NID DAT 2027 application opens: apply by 30 November for B.Des exams

The admission cycle for top Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs in India for 2027 has begun, with several key entrance examinations opening their application processes. Aspiring designers are advised to note the upcoming deadlines for examinations such as NID DAT, UCEED, and NIFT, which are crucial for securing admission to premier design institutions.

These entrance exams, conducted by various national institutions, evaluate a range of abilities beyond traditional drawing skills, including creativity, observation, logical thinking, communication, visualization, and problem-solving, aiming to assess a candidate’s potential to think like a designer. The application fees for these exams range from approximately Rupees 3000 to Rupees 3500.

NID DAT 2027 Application and Exam Schedule

The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, has opened applications for NID DAT 2027, which supports admission to B.Des programs across all NID campuses. The application window commenced on 10 September 2026, and candidates must submit their applications by 30 November 2026.

The NID DAT examination follows a multi-stage process, beginning with Prelims, followed by Mains, a Studio Test, and a Personal Interview. The Prelims for both B.Des and M.Des programs for NID DAT 2027 are scheduled for 20 December 2026. For the previous cycle, NID DAT 2026 Prelims were held on 21 December 2025, with results declared on 7 April 2026.

UCEED and NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Dates

IIT Bombay conducts UCEED for admission to B.Des programs at six IITs: IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, and IIT Roorkee. The regular registration deadline for UCEED 2027 is 31 October 2026, with a late registration option available until 6 November 2026. The UCEED 2027 examination is scheduled for 17 January 2027. UCEED is a 3-hour computer-based test comprising two parts: Part A, an online screening, and Part B, an offline drawing-based task.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, conducts the NIFT Entrance Exam. The application period for NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 is tentatively set for December 2026 to January 2027, with the exam tentatively scheduled for 10 January 2027. The NIFT B.Des exam includes a Creative Ability Test (CAT) and a General Ability Test (GAT), followed by a Situation Test. NIFT has 21 campuses across India.

Other Prominent Design Entrance Examinations

Several other significant entrance exams contribute to admissions for B.Des programs across India. SEED, conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University), offers admission to B.Des programs at Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID) and Symbiosis School of Planning, Architecture and Design (SSPAD). AIEED, conducted by the Arch Academy of Design, runs in series from April through June and can be taken online or offline. AIEED has been conducted annually since 2010, with an application fee of Rupees 3000.

Chandigarh University conducts CUCET for admission to its B.Des program. CUCET is a 2-hour online test consisting of 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with no negative marking. Students achieving 90% or above in Class 12 are eligible for direct admission to Chandigarh University’s B.Des program through CUCET.

Further reading

• 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.

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