Top 15 Interior Design Colleges In India 2023

“Design is not just what it looks and feels like. Design is how it works” – Steve Jobs.

India is well-known for its centuries-old architecture and designs. There are so many architectural  monuments that exist which were built in the olden days, even when interior design didn’t exist. To name a few: Virupaksha Temple, Karnataka; Mysore Palace, Mysore; Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur; Laxmi Villas Palace, Vadodara; etc.

Interior design in India plays a pivotal role in defining history, although its recognition as a field is recent. This profession involves artistic planning and decoration of the space with problem-solving discipline, thereby providing creative solutions to the space. 

Are you one of those who loves to decorate houses with eye-popping interiors? You want to become an interior designer and aim to choose the best interior design college in the country. Alas! You found the perfect fit but don’t find all the facilities the institute should have. Don’t panic. 

Selecting a college for the interior design field can be a daunting task. To pave the way for your career, we have listed the best interior design colleges in India that offer quality education and help aspirants enrich their knowledge, imagination and creativity process.

List of Best Colleges for Interior Design in India

Let’s explore these colleges one by one:

1. CAT, Trivandrum

College of Architecture (CAT), established in 2011, is one of India’s most significant colleges for interior design. The college has tied up with numerous international institutions and is deemed to be a global D-school. The institute is affiliated with A.P.J Abdul Kalam University of Technology.

Selection of the candidates for admission to CAT is made based on merits and entrance tests of NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture), UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design), and NID (National Institute of Design). Counselling is carried out for those aspirants who have qualified NATA.

2. IIAD, Delhi

Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD), is located in the Okhla region of Delhi. This institute offers interior design courses in collaboration with Kingston University, London. 

Students graduating from IIAD get a globally-recognised degree from Kingston University. The institute aims to bridge gaps and build bridges between design, industry and society to transform the thoughts on how design is taught, learned and practised.

Also Read: Full History of Interior Design With Timeline

3. IIFT, Chandigarh

International Institute of Fashion Technology, was founded by Ratandeep Lal, India’s known fashion technologist, in 1990 in Chandigarh. IIFT has earned a leading position in the field of fashion and interior design education. 

The selection of the candidates is made merely based on merit. As one of the top colleges for interior design in India, IIFT prepares students for professional interior design and business excellence by providing premier education that fosters creativity, career focus, and a global perspective.

4. INIFD, Pune

International Institute of Fashion Design & Interior Design, is among the renowned colleges for interior design that offers professional programs in the fields of Interior design and Fashion design. The university provides great learning opportunities and experiences through a practise-based approach.

The academy has top faculties that help students to guide with the right skills and in-depth knowledge. They are also blessed to have celebrity mentors Twinkle Khanna and Manish Malhotra.

So, you can master all aspects, including home interior design, commercial interior design, etc. 

5. Exterior Interiors Pvt Ltd, Kolkata

Kolkata is the headquarters of Exterior Interiors. The institute has branches in cities like Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Durgapur, Dhaka, Bagnan, Bhilai, and Ghaziabad. 

Exterior Interiors is known for disseminating knowledge. Founded in 1986, the institute has collaborated with Techno India University, Seacom Skill University, Mewar University and Drexel University London to offer UG and PG courses and exchange accreditation programs.

As the leading institute for interior designing in India, it offers both graduation and diploma  courses, ranging from 1 year to 3 years. One can learn different types of interior design styles here. 

Also Read: What Are The 7 Interior Design Principles?

6. NID, Ahmedabad

National Institute of Design (NID), is an autonomous body established under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The primary institute is located in Ahmedabad, with extension campuses in Bangalore and Gandhinagar.

To secure admission to the institute’s programme, aspirants must clear the NID Entrance exam. The tests aim to evaluate the aspirant’s visualisation skills, knowledge, creativity and observation skills, analytical ability, comprehension etc. Hence, NID makes to our list of top 10 colleges of interior designing in India. 

7. CEPT University, Gujarat

The School of Interior Design was established in 1991 as a part of the Faculty of Design at CEPT University. It focuses on interiors, processes, crafts, and habitat-related items. 

Students can secure admissions into interior design programmes offered by CEPT by clearing entrance exams conducted by the university. Listed among the top colleges of interior designing in India, CEPT University offers both bachelors and masters programs. 

