Top 20 Fashion Design Colleges in India 2025: Admissions, Courses, Fees, Placements

Top 20 Fashion Design Colleges in India 2025: Admissions, Courses, Fees, Placements

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Aneena
Aneena Abraham
Senior Executive
Updated on Dec 2, 2025 17:49 IST
In today’s world, India has emerged as a leading hub for fashion and design which in turn has led to a growing demand for design professionals in the industry. Unlike earlier, aspiring designers now have access to some of the best fashion schools in the country, that offer world-class education, cutting-edge technology, state-of-the-art campus and

Fashion Designing courses teaches candidates that how to sketch, make patterns and stitch outfits. This course is the art of creating the unique design for clothes, accessories, home, etc. Read here for detailed information about top 20 fashion design colleges in India.

Table of contents
  • How Top 20 Fashion Design Colleges in India are Selected
  • Top 20 Fashion Designing Colleges in India: India Today 2024
  • Why Pursue a Fashion Design Course?
  • Top 20 Fashion Design Colleges in India: Eligibility Criteria 2025
  • Top 20 Fashion Designing Colleges in India: Admission Process 2025
  • Top 20 Fashion Designing Colleges in India: Exam 2025
  • Top 10 Fashion Designing Colleges in India
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How Top 20 Fashion Design Colleges in India are Selected 

Selecting the top Fashion Designing colleges in India usually involves a thorough assessment and accreditation, quality of education, infrastructure, faculty, and industry exposure. Candidates can see the below key points -

  • Recognition by government bodies such as the NIRF, UGC), or AICTE.
  • Experienced and well-qualified faculty
  • Partnerships with leading companies and brands
  • Diverse Specialisations
  • Modern facilities.
  • Financial assistance for meritorious and underprivileged students.

Top 20 Fashion Designing Colleges in India: India Today 2024

Candidates can see the table below for the top 20 Fashion Designing colleges in India with India Today ranking for the year 2024:

College Name

India Today 2024

NIFT Delhi Ranking

1

NIFT Mumbai Ranking

2

NIFT Bangalore Ranking

3

NIFT Hyderabad Ranking

4

NIFT Chennai Ranking

5

NIFT Gandhinagar Ranking

6

NIFT Kolkata Ranking

7

NIFT Patna Ranking

8

Pearl Academy Ranking

9

NIFT Jodhpur Ranking

10

NIFT Kannur Ranking

11

Symbiosis Institute of Design Pune Ranking

12

NIFT Bhubaneswar Ranking

13

NIFT Raebareli Ranking

14

NIFT Shillong Ranking

15

Army Institute of Fashion and Design Ranking

16

NIFT Kangra Ranking

17

Pearl Academy Jaipur Ranking

18

JD Institute of Fashion Technology Ranking

19

Amity School of Fashion Technology Noida Ranking

20

Q:   What are NIFT Score accepting colleges other than participating colleges?
A:

There are 19 NIFTs that will accept NIFT 2026 Scores for admission purposes. These institutes are known as participating colleges.

However, in addition to the participating colleges, there are other private colleges that will also consider NIFT 2026 scores for admission to their UG and PG design courses. The candidates are urged to go through the list of result-sharing institutes.

Q:   What are the participating institutes of NID for the B. Des programme?
A:

Five participating institutes of NID DAT exam offer B.Des program. These include NID Ahmedabad, NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Haryana, NID Madhya Pradesh and NID Assam.

Seat intake for the B. Des stands at 425. NID Ahmedabad has an intake of 125 seats, while the rest of the NIDs each have an intake of 75 seats. Note that seats are reserved for categories like General-EWS, OBC, SC, and ST categories.

Q:   What is the age limit for admission to B.Des programme at the NIDs?
A:

The candidate needs to be born on or after July 1, 2004 for admission to the B. Des programme through NID DAT 2025 entrance exam. 

Note that relaxation of 3-years applies to candidates from following categories - Other Backward Class-Non Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST). Meanwhile, for candidates belong to the PwD category, the relaxation in the upper age limit is 5 years. The candidate before filling out the NID application form need to ensure that they meet the prescribed eligibility criteria. Note that if the candidate is found to be faking their age, he or she may be disqualified.

Source: Official site and may vary.

