India offers a wide range of esteemed institutions that offer BDes courses for the aspiring designers. There are around 42 premier colleges that include 19 NIFTs, 5 NIDs, 5 Pearl Academy Colleges and other colleges like, MITID Pune, BITS Design School Pilani, CEPT University, SID Pune, to name a few. This guide provides a fact-based overview of top design colleges, including their rankings, fees, and admission processes.
Top Design Colleges in India: NIRF Rankings, Fees, and Intake
Check the list of top design colleges in India based on NIRF ranks along with fees and seat intake:
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Institution
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NIRF Architecture Rank (2024)
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Approx. B.Des Fees (Total)
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Intake Capacity
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NIFT Delhi
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2
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INR 10.84 lakh
|
228 students
|
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NIFT Mumbai
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3
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INR 11.74 lakh
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344 students
|
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NIFT Bengaluru
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4
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INR 12.34 lakh
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230 students
|
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NID Ahmedabad
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5
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INR 4.22 lakh (1st year)
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Varies by specialization
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Pearl Academy Delhi (West)
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6
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INR 22.16 lakh to INR 29.94 lakh
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Varies by specialization
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CEPT University, Ahmedabad
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6
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INR 1.99 lakh (1st year)
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Varies by specialization
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SPA Delhi
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5
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INR 1.99 lakh (1st year)
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Varies by specialization
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MIT Institute of Design, Pune
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Not ranked
|
INR 4.5 lakh (approx.)
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Varies by specialization
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BITS Design School, Pilani
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Not ranked
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INR 4.5 lakh (approx.)
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Varies by specialization
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|
Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune
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Not ranked
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INR 4.5 lakh (approx.)
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Varies by specialization
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Note: Fees are approximate and subject to change. Candidates are advised to check the respective official websites for the most current information.
Exam Intake & Admission Details in Top Design Colleges in India for BDes (2025)
Check the exam intake of some BDes Colleges in India:
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Institute Name
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Admission Process
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National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad
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NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims and Mains
|
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National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi
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NIFT Entrance Exam: CAT, GAT, followed by Situation Test
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MIT Institute of Design (MITID), Pune
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MITID Design Aptitude Test (MITID-DAT), Studio Test, and Personal Interview
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Pearl Academy, Delhi
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Pearl Academy Entrance Exam: General Proficiency Test (GPT) and Design Aptitude Test (DAT)
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Exam Intake Details in Top Design Colleges in India
Exam
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Accepted By
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Approximate Intake
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Exam Highlights
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NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test)
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National Institutes of Design (NID Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Jorhat, Kurukshetra)
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~425 total across campuses
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Two-stage exam: Prelims & Mains
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UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design)
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IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIITDM Jabalpur, and others
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~250+ seats (IITs) + many others
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Conducted by IIT Bombay
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NIFT Entrance Exam
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18+ National Institutes of Fashion Technology
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~3, 500–4, 000 seats
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GAT + CAT + Situation Test
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Pearl Academy Entrance Exam (PAF)
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Pearl Academy campuses (Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru)
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Varies by campus & program (~200–400 each)
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Includes Personal Interview and Portfolio
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MIT DAT (Design Aptitude Test)
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MIT Institute of Design, Pune
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~200+ B.Des seats
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Studio test + personal interview
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SID SET (Symbiosis Entrance Test)
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Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune
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~220+ seats
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Online test + studio test & interview
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WUD Aptitude Test
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World University of Design, Sonipat
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~100+ seats
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Written test + interview
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ISDI Challenge
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ISDI School of Design and Innovation, Mumbai
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~120+ seats
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Personal interview + portfolio
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Admission Details for BDes in Design Colleges of India
National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad
- Programs Offered: BDes in Industrial Design, Communication Design, Textile Design, among others.
- Admission Process: Candidates must clear the NID DAT Prelims and Mains. The DAT assesses design aptitude, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi
- Programs Offered: BDes in Fashion Design, Textile Design, Accessory Design, Fashion Communication, Knitwear Design, Leather Design.
- Admission Process: The selection involves the Creative Ability Test (CAT), General Ability Test (GAT), and a Situation Test to evaluate practical skills.
MIT Institute of Design (MITID), Pune
- Programs Offered: BDes in Product Design, Transportation Design, Graphic Design, User Experience Design.
- Admission Process: Admission is through the MITID Design Aptitude Test (MITID-DAT), followed by a Studio Test and Personal Interview.
Pearl Academy, Delhi
- Programs Offered: BDes in Fashion Design, Communication Design, Interior Design, Product Design.
- Admission Process: Candidates undergo the General Proficiency Test (GPT) and Design Aptitude Test (DAT), followed by a Personal Interview.
Selecting the right design college is a pivotal step in shaping a successful career in design. Institutions like NID and NIFT offer government-backed programs with a strong emphasis on innovation and practical skills. Private institutes like MITID and Pearl Academy provide industry-oriented curricula with global exposure.
Prospective students should consider factors such as program specialization, faculty expertise, infrastructure, industry connections, and placement records. Thorough research and preparation for the respective entrance exams are essential to secure admission into these prestigious institutions.