Best Design Schools in India 2026 Govt. & Pvt. - Courses, Rankings, and Fee Structure

Q: After clearing 10th standard, which stream should I opt to pursue a career in fashion designing ?

To pursue a career in fashion designing, Candidates must have completed 10 plus 2 in any stream be it Commerce, Science, or Humanities from a recognized board, So after completing 10th standard students can take any stream.

Q: Which are the top design colleges in India?

<ul><li>National Institute of Design - Ahmedabad</li><li>National Institute of Design - Gandhinagar </li><li>National Institute of Design - Vijaywada </li><li>NIFT Delhi</li><li>NIFT Mumbai</li><li>NIFT Banglore</li><li>IIT Bombay</li><li>IIT Guwahati</li><li>MIT Pune</li><li>UPES Dehradun</li><li>Pearl Academy</li><li>UID - Ahmedabad</li><li>Srishti School of Art and Design</li><li>SPA - Bhopal</li><li>Symbiosis Institute of design</li><li>JD Institute of Fashion Technology</li></ul>

Q: How is Fashion designing as a career?

Fashion designing is one of the most sought careers in the design field and is also one of the most competitive ones. With new brands coming up and more demand in the market for creative people who can design garments with a new eye, it is one of the best careers to get a full-fledged job or have one's own boutique or brand.

Q: What is the scope of a designer in India?

Design is coming up as one of the most sought fields in today's world and people are more inclined to take a career in this field because of the number of opportunities that it provides. Design as a career is a great choice for those who have creative thinking and can come up with new ideas and products to create something new or reconstruct something already been developed.

Q: How much can a fashion designer earn in India?

A fashion designer can typically earn around 25K - 35K per month with an experience of 1-2 years and can go up to 2 lacs per month

Q: What is the average duration of a course in design?

The duration of the course depends on what type, of course, are you pursuing. A degree in design is for - 4 yearsA diploma in design can be for 2-3 yearsA certification course in design can be - anywhere between 6 months to 18 months.

Q: Which is the best design school in India for Fashion designing?

National Institute of Fashion Technology - NIFT is a government-run fashion college and has 16 centres all over India. They specialize in fashion-related courses while ranking on top of any other fashion institute in India.

Q: Is there any school for product designing?

Product design is a part of industrial design and it comes under various institutes such as - <ul><li>NID - (Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar)</li><li>NIFT - ( Accessory Design in all campuses )</li><li>UPES - ( Dehradun )</li><li>MIT - ( Pune )</li><li>Pearl Academy - Delhi, Mumbai )</li><li>UID - ( Ahmedabad )</li><li>Srishti school of art and design</li><li>World School of Design</li><li>CEPT - ( Ahmedabad )</li><li>Symbiosis School of Design - ( Pune )</li></ul>

Q: What type of course can one find in design colleges in India?

Designing is a very broad field and it has various fields to deal with. Some of the top fields in India are - <ul><li>FASHION DESIGNING </li><li>FASHION COMMUNICATION DESIGNING</li><li>COMMUNICATION DESIGNING</li><li>TEXTILE DESIGNING</li><li>INTERIOR DESIGNING</li><li>JEWELLERY DESIGNING</li><li>UI/UX DESIGNING</li><li>GAME DESIGNING</li><li>ANIMATION DESIGNING</li><li>VFX DESIGNING</li><li>CHARACTER DESIGNING</li><li>VIDEOGRAPHY</li><li>PHOTOGRAPHY</li><li>FASHION STYLING</li><li>STRATEGIC DESIGN MANAGEMENT</li><li>RETAIL EXPERIENCE DESIGNING</li><li>INDUSTRIAL DESIGNING</li><li>ACCESSORY DESIGNING</li><li>CERAMIC DESIGNING</li><li>GLASSWARE DESIGNING</li><li>PRODUCT DESIGNING</li><li>TRANSPORTATION DESIGNING</li><li>ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNING</li></ul>

Q: Can I pursue designing as a career after 10th?

Yes, you can take up designing as a career after 10th by taking up a diploma course which can be from 6 months to 24 months long and then apply for work

Author : Vineeta Agrawal

December 1, 2025

Summary: Searching for the best design schools in India? From renowned establishments to hidden gems, let's explore the diverse programs and opportunities they provide and pave your way to a successful career in the design world.

India has a vibrant design scene nurtured by a rich heritage of craftsmanship and a growing focus on innovation. It has world-renowned Institutes like the National Institute of Design (NID), National Institute of Fashion Design (NIFT), IIT Bombay, and more.

