Design Colleges Begin Publishing 2026 Counselling Tracks Based on Entrance Scores

As of February 14, 2026, premier design colleges across India have initiated the publication of their centralized counselling tracks following the conclusion of major entrance exams like NIFT, UCEED, and CEED. This report explores the integrated seat allotment process for the 2026-27 session, the registration deadlines for the B.Des and M.Des programs, and the specific eligibility criteria for institutional preferences. Candidates can now access the official participation guides to align their entrance scores with the available specializations at NID, NIFT, and the various IITs.

The landscape of professional design education has entered its most active phase as of February 14, 2026. Following a series of national assessments conducted throughout January and early February, various Colleges and institutes have begun publishing their official counselling tracks. The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has recently confirmed that the initial merit lists for its B.Des and B.FTech programs will be synchronized with the centralized Counselling portal, ensuring a transparent allocation process. This transition is essential for aspirants who have appeared for multiple exams and are now looking to finalize their institutional preferences based on their comparative performance.

• NIFT Track: The official E-Counselling portal is being updated to reflect the new category-wise seat matrix for its 19 campuses.
• UCEED/CEED Integration: IIT Bombay has released the participation schedule for the B.Des allotment, where six other IITs will also offer seats based on UCEED 2026 ranks.
• Score Validity: All participating Colleges have reiterated that only 2026 entrance scores will be considered for this academic year’s Intake.
• Identity Management: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is providing back-end support to colleges for the verification of student credentials using the APAAR ID system.

Seat Allocation Framework and Registration Deadlines

For the 2026-27 session, the seat allotment process is being conducted in a phased manner to accommodate the differing result timelines of various bodies. While some institutes like NID focus on internal studio tests, others are moving directly to a score-based Counselling track. This Framework allows students to rank their choices of specialization, such as Communication Design, Industrial Design, or Fashion Communication, across multiple participating Colleges.

• B.Des Registration: The centralized application for B.Des admissions at IITs will open on March 14, shortly after the UCEED result.
• Document Checklist: Candidates must upload their entrance scorecards, 10+2 marksheet, and category certificates to the Counselling portal.
• Specialization Locking: Once a candidate locks their choice in the Framework, changes will only be permitted in the subsequent reshuffling rounds.
• Withdrawal Policy: A clear exit option is being provided in the first two rounds to allow for seat movement toward other premier Colleges.

Conclusion

The commencement of the 2026 Counselling tracks as of February 14 represents the bridge between a student’s entrance performance and their eventual Intake into a professional design program. The clarity provided by the official Framework ensures that the thousands of students currently navigating these choices have a structured path toward their careers. As the various Colleges finalize their seat matrices, the focus remains on maintaining the meritocratic nature of design education in India. For the aspirants, this period requires a strategic evaluation of their ranks against the previous year’s cut-offs to maximize their chances of securing their preferred specialization. The upcoming weeks will see the first major wave of registrations, setting the foundation for the 2026-27 Intake across the country’s most prestigious design classrooms.

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