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UCEED 2026 Expected Cutoff: IIT-Wise Opening & Closing Rank Trends for B.Des Admissions 

Every year, thousands of design aspirants appear for the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) with one clear goalsecuring admission to a B.Des programme at a top IIT. As UCEED 2026 approaches, one question dominates student searches: 

“What will be the UCEED 2026 cutoff?”  While the official cutoffs will be released only after counselling begins, analysing previous years’ UCEED cutoff trends gives aspirants a realistic picture of where they stand and how to plan their preferences strategically.  This blog breaks down UCEED 2026 expected cutoffs, IIT-wise opening and closing ranks, and key factors that influence admission outcomes in a clear, honest, and practical way. How UCEED Cutoffs Are Declared  UCEED cutoffs are released in two stages by IIT Bombay, the exam’s conducting authority: 
  1. Part A Qualifying Cutoff
This is the minimum score required to qualify Part A. Only candidates who clear this stage are assigned an All India Rank (AIR). 
  1. Institute-Wise Admission Cutoffs
During counselling, each IIT releases round-wise opening and closing ranks for B.Des admissions. These ranks determine actual seat allotment.  👉 Important: No candidate without an AIR is considered for admission, regardless of performance in Part B. UCEED 2026 Expected Cutoff: Key Trends to Watch  Based on UCEED cutoffs over the last few years, the following trends are likely to continue in UCEED 2026: 
  • Competition for IIT B.Des seats is increasing steadily. 
  • Top IITs close admissions within the first two counselling rounds. 
  • Rank movement in later rounds is limited and unpredictable. 
  • High-rank holders benefit the most by locking preferences early. 
In short, waiting for “big rank drops” is rarely a winning strategy.  Expected IIT-Wise Opening & Closing Ranks (General Category)  The table below shows expected rank ranges based on historical counselling data. These are indicative, not official. 
IIT Expected Opening Rank Expected Closing Rank
IIT Bombay (IDC) 1 10–15
IIT Delhi 15 35–45
IIT Guwahati 40 120–180
IIT Hyderabad 60 200–250
IIT Roorkee 80 250–300
IIT Indore 120 350–400
🔎 Actual cutoffs may vary slightly depending on seat availability and counselling participation. Why IIT Bombay Has the Tightest UCEED Cutoff  The Industrial Design Centre (IDC) at IIT Bombay consistently records the highest cutoff ranks in UCEED.  This is driven by: 
  • Extremely limited seat intake 
  • Strong academic pedigree 
  • High industry exposure and alumni outcomes 
  • Long-standing reputation in design education 
Historically, General category admissions to IDC IIT Bombay rarely go beyond AIR 15. Factors That Influence UCEED 2026 Cutoffs  Several variables impact the UCEED cutoff 2026 every year: 
  • Difficulty level of the question paper 
  • Number of candidates qualifying Part A 
  • Total B.Des seats across participating IITs 
  • Category-wise reservation norms 
  • Student withdrawals and counselling behaviour 
Because of this, minor rank shifts across rounds are normal, but major changes are uncommon.  What UCEED Aspirants Should Realistically Expect 
  • Top 50 AIR: Strong chances across older IITs 
  • AIR 50-200: Competitive for newer IITs offering B.Des 
  • Beyond AIR 200: Limited IIT options, alternative design schools should be explored 
Filling all eligible preferences during counselling significantly improves chances of seat allotment.  UCEED 2026 Counselling Timeline (Tentative) 
  • Result declaration: March 2026 
  • Counselling registration: April 2026 
  • Seat allotment rounds: April-May 2026 
All official updates will be published on the UCEED admissions portal managed by IIT Bombay.  Final Takeaway  UCEED 2026 is expected to remain highly competitive, especially for top IITs. While expected cutoffs help aspirants benchmark their performance, final admission depends on counselling strategy, preference order, and seat availability.  A well-informed, realistic approach, rather than over-reliance on rank drops, is key to making the most of the counselling process.  Exploring B.Des Options Beyond IITs  Design aspirants can also consider B.Des programmes at Vijaybhoomi University (VU), recognised for its interdisciplinary curriculum, strong industry exposure, and emphasis on real-world design practice. 
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