Design Colleges Prepare for March Interview and Counselling Phases
Leading design institutes across India are gearing up for the critical March 2026 interview and counselling phases. Following the results of major entrance exams like CEED and UCEED, premier schools including IITs, NID, and private design universities are initiating multi-stage evaluation processes. Shortlisted candidates must prepare their portfolios and document dossiers to secure admission in Bachelor and Master of Design programs for the 2026-27 academic session.
The landscape of professional design education in India is transitioning into its most decisive phase today, February 16, as major institutes begin coordinating their final selection rounds. With the written entrance results for the 2026-27 session either declared or imminent, the focus has moved toward the qualitative assessment of aspirants. This period is marked by the preparation for the Situation Test, Studio Tests, and Personal Interviews (PI), which collectively determine the final merit ranks for the nation's top design programs. According to the official IIT Bombay CEED portal, the manual evaluation of Part-B scripts is currently underway, setting the stage for institutional counselling rounds that typically begin in the second week of March.
Strategic Selection Milestones and Schedules
As the mid-February window progresses, different design bodies are following staggered timelines to manage the high volume of candidates. For postgraduate aspirants, the CEED 2026 result is scheduled for March 4, which will immediately trigger independent counselling rounds at participating IITs and IISc Bangalore. Simultaneously, the National Institute of Design (NID) is currently processing the M.Des Prelims results declared on February 12, with the interview and studio test schedules expected to be active throughout March. These milestones represent the final hurdles for students aiming to transition from creative aptitude to professional training.
- CEED Result Declaration: March 4, 2026.
- UCEED Result Declaration: March 6, 2026.
- NID M.Des Mains Window: Expected March – April 2026.
- IICD Online Application Deadline: March 31, 2026.
- Institutional PI Rounds: Commencing second week of March 2026.
| Institute Type | Phase Type | Expected Timing | Evaluation Focus |
| IITs (M.Des) | Institutional Rounds | March - April 2026 | Portfolio & PI |
| NID (B.Des/M.Des) | Studio Test (Mains) | April - May 2026 | Material Handling |
| Private Universities | Personal Interaction | Rolling from March | Creative Mindset |
| NIFT | Stage 2 (Situation Test) | June 2026 | 3D Modeling |
Portfolio Development and Interview Protocol
The counselling and selection process in 2026 has become increasingly portfolio-centric. Experts suggest that as many as 20 different private design colleges now use CEED/UCEED scores primarily for shortlisting, placing 50-60% weightage on the subsequent interview performance. Candidates are advised to refine their physical and digital portfolios to showcase not just finished products, but the "design thinking" process behind them. The National Medical Commission-style biometric security has also seen adoption in design centers, where mandatory facial and fingerprint scans are performed during the physical interview sessions to maintain candidate integrity across the diverse 2026 admission cycle.
- Portfolio Inclusion: Sketchbooks, prototypes, and digital projects from 2024-2026.
- Biometric Verification: Required at all major NID and IIT test centers.
- Document Readiness: Original 10+2 marksheet and category certificates must be ready by March 1.
- Technical Setup: For institutes like IICD conducting online PI via WhatsApp, stable connectivity is a prerequisite.
Conclusion
As the design education sector prepares for the March madness of selection rounds, the emphasis remains on transparency and merit. The joint seat allocation for UCEED, starting April 21, will be the first major centralized movement for undergraduates, while postgraduates will navigate a more decentralized counselling landscape. Every interview and studio test from here on serves to bridge the gap between academic potential and industry readiness. Aspirants are encouraged to stay updated with the official NIFT notifications and campus-specific portals to ensure they do not miss the slot-booking windows for their respective practical exams.
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