Leading private design institutes including Pearl Academy, ISDI, and WUD have commenced their second-stage evaluation rounds. Candidates who cleared the initial aptitude tests are now participating in intensive personal interviews and hands-on situation tests. Institutions like Pearl Academy are conducting online interviews through January 25, while others focus on physical portfolio reviews. Prospective students are advised to check individual university portals for specific time slots and material requirements for model-making rounds.

While national institutes are finalizing their written results, India’s premier private design colleges have moved into the final stages of their early admission cycles. Institutions such as Pearl Academy, ISDI Mumbai, and the World University of Design (WUD) are actively conducting personal interviews and practical evaluation rounds. These sessions are designed to go beyond objective testing, focusing instead on a candidate's creative process, material handling skills, and overall personality fit for the design industry.

The Role of Situation Tests in Private Admissions

In many top-tier private schools, the interviews are often accompanied by a "Situation Test" or a "Studio Test." This round is critical as it assesses a student's ability to innovate under pressure using limited resources.

• Material Handling: Candidates are typically given a set of materials—such as clay, wire, and paper—to create a 3D model based on a specific theme within 2 hours.
• Problem Solving: Unlike the written rounds, this stage focuses on how a student approaches spatial design and structural stability.
• Portfolio Integration: During the interviews, panels often ask students to explain the design thinking behind the models they created during the situation test.
• Assessment Criteria: Judges look for neatness, innovative use of materials, and the ability to narrate a compelling story through the final physical output.

Active Admission Cycles and Portfolios

For the 2026-27 batch, several universities are running multi-phase rounds to accommodate students from different boards and entrance backgrounds.

• Pearl Academy (January Cycle): Following the written exams held last week, personal interviews for shortlisted candidates are being conducted from January 22 to January 25, 2026.
• ISDI Challenge: The Cycle 2 process is currently in the interview phase, with results for these rounds expected to be announced on January 27.
• WUD Campus Evaluations: Shortlisted students who applied via WUDAT or national scores like UCEED are being invited for campus-based interviews and physical portfolio showcases.
• Portfolio Importance: A strong portfolio remains a non-negotiable requirement, serving as visual evidence of a student's technical skills and creative journey.

Key Timelines for Ongoing Rounds

Aspirants should track these specific deadlines to ensure they don't miss their allotted slots for the final rounds of selection.

• Technical Readiness: For online interviews, candidates must ensure a stable internet connection and a well-lit space to present their physical portfolio through the camera.
• Slot Booking: Most institutes require students to book their preferred time for these final evaluation rounds through the official student dashboard.

Conclusion

The transition from written aptitude tests to personalized interviews and situation tests marks a high-stakes period for design aspirants in 2026. As private institutes continue their rigorous evaluation of both UG and PG candidates, the focus remains on identifying individuals who possess a balance of creative intuition and practical problem-solving abilities. With several major deadlines falling in the last week of January, students must be prepared to articulate their design vision and showcase their unique portfolios to secure their place in India's leading design programs.