Admissions Open! BITSDES 2026 Invites Creative Students for BDes (Honours)

Admissions are officially open for the highly competitive B.Des (Honours) program at BITS Design School (BITSDES), Mumbai! Aspirants must apply online before the uncompromising deadline of February 1, 2026. This four-year residential program offers cutting-edge specializations like Digital Product Design. Admission is multi-stage, requiring scores from UCEED, NID-DAT Prelims, or BITSDAT, followed by a crucial Portfolio Review and Personal Interview. Start your application today to secure your entry into one of India’s most technologically integrated design schools.

The gateway to a future in cutting-edge, technology-driven design is wide open, but the window is rapidly closing. The BITS Design School (BITSDES), Mumbai, operating under the aegis of BITS Pilani, has announced that the application period for its esteemed four-year, fully residential Bachelor of Design (Honours) program is underway. For the 2026–2027 academic intake, the final and non-negotiable deadline for submitting the online application form is February 1, 2026.

​BITSDES is quickly distinguishing itself as a premier institution that seamlessly blends design thinking with core engineering and business principles. The admission process is designed to attract a diverse cohort of highly creative and problem-solving students. This is a crucial alert for all design aspirants who have appeared for or plan to appear for a major national design entrance examination. Successfully navigating the application phase by the February 1st deadline is the first mandatory step toward securing one of the coveted seats in the B.Des (Hons) program, which has an expected intake of 180 students. Every aspirant must prioritize this application deadline immediately.

​ The Three-Part Entrance Gateway & Key Dates

​The BITSDES admission process for the B.Des (Hons) program is structured to provide flexibility while maintaining high selection standards. Candidates must qualify through one of three accepted entrance examinations.

• ​Accepted Entrance Exams (One is Mandatory):
  • ​UCEED 2026: Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (conducted by IIT Bombay).
  • ​NID-DAT Prelims 2026: National Institute of Design - Design Aptitude Test Prelims.
  • ​BITSDAT 2026: BITS Design Aptitude Test (The institute’s own computer-based test, scheduled for March 31 – April 5, 2026).
• ​The Strict Application Timeline: Candidates applying via any of the three entrance scores must complete the separate BITSDES application by the single deadline. 
  • ​Application Deadline: February 1, 2026 (Last date to submit the online application form and pay the application fee of approximately ₹2,500).
  • ​Score Upload Window: April 8 – April 12, 2026 (Only applicants who meet the February 1 deadline will be able to upload their final scores from UCEED/NID-DAT Prelims/BITSDAT during this period).
  • ​Shortlist & Portfolio: Shortlisted candidates are announced on April 16, 2026, followed by the Portfolio Upload window from April 16 – April 20, 2026.
• ​Eligibility Foundation: All applicants, regardless of the entrance exam used, must have passed or be appearing for the 10+2 (or equivalent) examination in any stream from a recognized board, with a minimum aggregate of 45% marks.

​ The Multi-Stage Selection: Portfolio and PI

​The entrance exam score (UCEED/NID-DAT Prelims/BITSDAT) is only the initial filter. The final selection at BITSDES is determined by a rigorous, holistic, and subsequent multi-stage evaluation process, which gives significant weight to a candidate’s creative potential and communication skills.

• ​Stage 1: Entrance Exam Score: The validated score serves to create a preliminary merit list of candidates who meet the basic aptitude requirements.
• ​Stage 2: Portfolio Submission & Review: This is one of the most critical stages. Shortlisted candidates must submit a well-curated and compelling design portfolio.  
  • ​The portfolio should demonstrate the applicant's creative inclination, technical skills (sketching, model-making), design process, and problem-solving aptitude.
  • ​It is advisable to focus on quality over quantity, showcasing diverse design thinking and dedication to the craft.
• ​Stage 3: Online Interviews: Following the portfolio review, candidates will participate in Online Interviews (May 2 – May 12, 2026). 
  • ​The interview assesses the candidate's commitment to a design career, sense of aesthetics, and ability to communicate clearly through verbal and visual media. It often involves questions about the submitted portfolio pieces.
• ​Final Results: The composite score from the aptitude test, portfolio review, and interview determines the final merit list, with results expected on May 18, 2026.

​ Why Apply Early to BITS Design School

​BITS Design School offers a future-focused design education that stands out by deeply embedding technology and business strategy into its curriculum.

• ​Next-Generation Specialisations: The B.Des (Hons) program allows students to specialize in domains highly relevant to the modern industry, including: 
  • ​Digital Product Design (UI/UX)
  • ​Physical Product Design
  • ​Design Research & Insights
  • ​Experience Design
  • ​Visual Design
• ​The BITS Legacy: The school draws upon the academic excellence and technological depth of BITS Pilani, ensuring a curriculum that is both creatively strong and technologically robust, preparing graduates to drive innovation in their fields.
• ​Mumbai Advantage: The campus location provides students with direct access to India's commercial and creative hubs, offering unparalleled opportunities for internships, industry mentorship, and networking.

​Conclusion

​The opening of admissions for the BITSDES 2026 B.Des (Honours) program marks a decisive moment for design aspirants aiming for a high-quality, tech-integrated design education. The February 1, 2026, application deadline is non-negotiable and requires prompt action from all candidates who are planning to use their UCEED, NID-DAT Prelims, or BITSDAT scores. Successful admission relies not just on a high score in the entrance exam, but on meticulous planning through the application, timely score submission, and the creation of a strong design portfolio for the subsequent interview round. Act now to secure your application and focus on maximizing your potential in the upcoming national design tests.

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