The All India Entrance Examination for Design (AIEED) is one of the most prominent design entrance tests in India, conducted annually by the ARCH College of Design and Business, Jaipur. AIEED serves as a gateway for students who aspire to pursue a career in design and creativity across different disciplines such as fashion design, interior design, jewellery design, graphic design, product design, digital design, and many others. Since its inception, AIEED has established itself as a standardized test that evaluates not only the knowledge but also the creativity, design thinking, and problem-solving abilities of students, ensuring that those who enter the design industry have the necessary skill set and innovative mindset. The exam caters to both Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) programs in design, and its holistic structure emphasizes a balanced mix of creative aptitude and academic understanding.
AIEED 2026, like its previous editions, will be held at the national level, meaning students from across India and even international aspirants can appear for the test. One of the notable aspects of AIEED is that it is among the first design entrance exams in India to be available in both online and offline modes. This flexibility makes it convenient for students from different regions to participate, regardless of their geographic limitations. The test can be taken either at designated centers or from the comfort of home under monitored online exam conditions. For 2026, ARCH is expected to continue with this hybrid model, which ensures maximum reach and accessibility for aspiring designers.
The exam is conducted once a year, and the application process is entirely online. Interested candidates need to register through the official ARCH website and complete the application form by submitting personal details, educational qualifications, and the application fee. The admission process through AIEED doesn’t just stop at a written examination; it includes multiple stages such as the General Aptitude Test (GAT), Creative Aptitude Test (CAT), submission of a Portfolio of Abilities (PoA), a Statement of Purpose (SOP), and an interaction or personal interview. This layered evaluation makes AIEED unique as it tests candidates not just on paper but also through practical, creative, and expressive aspects of design education.
In terms of eligibility, AIEED UG is open to students who have completed or are appearing in Class 12 (from any recognized board such as CBSE, ICSE, IB, NIOS, or State Boards). For PG design courses, candidates must have completed graduation in any discipline. What makes AIEED particularly inclusive is that it accepts candidates from diverse academic backgrounds—arts, commerce, science, or humanities—since design requires creativity and problem-solving skills more than a specific subject background. However, academic performance in previous classes is also taken into account during the admission process, as it reflects a student’s discipline and learning consistency.
The exam pattern of AIEED is structured to holistically test a student’s design aptitude. The written examination is usually divided into two parts: the General Aptitude Test (GAT) and the Creative Aptitude Test (CAT). The GAT measures reasoning ability, awareness of design, logical skills, and general knowledge, whereas the CAT evaluates a candidate’s originality, visualization, creativity, and design thinking abilities. Both sections are equally important since they combine objective and subjective questions, providing a comprehensive analysis of a candidate’s aptitude. Apart from this, candidates are also required to submit a Portfolio of Abilities, which may include sketches, artwork, photography, or any form of creative expression. Along with the portfolio, students are asked to prepare a Statement of Purpose (SOP) to reflect their passion, vision, and motivation for pursuing design. This is usually followed by an interaction or personal interview round conducted by the faculty members of ARCH, which allows examiners to assess communication skills, confidence, and overall personality.
The duration of the test varies depending on the section, but in total, students typically spend around three hours across different stages of the written exam. The exam is conducted only in English, as it is the language of instruction at ARCH. This ensures uniformity in the evaluation process, though it may pose a challenge for some students, it prepares them for professional communication in the design industry, which often requires English proficiency.
Another remarkable feature of AIEED is that it not only tests a student’s technical abilities but also focuses on evaluating awareness of global issues, sensitivity to cultural and social contexts, and problem-solving skills. This is because design is not just about aesthetics; it’s also about creating solutions that are functional, sustainable, and meaningful in the real world. Through questions and tasks, the exam pushes students to think critically, innovate, and present their ideas effectively.
For AIEED 2026, the admit card will be released online after the completion of the application process. Candidates will have to download the admit card by logging in to the official portal. It is a mandatory document that provides details like roll number, exam date, and exam center or online login credentials. Students are required to carry this admit card, along with a valid ID proof, on the exam day.
The results of AIEED 2026 will also be declared online. Students can check their performance by logging into the official website using their registered credentials. The results include the candidate’s score in different sections as well as the final status of their selection. Shortlisted candidates are then invited for the next stages, including interaction and counseling. The counseling process plays a crucial role in final admissions as students are allocated seats in their preferred courses based on merit, choice, and availability. It also involves verification of documents and payment of admission fees.
Beyond the exam itself, AIEED also provides opportunities for scholarships and fee waivers based on performance. Scholarships are often awarded to meritorious students, those with outstanding creative portfolios, or candidates with exceptional academic records. This not only motivates students to perform well but also encourages deserving candidates from diverse financial backgrounds to pursue their dreams of design education.
