Symbiosis Institute of Design Admission Process 2026: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, and Selection Process

Published by Shikha Kumari on Jan 24, 2025

Symbiosis Institute of Design was ranked the 2nd Best Private Fashion Design College by The Week. This design college is among the most sought-after in India for a Bachelor of Design. To participate in the entrance exam, Indian students must take the online Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED). No candidate can secure admission to SID without a valid SEED score, which is valid for one year only. This blog will cover the application process, eligibility requirements, fee structure for Bachelor of Design, and the counseling schedule.

How to apply into Symbiosis Institute of Design

To get admission into the B.Des programme at Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), candidates must appear for and qualify the SEED (Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design). The admission process includes online registration, SEED exam, shortlisting, portfolio review, design task, and personal interaction (PRPI). This will be followed by a task and personal interaction as detailed in following steps:

1. Take SEED Exam: Appear for the online Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED). Results will be announced on the SID website as per the schedule.
2. Qualify for PRPI: Candidates who qualify SEED become eligible for SID’s Portfolio Review and Personal Interaction (PRPI).
3. Specialization-Based Shortlisting: Admission shortlisting is based on the specialization selected during online registration.
4. Upload Portfolio: Upload the portfolio on the designated portal a day before the PRPI.
5. Check PRPI Task: Receive the PRPI task details 3 days prior to the selected PRPI date.
6. Complete PRPI Task: Submit the completed PRPI task on the portal a day before the PRPI.
7. Participate in PRPI: Appear for the online Portfolio Review and Personal Interaction.

The final selection will be based on the candidate’s overall performance in the Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED), Portfolio Review, PRPI Task, and Personal Interaction. It will also consider the details provided by the candidate in the application form and their chosen specialization.

Symbiosis Institute of Design Eligibility

To be eligible for SEED, candidates must have a minimum educational qualification with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST). Additionally, candidates with creative aptitude and skills are preferred, which will be assessed through portfolio review. The essential criteria are detailed in the table below:

Symbiosis Fashion Design fee structure

For SEED the candidate must pay Rs 3250 as registration fee. The Symbiosis Institute of Design B.Des admission fee structure may see an increment of up to 10% during the programme.

Symbiosis Fashion Design Exam Pattern

In the SEED exam creative attitude, visualization, subject creative knowledge, observation, and critical thinking are tested, in addition to which history and evolution of art and design are also in the course syllabus. Prior knowledge of signs and mathematics for the problem-solving skills can also help the candidate to ace the exam. Candidates must prepare for the following topics specifically:

The SEED exam is only one hour long and can be conducted at any time between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. It is an online exam and contains questions such as multiple-choice and comprehension-based questions. The paper may also include questions related to logic, science, mathematics, and perceptual reasoning ability.

 To understand the exam pattern, one may refer to the sample papers provided by Symbiosis. We are adding some SEED sample papers from Symbiosis Institute of Design below, which candidates may download:

SID College Selection Process

The counselling and admission process for B.Des at Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID) is long and multi-stage, spanning several months. For 2026 admissions, online registration begins in August 2025 and the process may continue till June/July 2026 (tentative). Candidates placed on the waitlist are considered for provisional admission strictly based on merit rank, subject to seat vacancies after the first merit list deadline.Candidates who qualify SEED 2026 must follow the schedule below for subsequent stages including PRPI (Portfolio Review, Design Task & Personal Interaction).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the admission process for Symbiosis College?
A. Admission to Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Pune is through the SEED (Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design). Candidates must register online, appear for SEED, and qualify for the Portfolio Review, Design Task, and Personal Interaction (PRPI) round. Final selection is based on overall performance across all stages.

Q2. Does Symbiosis give 100% placement?
A. Symbiosis does not officially guarantee 100% placement. However, it has a strong placement record, with many students securing jobs through campus placements, internships, and Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs). Placement outcomes vary by course, specialization, and student performance.

Q3. What is the fee structure?
A. The fee structure depends on the program. For B.Des at Symbiosis Pune, the total course fee generally ranges between INR 6–8 lakhs for the full duration. Additional costs such as hostel, mess, and materials are charged separately.

Q4. Can I take direct admission in Symbiosis?
A. No, direct admission is not allowed for design programs at Symbiosis. All candidates must clear the SEED exam and subsequent PRPI rounds to be considered for admission.

Q5. What are the annual fees of Symbiosis Pune?
A. The annual fees for design programs at Symbiosis Pune are approximately INR 2–2.5 lakhs per year, excluding hostel and living expenses. Fees may vary slightly depending on the academic year and program structure.