DE-CODE 2026: Application (OPEN), Exam DATE, Eligibility, Syllabus, Admission Process
Design Aptitude Test of Centre for Design Excellence 2026 ( DE-CODE )
DE-CODE 2026 - The registration form is open for DECODE 2026 at the Center for Design Excellence (CODE). DECODE 2026 application form is available at the institute's admission portal. The application fee is INR 2,000. The DE-CODE application form is for admission to B.Des and M.Des programmes. The institute has not provided a specific last date. De-CODE Examination details will be sent via email and will also be uploaded on the official website.
DE-CODE 2026 exam will be conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) mode by the Centre of Design Excellence (CODE), Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur. The test duration will be 3 hours and will include tests: An aptitude Test (multiple-choice questions) and a Creativity Test (Subjective Questions). Scores of the DE-CODE exam will be considered for admission to Fashion and Textile Design, Interior and Product Design, and UX(User Experience) Design courses.
- What is DE-CODE?
- DE-CODE Important Dates 2026
- DE-CODE Entrance Exam 2026 Highlights
- DE-CODE Entrance Exam 2026 Application Process
- DE-CODE 2026 Syllabus
- DE-CODE 2026 Pattern
- DE-CODE 2026 Preparation Tips
- DE-CODE 2026 Admit Card
- DE-CODE Result 2026
- FAQs on DE-CODE 2026 Exam
What is DE-CODE?
Design Aptitude Test (DE-CODE) is a big national level exam by Vivekananda Global University Jaipur. It happens every year for students who want to join design courses. You can apply for programs like Fashion & Textile Design, Interior & Product Design, and Graphics & Communication Design. If you pass the DE-CODE exam, you also can get admission in Invertis University Bareilly, which is a partner of VGU.
The Center for Design Excellence (CODE) is an international design college under Vivekananda Global University (VGU Jaipur). It got approval from CoA and UGC, so it’s trusted and recognized. CODE runs many Design and Architecture programs in different partner universities all over India.
At CODE VGU Jaipur, you learn design by doing things, not just reading books. The programs are made for students who think creative and love to make new ideas real.
Programs offered at Centre for Design Excellence (CODE) are:
- Fashion & Textile Design
- Interior & Product Design
- Graphics & Communication Design
- Architecture and Urban Design
- Visual Arts and Digital Media
DE-CODE by Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur gives you a chance to show your creativity and design skills. It’s the first step for you to start your design journey and build a bright future in design and architecture.
Also Check: What is Designing?: Courses After 12th, Fees 2026, Top Colleges, Admission 2026, Careers & Salary
Commonly asked questions
Yes, you have to give personal interview if you clear DE CODE exam. You must appear for personal interview in order to complete the admission process. Candidates who do not appear on the scheduled date will lose the chance to be admitted in the institute.
Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, will not release any cut-off for the entrance exam; instead, it will make available the list of selected candidates. The selected list will be released soon after the declaration of exam resuts.
Candidates may note that DE-CODE don't rank as one of the top entrance exams in the country unlike exams like NID DAT, UCEED, and NIFT. So, if you make a little bit of effort, you should easily get a good enough rank to get admission to VGU.
The Center for Design Excellence (CODE) offers the following design courses at its various centers.
| Name of Course | Duration |
|---|---|
| BDes Fashion & Textile Design | 4 years |
| BDes Interior & Product Design | 4 years |
| BDes Graphic & Communication Design | 4 years |
| Integrated Programme (BDes+MBA) | 5 years |
Admission to each of these courses will be based on the merit rank of the candidate in the DE-CODE exam.
DE-CODE Important Dates 2026
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of DE-CODE 2026 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| May ' 26 | DE-CODE 2026 Exam Date TENTATIVE |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Nov ' 25 - Dec ' 25 | DE-CODE 2026 Registration START Date |
DE-CODE Entrance Exam 2026 Highlights
The highlights for DE-CODE 2026 are as follows.
| Particulars |
Description |
|---|---|
| Exam Name |
Design Aptitude Test- Center of Design Excellence (DE-CODE) |
| Conducting Institute |
Vivekananda Global University (VGU) |
| Exam Type |
National level |
| Exam Frequency |
Annually |
| Application Mode |
Online |
| Exam Mode |
Online (Computer Based Test) |
| Exam Purpose |
Admission to undergraduate design courses |
| Exam Date |
DAT Prelims: December 21, 2025; DAT Mains: Typically March-April 2026 |
| Exam Duration |
3 Hours |
| Exam Fee |
INR 2,000/- |
| Exam Helpdesk No. |
+91-7411781758, +91-9549360555 |
| Official Website |
https://vgu.ac.in/ |
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
DAT entrance exam is considered to be moderate. IN NID DAT, more weightage is given to subjective, drawing related questions. Thus, candidates need to be extremely creative and have a clear understanding of their concepts when appearing for the DAT.
