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

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
View More

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:   How many colleges are there in NIFT?
A:

There are 19 NIFT colleges that offer admission for 2026 academic session. The list below gives the names of all NIFT Institutes in India.

S.No

NIFT Campus

1

NIFT New Delhi

2

NIFT Chennai

3

NIFT Gandhinagar

4

NIFT Hyderabad

5

NIFT Kolkata

6

NIFT Mumbai

7

NIFT Bengaluru

8

NIFT Raebareli

9

NIFT Bhopal

10

NIFT Kannur

11

NIFT Shillong

12

NIFT Patna

13

NIFT Kangra

14

NIFT Bhubaneswar

15

NIFT Jodhpur

16

NIFT Srinagar

17

NIFT Panchkula

18

NIFT Daman

19

NIFT Varanasi

Q:   What is the seat intake for the B.Des programme through NIFT?
A:

The B. Des programme has an intake capacity of 2,884 seats for All-India candidates.

In addition, there are 300 state-domicile.

Admission to the B. Des programme at NIFTs will be based on performance of the candidate in GAT CAT and Situation Test. Candidates are shortlisted for the Situation Test based on their performance in the written exams. The B. Des programme offers specialisation in Fashion Design (FD), Leather Design (LD), Accessory Design (AD), Textile Design (TD), Knitwear Design (KD), and Fashion Communication (FC). The candidate will be able to select their programme of study at the time of counseling and seat allotment.

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. 

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

ITM-IDM Application Open

19 May '25 - 3 Dec '25

IIAD 2026 - Application

1 Sep '25 - 7 Dec '25

ISDI Challenge 2026: Last date...

15 Dec '25

AIEED 2026 Application START Date

1 Nov '25 - 19 Dec '25

B.Des EXam ( Fashion Design, A...

19 Dec '25

SEED 2026 Online registration ...

1 Aug '25 - 28 Dec '25

WUD DAT 2026 Registration STAR...

10 Oct '25 - 30 Dec '25

IICD 2026 application dates

1 Nov '25 - 31 Dec '25

KALSEE 2026 Application Form S...

1 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 is the minimum eligibility requirement for NIFT Delhi BDes admission?
A:

For NIFT Delhi B.Des admission, candidates must have passed Class 12 from any recognised Central/State Board of Secondary Examination, such as Central Board of Secondary Education/ State Board New Delhi/ Council for Indian School of Certificate Examination, New Delhi. A passing grade in the Senior Secondary School examination conducted by the National Open School with a minimum of five subjects is also eligible to apply for the National Institute of Fashion Technology Delhi. 

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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