If you are a person who enjoys doodling in the margins, finds order in chaos, or is continually asking yourself, “What if I design it differently?” then a B. Des in Fashion Design could be in your future.
However, with hundreds of institutes claiming to be the best, how do you know where to actually study? To help you make wise decisions, this guide aims to help you think more intelligently about where to study, prepare with confidence, and design your future
How to Choose the Right B.Des College?
Selecting a design school is not simply about rankings and cut-offs; it’s about finding your creative fit. Each B.Des school has its design DNA. Some have a focus on hands-on crafts and storytelling, while others have their feet firmly planted in innovation, technology, and global thinking.
Before you go any further, ask yourself the following questions:
- Your Interest: Are you specifically interested in fashion, product, visual communication, or something interdisciplinary?
- Your Style of Learning: Are you more comfortable sitting in structured classrooms, or do you prefer open, experimental studios?
- Your Exposure: Does the school expose students to real-life projects, internships, industry mentors, and other possibilities?
- Your Culture Fit: After visiting the campus, looking at alumni work, and thinking about the people you will be studying with, ask yourself, “Do I feel inspired here?”
Look for:
- Curriculum: Is it relevant and keeping up to date with industry standards?
- Faculty & Mentorship: Do they have experience working in the world of design?
- Portfolio development: Is the college preparing you for your future career or higher studies?
- Value for Money: Weigh up your fees against real-life experiences, exposure, and placements.
Now, let’s take a look at a few top design institutes in Delhi NCR-2026:
1. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi
Ranking & Reputation:
NIFT Delhi is regarded as the premier design institute in India and one of the top institutions in the world specializing in fashion and design education. Its legacy was established in 1986, and since then, it has set the standard for high-quality design education.
Fees: Approximately ₹14–14.5 lakh for the 4-year B.Des program.
Placement Highlights:
Almost all their students secure placements with leading fashion houses as well as large, well-known fashion and lifestyle companies. The highest packages were reported between ₹12 and ₹17 LPA, while average salaries ranged from ₹6 to ₹7 LPA.
Why Students Love It:
Strong connection with multiple industries, experienced faculty, and alumni working across the globe.
Best For:
Students seeking international experience, top placements in companies, and students aiming to work in fashion or lifestyle design.
2. The Design Village (TDV), Noida
Ranking & Reputation:
TDV is booming among design schools, but it is starting to carve out a niche for its experimental, interdisciplinary design approach. Although TDV was established much more recently than other schools, it is quickly accumulating recognition for its distinctive teaching styles and international campus (Italy).
Fees: Approximately ₹25–30 lakh in total across the program.
Placement Highlights:
The average package is around ₹5–6 LPA, and it goes up to ₹25 LPA depending on the program. Students continue to praise TDV for the real-world studio-based projects and high amount of international immersion.
Why Students Love It:
The nature of the education here allows students to have flexibility and creative independence, which prepares them for actual industry workflows.
Best For:
Students interested in a global context, special experiences, hands-on learning environments, and developing modern design thinking perspectives all fit very well into The Design Village’s programs.
3. Pearl Academy, Delhi (West Campus)
Ranking & Reputation:
Pearl Academy is one of the leading & popular private design schools in India. It constantly ranks among the top 10 in the country for fashion and design education and has received multiple awards for academics, great learning, and corporate partner engagement.
Fees: Approximately ₹20–25 lakh for B.Des.
Placement Highlights:
Great placement rates; over 90% of graduating students are placed each year. Highest placements typically are ₹18–20 LPA, but the average is around ₹7–8 LPA for freshers.
Why Students Love It:
Global partnerships, based in fashion, and from the first year, real-life, industry-led projects.
Best For:
Students who are passionate about fashion, styling, communications, or luxury design.
4. Sushant School of Design (SSD), Gurgaon
Ranking & Reputation:
SSD, which is part of Sushant University, has become a nationally recognized school for design education integrated with architecture. It is one of the top design schools based on rigorous academic experience and an excellent campus environment.
Fees: Approximately ₹14-16 lakh for the 4-year program, depending on the specialization.
