Careers360 Logo
Search Colleges, Exams, Schools & more
ask-icon
share
    Your Roadmap to Top Design Colleges in India 2027: Entrance Exams, Colleges, Admissions
    • Articles
    • Your Roadmap to Top Design Colleges in India 2027: Entrance Exams, Colleges, Admissions

    Your Roadmap to Top Design Colleges in India 2027: Entrance Exams, Colleges, Admissions

    Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 19 Oct 2026, 11:23 AM IST

    The top design colleges in India have started their design admissions. Aspirants who want to secure admission into top design colleges in India have to appear for various design entrance exams, followed by selection rounds such as portfolio review, studio test/ situation test and interview. Some of the top colleges for design admission include NIFT campuses, NID colleges, and IIT BDes admissions. In this article, get the roadmap to top design colleges in India, entrance exams and admission details.

    Your Roadmap to Top Design Colleges in India 2027: Entrance Exams, Colleges, Admissions
    Roadmap to Top Design Colleges in India

    The institutes offer a UG and PG design programmes with various design specialisations such as fashion design, interior design, communication design, product design, transportation design, animation, graphic design, and more.

    Top Design Colleges in India Roadmap

    A typical route for entry into design courses of top colleges in India include multiple stages. The admission process may vary across colleges. Aspirants must ensure they fulfil the eligibility criteria as prescribed by the college. They also have to mandatorily appear for all the components of the selection process to secure final admission.

    • First candidates have to appear for entrance examination

    • Selected candidates from the entrance exam have to appear for a studio test or portfolio evaluation round

    • In several top private colleges, candidates are also interviewed before being admitted

    KCC Institute of Legal and Higher Education, Greater Noida

    Law Admissions 2026 Open | Avail Merit-Based Scholarships

    Apply
    Global Institute of Business Studies, Bengaluru

    BBA/MBA/PGDM Early Bird Applications Deadline 19th Oct '26. Apply now using coupon code CAREER250 and get ₹250 off the application fee

    Apply

    Top College Choices and Entrance Exams

    The table below lists down some of the top design colleges in India and the entrance exams for the same. Design aspirants must track the dates for the top entrance exams to successfully secure a seat at the top colleges.

    Colleges and Entrance Exams

    College

    Entrance Exam

    National Institute of Design

    NID DAT

    IITs Offering Design

    UCEED (UG) and CEED (PG)

    NIFT campuses

    NIFTEE UG and NIFTEE PG

    Symbiosis Institute of Design

    SEED

    Pearl Academy

    Pearl Academy entrance exam

    NMIMS School of Design

    NMIMS DAT

    BITS Design School

    BITS DAT

    MAH BDes CET Participating Colleges

    MAH BDes CET

    Top Design Colleges - Admissions Process

    NID Admission

    The NID entrance exam consists of prelims and mains. Candidates shortlisted in the prelims have to appear for the NID mains. As per the NID selection process, the prelims is a qualifying exam for the mains and the marks will not be carried forward. The NID BDes mains consists of studio sensitivity test and in-person sensitivity test. The NID MDes mains consists of studio test and interview. The NID syllabus for prelims and mains can be checked by clicking on the link given here.

    NID Selection Process Weightage

    Particulars

    BDes

    MDes

    Studio sensitivity test/Studio Test

    60%

    40%

    In-person sensitivity test/ Interview

    40%

    60%

    IIT Design Admission

    The BDes admissions at IIT are done based on the scores in the UCEED entrance exam. There is a centralised counselling process in UCEED. The MDes admissions at IITs will be done separately by institutes based on scores in the CEED entrance exam. Additionally, candidates have to appear for a studio test/interview and written test for MDes admissions as required by the institute.

    Candidates have to clear Part A as well as Part B of UCEED/CEED to be ranked and be eligible for admissions. Part A is an objective paper which examines general awareness, quantitative and logical proficiency. Part B is a subjective paper which tests the drawing and sketching skills. The UCEED syllabus and CEED syllabus can be checked by clicking the link here.

