Top Design Entrance Exams 2025-26, NIFT, NID, UCEED
Swati Kumar2 Sept, 2025
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Design Entrance Exams 2025-26: Design Entrance Exams are highly competitive exams that evaluate candidates aspiring for a career in design, architecture, and fashion. Some of the prominent exams include the NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) , NID (National Institute of Design) , UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design) , and NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) . These exams test skills in areas like creativity, design thinking, drawing, logical reasoning, and general knowledge. Aspiring designers must prepare thoroughly to meet the rigorous selection criteria of these prestigious institutions.
Fashion Designing Course Entrance Exam
Fashion design entrance examinations, such as the NIFT, NID DAT, and UCEED, are rigorous exams of creative, intuitive, and general talents such as problem-solving, design sensitivity, communication, and analytical capabilities. The specific exam structure, which includes sections such as a Creative Ability Test (CAT) and General Ability Test (GAT), a Design Aptitude Test (DAT), a Situation Test, and an interview, differs per institute, with NIFT and NID serving as major examples.
Design Entrance Exams After 12th
To gain admission to design courses at NIFTs and NIDs, candidates have to clear the design entrance exams. While some of the design colleges offer admission based on the class 12th results, top design institutes like IITs, NIFTs, etc provide admission based on the entrance exams. The top design entrance exams for 2025-26 in India are listed below with expected exam dates.| Best Design Entrance Exams After 12th | |
| Top Design Entrance Exams | Exam Dates 2025 |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) | 9th February 2025 |
| NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) |
Prelims: 5th January 2025 Mains: 26th April 2025 – 4th May 2025 |
| Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED Exam 2026) | 19th January 2025 (Date Out) |
| Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) | 19th January 2025 |
| Pearl Academy Entrance Exam |
January 17, 18 & 19,2025 (Cycle-1) April 19 & 20, 2025 (Cycle-2) |
| MIT Institute of Design DAT | April 6, 2025 |
| Indian Institute of Crafts & Design (IICD) | January 25, 2025 |
| FDDI Entrance Test (FDDI AIST) | May 11, 2025 |
| Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED) | January 12, 2025 |
Designing Exams After 12th
Designing exams after the 12th grade, specifically for design and fashion courses in India, is a multi-stage process that exams aptitude, creativity, and design awareness, with key exams including the NIFT Entrance Exam, NID DAT, UCEED, and others such as AIEED, depending on the college and program. The selection process usually includes written examinations including elements such as the General Ability Test (GAT), Creative Ability Test (CAT), and design sensitivity questions, followed by a portfolio evaluation, studio test, and interview.
Design Entrance Exams in India
Design Entrance Exams in India are essential for candidates seeking admission to prestigious design institutes like NIFT, NID, UCEED, and NATA. These exams assess a candidate's creativity, problem-solving abilities, and technical skills in areas such as drawing, design aptitude, and logical reasoning.Candidates are selected for admission based on performance in written tests, drawing assessments, and interviews or portfolios.
The most prominent Design Entrance Exams in India are discussed below. Candidates can get an overview of the most popular design entrance exams conducted in India.Fashion Designing Course Entrance Exam
NIFT Entrance Exam
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is the most popular design entrance exam in India. Through the NIFT exam, candidates can secure admission to various design courses like Bachelor of Design ( BDes ), Bachelor of Fashion Technology ( BFTech ), Master of Design ( MDes ), Master of Fashion Management (MFM), and Master of Fashion Technology ( MFTech ). The exam is conducted once a year in January/February by the National Institute of Fashion Technology. For NIFT B.Des admission, candidates must have passed their class 12th in any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts) with a minimum of 50% marks from any recognized board, or completed a 3-4 years of Diploma recognised by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education and must be less than 24 years as of 1st August of the year of admission. Candidates interested in pursuing B.F.Tech from NIFTs must have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks and Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects from any recognized board.NID Entrance Exam
The National Institute of Design (NID) includes a three-tier admission process. Candidates need to obtain valid results in the NID entrance exam to get admission to BDes, GDPD, and MDes design courses provided at NID. The NID entrance exam comprises objective, subjective, and drawing questions. To take admission in design courses at various NID colleges, candidates must have completed their class 12th in any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts) with a minimum of 50% marks from any recognized board. Candidate must be born on or after July 1, 1993 to apply for NID admissions. There is age relaxation for reserved category candidates.The NID DAT Prelims for both courses was held on 5 January 2025. The application window opened from 3 September to 6 December 2024. Results for the DAT Prelims were announced on 17 February 2025, for M.Des and 1 April 2025, for B.Des. Final results and seat allotment rounds will be completed by late May 2025, with provisional offer letters issued in June.