But note that difficulty level can also be subjective, as it may also depend on your level of preparation. For instance, if you prepare well, you may be able to solve even the so-called difficult questions easily.
Skills that are tested in DAT include Design ability, Observation skills, Illustration skills, Problem-solving skills, Imaginative skills, Space Visualization. To get a good score on DAT, candidate must work on each of these skills. Some of skills are natural and some of them are acquired.
Syllabus for the DE-CODE exam will be prescribed by Center for Design Excellence (CODE). The syllabus will include the topics the candidate needs to prepare for the exam.
Design Aptitude Test will cover
- Visualization and Spatial Ability
- Ecological and Public Awareness
- Analytical and Logical Reasoning
- Verbal Communication and Creativity
- Observation and Design Sensitivity
- Design Thinking and Problem Solving
DE-CODE Entrance Exam 2026 Application Process
The application form for DE-CODE 2026 is open online at the admission portal of the Center for Design Excellence. The application is for admission to the B.Des and other design courses offered by the institute.
The process to fill out the DE-CODE 2026 application form is given below.
DE-CODE Registration
Candidates have to fill out the application form for the DE-CODE exam online on the official website of the design entrance exam. Click on the Apply Now link and fill in the details to register.
Fill in the DE-CODE Application Form
Fill in the details on the online application form and click Save. Since candidates' eligibility will be screened based on the information furnished by them, they were required to exercise sufficient care to correctly furnish the details of their qualifications, etc. Candidates need to be ready with the scanned copy/soft copy (jpg, jpeg files) of educational documents, passport size photograph, signature, etc.
Pay the Application Fee
Interested candidates have to pay a non-refundable application fee of INR 2,000 to be able to take up the examination. The candidature of an individual will be confirmed only after the payment of the application fee. The application fee can be paid through the payment portal on the official website through any online mode of payment such as debit/credit card, or internet banking.
Download the Admit Card
Candidates have to download DE-CODE 2026 admit card from the official website of the design school. Aspirants are informed that all the information/details regarding the DE-CODE exam and admit card were sent to them on their registered Email ID.
Appear for DE-CODE Exam
DE-CODE is a computer-based online entrance exam. Candidates are provided with their login ID and password for the exam, which they need to enter when appearing for the design aptitude test.
Declaration of DE-CODE Result
The results of the DE-CODE exam are declared on the official website. Candidates can check their results using their registered email ID/roll number and their date of birth.
DE-CODE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- Aspirants applying for admission in the Bachelor of Design (BDes) course meet DE-CODE 2026 eligibility criteria if they have cleared their HSC examination (10+2) or have completed their 10+2 level from any recognized Central/State Board of Secondary Examination or any other recognized examination with minimum 45% aggregate marks.
- Apart from this, candidates can also apply for admission if they have studied at any Public School/Board/University Examination in India or in Foreign countries which is recognised by the Association of Indian Universities to be equivalent to the 10+2 system with a minimum 45% aggregate marks.
- Another eligibility criterion of DE-CODE is that they should possess a three or four-year diploma that is recognised by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education with a minimum 50% aggregate marks.
Also Check: What is Information Design?: Course Fees 2026, Subjects, Top Colleges, Admissions
DE-CODE 2026 Admission Process
Candidates seeking admission to Vivekanand Global University, Jaipur, have to follow the process as under:
The candidate has to first appear in the Design Aptitude Test (DAT)
Candidates who qualify in the DAT have to next appear in a Personal Interview Round, which may comprise a Portfolio or Studio Test.
Final Selection
The final selection of the candidates would be based on their cumulative performance in the DAT and Personal Interview.
Appear for Counselling
Candidates whose names appear in the final merit list have to participate in a counseling session conducted at the university. The schedule of the counseling will be updated on the university admission portal. The allotment of seats to various design courses will be based on the merit rank of the candidate.
Commonly asked questions
NID application form 2026 opened on September 11, 2025. The application form is open online at the NID admission portal -admissions.nid.edu. Candidates who meet the program-specific eligibility criteria may apply before the last date.
The NID application form is for admission to the B. Des and M.Des courses offered by participating colleges. The last date to apply for NID DAT 2026 was December 01, 2025.
The exam pattern for DE-CODE exam is postulated by the Center for Design Excellence (CODE).
