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 |
1. National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
National Institute of Design is a group of autonomous public design institutions in India. 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.
Students can look into the National Institute of Design webpage for any queries.
NID 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.
NID entrance exam
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.
NID Fee Structure 2025
Course Name | Tuition Fee (Per Semester) |
MDes | INR 2,44,500 |
BDes | INR 2,10,500 |
2. 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-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.
Students who are searching for the best fashion design or design colleges can look into top fashion design colleges in India.
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.
NIFT-Delhi entrance exam
Students will have to appear for both the general aptitude test(GAT) and a creative ability test(CAT) BDes and MDes programs.
NIFT - Delhi Fee Structure
Course Name | Total Fee (*) |
BDes | INR 10-20 lakh |
MDes | INR 6-12 lakhs |
3. 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. For more information, students can check the Sristi Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology page. Last date to apply is expected to be 25th May, 2025*. Students can find the registration form on the SMI website.
SIM 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.
SIM entrance exam
Admissions for B.Des will be based on the SMEAT examination, which will be on May 12th, 2025.
Round 2 for SMEAT registration for the PG program is open, with May 17th as the last date to apply.
Interview and counselling round will be on May 28th and June 7th, 2025.
Results will be announced on June 16th, 2025.
SIM 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 |
4. MIT Art, Design and Technology University
MIT ADT University is a private university that is a constituent of the MIT group of institutions. MIT-ADT University was founded in 2015, under the Maharashtra State Act. located in Rajbaug Loni Kalbhor, Pune, Maharashtra, India, and MIT ADT University is recognized by the University Grants Commission. It is a NAAC-accredited MIT ADT University with an A grade. MIT ADT university Offers a 4-year B.Des program with specializations in product design, transportation design, interior space & furniture design, retail design, graphic design, animation design, fashion design, etc. at PG level MIT ADT university offers M.Des program for 2 years with specializations in product design, fashion management & marketing, design management, and immersive media design.
Students can visit MIT ADT University official portal to know more details.
MIT ADT university eligibility criteria
B.Des program Age limit is 20 years.
Pass 10+2 from any stream (from state boards/AISSCE/IB/ISC).
For M.Des, a bachelor's degree in the related field is required.
Age limit for M.Des is 30 years.
MIT ADT University entrance exam
For B.Des program, students need to clear the design aptitude test, followed by a studio test, and a personal interview.
For M.Des program, selection will be in two phases: 1st phase includes MITID-DAT (design aptitude tests).
2nd phase includes a studio test and a personal interview.
MIT ADT University fee structure
B.Des program entrance exam -design aptitude test fee is INR 3000.
Total B.DES fee is INR 6,52,000.
M.Des total fee is INR 6,52,000.