Best Design Colleges In India
Design Education in India
Design is an interdisciplinary field that integrates elements from various disciplines and offers a broad spectrum of courses. This field encompasses diverse specializations, including fashion, interior, graphic, animation, advertising, product design, and more. Design colleges in India provide multiple programs such as bachelor's, diploma, master's, short-term, and certificate courses. The admission and selection processes vary depending on the course.
For most design courses, candidates need to have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 50%. Prospective students are encouraged to thoroughly review course details and college information before applying. Some design courses may require entrance exams and interviews, while others might not. Among the top design institutions in India are the National Institute of Design (Ahmedabad), Indian Institute of Art and Design (New Delhi), Indian Institute of Fashion & Design (Chandigarh), National Institute of Fashion Technology (Navi Mumbai), Lovely Professional University (Phagwara), and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. The following information aims to guide candidates in selecting the right design college.
Admission Process for Design Colleges in India
Admissions to design colleges typically involve the following steps:
Entrance Exams: Many colleges accept scores from national-level exams, such as:
NIFT Entrance Exam
NID Entrance Exam
Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED)
Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED)
Application Submission: Students must complete the application forms for the respective college or university.
Document Verification: Required documents should be submitted as part of the admission process.
Merit Lists: Admissions are often based on merit lists published by the institution.
Eligibility Criteria for Design Colleges in India
To gain admission into a design program, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Successfully pass Class 12th with at least the minimum required marks.
Candidates from any academic stream—Science, Commerce, or Humanities—are eligible to apply.
Final selection may depend on merit lists, entrance exam performance, personal interviews, group discussions, or a combination of these.
This comprehensive guide is designed to simplify your search and help you make informed decisions about pursuing a career in design. This list has been complied according to IIRF Rankings 2024.
Top Government Design Colleges in India are listed below-
National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad
- Design Courses: Offers Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) and Master of Design (M.Des.) programs across various disciplines.
- Entrance Exam: Admissions are through the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT), which includes prelims and mains.
- Fees: For B.Des., the annual tuition fee is approximately ₹1,87,000.
National Institute of Design (NID), Bengaluru
- Design Courses: Specializes in postgraduate M.Des. programs focusing on design for digital experiences, design for retail experience, and more.
- Entrance Exam: Admission is through the NID DAT, similar to other NID campuses.
- Fees: The annual tuition fee for M.Des. is around ₹2,34,200.
- Design Courses: Offers a Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) program with a focus on innovation and technology integration.
- Entrance Exam: Admissions are based on the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) scores.
- Fees: The tuition fee is ₹1,00,000 per semester for General/OBC candidates with annual family income above ₹5 lakh.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay
- Design Courses: Offers B.Des., M.Des., and Ph.D. programs through the Industrial Design Centre (IDC) in disciplines like Industrial Design, Visual Communication, Animation, Interaction Design, and Mobility & Vehicle Design.
- Entrance Exam: B.Des. admissions via UCEED; M.Des. admissions through the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED).
- Fees: The tuition fee for B.Des. is approximately ₹1,00,000 per semester; M.Des. fees are around ₹25,000 per semester.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati
- Design Courses: Offers B.Des., M.Des., and Ph.D. programs focusing on areas like Product Design, Communication Design, and User Experience Design.
- Entrance Exam: B.Des. admissions through UCEED; M.Des. admissions via CEED.
- Fees: The tuition fee for B.Des. is approximately ₹1,00,000 per semester; M.Des. fees are around ₹25,000 per semester.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur
- Design Courses: Offers M.Des. and Ph.D. programs with a focus on user-centric design and innovation.
- Entrance Exam: Admissions are based on CEED scores.
- Fees: The tuition fee for M.Des. is approximately ₹25,000 per semester.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad
- Design Courses: Offers B.Des., M.Des., and Ph.D. programs emphasizing interdisciplinary design education.
- Entrance Exam: B.Des. admissions through UCEED; M.Des. admissions via CEED.
- Fees: The tuition fee for B.Des. is approximately ₹1,00,000 per semester; M.Des. fees are around ₹25,000 per semester.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi
- Design Courses: Offers B.Des., B.FTech., M.Des., M.FTech., and MFM programs in various fashion and design disciplines.
- Entrance Exam: Admissions are through the NIFT Entrance Exam, which includes a Creative Ability Test (CAT) and General Ability Test (GAT).
- Fees: The tuition fee for B.Des. is approximately ₹2,80,000 per year; M.Des. fees are around ₹3,50,000 per year.