DE-CODE Paper | Duration | Total Marks | Type of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Aptitude Test | 60 minutes | 200 marks
| Multiple choice questions |
Creativity Test | 120 minutes | Subjective Questions |
Note: One-fourth marks for each question will be deducted for an incorrect attempt.
Along with the syllabus, make sure that you also consult the updated syllabus.
The exam officials will not release any draft DE-CODE 2026 answer key.
However, if it decides to release the answer key, the same will be updated 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.
DE-CODE 2026 Syllabus
Center of Design Excellence (CODE) has specified some broad topics for the entrance exam. Get detailed information about DE-CODE 2026 syllabus and prepare for the exam accordingly. The Design aptitude test will cover the following topics/subjects:
- Visualization and Spatial Ability
- Ecological and Public Awareness
- Analytical and Logical Reasoning
- Verbal Communication and Creativity
- Observation and Design Sensitivity
- Design Thinking and Problem Solving
Also Check: BTech in Design
Commonly asked questions
The DE-CODE exam will be conducted in June 2026. Candidates need to qualify the design aptitude test to take admission in design courses offered at Vivekanand Global University and Invertis University.
The exam will be conducted in a computer-based online mode and will be of three hours. The question paper will comprise two papers: An aptitude Test (Multiple Choice Questions) and Creativity Test (Subjective Questions).
Candidates who qualify in the written exam have to next appear in a Portfolio/Studio Test and Personal Interview.
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.
It takes months of preparation and dedication in order to ace an entrance exam.
Candidate needs to be thorough and should know the syllabus well enough.
When preparing for the DE-CODE exam, make it a point to take notes.
Taking notes will not only help the candidate improve concentration, but these notes can come in very handy for quick revision. Also, solve sample papers and take mock tests.
DE-CODE 2026 Pattern
The DE-CODE Exam, also known as the Design Aptitude Test, is a national-level entrance exam by Vivekananda Global University (VGU Jaipur). The full form of DE-CODE is Design Aptitude Test (DE-CODE). It’s held every year to select students for design programs like Fashion & Textile Design, Interior & Product Design, and Graphics & Communication Design.
The DE-CODE 2026 Exam will be conducted online. It has two papers: Aptitude Test and Creativity Test (CAT). The total exam time is 3 hours. Students get 10 extra minutes to upload their CAT answer sheets.
- Paper 1: Aptitude Test: 60 minutes, 50 MCQs
- Paper 2: Creativity Test (CAT): 120 minutes, 2 questions (visual answers)
Students should keep two A4 sheets and their preferred color medium ready for the test.
DE-CODE Exam Login
Candidates can log in to the DE-CODE examination portal using their registered email ID and password to access the exam, syllabus, and updates.
DE-CODE Question Paper
The DE-CODE question paper includes both objective and subjective questions. The Aptitude section has MCQs, while the Creativity Test asks for visual or graphical answers.
Also Read: Navigating Through Design Courses: Fashion vs Graphic Design
Commonly asked questions
Admission to design courses at the university is conducted based on merit of the candidate in the DE-CODE exam.
Note that the DE-CODE exam is made up of the following two sub-exams.
- Performance of the candidate in the Design Aptitude Test (DAT)
- Personal interview (Portfolio / Studio Test)
DE-CODE 2026 result will be released online. The scorecard will carry the following information.
Name and roll number of the candidate
Sectional score
Overall score
Merit rank
The scorecard will be available for download in pdf format. Download and take a printout.
DE-CODE 2026 scorecard will be valid for the current academic session only. So you will be able to get admission in the 2026-27 academic session.
You can’t use the scorecard for admission in the next session.
DE-CODE 2026 Preparation Tips
Some of important tips candidate may follow to prepare for DE-CODE 2026 exam.
- Have a proper preparation strategy in place
- Know the DE-CODE exam pattern thoroughly and go through sample papers and the DE-CODE syllabus.
- Pick the best design aptitude test books to prepare.
- The aim should be to score well on the design aptitude test
- Focus on your time management skills and improving the speed of answering questions based on Quantitative Ability and English Comprehension.
- Solve as many mock tests, sample papers, and past years' papers as possible to know your strong and weak areas for the exam.
Also Read: NIFT Salary and Job Opportunities
Topics for DECODE 2026 Entrance Exam
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Para jumbles
- Error spotting
- One word substitution
- Work Analogy
- Sentence completion
- Ratio and Proportion
- Percentage
- Profit and loss
- Simple and Compound interest
- Average / Ratio
- Speed, time and distance
- Work and Time
- Numbers
- Area, Volume and Surface Area
- Permutations and Combinations
- HCF LCM
- Probability
- Time and Work
Also Check: Scope of Fashion Technology through NIFT
Commonly asked questions
It takes months of preparation and dedication in order to ace an entrance exam.
