CEED Exam Centres 2026 (Released): City-wise List and Exam Day Guidelines

Author : Vineeta Agrawal

November 24, 2025

Summary: This guide covers complete details on CEED exam centres, city allocation rules, registration tips, eligibility, exam day guidelines, and how to choose the best CEED 2026 exam centre for a smooth and stress-free exam experience.

Choosing the right CEED exam centres is one of the most important parts of your CEED 2026 preparation. Your test centre location directly affects your travel time, comfort level, and performance on exam day. This detailed guide covers the complete CEED 2026 exam centres list across India, how to select the best centre during registration, important updates for 2026 and CEED exam day instructions.

This is the most comprehensive guide available online and is designed to help you rank, prepare, and navigate the CEED exam process smoothly.

What Is the CEED Exam and Why Are CEED Exam Centres 2026 Important?

CEED 2026 is a national qualifying exam primarily used to shortlist candidates for M.Des admissions at CEED colleges and participating institutes including IIT Bombay, IISc Bangalore, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Jodhpur, and a number of other institutes and design programmes. CEED score alone does not guarantee admission; shortlisting and subsequent interviews/studio tests are part of admissions. This context helps aspirants decide how critical selecting the most convenient CEED exam centres is to their overall test plan. Programs that you can enter through CEED 2026:

M.Des (Master of Design) programmes at IITs
PhD Design programmes
Design specializations across top institutes

Choosing the correct CEED 2026 Exam Centres Matters Because:

It affects your exam-day performance
You reduce chances of delays, stress, and mismanagement
You ensure you reach the centre comfortably and on time
You avoid last-minute travel issues
A well-chosen centre increases your confidence and sets the right tone for the exam.

Must Read: CEED Step Wise Preparation Strategy for 2026

CEED Exam Centres 2026 - North / South / East / West (City-wise Details)

The CEED exam is conducted across major cities in India to ensure candidates can choose a test location that is convenient and accessible. Every year, IIT Bombay releases an updated list of CEED exam centres in the official information brochure, and candidates must select their preferred city while filling the CEED registration form.

Although the number of CEED test centres may vary slightly year to year, the exam is typically held in 20+ cities covering all major regions of the country. The regional list below gives you a clear state-wise and zone-wise breakdown of CEED exam centres to help you identify the closest and most suitable location before applying.

North India - CEED 2026 Exam Centres

State / Region	City
CEED Exam Centres Delhi / NCR	Delhi (New Delhi)
Haryana / Punjab	Chandigarh / Mohali
Uttar Pradesh	Noida, Lucknow
Uttarakhand	Dehradun
Rajasthan	Jaipur

South India - CEED Exam Centres List 2026 (City-wise)

There are 4 major CEED 2026 exam centres in Kerala along with a few other major cities in South India.

State	City (CEED test centres)
Karnataka	Bengaluru, Hubballi
Tamil Nadu	Chennai, Coimbatore
Telangana	Hyderabad
Kerala	Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur
Andhra Pradesh	Visakhapatnam

East India - CEED Exam Centres List 2026 (City-wise)

State	City (CEED exam centres)
West Bengal	Kolkata
Odisha	Bhubaneswar
Bihar / Jharkhand (if included)	Patna
North East	Guwahati

West and Central India - CEED 2026 Exam Centres List 2026

State	City (CEED test centres)
Maharashtra	Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur
Gujarat	Ahmedabad
Madhya Pradesh	Bhopal
Chattisgarh	Raipur
Goa	Panaji

Note: CEED exam centres vary slightly year to year. IIT Bombay releases the official city list in the CEED Information Brochure and on the CEED portal; the admit card contains the final centre allocation. Always cross-check the brochure for the exact centres for your application year.

CEED Test Centres 2026: How They Are Allocated

Choosing and getting your preferred CEED test centre is not random. IIT Bombay follows a structured allocation system designed to balance candidate convenience and administrative feasibility. Understanding how CEED test centres for 2026 are allocated helps you avoid last-minute surprises and choose your preferences more strategically during registration. Here’s how the allocation actually works:

1. Your Preferences During Registration (Highest Priority)

When filling the CEED application form, you are required to select three preferred CEED exam centres in order of priority. IIT Bombay tries to allocate the first preference as long as seats are available in that city.
If the first preference fills up, your second or third preference is considered.