8. ARCH College Of Design & Business, Jaipur

ARCH College of Design & Business, located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is one of the best interior design colleges in India. Since its inception in the year 2000, the college has maintained its reputation for innovation in design. 

With a campus spread across an area of 24,000 sq feet, this academy offers admissions to candidates for interior design courses based on their performance in AIEED (All India Entrance Exam For Design). Apart from this, aspirants can also submit their portfolios and attend interviews to get admission to the college.

Also Read: Role & Importance of Colors in Interior Design

9. JJ School Of Arts, Mumbai

Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai, is one of Asia’s first architecture schools. Established in 1913, it is the oldest art institute in Mumbai and has maintained strong expertise in architecture through dedication and supremacy.

SJJCA Mumbai has cutting-edge architecture, which supports a computer hall, library, medical centre, wi-fi, architecture labs, seminar space etc. Candidates are offered admission into various interior design programs based on their performance in MH-AA-CET (Maharashtra Applied Arts and Crafts Common Entrance Test).

Some of the best interior designers in Mumbai have also graduated from JJ School of Arts. If you are from Mumbai, you can connect with them, get an idea about the interior design cost in Mumbai, and get an aesthetic design for your property. 

10. College of Architecture & Centre For Design, Nashik

This is an old college, established in 1914, before independence and is one of the top interior design colleges in India. The courses offered are interior design, set designing, furniture designing, and product designing.

Based on the performance of the Common Entrance Test, the applicants are qualified for admission to the design courses offered at the college. The CET consists of a studio test, a general aptitude test and a creative aptitude test.

The college focuses on all elements of interior design, as well as different styles like rustic interior design, minimalist interior design, bohemian interior design, etc. 

11. Pearl Academy, Delhi

Pearl Academy is India’s foremost design, fashion, media and business school. It has inspired artistic minds and provided a platform for students’ growth in art for the past 28 years. The academy has campuses in Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai and Bangalore.

The Interior Design course offered by this institute is of a two-year duration with validation from Domus, Milan. Aspirants are selected for admission in various design courses based on their performance in written tests and personal interviews. 

Also Read: What Are Different Types of Kitchen Layouts?

12. Vogue Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore

Vogue Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore, was established in 1996. One of the main reasons why this is the best institute for interior design in India is because of the realistic and creative approach to design they follow. 

Admission into this academy for interior design courses is on first-cum-first serve basis. The curriculum places a high emphasis on new fashion technologies and trends.

13. United World Institute of Design, Gandhinagar

United World Institute of Architecture, Gandhinagar, is a recognisable interior design academy. With its legislature labs and hands-on artistic learning, the college has outperformed India’s top interior design college.

World Design Organisation, IFFTI (International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes), Cumulus Creative Linking, and The Association of Commonwealth Universities are members of the United World Institute of Design. The institute has received several awards, including the Best  Design Institute at the Asia Education Summit and D Designer Award.

14. ISDI School Of Design And Innovation, Mumbai

ISDI School of Design and Innovation, Mumbai, is known for its PGDD program. The institute has a vibrant state-of-art academics and research environment supporting experimental learning and the production of new knowledge. 

The institute ensures a consistent student-industry interface through phased programs like Observership, Apprenticeship, and Internship. Candidates are selected based on the ISDI Challenge, which comprises a Creative Aptitude Test, a Studio Test, and a Personal Interview with a Portfolio review. 

15. JD Institute Of Fashion Technology, Lucknow

JD Institute, founded in 2006, has risen to the pinnacle in the fashion world in Lucknow. This college provides effective education and develops the students’ professions to make an impact in the interior design sector all over India.

High-quality studies and awareness have helped them expand in enrolments and success. The courses are designed with comprehensive content and appropriate business training customised for candidates which makes it one of the best interior design colleges in India. 

Also Read: What is Scandinavian Interior Design Style?

FAQs On Interior Design Colleges In India

Conclusion

So, it was all about the list of top interior design colleges in India that can help you begin your career and design your future in Interior design. This career gets followed by creativity and passion that helps aspirants earn in lacs. 

You need to meet the qualifications of an Interior Designer and carve out a career in a creative and financially rewarding field. We wish you all the best in this excelling career.

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