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM), Jabalpur
- Design Courses: Offers B.Des., M.Des., and Ph.D. programs focusing on design and manufacturing.
- Entrance Exam: B.Des. admissions through UCEED; M.Des. admissions via CEED.
- Fees: The tuition fee for B.Des. is approximately ₹90,000 per semester; M.Des. fees are around ₹25,000 per semester.
Delhi Technological University (DTU)
- Design Courses: Offers B.Des. and M.Des. programs with specializations in Product Design, Visual Communication, and Interaction Design.
- Entrance Exam: Admissions are based on UCEED scores for B.Des. and CEED scores for M.Des.
- Fees: The tuition fee for B.Des. is approximately ₹1,90,000 per year; M.Des. fees are around ₹1,60,000 per year.
National Institute of Design (NID), Bhopal
- Design Courses: Offers B.Des. programs in disciplines like Communication Design, Industrial Design, and Textile & Apparel Design.
- Entrance Exam: Admissions are through the NID DAT.
- Fees: The annual tuition fee for B.Des. is approximately ₹1,87,000.
National Institute of Design (NID), Jorhat
- Design Courses: Offers Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) programs in areas like Communication Design, Industrial Design, and Textile & Apparel Design.
- Entrance Exam: Admissions are conducted through the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT), which includes Prelims and Mains stages.
- Fees: The annual tuition fee for the B.Des. program is approximately ₹1,87,000.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad
- Design Courses: Offers undergraduate and postgraduate design and fashion programs, including specialization in Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, and Textile Design.
- Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Exam (CAT and GAT).
- Fees: Similar to other NIFT campuses, B.Des. fees are ₹2,80,000 annually.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bengaluru
- Design Courses: Renowned for courses in Fashion Design, Fashion Communication, and Accessory Design.
- Entrance Exam: Admissions via NIFT Entrance Exam.
- Fees: B.Des. and M.Des. programs cost ₹2,80,000–₹3,50,000 annually.
National Institute of Design (NID), Gandhinagar
- Design Courses: Focuses on postgraduate programs in Design, including Lifestyle Accessory Design and Transportation Design.
- Entrance Exam: NID DAT is required for admission.
- Fees: The tuition fee for M.Des. programs is approximately ₹2,34,200 per year.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Chennai
- Design Courses: Offers programs in Fashion Technology, Apparel Production, and Design.
- Entrance Exam: Admissions are through the NIFT Entrance Exam.
- Fees: B.Des. and M.Des. programs cost ₹2,80,000–₹3,50,000 annually.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kolkata
- Design Courses: Provides courses in Fashion and Textile Design, including specializations in Fashion Management.
- Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Exam (CAT and GAT).
- Fees: B.Des. costs ₹2,80,000 annually; M.Des. fees are similar.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Mumbai
- Design Courses: Renowned for Fashion Design, Communication Design, and Technology-oriented programs.
- Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Exam.
- Fees: Fees range from ₹2,80,000–₹3,50,000 annually for design programs.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Raebareli
- Design Courses: Offers B.Des. and M.Des. programs in areas like Textile and Fashion Design.
- Entrance Exam: Admission via NIFT Entrance Exam.
- Fees: Same fee structure as other NIFT campuses (₹2,80,000 annually).
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bhopal
- Design Courses: Focuses on undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Apparel and Accessory Design.
- Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Exam.
- Fees: Similar to other NIFT institutes, B.Des. costs ₹2,80,000 annually.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Jodhpur
- Design Courses: Offers programs in Fashion Technology and Design with a focus on traditional and modern textiles.
- Entrance Exam: Admissions are based on the NIFT Entrance Exam.
- Fees: Approximately ₹2,80,000 per year for B.Des. programs.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kannur
- Design Courses: Specializes in Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, and Textile Design at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
- Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Exam.
- Fees: B.Des. fees are ₹2,80,000 per year.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Shillong
- Design Courses: Focuses on fashion and design education relevant to the Northeast region of India.
- Entrance Exam: Admissions via the NIFT Entrance Exam.
- Fees: Follows the same fee structure as other NIFT campuses.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Srinagar
- Design Courses: Offers design programs that integrate regional crafts with modern design principles.
- Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Exam.
- Fees: ₹2,80,000 annually for B.Des. programs.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bhubaneswar
- Design Courses: Provides courses in Fashion and Textile Design with a focus on industry practices.
- Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Exam.
- Fees: ₹2,80,000 per year for undergraduate programs.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Patna
- Design Courses: Offers B.Des. and M.Des. programs in Fashion Design, Textile Design, and Fashion Technology.
- Entrance Exam: Admission is through NIFT Entrance Exam.
