UCEED Eligibility Criteria 2026: Know Age Limit, Number of Valid Attempts

Summary: Administered by IIT Bombay for aspiring design students, find out what it takes to qualify for this prestigious exam. Discover key insights into the UCEED Eligibility Criteria 2026. Dive into age limits, attempt rules, and essential qualifications.

Download Free Study Material for UCEED 2026 by CreativeEdge

IIT Bombay administers a nationwide entrance exam called the Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design (UCEED) to select students for its design programs. Every exam holds a set of eligibility requirements, and the same goes for the UCEED 2026 exam.

The UCEED eligibility 2026 criteria define who can appear for the entrance exam for admission to B.Des programs at IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, IIT Roorkee, and IIITDM Jabalpur. Every aspirant must carefully understand the UCEED eligibility criteria, as failing to meet any condition will result in disqualification, even if you score well in the exam.

To be able to write the exam, you must be meet the three criterion laid down in IIT Bombay's UCEED Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026. These pertain to the following aspects:

• Age Limit
• Number of Attempts
• Particulars related to the Qualifying Exam

Let’s go step-by-step to understand all aspects of UCEED eligibility 2026 including age, attempts, and other specific conditions for IIT admissions.

What is UCEED Eligibility Criteria 2026?

The UCEED eligibility outlines the essential requirements regarding a candidate’s age limit, educational qualification, and attempt limit. These criteria ensure that only candidates meeting the academic and age conditions can appear for the UCEED exam.

According to the official UCEED 2026 brochure by IIT Bombay, a candidate (including a foreign national) must meet all three conditions listed below to appear for the exam:

UCEED Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Overview

To take the UCEED test, you must fulfil the UCEED 2026 eligibility requirements. All candidates, including foreign citizens, must meet the UCEED eligibility standards in order to be issued the UCEED admit card.

Check out the IIT UCEED Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026 below:

Criterion	Description
Criterion 1 – Age Limit	Candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 2001 (for OPEN/EWS/OBC-NCL categories) and on or after October 1, 1996 (for SC/ST/PwD categories).
Criterion 2 – Number of Attempts	A candidate can attempt UCEED a maximum of two times, and that too in consecutive years. The UCEED score is valid for one year only, i.e., for admissions in the same academic year.
Criterion 3 – Qualifying Examination	Candidates must have appeared for the Class XII (or equivalent) examination for the first time in 2025 or 2026 in any stream - Science, Commerce, or Arts & Humanities. Those who appeared for the first time in 2024 or earlier are not eligible.

Check: UCEED Exam Scope & Career Benefits

UCEED Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Age

For the UCEED eligibility age, IIT Bombay has clearly specified the cutoff date of birth:

• General, EWS, and OBC-NCL: Born on or after October 1, 2001
• SC, ST, and PwD: Born on or after October 1, 1996

This means:

• For the UCEED 2026 exam, general category candidates must be under 25 years of age.
• Reserved category candidates (SC/ST/PwD) get a 5-year relaxation.

Check: UCEED Reservation Policy 2026

UCEED Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Educational Qualification & Minimum Percentage

There is no specific minimum percentage requirement for appearing in UCEED 2026. However, candidates must have passed all five subjects in their Class XII (or equivalent) exam.

Recognized qualifying exams include:

• 10+2 examination by a recognized Central or State Board
• Intermediate or Pre-University Examination
• Senior Secondary School Examination by NIOS with at least 5 subjects
• GCE (A-Level) or IB Diploma
• Diploma (3 years) recognized by AICTE or State Board (note: not all institutes may accept diploma holders for B.Des admission)

Download Real UCEED PYPs with Answers

UCEED Eligibility Percentage Requirement (Myth Clarified)

One of the most common misconceptions among aspirants is that you need a minimum percentage in Class 12 to appear for the UCEED exam or to get admission into UCEED colleges.

Let’s set the record straight- as per the official UCEED 2026 Information Brochure by IIT Bombay, there is no minimum percentage requirement to appear for or qualify in UCEED.

