Best Interior Design Colleges in India in 2026: Eligibility, Fees & Career Scope

India's top interior design colleges provide career opportunities, creativity, and skills.
UniList Desk

Updated Mar 11, 2026 | 06:15 PM IST

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Interior design is becoming a popular career option in India. Many students after Class 12 want to study design and build a career in this field. The demand for interior designers is increasing in areas such as residential design, commercial spaces, hotels, and offices. Choosing the right college is very important to gain practical skills and industry exposure.
This article highlights some of the top interior design colleges in India in 2026, along with eligibility criteria, course fees, and career scope.

What is Interior Design?

Interior design is the art and science of improving the interior of buildings to make them aesthetically pleasing and functional. Interior designers plan layouts, colours, lighting, furniture, and materials to create attractive spaces. They ensure that a space is comfortable, practical, and visually appealing.
Students can study courses such as:
  • B.Des in Interior Design
  • B.Sc in Interior Design
  • Bachelor of Interior Design (BID)
  • Diploma in Interior Design
Most undergraduate courses are 3 to 4 years long, allowing students to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical design skills.

Eligibility Criteria for Interior Design Courses

Students from any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) can apply for interior design courses.
Common eligibility requirements include:
  • Must pass Class 12 from a recognised board
  • Minimum 50% marks in many colleges (varies by institute)
Some colleges require entrance exams
Popular design entrance exams include:
  • NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT)
  • NIFT Entrance Examination
  • Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED)
Many private institutes also conduct their own entrance tests or portfolio interviews to assess students’ creativity and design skills.

Best Interior Design Colleges in India

Here are some well-known colleges offering interior design or related design programs:
National Institute of Design (Ahmedabad and other campuses)
This is one of the top government design institutes in India. It offers design programs with strong industry exposure. Courses include B.Des and M.Des in various design disciplines. Admission is through NID DAT. The approximate fees are ₹2–4 lakh per year.
National Institute of Fashion Technology
This institute is run by the Government of India and has campuses across the country. It offers courses in design and related fields. Admission is through the NIFT Entrance Exam. The approximate program fees are ₹2–6 lakh, depending on the campus and course.
CEPT University, Ahmedabad
CEPT is known for architecture, planning, and design studies. It offers the Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) program. Admission may be based on the CEPT entrance process or UCEED scores. The approximate fees are ₹2–3 lakh per year.
MIT Institute of Design, Pune
This is a private design institute offering programs such as B.Des in Interior Space and Furniture Design. Admission is through an entrance test and interview. The fees are around ₹4–6 lakh per year.
Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
This central government university offers design and architecture-related programs through its Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics. The fees are approximately ₹50,000–₹1 lakh per year, depending on the program.

Course Fees for Interior Design in India

The fees for design courses vary depending on the type of college.
Approximate fee ranges include:
Government colleges: ₹50,000 – ₹2 lakh per year
Private design institutes: ₹2 lakh – ₹7 lakh per year
Diploma programs are usually more affordable than degree programs.

Career Scope After Interior Design

Interior design offers many job opportunities in India and abroad. Some common career options include:
  • Interior Designer
  • Furniture Designer
  • Exhibition Designer
  • Lighting Designer
Set Designer for films and events
Graduates can work with architecture firms, real estate companies, hotels, design studios, or event companies. Some professionals also start their own interior design consultancy.
According to industry trends, skilled interior designers in India can earn ₹3 lakh to ₹10 lakh per year, depending on their experience, portfolio, and projects.
Interior design is a growing career field in India. Students interested in art, space planning, and architecture can consider this profession. Institutes like National Institute of Design, National Institute of Fashion Technology, CEPT University, MIT Institute of Design, and Jamia Millia Islamia offer quality education and industry exposure.
By choosing the right college and building a strong portfolio, students can build a successful career in interior design. It is a field that requires creativity, technical knowledge, and dedication, but it can be highly rewarding for those passionate about design.

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