Pearl Academy has opened 2026–27 admissions for B.Des and M.Des programmes

Pearl Academy has officially opened admissions for the 2026-27 academic year for its flagship B.Des and M.Des programs in Design, Fashion, and Media. Admission is based on the Pearl Entrance Exam (PET), a two-stage online assessment comprising a General Proficiency Test (GPT), a Design Aptitude Test (DAT), and a Personal Interview (PI). The crucial deadline for the first admission cycle (January 2026 exam) is January 13, 2026. Additionally, the new batch for specialized Professional Certificate Courses commenced on November 17, 2025, marking the institute's commitment to both long-term and short-term skill development.

Pearl Academy, recognized as a premier institution for design, fashion, and media education with multiple campuses across India (including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru), has commenced its admissions process for the 2026-27 academic session. The institute follows a multi-cycle admission process, but the January 2026 cycle is the primary intake window for the undergraduate (B.Des) and postgraduate (M.Des) programs.

​Aspirants must strictly adhere to the following crucial dates to secure a spot in this competitive environment:

• ​Application Submission Deadline (Cycle 1): The final cut-off date to complete the online application form and pay the non-refundable fee (₹2,000 for degree programs) is January 13, 2026.
• ​Admit Card Release (Written Exam): The Admit Card for the online written exam is expected to be released on January 14, 2026.
• ​Online Written Entrance Exam (Pearl Entrance Exam): The two-part written exam is scheduled to take place over three days from January 17 to January 19, 2026.
• ​Admit Card Release (Personal Interview): Admit cards for the Personal Interview (PI) round will be published on January 20, 2026.
• ​Online Personal Interview (PI) Rounds: The crucial final assessment stage will be held from January 22 to January 25, 2026.
• ​Eligibility Criteria: 
  • ​B.Des: Candidates must have passed the 10+2 (Class 12) examination or equivalent from any recognized board. Final-year students are eligible to apply provisionally.
  • ​M.Des: Applicants must possess a Bachelor's Degree or an equivalent Diploma of at least three years duration from a recognized university or institution.

​The Two-Stage Selection Process: GPT, DAT, and PI

​Admission to the B.Des and M.Des programs at Pearl Academy is determined by a comprehensive two-stage online evaluation designed to assess both the candidate's general knowledge and their specific creative aptitude. The entire process is conducted online, offering flexibility to aspirants from across the country.

​Stage 1: The Online Written Entrance Exam (PET)

​This stage comprises two mandatory sections, with the overall written exam score carrying significant weight in the initial shortlisting:

• ​General Proficiency Test (GPT): This test is mandatory for all courses (Design, Fashion, Business, and Media) and assesses fundamental aptitude and communication skills. 
  • ​Focus Areas: English Language (Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension), Quantitative Ability (Basic Arithmetic, Data Interpretation), and Logical Reasoning (Puzzles, Series, Analogies).
• ​Design Aptitude Test (DAT): This test is mandatory for all B.Des and M.Des (Design) programs. It evaluates the candidate's innate creative potential and artistic skills. 
  • ​Focus Areas: Power of Observation, Imagination, Drawing and Design Ability, Communication Skills, and Sensitivity to the Environment.

​Stage 2: Personal Interview (PI) and Portfolio Showcase

​Candidates who successfully clear the written exam cut-off are shortlisted for the final evaluation stage.

• ​Personal Interview (PI): The interview is conducted online by an expert panel, assessing the candidate's personality, career motivation, and domain-specific knowledge.
• ​Portfolio Showcase: For B.Des and M.Des candidates, the PI round involves a mandatory portfolio showcase. 
  • ​Requirement: The portfolio should highlight the applicant's best creative work, including sketches, digital illustrations, photography, design projects, and process documentation, demonstrating their potential for the chosen design specialization (e.g., Fashion Design, Communication Design, Product Design).
  • ​Note: Candidates applying for M.Des are often required to demonstrate a higher level of technical skill and conceptual clarity based on their previous academic or professional experience.

​A unique advantage for aspirants who have appeared for other national tests is that Pearl Academy also accepts scores like CUET for some B.Des programs and may grant GPT waivers for candidates with competitive scores in exams like MAT (500+) or CAT (60 percentile+) for its BBA/MBA programs, though the DAT and PI remain mandatory for design applicants.

​ Professional Certificate Courses: Fast-Track Skill Development

​Beyond the long-term degree programs, Pearl Academy caters to the immediate needs of the industry by offering specialized 11-month Professional Certificate Courses. The commencement of the latest batch on November 17, 2025, highlights the institute's dual commitment to comprehensive and agile education.

• ​Target Audience: These courses are ideal for professionals seeking upskilling, career change, or those looking for specialized, industry-focused training without the commitment of a four-year degree.
• ​Key Specializations: The professional certificate courses cover various high-demand niches, including: 
  • ​Fashion Buying and Merchandising
  • ​Personal Styling and Image Consulting
  • ​Fashion and Celebrity Makeup
  • ​Styling for Interiors
  • ​Professional Photography
• ​Simplified Admission: Unlike the degree programs, admission to the Professional Certificate Courses is typically based solely on a Personal Interview (PI) and does not require the lengthy entrance exam, allowing for a quicker entry into the program.

​These programs reflect the institution's ability to quickly adapt to market demands, providing a pipeline of immediately employable graduates in specialized roles.

​Conclusion

​The opening of admissions for the 2026-27 session at Pearl Academy is a crucial announcement for the next generation of creative professionals. With the January 13, 2026, deadline for Cycle 1 quickly approaching, aspirants for the B.Des and M.Des programs must finalize their registration and intensify their preparation for the multi-faceted Pearl Entrance Exam (GPT, DAT, and PI). Whether pursuing a four-year degree or an 11-month Professional Certificate, securing a seat at Pearl Academy offers a robust platform for launching a successful career in the competitive, yet rewarding, fields of design and media.

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