SMEAT Exam 2026 (B.Des & M.Des) : Application form, Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility and Admission Process

Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, & Technology conducts the Srishti Manipal Entrance and Aptitude Test, or the SMEAT exam, for admission to its UG and PG courses. Candidates who have cleared UCEED, CEED, and SAT can also apply for admission. The following courses are offered at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, & Technology:

• Undergraduate Programmes: 3-year skill-based vocational programme (BVoc), 4-year professional programme (BDes, BFA) 
• Postgraduate Programmes: 1-year diploma programme (PGD), 2-year professional programme (MDes, MFA, MPlan), 2-year Arts programme (MA), and 2-year Arts programme: Professional Practices (MA)

SMEAT 2026: Details

Candidates applying for SMEAT 2026 can refer to the table below for comprehensive details about the exam:

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	SMEAT 2025 (Srishti Manipal Entrance and Aptitude Test)
Conducting Body	Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology (SMIADT)
Exam Level	Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Courses Offered	B.Des, M.Des, MA in Creative Practices, and other design-related programs
Exam Frequency	Once a year
Exam Stages	Two stages: SMEAT Test 1 (General Test) and SMEAT Test 2 (Creative Test)
SMEAT 2026 Registration Starts	Expected in December 2025
Last Date to Apply for SMEAT	Expected in May 2026
Application Form Fee	INR 2,000 (General), INR 1,500 (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) (expected)
Exam Mode	Offline
Exam Duration	Test 1: 2 hours; Test 2: 3 hours
Exam Pattern	Multiple-choice questions, drawing, and creative problem-solving tasks
Medium of Exam	English
Admit Card Release	Expected in March 2026
SMEAT 2026 Exam Date	B.Des: Third week of April 2026 M.Des: First week of April 2026
Result Declaration	Last week of April 2026
Official Website	srishtimanipalinstitute.in
Contact Information	admissions@srishtimanipalinstitute.in / +91-80-1234-5678

Also read:

• 50+ MCQs for Design Entrance Exams 2026: NIFT, NID, UCEED Practice Questions
• 25+ MSQs for Design Entrance Exam 2025: Section-wise Multiple Select Questions

Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, & Technology is expected to accept the applications for SMEAT 2026 in three rounds. The SMEAT 2026 Registration is expected to open in the third week of December 2025 for B.Des and M.Des. The Application closes in the third week of May 2026. 

How to Apply for SMEAT?

The following step will help you to fill out the SMEAT form:

Step 1: Fill out the Application Form

Register by entering your name, mobile number, and email ID. After the candidate account is created, log in to fill in the rest of the details. Here, you will have to enter academic, personal, and contact details. Also, upload your documents and pay the application fees. 

Step 2: Pay the application fee

Candidates will have to pay an application fee of around INR 5,000. The fee has to be paid online using a Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking.

Step 3: Download SMEAT Admit Card

Admit cards will be sent to the registered email ID of the candidate after the successful completion of the registration process. The admit card will contain the link and the timings of the exam, as all the tests of SMEAT will be conducted as a Remote Proctored Computer-based Online Test.

Step 4: Appear for Srishti Entrance and Aptitude Test (SMEAT)

SMEAT is a written examination of three hours' duration. The maximum mark candidates can score in the SMEAT exam is 100. Aspirants need to clear the SMEAT written exam to secure admission to design programs offered at Srishti.

Step 5: Check SMEAT Results

Candidates can check their results for the SMEAT exam on the official website of Srishti Institute of Art, Design, and Technology by entering their admit card number.

SMEAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

The candidate must ensure they meet the SMEAT 2026 eligibility criteria before applying for the exam. Note that all documents will be verified at the time of counseling. If any anomaly is found, the candidate may be disqualified.

Eligibility Criteria for the UG Programme

Applicants should have successfully completed any ONE of the following minimum educational qualifications:

• National and international boards like CBSE/ISC/IB/AICE/A Level
• State Board, Junior College, Intermediate, HSSC, PUC, Senior Secondary
• National Institute of Open Schooling, New Delhi (NIOS)– Senior Secondary
• NSQF Certification Level 4
• High School Diploma (USA/Canada) – Senior Secondary completed with equivalence as per AIU
• State Board of Technical Education – Diploma equivalent to PUC/Class 12

Note: Please note that all awarding bodies must be recognized by the state and/or central government institutions. Attach two copies of the relevant certificates.

Age Limit: There is no age limit for candidates applying for UG course admissions at the Srishti Institute of Art, Design, and Technology. However, the official website informs that in case students above 30 years of age want to apply for the UG programs, they are informed that the average age of the class at Srishti is 18 to 25 years. 

Eligibility Criteria for PG Professional Programme

Applicants should have successfully completed any ONE of the following:

• NSQF Certification Level 8 in the relevant industry sector
• National and International Universities – 3-year Undergraduate Degree + 1-year Postgraduate Diploma Program (PGDP) from a recognized University
• National and International Universities – 4-year Undergraduate Degree
• Professional Institute – 5-year Undergraduate Degree

Age Limit: There is no age limit for candidates to apply for PG courses. However, candidates may be informed that the average age of the class at Srishti is 25 to 35 years.

