Design Institutes Begin Readying Interview and Counselling Processes

Leading design institutes including NID, NIFT, and IITs are preparing for the 2026 interview and counselling phases. With M.Des prelims results out and UCEED/CEED results expected in March, candidates must finalize portfolios and register for centralized seat allotment rounds starting as early as next month. As the 2026-27 design admission cycle reaches its midpoint, premier institutes across India are shifting their administrative focus from examination to evaluation and interaction. As of today, February 15, the National Institute of Design (NID) has concluded its rechecking window for the M.Des Prelims, signaling the start of the counselling and studio test preparation phase. Simultaneously, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay is finalizing the subjective assessment for UCEED and CEED, with results scheduled for early March. This transitional period is critical for thousands of aspirants who must now pivot from theoretical preparation to the development of digital and physical portfolios. The current process across the institute network is designed to filter for design sensitivity and creative maturity, ensuring that only the most proficient candidates secure a place in the nation’s top design studios.

Both NID and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) are moving toward the "Mains" or "Stage 2" of their respective cycles. Following the NID M.Des Prelims results released on February 12, the focus is now on the upcoming Studio Tests.

• NID Studio Test: For M.Des candidates, the interview and studio test rounds are tentatively scheduled for March. Aspirants are being evaluated on their ability to handle materials and translate concepts into 3D models.
• NIFT Situation Test: After the entrance test on February 8, NIFT is preparing for the Situation Test and Personal Interview rounds slated for April. According to the NIFT Admission Guidelines, these rounds contribute significantly to the final common merit rank.
• Campus Preferences: B.Des candidates at NID will begin submitting their campus preferences in May, following their results in April. The counselling will involve multiple rounds of seat allotment to ensure 100% occupancy across all campuses.

IITs and the Joint Seat Allocation System

The admission into the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) programs at the IITs follows a highly structured centralized counselling model. IIT Bombay, as the coordinating body, has already released the UCEED Admission Schedule.

• Registration Timeline: The online registration for the joint seat allotment will commence on March 14, 2026. Candidates must use their verified UCEED or CEED scores to apply.
• Multiple Allotment Rounds: The first round of seat allotment is scheduled for April 21, 2026. This is followed by four subsequent rounds to fill vacancies in specialized streams like Interaction Design and Industrial Design.
• Float and Freeze Options: During the counselling rounds, students will have the option to "Freeze" their allotted seat or "Float" for a higher preference in the next institute on their list.

Conclusion

As of February 15, the 2026 admission landscape is entering a highly personalized phase where a candidate is judged on their unique creative voice. Whether it is the UCEED joint allotment or the NID interview rounds, the emphasis remains on holistic growth. Every institute is currently updating its technical requirements for portfolio submissions, often requiring high-resolution digital evidence of a student's process work. Aspirants are encouraged to monitor the Ministry of Education's NIRF rankings and official portals to make informed choices during the preference-filling rounds. With the academic session set to begin in late July, the coming weeks are the final opportunity for students to demonstrate their passion and secure a seat in India’s leading design fraternity.

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