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

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

6 mins read345 Views Comment
CallCall 8585951111Got Doubts?
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
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.
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the highest salary in NIFT Bangalore?
A: 

The table below depicts the NIFT Bangalore the highest package for reference:

ParticularsPlacement Statistics
the highest packageINR 12 LPA

NOTE: The above salary details are fetched from the Shiksha students' review. 

Q:   Can I join NIFT Kolkata without entrance exam?
A: 

Joining NIFT Kolkata without entrance exam doesn't seem like a possibility. As per the Institution's admission guidelines, candidates must appear for the  The National Institute of Technology (NIFT) exam.  The exam is conducted once every year and has TWO parts:

  • Written Exams - It comprise the GAT and CAT. The GAT paper is mandatory for all programs, while only BDes and MDes candidates need to take the CAT. 
  • Situation Test/ Personal Interview - BDes candidates who get shortlisted have to appear in the Situation Test, whereas PG candidates need to appear in a Personal Interview. The only exception is BFTech program, where the admission merit list will be prepared solely based on GAT scores.  
Q:   What is the expected cutoff for NIFT 2026 for B.Des?
A: 

The expected cutoff for NIFT 2026 for B.Des is:

CategoryExpected Cutoff for B.Des
Open30-80
EWS26-29
OBC26-29
SC22
ST19
Q:   Can I get admission in NIFT Delhi after Class 12?
A: 

Yes, students can get admission in NIFT Delhi UG programmes after Class 12. Students have to apply and appear for the NIFTEE test. The final selection for BDes and BFTech programmes is based on the performance in the entrance test.

Staying updated about the latest educational events is just a click away
Enter Mobile Number

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

Source: Official site and may vary.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can an average student get into NIFT Chennai?
A: 

Yes, an average student can get admission in NIFT Chennai. But this is only after completing the selection rounds. Students have to do well in all the selection rounds. With proper planning, average students can get admission in NIFT.

Q:   Are admission open at NIFT Chennai?
A: 

Yes, NIFT Chennai admissions 2026 are open now. Interested students can apply at the official site of the institute. Students have to go through the admission process to get a seat.

Q:   How to get admission in NIFT Chennai?
A: 

To get admission in NIFT Chennai, students have to check the eligibility. Eligible students can then apply online. The institute selects students on an entrance basis followed by other selection rounds. To complete the process, students have to pay the admission fees.

Q:   What is fees for BDes at NIFT Chennai?
A: 

The fees for BDes at NIFT Chennai is around INR 6.1lakh - INR 12.3 lakh. The mentioned fee is only the tuition fee. The BDes fee aslo includes other one time fees, which candidates have to pay during admission. Also there is the NIFT entrance exam fee i.e. NIFT 2024 application fee is INR 3000. The fee is sourced from various source. Hence, its indicative. 

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

Source: Official site and may vary.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the fee structure for B.Des programme at NIFT Delhi?
A: 

The total fee for the UG programme is inclusive of various components, such as tuition fees, caution deposits, and more. NIFT Delhi tuition fee amount is INR 12.34 lakh, the hostel fee is INR 4.19 lakh, and the one-time fee cost is INR 27,200. Students need to pay the course fee amount for final selection to confirm their admission to the institute. It must be noted by the candidates that the mentioned fee is taken from the official website/sanctioning body. It is still subject to changes and hence, is indicative.

Q:   Can I get into National Institute of Fashion Technology Kannur without NIFT entrance exam?
A: 

NIFT is a national-level design entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). The exam is conducted once every year and it consist of two parts, i.e, first one is, written exam and second is, situation test/personal interview.

  • Written Exams - It comprise the GAT and CAT. The GAT paper is mandatory for all programs, while only BDes and MDes candidates need to take the CAT. 
  • Situation Test/ Personal Interview - BDes candidates who get shortlisted have to appear in the Situation Test, whereas PG candidates need to appear in a Personal Interview. The only exception is BFTech program, where the admission merit list will be prepared solely based on GAT scores.    

The FINAL score of NIFT 2024 for the other programs will be prepared by giving weightage to the written exams and Situation Test/ Personal Interview.

The scores or merit rank of NIFT will be considered for admission to design courses offered by the NIFT participating institutes. Currently, there are 18 participating institutes that offer the following courses - BDes, MDes, BFTech, MFTech, and MFM courses.

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.

Explore more Design exams with upcoming dates

NIIFT First counselling, Secon...

1 Jun '26 - 8 Jun '26

Pearl Academy 2026 Admit Cards...

8 Jun '26

Round II: Withdrawal of seat /...

28 May '26 - 9 Jun '26

NID B.Des Seat Allotment Round 1

9 Jun '26 - 11 Jun '26

IICD Result 2026

9 Jun '26 - 15 Jun '26

AIEED 2026 Batch Starts

15 Jun '26

IIAD 2026 - Application

1 Sep '25 - 30 Jun '26

ADEPT Application Open

1 Nov '25 - 30 Jun '26

UID DAT 2026 Application: UID ...

1 Nov '25 - 30 Jun '26

SAT India Exam (August) Attempt

22 Aug '26

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.

Check out the Links Below:

Videos you may like
About the Author
author-image
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,

Read Full Bio
qna

Comments