There are many top design colleges in India offering excellent design courses like the National Institute of Design, Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, MIT University, IDC School of Design, Pearl Academy, and more. Top design courses in India are BDes(4 years), MDes(4 years), BSc in design(3 years), and BF. Tech in apparel production, certificate, and diploma courses. Popular specializations involve graphic design, fashion design, interior design, product design, textile design, animation design, UX/UI design, and communication design. Which enables students to cultivate creativity, enrich problem solving, and develop practical skills required for the program.
Admissions to these design courses will be based on national-level entrance examinations like UCEED, NID DAT, NIFT, CEED, and AIEED. Other exams include SEED, Pearl Academy entrance exam, IIAD, CUET.
Top Design Colleges in India 2025
College | State |
National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad | Gujarat |
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi | Delhi |
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology | Karnataka |
MIT Art, Design and Technology University | Maharashtra |
IDC School of Design | Mumbai |
World University Of Design | Haryana |
ARCH Academy of Design | Rajasthan |
Symbiosis Institute of Design | Maharashtra |
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore | Karnataka |
Pearl academy | New delhi |
National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
The National Institute of Design is a group of autonomous public design institutions in India. The first institute was founded in Ahmedabad in 1961 and is located opposite Tagore Hall, Rajnagar Society, Paldi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
NID is under the department for promotion of industry trade (DPIIT), ministry of commerce & industry, government of india.
NID offers 4 years of BDes programs, 2 years of MDes programs, and PhD programs, along with specializations like communication design, industrial design, apparel, lifestyle, and accessory design, and IT integration.
Admissions to the National Institute of Design,n Ahmedabad, for the academic batch 2025-26 are closed. Students can look into the institute's webpage for any queries.
National Institute of Design Eligibility Criteria
For BDes admission, students who have passed 12th with any stream from a reputed board of education, CBSE, ICSE, or equivalent, are eligible.
For MDes admission, a BDes degree in any discipline from a university/institution recognized by the law in India.
Admission will be based on the National Institute of Design entrance test, DAT, which is a 2-stage written test and studio test & interview for MDes, or studio test for BDes.
National Institute of Design Fee Structure 2025
Course Name | Tuition Fee (Per Semester) |
MDes | INR 2,44,500 |
BDes | INR 2,10,500 |
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
National Institute of Fashion Technology(NIFT) was set up in 986. It is situated in Hauzkhas, near Gulmohar Park, Delhi, India. NIFT offers 4 4-year B.F.Teach programs in apparel production and 4 4-year BDes program in accessory design, leather design, fashion design, textile design, and more.
Under PG courses, it offers MDes, MFM, and M.FTeach for years.
Admission for the academic year 2025- 26 is likely closed. Students can go through the university page for admission, examination, or fee-related queries.
NIFT-Delhi Eligibility Criteria
Minimum age must be less than 24 years of age as on 1st August of the year of admission.
For admission to the BDes program, pass the 10+2 examination or equivalent from a recognized central/state board of secondary education.
There is no age limit for MDes, MFM, and MFA.
Education qualification includes, bachelor's degree in any discipline from any university/institute recognized by the law of India.
Students will have to appear for both the general aptitude test(GAT) and a creative ability test(CAT) BDes and MDes programs.
Results of the entrance examinations are expected to be declared in March 2025.
NIFT - Delhi Fee Structure
Course Name | Total Fee (*) |
BDes | INR 10-20 lakh |
MDes | INR 6-12 lakhs |
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology
SMI was instituted in 1996. It is a private institution located in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It has been affiliated with the Manipal Academy of Higher Education and recognized as an institute of eminence by the government of India. SMI offers BDes, B.Voc, B.FA, and certificate courses in interior design, fashion design for 3/4 years, and PG courses like MDes, MFA, M Arch in fashion management, interior design, and urban design & development for 1/2 years.
Sristi Manipal Institute admission for the year 2025-26 is currently open. Admissions will be based on the SMEAT examination set for april 19,2025. The last date to apply for the application is 28th March 2025. Students can expect the announcement of the results on 30th april 2025. For more information regarding the admissions and examinations, students can check the institute's page.
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for BDes courses, students must have passed 12th or equivalent from a recognized board with a minimum 50% aggregate marks.
For MDes admission, students require NSQF(National Skills Qualification Framework) Certification Level 8 in a relevant industry sector, a 3-year UG degree, and a 1-year PGDP degree from a recognized university.
4 years UG degree or a 5-year UG degree from a recognized institute.
Also, students are required to clear the SMEAT entrance examination.
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology Fee Structure
Course Name | Total Fee (2025-26) |
B.Voc | INR 4,85,000 |
BDes/BFA | INR 8,08,000 |
M.Des | INR 6,65,000 |
MA | INR 1,11,000 |
Diploma | INR 5,04,000 |
PhD | INR1,11,00 |