UCEED Syllabus 2026 PDF Download (Part A&B) with Important Topics & Sample Questions

Summary: The UCEED syllabus is crucial for anyone preparing to attempt the exam. With IIT Bombay revising the syllabus for the UCEED exam in 2025, check out the detailed information on topics under Parts A and B of the syllabus for an effective preparation strategy.

UCEED is the national level entrance test for admission to the B.Des programs at prestigious IITs such as IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee, and IIT Indore. It is meant to evaluate candidates' general aptitude, reasoning skills and creative ability for pursuing careers in the design domain.

The UCEED exam Syllabus 2026 provides an overview of the examination, structure, and topics to be covered in the UCEED entrance examination. Knowing and understanding UCEED syllabus is crucial as it outlines the topics from which questions are typically asked in the exam, guiding your preparation in the right direction.

This article takes you through the complete section-wise UCEED 2026 syllabus, UCEED Exam Pattern, best UCEED study material and preparation strategy. Follow along for details.

Download Free Study Material for UCEED Exam 2026 by Creative Edge

UCEED Syllabus 2026 - Overview

What is asked in UCEED exam? As per the UCEED 2026 Exam Pattern, the UCEED question paper consists of Parts A and B:

• Part A of the UCEED Syllabus will cover visualisation and spatial ability, practical and scientific knowledge, observation and design sensitivity, environmental and social awareness, analytical and logical reasoning, language, and creativity.
• Meanwhile, the Part B question paper includes topics assessing your drawing abilities and design aptitude.

Latest Updates on UCEED Exam Pattern:

Particulars	Details
Conducting Body	IIT Bombay
Number of papers	1 paper with two parts, A and B
Medium	English only
Exam Mode for UCEED pattern	Computer-based test (Part A) and Paper-based test (Part B)
Exam Duration	3 hours (Total)
Number of sections	3 in Part A (NAT, MSQ, MCQ) 2 in Part B (Drawing & Design Aptitude)
Total UCEED marks	300 PART A - 200 Marks (2 Hrs)  PART B - 100 Marks (1 Hr)

Download Complete UCEED Exam Syllabus PDF here

Part A filters candidates for Part B; both are required to score well to get top ranks. 

Understanding UCEED 2026 syllabus will help you understand the skill sets required to perform well in the UCEED 2026 examination.

Why Mastering Each Subject in UCEED Syllabus 2026 Matters

UCEED is not a 'draw-only' test. All UCEED subjects contributes to the final score in a different way:

• Some subjects are high-velocity (easy to score quickly if you practice, example- visual reasoning, observation).
• Some require deliberate practice (e.g., drawing, design sensitivity).
• Some are low-effort, high-return (e.g., general design awareness, basic practical science).

Understanding the syllabus gives you a prioritized roadmap. Not equal time for all topics, but the right time for the right topics. Official syllabus sections (below) are the map you should follow.

UCEED Syllabus 2026: Part A

Part A is conducted for 200 marks; the maximum allotted time is 2 hours. It includes Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions, Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ).

The UCEED 2026 Syllabus for Part A consists of the following seven topics.

Topics	Description
Visualisation and spatial reasoning	Ability to visualise and transform 2D shapes and 3D objects and their spatial relationships.
Practical and scientific knowledge	Know-how of scientific principles and everyday objects.
Observation and design sensitivity	Capacity to detect concealed properties in day-to-day life and think critically about them. Attention to detail, classification, analysis, inference, and prediction.
Environment and society	General awareness of environmental, social and cultural connections with design.
Analytical and logical reasoning	Ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative information.
Language	Proficiency in reading and comprehending Standard English
Creativity	Grasp of verbal and non-verbal analogies, metaphors, signs and symbols.

UCEED Exam Syllabus 2026: Visualisation and Spatial Ability

This section of UCEED 2026 syllabus consists of pictorial and diagrammatic questions to test your understanding of the transformation and manipulation of 2D shapes and 3D objects and their spatial relationships. 