Placement Highlights:
The average placement package is approximately ₹8 LPA, and they are now aiming at more industry involvement.
Why Students Love It:
Strong infrastructure, good faculty, and structured academic experience.
Best For:
Students interested in product, spatial, or communication design who want a structured academic approach to education.
5. World University of Design (WUD), Sonipat
Ranking & Reputation:
WUD is one of India’s first dedicated design universities that has climbed in ranking due to its innovation and broad range of specialization. It is student-driven and multidisciplinary.
Fees: It’s close to ₹14–16 lakh for B.Des programs, depending on the specialization
Placement Highlights:
The average package is ₹5 LPA; the highest package is around ₹13 LPA. WUD welcomes over 200 recruiters to campus each year.
Why Students Love It:
Choice of design disciplines (UX, game design, animation, fashion, and interior).
Best For:
Students who want a university ecosystem with the freedom to explore cross-disciplinary design.
6. IILM School of Design & Creative Arts, Gurgaon
Ranking & Reputation:
IILM School of Design & Creative Arts is part of IILM University and combines design thinking with business acumen, which is not common. As the institution is pioneering a fusion of creativity in convergence with management and entrepreneurship, its reputation is growing in the given context.
Fees: Approximately ₹15–16 lakh for the complete course. However, it differs from campus to campus
Placement Highlights:
The average package is about ₹8 LPA and goes beyond ₹24 LPA; plus, many students head to start-ups, design consultancies, and creative business careers.
Why Students Love It:
Modern infrastructure, small batches, and cross-disciplinary aspects of the institution are definite points of appeal for students.
Best For:
Students who want to mix design with business, branding, or innovation management.
B.Des Admission 2026: Exams, Eligibility & Selection Process
Design schools in India evaluate students not just based on score but on their creativity, visual thinking, and originality
Common Entrance Exams:
- NID DAT – For the National Institute of Design
- UCEED – Conducted by IIT Bombay
- NIFT Entrance Exam – For NIFT campuses
- TDV-DAT / WUD-DAT / PDET – For private design schools
Eligibility:
- To be eligible, candidates must have completed their 10+2 (or equivalent) from any recognized board (i.e., CBSE, ICSE, IB, or any state board). Students in any stream—science, commerce, or arts—are eligible to apply.
- Most institutes require students to have at least 50% aggregate marks in 10+2. It varies from college to college
The selection process usually involves:
- Design Aptitude Test – It assesses students’ creativity and visualization
- Portfolio Review—It showcases your best design work, innovation, and thought process.
- Interview—It evaluates your communication skills and design perspective.
Rankings, Placements & Career Outcomes: What Truly Matters
Rankings do provide some guidance, but fit is what matters the most: Ultimately, the most meaningful aspect is whether the college will nourish your growth as a designer or not. Therefore, consistently consider these things to pick your best fit:
- Placement Record: Don’t get caught up in a number, but do focus on what the company record looks like, the work environment, and work-life balance.
- Alumni Success: Connect with alumni of the college and see what they have to say about their experiences.
- Curriculum: Must check if the way things are studied aligns with new design technologies (UX, AI, sustainability) or not.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt in saying that Delhi (NCR) is increasingly becoming a vibrant hub for the next wave of designers poised to make a career out of their creativity through design education. B.Des colleges in Delhi, like NIFT Delhi, The Design Village (TDV), and Pearl Academy, provide an engaging, intriguing, and immersive mix of educational environments; they specialize in B.Des fashion design & B.Des interior design—experiential craft and innovation studios and labs, international exchanges in design education and experiential learning, and strong links to industry players.
As you begin your journey towards a B.Des in 2026, take the time to settle in without getting carried away into what each college/uni really offers—its teaching style, experiences, and culture. The best design college is not the one that has a higher rank, but the one that will help you achieve your own goals and develop your opportunities as a designer.
It is also important to remember that your B.Des is about much more than getting a degree. It is about finding the right environment that you can pull on to take risks, share your ideas, and develop your creativity.
Choose wisely, prepare confidently, and allow your creativity to transform the world around you.
