Top M.Des Colleges In India [2026 List]: Fees, CEED/NIFT Dates & Career Scope
M.Des (Master of Design) is a two-year postgraduate programme for students interested in art and creativity and who want to become experts in their field. M.Des graduates can pursue their careers at the top M.Des Colleges in India.
In 2026, M.Des in Interaction Design (UI/UX) and Immersive Media (AR/VR) are the highest-paying specializations, often surpassing traditional fashion roles.
144 M.Des colleges in India offer postgraduate courses in design. These courses are provided by several IITs and NIFT colleges.
Read the details below to learn more about eligibility, ranking, placement, fees, top recruiters, and more.
Eligibility Criteria
Go through the minimum eligibility requirements for pursuing the M.Des course given below:
- Students must have passed their bachelor’s degree in any relevant field, such as design, fine arts, architecture, or engineering, from a recognized board or university.
- Aspirants who want to take direct admission can qualify with these mandatory exams in 2026:
1. CEED 2026 (For IITs/IISc)
2. NID DAT 2026 (For NIDs)
3. NIFT 2026 (For NIFTs)
Note: A valid score in these national exams is required for 90% of top colleges.
M.Des Entrance Exam Calendar (Admission Session 2026-27)
To secure a seat in top government colleges like IITs or NIDs, you must track these examination timelines
| Exam Name | Registration Deadline (Est.) | Exam Date (Tentative) | Accepted By |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEED 2026 | Oct – Nov 2025 | Jan 2026 (3rd Sunday) | IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IISc, IIT Guwahati |
| NID DAT 2026 | Nov – Dec 2025 | Dec 2025 / Jan 2026 | NID Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar |
| NIFT 2026 (M.Des) | Dec 2025 | Feb 2026 (1st Week) | All 18 NIFT Campuses |
| SEED 2026 | Nov 2025 | Jan 2026 | Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID) |
List Of Top M.Des Colleges In India 2026 [IIRF Ranking]
Find the list of the top M.Des Colleges in India based on the IIRF ranking. These colleges are considered best on various parameters, which include excellent infrastructure, academic records, and well-experienced faculty members.
| Institute Name | IIRF Ranking |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi | 9 |
| NIFT Mumbai | 2 (Consistently Top 5) |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore | 16 |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chennai | 18 |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology, Hyderabad | 15 |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology, Patna | 28 |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology, Gandhinagar | 14 |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology, Kolkata | 19 |
| Pearl Academy West Campus, New Delhi | 13 |
Note: While IIRF rankings vary, NIFT Mumbai remains a premier choice for fashion communication.
Fee Structure: Top M.Des Colleges (2026 Estimates)
IITs offer the most affordable M.Des programs with the highest Return on Investment (ROI).
| Institute Type | College Name | Total Fees (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Govt (Best ROI) | IIT Bombay / IIT Delhi | ₹ 2.5 Lakhs – ₹ 3.5 Lakhs |
| Govt | NIFT (All Centers) | ₹ 5.5 Lakhs – ₹ 6.5 Lakhs |
| Govt | NID Ahmedabad | ₹ 9.0 Lakhs – ₹ 10.5 Lakhs |
| Private | Pearl Academy | ₹ 1.4 Lakhs – ₹ 2.5 Lakhs (Per Year) |
| Private | Symbiosis (SID) Pune | ₹ 4.0 Lakhs – ₹ 4.5 Lakhs (Per Year) |
Top M.Des Colleges: Placement Highlights (2026 Trends)
While NIFT rules the fashion domain, IITs and NID are the leaders for high-paying Tech/UI-UX roles. Below is the updated salary data.
| Institute | Top Recruiters (2026) | Salary Package (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Bombay / IIT Delhi (Tech Design / UI-UX) |
Microsoft, Google, Uber, Samsung R&D | Highest: ₹ 35 LPA – ₹ 45 LPA Average: ₹ 18 LPA – ₹ 22 LPA |
| NID Ahmedabad (Product / Interaction) |
Deloitte, TCS, Philips, Adobe | Highest: ₹ 30 LPA Average: ₹ 15 LPA – ₹ 18 LPA |
| NIFT New Delhi (Fashion / Communication) |
H&M, FabIndia, Arvind Brands, Myntra | Highest: ₹ 12 LPA – ₹ 15 LPA Average: ₹ 6.5 LPA – ₹ 8 LPA |
| Pearl Academy (Luxury / Styling) |
Walt Disney, Vogue, Gartner | Highest: ₹ 20 LPA Average: ₹ 4.5 LPA – ₹ 6 LPA |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NIFT is best for MDes?
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi, is considered one of the top M.Des colleges in India. It is known for pursuing M.Des courses and offers high placement opportunities for M.Des graduates. It is a remarkable institution that offers an average salary of INR 5.70 LPA to its M.Des graduates.
How to get into IIT for M.Des?
To get into IITs for M.Des, you must qualify for CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design). The JAM exam is for M.Sc courses, not design.
What is taught in MDes?
Master of Design (M.Des) is a two-year postgraduate programme. With the M.Des degree, graduates can gain specialisation and conduct research in varied disciplines, including textiles, crafts, publications, media, lifestyle products, graphics and user experience design.
Which design course has the highest scope?
Of all the design courses available at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, fashion design is the most demanding course choice upon completion of the design courses. The course depicts the creativity of an individual in designing clothes and accessories.
Is MDes a good career option?
The M.Des course assists students in pursuing the programme and acquiring a wide range of skills and knowledge necessary for a career in the design industry. Some of the prominent skills that product designers develop include sketching and visualisation skills, as well as creativity and innovative skills.
What is the NIFT fees for MDes?
The fees charged by the Master of Design (M.Des) students of NIFT institutes for the acquisition of skills and knowledge in the field of design and creativity differ from one institute to the other. However, the average annual fee charged by the NIFT institute is INR 5.9 lakhs.
What is MDes. course salary?
The postgraduate students of the M.Des course receive attractive packages and incentives. However, the average annual salary received by M.Des graduates ranges between INR 3 and INR 8 lakhs per annum.
Reference Links
- CEED 2026 Official Website [For IIT M.Des Admission]
- NID Admissions 2026 [For NID DAT Updates]
- NIFT Admission Portal [For NIFT M.Des Exams]
- Symbiosis Institute of Design [For Private Admission]
- IIRF Design Rankings [For College Rankings]