What this means for you:

Always choose your preferences carefully. Select the nearest, easiest-to-reach cities first. Avoid choosing distant cities “just in case,” because once allotted, CEED rarely allows centre changes.

2. Availability of Seats in the Exam Centre

All CEED exam centres have a fixed seating capacity, based on:

number of labs
number of systems
security infrastructure
availability of invigilators
logistical capacity

While filling the form, you can choose your preferred CEED exam centres from the dropdown list. IIT Bombay tries to allot your first preference, but if seats are filled, the next preferred centre is allotted automatically.

Example:
If Delhi (your 1st preference) gets full, you may be allotted Noida or Gurugram (your next preferences).

3. Demand in a Particular City

Some cities, especially metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune, receive very high demand every year. Similarly, design hubs like Ahmedabad and Hyderabad also tend to fill up early. If a city receives far more applications than available capacity, IIT Bombay redistributes candidates to:

nearby cities
the same region
your next preferences (in the order you selected)

Important Insight:
Choosing only extremely high-demand cities reduces your chances of getting your first choice.

Also Check: CEED Last Minute Preparation Strategy 2026

4. Administrative & Logistical Feasibility

IIT Bombay ensures that all CEED test centres comply with strict examination standards, including:

enough security personnel
functional computer labs
power backup
CCTV monitoring
availability of trained invigilators
accessibility and safety conditions

Sometimes, even if a city is listed in the brochure, it may:

get merged with nearby centres due to low registrations
not be activated due to administrative constraints
have limited session capacity

In such cases, candidates get reallocated to the nearest possible active centre.

What You Should Learn From This CEED Exam Centres Allocation Process

Select all three preferences wisely, not just one.
Avoid choosing only highly competitive cities like Delhi or Mumbai.
If travelling is an issue, prioritize nearby regional centres instead of metros.
Register early. Early applicants often get better chances of securing first preferences.
Always plan a backup travel route for your second/third preferred cities.

Decision-Making Table for Choosing the Best CEED Exam Centres

Decision Factor	What to Consider	If YES → Recommended Choice	If NO → Alternative Action
Proximity to Home	Is there a CEED exam centre within 30-60 minutes of travel?	Choose the closest city to reduce travel fatigue.	Pick the nearest major city with reliable transport.
Travel Reliability	Are there good bus/metro/train connections to the centre?	Select that city, it reduces exam-day stress.	Choose a city with better connectivity even if slightly farther.
Local Traffic Conditions	Is the exam city prone to traffic jams?	Choose a centre located on the outskirts or near metro connectivity.	Prefer a smaller nearby city with smoother travel.
Accommodation Availability	Will you need to stay overnight?	Choose a city with budget hotels near the CEED exam centre.	Pick a centre in your home city or a city where you can stay with relatives.
Exam-Day Weather	Does the city face extreme heat, fog, or winter issues?	Choose a centre in the same city to avoid travel delays.	Select a city with stable weather conditions during January.
Demand for the Centre	Is the centre known to fill quickly (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru)?	Apply early and keep it as 1st preference.	Choose equally good but less crowded cities nearby (e.g., Noida instead of Delhi).
Previous Exam Experience	Have you taken an exam earlier at this location?	Prefer the familiar centre to reduce anxiety.	Select a well-reviewed centre known for better facilities.
Parental/Guardian Support	Will someone accompany you?	Choose a convenient centre with parking and waiting space.	Prefer a centre with metro connectivity for easier solo travel.
Health & Comfort	Are you sensitive to long travel or noise?	Choose a calm, nearby centre with minimal commute.	Pick a quieter alternative even if farther.
Backup Options	Do you have a second-best city in mind?	Keep it as Preference 2 during CEED registration.	Research nearby cities and add them as Preferences 2 & 3.

