M.Des Entrance Exams 2025: Dates, Top Institutions, Eligibility, Syllabus, Preparation

MDes Entrance Exam - Significance

The Master of Design (MDes) Entrance Exams are a crucial stepping stone for aspirants who wish to pursue a career in the field of design. These exams evaluate the creativity, problem-solving skills, and design aptitude of the candidates, ensuring that only the most deserving get admission into prestigious MDes programmes across the country.

The MDes Entrance Exams 2026 will be known for their comprehensive syllabus and rigorous selection process. They not only test the theoretical knowledge of the candidates but also their practical skills through studio tests and interviews to offer MDes admission.

By qualifying these exams, candidates can gain access to top-notch design education and training, which can open up a variety of opportunities in various sectors such as product design, graphic design, industrial design, and more. Therefore, these exams hold great significance for every design aspirant.

List of MDes Entrance Exams 2026 in India

Design is a vast and dynamic field that offers various career opportunities for creative and innovative minds. To pursue a Master of Design (MDes) degree in India, aspirants need to appear for one or more of the following entrance exams, depending on their choice of institute and specialisation.

MDes Entrance Exams 2026 at National Level

The entrance exams that are conducted at the national level and are accepted by multiple institutes across the country are listed below. They cover a wide range of design disciplines and domains. The table below shows the names and eligibility criteria of some of the popular MDes national entrance exams.

MDes Entrance Exam 2026 at State Level

These are the entrance exams that are conducted by specific states or regions and are accepted by the institutes located in those areas. They may have a different syllabus and exam pattern than the national level exams. Candidates belonging to that particular state may check with the colleges before applying for MDes programme.

MDes Entrance Exam 2026 at University/Institute Level

These are the entrance exams that are conducted by individual universities or institutes and are accepted only by those institutions. They may have their own syllabus, exam pattern, and selection process. The table below shows the names and eligibility criteria of some of the prominent MDes university level entrance exams.

Please note that these eligibility criteria are subject to change as per the respective exam conducting authorities.

MDes Entrance Exam Eligibility Criteria for 2026

The Master of Design (MDes) is a postgraduate degree program that is pursued by aspirants having a keen interest in the artistic field. The following are the common eligibility criteria for MDes entrance exams 2026:

• Candidates must have a qualifying degree in Design/Architecture/ Interior design/ Fine arts or in any stream with at least 50% marks from a recognized university.

• Some universities/institutes may require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline with a minimum of 45% marks in aggregate (40% in case of SC/ST candidate) or any other equivalent qualification.

• There is no upper age limit for the candidates applying for the programmes.

MDes 2026 Entrance Exam Application Process

The application process for MDes admission is primarily done online. Provided below are the steps involved in the application process:

• Candidates must select the college they wish to apply to and check the MDes entrance exam eligibility criteria.

• For MDes entrance exam registration 2026, candidates must visit the official website of the college and register themselves. They also need to qualify for the entrance exam.

• Several colleges conduct personal interviews and group discussion rounds after the entrance exam to offer MDes Admission.

• The MDes entrance exam 2026 application form is released on the official websites of the respective colleges.

MDes Admission to some universities/institutes are based on the candidate’s merit in their qualifying examination. However, most universities/institutes offer admission to MDes based on the candidate’s performance in an entrance examination.

M Des Entrance Exam Dates 2026

Aspirants aiming to secure a seat for the Master of Design (MDes) course should be aware of the important MDes entrance exam 2026 dates. These dates serve as a road map for the candidate's preparation journey. It’s important to note that the MDes entrance exams dates 2026 differ for each exam as per the respective institute’s notification. This section provides a comprehensive list of important dates for top MDes entrance exams like CEED, NID DAT MDes, NIFT MDes, and more. Check out the table below for all the key dates.

Please note that the dates are subject to change and it’s always a good idea to check the official websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Top MDes Entrance Exams

Candidates aspiring to pursue a Master of Design (MDes) degree from a reputed institute in India need to prepare for the top MDes entrance exams. These exams test the design aptitude, creativity, and problem-solving skills of the candidates. Here are some of the top MDes entrance exams that candidates should be aware of:

• CEED: Common Entrance Examination for Design is conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to MDes and PhD programmes in design at IITs, IISc, and other institutes. It consists of two parts: Part A is a computer-based screening test and Part B is a pen-and-paper test that evaluates the design and drawing skills of the candidates.

