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Design Entrance Exams 2027: List, Dates, Eligibility

  • 20 exams listed
  • 7 applications open now
  • Next exam: IIAD (UDIT) 2027, 5 to 6 December 2026
  • Updated 15 October 2026

This page lists every major design entrance exam 2027 in India for B.Des., M.Des., fashion, interior and communication design courses. It covers national tests such as NID DAT, UCEED, CEED and NIFT, along with state-level and private institute tests.

Use it to find which exams are open, when they are held and which one fits the course you want. The exam list, open applications and dates below update automatically as institutes release their 2027 notices, so check back through the season.

Design Entrance Exams 2027: Applications Open Now

These design exams are accepting applications right now; apply before the last date shown.

List of Design Entrance Exams 2027

The list covers national, state and institute-level design admission tests. Use the filters to switch between National and State exams, and between UG (B.Des., B.F.Tech.) and PG (M.Des.) levels.

ExamLevelNext dateQuick links
NID DAT 2027NIDUGNationalOnline applicationOpen till 30 November 2026 OpenSyllabusPapersAdmit CardResult
UCEED 2027IIT BombayUGNationalOnline registrationOpen till 31 October 2026 OpenSyllabusPapersAdmit CardResult
ACPC BID BCT 2027Counselling · ACPC GujaratUGGujaratDates not announced
AIEED 2027ARCHUGNationalOnline application (Series I)Open till 10 December 2026 Open
AIFD 2027AIFDUGNationalOnline interviews for provisional admi… (2027-28)December 2026 ExpectedResult
AP ADCET 2027APSCHEUGAndhra PradeshBFA / B.Des online application (2027-28)July 2027 Expected
CEED 2027IIT BombayPGNationalOnline registrationOpen till 31 October 2026 OpenSyllabusPapersAdmit CardResult
FDDI AIST 2027FDDIUGNationalAIST 2027 application opensDecember 2026 ExpectedAdmit CardResult
IFTK 2027LBS CentreUGKeralaOnline applicationMarch 2027 ExpectedPapersAdmit CardResult
IIAD (UDIT) 2027UDITUGNationalRound 1: last date to applyBy 30 November 2026 Upcoming
IICD 2027IICDUGNationalOnline registration (2027-28)Open till 31 March 2027 Open
MAH AAC CET 2027State CET CellUGMaharashtraTentative CET 2027 scheduleNovember 2026 ExpectedSyllabusPapersAdmit CardResult
MAH B.Design CET 2027State CET CellUGMaharashtraOnline registrationJanuary 2027 ExpectedSyllabusAdmit CardResult
MITID DAT 2027MITIDUGNationalOnline applicationOpen till 28 February 2027 OpenAdmit CardResult
NIFT 2027NTAUGNationalOnline applicationNovember 2026 ExpectedSyllabusPapersAdmit CardResult
NIFT TEA 2027NIFT-TEAUGTamil NaduNotificationNovember 2026 ExpectedResult
NIIFT Mohali 2027NIIFTUGPunjabOnline application (2027-28)May 2027 Expected
Pearl Academy 2027Pearl AcademyUGNationalLast date to applyBy 18 January 2027 UpcomingAdmit CardResult
SEED 2027Symbiosis (SIU)UGNationalOnline applicationOpen till 25 December 2026 OpenAdmit CardResult
UID DAT 2027UIDUGNationalTier-I UID DAT 2027January 2027 ExpectedAdmit CardResult

Upcoming Design Exam Dates

Application, admit card, exam and result dates for 2027 appear here as soon as they are announced.

Top Design Entrance Exams Explained

Most design aspirants apply to more than one of these, because seats at each institute are limited and the tests are held at different times.

NID DAT

The Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is conducted by the National Institute of Design for its B.Des. and M.Des. programmes across NID campuses. It runs in two stages: a written Prelims paper, then a Mains round with a studio test and interview for shortlisted candidates. It suits students interested in product, communication, textile, animation and other design disciplines. See NID DAT 2027 for eligibility, syllabus and past papers.

UCEED

The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) is conducted by IIT Bombay for B.Des. admission at participating IITs and other institutes that accept its score. Students who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 can apply, and the test checks visualisation, observation, design sensitivity and drawing. An age limit applies, so read the eligibility rules on UCEED 2027 before you register.

