Apply for B.Des entrance exams NID DAT, UCEED, NIFT by April

Aspirants seeking admission to Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs at India’s premier institutions navigate a series of entrance examinations held annually between December and April. These tests, administered by bodies such as the National Institute of Design (NID), IIT Bombay, and the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, assess candidates’ creativity, logical reasoning, and design awareness.

The competitive landscape of design education in India has evolved, with institutions like NID, IIT Bombay, and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) seeking creative problem-solvers. These exams are crucial pathways for students after Class 12, evaluating not only academic knowledge but also essential design thinking abilities.

Overview of Major B.Des Entrance Examinations

The primary entrance examinations for B.Des admission in India include NID DAT, UCEED, NIFT, SEED, and AIEED. Each exam caters to admissions at specific institutions, with NID DAT for NID campuses, UCEED for six IITs, NIFT for NIFT campuses, SEED for Symbiosis International (Deemed University), and AIEED for private institutes such as Arch Academy of Design.

Most of these examinations are designed to test a range of skills pertinent to design, including creativity, sketching proficiency, logical reasoning, and general design awareness. The application and examination windows for these tests typically span from December to April, with some extending into the summer months.

Detailed Examination Structures and Schedules

NID DAT is recognized as one of the most demanding Bachelor of Design entrance exams, featuring a multi-stage process that includes Prelims, Mains, and a Studio Test. For the 2026 cycle, NID DAT Prelims were conducted on December 21, 2025, with results announced on April 7, 2026. The Mains examination is scheduled for April 2026, followed by counseling from May to June 2026, per information from Chandigarh University’s blog.

UCEED 2026 was held on January 18, 2026. This 3-hour computer-based test is divided into two parts: Part A, an online screening component, and Part B, an offline drawing-based task. UCEED supports admissions to B.Des programs across six Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

NIFT 2026 written examinations, which include the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT), were conducted in the second week of February 2026. These tests are essential for entry into the 21 NIFT campuses across the country.

Alternative and Private Institute Admissions

Beyond the national-level examinations, several institutions offer their own entrance tests. The All India Entrance Examination for Design (AIEED), conducted by the Arch Academy of Design, provides admission to undergraduate and postgraduate design programs. AIEED runs in a series from April through June each year and can be taken either online or offline. The application process for AIEED typically opens in May and June, with an application fee of Rupees 3000. The exam has been conducted annually since 2010.

For undergraduate courses through AIEED, students who have completed Class 10+2 are generally required to provide a passing certificate and marks. Class 10+1 students can also sit for the exam based on their current scores. The AIEED examination consists of two sections: the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT).

Chandigarh University also offers admission to its B.Des program through the Chandigarh University Common Entrance Test (CUCET). CUCET is a 2-hour online test comprising 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) covering English, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, Reasoning, and design basics. This test is conducted online from home and features no negative marking. Phase 1 applications for CUCET 2026 were open until April 30, 2026, with Phase 2 running from July to October 2026. Also, students achieving 90% or above in Class 12 are eligible for direct admission to Chandigarh University’s B.Des program.

Further reading

• NID DAT 2027 application opens: apply by 30 November for B.Des exams
• Apply for NID DAT, UCEED, NIFT, SEED, AIEED for 2027 B.Des admissions by April
• UID 2027: Apply for UG/PG Design Courses Applications open
• NID Design Aptitude Test: 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.

View all posts →