GLS DAT 2026: Admission Round Open, Eligibility, Exam Pattern and Cutoff

GLS Institute of Design DAT 2026 (Design Aptitude Test) is the entrance examination conducted by GLS University, Ahmedabad, for admission to B.Des, Integrated M.Des, B.Des Global (Hons.), and M.Des programs at the GLS Institute of Design (GLSID). The exam is held in two phases every year — Phase 1 in January and Phase 2 in April — and evaluates candidates on creative aptitude, drawing skills, design thinking, and visual reasoning. As of June 26, 2026, both GLS DAT phases have concluded; Phase 2 personal interviews were held in May 2026, offer letters are currently being issued to selected candidates via registered email, and a fresh admission round for the 2026-27 batch opened around June 17, 2026.

• Fresh Admission Round: GLS University has opened a new admission round for the 2026-27 batch, reported to have started around June 17, 2026. Candidates who did not apply in Phase 1 or Phase 2 can check the admission portal at admission.glsuniversity.ac.in for current seat availability. This round is expected to remain open until all seats are filled.
• Phase 2 Seat Allotment: Phase 2 offer letters are currently being sent to shortlisted candidates via their registered email IDs in June 2026. Candidates who receive an offer must pay the seat acceptance fee within the deadline specified in the letter to secure their place in the 2026-27 batch.
• Academic Session Commencement: The 2026-27 academic batch at GLS Institute of Design is expected to begin in July-August 2026. Last year, the new batch commenced in August 2025, consistent with most design institute academic calendars.
• Document Verification: Candidates with confirmed seats must report in person for document verification at GLS Campus, Law Garden, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad with original mark sheets, transfer certificate, identity proof, and conduct certificate before the session begins.

What is GLS Institute of Design DAT 2026?

The GLS DAT (Design Aptitude Test) is the official entrance exam for admission to design programs at the GLS Institute of Design (GLSID), a constituent institute of GLS University, Ahmedabad. GLSID was established in 2016 and has established itself as one of western India’s recognised design schools — GLS University holds NAAC A+ accreditation (score: 3.4) and GLSID is ranked 22nd among design institutes in India by IIRF (2024).

GLS University was formally established in April 2015 under the Gujarat Private Universities Act. Its parent body, the Gujarat Law Society (GLS), was founded in 1927 by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Ganesh Mavlankar (India’s first Lok Sabha Speaker), and I.M. Nanavati. The institute campus is located at Law Garden, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad — centrally placed in Gujarat’s design and commercial hub.

The GLS DAT is held in two phases every year — Phase 1 in January and Phase 2 in April. This two-phase structure lets candidates take a second attempt in the same academic year if they miss the first window or want to improve their score. The exam can be taken in online or offline mode. Candidates who have a qualifying UCEED (IIT Bombay’s Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design) score can also apply directly to GLSID without appearing in the GLS DAT.

Below is a quick-reference summary of GLS DAT 2026:

Source: GLS University Official Admission Portal

GLS DAT 2026 Important Dates

GLS DAT 2026 was conducted in two phases — Phase 1 in January 2026 and Phase 2 in April 2026. As of June 26, 2026, a fresh admission round is currently open. In the table below, upcoming events appear first in chronological order, followed by past events from oldest to most recent.

Important: GLS Institute of Design communicates results, shortlisting information, and seat allotment offer letters directly to candidates’ registered email IDs. There is no centralised public result or merit list portal. Check your inbox and spam folder regularly after each exam phase.

GLS DAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before filling the GLS DAT application form, check that you meet the eligibility requirements for your chosen program. The criteria differ for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Eligibility for B.Des, B.Des Global (Hons.), and Integrated M.Des

You must have completed 10+2 (Class 12) from a recognised board — CBSE, ICSE, any State Board, or an equivalent international qualification such as IB or A Levels. The stream does not matter; students from Science, Commerce, and Arts are all eligible. Minimum marks required:

• General / OBC Category: 50% aggregate in Class 12
• SC/ST Category: 45% aggregate in Class 12

Students currently appearing in the Class 12 board exam can also apply provisionally. There is no upper age limit for any of these programs.

Eligibility for M.Des

For the postgraduate M.Des program, you need a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. Any undergraduate stream is acceptable — B.Des, B.Tech, B.F.A., B.Com, or B.A. all qualify. Minimum marks: 50% for General/OBC candidates and 45% for SC/ST candidates. Final-year graduation students may apply provisionally.