Choosing the best design school in India is a big decision. With hundreds of design colleges spread across the country, offering courses from product and industrial design to fashion, graphic, interior, and communication design, it can be overwhelming to know which ones truly stand out.

This guide cuts through the noise. We highlight the top design schools in India, across government and private institutes, with real data on courses, fees, specializations, placements and strengths.

Whether you seek a Bachelor of Design (B.Des) in Product Design, Fashion Design, or Graphic Design or M.Des in design streams, this article helps you identify the colleges worth targeting. Consider it your go-to roadmap for design courses in India after 12th.

What Makes a 'Best' Design College (Key Criteria)

Before diving into the list, here are key factors we used (strictly) to evaluate design colleges:

1. Academic reputation & faculty expertise

2. Range and relevance of design courses (product, fashion, graphic, interior, UX, etc.)

3. Infrastructure - studios, workshops, labs, material access

4. Industry connections: internships, live projects, placements

5. Fee structure and return on investment (ROI)

6. Admission competitiveness and intake via national-level entrance exams or university-level exams (UCEED, NID-DAT, NIFT, UID DAT etc.)

7. Alumni success and top recruiters

List of Top 20 Best Design Colleges in India - Overview

Parameters	Particulars
Number of Colleges Covered	20 Total (3 Government + 17 Top Private Design Colleges across India)
Popular Design Degrees Offered	B.Des (Bachelor of Design), M.Des (Master of Design), B.F.Tech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology), and more
Top Specialisations Offered	Fashion Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Visual Communication, Communication Design (UI/UX, Graphics Design, Animation)
Eligibility Criteria	10+2 qualification (any stream) for UG courses Bachelor’s degree in Design/Architecture/Engineering/Arts for PG courses
Popular Entrance Exams Accepted	UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design), NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test), NIFT Entrance Exam, CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design), and Institute-Specific Design Aptitude Tests
Average Annual Fee Range	For top Government design colleges - 3 to 5 Lakhs For top private design institutes: INR 1-3 lakh: 3 colleges INR 3-5 lakh: 5 colleges > INR 5 lakh: 7 colleges
Top Design Institutes in India	IDC (IIT Bombay), NID Ahmedabad, NIFT Delhi, NIFT Mumbai, NID Gandhinagar, Parul University, UID Ahmedabad, IIAD, Istituto Marangoni Mumbai
Campus Locations (Recommended Colleges)	Spread across major design hubs like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad
Admission Season	Major entrance exams are conducted from January to April each year.
Top Recruiters (General Across Colleges)	IKEA, Titan, Philips, Godrej Design Lab, Raymond, H&M, Future Group, Myntra, and start-ups in UX and product design
Average Placement Package Range	₹5-10 LPA for top institutes; ₹3-6 LPA average for most private design schools in india

Key Insights from This Overview

There are 1000+ design colleges in India, but only a few consistently rank high across infrastructure, faculty, industry links, and student outcomes.
Government design schools in india (like NID, IIT-based IDC, NIFT) offer high-quality design education at relatively low fees, making them extremely valuable for serious aspirants.
Private design colleges offer diversified design specializations, often with more flexible admissions, more seats, and varied fee structures, making them good alternatives if entrance competition is high.
Fees among private design schools vary heavily. From mid-range to high, depending on campus, courses, and facilities. Students must balance cost vs value.
Specialization matters: Not all design schools in india offer all streams. Choose colleges based on the type of design you want to pursue (product, fashion, interior, UX, graphic, etc.), not just brand name.

Must Read: Highest Paying Design Careers in India

Best Government Design Colleges in India 2026

When it comes to pursuing design education in India, government-funded institutes continue to dominate in terms of academic quality, affordability, and industry reputation.
These institutions, established and supported by the Ministry of Education or Ministry of Textiles, have set global benchmarks in product design, fashion, visual communication, and industrial innovation.

The top three government design schools in India that every design aspirant should target are:

Industrial Design Centre (IDC), IIT Bombay
National Institute of Design (NID)
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)

Below is a comprehensive comparison of these premier institutes based on their courses, fees, specializations, entrance exams, and placement trends.