UCEED Visualisation and Spatial Ability Important topics:

Pattern and design of paper folding	Optical Illusion (2D/3D objects and understanding)
Mirror, water reflections	Transformation of 2D & 3D shapes (scaling, rotation, symmetry)
Isometric and perspective views	Interpreting exploded views and mechanical drawings
Object Manipulation

Refer: UCEED Eligibility Criteria 2026

Sample Questions:

1. A perspective view of a solid is shown below. The solid is symmetrical, and hidden surfaces such as the base are flat. What is the total number of surfaces in the solid?

2. P and Q show two different views of the same solid object. Which of the options represent(s) the top view of the solid object?

Also Check: UCEED Marks vs Rank 2026: Know everything about UCEED Results

UCEED Syllabus 2026: Practical and Scientific Knowledge

Know-how of scientific principles and everyday objects.

Important topics:

Topics	Particulars
Heat & Expansion	Expansion of metals (railway tracks, bridges, gaps in concrete roads) and real-life design application
Light & Optics	Concave/convex mirrors and lenses in everyday objects (torch, car headlights, spectacles), reflection/refraction in water bodies, glass design, prisms.
Sound & Acoustics	Echo vs reverberation, materials used for soundproofing in auditoriums, etc.
Electricity & Circuits	Simple applications like fuses, earthing, wiring safety, appliances design (e.g., why 3-pin plugs are used).
Mechanics in Daily Life	Levers/pulleys/gears/screw jack. Or door handles/scissors/bicycles as real-life lever systems.
Forces & Motion	why tyres have treads, why shoes have grip, etc.
Energy & Sustainability	Questions can be about solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric applications, renewable energy integration in architecture.
Materials & Their Properties	Example- Wood vs metal vs plastic: strength, durability, eco-friendliness or heat conductors and insulators (e.g., cookware design).
Human Body & Biomechanics	About vision (near/farsightedness and lenses), Ergonomics (chair/table design for posture), etc.
Environmental Applications	Water harvesting, eco-friendly innovations, Green building materials (bamboo, mud, recycled plastic) and so on.

Sample Questions:

1. The Tropic of Cancer passes through which of the states shown below?

2. In the image below, gear 1 rotates in the direction of the arrow. Which of the statements is / are CORRECT?

UCEED Syllabus 2026: Observation and Design Sensitivity Syllabus

The questions are designed to test your ability to detect concealed properties in ordinary things, people, situations, and events and to think critically about them. You are applying attention to specific details, analysing, reasoning, classifying, inferring, and predicting - the ability to discern subtle differences in visual properties and aesthetic outcomes. The following UCEED syllabus topics are crucial to prepare for the upcoming exam.

UCEED Observation and Design Sensitivity Important topics:

Elements of Design, Layout & Principles of Design	Visual logic and odd one out
Colour Theory and Psychology	Detecting errors or subtle differences in layouts/designs
Visual Perception	Matching shapes and forms
Pattern recognition and completion

Sample Questions:

1. How many different patterns of pens are present in the given figure?

Refer: Time Management During UCEED Exam

Download UCEED Previous Year Question Papers PDF

UCEED Syllabus 2026: Environment and Society

This section tests your General Awareness of environmental factors such as climate, population, water, vegetation, pollution, weather, natural resources, etc., and their implications on the design of products, images, infrastructure, and environment.

You should be aware of social and cultural connections with the design, the history of the designed artefact, and socially responsible and environmentally sustainable design responses. 

UCEED Environment and Society Important topics:

History of Indian Art/Design, An overview of World Art, Art and Architecture, Social and Cultural relation with Art/Design.	Environmental issues, design-related current affairs
Environmentally Sustainable Designs	Awareness of products, logos, media, advertising
Indian cultural background and famous Structures,	Musical instruments, Musical Maestros, Dance forms, Crafts, and Dresses.

