IICD 2026: Round 2 Fee Deposit Closes 15 June, Eligibility, Syllabus and Cutoff

The IICD 2026 Entrance Test is conducted by the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Jaipur, for admission to its B.Des, M.Des, PG Diploma and Certificate programmes for the July 2026 session. The Round 1 result was declared on 8 May 2026 and the Round 2 merit list was released on 2 June 2026. The latest update is the Round 2 fee deposit window, which closes tomorrow on 15 June 2026, after which the new session begins in July 2026.

Round 2 fee deposit window for IICD 2026 closes on 15 June 2026. If your name is on the Round 2 merit list and you have not yet paid the admission fee, deposit it today through the portal at iicdadmissions.in to confirm your seat — provisional admissions will be cancelled after the deadline.

• Round 2 Fee Deposit: The window closes on 15 June 2026. Candidates whose names appeared on the Round 2 list released on 2 June 2026 must pay the first-instalment fee to lock their seat.
• Waiting List: If seats remain vacant after the Round 2 deposit deadline, IICD will move to the waiting list. Last year, the waiting list was activated within a week of the Round 2 fee window closing.
• Session Commencement: The new academic session at IICD Jaipur will start in July 2026. Selected candidates should plan their travel to Jaipur and arrange hostel accommodation soon.
• Seats on Offer: IICD has around 280 seats across B.Des (180 seats, 7 specialisations), M.Des (60 seats) and PG Diploma (20 seats). Crafts Communication and Fashion Clothing Design usually close first.

What is the IICD 2026 Entrance Test?

The IICD Entrance Test 2026 is the admission test conducted by the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design (IICD), Jaipur. It is the single gateway for the institute’s design, crafts and applied art programmes for the academic year starting July 2026. IICD is an autonomous institute set up by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and the Government of Rajasthan. It is widely seen as one of the country’s top centres for crafts-based design education.

The exam is conducted in online mode. The question paper is shared with candidates through the admit card portal, and responses must be submitted within a fixed window. This is followed by a personal interview held over WhatsApp video call. The final selection is based on the combined weightage of five components — Statement of Purpose, Photo Essay, Craft and Design Awareness, Portfolio and the Interview.

The Indian Institute of Crafts and Design offers a 4-year B.Des, a 2-year M.Des, a 1-year PG Diploma in Design Foundation and short certificate programmes. The total intake is around 280 seats. Selected candidates pursue specialisations in Hard Material, Soft Material, Fired Material, Fashion Clothing, Jewellery, Crafts Communication and Interior Design. This makes it one of India’s most specialised design entrance tests.

IICD 2026 Key Summary

You should be aware of the key facts about IICD 2026 before reading the detailed sections below. The table gives a quick snapshot of the exam.

IICD 2026 Important Dates

The IICD 2026 admission cycle is now in its final stage. The Round 1 and Round 2 entrance test rounds are over, and the institute is closing the Round 2 fee deposit window tomorrow. The waiting list will be moved against any vacant seats after that.

The Round 2 fee deposit window closes on 15 June 2026. Candidates who delay beyond this date risk losing their provisional admission to the next waiting-list candidate.

Source: IICD New Admissions 2026 Notice

IICD 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility for IICD 2026 depends on the programme you are applying for. The institute keeps the academic requirement simple — only basic school or graduation level marks are needed, but the entrance test itself is fairly tough. You should check your programme category carefully before applying.

Eligibility for B.Des (4 Years)

• You must have passed Class 10+2 from a recognised board of education.
• Candidates appearing for their Class 12 board exams in 2026 can also apply.
• Provisional admission will be confirmed only after you submit the qualifying mark sheet by 31 October 2026.
• There is no fixed minimum percentage and no stream restriction. Science, Commerce, Humanities and vocational stream students can all apply.

Eligibility for M.Des (2 Years)

• You should have a bachelor’s degree in Design or Architecture from a recognised institute. Eligible degrees include B.Des, B.Arch, B.A. in Design, B.Sc. in Design and B.Voc. in Design.
• Candidates who have completed a one-year PG Diploma in Design Foundation can also apply.
• Final-year graduation candidates can apply with provisional eligibility.

Eligibility for PG Diploma in Design Foundation (1 Year)

• You must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
• This programme is designed for graduates from non-design backgrounds who want to switch to design or apply for the M.Des later.

Age Limit

• There is no upper age limit for any IICD 2026 programme. Mature candidates and working professionals can also apply.

IICD 2026 Application Process

The IICD 2026 application window has now closed. The last date to submit the form was 31 March 2026. Candidates who completed the registration appeared for the entrance test from 5 to 20 April 2026 and the interview from 1 May 2026 onwards. The full process is explained below for reference and for next year’s aspirants.

You can apply for IICD only through the official admissions portal. There is no offline form. The steps were as follows.

• Step 1 — Registration: You should visit iicdadmissions.in and create an account using your email ID and mobile number. A one-time password verifies the account.
• Step 2 — Application Form: Fill in personal details, academic qualifications, programme of interest and category. You must select B.Des, M.Des, PG Diploma or Certificate programme at this stage.
• Step 3 — Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, graduation marksheet (if applicable), ID proof and category certificate (if applicable).
• Step 4 — Fee Payment: Pay Rs. 1,750 (Indian/SAARC) or Rs. 3,500 (Foreign) through online banking, debit card, credit card or UPI. The fee is non-refundable.
• Step 5 — Submission: Review all details and submit the form. Save the application acknowledgement for future reference.