    The final score in UCEED is determined by adding the scores in Part A and Part B scores. The final score in CEED is determined by adding 25% of the score in Part A and 75% of the score in Part B.

    NIFT Admission

    The NIFT entrance exam consists of stage 1 and stage 2. The NIFT selection process varies across programmes. For stage 1, candidates have to appear for GAT or GAT and CAT both depending on the type of programme applied for. Candidates are offered UG admissions into BDes and BFTech programmes. While the NIFT PG programmes include MFtech, MFM, and MDes. Shortlisted candidates in stage 1 appear for the next stage. The stage 2 consists of a NIFT situation test for BDes and an interview for NIFT PG. The NIFT syllabus for UG and PG can be checked by clicking the link given here.

    NIFT Selection Process

    Program

    Test

    Weightage

    B.Des

    General Ability Test (GAT)

    30%

    Creative Ability Test (CAT)

    50%

    Situation Test

    20%

    B.F.Tech

    General Ability Test (GAT)

    GAT:

    Sec. A-30%

    Sec. B-70%


    M.Des

    General Ability Test (GAT)

    30%

    Creative Ability Test (CAT)

    40%

    Personal Interview (PI)

    30%

    M.F.M.

    General Ability Test (GAT)

    70%

    Personal Interview (PI)

    30%


    M.F.Tech

    General Ability Test (GAT)

    70%

    Personal Interview (PI)

    30%

    Symbiosis Institute of Design Admission

    Symbiosis Institute of Design conducts the SEED entrance exam for its BDes admissions. The SEED is held in remote proctored mode for 60 minutes. It is an objective exam and the SEED syllabus can be checked by clicking the link given here. Shortlisted candidates in the entrance exam have to appear for a portfolio review and a personal interview round to secure admission.

    Pearl Academy Design Admission

    Pearl Academy has campuses in Delhi, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Mumbai offering BDes and MDes programme. The institute conducts the Pearl Academy entrance exam in multiple phases in online mode. The Pearl Academy entrance exam syllabus can be checked here. Candidates shortlisted in the exam must appear for an interview round to secure admission. The institute also accepts scores in NID, UCEED, CEED and NIFT for its design admission.

    NMIMS School of Design Admission

    NMIMS School of Design conducts the NMIMS DAT exam in multiple phases. NMIMS DAT consists of a studio test and an interview round. The NMIMS DAT syllabus can be checked by clicking the link given here. Shortlisted candidates will be offered admission into the BDes Humanising Technology programme of the institute.

    BITS Design School Admission

    BITS Design School Mumbai conducts the BITS DAT entrance exam in online remote proctored mode. The BITS entrance exam syllabus has sections on english, reasoning, and design aptitude. After the entrance exam, candidates must also appear in portfolio evaluation and interview rounds to secure admission. The institute also accepts scores in UCEED and NID DAT for BITS design admissions. Such candidates can directly appear for the portfolio/interview round without appearing for BITS DAT.

    MAH BDes CET Admissions

    The CET Cell conducts MAH BDesign CET entrance exam for admission into BDes programme of participating colleges in Maharashtra. The exam is conducted in offline mode and the MAH BDes CET syllabus can be checked here. Shortlisted candidates who have a valid score in the exam must register for MAH BDes CET counselling process. The seat allotment will be done based on scores in the exam and the college preference given by them.