Eligibility Criteria for Postgraduate Arts Programme

Aspirants seeking admission in MA Full Mode, MA Dual Mode, as well as PG Diploma courses at Srishti need to fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

• National and International Universities – Three-year Undergraduate Degree
• National and International Universities – Four-year Undergraduate Degree
• Design Institutes – Four-year Undergraduate Diploma in Art and/or Design
• Professional Institutes – Five-year Undergraduate Degree
• NSQF Certification Level 7 in the relevant industry sector

Age Limit: There is no age limit for candidates to apply for PG course admissions at Srishti Institute of Art, Design, and Technology. 

Candidates seeking admission to Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, & Technology will have to follow the process as under:

Step 1: The Candidate has to first appear in the SMEAT entrance exam.

Step 2: Portfolio Review & Counselling

Candidates will be shortlisted for the portfolio and counseling round based on their performance in the written exam. The mode of conducting the interview round is conversational and the interviewer tries to determine “the suitability of the candidate to the culture and pedagogy of Srishti”, according to the official website.

Step 3: View the Final Merit List

The final result for SMEAT 2025 will be declared on the official website of the design college. The seat allotment will be based on the final merit list. 

Step 4: Pay the application fee

Successful candidates are given some time to secure their admission by depositing the prescribed fees online along with the necessary documents.

Test Centres: Check the list of SMEAT test centers.

SMEAT Selection Protocols 2026

The Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology has listed a set of selection protocols for its various programs. Candidates need to carefully go through these protocols before submitting their applications.

Selection Protocol for Undergraduate Professional Program (UGPP)

The protocols for the UGPP programs include the following:

• Nationality
• Application Submission
• Eligibility Criteria
• Age of the applicant
• Application rounds - A round represents a specific timeframe comprising a set of published dates and times, within which applicants can apply. Note that an applicant can apply for only ONE Round in a given academic year.
• The candidate needs to apply for SMEAT 2026 UGPP. 
• Testing Procedures and Processes - The SMEAT exam comprises Test 1 (T1) and Test 2 (T2). 
• Candidates with a UCEED 2026 merit rank of 600 or below can choose to be exempt from Test 1. 

 As per the SMEAT 2026 syllabus, both the Undergraduate and Postgraduate question papers will include visual and verbal responses and written and practical exercises, using a range and variety of mediums and media that are appropriate to each level and context.

• SMEAT Test 1 includes parameters, like Analytical Reasoning, Exploration and Persistence, Imagination and Visualisation, Language and Expression, Observation and Curiosity.
• SMEAT Test 2 includes parameters, like Contextual Awareness, Critical Thinking, Imagination and Visualisation, Language and Expression, and Viewpoint and Perspective.

SMEAT exam pattern 2026 is such that the design aptitude test will be conducted in three hours duration. Candidates are informed that they do not need to appear for the SMEAT exam for UG admissions under the following circumstances:

SMEAT	Condition
Test 1 (General Test of Ability)	Applicants who have taken the UCEED exam can choose to be exempt from test 1 if their All India Rank is 600 or below, provided they can submit this result at the time of application. Applicants who have taken the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and whose score is 1100 or above can choose to be exempt from test 1, provided they can submit this result at the time of application.
Test 2 (Test of Creative Competencies)	All applicants are required to undertake Test 2, a studio-based activity test. This test will be based on a given theme or context, which will be sent to the applicant after verification of eligibility and other required documents. Applicants are advised to mail hard copies of completed forms with all necessary annexures/attachments at the earliest, giving them time for test preparation.
Synchronous Group Discussion	A team-based activity and a group/individual counseling session will follow Test 2.

Note: It is mandatory for all applicants to take Test 1 and 2 unless they are exempt from Test 1 as described above. 

SMEAT preparation needs time and planning. Try to understand the syllabus and pattern of the exam to get familiar with the Exam.

1. Understand the SMEAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus

2. Enhance Your Creative and Design Skills

3. Improve General Knowledge and Contextual Awareness

4. Take SMEAT 2026 Mock Tests and Solve Sample Papers

5. Prepare a Portfolio (If Required) for a Personal Interview

SMEAT 2026 requires creativity, strategy, and consistent practice. By following these preparation tips and staying focused, you can increase your chances of securing admission to Srishti Manipal Institute.

SMEAT 2026 admit cards will be issued to all candidates who complete the SMEAT 2026 application process. The admit card will be issued online at the admission portal of the institute. Admit cards are typically released two weeks before the exam date. Candidates should regularly check their registered email and the official website for updates. 

To download the SMEAT 2026 admit card, follow these steps:

1. Click on the admit card link
2. A log-in window will open
3. Fill in your candidate credentials and download the admit card.