB/IITD/IITG/IITH/IITI/IITR/IIITDM	No effect on δ	Fewer seats → tougher closing ranks; more seats → slightly relaxed	Admissions are supply–demand driven
Category relaxations	0.9× and 0.5× multipliers	Lowers δ for reserved categories by rule	Shapes category-wise closing ranks	Policy fixed in brochure.
Part-B evaluation standards	Manual evaluation + rubric	No effect on δ	Large effect (B has 75% weight)	Final score: 0.25A + 0.75B.
Normalisation / any rubric tweaks announced	Brochure updates	Could alter δ logic if formula changes	Could alter final score combining	Always check current brochure.
Test-centre logistics/anomalies	Rare reschedules/errata	Typically none	Typically none	Uncommon, but policy-driven if any

What this means for your 2026 strategy

• Don’t chase last year’s raw number blindly. δ changes with μ & σ each year.
• Treat Part-A as a strict qualifier (clear δ with a cushion), and Part-B as the rank maker (since it’s 75% of the final score).
• Track the official brochure for the year: it confirms the Part-A cut-off formula and final-score weighting that will apply to your attempt.

Why CEED Cut Off 2026 Uses a Statistical Formula (μ + σ/2) - The Logic

Instead of a fixed mark every year, CEED uses a dynamic threshold tied to the exam’s cohort performance. This approach:

1. Adapts to paper difficulty: If the paper is tougher overall (lower μ), the cut-off lowers accordingly.

2. Accounts for spread: σ captures how varied scores are; a broader spread increases δ to reflect that year's performance distribution.

3. Keeps shortlisting consistent: The formula ensures a predictable shortlist size relative to cohort statistics.

Understanding this helps you realize that improving your relative rank (not just raw marks) matters - competing candidates’ performance alters δ.

CEED Cut Off 2026 - Part-A vs Part-B

1. Part-A (objective): Shortlists candidates. Part-A of CEED syllabus includes questions on visualization, numerical & analytical ability, design sensitivity and general awareness. The Part-A cut-off is statistical and mandatory to get your Part-B evaluated.

2. Part-B (subjective): Carrying 75% weight in the final score (vs. 25% for Part-A), it evaluates freehand drawing, creativity, and design ability. Once shortlisted, your Part-B performance largely determines final ranking.

3. Implication for preparation: Treat Part-A as a strict qualifier (must clear) and Part-B as the domain to differentiate and score high.

CEED Cut Off Marks: Previous Year Trends & What They Imply

Past trends as per the reports:

The absolute Part-A qualifying marks change year to year - we have identified reported ranges roughly around the 40-55 mark band for the general category in recent years (because μ/σ varied). And similar values are expected for CEED 2026 exam as well, unless extreme changes in the exam pattern or difficulty level.

Here's the complete breakdown (2023-2025):

Category	Past Year CEED Cut Off Range (2024-2025)	2023 CEED Cut Off
GEN	50-55	28-30
OBC-NCL/EWS	45-50	25-28
SC/PwD	25-28	14-16

Note: As per reports over the past years (2023-2025), the CEED cut off for 2024 and 2025 ranged from 25-50, which was significantly higher than 2023 cut-off in the range of 14-28. This was because the average marks and standard deviation varied a lot from 2023 to 2024.

Why did CEED cut off changed drastically between 2023 and 2024:

1. Changes in Exam Pattern:

Criteria	2024	2023
Total Part-A marks	150	100
Negative marking for MSQ questions	-1 for wrong answers	-0.2 for wrong answers
Total number of questions in Part-A	44	41

2. Change in Difficulty level of the exam:

Due to sudden change in exam pattern and associated unpredictability, it directly impacted the average scores in 2024.

3. Change in total number of candidates:

As per a general year-on-year observation, around 500-1000 more candidates are expected to appear for the exam every subsequent year.

4. Number of available seats (seat intake):

There was a shift in the total number of seats in participating IITs and IIITs.

What to take away?

• The historical information can give you a tentative idea for the upcoming CEED 2026 exam cut off and can be useful for planning your exam strategy to a certain extent only. However, it’s not possible to accurately predict the cut-off for 2026.
• Don’t target a raw fixed number without checking that year’s μ and σ; instead, aim to be comfortably above typical shortlist thresholds (practice to crack scores and ranks near the higher end of the historic ranges).
• Expect the official CEED 2026 cut off pdf (or result PDF) to be posted around results time - check the CEED website and official brochure for the exact published values.

Check: CEED Fee Structure 2026: Check Step-wise Process & Application Fees

CEED Part A Cut-off 2026 vs CEED Final Cut-off 2026 (What’s the Difference?)

