Symbiosis Institute of Design has released the SEED 2026 shortlist for Portfolio Review and Personal Interaction (PRPI). Candidates must complete slot booking by the end of January to participate in the final evaluation rounds for B.Des admission 2026.

The admission process for the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) at the Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID) has reached its definitive evaluation phase. Following the declaration of the entrance results on January 19 and the subsequent release of the shortlist on January 23, 2026, the university is now initiating the transition to the Portfolio Review and Personal Interaction (PRPI) rounds. As of today, January 31, candidates who successfully cleared the initial examination are entering the final hours of the slot booking window. This stage is critical, as the cumulative score from these interactive rounds will significantly outweigh the initial written test results in the final merit calculation.

Shortlist Status and Slot Booking Procedures

The shortlist was prepared based on the performance of candidates in the online proctored entrance exam held on January 11. To proceed, every shortlisted student must log in to the official SID portal to select their preferred timing for the interview and portfolio presentation.

• Mandatory Booking: The slot booking process is the primary requirement for receiving the PRPI admit card; failure to book a time will result in the candidate being marked as absent.
• Phase-wise Allocation: Interviews are traditionally conducted in two phases, with the first major block of sessions expected to commence in the final week of March 2026.
• Technical Interface: The booking dashboard allows candidates to choose from available morning and afternoon windows to suit their schedules.
• Credentials: Applicants require their B.Des ID and password to access the shortlist status and the subsequent booking links on the portal.

The PRPI Selection Framework and Weightage

For the 2026 academic session, the Symbiosis admission architecture continues to prioritize creative depth over mere objective scoring. The PRPI rounds are designed to test the candidate’s visual sensitivity, problem-solving mindset, and professional adaptability in a face-to-face (online) format.

• Portfolio Submission: Shortlisted candidates must prepare a digital portfolio in PDF format, showcasing original sketches, 3D models, or digital art.
• PRPI Task: Along with the interview, a specific design task may be assigned to test the applicant's real-time creative execution.
• Faculty Interaction: The 10% weightage for personal interaction involves a discussion on the candidate's interests and their suitability for the chosen design specialization.

Timeline for Portfolio Uploads and Results

As the slot booking concludes, candidates are advised to shift their focus toward the digitization of their physical work. The university has established a clear itinerary for the remainder of the 2026 cycle to ensure that the academic session begins on schedule in late June.

• Portfolio Upload Window: The portal for uploading the digital portfolio and the PRPI task is expected to open in the third week of March 2026.
• PRPI Admit Card: Once the slot is confirmed and the documents are processed, the specialized admit card for the interview rounds will be released.
• First Merit List: Following the completion of both phases of interviews, the first merit list for B.Des is scheduled for declaration in the third week of April 2026.
• Commencement: The new design cohort is tentatively slated to begin their classes on June 29, 2026.

Conclusion

The current phase of SEED 2026 marks the end of the "written assessment" era and the beginning of the "creative evaluation" era. With the shortlist now finalized, the responsibility lies with the aspirants to secure their slot and refine their portfolios. As the SID faculty prepares to interview the next generation of designers, the coming weeks will be vital for students to translate their creative vision into a professional presentation. Success in this final 2026 hurdle depends as much on the quality of one's portfolio as it does on the clarity of their personal interaction.