NIFT Entrance Exam

The National Institute of Fashion Technology admits students to B.Des., B.F.Tech. and its PG programmes through this test, which NTA now conducts for NIFT. The B.Des. route combines a Creative Ability Test and a General Ability Test, with a further round for shortlisted candidates. It is the first choice for most students who want fashion design, textile, accessory or fashion technology courses. Details are on NIFT 2027.

CEED

The Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) is also conducted by IIT Bombay and is the main PG design test in India. Its score is used for M.Des. admission at IITs, IISc Bangalore and other participating institutes. It is meant for graduates and final-year students, including those from engineering, architecture and design backgrounds. See CEED for the pattern and eligibility.

SEED

The Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED) is conducted by Symbiosis International University for B.Des. admission at its design institutes. Shortlisted candidates go through further selection rounds after the written test. It suits Class 12 students from any stream who want a private university design programme. Check SEED 2027 for the process.

FDDI AIST

The All India Selection Test (AIST) is conducted by the Footwear Design and Development Institute for admission to its campuses across India. It is the route for footwear design, leather and lifestyle accessory design, fashion design and retail courses. Students who want a product-and-industry focused design career should consider it. See FDDI AIST 2027.

Pearl Academy and Other Private Design Schools

Pearl Academy runs its own entrance process for UG and PG courses in fashion, communication, interior and product design. Other private institutes that hold their own tests include IIAD (UDIT), MITID DAT and AIEED. These usually combine an aptitude test with a portfolio review or interview. See Pearl Academy 2027 for its stages.

Which Entrance Exam for Design After 12th?

Pick your exams based on the course and kind of institute you want, not on the exam name alone. Most design tests accept Class 12 students from Science, Commerce or Arts.

If you wantTake
B.Des. at an IITUCEED
Product, communication, textile or animation design at NIDNID DAT
Fashion design or fashion technology at NIFTNIFT entrance exam
Footwear, leather or accessory designFDDI AIST
B.Des. at SymbiosisSEED
A private design school in Delhi, Pune or JaipurPearl Academy, IIAD (UDIT), MITID DAT, AIEED
B.Des. in a Maharashtra collegeMAH B.Design CET
Applied art or fine art courses in MaharashtraMAH AAC CET
BFA or B.Des. in Andhra PradeshAP ADCET
M.Des. at an IIT or IIScCEED

A practical plan for most students is one IIT test (UCEED), one national institute test (NID DAT or NIFT, depending on whether you lean towards general design or fashion) and one or two private or state options as backups.

Fashion Design Entrance Exams After 12th

If fashion is your goal, the NIFT entrance exam is the main national test. NID DAT also covers textile and apparel-related disciplines, and FDDI AIST covers fashion, footwear and accessories. Among private options, Pearl Academy, IIAD, SEED and AIEED all offer fashion-related programmes through their own tests.

Fashion tests usually check drawing, colour sense, creativity and general awareness rather than school subjects. Many also include a hands-on round where you make something from given materials or present your ideas. For fashion designing entrance exam syllabus details, open each exam’s page.

Interior Design Entrance Exams After 12th

There is no single national interior design entrance exam. Interior and space design courses are offered as a specialisation within B.Des. at several design schools, so you reach them through the same tests: NID DAT, UCEED, SEED, Pearl Academy, MITID DAT, AIEED and state tests such as MAH B.Design CET, depending on which institute offers the course you want.

B.Arch. is a different course with its own entrance test, NATA; see the architecture entrance exams page if you are deciding between architecture and interior design. After graduation, interior-focused M.Des. seats are filled through CEED or the institute’s own PG test.

Design Admission Without Entrance Exam

Some routes into design do not need a national entrance test, but read the details carefully before you choose one.

  • Merit-based admission: some colleges and universities admit to B.Sc. Fashion Design, B.Sc. Interior Design or B.Voc. courses on Class 12 marks, sometimes with an interview or portfolio review.
  • University-level tests: many private universities hold their own short aptitude test or interview instead of accepting a national score.
  • Diploma courses: fashion and interior design diplomas are offered by polytechnics and private institutes, often on Class 10 or 12 marks.
  • Management quota: private institutes may have a management quota with its own rules and fees.

