Design Entrance Exam Calendar 2027: NID, UCEED, CEED, NIFT, NATA and More
All the important design entrance exam dates for 2027 admissions in one place — application deadlines and exam days for NID DAT, UCEED, CEED, NIFT, NATA and private design schools.
Missing an application deadline is the most painful way to lose a year. Bookmark this page — it lists the key design entrance exams for 2027 admissions and when they happen.
Important: Dates marked "expected" are based on previous years. Always confirm on the official website before you plan — links are given for each exam.
Quick calendar
| Exam | For | Applications | Exam date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NID DAT Prelims | B.Des, M.Des | 10 Sep – 30 Nov 2026 | 20 Dec 2026 |
| UCEED | B.Des (IITs and others) | Expected Oct – Nov 2026 | 17 Jan 2027 |
| CEED | M.Des, PhD | Expected Oct – Nov 2026 | 17 Jan 2027 |
| NIFT | B.Des, M.Des | Expected Nov 2026 – Jan 2027 | Expected Jan – Feb 2027 |
| NATA | B.Arch | Expected from early 2027 | Expected Apr – Aug 2027 (multiple attempts) |
| JEE Main Paper 2 | B.Arch / B.Planning (NITs, SPA) | Expected Nov 2026 | Expected Jan and Apr 2027 |
| NID DAT Mains | B.Des, M.Des | — | To be announced (usually spring 2027) |
| Private university tests (MIT-DAT, SID, Pearl, etc.) | B.Des | Various | Nov 2026 – May 2027 |
Exam-by-exam details
NID DAT 2027
- Apply at admissions.nid.edu by 30 November 2026
- Edit window: 1–3 December; admit card: 10 December
- Prelims: Sunday, 20 December 2026
- Shortlisted students take the Mains (studio test)
- → How to prepare for NID DAT 2027
UCEED 2027
- Conducted by IIT Bombay — uceed.iitb.ac.in
- Exam: 17 January 2027, forenoon
- → UCEED 2027 pattern and preparation
CEED 2027
- Conducted by IIT Bombay — ceed.iitb.ac.in
- Exam: 17 January 2027, forenoon
- → CEED 2027 guide
NIFT 2027
- Check nift.ac.in for the admission notification
- GAT and CAT, followed by the Situation Test for shortlisted B.Des candidates
- → NIFT 2027 guide
NATA 2027
- Conducted by the Council of Architecture — nata.in
- Usually multiple test dates; best score considered
- → NATA exam guide
Private design schools
MIT Institute of Design, Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pearl Academy, UPES, Srishti and others run their own tests, usually between November and May. Applying to 2–3 good private colleges is a smart backup. Browse our College Showcase.
How to use this calendar
- Mark every application deadline in your phone with a reminder one week before.
- Keep documents ready: photo, signature, Class 10 marksheet, category certificate if applicable.
- Plan your preparation backwards from the first exam (NID Prelims in December).
- Don't forget boards — see how to balance boards and design prep.
Mock tests for each exam
Work backwards from these dates and take a full mock every 2–3 weeks. Our design entrance mock tests cover NID DAT, UCEED, CEED, NIFT, NATA, MIT-DAT and SEED on the latest pattern — Mock 1 of every exam is free.
Need help planning?
The Design Habitat helps students in Pune and Nashik (and online) choose the right exams, fill applications correctly and prepare on time. Book a free counselling call.
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