Candidates admitted provisionally based on appearing status must meet the minimum marks requirement by the time of document verification. If they fall short, the admission will be cancelled without any fee refund.

GLS DAT 2026 Application Form

The GLS DAT application process is entirely online through the official GLS University admission portal. Phase 1 applications for 2026 closed on January 22, 2026, and Phase 2 closed on April 23, 2026. However, a fresh admission round opened around June 17, 2026 — if seats are still available, you can apply now. The application fee is Rs. 2,000 per phase, which is non-refundable.

Steps to Fill the GLS DAT Application Form

• Visit the official admission portal: admission.glsuniversity.ac.in
• Click on the GLS Institute of Design registration link and register with your name, email ID, and mobile number
• Log in using the credentials created during registration
• Select the program you want to apply for (B.Des, Integrated M.Des, B.Des Global, or M.Des)
• Fill in all personal details, academic history, and stream information accurately
• Upload scanned copies of required documents in the format and size specified on the portal
• Pay the application fee of Rs. 2,000 online using net banking, credit card, debit card, or UPI
• Submit the form and note your application ID and payment receipt for future reference
• Your admit card and exam schedule will be sent to your registered email ID

Documents Required for the Application

• Recent passport-size photograph (as per portal specifications)
• Scanned signature
• Class 10 mark sheet and passing certificate
• Class 12 mark sheet (or admit card if exam is still pending)
• Identity proof: Aadhaar card, Driving Licence, PAN card, or Voter ID
• Caste certificate (for SC/ST candidates claiming reservation)

The application fee of Rs. 2,000 is strictly non-refundable. Double-check your eligibility for your chosen program before paying. Make sure your email ID and mobile number are entered correctly — all critical communications, including admit card and result, are sent to these contacts.

GLS DAT 2026 Admit Card

The GLS DAT admit card is not released on a public web portal. GLS Institute of Design sends it directly to your registered email ID after your application is verified and the application window closes. Check your inbox — including spam and junk folders — a few days after the application deadline.

Information on the GLS DAT Admit Card

• Candidate’s name and photograph
• Application or registration number
• Exam date, time, and reporting instructions
• Exam centre name and address (for offline mode candidates)
• Login credentials or access instructions (for online mode candidates)
• General exam day rules and instructions

What to Carry on Exam Day (Offline Mode)

• Printed copy of the admit card
• Original photo identity proof (Aadhaar card, Passport, Driving Licence, or PAN card)
• Drawing materials if the admit card instructions specify (pencils, erasers, sharpeners — check carefully)
• Do not carry any electronic devices unless the exam instructions explicitly allow it

For Phase 1, admit cards were emailed shortly after the January 22, 2026 application deadline. For Phase 2, they were sent after April 23, 2026. If you are applying in the fresh round (June 2026 onwards), the admit card will similarly be emailed after that round’s application window closes.

If you do not receive your admit card within 3-4 days of the expected release date, contact GLS Institute of Design immediately at design@glsuniversity.ac.in or call 9687477375 or 9687661793. Do not wait until the day before the exam to follow up.

GLS DAT 2026 Syllabus

GLS Institute of Design does not release a formal, chapter-wise syllabus for the GLS DAT. The exam tests design aptitude and creative ability rather than textbook knowledge. Based on the nature of the test and official communications, the following broad areas cover what the exam draws from:

Design Aptitude and Visual Thinking

• Principles of design: balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis, unity, and harmony
• Colour theory: primary, secondary, and tertiary colours; warm and cool colour palettes
• Colour terminology: hue, saturation, value, tint, shade, and tone
• Colour psychology and the emotional impact of colours in design
• Optical illusions and visual perception exercises
• Pattern, texture, and surface design recognition and creation
• Positive and negative space in two-dimensional composition
• 2D and 3D shape manipulation and spatial reasoning

Creative Drawing and Illustration

• Observational drawing: drawing from real objects, scenes, or memory
• Theme-based illustration: creating visuals from a given keyword, phrase, or concept
• Mood interpretation: translating an emotion or theme into a design composition
• Figure drawing and human proportion basics
• Perspective drawing: one-point and two-point perspective
• Product sketching: drawing everyday objects with volume and proportion
• Environmental sketching: basic interior and exterior space representation

Innovation, Imagination, and Problem-Solving

• Creative transformation: turning basic shapes or objects into imaginative illustrations
• Lateral thinking exercises: unusual and novel uses of everyday objects
• Design ideation: generating multiple visual solutions to a single design challenge
• Visual storytelling: conveying a narrative through a sequence of images

General Design Awareness

• Famous designers and their works: Indian and international, across product, graphic, fashion, and interior design
• Design movements: Bauhaus, Art Deco, Minimalism, and contemporary design trends
• Material awareness: common materials in fashion, product, and space design
• Current trends in Indian and global design
• Cultural and artistic knowledge relevant to design history

There are no official GLS DAT sample papers released by GLS University. For practice, previous papers from NID (National Institute of Design) and NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) are widely used, as they test very similar visual aptitude and drawing skills. These are available on major education portals.