Institute Name	Location	Flagship Courses Offered	Top Specialisations	Accepted Entrance Exam	Approx. Annual Fees	Key Highlights
UCEED Colleges [IIT Bomaby, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee, IIT Indore & IIITDM Jabalpur]	Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Roorkee, Indore & Jabalpur	B.Des, M.Des, PhD in Design	Product Design/Industrial Design, Communication Design, Animation, Interaction Design	UCEED (for B.Des) and CEED (for M.Des)	₹2.5 - ₹3.5 Lakhs per year	Part of IIT Bombay’s prestigious ecosystem Global exposure Top faculty Strong research labs Highest ROI among design institutes 100% placement for top performers
National Institute of Design (NID)	Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Kurukshetra, Vijayawada, Bhopal	B.Des, M.Des, PhD	Product Design, Textile Design, Animation Film Design, Graphic Design, UX/UI	NID DAT (Prelims + Mains)	₹3 – ₹4 Lakhs per year	India’s most reputed design institute Known for creativity-focused curriculum Rigorous studio training and hands-on design projects Consistently ranked #1 in design education
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad + 13 other campuses	B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, M.F.Tech, M.F.M	Fashion Design, Fashion Communication, Textile Design, Accessory Design, Knitwear Design, Leather Design	NIFT Entrance Exam (written + situation test)	₹2 – ₹4 Lakhs per year	Top destination for fashion and lifestyle design aspirants Industry-integrated programs Top recruiters like Myntra, H&M, Raymond Pan-India network of 19 campuses

Check: Blood Relation Qs With Solution for Design Entrance Exams 2026

1. National Institute of Design - NID

The National Institute of Design (NID) is India’s most prestigious public design university, recognized globally for its academic excellence and creativity-driven approach. Admission to NID is through the NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT), conducted by NID Ahmedabad. The exam is held in two stages - DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

Top Colleges Accepting NID DAT 2026 Score:

College Name	City	Fees (Approx.)
NID Ahmedabad	Gujarat	B.Des - 16-17 Lakhs for 4 Years M.Des - 12-13 Years for 2.5 Years
NID Gandhinagar	Gujarat	M.Des: 8-12 Lakhs for 2.5 years
NID Bengaluru	Karnataka	M.Des: 11-12 Lakhs for 2.5 years
NID Kurukshetra	Haryana	B.Des: 10-12 Lakhs for 4 years
NID Bhopal	Madhya Pradesh	B.Des: 12-14 lakhs for 4 years
NID Vijaywada	Andhra Pradesh	B.Des: 6-8 Lakhs for 4 years

Check: NID Exam Pattern 2026 - Marking Scheme & Weightage Distribution

Average placement packages for NID B.Des graduates can be around 5-10 LPA and for M.Des graduates it can be around 15 to 30 LPA depending on a lot of factors like student's skills/portfolio, academic performance, campus reputation, recruiter profiles, industry demand, etc. Recruiters include big companies like InfoEdge, Samsung, TVS, Godrej and more.

NID 2026 Seat Intake

Program	Total Seats (Across all disciplines & campuses)	Campuses
B.Des	425	Ahmedabad (Main Campus) + 4 more NID colleges
M.Des	347	Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru

NID Entrance Exam 2026 Overview

Stage	Exam Details
DAT Prelims	Objective + subjective test assessing general aptitude, creativity, observation, and design thinking
DAT Mains	Studio test + personal interview round
Total Marks	100 (Prelims) + 100 (Mains) = 200
Mode	Offline
Exam Frequency	Once a year (Jan-May cycle)

NID 2026 Important Dates

Event	Date (2026)
NID DAT Registration Start	September 12^th, 2025
Last Date to Apply	1 December 2025
DAT Prelims Exam	21^st December 2025
DAT Prelims Result	7^th April 2026
DAT Mains (Studio Test)	TBA
Final Result	May 2026

Check: NID Admission 2026 - Selection Process

2. Industrial Design Centre (IDC), IIT Bombay

The Industrial Design Centre (IDC) at IIT Bombay is one of India’s oldest and most respected design schools in india, offering B.Des, M.Des, and PhD programs.
IDC focuses on merging engineering, design, and technology to foster innovation-driven problem solving. It is part of IIT Bombay’s Department of Design and is internationally recognized for its research, UX, and industrial design programs.

Admission is through UCEED (for B.Des) and CEED (for M.Des), both conducted by IIT Bombay.

Top Colleges Accepting UCEED / CEED 2026 Scores

College / Institute	City	Average Annual Fees (Approx.)
IDC, IIT Bombay	Mumbai	₹2.5 - ₹3.5 Lakhs
IIT Delhi (Department of Design)	Delhi	₹2.5 - ₹3.0 Lakhs
IIT Hyderabad (Design Department)	Telangana	₹2.3 - ₹3.0 Lakhs
IIITDM Jabalpur	Madhya Pradesh	₹2.0 - ₹2.5 Lakhs

Average placements in participating IIT colleges vary from 10 LPA to 20 LPA. The top recruiters of B.Des placements include Google, Microsoft, Air India, Myntra, Oracle, and more.

