Best Colleges for M.Des in India: Fees, Eligibility & Placement 2025
Published by Shikha Kumari on Jul 03, 2025
Master of Design (M.Des) is a prestigious PG programme that prepares students for advanced careers in various design fields such as product design, communication design, fashion design, and industrial design. India has emerged as a hub for design education, offering world-class institutes with excellent infrastructure, faculty, and industry linkages. For aspirants aiming to pursue M.Des in 2025, this article provides a comprehensive overview of the best colleges for M.Des in India, including their fees, eligibility criteria, and placement statistics.
Top M.Des Colleges in India 2025
India hosts several reputed government and private institutes offering M.Des programs. Some of the most sought-after colleges include:
| College Name | Location | Approximate Fees (INR) | Eligibility | Average Placement Package (INR) | Highest Package (INR) |
| National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad | Rs 3.4 lakh/year | Bachelor’s degree (3 or 4 years) + Design Aptitude Test | Rs 7,00,000 | Rs 12,00,000 |
| Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay – IDC School of Design | Mumbai | Rs 70,000 – Rs 11.56 lakh (varies by category) | UCEED, CEED | Rs 12,00,000+ | Rs 29,32,000 |
| Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad | Hyderabad | Rs 24,000 – Rs 8 lakh | CEED | Rs 16,50,000 – Rs 20,00,000 | Rs 29,32,000 |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) | Multiple Campuses (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, etc.) | Rs 3.4 lakh/year | NIFT Entrance Exam | Rs 3,88,000 – Rs 8,00,000 | Rs 15,00,000+ |
| Pearl Academy | Mumbai | Rs2.2 lakh – Rs 21.52 lakh | Pearl Academy Exam and Merit-Based | – | – |
| Amity University | Mumbai, Noida, Lucknow | Rs 1.46 lakh – Rs 10.56 lakh | CUET, Merit-Based | Rs 3,50,000 – Rs 8,00,000 | Rs 45,00,000 (Lucknow campus) |
| MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) | Pune | Rs 4.25 lakh/year | Merit-Based | Rs 7,00,000 | Rs 51,36,000 |
| NMIMS School of Design | Mumbai | Rs 17.8 lakh | UCEED, NMIMS DAT, Merit-Based | – | Rs 58,00,000 |
Eligibility Criteria for M.Des Admission 2025
The eligibility criteria for M.Des programmes in India generally include educational qualifications and age limits, which can vary slightly by institute. The National Institute of Design (NID), a premier design institute, specifies the following eligibility:
- Age Limit:
- General & EWS category: Born on or after 1 July 1993
- OBC-NCL, SC, ST categories: Born on or after 1 July 1990
- PwD category: Born on or after 1 July 1988
- Foreign Nationals: Born on or after 1 July 1993
- Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s degree of minimum 4-year duration in any specialization after 12th standard (or equivalent), or
- Full-time Diploma of minimum 4-year duration in Design/Fine Arts/Applied Arts/Architecture after 12th standard, or
- Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3-year duration in any specialization after 12th standard.
Candidates must have completed all exams and backlogs by June-August 2025 depending on the institute’s deadlines.
Other institutes like IITs require candidates to appear for entrance exams such as CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design) or UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design for integrated courses), and some private universities conduct their own entrance tests or consider merit-based admissions.
Entrance Exams for M.Des in India
- CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design): Conducted by IIT Bombay, CEED is the most widely accepted entrance exam for M.Des programs at IITs, NID, and other top design institutes.
- NIFT Entrance Exam: For admission to National Institute of Fashion Technology campuses.
- UCEED: Primarily for undergraduate design courses but relevant for some integrated M.Des programs.
- Institute-specific exams: Pearl Academy, Amity University, NMIMS, and others conduct their own entrance or aptitude tests.
Fees Structure Overview
The fees for M.Des programmes in India vary widely depending on the institute’s stature, location, and infrastructure:
| Institute | Fees (INR) | Remarks |
| NID Ahmedabad | ₹3,41,700 per year | Government institute with subsidized fees |
| IIT Bombay (IDC) | ₹70,000 to ₹11.56 lakh | Fees vary by category and duration |
| IIT Hyderabad | ₹24,000 to ₹8 lakh | Affordable for general category |
| NIFT Campuses | ₹3.4 lakh per year approx. | Varies by campus |
| Pearl Academy | ₹2.2 lakh to ₹21.52 lakh | Private institute with higher fees |
| Amity University | ₹1.46 lakh to ₹10.56 lakh | Private, fees vary by campus |
| MIT-WPU Pune | ₹4.25 lakh per year | Private university |
Government institutes like NID and IITs generally have lower fees compared to private universities, which may charge higher tuition but offer scholarships and better placement packages.