In essence, AIEED is more than just a written test—it is a comprehensive screening process designed to identify creative minds capable of contributing meaningfully to the design industry. With its unique structure, AIEED helps students showcase their artistic skills, logical abilities, and personal vision for design. For students aspiring to enter the world of design in 2026, the AIEED exam is not only a challenge but also an opportunity to begin a fulfilling journey of creativity and innovation. By emphasizing originality, awareness, and critical thinking, AIEED prepares candidates to meet the ever-evolving demands of the global design landscape.
Name of Exam
AIEED 2026 (All India Entrance Examination for Design)
Exam Level
National Level
Conducted by
ARCH College of Design & Business, Jaipur
Courses offered
Undergraduate & Postgraduate Design Programs (Fashion, Interior, Product, Jewellery, Graphic, Digital Design, etc.)
Exam Mode
Online/Offline (both modes are available)
Application Mode
Online
Exam Frequency
Once in a year
Exam Duration
Varies (generally 3 hours, divided into GAT, CAT, and interaction rounds)
Exam Medium
English
As of now, the official AIEED 2026 exam dates have not been published by ARCH / AIEED.
Here’s a brief summary of the AIEED 2026 Eligibility Criteria
November 2025 will see the release of the AIEED 2026 application form, and February 2026 will mark the deadline for completing it. Candidates can complete the AIEED application form online or offline, depending on which option works best for them.
Candidates must fill out the application with all of their information, including name, gender, father or mother name, date of birth, Aadhaar card, phone number, and cellphone number. Choose the course and complete the academic information. Upload the candidates' scanned photos, signatures, and the required paperwork and certifications. The registration fee for AIEED 2026 is Rs 3000. Save a copy of the AIEED 2026 application form in case you need it later.
Only those applicants who have successfully completed the registration process are able to download their AIEED admit cards. Candidates must go to the college's official website to download their admission cards for the AIEED exam. The download will be completed in online mode. Seven days prior to the online or offline exam (depending on the candidate's preference), admit cards will be available for download. On their registered mobile numbers, candidates who applied will also receive a link to their AIEED admit card.
There is no AIEED syllabus published by the Arch College of Design and Business. However, by reviewing papers from previous years, we at vidyavision.com have compiled a list of crucial subjects for AIEED 2026. Awareness of Design, General Awareness, Reasoning, Visual Ability, Lateral Thinking, Visualization, and Color and Composition are some of the key subjects for which applicants need to prepare for AIEED 2026.
The Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT) are the two subtests that will make up the AIEED 2026 exam. The candidate's design sensitivity, problem-solving, creative, logical, and global issue awareness are evaluated in both examinations.
The AIEED 2026 exam pattern is being drafted by Arch College of Design and Business. The AIEED 2026 question paper structure, including question kinds, marking schemes, test modes, section-wise questions, weighting, etc., will be revealed by the exam pattern. You may therefore determine how to focus your exam preparation, such as whether to concentrate on objective or subjective questions, by looking at the exam format.
After the examination, the Arch College of Design and Business will release the AIEED 2026 results shortly . When the results are available, the link will be published here. It is necessary for candidates to use their login credentials to access the portal and view their results. The results of AIEED 2026 will be made public as a merit list. Candidates' names who passed the exam will be listed in the AIEED Result 2026. After passing the AIEED 2026 exam, candidates will be placed on a shortlist for counseling and seat distribution.
Based on their AIEED 2026 results, the individual will be placed on a counseling shortlist. Ideally, the candidate's qualifying status should be included on the AIEED 2026 scorecard. If not, the candidate will be notified via email or posted on the institute's admissions page of their qualifying status. The candidate's merit rank will determine which seats are awarded in AIEED 2026.
To confirm their seats, candidates must pay a seat-acceptance fee at the time of seat allocation. The allotment will be canceled if the fee is not paid by the deadline.
Here are some general instructions / guidelines that candidates should follow for AIEED 2026- to help you be better prepared.
Ques.1 Who conducts AIEED?
Ans. The exam is conducted by ARCH College of Design & Business through their admission / screening process.
Ques.2 What is the purpose of AIEED?
Ans. To assess whether a candidate is a good fit for design studies (in terms of attitude, creativity, problem-solving) rather than just textbook knowledge.
To evaluate comprehension, communication (visual, verbal, conceptual), design sensitivity, and psychological aptitude for design.
Ques.3 What are the stages in AIEED?
Ans. The typical stages are:
Ques.4 Is there any age limit for AIEED?
Ans. No specific, publicly stated age limit is enforced in past cycles (candidates are judged more by eligibility and creative aptitude).
Ques.5 Does the AIEED score last for more than one year?
Ans. No — typically the AIEED / screening score is valid only for that admission cycle (for that academic year).
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