You should print out the application form and acknowledgement after submission. These will be needed during interview verification and at the time of final admission.

IICD 2026 Application Fee

The application fee for IICD 2026 was kept the same as last year. The fee was paid only in online mode and is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected later.

If you have applied for more than one programme, you have to pay the application fee separately for each programme. There is no concession in the application fee for SC, ST or OBC candidates.

IICD 2026 Syllabus

The IICD 2026 syllabus is not a fixed textbook list. Since the test is portfolio and observation based, you should focus on skills that can be shown through your work. The syllabus is grouped into three areas.

Statement of Purpose and Interview

• Why you want to study crafts and design at IICD.
• Your background, hobbies, exposure to crafts and design.
• Career plan for the next five to ten years.
• Honest reflection on your strengths and weaknesses.

Photo Essay (Observation and Reflection)

• Composition, lighting, framing and visual storytelling.
• Observation skills around everyday objects, people and spaces.
• Ability to write a short narrative linked to your images.
• Use of colour, texture and patterns from your environment.

Craft and Design Awareness

• Major Indian craft traditions — Pattachitra, Madhubani, Phulkari, Bandhani, Kalamkari, Channapatna and more.
• Famous Indian and international designers, design movements and design schools.
• Current news around design, fashion, sustainability and craft revival.
• Geographical Indication (GI) tagged crafts and their regions.

Portfolio

• 10 to 20 pieces of your best work — sketches, paintings, photography, illustrations, craft samples, product mock-ups.
• A clean layout with one clear idea per page.
• A short caption explaining the brief, your role and the outcome of each piece.

IICD 2026 Admit Card

The IICD 2026 admit card was released on 5 April 2026. The admit card carries the question paper itself, so it is more important than for most other exams. You could download it only from iicdadmissions.in by logging in with your registration ID and password.

The admit card contained the following details.

• Candidate’s name, application number and roll number.
• Programme applied for.
• Question paper for Photo Essay, Awareness and Portfolio components.
• Last date and time to submit the online response.
• Tentative date and time for the WhatsApp interview.

You should keep both the soft copy and a printed copy of the admit card till the final admission round is over. The admit card is required at the time of document verification in case you are shortlisted.

IICD 2026 Courses, Specialisations and Seats

IICD Jaipur offers a mix of full-time degree, diploma and certificate programmes. The total seat intake is around 280 across all programmes. The B.Des is the most sought-after course because of its seven specialisations and four-year duration.

B.Des and M.Des Specialisations

IICD is known for offering specialisations that very few other design schools in India offer. The seven specialisations are tied to the institute’s craft cluster approach.

• Hard Material Design: Working with wood, metal, stone and similar hard materials.
• Soft Material Design: Textiles, weaving and surface design.
• Fired Material Design: Ceramics, terracotta, glass and pottery.
• Fashion Clothing Design: Garments, accessories and traditional Indian wear.
• Jewellery Design: Traditional and contemporary Indian jewellery.
• Crafts Communication: Graphics, branding, exhibition and digital media for crafts.
• Interior Design: Spaces, furniture and craft-led interiors.

Specialisation allotment is based on your merit rank, programme choice and seat availability at the time of admission. You should research the seven streams carefully before locking in your preference order.

IICD 2026 Fee Structure

The IICD fee structure is mid-range compared with private design schools in India. The total programme fee covers tuition, studio access, basic material cost and exam fee. Hostel and mess charges are separate.

The Round 2 fee deposit window covers only the first instalment. You must also keep the next instalment ready around the time of programme commencement in July 2026. Refund rules follow the standard AICTE and UGC norms — late withdrawal beyond the cut-off date leads to partial fee forfeiture.

IICD 2026 Reservation Policy

IICD follows the Central Government reservation policy for SC, ST, OBC and PH candidates. The category seats are reserved across all programmes.

You should upload a valid category certificate at the time of application. Certificates not in the central government format may be rejected during verification. Foreign nationals are admitted under a separate quota and are not part of the reservation cells above.

IICD 2026 Preparation Tips

The IICD entrance test is different from a standard MCQ exam. Since the test is take-home and weighted heavily on the portfolio and SOP, your preparation must focus on creative output rather than rote learning. The tips below work for both B.Des and M.Des aspirants.

• Build your portfolio early: Start at least three months before the application window. Include sketches, photography, craft work and small projects. Avoid overloading the portfolio — quality matters more than quantity.
• Read about Indian crafts: Pick up books on Indian textiles, GI crafts, terracotta and folk painting. Follow museum websites and craft council pages.
• Practise the Photo Essay: Take a daily theme — like ’shadows’, ’doors’, ’hands at work’ — and shoot 5 to 10 photographs with a 300-word caption. This trains both observation and writing.
• Write your SOP in your own voice: Avoid AI-style language. Tell a real story about why crafts matter to you. The panel can spot a generic SOP within minutes.
• Mock interview practice: Ask a teacher or senior to interview you on WhatsApp video for 20 minutes. Work on speaking slowly, looking at the camera and giving examples from your work.
• Stay updated on design news: Sustainable design, craft-tech tie-ups and Indian designers in international shows are popular interview topics.

You should give yourself enough time during the response window. Many candidates upload responses on the last day, which leads to formatting and file size errors. Submit your final responses at least two days before the deadline.