How to Select CEED Exam Centres During 2026 Registration

During the CEED application process: Step-by-Step Centre Selection:

1. Visit the official CEED registration portal

2. Fill personal details and academic information

3. Proceed to the CEED exam centres selection section

4. Choose 3 preferred test centres in order

5. Review availability and confirm final selection

6. Submit and download the application

7. You cannot change the centre after final submission unless IIT Bombay allows a correction window (rare).

How to choose your preferred CEED 2026 exam centres during registration

Pick three cities: Choose up to three CEED 2026 exam centres (cities) in order of preference during the online registration. Ideally pick the closest metro or regional centre you can comfortably reach on the exam day.
Consider travel time and connectivity: Select a city with reliable rail/air connections and same-day reachable hotels if you plan to arrive the night before.
Prefer familiar cities: If you’ve visited a city before, you reduce the risk of navigation errors on exam morning.
Choose backups sensibly: For second and third choices, select cities with good connectivity from your hometown.
Apply early: Popular CEED exam centres can fill faster; early application gives a higher chance of getting the first preference. (IIT Bombay attempts to fill based on demand.)

Check: CEED Exam Previous Year Question Papers

Centre Allotment Rules & What to do if Your CEED Exam Centre 2026 Changes Last-minute?

IIT Bombay assigns the exact test venue (hall/building) within the city and prints this on the CEED admit card. The city may be one of your three preferences, but occasionally, if demand is low or logistics require, a different city might be allotted by the exam authority.

No change after admit card: Generally, you cannot request a change once the admit card with the venue is issued. If there’s an obvious error, contact the CEED helpdesk immediately (contact details are in the brochure/site).

If your allotted CEED test centre is far: Arrange to travel a day earlier and book convenient accommodation close to the centre; factor in local traffic and reporting time.

CEED 2026 Overview: Registration, Eligibility, Exam Fees & Important Dates

(These are the standard CEED registration & eligibility points summarized from the CEED 2026 Brochure; always verify the brochure for your year.)

CEED 2026 Registration

Online registration window and deadlines are published on the CEED website. Candidates fill the form, choose up to three CEED exam centres, upload documents, and pay the fee online.

CEED Eligibility 2026

CEED is for candidates seeking admission to M.Des programmes. CEED 2026 eligibility rules include criteria about educational qualification (usually a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or final-year students).

CEED Exam Fees 2026:

The CEED application fee is determined based on your category as follows:

₹ 2,000/- for all women candidate
₹ 2,000/- for (SC/ST/PwD) candidates
₹ 4,000/- for all other candidates
A late fee of ₹500 /- applies to registrations of all the candidates submitted after the regular closing date.

CEED 2026 Exam Important dates

Particulars	Date
Start date for online registration with regular fee	October 01, 2025, 01:00 pm
Last date for online registration with regular fee	October 31, 2025
Last date for online CEED registration with late fee	November 07, 2025, 5:00 pm
Start date for Admit Card downloading	January 02, 2026, 01:00 pm
Last date for rectification of discrepancies in the Admit Card	January 08, 2026, 5:00 pm
CEED 2026: date and time of exam	January 18, 2026 (Sunday) 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Release of draft answer key for Part-A and release of candidate’s response for Part-A	January 20, 2026
Last date for uploading comments (if any) on the draft answer key for Part-A in the candidate’s portal	January 22, 2026, 5:00 pm
Release of final answer key for Part-A	January 28, 2026, 5:00 pm
Announcement of CEED cut-off marks for Part-A	February 05, 2026
Declaration of results	March 04, 2026

Final checklist: What to do 7 Days Before the CEED 2026 Exam

Requirement	Status
Printed Admit Card	✔
Original ID Proof	✔
Pencils (2B–6B)	✔
Eraser & Sharpener	✔
Transparent bottle	✔
No electronic devices	✔
Reached centre early	✔

CEED Exam Day Guidelines 2026 (Complete & Updated Instructions Every Aspirant Must Follow)

The CEED 2026 exam centres follow strict rules to maintain fairness, security, and smooth conduct of the test. Understanding the CEED exam day guidelines beforehand helps you avoid last-minute stress, disqualification risks, or delays at the venue.

