IICD Entrance Exam 2026: Registration (Open), Exam Dates Out, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation

Overview of the IICD Entrance exam 2026

The IICD entrance exam 2026 allows students to join the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design for the Bachelors Programme (B.Des.) and Masters Programme (M.Des.) in the disciplines of Hard, Soft and Fired Material Design, Fashion Clothing, Jewellery, Crafts Communication and Interior Design along with the addition of a one year PG Diploma.

IICD 2026: Key Highlights

IICD Entrance Exam 2026 Schedule

The table below provides the complete IICD schedule. Aspirants must keep track of the dates to successfully secure admission.

IICD Entrance Exam Dates 2026

IICD Entrance Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The IICD eligibility criteria has been released by the Indian Institute of Craft and Design on its official website. The details are given below.

• For the four year Bachelors Programme (B.Des.)

1. 10+2 from a recognized board of education.

2. Students appearing in the qualifying examination are also eligible to apply

• For the two year Masters Programme (M.Des.)

1. Graduates from Design and Architecture background

2. B.Des. | B.Arch. | B.A.in deign B.Sc. in Design| B.Voc. in Design

3. Any other Graduation degree in Design or Architecture

• For the one year PG Diploma programme

1. Graduates from a Non-Design background

IICD Entrance Exam 2026 Application Form

The IICD entrance exam application has been opened in November 2025 on the IICD 2026 official website, Candidates can apply till March 31, 2026.

The steps to apply for IICD Entrance Exam 2026 are as follows:

• When the prompt box appears, click on the link that says, “Admission Guidelines with Registration Link”

• This opens into a new tab where there are links to “New Admission Registration” and “Application Procedure”.

• Click on the “New Admission Registration” link after perusing through the details that are presented on the page

• Fill in the necessary details after selecting the “New Registration” option.

The fee payment for the registration for Indian and SAARC nationals stands at Rs.1750/- and for foreign nationals, it stands at Rs. 3500/-.

There is a correction window for uploaded documents ensuring that the candidate will receive an email that requires them to resend the documents in the specified format.

If the candidate has registered with the necessary documents and filled in the details as required by the application portal they will receive a confirmation email with the transaction reference ID.

Failure to receive such an email, necessitates a communication to admissions@iicd.ac.in with the proof of transaction.

IICD 2026 Entrance Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The entrance exam will be conducted online with the details of the test being shared in the IICD 2026 Admit card cum Question Paper which can be accessed by registered applicants on the exam registration page.

Based on the guidelines for the IICD exam pattern, applicants must submit their responses before the given time period of one week. There is also a helpline included which candidates can reach out to for clarification.

The personal interview portion of the test will be conducted via Whatsapp in the week following the exam submission. The exact timing will be mentioned in the admit card. The interview is for 20 minutes, during which the candidates need to keep their submitted portfolio with them.

The mark split for IICD exam syllabus is

1. General Awareness, Creativity & Perception Test (Part A)

• Estimation of sizes and proportion, synthesis and visual interpretation, observation, and general awareness.

2. Material, Color and Conceptual Test (Part B)

• Intelligent use of materials, skill of handling material, conceptualize and realize a 3 dimensional form.

• To observe, create solutions based on a plan and strategy, think and expand ideas.

• Ability to provide multiple solutions to the given problem with written description.

3. Personal Interview

• Aptitude to crafts

• Intelligence quotient (IQ)

• Communication Ability

• General Awareness about Crafts & Design

• Overall Personal Achievements in academics and co-curricular activities.

There are 32 questions in total divided into Part A and Part B. The marking scheme dedicates 35% to Part A, 45% to Part B and 20% to the Personal interview.

IICD Entrance Exam 2026 Admit Card

The IICD admit card will be released on the official page of IICD on April 5, 2026 onwards. Candidates can access their Admit Card cum Question Paper from the Registration Login Page. The last date to submit the responses is April 20, 2026. The steps to access the Admit Card are given below. Candidates are also required to attend an interview on whatsapp video call on May 1, 2026.

• Open the official website of IICD 2026

• Enter the page for the registration portal

• Download the admit card cum question paper

The exam guidelines as well as the question paper for the IICD Entrance Exam 2026 are received along with the admit card download. Following the guidelines on the admit card is necessary with the addition that it also stipulates the scheduled timing for the personal meeting for the discussion of the portfolio.

IICD Entrance Exam 2026 Result/Merit List

The IICD entrance exam result for round 1 will be declared on May 15, 2026 and on June 2, 2026 for round 2. Candidates can access their IICD results using their login credentials. The merit list presents the results for B.Des., M.Des. and PG Diploma separately. Shortlisted candidates are required to pay the fees within the prescribed deadline.

There is not a formal IICD Entrance Exam 2026 counselling session for admissions. Instead, seat allocation is based on the merit list generated from the entrance exam and subsequent interview performance. Candidates are informed of their seat allocation through an admission letter, and those selected must pay the required fees to confirm admission.

Best books for IICD 2026 Entrance Exam Preparation

The IICD 2026 Entrance Exam is certainly different from most exams where candidates are given a week to prepare their answers and submit them. However, that does not mean that they are free from any form of preparation. To that end, we have curated a list of the best books for IICD Entrance Exam 2026.

In addition one can also prepare in advance IICD sample papers. They’ll give the much needed edge over the competition, and perhaps help secure a much coveted seat in IICD.

IICD Books 2026