Why Pursue a Fashion Design Course?

Check the content below for the reason of choosing Fashion Design course as their career option:

  1. Creativity
  2. Career Opportunities
  3. Global Industry
  4. Personal Expression
  5. Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Explore more Design exams with upcoming dates

PESSAT DAT 2026 Application ST...

10 Oct '25 - 31 Jan '26

NIFT 202...

8 Dec '25 - 16 Jan '26

Check live updates

ISDI Cycle II: Interview

15 Dec '25 - 16 Jan '26

IICD 2026 Admit Card

16 Jan '26

UCEED 2026 Exam DATE

18 Jan '26

Pearl Academy Admit Card 2026 ...

17 Jan '26 - 19 Jan '26

SEED Result Declaration (B.Des)

19 Jan '26

UPES DAT 2026 Application Date...

1 Nov '25 - 20 Jan '26

GLS DAT 2026 Application Last Date

1 Sep '25 - 22 Jan '26

UID DAT 2026 Application

1 Nov '25 - 31 Jan '26

Source: Official site and may vary.

Top 20 Fashion Design Colleges in India: Eligibility Criteria 2025

Candidates can see the table below for the eligibility criteria for the top 20 Fashion Design colleges in India at various level -

Course Level

Eligibility Criteria

Undergraduate/UG Diploma

  • Class 12 from any stream or equivalent (some colleges may need English as a mandatory subject).
  • With a minimum of 50% aggregate score from a recognised board.

Postgraduate/PG Diploma/PGDM

  • A bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or any relevant discipline.
  • With a minimum of 50% aggregate score from a recognised university.

After 10th Diploma/Certification

  • Class 10 scores with all the base subjects, including English.

Doctorate

  • A master's degree in Fashion Design or any relevant discipline.
  • With a minimum of 50% aggregate score from a recognised university.

Source: Official site and may vary.

Top 20 Fashion Designing Colleges in India: Admission Process 2025

Candidates can see below for the admission process of top Fashion Design colleges in India -

  • Meet the eligibility criteria
  • Check the official site
  • Complete the application process
  • Prepare for the entrance exam
  • Wait for the result
  • Take admission
Q:   What documents do I need to apply at NIFT Delhi?
A:

NIFT Delhi admission process is as follows:

  • 10th and 12th mark sheets
  • Bachelor's degree and mark sheets (for PG courses)
  • Passport-size photograph
  • Scanned copy of signature
Q:   What is the selection criteria for MDes at NIFT Kannur?
A:

Admission criteria for MDes at the NIFT, Kannur, the candidates should have passed B. Des or any other graduate degree in a relevant discipline. 

Q:   Who is eligible for NIFT Kolkata BDes admission?
A:

NIFT Kolkata BDes admission is done based on a valid score in NIFT Entrance Exam. Students must also satisfy the admission criteria as prescribed by the institute. Interested candidates can check out the following table to know about NIFT Kolkata BDes eligibility criteria:

Eligibility Criteria

Selection Critera

Class 12 in any stream or equivalent from a recognised board

Or

General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri-Lanka) at the advanced (A) level with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics / International Baccalaureate (IB)

Age limit: Less than 24 years as on August 1 of the year of Admission. 5 years of relaxation for SC/ST/ PwD category candidates

NIFT Entrance Exam

Source: Official site and may vary.

Top 20 Fashion Designing Colleges in India: Exam 2025

Please refer to the table below for the exam schedule for admission to best colleges for Fashion Designing in India:

Entrance Exams

Exam Dates

Entrance Exam Schedule

NIFT Entrance Exam

Over for 2025

NIFT Entrance Exam Date 2025

CUET

May 8 – June 1, 2025

CUET Exam Date 2025

CUET-PG

March 13 - April 1, 2025

CUET-PG Exam Date 2025

CEED

Over for 2025

CEED Exam Date 2025

UCEED

Over for 2025

UCEED Exam Date 2025

CAT

To Be Announced

CAT Exam Date 2025

MAT

23 Mar ' 25

MAT Exam Date 2025

GATE

Over for '25

GATE Exam Date 2025

Source: Official site and may vary.

