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Top Design Entrance Exams in India 2027, Registration, Exam Dates, Pattern & Latest Updates
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Several design exams in India are conducted for aspiring students to pursue their desired undergraduate design courses after 12th. Some of the design colleges in India offer direct admission based on 10+2 scores. The best design schools such as NIFT, NID, and IITs conduct top design exams for B.Des and M.Des admission. Every year, thousands of students appear for the most popular design exams in India with an aim to get admission to the top design institutes or universities. As more aspirants are keen to opt for design courses that offer various specialisations, it becomes significant for the institutes to conduct design aptitude tests or design entrance exams to select the pertinent candidates for admission. Read the complete article to know the list of popular design exams in India as well as their eligibility criteria, passing marks, and more.
This Story also Contains
- Top Design Entrance Exam Dates 2027
- Level of Design Entrance Exam in India
- Top Design Entrance Exam in India Eligibility
- How to Crack the Entrance Exam for Designing after 12th?
- Best Books for Designing Entrance Exam 2027
- Which Entrance Exam is Best for Designing?
Top Design Entrance Exam Dates 2027
Check out the list of top entrance exams conducted in India for admission to design courses. Find important dates, pattern, and list of colleges that accept scores from the top design entrance exams conducted in the country:
Top National Level Design Entrance Exam
| List of Design Entrance Exams | Design Entrance Exam Dates (Tentative) |
|---|---|
National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam (NIFTEE) | February 2027 |
NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) |
|
Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) | January 17, 2027 |
January 17, 2027 | |
January 2027 | |
MIT Institute of Design - Design Entrance Test (MITID DET) | April 2027 |
To be announced | |
FDDI Entrance Test (FDDI AIST) | May 2027 |
April 2027 | |
Army Institute of Fashion & Design Written Admission Test (AIFD WAT) | Will be notified |
January 2027 | |
Conducted in Multiple rounds |
* The design entrance exams listed above are not mentioned in any particular order.
Top State Level Design Entrance Exam
| List of Design Entrance Exams | Design Entrance Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University - Fine Arts and Design Entrance Examination (JNAFAU FADEE) | To be announced |
| Maharashtra Bachelor of Design Common Entrance Test (MAH B.Des CET) | April 2027 |
| Maharashtra Applied Arts and Crafts Common Entrance Test (MAH AAC CET) | April 2027 |
| Kerala State Design Aptitude Test (KS DAT) | To be announced |
| Institute of Fashion Technology Kerala (IFTK) | To be announced |
* The design entrance exams listed above are not mentioned in any particular order.
Top 5 Design Entrance Exams in India
Level of Design Entrance Exam in India
In India, top design exams for B.Des and M.Des are conducted at the national, university, and State level. Here, aspirants can check top design entrance exams in India list level-wise and also design entrance exams for fashion, graphic, and interior design.
National Level Entrance Exam for Designing After 12th
Aspirants can check below some of the popular national-level entrance exams in India:
1. NIFT Entrance Exam
The NIFT Entrance Exam is one of the most popular design exams in India for fashion designing in India conducted by the National Institute of Fashion Technology. The NIFT entrance exam is conducted once a year to offer admission to aspirants in various design programmes. Aspirants willing to secure admission into any of the NIFT campuses are required to qualify for the NIFT entrance exam.
Know more about the NIFT entrance exam
2. NID Design Aptitude Test
NID Design Aptitude Test is another significant design exam in India conducted by the National Institute of Design. Top design exams for B.Des and M.Des are the NID DAT, which is conducted at the national level for students seeking NID design admission. NID DAT is a two-tier design entrance exam for undergraduate courses and a design entrance exam for postgraduate courses, consisting of prelims and mains exams. The shortlisted candidates from Prelims will be eligible to appear for the mains exam. NID admission is wholly based on the candidate's performance in the NID DAT.
Check details of NID DAT
3. UCEED
Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design, commonly known as UCEED, is a centre-based exam conducted by IIT Bombay. UCEED is the design entrance exam for undergraduate courses conducted nationally for design admissions. UCEED is one of the design entrance exams for undergraduate courses after 12th available to students for admission. The qualified candidates can secure admission in UCEED participating institutes and other result-sharing institutes. The UCEED is a notable fashion design exam in India that offers entry to the Bachelor of Design programs at IITs.