UCEED
Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) is a center-based entrance exam and is conducted by the IIT Bombay. The exam is scheduled for 19th January 2024. Candidates who qualify the UCEED entrance exam with valid marks secure admission to design courses in UCEED participating institutes and other result-sharing colleges. It is a notable entrance exam that provides entry into the Bachelor of Design programs at IITs.
The UCEED Entrance Exam 2025 was held on 19 January 2025, and the results were declared on 7 March 2025. Candidates could download their official scorecards from 10 March 10 to 11 June 2025, via the candidate portal. The seat allotment process began in April and continues through multiple rounds until July 2025, with ongoing opportunities for withdrawal and seat acceptance. The UCEED scorecard remains valid for one year and is essential for the subsequent admission and counselling process.
CEED
Based on the CEED entrance exam marks, candidates are offered admission to Master of Design (M.Des) and PhD design programs to various participating institutes and result-haring colleges. The exam is conducted at the national-level by IIT Bombay. The CEED scorecards are valid for one year from the date of result declaration. The exam is divided into two parts, Part A and Part B. Part A of CEED consists of MCQs, while Part B includes drawing and subjective questions.The CEED Entrance Exam was held on 19 January 2025, with the results declared on 5 March 2025. Candidates were able to download their official scorecards from 10 March 10 to 11 June 2025. The cutoff for Part-A was released at 45.48 (mean) and 16.98 (standard deviation), and the final answer key was published on 29 January 2025.
AIEED 2025
The AIEED entrance exam is conducted by Arch College of Design and Business for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate design courses at various design universities. The exam includes a Creative Aptitude Test (CAT) along with a General Aptitude Test (GAT).FDDI AIST
The Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) conducts the FDDI AIST entrance exam. Based on the FDDI AIST performance, candidates are offered admission to UG and PG design courses at the university. The exam is divided into 4 sections and is conducted around May, every year.Pearl Academy Entrance Exam
The Pearl Academy Entrance Exam 2025 is a university-level test conducted to select candidates for various design, fashion, and creative courses across its campuses. It consists of two key stages: the General Proficiency Test (GPT) and the Design Aptitude Test (DAT), followed by a Personal Interview and Portfolio Showcase. The GPT evaluates skills such as quantitative ability, logical reasoning, and English proficiency, while the DAT tests creativity, observation, and design aptitude. The exam is conducted in multiple cycles throughout the year, with the April cycle scheduled for April 19-20, 2025. Candidates must prepare thoroughly to secure admission to India's top-ranked design institute.Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED)
The Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED) is a national-level design aptitude test conducted annually by the Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID) for admission to its Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs. The exam assesses candidates' creative thinking, visual observation, geometry, general design awareness, and knowledge of Indian culture, craft, and traditions. SEED 2025 was held on January 12, 2025, as an online proctored test lasting 60 minutes. Qualified candidates proceed to the Portfolio Review and Personal Interaction (PRPI) round for final selection. The exam is an essential gateway for aspiring designers to join SID’s prestigious programs.
UID Aptitude Test
The test is conducted by the United Institute of Design (UID) for admission to B.Des and M.Des courses at the university. The exam is usually held in January and involves a two-tier admission process. Candidates have to clear the UID Design Aptitude Test and then proceed with the Situation Test and Portfolio Evaluation Round to secure admission to the university.
IIAD Entrance Exam
Conducted by the Indian Institute of Art and Design, the exam offers admission to BA (Hons) courses (in Fashion Design, Communication Design, Interior Architecture & Design, and Fashion Business Management) and Master's courses (in Fashion Design and Fashion Business Management). The exam is held annually in around four to five admission cycles.
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| CEED Preparation | How to Prepare for NID In 6 Months? |
| NID Studio Test | NIFT Entrance Exam |
Top Design Entrance Exams 2025-26 FAQs
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