Sample Questions:

1. Which global product is an example of user-centric design innovation?
A) Eames Lounge Chair
B) Coca-Cola Contour Bottle
C) Both A and B
D) None of the above
 

2. Which material is most eco-friendly for temporary shelters?
A) Reinforced concrete
B) Bamboo
C) Aluminium sheets
D) PVC plastic

Refer: UCEED Exam Centres 2026

UCEED Syllabus 2026: Analytical and Logical Reasoning

This section of the UCEED 2026 syllabus tests the ability to look at qualitative or quantitative information and discern patterns within the information. You should be able to weigh opinions, arguments or solutions against appropriate criteria.

Also, you should be able to check for hidden bias or assumptions and whether evidence and argument support conclusions. Use logic and structured thinking to deduce from a short passage which of several statements is the most accurate response to a posed question. Going through Data Interpretation, brainteasers, and patterns can be an advantage.

UCEED Important Topics:

Arguments, Assumptions, Course of Action	Syllogism (a process of logic in which two general statements lead to more precise information)
Assertion and Reasoning	Series, sequences, coding-decoding
Causes and Effect	Venn diagrams, statement-conclusion

Sample Questions: 

1. In the cursed land of Weirdisthan, strength of animals was disproportionately distributed. Horse has half the strength of a Dog and four times the strength of an Elephant. Monkey has three times the strength of a Rhino. Elephant has half the strength of a Rhino. One Dog was becoming a danger for other animals and they decided to assign a team of animal soldiers to overpower him. Which team of soldiers managed to overpower the dog?

A) One Rhino and One Monkey

B) One Rhino, One Horse and One Elephant

C) One Horse and One Monkey

D) Two Horses

2. In a seating arrangement, 6 friends sit in a circle. A is to the left of B, C is opposite A, D is between B and E. Who sits to the immediate right of C?

Read more: UCEED Exam Analysis 2026

UCEED Syllabus for English Language 2026

This section of the UCEED paper syllabus requires proficiency in reading and comprehending Standard English. 

UCEED English Language Important Topics:

Questions from general English grammar.	Standard English, Vocabulary, sentence formation, metaphors
You should also be able to think creatively about alternatives, distinguish innovative options, and think outside the box.	Story-based questions, creative writing prompts
Grasp of verbal and non-verbal analogies, metaphors, signs and symbols.	Pictorial questions that require language interpretation

Sample Questions:

1. Betty bought some butter but the butter was too bitter, so she put a little gummy to make the bitter butter yummy.” In the above sentence, if you replace every letter‘t’ with letter ‘b’, what is the total number of instances in which the same letter appears at least twice in a word?

2. Which slogan is most effective for a public bicycle-sharing campaign?
A) “Cycle today, save tomorrow.”
B) “Wheels of luxury.”
C) “Drive less, eat more.”
D) “Pedal your way to freedom.”

Note:

• Although there's no separate UCEED Maths syllabus, it can be integrated in questions from numerical ability test (NAT), spatial reasoning and analytical reasoning.
• The topics above are exhaustive and indicative of the nature of the questions. However, UCEED may or may not cover all the topics.

Practice With: Free UCEED 2026 Mock Test

UCEED Exam Syllabus 2026: Part B

As per the UCEED Exam Pattern, Part B syllabus is about sketching and design thinking. It consists of two UCEED drawing questions for 50 marks each. It is a pen and paper-based test that lasts 60 minutes, and the question paper aims to test your drawing skills, which will require subjective evaluation. 

1. Scene Creation

Important topics:

• Perspective drawing (1-point, 2-point, 3-point)
• Product sketching (redesigning or imagining new products)
• Scene creation (from daily life, imaginative settings, futuristic environments)
• Human figure drawing in action or interaction
• Object proportion, scale, and foreshortening
• Expressing mood, context, or message visually

Sample Question: The competitive examinations are finally over and you are going on a holiday. You are at the nearest railway station with your family and relatives, waiting for the train that you can see, arriving. The platform is bustling with activity. Other travellers with luggage, vendors and porters (and whatever else you are likely to observe) are also on the platform. Imagine and draw what you see, giving prominence to your family and relatives. 

