What is UPES DAT exam?

UPES DAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) for admission to design programs offered by the college. The UPES DAT exam includes a Design Aptitude Test (DAT). The Design Aptitude Test will be conducted in an online mode. Aspirants who clear this admission round then need to appear for the interviews and portfolio round. The final result will be prepared by giving weightage to DAT, interviews and portfolio round.

What is UPES DAT application fee?

UPES DAT 2026 application fee is INR 1750. Candidate will have to pay the fee at time of filling out the application form. If the fee is not paid, application will be rejected. UPES DAT 2026 Application Fee Fee INR 1750 Mode of payment The application fee has to be paid online using net banking, credit card, debit card, or demand draft.

What are the UPES DAT course specializations offered for the B.Des program?

The B.Des programme offers specializtions like Fashion Design, Game Design, Animationa and VFX, Graphics & Communication Design, UX & Interaction Design, Product Design, Trasportation and Mobility, Interior and Retial Space Design. The candidate can select the specialisation at the time of counseling. Note that allotment of specializations will be allocated as per the UPES DAT 2026 merit rank.

What are the courses for which the UPES DAT exam is conducted?

The UPES DAT 2026 entrance exam will be conducted for admission to the B.Des, Integrated (B.Des) (M.Des), and M.Des courses. The candidate will be able to select their programme of study at the time of filing the application form. Admission to all these courses will be based on UPES DAT 2026 scores. The allotment of seats will be as per the merit rank, with the higher ranked to be given preference.

What is the right time to solve UPES DAT sample papers?

Candidates can solve UPES DAT 2026 exam sample papers to prepare for the exam. The sample papers can be used for preparation from the beginning. If you have completed a few topics, try solving questions related to those topics. As you move deeper into the syllabus, there will be more questions to solve. Solve as many sample papers as you can.

What details will be included in draft answer key of UPES DAT 2026 exam?

The exam officials generally don't release any draft answer key for UPES DAT 2026 exam. However, once the answer key is released, you can download it here. In case the draft key is released, it will contain details like the answer key code for each question. The candidate will also be allowed to challenge the draft key in some cases.

UPES DAT Admit Card 2026: Steps to Download Hall Ticket, Exam Guidelines

Updated on Dec 26, 2025 09:56 IST

By Anshul Jindal, Associate Senior Executive

UPES DAT 2026 Admit Card - The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) will not release admit cards for UPES DAT 2026 Entrance Exam or Personal Interviews. Instead, they will be notified via SMS on their registered mobile numbers. The SMS will contain a link prompting candidates to register for their preferred date and time slot for the exam or interview.

After completing the Entrance Exam or Personal Interview, UPES will send notifications regarding the results to the registered contact details (email or SMS). Candidates can also access their results directly on the official UPES website.

The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) application form for UPES DAT 2026 is open. The last date to apply for B.Des and M.des is January 20, 2026. The UPES DAT will be held between June 25, 2026 June 26, 2026.

Table of contents

Steps to Download UPES DAT 2026 Admit Card
UPES DAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
Important Dates for UPES DAT 2026 Admit Card
UPES DAT 2026 Eligibilty Criteria
UPES DAT FAQs

Steps to Download UPES DAT 2026 Admit Card

The following are the steps for UPES Admission Process.

There will be no physical Admit card issued for UPES DAT entrance exam and personal interview.
Candidates can select the preferred date and time for the exam and interview. The link will be shared via SMS on the registered mobile number.
Candidates must select the dates and slots through the shared link on their mobile number.
After the entrance exam and/or Personal interview, notifications will be sent to the registered mobile number and email.
Candidates can also check the UPES DAT result on the website.

UPES DAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of UPES DAT 2026 exam

Dates	Past Exam Dates
22 Jan ' 26 - 24 Jan ' 26	UPES Exam
01 Nov ' 25 - 20 Jan ' 26	UPES DAT 2026 Application Date (BDes)

Important Dates for UPES DAT 2026 Admit Card

Important Dates: UPES DAT 2026

The important dates for UPES DAT 2026 are as follows:

Exam (Phase II)	Last date of Application	Exam Date
UPES DAT BDes	January 20, 2026	June 2026
UPESDAT M.Des.	January 20, 2026	June 2026

UPES DAT 2026 Eligibilty Criteria

For B.Des Admissions UPESDAT 2026

Candidate must have a minimum 50% Marks in class X and XII.
Selection Criteria: UPESDAT/ National Level Exams (NID/ NIFT/ UCEED/ JEE Mains)/ Board Merit/ CUET followed by Portfolio Presentation & Interview Round

For M.Des Admissions UPESDAT 2026, Candidate must have

Minimum 50% marks at Higher and Senior Secondary Level (X & XII).
Minimum 50% marks in Bachelor’s degree in any stream: 10+2+3 years (B.Des/B.Arch. / B.Tech/ BFA graduates will be preferred).
Selection Criteria: National Level Exam (Valid CEED/ NID/ NIFT scores)/ UPESDAT followed by Portfolio Presentation & Interview.

UPES DAT FAQs

Check out the FAQs on UPES DAT.

Q: What is Design aptitude test?

Design Aptitude is a test that is a part of most of the Design entrance exams in India. Through this test, the Design institutes examines the designing and creative ability of candidates. It includes questions related to sketching, drawing and reasoning. This test usually is the first step of any design exam. Candidates must focus on its preparations.

Q: When will the application form for UPES DAT exam open?

The application form for UPES DAT 2026 is open now; the application has to be filled online. The last date to fill out the application form hasn't been announced yet.

The UPES DAT application form is for admission to the B.Des and M.Des courses offered by the insttute.

The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) hasn't yet the last date for filling out the application form. Candidates can apply for the exam following the application link given on this page.

Q: Can I apply for UPES DAT 2026 exam if I don't meet the eligibility criteria?

The candidate mustn’t apply if they don’t meet the UPES DAT 2026 eligibility criteria.

It is because exam officials will verify the eligibility conditions before seat allotment. If any candidate is found lacking, he or she will be disqualified.

If the candidate is found to be forging their eligibility, they may not only be disqualified, but criminal charges may also be levied against such candidates.