More details of UCEED
4. CEED
Common Entrance Examination for Design, commonly known as CEED, is a national-level design entrance exam conducted by IIT Bombay for students seeking admission to M.Des (Master of Design). CEED is the design entrance exam for postgraduate courses conducted for admission into the MDes and PhD programmes at the participating institutes and other result-sharing institutes. CEED score is valid for one year from the date of the result declaration.
More details of CEED
University-Level Design Entrance Exams in India
Some of the best design colleges in India conduct their own design entrance exams for fashion, graphic, and interior design for admission into the design courses. Below are some of the popular university-level design entrance exams in India provided for the purpose of students to have idea about the design entrance exams.
1. Pearl Academy Entrance Exam
Pearl Academy is considered to be one of the best fashion design schools in India. Pearl Academy design entrance exam is conducted approximately 5 times a year for admission to its various campuses. The Pearl Academy design entrance exams are conducted in multiple cycles.
You may also check
2. UPES Design Aptitude Test
Another university-level design entrance exam in India is UPES DAT. University of Petroleum & Energy Studies conducts the UPES DAT in online mode for admission to UG courses. The other top design entrance exam for UPES in 2027 is also held in multiple cycles.
Also Check:
3. SMEAT
Srishti Manipal Entrance and Aptitude Test, or SMEAT, is another of the most popular design exams in India conducted at the university level. Students who have passed class 12th are eligible to appear for this university design entrance examination.
Also Check:
State-Level Design Entrance Exams in India
Most colleges in India accept national-level design entrance exams for admission to UG or PG design courses. However, some states conduct their own entrance exams, such as Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. For Kerala admission, the authorities conduct the KS DAT exam, while for admission in Andhra Pradesh, the AP AdCET exam is held.
Top Design Entrance Exam in India Eligibility
In order to appear for the entrance exam for designing after 12th, candidates are required to meet certain conditions as laid down by the authorities. Top design entrance exam in India eligibility varies institute- and course-wise. However, candidates can check general design entrance exam eligibility criteria below.
BDes entrance exam eligibility criteria
- Candidates who wish to pursue a B Design course need to complete 10+2 in any stream or its equivalent exam from any recognised board of education.
- Candidates should meet the BDes cut-off set by the institute.
- There is some relaxation on the BDes cut-off for the reserved category candidates.
MDes entrance exam eligibility criteria
- Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree/diploma in design with at least 50 percent aggregate marks.
- Candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in Architecture/Engineering can also apply for the course.
Top Fashion Design Colleges by Location
How to Crack the Entrance Exam for Designing after 12th?
Every year, the maximum number of candidates appear in the top design entrance exams in India. Cracking the entrance exam for designing after 12th is not easy, with many candidates competing for it. Acing the design entrance exam requires having a clear-cut exam strategy and a thorough understanding of the design entrance exam syllabus.
Aspiring students thinking of taking a design entrance exam in the future must start preparation in the early months to avoid last-minute hiccups. Consistent preparation and dedication are required to tackle the design entrance exam. Here are some of the preparation tips to complete easily the design entrance exam syllabus.
- Enhance your creative skills. Curiosity in learning and exploring new ideas will enhance your creative skills.
- Read comic strips or watch cartoons. Reading comic strips will help you to develop the ability to present your creative ideas in a storytelling format.
- Time Management. Make a timetable. Prioritize the important things and devote your time to them.
- Improve visualization and observation skills. Try to observe things around you and come up with new ideas.
- Work on your sketching skills. They used the right equipment for sketching, such as 2 grades of pencil: H-grade for rough work and light drawings, and B for rapid work and shading.
- Give a mock test. Participating in the mock test regularly helps to gain confidence and get rid of the exam stress. Analyzing the performance of mock tests is the next step to implementing the exam strategy.
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Best Books for Designing Entrance Exam 2027
With the right study material, candidates can prepare for the top design entrance exams 2027 effectively. The best books for the design entrance exam in India will help students get a detailed explanation of all topics.
