INDIAN INSTITUTE OF CRAFTS AND DESIGN

The Indian Institute of Crafts and Design (IICD), Jaipur, continues to be a premier institution in 2026, bridging the gap between traditional Indian craftsmanship and contemporary design. Established in 1995 by the Government of Rajasthan and currently managed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Ambuja Neotia Group, it is located in the heart of Jaipur—a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts.

• Institution Type: Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
• Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Accreditation: Affiliated with Rajasthan ILD Skills University (RISU) / Vishvakarma Skills University
• Focus Areas: Craft Design, Sustainable Fashion, Material Innovation
• Campus: 5-acre specialized campus with craft-specific laboratories
• Industry Connect: Strong ties with the handicraft export houses of Jaipur and Jodhpur

IICD is renowned for its specialized design pedagogy that integrates field research with studio practice. The most sought-after programs for the 2026 academic session include:

• B.Des in Soft Material Design: Focuses on textiles, weaving, and embroidery, leveraging Rajasthan's rich block-printing heritage.
• B.Des in Hard Material Design: Specializes in wood, metal, and stone crafts, catering to the furniture and lifestyle industry.
• B.Des in Fired Material Design: Concentrates on ceramics, terracotta, and blue pottery.
• M.Des in Craft Design: A postgraduate program for advanced design strategy and craft management.
• B.Des in Fashion Design: Merging traditional silhouettes with modern garment construction.

Admissions at IICD for 2026 follow a rigorous multi-stage process to evaluate both creative aptitude and material sensitivity. The primary entrance exam is the IICD Entrance Test (CIEAT).

The entrance exam consists of three parts: General Awareness & Creativity Test (GACT), Material, Color & Conceptual Test (MCCT), and a Personal Interview with Portfolio evaluation.

Note: Check exact dates on the official exam and college websites.

Note: These are approximate figures based on past trends, not official cutoffs. Check the latest official counselling cutoff before applying.

IICD does not release a centralized rank-based cutoff like JEE, but rather a merit list based on the composite score of the Entrance Exam (60%) and the Personal Interview/Portfolio (40%). For 2026, candidates in the General Category typically need to score above 65% in the CIEAT to secure a seat in popular streams like Soft Material Design. Reserved categories (OBC, SC, ST, and Rajasthan Domicile) have specific relaxations as per state government norms.

Note: Placement figures are indicative and not taken from the official placement report of the college. Please confirm with the college.

The 2025 placement season saw a significant rise in demand for designers who understand sustainable supply chains. Key highlights include:

• Highest Package: INR 10.5 LPA
• Average Package: INR 5.2 LPA
• Top Recruiters: FabIndia, Jaypore, Reliance Brands (AJIO Luxe), Anokhi, Kalanjali, and various Export Houses in Jaipur and Jodhpur.
• Roles Offered: Product Designer, Craft Manager, Merchandiser, Textile Designer, and Design Consultant for NGOs.
• Entrepreneurship: Approximately 15% of the 2025 batch started their own design labels or craft-based startups.

IICD offers financial aid to ensure talent is not hindered by economic constraints:

• Merit-cum-Means Scholarship: Available for students with family income below a certain threshold, covering up to 50% of tuition fees.
• Rajasthan Government Scholarships: Post-matric scholarships for SC/ST/OBC students residing in Rajasthan.
• Ambuja Neotia Scholarship: Special grants for exceptionally talented students in the craft sector.
• Industry-sponsored grants: Occasional scholarships from local craft exporters for specific material research.

IICD offers Undergraduate (B.Des), Postgraduate (M.Des), and Vocational (M.Voc) programs. The most popular choices are:

• B.Des Soft Material Design: Specializing in the textile industry of Rajasthan (Dabu, Bagru, Sanganeri prints).
• B.Des Fashion Design: Known for using indigenous textiles in contemporary silhouettes.
• M.Des in Craft Design: A 2-year program for graduates from diverse backgrounds looking to enter the sustainable design sector.
• B.Des Hard Material Design: Focuses on wood and metal crafts, highly relevant to the handicraft export market of North India.

The fee structure for the academic year 2026 is as follows (approximate figures):

Note: Fees include tuition and workshop charges but exclude hostel, security deposits, and material costs for individual projects.

The 2026 application process is primarily online:

1. Visit the official IICD website (iicd.ac.in).
2. Register with a valid email ID and phone number.
3. Fill out the personal and academic details.
4. Upload required documents: Photograph, Signature, and 10th/12th Marksheets.
5. Pay the application fee of approximately INR 1,500 via the online payment gateway.
6. Download the admit card for the Entrance Test scheduled in April 2026.

The IICD campus is designed to function as a large-scale workshop. Key facilities include:

• Specialized Studios: Dedicated spaces for Wood, Metal, Stone, Ceramic, and Textile work.
• Resource Center: A library housing a vast collection of books on Indian crafts, design history, and material science.
• IT Lab: Equipped with design software like Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, and AutoCAD.
• Hostel: On-campus accommodation for girls with modern amenities; tie-ups for boys' housing nearby.
• Exhibition Gallery: A space to showcase student work to visiting industry professionals and buyers.

IICD is organized into material-based departments that encourage interdisciplinary learning:

• Department of Soft Material Design: Textiles, paper, and leather.
• Department of Hard Material Design: Wood, metal, and stone.
• Department of Fired Material Design: Ceramics, glass, and terracotta.
• Department of Fashion Design: Garment construction and apparel design.
• Department of Integrated Design: Focuses on foundation years and design theory.