Placement Highlights of Top M.Des Colleges
Placements are a crucial factor for aspirants evaluating M.Des colleges. Here are some key placement statistics from leading institutes:
- IIT Hyderabad: Achieved a placement rate of 87.5% in 2022-23 with the highest package reaching Rs 29.32 LPA and average packages ranging between Rs 11.77 LPA to Rs 20 LPA over recent years.
- IIT Bombay (IDC): In 2022-23, 61% of M.Des students were placed with highest packages around Rs 12 LPA and above.
- IIT Guwahati: Average package of Rs 21.94 LPA with highest packages up to Rs 52 LPA in 2023-24; placement percentage around 33% for design sectors, with international offers reaching Rs 57.7 LPA.
- NID Ahmedabad: Average packages around Rs 7 LPA with highest reaching Rs 12 LPA; strong industry connections and internship opportunities.
- NIFT Campuses: Average packages range from Rs 3.88 LPA to Rs 8 LPA depending on campus and specialisation.
- Private Institutes (Amity, Pearl Academy, MIT-WPU): Average packages vary from Rs 3.5 LPA to Rs 8 LPA, with some exceptional offers going beyond Rs 50 LPA in premium institutes like MIT-WPU and NMIMS.
Why Choose These Colleges for M.Des?
- World-Class Curriculum: These institutes offer specialized programmes in product design, communication design, fashion design, interaction design, and more.
- Experienced Faculty: Faculty members are often industry experts and academicians with global exposure.
- Excellent Infrastructure: State-of-the-art labs, workshops, and studios enable hands-on learning.
- Industry Exposure: Strong ties with design firms, fashion houses, and tech companies ensure internships and placements.
- Research and Innovation: Institutes like IITs and NID emphasize research-led design education.
- Scholarships and Financial Aid: Many institutes provide scholarships based on merit and need.
For students aspiring to pursue an M.Des in India in 2025, the choice of college depends on factors like specialization, budget, location, and career goals. Government institutes such as NID Ahmedabad, IIT Bombay (IDC), IIT Hyderabad, and NIFT campuses offer excellent education at relatively affordable fees with strong placement records. Private universities like Pearl Academy, Amity University, MIT-WPU, and NMIMS provide diverse programs with higher fees but competitive placements and scholarships.
Eligibility typically requires a relevant bachelor’s degree and qualifying entrance exams such as CEED or NIFT entrance, with age limits varying by category. Placement packages range widely, with top institutes offering average packages between Rs 7 LPA to Rs 22 LPA and highest packages crossing Rs 50 LPA in some cases.
Candidates should carefully evaluate their preferences and prepare for entrance exams to secure admission in these prestigious design colleges, ensuring a rewarding career in the dynamic field of design.
FAQs for Best M.Des Colleges in India
- Which are the best colleges in India for pursuing M.Des (Master of Design) in 2025?
Some of the top M.Des colleges in India include NID Ahmedabad, NID Madhya Pradesh, IIT Bombay (IDC), IIT Delhi, NIFT campuses (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar), Pearl Academy Mumbai, and Amity University Mumbai among others. - What is the typical eligibility criteria for admission to M.Des programmes in India?
The minimum eligibility generally includes a pass in graduation (any discipline) and qualifying relevant entrance exams such as NIFT entrance exam, UCEED, CEED, or institute-specific tests. For example, NIFT Delhi requires graduation plus clearing the NIFT entrance exam for M.Des admissions. - What is the fee range for M.Des courses at top Indian design institutes in 2025?
Tuition fees vary widely: NIFT Delhi charges around Rs 6.85 lakhs for the full 2-year M.Des course, IDC IIT Bombay ranges from Rs 70,000 to Rs 11.56 lakh depending on specialisation, Pearl Academy Mumbai fees range from Rs 2.2 lakh to Rs 21.52 lakh, and Amity University Mumbai fees vary from Rs 1.68 lakh to Rs 10.56 lakh. - How long is the M.Des course duration at these institutes?
Most M.Des programmes in India are full-time courses lasting 2 years. Some institutes like NID offer 2.5 years duration depending on specialisation. - What are the placement prospects and average salary packages for M.Des graduates?
Placement packages vary by institute and specialisation. Average packages at top institutes like NIFT Delhi can be around Rs 7 lakh with highest packages reaching Rs 12 lakh or more. Some private universities report packages up to Rs 50 lakh for exceptional candidates. - Which entrance exams are commonly accepted for M.Des admissions in India?
Common entrance exams include NIFT entrance exam, UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design), CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design), and institute-specific exams like Pearl Academy Exam or NMIMS DAT are accepted for M.Des admissions in India. - Are there any notable rankings for M.Des colleges in India for 2025?
Yes, institutes like NIFT Delhi rank within top 10 for design colleges in India according to IIRF 2024 rankings. NID Ahmedabad, IIT Bombay IDC, and IIT Delhi are also highly ranked design colleges nationally
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