Top Design Entrance Exams in India: Most Recommended Books
Best Books for Design Entrance Exams | Author name |
NID DAT Books (Aptitude Section) | R.S. Aggarwal |
Design drawing | Francis D.K.Ching |
Basic Rendering | Robert W.Gill |
UCEED (B.Des) Entrance Books and Test Series | AFA India |
Analytical Reasoning, Mental Aptitude, Verbal Aptitude (UCEED Guide) | Institute Of Creative Sciences |
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning | RS Aggarwal |
Quantitative Aptitude | RS Aggarwal |
Comprehensive English for NID, NIFT, UCEED, CEED, NATA, B.Arch & Other Design Entrance Exams | Designologue |
Perspective Drawing Handbook | Joseph D'Amelio |
Cracking CEED & UCEED (with Previous Years' Papers and Mock Tests) | Ashok Goel and Arjun Kamal |
UCEED (B.Des) Entrance Books and Test Series | AFAINDIA |
Cracking CEED & UCEED (with Previous Years' Papers and Mock Tests) | Ashok Goel and Arjun Kamal |
Art perception | David Cycleback |
CEED + NID | AFAINDIA |
NIFT, NID, and IIFT Entrance Exam Guidelines 01 | Dharmendra Mittal |
NIFT/NID | Mittal D |
Design Drawing | Francis Ching |
Rendering in Pen and Ink | Robert Gill |
Which Entrance Exam is Best for Designing?
There are several popular design exams in India that are considered to be the best for designing. Each entrance exam has a unique focus and is recognized by top design institutes in India. The choice depends on the student’s design interest. Understanding the format and requirements of each exam is crucial for effective preparation. These exams test not only academic knowledge but also creative and innovative thinking abilities. Some of the best design exams in India are NIFT, NID DAT, UCEED, CEED, AIEED, and many more.
Which is the toughest exam for design?
The National Institute of Design Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) is considered to be the toughest exam in design compared to other design exams in India. The high level of competition, due to the large number of applicants and the limited number of seats available, contributes to its reputation as a tough exam. NID DAT exam assesses candidates through a rigorous selection process.
NID DAT consists of two stages: Prelims and Mains. Candidates who qualify for the prelims exam will be eligible for the mains exam. After completion of the Mains exam, candidates need to go through the next selection process consisting of a situation test and personal interview. Candidates who qualify for the exams are eligible to participate in the counselling process. This multi-stage selection process makes NID DAT a challenging design exam in India.
What is the Name of Design Entrance Exams?
There are many national and university-level design entrance exams conducted in India. Some of the names of the most popular design exams in India are
- UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design)
- CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design)
- NID DAT (National Institute of Design Design Aptitude Test)
- NIFT Entrance Exam (National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Examination)
- Pearl Academy Entrance Exam
- AIEED (All India Entrance Examination for Design)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How can I choose the right design courses?
A:
Some of the aspects which must be considered while choosing the right design courses are given below. Know your interest and eligibility criteria. Research before choosing your specialization. Analyse career scope.
Q: What are the top design entrance exams?
A:
The top design entrance exams are as NIFT, NID DAT, UCEED, CEED and Pearl Academy Entrance Exam.
Q: How can I crack the top design entrance exam?
A:
Preparation tips for top design entrance exam are as follows:
- Practice sample papers
- Work on your sketching skill
- Give mock test
- Practice puzzle question
- Polish your general knowledge
Q: What are the top design specializations in India?
A:
The top design specializations are given below.
- Fashion design
- Graphic design
- Product design
- User experience design
- Industrial design
- Graphic design
- Animation design
- Interior design
- Web design
Q: What is the national exam for design?
A:
The NID DAT exam is a national exam for Design is administered by the National Institute of Design.
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Questions related to B.Des
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to B.Des ?
Hello, please check this link: Top B.Des Colleges in Maharashtra
Hello Student,
Can you please specify which college is your preference for pursuing B.Des. Interior Design?
Hello Dear Student,
Top government-run colleges offering a Bachelor of Design (BDes) in UI/UX in India. Admissions to these premier institutions are primarily based on national-level entrance exams like UCEED, NID DAT, and the NIFT Entrance Exam.
You can check, find and access more information here:
https://www.careers360.com/courses/ui-ux-course
https://www.careers360.com/courses/b-des-bachelor-of-design
Hope it
Hello Dear Student,
The total cost of pursuing a B.Des degree in India generally ranges from 4 lakh to 25 lakh or more for the entire course, depending on the institute.
-
Fees vary based on the college, location, and facilities offered.
-
Additional expenses may include hostel, mess, study materials, and
Hi,
The MIT Institute of Design B.Des final results for 2026 were published on May20, 2026 on the official portal. Candidates can download their scorecards by logging into the official website with their email ID and password.
You can also the results at https://design.careers360.com/articles/mit-dat-bdes-final-result-2026-out
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