IIAD (IIAD Entrance Exam)

01 January 1990

IIAD 2026 (INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ART AND DESIGN)

The Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD) 2026 Exam is a national-level entrance test for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate design and management programs. Designed to identify talent in creative fields, the exam emphasizes creativity, analytical thinking, visual aptitude, and problem-solving skills necessary for success in modern design careers. Both online and offline methods are used to administer the test. It assesses applicants' logical reasoning, inventiveness, observation, drawing and design abilities, and visual ability. The candidates' performance in the written exam and later evaluation rounds determines their final admission. The IIAD Entrance Exam is renowned for its emphasis on evaluating the intellectual and creative skills necessary for a design career.

The two primary components of the IIAD Entrance Exam  are the Design Aptitude Test (iDAT) and a Studio Simulation round for design courses. For Fashion Business Management, candidates take the Management Aptitude Test (iMAT) and then have a face-to-face interview. Candidates must successfully complete both steps with a valid score in order to be admitted.

Candidates may get the complete knowledge about IIAD Entrance exam by going through this entire article.

IIAD 2026 Exams Highlights

Name of Exam

IIAD Design Aptitude Test (iDAT) / IIAD Management Aptitude Test (iMAT)

Exam Level

National Level

Conducted by

IIAD

Exam Mode

Offline and Online

Application Mode

Online and Offline both

Exam Frequency

Conducted in multiple phases across the academic cycle (typically 3–4 rounds, e.g., December, February, April, May)

Exam Medium

English

IIAD 2026 Exam Dates

The official schedule for 2026 will be released on the IIAD website. Candidates must frequently check the IIAD official website in order to receive correct exam-related notifications.

IIAD 2026 Eligibility Criteria

For IIAD admission the applicant needs to fit into the following criteria:

Age limit

For B. Des students, the maximum age is twenty years for general and international applications, twenty-three for SC/ST/OBC-NCL, and twenty-five for PwD applicants.  The maximum for M. Des students is thirty years for general and international students, thirty-three years for SC/ST/OBC-NCL students, and thirty-five years for PwD students.

Qualifications in Education

For Undergraduate Courses

  • Candidates may apply if they have completed 10+2 or its equivalent in any of the following fields: science, commerce, humanities, or arts, with a minimum cumulative score of 50%. Candidates may also apply whether they are awaiting results or are taking the Class XII test this academic year.
  • Candidates from the CBSE, ISC, State, IB, or any other comparable Indian or foreign higher secondary board may apply.

For Postgraduate Programme:

  • Graduates in any stream or discipline from a recognised institute/university are eligible to apply.
  • Final year graduate students or students awaiting results may also apply.

IIAD 2026 Application Process

The Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD) follows a structured, multi-step application process for admission to its undergraduate and postgraduate programs for the 2026 academic session.

Steps to Apply

Registration

  • Visit the IIAD admissions portal (apply.iiad.edu.in).
  • Create an account by entering details such as name, email, contact, state, and city.

Application Form Submission

  • Log in to your account.
  • Fill in personal, academic, and contact details.
  • Upload required documents, including academic certificates and photo ID.

Submit Statement of Purpose (SoP)

  • Draft and upload a Statement of Purpose highlighting your motivation and suitability for the chosen program. This is a mandatory part of the application.

Payment of Application Fee

  • Pay the non-refundable application fee of INR 2,500 using debit/credit card or net banking for online applications. For offline applications, payment can be made via demand draft.

IIAD 2026 Admit Card

The admit card for the Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD) 2026 entrance exam is a mandatory document required to appear for the IIAD DAT/iMAT exams. Please follow the procedures below to access and download your admit card.

Steps to Download:

  1. Visit the official IIAD admission portal: [iiad.edu.in/admissions].
  2. Click on the 'Admit Card' download link.
  3. Enter your application form number and date of birth (or password) as login credentials.
  4. Download and print the admit card for exam day use.

IIAD 2026 Syllabus

The Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD) offers a comprehensive syllabus shaped by both core design principles and specialized learning relevant to each design domain. The curriculum emphasizes creative, analytical, and practical skill development, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for modern creative industries.

Entrance Exam Syllabus (Design Aptitude Test)

  • Drawing and observational skills
  • Colour sense, composition, and visual logic
  • Creative thinking and innovative solutions
  • Spatial reasoning and design articulation
  • Imaginative storytelling and expression
  • Communication of ideas

IIAD 2026 Exam Pattern

The Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD) entrance for 2026 assesses essential abilities for careers in design and management. The exam pattern is tailored to identify creative potential, logical reasoning, and visual aptitude.

Program Type

Written Test

Second Stage

UG & PG Design Programs

IDAT (2.5 Hours)

Studio Simulation

Fashion Business Management

IMAT (2 hours)

Personal Interview

IIAD 2026 Result

The Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD) announces the results for the IIAD 2026 entrance exams in a structured and candidate-friendly manner. Here’s how the process works and what candidates should expect:

Steps to Check IIAD 2026 Results-

Option 1: Email Notification

  • IIAD sends a result email to the candidate’s registered email address.
    • Search inbox and spam/junk folders for “IIAD 2026 Result” or “IIAD Admission Result”.

Option 2: Online Portal

  • Visit the official IIAD website.
  • Click on the “IIAD DAT Results” link (if provided).
  • Enter your application/roll number and date of birth to view your result.

IIAD 2026 Cut-Off

The Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD) does not follow a traditional fixed numerical cut-off system like engineering or medical entrance exams. Instead, admission is based on performance in the IIAD Design Aptitude Test (iDAT) or Management Aptitude Test (iMAT), along with subsequent stages such as the studio simulation or personal interview.