This section includes:

Reporting, verification, and entry rules
Seating, biometrics, and security procedures
What to carry & what NOT to bring (tabular format)
Behaviour rules inside CEED exam centres
Unique insights from past candidates and invigilators
Guidelines for both Part A (computer-based) and Part B (sketching)

1. Reporting Time & Entry Procedures

Arrive at the CEED exam centre at least 60-75 minutes before the scheduled start time. This gives you enough buffer for security checks, metal-detector screening, seating instructions, and biometric verification.

Important reporting rules:

Entry usually closes 30 minutes before the exam begins; late candidates are not allowed.
Carry the same government ID & CEED admit card 2026 used during registration.
Candidates must go through document verification, and signature matching.
Electronic devices will be checked; bags may need to be kept outside the hall.

2. Verification & Seating Guidelines

After verification, candidates are guided to their assigned rooms.

CEED exam centres follow a 3-point security check:

Document verification
Biometric verification (fingerprint/iris, depending on centre)
Seat allocation confirmation

Once seated:

Do NOT start the system until instructed.
Check your system for mouse/keyboard malfunction, screen issues, broken hardware, or login errors.
Report issues before the exam begins; after the exam starts, invigilators cannot help with technical problems except system restarts.

3. CEED Part A & Part B Exam Day Instructions

PART A (Computer-Based Test)

You will answer MCQs, MSQs, and NAT questions.
Rough sheets are provided; do not write on the desk, hands, or any personal paper.
Submit digitally; ensure every question you intend to answer is saved.

PART B (Sketching/Test of Drawing)

A separate answer booklet is provided.
You may use pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners
No watercolors, poster colors, brush pens, or oil pastels.
Do not tear pages, add pages, or request multiple sheets.
Write answers only in the designated spaces.

Check: CEED Syllabus 2026 - Part A & B Subject Wise Syllabus

4. What to Carry to CEED 2026 Exam Centres (Updated)

Allowed Items (Must Carry)

Item	Details
CEED Admit Card	Printed copy, with photo clearly visible
Valid Government ID	Aadhaar, Passport, PAN, Voter ID, Driving Licence
Stationery (for Part B)	Pencils (HB–4B), eraser, sharpener, dry color pencils
Transparent Water Bottle	No labels or opaque bottles allowed
Prescription Medicines	Only with supporting documents

Items Allowed with Restrictions

Item	Conditions
Analog Watch	No smartwatches, no digital watches
Sweaters/Light Jackets	Should not have pockets or hoods

Not Allowed Items (Strictly Prohibited)

Item	Reason
Mobile phones, smartwatches, fitness bands	Electronic devices prohibited
Calculators of any kind	CEED Part A does not allow calculators
Bags, wallets, pouches	To be kept outside; not allowed inside hall
Notes, books, printed material	Considered unfair means
Color markers, paints, watercolors	Only dry media allowed
Earphones, Bluetooth devices	Not permitted
Food items	Except for medical reasons (with proof)

5. CEED Exam Centre Rules (Inside the Hall)

Follow invigilator instructions strictly.
No talking, sign language, or seeking clarifications from other candidates.
Do not leave your seat without permission.
Do not change your system or seat.
Any suspicious behaviour may lead to disqualification.
Rough sheets must be returned after the exam.

6. After the Exam

Wait for invigilator instructions before leaving.
Return the answer booklet for Part B and rough sheets.
Do not tear any pages from Part B answer booklet.
Check you have taken back your ID and personal belongings.

Read: Job Opportunities After CEED 2026 - Placements & Packages

Conclusion

This blog is your complete CEED exam centres guide. Choosing the right location and selecting backup cities intelligently is as important as your preparation. Use the official CEED 2026 brochure and the IIT Bombay CEED portal to pick your three city preferences during registration and always confirm final CEED test centre details on your admit card.

Plan travel early, do a venue recce where possible, and follow the CEED exam day rules strictly to avoid last-minute issues. With the right centre choice and calm planning, you make one fewer variable to worry about on test day and that improves performance.

Preparing for CEED 2026? We can help you with exact strategic roadmap, study material and crucial feedback required to ace this exam.

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