BITSDES 2026 Admission Portal Active: BDes (Honours) Applications Mandatory by February 1
The BITS Design School (BITSDES), Mumbai, has commenced its admission process for the highly coveted four-year, fully residential Bachelor of Design (Honours) program for the 2026 academic session. Aspirants are strongly urged to complete their online application process well ahead of the single, strict deadline of February 1, 2026.
The admission process is holistic, relying on a three-pronged approach: an Entrance Exam score, a mandatory Portfolio Submission, and a final Online Interview. Missing the application deadline will disqualify a candidate regardless of their score in any entrance test.
Critical Dates for BITSDES 2026 Admission
The BITSDES admission process follows a meticulous, one-round calendar. The February 1 deadline applies uniformly to all candidates, irrespective of their chosen entrance exam.
| Activity | Date | Significance |
| Application Portal Open | October 16, 2025 | Started accepting applications. |
| Last Date to Apply | February 1, 2026 | Mandatory deadline for all applicants. |
| BITSDAT Exam Window | March 31 – April 5, 2026 | For candidates opting for the institute's test. |
| Score Upload Window | April 8 – April 12, 2026 | Only for those who applied by Feb 1. |
| Shortlist Announcement | April 16, 2026 | Candidates move to the final selection stage. |
| Portfolio Upload | April 16 – April 20, 2026 | Crucial for showcasing creative potential. |
| Online Interviews | May 2 – May 12, 2026 | Final assessment of aptitude and fit. |
| Final Results | May 18, 2026 | Final admission offers announced. |
Three Pathways to BITS Design School
BITSDES offers flexibility by accepting scores from three major national-level design examinations. Applicants must have either appeared for or be registered to appear for at least one of these tests:
- BITSDAT (BITS Design Aptitude Test): The institute's proprietary 1-hour online test, focusing on design concept aptitude, logical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.
- UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design): Valid scores from the IIT Bombay-conducted test are accepted.
- NID DAT Prelims: Valid preliminary scores from the National Institute of Design's entrance exam are accepted.
Crucial Note: Candidates opting for the UCEED or NID DAT route must still apply to BITSDES by the February 1, 2026 deadline, providing their respective roll numbers. They will upload their final scores later during the April 8-12 window.
Holistic Selection: Portfolio and Interview Weightage
The final selection for the 180 available seats is based on a weighted, holistic evaluation . The entrance exam score is merely the first hurdle. The Portfolio Submission and Online Interview rounds are key differentiators, assessing the candidate's commitment, creative process, and communication skills.
- Portfolio: Must be a carefully curated digital submission showcasing the candidate's best work, design process, and technical competence.
- Interview: Assesses a candidate's commitment to design, aptitude for problem-solving, and ability to articulate ideas clearly.
Eligibility and Curriculum Highlights
Candidates from any academic stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) are eligible to apply, provided they have passed their 10+2 or equivalent examination with a minimum of 45% aggregate marks.
The BDes (Honours) program is transdisciplinary, featuring cutting-edge specializations:
- Digital Product Design (UX/UI)
- Physical Product Design
- Design Research & Insights
- Experience Design
- Visual Design
Aspirants are advised to register immediately by paying the application fee (approx. ₹2,500). For detailed financial information, course guides, and scholarship opportunities, follow Only Education News. The February 1st deadline is the most critical date on your design journey calendar.
For regular updates follow Only Education News. For more details on design entrance exams and courses, check here: Design Exams List.