UCEED Colleges Seat Intake

Program

Seats (Approx.)

B.Des

245 (for open + reserved categories combined)

UCEED Seats for IDC Bombay -> 37

M.Des

300 - 357 (distributed across all CEED colleges)

For IDC, Bombay -> 60-70

UCEED / CEED 2026 Exam Overview

Exam	Purpose	Conducted By	Exam Pattern
UCEED	B.Des admission	IIT Bombay	Part A (NAT, MSQ, MCQ) + Part B (Drawing) - total 300 marks
CEED	M.Des admission	IIT Bombay	Part A (objective) + Part B (subjective design problem) - total 250 marks

UCEED / CEED 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)

Event	Date
Registration Start	1^st October 2025
Admit Card Release	2^nd January 2026
CEED / UCEED Exam Date	18^th January 2026
Result Declaration	UCEED - 6^th March 2026 CEED - 4^th March 2026
Seat Allotment	April 2026 to July 2026

Read more: Which is Better: UCEED vs NID

3. NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology)

NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) is India’s top fashion and lifestyle design university, managed by the Ministry of Textiles.
It offers specialized undergraduate and postgraduate programs like B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, and M.F.Tech in Fashion, Textile, and Accessory Design.

NIFT exam is conducted annually and includes a Creative Ability Test (CAT), General Ability Test (GAT), and Situation Test.

Best Design Colleges Accepting NIFT Entrance Exam - with fees and placement statistics

Campus	City	Annual Fees (Approx.)	Average Placement Package
NIFT Delhi	Delhi	₹2.8 – ₹3.2 Lakhs	₹6-9 LPA ()
NIFT Mumbai	Maharashtra	₹2.5 – ₹3.0 Lakhs	₹5-8 LPA
NIFT Bengaluru	Karnataka	₹2.5 – ₹3.0 Lakhs	₹5-7 LPA
NIFT Chennai	Tamil Nadu	₹2.3 – ₹2.8 Lakhs	₹4-6 LPA
NIFT Kolkata	West Bengal	₹2.3 – ₹2.8 Lakhs	₹4-6 LPA
NIFT Hyderabad	Telangana	₹2.3 – ₹2.7 Lakhs	₹4-6 LPA

The average placements in recent years for NIFT under-graduation courses has been in the range of 5-13 LPA and packages for the post-graduation students have reached to as high as 40 LPA. These packages are subject to individual skills, performance and recruiting companies. Top recruiters - H&M, Zara, Reliance, Raymond, etc.

Check: NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026

NIFT 2026 Seat Intake

Program	Total Seats Across 19 Campuses (Approx.)
B.Des	3200+
B.F.Tech	550+
M.Des / M.F.Tech/ M.F.M	1000+

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 Overview

Component	Details
GAT (General Ability Test)	Tests aptitude, reasoning, GK, and English
CAT (Creative Ability Test)	Tests creativity, drawing, design ability
Situation Test (For B.des & M.Des Only)	Hands-on model making and visualization task
Mode of Exam	CBT (Computer-based) for GAT, offline for CAT/Situation
Marking Scheme	+1 for correct answers, -0.25 for wrong answers in GAT

NIFT 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)

Event	Expected Date
NIFT Application Form Release	November to December 2025
Last Date to Apply	TBA
NIFT Exam Date (GAT + CAT)	February to March 2026
Situation Test	May to June 2026
Result Declaration	June 2026
Counselling Rounds	July-August 2026

Why Choose a Government Design College in 2026?

Parameter	Government Design Colleges Offer
Academic Excellence	Renowned faculty, structured design curriculum, and research-oriented training.
Affordability	Significantly lower tuition fees compared to private institutes with similar or better quality.
Infrastructure	World-class workshops, material labs, and studios for experiential learning.
Industry Exposure	Compulsory internships, industry collaborations, and live projects with global design brands.
Placements	Consistent placement support with top companies like TCS Design, Titan, Godrej Design Lab, IKEA, Raymond, and Infosys Design.

Check: List of Design Exams 2026 in India

Top Private Design Colleges in India 2026-2027 with Fees

India’s private design ecosystem spans standalone design schools and university design institutes offering B.Des/M.Des in popular design streams like product/industrial, communication/graphic, UX/UI, interior, fashion and animation/VFX. Most accept Class 12 (any stream) for B.Des, run their own DAT/portfolio rounds, and in many cases consider UCEED/NID/NIFT ranks for relaxations/waivers also. Fees vary widely by campus and course roughly ₹2.5-₹8.9 lakh per year across this set.

