Top Certificate Design Colleges In India [2026 List]: Fees, Eligibility & Career Scope
In 2026, the design landscape has evolved. Top certificate courses now integrate Generative AI, Spatial Design (AR/VR), and Sustainable Fashion, making them essential for career upgrades.
The certificate courses in design are offered for both short-term as well as for longer durations. The course duration for the same can range from a few weeks to several months to serve different learning needs and schedules.
Go through the entire information given in the blog to acquaint yourself with the top Certificate of Design colleges in India with their fees, eligibility, placements, top recruiters, and more.
Eligibility Criteria For Certificate of Design Course
Those students who want to pursue a certificate in the design course must check out the below given eligibility requirements:
- Eligibility 2026: 10+2 in any stream
- A minimum of 50% or above aggregate marks is required in such examinations to be competent for some of the certification courses.
Note: For top institutes like NID or IITs (CEP programs), a Creative Portfolio is increasingly mandatory even for certificate courses.”
Certificate Course Admission Calendar (2026 Session)
Admission to short-term design programs often follows a different timeline than regular degrees. Below is the tentative schedule for 2026.
| Institute / Program | Application Start (Est.) | Course Start Date | Admission Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| NID (Summer Workshops) | Feb – March 2026 | May 2026 | First Come First Serve |
| NIFT (CEP Programs) | May – June 2026 | August 2026 | Profile Screening / Interview |
| IIT Bombay (IDC) | Rolling (Year Round) | Varies by Workshop | Direct Registration |
| Pearl Academy (11-Month) | Jan 2026 | July 2026 | Personal Interview |
Note: NIFT usually releases its Continuing Education Program (CEP) notification in local newspapers and on the official website in May.
List Of Top Certificate Design Colleges In India 2026
Here’s a list of the top certificate design colleges in India along with their IIRF ranking. Take a look to learn about the best colleges that offer certificate courses as well as designing courses before applying for admission to such institutes.
| Institute Name | Ranking |
| NIFT, Mumbai | Rank #2 (Consistently in Top 5) (By IIRF ranking) |
| Pearl Academy West Campus, New Delhi | 13 (By IIRF ranking) |
| Pearl Academy, Jaipur | 18 in Fashion Category (By India Today) |
| JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore | 36 (By IIRF ranking) |
| MSAP, Manipal | 10 (By IIRF ranking) |
| IMS DIA, Noida | 38 (By IIRF ranking) |
| KMV, Jalandhar | 41 (Overall ranking by India Today) |
| BHU, Varanasi | 5 and 11 (University and Overall ranking) |
| SXC, Mumbai | 16 in B.A category (By India Today) |
| AMU, Aligarh | 3 in University ranking (By India Today) |
Note: Rankings listed are based on 2025 data. Updated IIRF/India Today 2026 rankings are expected in June 2026.
Fee Structure: Top Government & Private Design Colleges (2026 Estimates)
Fees for certificate courses vary significantly between government and private institutes. Below is the estimated fee structure for the 2026 academic session.
| Institute Type | College Name | Approx Fees (Certificate) |
|---|---|---|
| Government | NIFT (All Centers) (Fashion, Clothing Tech, Luxury Product) |
₹ 1.2 Lakhs – ₹ 1.6 Lakhs |
| Government | IIT Bombay (IDC) (Design Workshops) |
₹ 15,000 – ₹ 45,000 |
| Government | Delhi University (SOL) (Graphic Design) |
₹ 20,000 – ₹ 25,000 |
| Private | Pearl Academy (Fashion Media Makeup / Styling) |
₹ 1.5 Lakhs – ₹ 3.0 Lakhs |
| Private | JD Institute (Diploma in Fashion/Interiors) |
₹ 1.5 Lakhs (Approx) |
| Private | IMS Design & Innovation Academy | ₹ 80,000 – ₹ 1.4 Lakhs |
FAQs
Which is India’s No. 1 certificate of design?
National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, is India’s topmost institute, which lets students take up a certificate in design for their bright future. The institute conducts its own entrance exam to choose the right candidates for the certificate in designing.
Which course is best for designing in India?
If you are looking for a degree, B.Des is best. However, for certificate learners in 2026, a Certificate in UI/UX Design (Google/IITs) or Digital Fashion Illustration offers the highest ROI and job opportunities.
Which design college has the best placement?
The Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay, is a remarkable institution from which numerous students get placed every year in a designing course. The average placement package stood at INR 17.9 LPA as per the latest placement reports.
Which is better, NID or IIT?
Both are elite. NID is best for pure design aesthetics (Textile, Graphic). IITs (IDC/DoD) are superior for Tech-Integrated Design like UI/UX and Interaction Design, which is trending in 2026.
Which is better, NIFT or IIT?
Both NIFT and IIT bags have the same value, as both institutes are known for providing design courses. However, if an individual chooses a fashion design course, then they can get themselves admitted into one of the NIFT institutes. Alternatively, for visual communication and product designing courses, the candidates can choose IIT.
Reference Links
- NIFT Continuing Education (CEP) [For NIFT Certificate Courses]
- NID Official Website [For NID Summer Workshops]
- Pearl Academy Admissions [For Private Design Certifications]
- IIRF Design Rankings [For College Rankings]