- Fees: ₹2,80,000 per year for B.Des. programs.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kangra
- Design Courses: Provides courses in Apparel Design and Fashion Communication.
- Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Exam.
- Fees: ₹2,80,000 annually.
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), New Delhi
- Design Courses: Offers a Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) program with a focus on innovation and design technology.
- Entrance Exam: Admissions are based on UCEED scores.
- Fees: Approximately ₹1,20,000 per year for B.Des. programs.
Top Private Design Colleges in India are listed below-
Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID), Karnavati University
Design Courses: Offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fashion, visual communication, interior, and product design.
Entrance Exam: Admissions are through the UID Design Aptitude Test (UID-DAT).
Fees: The annual tuition fee ranges from ₹3-4 lakh.
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Woxsen School of Arts and Design, Woxsen University
Design Courses: Offers B.Des. and M.Des. programs with specializations in fashion, product, and interior design.
Entrance Exam: Admission is based on Woxsen’s Design Test (WDT) or national exams like UCEED.
Fees: The annual tuition fee is approximately ₹6-7 lakh.
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Amity School of Fashion Technology
Design Courses: Provides undergraduate and postgraduate courses in fashion design, technology, and management.
Entrance Exam: Admission is through Amity’s entrance test or merit-based.
Fees: The annual tuition fee ranges from ₹2.5-3 lakh.
Click here to know more.
Apeejay Institute of Design
Design Courses: Offers diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs in interior, graphic, and fashion design.
Entrance Exam: Admissions are through an entrance test and interview process.
Fees: The annual tuition fee is approximately ₹2.5-3 lakh.
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Avantika University
Design Courses: Offers B.Des. and M.Des. programs focusing on innovation, creativity, and technology integration.
Entrance Exam: Admissions are based on UCEED, DAT, or university-level entrance exams.
Fees: The annual tuition fee is around ₹4.5 lakh.
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Crescent School of Architecture, B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology
Design Courses: Provides undergraduate programs in architecture and interior design with a focus on sustainability.
Entrance Exam: Admission is based on academic merit or the institute’s entrance exam.
Fees: The annual tuition fee ranges from ₹2-3 lakh.
Click here to know more.
Chitkara School of Art and Design, Chitkara University
Design Courses: Offers multidisciplinary undergraduate programs in fashion, interior, and communication design.
Entrance Exam: Admission is based on an aptitude test or portfolio review.
Fees: The annual tuition fee ranges from ₹2.5-3.5 lakh.
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UPES School of Design
Design Courses: Offers specialized undergraduate and postgraduate design programs in domains like transportation, product, and fashion design.
Entrance Exam: Admissions are through UPESDAT, UCEED, or NID-DAT scores.
Fees: The annual tuition fee is approximately ₹4-6 lakh.
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IIFD - Indian Institute of Fashion and Design
Design Courses: Provides programs in fashion, interior, and textile design at diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels.
Entrance Exam: Admission is based on an aptitude test and interview.
Fees: The annual tuition fee ranges from ₹1.5-2 lakh.
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MIT Institute of Design, MIT-ADT University
Design Courses: Offers B.Des. and M.Des. programs in disciplines like fashion, animation, and transportation design.
Entrance Exam: Admission is through the MITID Design Aptitude Test (MITID-DAT).
Fees: The annual tuition fee is around ₹4-6 lakh.
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Department of Design, Manipal School of Architecture and Planning
Design Courses: Provides B.Des. and M.Des. programs with a focus on blending creativity with architectural principles.
Entrance Exam: Admission is through the Manipal Entrance Test (MET) or other design-specific exams.
Fees: The annual tuition fee is approximately ₹3-4 lakh.
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WUD - World University of Design
Design Courses: Offers B.Des. and M.Des. programs in fashion, communication, product, and interior design.
Entrance Exam: Admission is through WUD-DAT or national exams like UCEED, NID-DAT, or NIFT.
Fees: The annual tuition fee ranges from ₹3-4 lakh.
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Pearl Academy, Delhi
Design Courses: Offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fashion, interior, and graphic design.
Entrance Exam: Admission is through Pearl’s Design Aptitude Test (DAT).
Fees: The annual tuition fee is approximately ₹4-6 lakh.
Click here to know more.
Rishihood University
Design Courses: Provides undergraduate and postgraduate programs with a focus on sustainable and innovative design practices.
Entrance Exam: Admission is based on an entrance test and portfolio review.
Fees: The annual tuition fee is around ₹3-4 lakh.
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Suryadatta Institute of Design
Design Courses: Offers programs in fashion, interior, and graphic design at diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels.