    Articles
    Upcoming Design Exams
    Anant Design Entrance and Proficiency Test
    Ongoing Dates
    ADEPT Application Date

    1 Sep'26 - 20 Dec'26 (Online)

    GLS Design Aptitude Test
    Ongoing Dates
    GLS DAT Application Date

    2 Sep'26 - 21 Jan'27 (Online)

    MIT World Peace University Common Entrance Test
    Ongoing Dates
    MIT WPU CET Application Date

    2 Sep'26 - 4 Dec'26 (Online)

    Study Resources, Applications and Opportunities

    KCC Institute of Legal and Higher Education, Greater Noida
    Apply

    Law Admissions 2026 Open | Avail Merit-Based Scholarships

    Global Institute of Business Studies, Bengaluru
    Apply

    BBA/MBA/PGDM Early Bird Applications Deadline 19th Oct '26. Apply now using coupon code CAREER250 and get ₹250 off the application fee

    School of Business, UPES, Dehradun
    Apply

    Ranked #36 amongst institutions in Management by NIRF | 100% Placement

    Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
    Apply

    Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 18 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2026

    Indian Institute of Art and Design, New Delhi
    Apply

    Leading Design College | 95% Placement Record | Merit-cum-Means Scholarships for Deserving Students

    NEET PG College Predictor
    Explore

    NEET PG All India & State College Predictor with Admission Process Guide

    View all Application Forms

    News and Notifications

    Latest updates

    Explore Career Options

    By Industry
    Video Game Designer

    Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

    Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

    3 Jobs Available
    Animator

    An animator creates moving images to bring characters and stories to life in films, games, ads, and more. They use software like Maya or Blender, work with teams, and follow storyboards. Key skills include creativity, storytelling, and attention to detail. With relevant education, animators can grow from junior roles to specialised or leadership positions in the industry.

    2 Jobs Available
    Industrial Designer

    The concepts for manufactured products such as cars, home appliances, electronics and toys are developed by industrial designers. They combine art, business and technology to produce daily goods that people need. Individuals who opt for a career as Industrial Designers operate in a number of industries. Ironically, manufacturers employ only 29 per cent of industrial designers directly. Students can pursue Visual Communication to become Industrial Designer.

    2 Jobs Available
    Visual Merchandiser

    A visual merchandiser is a professional who makes it look astonishing by utilising his or her designing skills. Visual merchandising contributes to awareness and brand loyalty among consumers. An individual, in visual merchandising career outlook, plays a crucial role in fetching the attention of customers and bringing them to the store. 

    2 Jobs Available
    Merchandiser

    A Merchandiser is a professional who is responsible for optimising the sales of the store or business. He or she ensures that the retail and online stores are stocked up and analyses the sales data to improve and promote sales strategies. A Merchandiser is required to work closely with the buyers, suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers to provide customer services. 

    Merchandiser in this career is also expected to monitor the product appearance and arrange and maintain product displays, and product pricing. He or she must have excellent analytical skills and a service-oriented approach. A Merchandiser plays an important role in maximising profits by setting up the prices and managing the performance of the ranges, promotions planning and markdown.

    2 Jobs Available
    Designer

    A designer is a person whose career entails creating or changing designs for construction projects or arranging for others to do so or giving them instructions to do so. Individuals in the highest-paying designing jobs in India are employed in a variety of industries, including fashion, architecture, web graphics, and user experience. A career in design and technology comes in many different forms, including drawings, design details, specifications, bills of material, and design calculations.

    2 Jobs Available
    Fashion Designer

    Fashion designers are creative professionals who transform ideas into stylish and wearable clothing and accessories. Using a combination of artistic flair and technical skills, they sketch designs, choose fabrics, and oversee the production process. Fashion designers stay aligned with trends, adapting their creations to suit the evolving tastes of the audience.

    Fashion designers make trendy designer clothes, stay updated with the trends, using various modern elements into their designs. They are always coming up with new ideas and turning their creative visions into clothes people can wear. Their creations allow people to express themselves through what they wear, showing their unique style and identity.

    2 Jobs Available
    Interior Designer

    An interior designer plans and manages interior spaces to be functional and visually appealing, considering human behaviour and safety regulations. They work on residential, commercial, and specialised projects, handling space planning, material selection, lighting, and project coordination. Key skills include creativity, technical knowledge, and communication. A degree in interior design, certifications, and internships help build a successful career in this dynamic, creative field.

    2 Jobs Available