College	Courses offered (examples)	Major Fields	Eligibility / Entrance (official)	Approx. annual fees*
UID Ahmedabad (Unitedworld Institute of Design)	B.Des, GDP, M.Des, M.Des (Integrated)	B.Des Product Design, Automobile Design, Communication Design (Graphic Design, Visual Communication), Animation, Interior/Furniture Design, etc. M.Des Fashion, Industrial Design, Interior, Animation & Game Design, Visual, Design Management 1-Year Gap Certificate Programme 5-Year Integrated Master of Design Programm	Accepts UID-DAT scores only	Rs. 6,50,000
ATLAS SkillTech University (ISDI – Mumbai)	B.Des, M.Des, PGPDI, MBA	B.Des Communication Design Fashion Design Product Design Interior Design Strategic Design Management, etc. M.Des Design & Innovation PGPDI (Post Graduate Program in Design and Innovation) MBA/PGDM in Design fields	Accepts DAT scores of own university exam Also accepts UCEED/CEED scores for admission	Rs. 6,70,000
École Intuit Lab (Mumbai/Delhi)	B.Des, M.Des	B.Des Visual Communication & Design UI/UX Design (Digital Product Design) Game Art & Design Animation & Motion Design M.Des Creative Technology and Design Advertising, Design and Digital Communication (Visual Communication)	Online CIT + Portfolio/interview & academic merit	Rs. 5,00,000
IIAD (Indian Institute of Art & Design), Delhi	B.Des, M.Des, BBA, MBA	B.Des Fashion Design Communication Design Interior Architecture & Design Fashion Communication Animation Film Design Product Design BBA Fashion Business Management Luxury Business Management M.Des Communication Design Interior Design & Styling MBA Luxury & Fashion Business Management	iDAT & Studio Simulation	Rs. 5,50,000
Istituto Marangoni (Mumbai)	Fashion Design/Business/Styling; Interior (Design)	BA Fashion Design Interior Design Product Design (Luxury Furniture & Industrial Design) Visual Design (covering video, animation, interaction, motion graphics) MA Fashion Design & Creativity Interior and Spatial Design Product and Furniture Design Visual Design and Communication MBA Fashion Business & Management	No standardized entrance test, need interview & skills test.	Rs. 9,55,000
Parul University (PID), Vadodara	B.Des and M.Des	B.Des Interior Design and Furniture Design Fashion Design and Technology Product Design Visual Communication Building and Infrastructure M.Des Interior Design Fashion Merchandising	PU DAT conducted by the university Also accepts uceed scores Offers scholarships for those who’ve appeared for NID/NIFT	Rs. 2,50,000
The Design Village (TDV), Delhi/Noida	B.Des and M.Des	B.Des Product Design (specialisation in Industrial Products, Lifestyle Accessories, Digital Products) Communication and New Media Interior Environments UX Design M.Des User Experience Design Communication and New Media Product Design Design Futures (Research)	TDV Entrance Test Also considers UCEED/NID/NIFT scores for admission	Rs. 7,50,000
MIT Indore (Avantika University – Design)	B.Des, M.Des	B.Des Product Design Transportation Design Graphic Design Animation Design UI/UX Design Interior Space Design Fashion Design, etc. M.Des Product Design Transportation Design Graphic Design Animation Design UI/UX Design Interior Space Design, etc.	MIT-DAT Exam Also considers UCEED/NID/NIFT scores for admission	Rs. 4,50,000
Anant National University (ANU), Ahmedabad	Bachelor of Design (B.Des), Master of Design (Integrated Product Design)	B.Des Product Design Fashion and Textile Design (Sustainable Innovation) Communication Design Interaction Design Space Design Transdisciplinary Design M.Des Integrated Product Design	ADEPT Exam Also accepts UCEED scores	Rs. 6,00,000
World University of Design (WUD), Sonipat	B.Des and M.Des	B.Des UX & Digital Product Design Product Design Interior Architecture & Design Film & Video Graphic Communication Design Animation & Game Design Fashion Design, etc. M.Des Interior & Retail Design Fashion Design Industrial Design User Experience & Interaction Design Communication Design and more	WUD DAT/aptitude Also direct portfolio route for UCEED/NID/NIFT-qualified.	Rs. 3,50,000
Whistling Woods International (School of Design/Animation)	B.Des	B.Des Animation Design Visual Communication Design Fashion Design	WWI Entrance Exam – GAT + CAT + SOP + PI	Rs. 4,00,000
ITM Skills University	B.Des	B.Des Fashion Design Interior Design Visual Communication Graphic Design Product Design Textiles Design	Institute entrance accepted	Rs. 4,20,000
GLS University	B.Des, M.Des	B.Des Apparel and Textile Design Leather Design and Accessories (Gems and Jewelry Design) Graphic Design Animation Design Product Design, etc. M.Des Apparel Design Accessories and Jewelry Design Graphic Design Interior and Space Design Product and Industrial Design	GLS – DAT Exam Also accepts UCEED/CEED scores	Rs. 3,50,000
JKLU (JK Lakshmipat University) – Institute of Design, Jaipur	B.Des, M.Des	B.Des Interaction Design Interdisciplinary Design Product Design Integrated Communication Design M.Des Product Design Interaction Design	Design Entrance Test Also accepts UCEED/CEED scores	Rs. 2,50,000
Ganpat University (GUNI)	B.Des	B.Des Interior Design Product Design Graphic & Visual Communication Furniture Design	GNU DAT Exam Also accepts UCEED scores	Rs. 2,50,000
Pearl Academy (Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Bangalore)	B.Des, M.Des	B.Des Fashion Design/Styling Textile Design Fashion Communication Interior Architecture & Design Communication Design (Graphics, UX/UI Animation & VFX) Product Design Global Luxury Brand Management M.Des Fashion Design Fashion Styling Interior Design Communication Design Product Design Fashion Communication	Pearl DAT + GPT + Interview Also accepts NID & UCEED scores for admission.	Rs.6,50,000