Entrance Exam: Admission is through an entrance test or merit-based selection.
Fees: The annual tuition fee ranges from ₹1.5-2.5 lakh.
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Institute of Design, Nirma University
Design Courses: Provides B.Des. programs in various design disciplines with an emphasis on innovation and sustainability.
Entrance Exam: Admission is through UCEED or the university’s entrance exam.
Fees: The annual tuition fee is approximately ₹3-4 lakh.
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Amity University
Design Courses: Offers a range of design programs in fashion, interior, and product design across various campuses.
Entrance Exam: Admissions are through Amity’s entrance test or merit-based selection.
Fees: The annual tuition fee is around ₹2.5-3 lakh.
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Poornima University
Design Courses: Provides undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fashion, interior, and product design.
Entrance Exam: Admission is based on academic merit or portfolio evaluation.
Fees: The annual tuition fee ranges from ₹2-3 lakh.
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Anant National University
Design Courses: Offers B.Des. and M.Des. programs emphasizing sustainability, creativity, and social impact.
Entrance Exam: Admission is through AnantU-DAT or national exams like UCEED.
Fees: The annual tuition fee is around ₹3.5-4.5 lakh.
Click here to know more.
Pearl Academy, Bengaluru
Design Courses: Offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fashion, communication, and interior design.
Entrance Exam: Admission is through the Pearl Design Aptitude Test (DAT).
Fees: The annual tuition fee ranges from ₹4-6 lakh.
Click here to know more.
GLS Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
Design Courses: Provides B.Des. programs in various design disciplines with an emphasis on creativity and technical skills.
Entrance Exam: Admission is through an entrance test and portfolio review.
Fees: The annual tuition fee ranges from ₹2.5-3.5 lakh.
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design Colleges
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Course Fees (Annual)
- Courses Offered: 7
- Exams Accepted: TNEA + 6TNEA, CBSE 12th, Tamilnadu 12th, CEETA, GATE, ISC, TANCET
- Courses Offered: 14
- Exams Accepted: JEE Advanced + 6JEE Advanced, JEE Main, IIT JAM, GATE, AAT, CAT, CEED
FEATURED
Bennett University
Greater Noida- Courses Offered: 15
- Exams Accepted: SAT India + 14SAT India, JEE Main, NEET, CBSE 12th, UP 12th, ISC, MAT, XAT, CAT, NMAT, CMAT, CUET, BUMAT, CLAT, LSAT India
Government College of Fine Arts
Chennai- Courses Offered: 2
- Courses Offered: 6
- Exams Accepted: JEE Main + 10JEE Main, MHT CET, GATE, MHTCET MTech, MAH CET, MAT, XAT, CAT, CMAT, ATMA, CEED
St. Xavier's College, Mumbai
Mumbai- Courses Offered: 10
- Exams Accepted: Mumbai University Admission + 3Mumbai University Admission, CBSE 12th, Maharashtra HSC, MAH CET
- Courses Offered: 46
- Exams Accepted: JEE Main + 16JEE Main, GUJCET, CBSE 12th, GSEB HSC, ISC, NEET PG, CMAT, ACPC Admission, CAT, NEET, GATE, NATA, GPAT, Gujarat NEET, CBSE 10th, ICSE, GSEB SSC
Fergusson College
Pune- Courses Offered: 9
Kanya Maha Vidyalaya
Jalandhar- Courses Offered: 15
- Exams Accepted: CBSE 12th + 1CBSE 12th, PSEB 12th
Allahabad University
Allahabad- Courses Offered: 30
- Exams Accepted: CUET + 7CUET, CBSE 12th, UP 12th, ISC, CUET-PG, JEE Main, UGAT, CLAT
- Courses Offered: 6
St. Bede's College
Shimla- Courses Offered: 9
- Exams Accepted: CBSE 12th + 1CBSE 12th, HPBOSE 12th
Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore- Courses Offered: 9
- Exams Accepted: GATE + 9GATE, COAP, IIT JAM, IISER Entrance Exam, JEE Main, JEE Advanced, KCET, CEED, GMAT, CAT
- Courses Offered: 31
- Exams Accepted: SHIATS Entrance Exam + 7SHIATS Entrance Exam, CBSE 12th, UP 12th, ISC, JEECUP, UGC NET, CSIR NET, ICAR AICE JRF/SRF
- Courses Offered: 3
- Exams Accepted: CBSE 12thCBSE 12th
YWCA Women’s Training institute
Delhi - Other- Courses Offered: 3
- Exams Accepted: CBSE 12thCBSE 12th
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