Here’s the Truth:

• To be eligible for UCEED 2026, candidates only need to pass all five subjects in their Class XII (or equivalent) examination.
• There is no cutoff percentage like 50% or 60% - even students who have barely passed are fully eligible to appear for UCEED.
• However, candidates must clear all subjects (no pending backlogs or supplementary exams) before admission to B.Des programs.

UCEED eligibility percentage = “Pass in Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent examination” - nothing more, nothing less.

Why IITs Don’t Have a Percentage Requirements in 12th for UCEED?

Design aptitude and creativity aren’t reflected in board exam marks, that’s why UCEED focuses on creative, logical, and spatial reasoning skills instead of academic scores. This approach makes UCEED one of the most inclusive design entrance exams in India, open to students from all educational boards and performance levels.

However, a Few Points to Remember:

Scenario	Implication for UCEED Admission
Candidate fails one or more Class 12 subjects	Not eligible for admission, even if UCEED is cleared
Candidate passes Class 12 in 2025 with grace marks	Eligible, as long as the board declares “Pass” status
Candidate appears for improvement in 2026	Eligible, provided results are declared before admission
Candidate has backlogs pending at time of counselling	Not eligible until all subjects are cleared

The final admission to IITs will only be granted after verifying your Class 12 mark sheet showing “Pass” status in all subjects.

Read more: UCEED exam analysis

Stream-Wise UCEED Eligibility Requirements for B.Des Admission - Institute-Specific UCEED Eligibility Criteria

In addition to the eligibility criteria mentioned above, the participating institutes have their own eligibility conditions as given below -

Institute	Eligible Streams (10+2 Subjects)
IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore	All Streams (Science, Commerce, Arts & Humanities)
IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee	Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (Science Stream)
IIITDM Jabalpur	Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics / Biology

So, students from any stream can apply for UCEED, but depending on your stream, you may be eligible for only certain IITs.

Know more: Private Universities Accepting UCEED 2026 Scores

UCEED Eligibility Criteria 2026: Seat Reservation Policy

The UCEED seat allotment process 2026 will be carried out based on the candidate’s category, rank, and availability of UCEED seats after the announcement of results. Candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility and reservation criteria to participate in the seat allotment rounds

Category	Percentage of Seats Reserved
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)	10%
Other Backward Classes belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL)	27%
Scheduled Caste (SC)	15%
Scheduled Tribe (ST)	7.5%
Person with Disability (PwD)	5%

Note: 5% of the reservations for PwD candidates will be horizontal. Candidates with benchmark disabilities, as per the RPwD Act 2016, are eligible for reservation in this category. Unfilled PwD seats (if any) will be re-allotted to the respective category.

Read More: Full Guide on UCEED Seat Allotment 2026

Download UCEED Important Topics with Sample Questions + Solutions

Who is Eligible for UCEED Admission 2026?

Many students get confused between being eligible for the UCEED exam and being eligible for UCEED admission. These are two different things.

While the UCEED eligibility criteria determine whether you can appear for the exam, UCEED admission eligibility depends on whether you’ve qualified the exam and completed all required steps in the admission process.

According to the official UCEED 2026 Information Brochure by IIT Bombay, only those candidates who meet all three of the following conditions are eligible for B.Des admission through UCEED 2026:

1. Fulfil the UCEED Eligibility Criteria

Before anything else, you must satisfy all the basic eligibility requirements to appear in the exam.
This includes:

Parameter	Requirement
Age Limit	Born on or after October 1, 2001 (General/EWS/OBC-NCL) or October 1, 1996 (SC/ST/PwD)
Number of Attempts	Maximum of two consecutive attempts (e.g., 2025 and 2026)
Qualifying Year	Must have appeared for the Class XII (or equivalent) for the first time in 2025 or 2026
Streams Allowed	Science, Commerce, or Arts & Humanities
Nationality	Indian Nationals, OCI/PIO Cardholders, and Foreign Nationals can apply

Candidates who have passed their Class 12 examination in 2024 or earlier are not eligible to appear for UCEED 2026.

2. Qualify the UCEED 2026 Exam (by Obtaining a Rank)

Merely appearing in UCEED isn’t enough, you must qualify the exam by scoring equal to or above the minimum qualifying marks (cut-off) set by IIT Bombay.