2. Design Aptitude and Problem-Solving 

This part of UCEED Syllabus 2026 requires that you should be able to use visual analogies, metaphors, signs, and symbols. Also, you must understand the complexity, identify the problem, generate alternatives, evaluate the options, and select solutions to score well in this section of the UCEED 2026 syllabus.

Important topics:

• Situational design questions
• User-centric problem scenarios
• Service design thinking
• Problem analysis and solution generation
• Scenario-based creative reasoning

Sample question: Redesign a classroom chair so that it can also hold a laptop safely. Sketch and label your design.

Refer:  Designing Sketches and Human Figures for UCEED 2026

UCEED Drawing Questions and Preparation Tips FREE PDF

UCEED vs NID Syllabus 2026 - Quick Comparison Table

Many design aspirants usually prepare for both UCEED and NID,  but the syllabus and focus areas differ significantly. Here's a comparison to help you understand these differences and prepare better:

Criteria	UCEED	NID
Conducting Body	IIT Bombay	NID Admission Cell
Degree Offered	B.Des (6 IITs and 1 IIIT)	B.Des (NIDs)
Exam Parts/Phases	Part A (NAT, MSQ, MCQ) Part B (Drawing)	Prelims: CAT (Creative Ability Test) GAT (General Aptitude Test) Mains: Situation Test
Theory Section	Part A: High focus on visualization, reasoning, and design thinking	GAT: Emphasis on GK, math, logical reasoning and English
Drawing Section	Part B: Scene-based, product sketching, storytelling	CAT: Poster making, product redesign, sequential art
Design Thinking	Tested directly through questions	Through situation test and CAT questions
Portfolio/Interview	No	Yes, after getting shortlisted in Prelims (CAT+GAT)

In short, UCEED syllabus focuses more on logical and analytical design thinking, while NID focuses more on visual creativity and practical application of design.

Refer:  How to Solve Fill in the Blanks in NIFT, NID & UCEED Entrances

Use CreativEdge Free Resources 2026 Strategically

FREE UCEED Study Material Name	Link
UCEED Study Material for Drawing	Click Here
UCEED Study Material for Drawing	Click Here
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 Awareness	Click Here
UCEED Study Material for Aptitude	Click Here

UCEED Preparation Books - Best UCEED Study Material for 2026

It is essential to choose the right UCEED syllabus books that cover all topics per the latest UCEED 2026 syllabus. You may consider referring to the books listed below for your UCEED 2026 Preparation.

List of UCEED Books PDF	Author(s)/Publisher
UCEED Original Previous Year Solved Papers (10 Years Solved Papers for part-A and part-B)	CreativEdge by Toprankers
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning	RS Aggarwal
Quantitative Aptitude	RS Aggarwal

The UCEED past year papers book by CreativEdge is designed by expert mentors and alumni from India’s top design schools. It gives you complete exposure to the exam’s structure, difficulty level, and question style and UCEED syllabus.

What truly sets this book apart is extensive explanation for Part-1 questions with shortcuts & tricks and exclusive QR-based Video Solutions for Part B (drawing section), a first-of-its-kind feature that lets you watch expert artists solve each creative problem step-by-step.

It's the only comprehensive book you need to practice for the highly competitive exam, decipher the question types/patterns, identify your strengths/weaknesses and crack the exam like a pro.

Also check: UCEED Colleges List 2026

Enroll Now for UCEED 2026 Online Coaching by CreativeEdge

Conclusion

Design aspirants usually ask- Is giving UCEED worth it? We say it absolutely is. UCEED is your only gateway to prestigious B.Des programs at IITs, the institutions well-known for world-class faculty, industry exposure second to none and strong placements.

And the first step to crack this exam is to understand it's pattern and the UCEED exam syllabus and create a proper study schedule for preparation depending on the time you have in hand before the exam.

The UCEED syllabus 2026 is comprehensive and covers many topics to ensure students have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the exam. It has been designed to help students develop their creative thinking, design skills, and problem-solving abilities. Therefore, all aspiring UCEED aspirants must understand the UCEED exam syllabus and thoroughly prepare for the exam.