Apply for NID DAT, UCEED, NIFT, SEED, AIEED for 2027 B.Des admissions by April

Prospective design students in India are preparing for a series of entrance examinations in late 2026 and early 2027 to secure admission to Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs. Key examinations such as NID DAT, UCEED, NIFT, SEED, and AIEED are scheduled between December and April, serving as gateways to various national and institutional design colleges.

These entrance tests assess a range of abilities beyond traditional academic knowledge, including creativity, sketching, logical reasoning, research, communication, and design awareness, as highlighted by various conducting authorities. The application windows for some of these crucial exams are currently open or will commence shortly, with deadlines approaching for the 2027 admission cycle.

National Design Institute (NID DAT) and IIT Bombay (UCEED) Admissions

The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, conducts the NID DAT for admission to its B.Des programs across all NID campuses. The examination is structured in two stages: DAT Prelims, an objective test, followed by DAT Mains, which includes a subjective, drawing-heavy test, a Studio Test, and a Personal Interview. For the 2027 admissions, NID DAT Prelims for B.Des and M.Des are scheduled for 20 December 2026. The application period for NID DAT commenced on 10 September 2026 and will conclude on 30 November 2026, with an application fee of approximately ₹3000.

IIT Bombay conducts the Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design (UCEED) for admission to B.Des programs at six IITs: IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, and IIT Roorkee. UCEED is a three-hour computer-based test comprising two parts: Part A for online screening and Part B for an offline drawing-based task. The UCEED 2027 examination is scheduled for 17 January 2027. Regular registration for UCEED 2027 began on 1 October 2026 and will close on 31 October 2026, with a late registration deadline of 6 November 2026. The application fee for UCEED is approximately ₹3500.

NIFT and Symbiosis International University Entrance Examinations

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, conducts its entrance exam once a year for admission to its B.Des programs across 21 campuses nationwide. The NIFT B.Des exam consists of the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT), followed by a Situation Test for shortlisted candidates. The NIFT 2027 written examinations are tentatively scheduled for 10 January 2027, with the application period expected to run from December 2026 to January 2027. The application fee for the NIFT Entrance Exam is approximately ₹3000.

Symbiosis International (Deemed University) conducts the Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED) for admission to B.Des programs at Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID) and Symbiosis School of Planning, Architecture and Design (SSPAD). SEED is typically conducted between January and February. This examination is considered suitable for students seeking admission to private, design-focused institutions.

ARCH Academy of Design (AIEED) and Chandigarh University (CUCET)

The Arch Academy of Design conducts the All India Entrance Examination for Design (AIEED) for admission to its undergraduate and postgraduate design programs. AIEED runs in series from April through June and can be attempted in both online and offline modes. The offline mode supports English and Hindi, while the online mode is available only in English. The examination comprises two sections: a Creative Ability Test (CAT) with 50 questions for 100 marks over 3 hours, and a General Ability Test (GAT) with 60 questions for 100 marks over 2 hours. The application fee for AIEED is Rupees 3000, and the age limit for candidates is below 30 years. Students in Class 10+1 are eligible to sit for AIEED based on their current scores. AIEED has been conducted annually by ARCH since 2010.

Chandigarh University conducts the Chandigarh University Common Entrance Test (CUCET) for admission to its B.Des program. CUCET is a two-hour online test consisting of 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with no negative marking. The CUCET also functions as a scholarship test, offering scholarships up to 100% of the fee. In addition, students who have scored 90% or above in their Class 12 examinations are eligible for direct admission to Chandigarh University’s B.Des program.

Other Design Aptitude Tests

The IMS DIA Design Aptitude Test is conducted by IMS Design and Innovation Academy for admission to its undergraduate design programs, which include B.Des in Fashion Design, Interior Design, Communication and Product Design, and B.Sc. in Jewellery Design. Eligibility for these programs requires a 10+2 qualification from any stream. The exam pattern focuses on design aptitude, creative thinking, and visual and conceptual ability, testing skills such as sketching, observation, creativity, logical thinking, visualisation, and basic design concepts. The difficulty level is considered moderate, and it is suited for students interested in practical, industry-oriented design education.

For postgraduate design aspirants, the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) is conducted by IIT Bombay. CEED is for M.Des programs and involves a computer test followed by a design test, assessing advanced design thinking. The CEED 2027 examination is also scheduled for 17 January 2027, with an approximate fee of ₹3600.

Further reading

• NIFT, UCEED, CEED 2027: Apply by Nov 16, Oct 31, Oct 31 respectively
• UID 2027: Apply for UG/PG Design Courses Applications open
• NID DAT: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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