Admission without a test is never guaranteed. Before paying any fee, check the institute’s approval and the degree it awards, and compare placements and faculty with exam-based options.

Eligibility for Design Entrance Exams

For UG design exams, the usual requirement is Class 12 passed or appearing, in any stream. Some tests set a minimum percentage or an upper age limit, and these differ from exam to exam. Commerce and Arts students are eligible for most B.Des. exams, since the tests do not depend on Physics, Chemistry or Maths.

For PG exams such as CEED and the M.Des. rounds of NID and NIFT, you need a bachelor’s degree, and some courses ask for a design or related background. Always confirm the exact rules on each exam’s page before applying.

Design Exam Pattern at a Glance

  • Stage 1: a written or computer-based test with objective questions on visualisation, observation, reasoning and general awareness, plus a drawing or creative section.
  • Stage 2: for shortlisted candidates, a studio test, situation test, portfolio review or personal interview, depending on the institute.
  • Negative marking: common in objective sections; check the rules for each exam.
  • No school syllabus: most design tests assess aptitude rather than Class 12 subjects.

How to Prepare for Design Entrance Exams

  1. Read the official syllabus and pattern for each exam you plan to take, and note which ones need a portfolio.
  2. Sketch every day: everyday objects, people, perspective, light and shade, and drawing from memory.
  3. For UCEED and CEED, practise visual reasoning such as 3D rotation, patterns and spatial puzzles.
  4. Build general awareness of design, Indian crafts, art, brands and current affairs.
  5. Solve previous years’ question papers and take timed mock tests in computer-based mode.
  6. Keep a sketchbook of your own observations and ideas, and practise explaining your thinking for interviews.
  7. Try working with clay, paper and card, since studio rounds often ask you to make something by hand.

Coaching for design entrance exams is optional. Many students prepare on their own with past papers, daily sketching and honest feedback from a teacher or mentor.

Design Entrance Exam Question Papers

Download previous years’ question papers and sample papers for design exams to understand the pattern and practise under time limits.

Looking for other streams? See all entrance exams on AglaSem.

Design Entrance Exams 2027 FAQs

What is a design entrance exam?

A design entrance exam is a test used by design schools to admit students to B.Des., M.Des., fashion and related courses. Instead of school subjects, it checks drawing, visualisation, creativity and general awareness. Well-known examples are NID DAT, UCEED, CEED and the NIFT entrance exam.

Which entrance exam is best for B.Des. after 12th?

There is no single best exam; it depends on the institute you want. UCEED is for B.Des. at IITs, NID DAT for NID and the NIFT exam for NIFT, while SEED, Pearl Academy and others lead to private schools. Most students take two to four of these.

Can Commerce or Arts students take design entrance exams?

Yes. Most UG design exams, including UCEED, NID DAT and NIFT, accept Class 12 students from any stream. The tests focus on aptitude and drawing, so Science subjects are not required. Check each exam’s page for minimum marks and age rules.

What is the difference between UCEED and CEED?

Both are conducted by IIT Bombay. UCEED is the undergraduate test for B.Des. admission, taken after Class 12. CEED is the postgraduate test for M.Des. admission at IITs, IISc and other participating institutes, taken by graduates.

Which entrance exam is for fashion designing after 12th?

The NIFT entrance exam is the main national test for fashion design. NID DAT, FDDI AIST, Pearl Academy, IIAD (UDIT), SEED and AIEED also lead to fashion-related programmes. Some colleges also admit to B.Sc. Fashion Design on Class 12 marks.

Is there an entrance exam for interior designing?

There is no separate national interior design exam. Interior and space design are offered within B.Des. at several design schools, so you apply through tests like NID DAT, UCEED, SEED, MITID DAT or Pearl Academy, depending on the institute. Some colleges admit to B.Sc. Interior Design on merit.

Can I do a design course after 10th?

After Class 10 you can join diploma or certificate courses in fashion or interior design at polytechnics and private institutes. A B.Des. degree needs Class 12, so national design entrance exams are taken in or after Class 12.

Do I need a portfolio for design entrance exams?

Most written first stages do not need a portfolio. Later rounds at many institutes, such as studio tests, reviews and interviews, may ask for one, especially for PG courses. Keeping a sketchbook from the start of your preparation makes this easier.