GLS DAT 2026 Result

GLS Institute of Design announces the GLS DAT result via email — there is no centralised public result portal. After evaluating the written test, GLS University sends the result to your registered email ID. No specific result date is announced in advance; the timeline varies by phase.

GLS DAT 2026 Result Timeline by Phase

• Phase 1 Result: Phase 1 GLS DAT was held on January 24–25, 2026. Results for Phase 1 were communicated to candidates in February 2026 via registered email. Shortlisted candidates were then called for the Personal Interview held in February–March 2026.
• Phase 2 Result: Phase 2 GLS DAT was held on April 25–26, 2026. Results were sent to candidates via email after the exam. Personal interviews for Phase 2 shortlisted candidates were conducted in May 2026. As of June 26, 2026, Phase 2 offer letters are being issued to selected candidates.

What the Result Communication Contains

• Confirmation of whether you are shortlisted for the Personal Interview (PI)
• Date, time, and venue of your PI at the GLS campus, Ahmedabad (if shortlisted)
• Instructions for documents and portfolio to bring to the PI
• Your written test score (communicated in some cases after the PI round)

The GLS DAT result is not available on any public website or online portal. Only candidates who completed the application correctly and have a valid application ID will receive result communications via email. Check your spam folder regularly — automated emails from the institute can sometimes be filtered.

If you do not receive any communication within 3–4 weeks of your exam date, contact GLS Institute of Design at design@glsuniversity.ac.in or call 9687477375 or 9687661793. After the PI, the final merit score (written DAT + PI) is calculated, and candidates who make the final merit list receive an offer letter for seat allotment.

GLS DAT 2026 Interview Process

The Personal Interview (PI) is a critical part of the GLS DAT selection process and carries significant weight in the final merit ranking. After clearing the written test, shortlisted candidates are called to the GLS campus in Ahmedabad for an in-person interview. The PI typically lasts 15–20 minutes and is conducted by a panel of GLSID faculty members.

What the Interview Panel Evaluates

• Career Orientation and Motivation: Why do you want to study design? Which specialisation interests you and why? What is your long-term career plan in design?
• Academic Background: Your Class 12 subjects, academic performance, and any prior exposure to design, art, or craft
• Design Sensibility: How you observe design in everyday life — products, spaces, clothing, graphics, and packaging
• General Awareness: Knowledge of current design trends, famous designers, design history, and design in Indian and global contexts
• Communication Skills: How clearly and confidently you express your ideas and design thinking
• Portfolio (where applicable): A portfolio of artwork, sketches, or design projects is not mandatory but adds meaningful value to the evaluation

Tips for the GLS DAT Interview

• Be clear about your "why" — know exactly why you want to study design, which specialisation you are choosing, and what you plan to do with the degree
• Prepare a simple portfolio: 10–15 pages of your best drawings, sketches, craft work, or design ideas — even school-level or personal sketchbook work qualifies
• Know at least 3–4 famous designers and be able to discuss one piece of work that inspires you, from product design, fashion, graphic design, or architecture
• Know what GLS Institute of Design specialises in and what sets it apart from other design schools you considered
• Dress neatly and carry yourself with confidence; the panel evaluates personality and creative energy alongside academic credentials
• Be honest about your skills — the panel values genuine interest and potential over overstated credentials

For Phase 1 2026, interviews were held in February–March 2026. For Phase 2 2026, interviews were held in May 2026. Candidates applying in the fresh round (June 2026 onwards) will be scheduled for interviews after the written test of that round.

Courses and Specializations at GLS Institute of Design

GLS Institute of Design offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in design across fashion, communication, product, and environment design. The variety of specialisations means students can choose a discipline that aligns with their specific creative interest and career direction from Year 2 of the program.