 Part A cut off is a qualifying threshold for Part B; Final CEED cut off is what effectively decides admissions.

Aspect	Part A cut-off	Final cut-off
Purpose	Shortlist for Part-B evaluation	Decides rank & admission outcomes
When applied	Immediately after Part-A	After Part-B is scored & combined
How it’s calculated	μ and σ of Part-A in that year; category relaxations: GEN (Open): δ = μ + (σ / 2) OBC-NCL / EWS: 0.9 × δ SC / ST / PwD: 0.5 × δ	Combined score (A&B weighting), seat matrix, category rules. Final Score = 0.25 × Part-A marks + 0.75 × Part-B marks
If you miss it…	Part-B is not evaluated; no rank	You might miss admission to your preferred CEED colleges

What Happens After CEED Cut Off 2026 is Announced?

1. CEED Result Declaration and Scorecards

Once the cut off is announced, the CEED conducting body (IIT Bombay) releases the result and scorecards.

The scorecard contains:

• Candidate’s name, roll number, and category.
• Marks obtained in Part A and Part B.
• CEED final score (calculated using a fixed weightage of Part A and Part B).

2. Understanding CEED Score and Validity

• The CEED 2026 scorecard only indicates your performance in the entrance exam; it does not guarantee admission.
• The CEED score is valid for one year from the date of result declaration.
• This score can be used to apply for M.Des (Master of Design) programs at IITs and other participating institutes.

3. Separate Application to Participating Institutes

After the CEED result, candidates must apply separately to each institute offering M.Des admission through CEED.

Major institutes include:

• IIT Bombay
• IIT Delhi
• IIT Guwahati
• IIT Hyderabad
• IIT Roorkee
• IIT Kanpur
• IIITDM Jabalpur

Each institute issues its own admission notification, eligibility criteria, and deadlines.

4. Shortlisting Criteria by Institutes

Each participating institute decides its own shortlisting cut off for calling candidates to the next rounds. Shortlisting is usually based on:

• CEED score
• Academic background and eligibility requirements
• Sometimes portfolio submission at the initial stage

Institutes may release category-wise shortlisting lists on their websites.

5. Further Rounds of Selection

Shortlisted candidates are invited for the next stages, which usually include:

1) Portfolio Review: Candidates present their design work, projects, sketches, or creative assignments. This helps assess creativity and design skills.

2) Written/Studio Test: Some institutes conduct additional design aptitude tests or studio-based tasks to test observation, visualization, and problem-solving ability.

3) Personal Interview (PI): A face-to-face or online interview to evaluate design thinking, motivation, and subject knowledge.

The exact process varies by institute, so candidates must carefully follow each institute’s admission guidelines.

6. Final Merit List and Admission Offers

Institutes prepare a final merit list based on:

• CEED score (weightage varies across IITs, commonly 25% to 40%).
• Performance in the portfolio review/studio test.
• Performance in the personal interview.

Category-wise reservation rules (GEN, OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST, PwD) are strictly applied while preparing the final admission list. Selected candidates receive official admission offers from the institutes.

7. Admission and Enrollment

Candidates offered admission must confirm their acceptance by paying the admission fee within the deadline. Failure to do so may result in the seat being allotted to the next candidate in the waiting list. Once confirmed, candidates proceed with document verification and enrolment in the M.Des program.

Refer: Best material to prepare for CEED 

Attempt Free CEED Mock Test Today

CEED Cut Off 2026 and Admission to IITs Design Courses

Each institute that accepts CEED 2026 scores (IISc, some IITs for M.Des/PhD/other programs) sets additional criteria for admission (e.g., minimum CEED score, interview or portfolio). CEED shortlisting is a national filter - IIT CEED cut off for admissions may be higher depending on institute competitiveness and seat counts.

Always check the target institute’s admission brochure for institute-level cutoffs and selection process.

Programmes students can apply for after CEED

CEED 2026 cut off qualified students are eligible to apply for the M.Des and PhD programmes in various CEED colleges with the specializations mentioned in the table below. Details of these programmes may be obtained from the websites of these respective institutes:

CEED Colleges	Programmes
Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing, IISc Bangalore	M.Des in Product Design and Engineering PhD in Design
IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay	M.Des in Industrial Design, Communication Design, Animation, Interaction Design, Mobility and Vehicle Design PhD in Design
Department of Design, IIT Delhi	M.Des in Industrial Design PhD in Design
Department of Design, IIT Guwahati	M.Des in Design PhD in Design
Department of Design, IIT Hyderabad	M.Des in Visual Design PhD in Design
XR Design, IIT Jodhpur	M.Des in XR Design
Design Programme, IIT Kanpur	M.Des in Design PhD in Design
Department of Design, IIT Roorkee	M.Des in Industrial Design
Design Discipline, IIITDM Jabalpur	M.Des in Design
School of Interdisciplinary Design & Innovation, IIITDM Kancheepuram	M.Des in Integrated Product Design, PhD in Design

Note: Since 2025, IIT Bombay abolished the joint seat allotment process for CEED, shifting to a system where candidates apply directly to individual participating institutes.

