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Top Design Entrance Exams in India: Registration, Exam Dates, Pattern & Latest Updates
Several design exams in India are conducted for the 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 designing 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.
This Story also Contains
- Top Design Entrance Exam Dates 2025
- 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 2025
- Which Entrance Exam is Best for Designing?
As more aspirants are keen to opt for design courses that offers various specialisations, it becomes significant for the institutes to conduct design aptitude test or design entrance exams to select the pertinent candidates for admission. Here in this article, aspirants can not only check the list of most popular design exams in India but also their eligibility criteria, passing marks and more.
Top Design Entrance Exam Dates 2025
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 |
|---|---|
National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam (NIFTEE) | February 9, 2025 |
NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) |
|
Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) | January 19, 2025 |
January 19, 2025 | |
| |
MIT Institute of Design - Design Entrance Test (MITID DET) | April 6, 2025 |
January 25, 2025 | |
FDDI Entrance Test (FDDI AIST) | May 11, 2025 |
| |
Army Institute of Fashion & Design Written Admission Test (AIFD WAT) | Exam not held for 2025: (Online interviews) |
January 12, 2025 | |
|
* The design entrance exam 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) | July 11 and 12, 2025 |
| Maharashtra Bachelor of Design Common Entrance Test (MAH B.Des CET) | March 29, 2025 |
| Maharashtra Applied Arts and Crafts Common Entrance Test (MAH AAC CET) | April 5, 2025 |
| Kerala State Design Aptitude Test (KS DAT) | June 29, 2025 |
| Institute of Fashion Technology Kerala (IFTK) | June 22, 2025 |
* The design entrance exam 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 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 below check 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 the 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 is the NID DAT which is conducted at the national level for the students seeking NID design admission. NID DAT is the two-tier design entrance exams for undergraduate courses and design entrance exams for postgraduate courses consisting of prelims and mains exams. The shortlisted candidates from Prelims will be eligible to appear for 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 exams for undergraduate courses conducted nationally for admissions design admissions. UCEED is one of the design entrance exams for undergraduate courses after 12th available to the 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 exams 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 exams for postgraduate courses conducted for admission in to the MDes and PhD programmes to 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 the 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 2025 for UPES are also held in multiple cycles.
Also Check:
3. SMEAT
Srishti Manipal Entrance and Aptitude Test or SMEAT is another most popular design exams in India conducted at 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 KS DAT exam, while for admission in Andhra Pradesh, 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 below 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.
NIFT 2026 Most Important Topics
Get ready for NIFT 2026 with this comprehensive eBook covering CAT & GAT, featuring key topics, tips, and sample questions.
Download EBookMDes entrance exam eligibility criteria
Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree/diploma in designing 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 design entrance exam requires to have 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-flagged ideas.
- Work on your sketching skills. They used the right equipment for sketching such as 2 grades of pencil: H-grade for rough work, 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.
Best Books for Designing Entrance Exam 2025
With the right study material, candidates can prepare for the top design entrance exams 2025 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 most popular design exams in India, which are considered to be 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 designing 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 the candidates through a rigorous selection process.
NID DAT consists of two stages: Prelims and mains. Candidates who qualify for the prelims exam will only 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 staged selection process contributes NID DAT as a challenging designing exam in India.
What is the Name of Design Entrance Exams?
There are many national and university-level design entrance exam conducted in India. Some of the names of 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: 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: 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: 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 entrance exams?
A:
The top design entrance exams are as NIFT, NID DAT, UCEED, CEED and Pearl Academy Entrance Exam.
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 NIFT Entrance Exam
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to NIFT Entrance Exam ?
Hello Neharika
These are the topics which are most important in the Current affairs section in respect to NIFT Entrance Exam:
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To know more about NIFT Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Exam by CAREERS360
Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!
Hello,
According to the sources, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance exam for 2026 will be held in February 2026. Also, the registration period may open from November 2025.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hello,
It’s completely understandable to feel disheartened after not getting a seat in the first and second rounds, especially when you’ve filled all the colleges and have your hopes set on a particular course like Fashion Communication . With an OBC rank of 1910 and CMR 7192, your chances can improve in the upcoming counselling rounds as more students withdraw or shift to other colleges.
So make sure to check the further rounds of counselling and don’t lose hope. Many students get seats in the 3rd, 4th, and mop-up rounds. You can also consider updating your preference list or keeping a wider range of courses and campuses open in case you're okay with related fields.
Keep checking the official NIFT website for updates on seat allotment and further counselling instructions.
Thank you
It’s completely understandable to feel disheartened after not getting a seat in the first and second rounds, especially when you’ve filled all the colleges and have your hopes set on a particular course like Fashion Communication . With an OBC rank of 1910 and CMR 7192, your chances can improve in the upcoming counselling rounds as more students withdraw or shift to other colleges.
So make sure to check the further rounds of counselling and don’t lose hope. Many students get seats in the 3rd, 4th, and mop-up rounds. You can also consider updating your preference list or keeping a wider range of courses and campuses open in case you're okay with related fields.
Keep checking the official NIFT website for updates on seat allotment and further counselling instructions.
Thank you
Dear Candidate ,
Yes , you are eligible for NIFT - UG 2026 . Based on your birthdate , you will be 19 years old as of August 1 , 2026 , which is well within the age limit .
NIFT requires applicants to be under 24 years of age on August 1 of the admission year , with a 5 year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD candidates .
Hello
The syllabus of NIFT 2026 will be released on October 2025 by Nift officials on their official website nift.ac.in . The syllabus comprises of topics General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT). The syllabus is different for UG and PG programmes. The GAT syllabus consists of :
- Communication ability and English comprehension
- Quantitative ability
- Analytical and Reasoning
- Case study
- General knowledge and current affairs
The CAT syllabus consists important topics like
- Creative ability
- Observation power
- Discernment ability
- Design ability
- Colour combination ability
To download the complete syllabus kindly refer this
https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-syllabus
Good luck !
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