B.Des Specializations at GLSID 2026

All Programs at GLS Institute of Design

The B.Des Global (Hons.) program is developed in collaboration with SAE Institute (a global creative media institution) and Leeds Beckett University in the UK. It gives students a globally benchmarked curriculum and greater flexibility for international careers or further studies abroad.

The Integrated M.Des (5-year) is best suited for students who are committed to pursuing design at postgraduate level straight after Class 12. It combines the B.Des and M.Des into one continuous program, saving one year compared to completing them separately.

All B.Des students begin with a common foundation year before choosing a specialisation. The foundation year covers design drawing, fundamentals of design (colour and composition), geometric construction, analytical drawing, history of arts and design, and design thinking — giving every student a shared base regardless of their chosen discipline.

Source: GLS University Official Website

GLS Institute of Design Fees 2026

The fee structure at GLS Institute of Design varies by program and specialisation. The figures below are based on available data from the 2025-26 academic year. Exact fees for the 2026-27 batch will be confirmed in the official offer letter at the time of admission. Always verify the final fee structure directly from GLSID before enrollment.

GLS Institute of Design Fee Structure (Approximate, Based on 2025-26 Data)

Note: Fee figures are approximate and based on third-party educational sources from the 2025-26 session. Actual fees for the 2026-27 batch may differ. Specialisation-specific material, studio, and equipment charges may apply in addition. Confirm all fees from the official GLSID admission portal or directly from the institute before paying.

In addition to the program fee, all candidates pay a non-refundable application fee of Rs. 2,000 per phase at the time of applying. This is separate from the seat acceptance fee and semester fees paid at the time of enrollment.

GLS DAT 2026 Preparation Tips

Preparing for the GLS DAT is fundamentally different from studying for board exams or standard MCQ-based entrance tests. You cannot crack this exam through memorisation alone — you need drawing confidence, visual awareness, and the ability to express ideas creatively under time pressure. Here is a structured approach to prepare well for both the written test and the interview.

1. Draw Every Day Without Exception

Drawing is the core skill tested in the GLS DAT written exam. Keep a sketchbook and draw for at least 20–30 minutes every day. Start with observational drawing — objects around you (a mug, a chair, your shoes, a plant). Then move to imaginative drawing: pick a random word and sketch everything that comes to mind. Speed and expressiveness matter in a 2-hour exam, so build the habit of drawing quickly without overthinking.

2. Master Colour Theory and Design Principles

Colour theory and design principles are directly tested in the GLS DAT. Know what primary, secondary, and complementary colours are. Understand warm versus cool tones and how they affect the mood of a composition. Learn the principles of design — balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis, and contrast — and practise applying them in your sketches. These fundamentals separate a visually strong submission from an average one.

3. Build a Portfolio Before the Interview

Start building a portfolio even before you appear for the exam. A clean, organised collection of 10–15 of your best drawings, illustrations, or design ideas is enough. School art projects, personal sketchbook work, craft or photography projects all count. Bring the portfolio to your Personal Interview — it gives the panel concrete evidence of your interest and existing skill level, and typically strengthens your position in the merit ranking.

4. Practice With NID and NIFT Sample Papers

GLS Institute of Design does not release official GLS DAT sample papers. However, previous papers from NID (National Institute of Design) and NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) are excellent practice material — they test very similar skills including visual aptitude, observational drawing, design composition, and creative thinking. These papers are freely available on major education portals and are widely used by design aspirants across India.

5. Develop Your Design Awareness

Stay updated on design through resources like Dezeen (online magazine), Instagram design accounts, and Indian fashion publications. Know the names of at least 5–6 influential designers — both Indian and international — and what they are known for. This awareness helps in the general awareness section of the written test and makes the interview conversation more engaged and confident.

6. Prepare Specifically for the Interview

The PI accounts for a significant part of the final merit score. Know clearly which specialisation you are choosing and be ready to explain your reasons. Practice expressing your design thinking out loud — describe a product, space, or piece of graphic design you admire and explain why it works. Ask a family member or friend to conduct a mock interview with you. The panel looks for genuine curiosity, design passion, and clear communication.

Useful Reference Resources

• NCERT Art Education textbooks (Class 11 and 12) — strong foundation for art theory and Indian art history
• Previous NID DAT and NIFT entrance exam papers (available on Careers360, Shiksha, and AglaSem)
• Online drawing and sketching tutorials on YouTube for technical drawing skills (perspective, shading, proportion)
• Design magazines and blogs: Dezeen, Design Milk, Vogue India, Architectural Digest India