Tips to Score Above the CEED 2026 Cut-off (Practical High Impact Strategy)

1. Prioritize Part-A topics that repeat:

Visualization & spatial ability, analytical reasoning, design sensitivity, basic numeracy - these yield faster marks in time-bound settings.

2. Target accuracy, not blind attempts:

MCQs have negative marking; MSQ/NAT have different marking rules. Practise to minimize careless errors on MCQs.

3. Timed sectional mocks:

Part-A is 1 hour; train with strict timers so you know when to skip and return. Analyze time per question and drop low-yield attempts.

4. Use official Part-A candidate response and draft answer key (when released):

Review errors and learn exact scoring pattern, CEED releases candidate responses and draft keys for a short window. Use them for direct feedback.

5. Practice NAT questions carefully:

NAT (numerical answer type) require exact answers; accuracy here is crucial because there’s no negative marking but an incorrect numeric yields 0.

How to allocate study time (Part-A vs Part-B) before the exam to Clear CEED Cut Off 2026

Given Part-B holds 75% weight for final ranking:

First target: Secure Part-A comfortably (get above typical δ estimates). Spend ~40% of study time on Part-A topics until you can clear practice cutoffs.

Then shift to Part-B: Part-B requires artful practice: freehand sketching, ideation, composition, annotation. Use the remaining 60% of your prep time to build a strong Part-B portfolio (timed full sketch sessions, thumbnails, storyboards).

Check: CEED Eligibility 2026- Age Limit, Exam Fee & Educational Qualification

Impact of CEED Cut Off 2026 on Future Design Careers

1. Entry into Premier Design Institutes

Clearing the cut off and scoring well increases the chances of admission to IITs like Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Roorkee, Kanpur, and IIITDM Jabalpur.

These institutes carry strong brand value and recognition. Graduating from them significantly enhances career opportunities in:

• UX/UI Design
• Product Design
• Industrial Design
• Visual Communication
• Interaction Design

Alumni networks and campus placements in such institutes often open doors to global design careers.

2. Impact on Career Opportunities

Admission into IITs or other CEED institutes often means exposure to:

• Cutting-edge labs and design studios.
• Interdisciplinary projects with engineering and management students.
• Industry collaborations and internships.

Missing this exposure due to not clearing the CEED cut off may limit a student initially to smaller colleges or self-learning paths. However, many designers still build successful careers with strong portfolios, even without IIT tags.

3. Long-Term Career Recognition

A degree from IITs via CEED is often considered prestigious in India and abroad. Recruiters in product design, UX, UI, and HCI fields recognize IIT graduates as highly skilled designers. Clearing the cut off and securing admission can therefore accelerate career growth and open doors to leadership roles in design firms, startups, and even global tech companies.

4. Personal Motivation and Confidence

Meeting or exceeding the cut off boosts confidence, it validates preparation and design aptitude. Missing the cut off, while discouraging, often motivates students to refine their skills, build stronger portfolios, and return stronger in the next attempt. This resilience itself shapes better designers.

Actions to Take this Month if CEED 2026 is Your Goal - Final Checklist

1. Run 8-12 timed Part-A mocks and measure mean score & stability. Aim to be comfortably above the historical δ range.

2. Build a daily Part-B routine: 30-60 minute sketching blocks, weekly full 2-hour sessions.

3. Download CEED past papers & official brochure; know the marking scheme (NAT/MSQ/MCQ specifics).

4. Keep copies of category certificates ready (if applicable) - institute verification requires documentary proof.

Attend a Live Free Demo Class

Conclusion

The CEED 2026 cut off is a statistical gate that protects the quality of candidates progressing to Part-B evaluation. To beat it, your CEED preparation should be smart: master Part-A to clear the gate and then invest heavily in Part-B for the actual rank.

Use official CEED documents (brochure, result page, cut off pdf) for exact numbers and keep your goals flexible around the μ/σ logic. With disciplined mocks, careful time management and focused Part-B practice, you can turn the CEED cut off from an obstacle into a predictable checkpoint on your path to a top design programme.

Need professional guidance to crack CEED 2026? Join India's most trusted CEED Online Coaching 2026 by Creative Edge today!