Candidate needs to be thorough and should know the syllabus well enough.
When preparing for the DE-CODE exam, make it a point to take notes.
Taking notes will not only help the candidate improve concentration, but these notes can come in very handy for quick revision. Also, solve sample papers and take mock tests.
The candidate seeking admission to the design courses offered at Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, has to first appear in the DE-CODE 2026 written exam. Scores of the exam will be then used to shortlist candidates for the next admission round, which includes a Studio Test and Personal Interview.
It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in all the exam components. If the candidate fails to do so, he or she will be disqualfiied from the admission process.
The exam officials will not release any draft DE-CODE 2026 answer key.
However, if it decides to release the answer key, the same will be updated 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.
DE-CODE 2026 Admit Card
DE-CODE admit card will be made available for download on the official website of the institute. Admit cards were issued to all candidates who successfully registered for the exam.
- The hall ticket is a mandatory document that a registered student has to produce at the time of the exam. The admit card for the DE-CODE exam contained information like the date and time of the exam, roll number, exam center address, and exam-day guidelines.
- The candidate must preserve the admit card until the admission process is over. It is because it may be required at the time of counseling and seat allotment.
Also Read: How to Get a Good Rank in UCEED 2026
Commonly asked questions
The exam officials will not release any draft DE-CODE 2026 answer key.
However, if it decides to release the answer key, the same will be updated 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.
To check DECODE result
Click on the result link
A log in window will open
Enter your log-in credentials
On log in, you can download the scorecard.
Download and take a printout of the scorecard.
DE-CODE 2026 result will be released online. The scorecard will carry the following information.
Name and roll number of the candidate
Sectional score
Overall score
Merit rank
The scorecard will be available for download in pdf format. Download and take a printout.
DE-CODE Result 2026
Commonly asked questions
Exam officials will not release any draft answer key for DE-CODE 2025.
Also, with no answer keys being released, their will be no option to challenge it as well.
The exam officice will directly release the exam results on its admission portal. You can check your results by logging into the result portal.
DE-CODE 2026 scorecard will be valid for the current academic session only. So you will be able to get admission in the 2026-27 academic session.
You can’t use the scorecard for admission in the next session.
It takes months of preparation and dedication in order to ace an entrance exam.
Candidate needs to be thorough and should know the syllabus well enough.
When preparing for the DE-CODE exam, make it a point to take notes.
Taking notes will not only help the candidate improve concentration, but these notes can come in very handy for quick revision. Also, solve sample papers and take mock tests.
FAQs on DE-CODE 2026 Exam
Commonly asked questions
Syllabus for the DE-CODE exam will be prescribed by Center for Design Excellence (CODE). The syllabus will include the topics the candidate needs to prepare for the exam.
Design Aptitude Test will cover
- Visualization and Spatial Ability
- Ecological and Public Awareness
- Analytical and Logical Reasoning
- Verbal Communication and Creativity
- Observation and Design Sensitivity
- Design Thinking and Problem Solving
The exam pattern for DE-CODE exam is postulated by the Center for Design Excellence (CODE).
DE-CODE Paper | Duration | Total Marks | Type of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Aptitude Test | 60 minutes | 200 marks
| Multiple choice questions |
Creativity Test | 120 minutes | Subjective Questions |
Note: One-fourth marks for each question will be deducted for an incorrect attempt.
Along with the syllabus, make sure that you also consult the updated syllabus.
The eligibility criteria for admission to the Bachelor of Design (BDes) course at the Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, through the DE-CODE entrance exam is given below.
- Candidate must have cleared HSC examination (10+2) or completed 10+2 level from a recognised Central/State Board of Secondary Examination or any other recognised examination with a minimum of 45% aggregate marks
- Candidates who have studied at any Public School/Board/University Examination in India or in Foreign countries, which is recognised by the Association of Indian Universities to be equivalent to the 10+2 system with a minimum of 45% aggregate marks, can also apply.
- Candidates who have passed a three or four-year Diploma that is recognised by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks can also apply.
The candidate seeking admission to the design courses offered at Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, has to first appear in the DE-CODE 2026 written exam. Scores of the exam will be then used to shortlist candidates for the next admission round, which includes a Studio Test and Personal Interview.
It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in all the exam components. If the candidate fails to do so, he or she will be disqualfiied from the admission process.
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3 Dec '25 - 28 Feb '26
DE-CODE Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
The top entrance exams for b.des admission in India are UCEED ( For IITs), NID for NID campuses, NIFT for NIFT campuses.
Scholar-Level 18
1 Institutes accepting DE-CODE
Jaipur • Private
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