Design and Architecture Entrance Exams of India 2024

Design and architecture professions are gaining popularity in India. The rising number of students appearing for the design and architecture entrance exams in recent years is proof of it. Presently, these exams are conducted by various authorities like colleges, universities, and institutes. If you want to dig deeper into these entrance exams, this article has got you covered.

Here, we will explore the list of the top design and architecture entrance exams in India including programs offered, eligibility criteria, and more crucial information. These essential details will help you gain clarity and prepare for them to acquire a limited seat in the country’s top-notch university/college.

Design Entrance Exams: Types and Eligibility Criteria for 2024

Mostly design entrance exams are conducted once a year. However, some private exams may be conducted twice a year. It is important to note that the dates of entrance exams can vary every year. But first, you need to be well-informed about them. So, here is your guide to the country’s topmost design entrance exams that take you one step closer to your dream career.

1. National Institute Of Fashion Technology

The NIFT exam is conducted by the National Institute Of Fashion Technology every year for students aiming to follow in their footsteps in the design industry. For Undergraduates, it offers two programs: B. Des and B.F. Tech.

Eligibility Criteria

Age limit:

• The aspirants should be less than 24 years old as of 1st August 2024
• The age limit may be relaxed by a period of five years for candidates of SC/ST/ and PWD categories.

Educational requirement: The candidates need to meet any of the educational criteria-

• Passed 10+2 pass from an authorized institute.
• Cleared Senior Secondary Examination conducted by National Open School with at least five subjects.
• Appeared for any Public/Board/University Exams in India or International countries that the Association of Indian Universities recognizes as equivalent to the 10+2 system.

2. NID DAT

The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is conducted by the National Institute of Design once a year for B.Des and M.Des.

Note: The admission process for 2023-24 has been now OPEN. 

You can apply online from their website. The last date to fill out the application is 1 December 2023.

Eligibility Criteria

Age limit:

• For General Category and General EWS Category: Only candidates born on or after 1st July 2003 are eligible.
• For OBC-NCL, SC, ST: Only students born on or after 1 July 2000 are eligible.
• For PwD: Only students born on or after 1 July 1998 are eligible.
• For foreign students: Only students born on or after 1 July 2003 are eligible.

Educational requirement:

• Candidates who have passed or will pass 10+2 exams in the academic year 2023-24 in any stream from any Indian Recognised Education body are eligible.

3. UCEED

The Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design is conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay once a year. After qualifying for this exam, students can easily enroll in B.Des programs.

Eligibility Criteria

Age limit:

The candidates should have been born on or after 1st October 1999, if belong to and born on 1st October 1994 if belong to SC/ST or PwD category).

Educational requirement:

• The candidates should have passed all the subjects of class 12 or equivalent.
• Also, students appearing for Class 12 exams in 2024 for the first time can also attempt UCEED 2024. However, the candidates who had cleared class 12 exams before or in 2022 are not eligible.

4. FDDI AIST

The Footwear Design and Development Institute All India Selection Test is a national-level entrance exam that is conducted by the Footwear Design and Development Institute once a year. It offers undergraduate programs for students aspiring to enter into footwear and design technology.

Eligibility Criteria

Age limit:

• The age limit for candidates appearing for the bachelor’s program is 25 years as of 1st July 2024.

Educational requirement:

The candidates need to meet any of the educational criteria-

• Passed 10+2 pass from an authorized institute in any stream.
• Qualified Senior Secondary Examination conducted by National Open School with at least five subjects.
• Done 3 or 4 years of full-time diploma that are AICTE or State Board of Technical Education recognized.
• Appeared for any Public/Board/University Exams in India or International countries which the Association of Indian Univeristies recognized or equivalent to 10 + 2 system.

Architecture Entrance Exams: Types and Eligibility Criteria for 2024

Here we’ll cover the top 4 architecture entrance exams along with their offered programs and eligibility criteria that can help you make informed decisions.

1. NATA

National Aptitude Test In Architecture is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Council of Architecture for 5 years B.Arch program. To give opportunities to maximum aspirants, the Council conducted the exam thrice a year in 2023. The frequency of exams for 2024 is yet to be disclosed.

Eligibility Criteria

Age limit:

• There is no age limit to appear for the NATA.

Educational requirement:

• The candidates should have cleared 10+2 or equivalent exams with Physics and Mathematics as mandatory along with Chemistry or Biology and obtained a minimum of 45% marks.
• Passed 10+3 Diploma exams with Mathematics as a compulsory subject with at least 45% marks.

2. JEE (Main Paper II)

Joint Entrance Exams Main Paper 2 is a national-level entrance exam conducted twice a year for B. Arch and B. Plan.

Eligibility Criteria

Age limit:

• Students of any age can appear for JEE (Main)as there is no age limit.

Educational requirement:

• The candidates are required to clear 12 or equivalent examinations in 2022, and 2023, or appear in 2024 irrespective of age are eligible.
• Done 3 or 4 years of full-time diploma that are AICTE or State Board of Technical Education recognized.
• Appeared for any Public/Board/University Exams in India or International countries which the Association of Indian Univeristies recognize the 10 + 2 system.

3. AMUEEE

Aligarh Muslim University Engineering Entrance Examination is conducted by Aligarh Muslim University to offer admission in architecture courses like B.Arch.

Eligibility Criteria

Age limit:

• Candidates looking to appear for AMUEEE should be a minimum of 21 years as of July 31 in the year of Admission.

Educational requirement:

• The students who have clear class 12 with at least 50% aggregated marks are eligible
• Students should also have Physics, Chemistry, English, and Mathematics in their class 12.

Or

• The candidates should hold a diploma in engineering with a minimum of 50% aggregated marks.

4. HITSEEE

Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science Engineering Entrance Examination organizes the HITSEEE exam for the admission of numerous undergraduate engineering and architecture programs once a year.

Eligibility Criteria

Age limit:

• The aspiring candidate should be almost 19 years old.

Educational requirement:

• The aspirants should have cleared 10+2 or equivalent exams with Physics and Mathematics as mandatory subjects along with Chemistry or Biology.
• Also, candidates have to obtain a minimum of 50% marks in their 12th class (45% in case of reserved category) in primary subjects while 60% in Mathematics separately.

Final Takeaways

The online application registration process for some of the entrance exams have already started while others are going to start soon. To not miss any of the important dates, keep visiting their official websites where they announce it. Also, now that you are aware of the top entrance exams of designing and architecture along with their eligibility criteria, preparing for these exams, registering, and cracking it will get clearer and easier. So, stay informed and keep reading! All the best!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1. How many design entrance exams are there in India?
Ans. There are multiple design entrance exams conducted by both government and private universities. SEED is one of the top entrance exams conducted by Symbiosis International University for design.

Q 2. Does the NIFT exam offer a management quota?
Ans. No, the results are completely merit-based.

Q 3. What are the age limit criteria to apply for design and architecture programs?
Ans. There are different age limit criteria for every design and architecture entrance exam. They are mentioned above with every exam type in the eligibility criteria.

Q 4. How many number of attempts can candidates make for design entrance exams?
Ans. There are not any specific attempt limits but it can vary from institution to institution. Also, if there is no attempt limit, there is definitely some age limit. So, do check it before applying to any entrance exam.