Dear Students,
Off late we have come across a bit of confusion over eligibility of a candidate who wishes to appear for various Creative Career Examinations held at All India Level for Both Under graduation Courses and Post-Graduation courses Such as Design , Architecture & BFA Examinations in India.
Design entrance exams like CEED, UCEED, NID, NATA, and NIFT are gateways to prestigious design and architecture institutes in India. These exams test a candidate's creativity, problem-solving abilities, and design aptitude through a mix of practical and theoretical sections. CEED and UCEED cater to post-graduate and undergraduate aspirants in design, respectively.

Knowing the eligibility criteria for design entrance exams before preparing for the exam is quite beneficial for the students as it helps them plan their academic and design exam preparation efficiently. It ensures that they meet the educational qualifications and other requirements necessary for applying to their desired programs. By understanding the criteria in advance, students can focus on relevant subjects, choose appropriate streams, and manage their time wisely. It also helps avoid last-minute surprises or disqualification due to eligibility criteria. Informed students can align their goals, choose the right design coaching centre, and prepare adequately, improving their chances of success in the competitive exams.
Below is a list of eligibility criteria for NID, UCEED, CEED, NIFT, B.FA - PG & UG
Name of Institution | Exam Name | UG/PG | Eligibility |
---|---|---|---|
National Institute of Design | Design Aptitude Test | UG |
Age Limit: Indian Nationals: General/EWS: Born on or after 1 July 2004 OBC-NCL (SC/ST): Born on or after 1 July 2001 PwD: Born on or after 1 July 1999 Foreign Nationals: Born on or after 1 July 2004 Education Qualification: Who have passed or will Appear for the Higher Secondary ( 10+2 ) qualifying examination in the academic year 2024-2025 , in any stream ( Science, Arts, Commerce, Humanities ) from a recognized board of Education such as CBSE, IB, ICSE or Equivalent. (Refer http://www.aiu.ac.in for more details) |
National Institute of Design | Design Aptitude Test | PG |
Age Limit: Indian Nationals: General/EWS: Born on or after 1 July 1993 OBC-NCL (SC/ST): Born on or after 1 July 1990 PwD: Born on or after 1 July 1988 Foreign Nationals: Born on or after 1 July 1993 Education Qualification: Bachelor Degree of Minimum 4 year duration in any specialization, after 12th standard. Full time Diploma of Minimum 4 year duration in Design / Fine Arts / Applied Arts / Architecture after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th Standard from a recognized University Bachelor degree of Minimum 3 year duration in any specialization, after 12th standard. |
IIT | UCEED | UG |
Age Limit: Open/EWS/OBC-NCL: Born on or after 1 October 2000 SC/ST/PwD: Born on or after 1 October 1995 Education Qualification: Candidates should have appeared for Class X11 for the first time in either 2024 or 2025. Students from all streams ( Science , Commerce , Arts and Humanities ) are eligible Those who appeared for the first time in their qualifying examination ( class X11 IN 2023 or earlier are NOT eligible to appear in UCEED 2025 ) |
IIT | CEED | PG |
Age Limit: No Age Limit Education Qualification: Should have completed a Graduate/Diploma/ Post graduate degree program of a minimum of 3 years ( after 10+2 ) or must be appearing for the final examination by July 2025 Or Must have passed GD Arts diploma ( 10+5 ) level by July 2025 |
NIFT | DAT | UG |
Age Limit: Maximum age of 24 years as on 1 August of the year of admission. Relaxation for SC/ST/PwD candidates by 5 years. Education Qualification: ( FOR B. Des )
Candidates should have MPC as subjects with Min 50 % aggregate |
NIFT | DAT | PG |
Age Limit: No Age Limit Education Qualification: Undergraduate degree in any discipline from any Institute /University recognized by the law of India Undergraduate Diploma of Minimum 3 years duration from NIFT/NID |
Architecture | NATA/JEE2 | UG |
Age Limit: N/A Education Qualification:
|
Art/BFA/B.Des | FADEE | UG |
Education Qualification: Pass Intermediate or Equivalent. |
Art/BFA/B.Des | FADEE | PG |
Education Qualification: Bachelors in Fine Arts. |
Understanding the eligibility criteria for design entrance exams like CEED, UCEED, NID, NATA/JEE 2, and NIFT is important for a smooth application process and effective preparation. To further enhance your chances of success, enrolling in a trusted design coaching institute can make a significant difference. Mad School offers specialized courses tailored for these exams, providing expert guidance, comprehensive study material, and personalized attention to each student. Whether you’re preparing for undergraduate or postgraduate design programs, Mad School equips you with the skills and confidence needed to excel in your entrance exams and secure admission to top design institutes.
Our courses
NIFT Coaching,
CEED Coaching,
NATA Coaching (Hyderabad),
NATA Coaching (Chennai),
NID Coaching,
BFA Coaching,
B Design Coaching,
JEE Paper 2 Coaching.