Read more: Design As a Career

Top Design Colleges in India - For B.Des & M.Des 2026

If you’re planning to build a strong foundation in design, some of the top B.Des colleges in India like NID Ahmedabad, IIT Bombay, UID, etc. offer unmatched creative learning environments. For postgraduate aspirants, the top M.Des colleges in India such as IDC-IIT Bombay, NID, and IIT Delhi, IIAD, and MIT focus on innovation-led design thinking and research. Together, these institutes represent the perfect blend of creativity, technology, and real-world exposure that every design aspirant looks for.

Location-wise Best Design Colleges in India in 2026

India’s design education landscape is spread across creative hubs like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Indore, each offering distinct opportunities and exposure.
Let’s begin with the capital region, a thriving ecosystem for creative education, design start-ups, and international collaborations.

Best Design colleges in Delhi/NCR, Noida - North India

Delhi NCR and Noida together form one of the most active design education clusters in the country. With institutes offering world-class infrastructure, global partnerships, and a strong focus on creative thinking, this region is ideal for students aspiring to excel in Fashion Design, Communication Design, Interior Design, and Product Design.

Here’s a list of some of the best design colleges in North India for 2026 from your curated list:

College / Institute Name	Location	Entrance Exam / Admission Process
IIT Delhi	Delhi	UCEED/CEED
NIFT Delhi	Delhi	NIFTEE
IIAD (Indian Institute of Art & Design)	Delhi	IIAD Entrance Test (with studio test & interview)
The Design Village (TDV)	Noida	TDV Entrance Test / UCEED / NID / NIFT Scores
Pearl Academy	Delhi (Rajouri Garden)	Pearl Academy Entrance Exam (PAPER + Interview)
École Intuit Lab	Delhi	Creative Aptitude Test + Portfolio + Interview
World University of Design (WUD)	Sonepat (Delhi NCR region)	WUD-DAT / Portfolio / UCEED / NID Scores

Best Design Colleges in Mumbai - Top private design colleges in Maharashtra

College / Institute Name	Location	Entrance Exam / Admission Process
Pearl Academy	Mumbai	Pearl Academy Entrance Exam. Also accepts NID/UCEED scores
École Intuit Lab	Mumbai	Creative Test + Portfolio
Istituto Marangoni	Mumbai	Direct Admission + Portfolio + Interview
Whistling Woods International	Mumbai	Institute-level Aptitude Test + Portfolio
ITM Skills University (ITM IDM)	Mumbai	Institute Aptitude Test / Portfolio + Interview

Must Check: How CreativEdge Crash Courses Have Helped Design Students Score High

Best Design Colleges in Ahmedabad & Jaipur - West India

College / Institute Name	Location	Entrance Exam / Admission Process
National Institute of Design (NID)	Ahmedabad (Main Campus)	NID DAT (Prelims + Mains)
UID (Unitedworld Institute of Design)	Ahmedabad	UID DAT
Anant National University (ANU)	Ahmedabad	ADEPT (Anant Design Entrance Test)
GLS Institute of Design	Ahmedabad	GLS DAT + Interview
Parul University (Parul Institute of Design)	Vadodara (Near Ahmedabad)	PID DAT
Ganpat University (GUNI)	Mehsana, Gujarat	Institute Test / Direct Admission
JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU) – Institute of Design	Jaipur	JKLU DAT / UCEED / NID Scores Accepted
Pearl Academy	Jaipur	Pearl Academy Entrance Test + Interview

