Are you a Class 12 student dreaming of a career in design? India has three main entrance exams for top design colleges: NIFT, UCEED, and NID DAT . These exams open doors to various undergraduate (B.Des) and postgraduate (M.Des) design courses. Knowing the differences between them can help you choose the right path for your future.
These national-level exams are very important for students who want to study fashion, product design, graphic design, or other creative fields. The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) focuses on fashion and lifestyle. The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) , conducted by IIT Bombay, is for more technology-focused design like graphic design and UI/UX. The National Institute of Design (NID) Design Aptitude Test (DAT) looks for students with strong design thinking and creativity.
It is important to know the exam dates. The UCEED 2026 exam is on January 18, 2026 . The NIFT 2026 Stage 1 exam is on February 08, 2026 . The NID DAT 2025 Stage 1 exam was held earlier, on December 21, 2025 .
Key Differences Between NIFT, UCEED, and NID DAT Exams
Here is a simple comparison of the three major design entrance exams:
| Exam Name | NIFT | UCEED | NID DAT |
| Conducting Body | National Institute of Fashion Technology | IIT Bombay | National Institute of Design (NID) |
| Exam Structure | Stage 1: Written Exam (NIFTEE) Stage 2: Situation Test and Interview | Single-stage exam with two parts (Part A and Part B). Part B papers are checked only if students pass Part A. | Two-stage exam: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. Students are chosen for DAT Mains based on their DAT Prelims scores. |
| Mode of Exam | Stage 1: Pen-and-paper test Stage 2: Offline activities | Part A: Computer-based test Part B: Offline test | DAT Prelims: Pen-and-paper test DAT Mains: Offline test |
| Duration of Exam | Stage 1: GAT (2 hours), CAT (3 hours) | 3 hours | DAT Prelims (3 hours), DAT Mains (3 hours) |
| Exam Level | National Level | National Level | National Level |
| Frequency | Once a year | Once a year | Once a year |
| Exam Date | February 08, 2026 | January 18, 2026 | DAT Prelims: December 21, 2025 |
| Colleges | 19 NIFT Campuses | IITs offering B.Des programs | NID Campuses |
Understanding Each Design Exam
Here is more detail about each exam:
NIFT Entrance Exam (NIFTEE)
The NIFT exam is for students interested in fashion and lifestyle design . NIFT colleges offer many courses like fashion design, textile design, accessory design, and fashion communication. The exam has two stages:
- Stage 1: Written Exam (NIFTEE) . This includes a General Ability Test (GAT) and a Creative Ability Test (CAT). GAT checks your general knowledge and thinking skills. CAT checks your creative skills.
- Stage 2: Situation Test and Interview . If you pass the written exam, you will attend a situation test, where you create something practical, and an interview to check your personality and interest in design.
NIFT has 19 campuses across India, making it a popular choice for fashion studies.
UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design)
UCEED is conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs in IITs and other top institutes. This exam is for students who like technology-driven design , such as graphic design, user interface (UI) design, user experience (UX) design, and product design.
The exam is a single stage but has two parts:
- Part A: Computer-based test . This section tests your mental ability, visual skills, and general knowledge.
- Part B: Offline test . This section asks you to draw and design. Your Part B paper is checked only if you score well in Part A.
UCEED scores are used by various IITs and other design schools for their B.Des programs.
NID DAT (National Institute of Design Design Aptitude Test)
NID DAT is for admission to the National Institutes of Design (NIDs), which are known for their focus on design thinking and creativity . NID offers courses in many areas, including industrial design, communication design, and textile design.
This exam also has two stages:
- DAT Prelims . This is a written, pen-and-paper test that checks your observation power, knowledge, and creative skills.
- DAT Mains . If you pass Prelims, you will be called for DAT Mains. This stage can include a studio test, interviews, and portfolio review to check your practical skills and ideas.
NIDs are highly respected for their deep focus on design principles and innovation.
Choosing the Right Exam for You
Each exam and institute has a different focus. You should think about your own interests, skills, and what kind of design career you want. If you love fashion, NIFT might be best. If you like technology and user experiences, consider UCEED . If you are passionate about creative problem-solving and design thinking, NID DAT could be your ideal choice.
Make sure to check the latest details, important dates, and eligibility criteria for each exam on their official websites. Good luck with your design journey!