• NID DAT MDes: National Institute of Design Design Aptitude Test is conducted by NID for admission to MDes programmes at NID Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh. It comprises two stages: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The DAT Prelims is a entrance exam that assesses the design aptitude, knowledge, and skills of the candidates. The DAT Mains is a studio test and an interview that evaluates the creativity, innovation, and communication skills of the candidates.

• NIFT: National Institute of Fashion Technology conducts its own entrance exam for admission to MDes programmes at NIFT campuses across India. It consists of two tests: Creative Ability Test (CAT) and General Ability Test (GAT). The CAT tests the intuitive and design ability of the candidates. The GAT tests the quantitative ability, communication ability, English comprehension, analytical ability, and general knowledge and current affairs of the candidates.

• IICD: Indian Institute of Crafts and Design conducts its own entrance exam for admission to MDes programmes in crafts and design. It has two parts: Part A is a general awareness, creativity, and perception test and Part B is a material, colour, and conceptual test. The candidates who qualify Part A are called for Part B. The final selection is based on the performance in both the parts and a personal interview.

• IIAD: Indian Institute of Art and Design conducts IIAD Design Aptitude Test for admission to MDes programmes in fashion design, communication design, interior architecture and design, fashion business management, and fashion communication. It is an online exam that measures the logical reasoning, creative thinking, visual aptitude, and communication skills of the candidates. The candidates who qualify the exam are called for a personal interview or portfolio evaluation

Top MDes Institutions

Several top institutions in India offer MDes programmes, providing students with a comprehensive curriculum and exposure to real-world design challenges. Here are some of the top institutions offering MDes programs:

• NID Ahmedabad - National Institute of Design

• UID Ahmedabad - Unitedworld Institute of Design

• LPU Jalandhar - Lovely Professional University

• World University of Design, Sonipat

• Jain University The D School, Bangalore

• DTU Delhi - Delhi Technological University

• SPA Delhi - School of Planning and Architecture

• VIT Vellore - Vellore Institute of Technology

• School of Design, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun

• NID Gandhinagar - National Institute of Design, Gandhinagar Campus

• Top MDes Colleges in India

Please note that admission to these institutions is highly competitive and is based on the performance in the respective entrance exams and other selection criteria set by the institutions.

Top M.Des Specialisations Courses are Listed Here

• M.Des in Fashion Design

• M.Des in Product Design

• M.Des in User Experience Design

• M.Des in Communication Design

• M.Des in Textile Design

• M.Des in Fashion & Textile Design

• M.Des in Graphic Design

• M.Des in Industrial Design

• M.Des in Retail Design

• M.Des in Furniture Design

MDes Entrance Exam 2026 Syllabus

The MDes entrance exam syllabus varies from one exam to another. However, there are some common areas that most exams focus on. These include:

Preparation Strategies for MDes Entrance Exam

Master of Design (MDes) is a postgraduate course that requires a high level of design aptitude, creativity, and problem-solving skills. To crack the MDes entrance exams, candidates need to have a well-planned preparation strategy that covers the syllabus, exam pattern, mock tests, and revision. Here are some MDes entrance exams preparation tips:

• Understand the syllabus and exam pattern: The first step for candidates is to familiarise themselves with the syllabus and exam pattern of the MDes entrance exams they are targeting.

• Develop a study plan: Based on the syllabus and exam pattern, candidates should make a realistic and achievable study plan that covers all the topics and allows enough time for revision and practise.

• Use quality study materials: To prepare for the MDes entrance exams, candidates need to have quality study materials that cover the concepts and topics in depth.

• Regularly practise mock tests and previous year papers: One of the best ways to prepare for the MDes entrance exams is for candidates to regularly practise mock tests and previous year papers.

• Revise and review: Revision is an essential part of the preparation strategy. Candidates should revise all the topics and concepts that they have studied at least once before the exam. They should also review their performance in mock tests and previous year papers, identifying their strengths and weaknesses.

Apart from these, candidates should work on improving their weak areas and avoid making mistakes in the exam.

See Also: Top MDes Colleges in India