Check: CEED 2026 Expected Cut Offs

Best Design Colleges in Bangalore, Chennai & Hyderabad - South India

Institute Name	Location	Entrance Exam / Admission Process
National Institute of Design (NID Bengaluru)	Bengaluru, Karnataka	NID DAT (Prelims + Mains)
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT Chennai)	Chennai, Tamil Nadu	NIFT Entrance Exam (CAT + GAT + Situation Test)
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Hyderabad – Department of Design)	Hyderabad, Telangana	UCEED (for B.Des) / CEED (for M.Des)

Top B.Des Colleges in (Central India)

College / Institute Name	Location	Entrance Exam / Admission Process
Avantika University (MIT Indore)	Ujjain Road, Indore, Madhya Pradesh	Avantika Design Aptitude Test (DAT) / Personal Interview

Read more: MIT Institute of Design Placements

Best Design Schools in India 2026 - Specialization-wise

Different design courses suit different colleges depending on specialization focus and infrastructure. Here’s a quick table on which college is best for which design course in India (Specialization-wise Guide):

Design Specialization	Best Government Design Colleges	Alternative Top Private Design Colleges
Top Product Design Colleges in India	NID, IDC-IITB, IIT Delhi	Ecole Intuit Lab, The Design Village
Graphic Design colleges in India (Communication / Visual Design)	NID, NIFT (Fashion Communication), IDC-IITB	Pearl Academy, IIAD, Parul University
Top Fashion Design Colleges in India (Textile / Apparel Design)	NIFT, NID (Textile Design)	UID, Pearl Academy, Istituto Marangoni
Top Interior Design Colleges in India (Space Design / Built Environment Design)	NID, NIFT (Fashion Interiors)	IIAD, Istituto Marangoni, Atlas Skilltech University
UX / UI / Interaction / Product-User Experience Colleges	IDC-IITB, IIT Delhi Design, NID	MIT-ID, Ecole Intuit lab, Pearl Academy

This helps if you have a specific design path in mind (e.g. product design vs fashion design vs UX) - choose colleges accordingly rather than blindly chasing ‘top’ labels.

List of Affordable Design Colleges for 2026 - Best Low-cost Designing Colleges in India (Under 3 Lakhs)

While most top design schools in India can be expensive, a few reputed universities offer high-quality design education at affordable fees, without compromising on infrastructure, mentorship, or placement opportunities.
Here are some of the best low-cost design colleges in India where the annual fees are under ₹3 lakhs.

College / University Name	Location	Approx. Annual Fees
Parul University (Parul Institute of Design)	Vadodara, Gujarat	Rs. 2,50,000
JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU) – Institute of Design	Jaipur, Rajasthan	Rs. 2,50,000
Ganpat University (GUNI)	Mehsana, Gujarat	Rs. 2,50,000

Best Design Colleges in India 2026 - Fees & Cost Variation: What to Expect Across Design Schools in India?

Design colleges in India vary significantly in tuition fees, depending on ownership (government vs private), facilities, and specialization. According to industry data:

Some good design colleges offer B.Des courses with total fee under ₹5 lakhs, especially public institutes or newer private ventures.
Top private design colleges (with premium facilities) might charge ₹7-10+ lakh annually for the their B.Des course.
Best government design institutes in India (like NID, IIT/IDC) generally have lower-moderate fee structures (3 to 5 lakhs annually) and therefore, high ROI for serious aspirants.

Recommendation for aspirants: Evaluate tuition + infrastructure + specialization + placement potential. A slightly higher fee may pay off if the college offers stronger industry links and placement support.

Best Design colleges in India - Expected 2026 Cut-Offs

Entrance Exam	Conducting Body	Used For Admission To	Cut-Off Overview (2025 Expected)	Detailed Cut-Off Link
NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test)	National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad	B.Des & M.Des at NID campuses (Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, etc.)	70+ for General Category Prelims	Read NID Cut-Offs 2026 →
UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design)	IIT Bombay	B.Des at IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Guwahati, IIITDM Jabalpur, and others	Safe score for Open category: 220–230 / 300 for IIT Bombay; 190+ for other IITs	Read UCEED Cut-Offs 2026 →
CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design)	IIT Bombay	M.Des at IITs, IISc Bengaluru, and other CEED-participating colleges	Under AIR 100 – 150 for admission to top NIFT Delhi & Mumbai for general category	Read CEED Cut-Offs 2026 →
NIFT Entrance Exam	National Institute of Fashion Technology	19 NIFT campuses across India	55-60/100 for general category	Read NIFT Cut-Offs 2026 →

Best Design Colleges in India: Entrance Exams & Admissions 2026

To get admission into the best design schools in India, students must clear one or more national-level or institute-level design entrance exams. While some exams like UCEED, NID DAT, and NIFT Entrance Test are common gateways for top government institutes, others like MIT-ID DAT, UID-DAT, and Pearl Academy Design Aptitude Test are accepted by leading private colleges.