UCEED exam pattern consists of two parts - Part A and Part B:

• Part A is a computer-based test that evaluates visualization, reasoning, and analytical skills.
• Part B is a subjective test that assesses creativity, drawing, and design problem-solving.

Only candidates who:

Clear the Part A cut-off will have their Part B evaluated and will appear in the UCEED Rank List. And only they will be considered qualified and hence eligible for admission.

The UCEED 2026 rank list will be prepared based on the total marks (Part A + Part B), and the ranks will determine admission eligibility.

Qualifying UCEED 2026 means:

• You are included in the official UCEED rank list (General, OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST, or PwD category).
• You have a valid UCEED score (valid only for one academic year, i.e., for 2026 admissions).
• You are now eligible to participate in the Joint Seat Allotment Process conducted by IIT Bombay.

Example: A candidate who qualifies UCEED 2026 can apply for B.Des admission for the academic year 2026-27 only. The UCEED 2026 score cannot be used for 2027 admissions.

Check: UCEED 2026 Subject-wise Syllabus

3. Apply Separately for B.Des Admissions Through the Joint Seat Allotment Portal

After qualifying UCEED 2026, candidates must register separately for the Joint Seat Allotment Process for B.Des admissions. This is a completely separate process from the UCEED exam registration and result declaration.

Here’s how it works:

Step	Action	Details
Step 1	Register for Counselling	Visit uceed.iitb.ac.in and click on “B.Des Admissions (Joint Seat Allotment)”. Register using your UCEED roll number and email ID.
Step 2	Fill Institute Preferences	Choose from participating institutes - IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, IIT Roorkee, and IIITDM Jabalpur, in order of preference.
Step 3	Upload Documents	Upload scanned copies of UCEED scorecard, mark sheets, category certificates, and ID proof.
Step 4	Pay Counselling Fee	Pay the counselling fee online (non-refundable).
Step 5	Participate in Seat Allotment Rounds	There are usually 3 rounds of seat allotment based on your UCEED rank, category, and preferences.
Step 6	Accept & Freeze/Float Seat	Once allotted, candidates can either accept and freeze or accept and float the seat for subsequent rounds.
Step 7	Confirm Final Admission	Pay the seat acceptance fee, upload final documents, and report to the allotted institute.

NOTE –

1. Admission to B.Des programs at IITs is not automatic after clearing UCEED. You must actively participate in the Joint Seat Allotment process conducted by IIT Bombay.
2. Failing to register for counselling means you will NOT be considered for B.Des admission even if you have qualified UCEED 2026.

Check: UCEED Placement Packages 2026

Attempt a Free UCEED Mock Test & Test Your 2026 Exam Prep

UCEED Eligibility for IIT Bombay

When it comes to UCEED admissions, IIT Bombay is the most sought-after design college in India. It not only conducts the UCEED exam but also offers one of the most competitive and prestigious B.Des (Bachelor of Design) programs in the country.

Understanding the UCEED eligibility for IIT Bombay is essential because the institute has specific academic and stream-wise rules, limited seats - only 37, and some of the highest closing ranks among all participating IITs.

Let’s break down everything you need to know - eligibility, seat criteria, and the previous year’s cut-off trends.

Requirement	Details (as per UCEED 2026 Brochure)
Exam Qualification	Candidate must qualify UCEED 2026 with a valid rank.
Educational Qualification	Must have passed Class XII (10+2) or equivalent in 2025 or be appearing in 2026.
Streams Allowed	Students from any stream - Science, Commerce, or Arts & Humanities - are eligible.
Age Limit	Born on or after October 1, 2001 (GEN/EWS/OBC-NCL) or on or after October 1, 1996 (SC/ST/PwD).
Attempts Allowed	Maximum two consecutive years (e.g., 2025 & 2026).
UCEED Score Validity	Valid for one academic year only (2026-27 session).

