CEED cutoffs operate in two stages. Stage 1: Part A qualifying cutoff determines who is eligible for Part B evaluation. Only 40-50% of candidates pass Part A. Stage 2: Your final merit rank (determined primarily by Part B score) decides admission to M.Des programmes. This page covers both cutoff stages, historical data from 2019-2025, institution-wise seat counts, and what scores typically lead to admission at different IITs.
CEED Part A qualifying cutoffs
Part A is a screening test only. Your Part A score does not contribute to your final CEED rank. However, you must clear the Part A cutoff to be eligible for Part B evaluation and final ranking. IIT Bombay sets category-wise Part A cutoffs after the exam, based on the difficulty level and overall performance of candidates that year. The cutoff percentage varies year to year, but historically falls in these ranges.
| Category | Approximate cutoff % | Marks out of 100 |
|---|---|---|
| General | 25-30% | 25-30 marks |
| OBC | 22-27% | 22-27 marks |
| SC/ST | 15-20% | 15-20 marks |
| PwD | Same as category | Based on category |
Example: If you score 28 marks in Part A (out of 100) and you are in the General category, you will qualify (assuming the General cutoff is 25-26). If the cutoff that year is 32, you will not qualify, and you will not be eligible for Part B evaluation, meaning automatic rejection regardless of your Part B performance. This is why Part A preparation cannot be neglected even though Part A scores do not count toward your final rank. The Part A cutoff is a hurdle to clear, not a scoring component.
Note: The exact Part A cutoff for CEED 2027 will be announced by IIT Bombay after the exam (typically 2-3 weeks after exam date). Preparation target: aim to score at least 40-50 marks in Part A to be comfortably above the cutoff.
CEED score and merit rank relationship
After you qualify Part A, your final CEED score and merit rank are determined. The final score (out of 100) is primarily based on Part B marks plus a small academic component. Approximately 85-90% of the final score comes from Part B, and 10-15% from your Bachelor\'s degree marks. This final score determines your merit rank. All qualified candidates are ranked nationally from 1 onwards, and this merit list is published on ceed.iitb.ac.in.
Below is an approximate relationship between final CEED score and merit rank, based on historical data. These are rough estimates and vary year to year depending on the total number of candidates, difficulty level, and performance distribution.
| Merit rank range | Approximate CEED score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 1-50 (Top 50) | 55-75 marks | 99+ percentile |
| 51-150 (Top 150) | 50-54 marks | 98-99 percentile |
| 151-300 (Top 300) | 45-49 marks | 96-98 percentile |
| 301-500 | 40-44 marks | 90-96 percentile |
| 501-1000 | 35-39 marks | 75-90 percentile |
| 1000+ (Below top 1000) | Below 35 marks | Below 75 percentile |
Important clarification: These numbers are estimates based on 2019-2025 data. Actual ranks will vary year to year. A score of 40 marks in one year might be rank 200, while the same score in a different year might be rank 250, depending on the total number of candidates and their performance distribution. Always rely on official CEED results once they are published. Also note: approximate 6,000 candidates take CEED annually, and approximately 40-50% pass Part A, so approximately 3,000 candidates have a merit rank. Total seats across all institutions: approximately 200-250 M.Des seats.
CEED accepting institutions and M.Des seats
Eight institutions accept CEED scores for M.Des and PhD admissions. Below is the list of institutions, approximate number of seats, and M.Des specialisations offered. Note: seat numbers are approximate and may vary year to year. Check official institutional websites for exact counts.
IIT Bombay, Mumbai
Seats: 30-35 (M.Des) Specialisations: Industrial Design, Visual Design, Interaction Design, Animation Design
IIT Delhi, New Delhi
Seats: 25-30 (M.Des) Specialisations: Industrial Design, Communication Design, Textile Design
IIT Kanpur, Kanpur
Seats: 15-20 (M.Des) Specialisations: Design (general programme)
IIT Guwahati, Guwahati
Seats: 15-20 (M.Des) Specialisations: Product Design, Interaction Design, Craft Design
IIT Roorkee, Roorkee
Seats: 15-20 (M.Des) Specialisations: Design (general programme)
IIT Hyderabad, Hyderabad
Seats: 15-20 (M.Des) Specialisations: Visual Design, Industrial Design
IIT Jodhpur, Jodhpur
Seats: 10-15 (M.Des) Specialisations: Design programme
IISc Bangalore, Bangalore
Seats: 10-15 (M.Des) Specialisations: Product Design and Engineering
Total seats across all institutions: approximately 200-250 M.Des seats annually. Each institution conducts its own selection process after CEED result is published. Some institutions interview selected candidates; others use written tests or portfolio evaluation. Check individual institutional websites for their specific selection process and timeline. The national CEED merit list (published on ceed.iitb.ac.in) is used by all institutions as the primary screening criterion, but each institution may have additional selection methods.