Below is a summary of the most recognized design entrance exams in India along with the number of colleges that accept them and the top design institutes associated with each.

Design Entrance Exam	Conducting Body	Exam Dates for 2026	Approx. No. of Colleges Accepting Score	Best Design Colleges in India Accepting the Exam
UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design)	IIT Bombay	18^th January 2026	7 IITs & 40+ result sharing UCEED colleges (Private)	IDC-IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIITDM Jabalpur
NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test)	National Institute of Design	21^st December 2025	7 NID campuses + 10+ partner colleges	NID Ahmedabad, NID Gandhinagar, NID Bengaluru, NID Bhopal, NID Vijayawada, NID Kurukshetra
NIFT Entrance Exam	National Institute of Fashion Technology	TBA	19 campuses nationwide	NIFT Delhi, NIFT Mumbai, NIFT Bengaluru, NIFT Chennai, NIFT Hyderabad, NIFT Kolkata
CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design)	IIT Bombay	18^th January 2026	10 CEED colleges (PG Design)	IDC-IIT Bombay, IIT Guwahati, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, IISc Bengaluru
MIT-ID DAT	MIT Institute of Design, Pune	April 2026	1 main campus + 2 affiliated	Avantika University
IIAD (Indian Institute of Art and Design Entrance Test)	IIAD Delhi (in collaboration with Kingston University, London)	In 4 phases (from December 2025 to May 2025)	1	IIAD New Delhi
UID DAT	UID Ahmedabad	11 Jan, 2026	1	UID Ahmedabad
TDV Design Aptitude Test	The Design Village, Noida		1	The Design Village (Delhi NCR)

Also Check: UID DAT 2023 - Exam Dates, Eligibility Pattern, Syllabus

Best Design Schools in India: General Admission Process 2026

While each exam has its own procedure, most design institutes follow a common multi-stage selection process that evaluates creativity, aptitude, and visualization skills.
Below is a short summary table showing how design admissions typically work through different entrance exams.

Step-by-Step Design Admission Process-

Stage	Process Description	Applicable Exams / Institutes
Step 1: Online Registration	Fill out the application form on the official website and pay the exam fee.	All exams (UCEED, NID, NIFT, CEED, etc.)
Step 2: Entrance Exam Phase 1 (Aptitude + Drawing)	Appear for the written exam assessing design aptitude, visualization, creativity, logical reasoning, and general awareness.	UCEED, NID DAT, NIFT, MIT-ID, UID DAT
Step 3: Appear for Phase 2 (Studio Test / Situation Test / Interview)	Hands-on model making or design task followed by a personal interview (for shortlisted candidates).	NID, NIFT, IIAD, TDV
Step 4: Result & Rank List	Scores are weighted and merit lists published.	All major exams
Step 5: Counselling & Seat Allotment	Candidates fill in college preferences and get seat allocation based on rank and availability.	UCEED, NID, NIFT
Step 6: Document Verification & Fee Payment	Submit original documents and pay the first-semester fee to confirm admission.	All institutes

Also Read: Which Subject is best for Fashion Designing in Class 11

Conclusion - Best Design Schools in India That You Should Target in 2026

If you aim for a top-tier design education with strong learning environment, brand value, and industry exposure, then NID, IDC-IITB, NIFT, CEPT, and IIT Delhi (Design) should be on your radar.

If you have constraints on rank or want specialized design paths, more flexibility, or niche courses, then MIT-ID, UID, Parul University and other private design schools offer excellent alternatives - often with modern curriculum and good infrastructure.

Ultimately, the best design school in India for you isn’t just the top name, but the one that aligns with your design interest, budget, career goal, and creative aspiration.

With this guide, you now have a clear shortlist, fee insight, and specialization map to help choose wisely among the many top design colleges in India.

Preparing for NID, NIFT or UCEED 2026 or 2027? We can help you with exact strategic roadmap, study material and crucial feedback required to ace this exam.

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