Top 10 Fashion Designing Colleges in India

Listed below are the top 20 Fashion Design colleges in India along with their courses offered, tuition fee, placement package, etc.:

  1. National Institute of Fashion Technology Delhi

NIFT Delhi is a government-owned institute that was established in 1986. NIFT Delhi ranks no. 1 under the Fashion Design category by Outlook 2024. NIFT Delhi offers around 30+ UG, PG and diploma Fashion Design courses with diverse specialisations. The tuition fee for these courses is INR 70,800 – INR 12.34 lakh. Admissions to these courses are majorly done based on NIFT entrance exam scores.

  1. National Institute of Fashion Technology Mumbai

NIFT Mumbai was established in 1995 and is ranked no. 2 by India Today 2024. NIFT Mumbai provides 20+ UG, PG and diploma Fashion Design courses with a tuition fee of INR 1.64 lakh – INR 12.34 lakh. Admission to NIFT Mumbai is through the NIFT Entrance Exam.

  1. National Institute of Fashion Technology Bangalore

NIFT Bangalore was established in the year 1997 and is renowned for its knowledge of Fashion Technology field. NIFT Bangalore is ranked no.3 by India Today for the year 2024. NIFT offers 20 Fashion Design courses with a tuition fee of INR 74,340 – INR 12.34 lakh. Students can pursue Fashion Designing courses on the basis of NIFT Exam scores.

  1. National Institute of Fashion Technology Hyderabad

NIFT Hyderabad offers 15+ UG, PG and CE Fashion Designing courses to their students. NIFT Hyderabad is ranked no.4 by India Today for the year 2024. Admissions to these courses are majorly done based on NIFT scores. The tuition fee for these courses is around INR 5.86 lakh – INR 12.34 lakh.

  1. National Institute of Fashion Technology Chennai

NIFT Chennai was established in 1995 and offers 20+ best UG, PG and Diploma Fashion Design courses with a tuition fee of INR 5.86 lakh – INR 12.34 lakh. NIFT College Chennai is ranked 2nd by The Week 2024 for Fashion Design. The National Institute of Fashion Technology Chennai has collaborated with the Ability Foundation, India. Admission to NIFT Chennai is through the NIFT Entrance Exam.

  1. National Institute of Fashion Technology Gandhinagar

NIFT Gandhinagar was established in the year 1986. NIFT Gandhinagar offers undergraduate and postgraduate Fashion Design courses with a tuition fee of INR 5.86 lakh – INR 12.34 lakh. Students can pursue Fashion Designing courses on the basis of NIFT Exam scores.

  1. National Institute of Fashion Technology Kolkata

NIFT Kolkata was established in 1995 and is ranked no.7 by India Today 2024 under the Fashion Design category. NIFT Kolkata offers 20+ UG, PG, CE and outreach Fashion Design programs with a tuition fee of INR 5.45 lakh – INR 12.34 lakh.  Admissions to these courses are majorly done based on NIFT entrance exam scores.

  1. National Institute of Fashion Technology Patna

NIFT Patna offer was established in the year 2008. The institute has been ranked no.8 for Fashion Design by India Today 2024. NIFT Patna offers 9 UG, PG, CE and diploma Fashion Design courses with a tuition fee of INR 90,200 – INR 12.34 lakh. Admission to NIFT Patna is through the NIFT Entrance Exam.

  1. Pearl Academy

Pearl Academy was established in the year 1933 and offer 15+ UG, PG, distance and Diploma Fashion Design courses. Pearl Academy offers tuition fee of INR 1.75 lakh – INR 29.94 lakh for their Fashion Designing courses.  Admission to Pearl Academy is through the Pearl Academy Entrance Exam.

  1. National Institute Fashion Technology Jodhpur

NIFT Jodhpur was originally established in 2010. Jodhpur NIFT offers 10+ undergraduate, postgraduate and Continuing Education (CE) Fashion Designing programmes to their students. The tuition fee offered for these courses INR 5.03 lakh – INR 12.34 lakh. Students can pursue Fashion Designing courses on the basis of NIFT Entrance Exam scores.

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About the Author
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Aneena Abraham
Senior Executive

Aneena is passionate about helping students find the right college for the right course. She spends hours analysing college data to simplify the admission process for students. From B.Tech colleges in India to Law,

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