How to apply to M.Des programmes using CEED score
CEED is a single entrance exam, but admission to M.Des programmes is decentralised. Each institution handles its own counselling or selection process. Here is the general timeline and process.
Step 1: Wait for CEED result
CEED result (Part A and final merit rank) is declared in March. You will receive an email notification with your result. Check the official CEED portal at ceed.iitb.ac.in to download your result document.
Step 2: Check if you qualified Part A
If your Part A score is below the cutoff, you will not have a merit rank and cannot proceed. If you qualified Part A, you will have a merit rank (e.g., rank 245). Note this rank carefully.
Step 3: Identify target institutions
Research the M.Des programmes offered by each institution. Check eligibility criteria, selection process, and specialisations. Most institutions have counselling based on merit rank, but some may have interviews or additional tests. Visit each institution's website to understand their process.
Step 4: Apply to individual institutions
Each institution has a separate application process and timeline, typically April-May after CEED result. You will need to submit the counselling form or application, along with your CEED admit card, scorecard, and degree certificate. Application is usually online on the institution's website.
Step 5: Attend counselling or interviews
Institutions call candidates for counselling (merit-based) or interviews based on their CEED rank. Attend scheduled counselling sessions or interviews. Some institutions use online counselling, others conduct in-person sessions.
Step 6: Receive admission offer
If selected, you will receive an admission letter from the institution. Accept the admission by submitting required documents and fee. Deadline to join is typically June-July 2027.
Timeline summary: CEED 2027 exam (January) → Result declared (March) → Institution applications (April-May) → Counselling/interviews (May-June) → Admission offers (June) → Final admission (July-August 2027). The exact timeline varies by institution. Follow each institution\'s website closely after CEED result for their specific announcement of counselling dates and application portal.
Tips to improve your CEED score
Focus on Part B
Part B determines your final rank. Allocate 60-70% of study time to Part B preparation (design thinking and drawing practice). Part A is important for qualification but Part B drives your final outcome.
Develop design thinking
Read design case studies, study design methodology, and understand how designers approach problems. Design thinking is more important than drawing skill in CEED.
Practice past papers
Solve all available Part B questions from past years. Get feedback from mentors on your design reasoning. Learn from different approaches to the same problem.
Build speed in Part A
Part A requires 2-2.5 minutes per question average. Practice with mock tests under timed conditions. Develop quick solving strategies for spatial reasoning and reasoning problems.
Strengthen academic profile
Your Bachelor's marks contribute 10-15% to final CEED score. Ensure you are uploading your marks correctly during application. Higher academic profile helps.
Learn from rejections
If your Part B attempts are rejected during evaluation, do not feel discouraged. Instead, ask for detailed feedback on what was missing. Refine your approach for the next attempt.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the minimum CEED score to qualify?
A: Part A cutoff typically ranges 25-30% for General (25-30 marks out of 100). Only candidates who clear Part A are eligible for Part B evaluation. There is no passing cutoff for Part B; your rank determines admission chances.
Q: Does CEED score expire?
A: CEED score is typically valid for one academic year. You can use your CEED 2027 score (March result) to apply to M.Des programmes in July-August 2027. Check with individual institutions for their specific validity periods.
Q: Can I apply to multiple IITs with one CEED score?
A: Yes. One CEED score is accepted by all 8 institutions. After CEED result, each institution conducts separate counselling or interviews. You can apply to multiple institutions with the same score.
Q: What is the CEED merit list?
A: CEED merit list is a national ranking published by IIT Bombay after the exam. It ranks all qualified candidates based on Part B score and academic marks. This merit list is used by all 8 institutions for selection.
Q: How is CEED score calculated?
A: Final CEED score (out of 100) is approximately 85-90% based on Part B marks and 10-15% based on Bachelor's degree marks. Part A is screening only, not included in final score.