Know more: UCEED Courses List 2026

IIT Bombay UCEED Cut Off:

Here’s a detailed look at the UCEED 2025 cut-off 2026 expected cut-off and closing ranks for different categories for B.Des admissions at IIT Bombay, as per official counselling data:

Category	Closing Rank (2025)	Closing Rank 2026 (expected)
OPEN	14	10-15
OBC-NCL	13	9-14
SC	7	5-8
ST	5	3-6
EWS	4	3-5

The cut-off ranks vary every year. The expected number might change substantially depending on the number of applicants, paper difficulty, and seat availability in 2026.

Also Check: Private Universities Accepting UCEED 2026 Scores

UCEED Eligibility for Foreign Nationals

UCEED entrance exam eligibility requirements differ for Indian and foreign nationals with respect to the qualifying examination being considered, and candidates must also be aware of the applicable UCEED fees.

• Foreign nationals, including OCI/PIO cardholders, can appear for UCEED 2026.
• Those with OCI/PIO cards issued before March 4, 2021 are treated under the OPEN category.
• Those with OCI/PIO cards issued on or after March 4, 2021 are eligible only for foreign supernumerary seats (maximum 10% of total seats per program).

Foreign nationals must meet the same academic and age eligibility as Indian candidates.

Important Notes for Candidates - Who is Eligible for UCEED Design Course?

• Appearance in UCEED does not guarantee admission. candidates must also qualify and participate in the seat allotment process.
• UCEED score is valid for one year only, i.e., admissions for the same academic year (2026-27).
• Candidates must meet all three criteria simultaneously - age, number of attempts, and qualifying exam.
• Diploma holders may appear for the exam but must verify eligibility with individual institutes during counselling.

Know more: Designing Sketches and Human Figures for UCEED 2026

Quick Summary Table: UCEED Eligibility Criteria 2026

Aspect	Details
Age Limit	Born on/after Oct 1, 2001 (GEN/EWS/OBC-NCL); on/after Oct 1, 1996 (SC/ST/PwD)
Attempts Allowed	Maximum 2 attempts, in consecutive years
Qualifying Exam	Class XII (or equivalent) passed/appeared in 2025 or 2026
Streams Allowed	Science, Commerce, Arts & Humanities
Minimum Marks	No minimum percentage required
UCEED Score Validity	Valid only for one academic year (2026–27)
Foreign Nationals	Eligible; subject to 10% supernumerary seat limit
Institutes Covered	IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, IIT Roorkee, IIITDM Jabalpur

Check: UCEED Result 2026

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Use CreativEdge Free Resources Strategically for 2026 UCEED Exam Preparation

FREE NID Study Material Name	Link
UCEED Study Material for Drawing	Click Here
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UCEED Study Material for Quantitative Aptitude	Click Here
UCEED Study Material for Verbal Reasoning	Click Here
UCEED Study Material for Non-verbal Reasoning	Click Here
UCEED Study Material for Verbal Ability	Click Here
UCEED Study Material for General Awaraness	Click Here
UCEED Study Material for Aptitude	Click Here

UCEED Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Key Takeaways

• IIT Bombay administers UCEED, a national entrance exam, to select candidates for its design programs. It has specified the exam eligibility criteria for all applicants to participate in the admission process.
• Before filling out the application form, applicants should thoroughly review and fulfil the required UCEED exam eligibility criteria, as non-compliance can hinder participation in subsequent admission rounds.
• UCEED eligibility criteria for 2026 include age limits, the number of attempts allowed, and qualifications.
• Ensure you're well aware about the UCEED exam eligibility requirements of the institutes admitting students through the UCEED score beforehand to avoid disappointment further into the selection process for these colleges.

Understanding your UCEED eligibility is the first step towards a fulfilling design career. With this knowledge in hand, you can confidently assess your readiness for the exam and plan your preparation strategy accordingly. The good news is that UCEED welcomes students from all academic backgrounds, fostering inclusivity and diversity within the design field.

So, if you meet the UCEED eligibility criteria and possess a passion for design, don't hesitate to take the plunge and conquer the UCEED! With dedication and the right resources, you can unlock the doors to your dream design school and embark on a thrilling creative journey.

Meeting these requirements will help students fulfil their goal of pursuing a degree in Design from one of the top design institutions.

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