SWARRNIM INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND PLANNING

Established as a flagship constituent of Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University, the Swarrnim Institute of Design and Planning has emerged as a premier destination for creative education in Gujarat. Located in Gandhinagar, the knowledge hub of the state, the institute is uniquely positioned to offer students exposure to both traditional craftsmanship and modern industrial innovation.

• Innovation Focus: Recognized as India’s first university dedicated to startups, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in design students.
• Location: Situated in Gandhinagar, providing proximity to Ahmedabad's textile industries and GIFT City’s urban planning projects.
• Accreditation: Approved by the Government of Gujarat and recognized for its industry-aligned curriculum.
• Collaborations: Partnerships with various design houses and architectural firms for real-world projects.
• Campus Life: A vibrant ecosystem that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between design, engineering, and business students.

The institute offers a wide array of undergraduate and postgraduate programs designed to meet the evolving needs of the global design industry. For the 2026 academic session, the following programs are highly sought after:

The B.Des in Fashion Design and the B.Plan programs are particularly popular due to the regional demand in Gujarat’s textile and urban development sectors.

Admissions for the 2026 session follow a merit-based approach combined with a creative aptitude assessment. The process is designed to identify students with a flair for innovation and problem-solving.

• Step 1: Online Application via the official university portal.
• Step 2: Appearance in the Swarrnim Design Aptitude Test (SDAT) or submission of valid NID/UCEED/NATA scores.
• Step 3: Portfolio Review and Personal Interview (PI).
• Step 4: Merit list declaration and fee payment.

Important Dates (Tentative):

• Application Starts: January 2026
• SDAT Entrance Exam: April 2026
• Portfolio Interviews: May 2026
• Commencement of Classes: July 2026

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.

The 2026 cutoff for admissions is determined by a weighted score of the entrance exam and the personal interview. While there are no fixed 'marks' like engineering, the general trends are:

• B.Des: Minimum 50% in 10+2 (any stream) + a high score in SDAT or UCEED (70th percentile and above).
• B.Plan: Preference is given to students with strong Mathematics and English scores in their 12th boards.
• M.Des: Portfolio quality is the primary decider, alongside a minimum of 50% in graduation.

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

The placement season for the 2025 batch saw a significant uptick in demand for UI/UX designers and urban planners. The institute’s placement cell works closely with the Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar industrial clusters.

• Highest Package: INR 8.5 LPA
• Average Package: INR 4.2 LPA
• Top Recruiters: Pantaloons, Arvind Mills, IKEA (Consultancy partners), Urban Development Authorities, and various architecture firms in Gandhinagar.
• Self-Employment: Approximately 15% of students opted to start their own design studios through the university’s incubation center.

To support meritorious and needy students, the institute offers several scholarship schemes for the 2026 academic year:

• Swarrnim Merit Scholarship: Up to 50% tuition fee waiver for top scorers in SDAT/UCEED.
• Startup Seed Fund: Financial support for students who present viable business models in the design space.
• Digital Gujarat Scholarship: Available for students belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories as per state government norms.
• EWS Scholarship: Special concessions for students from Economically Weaker Sections.

The most popular courses at the institute are those that bridge the gap between aesthetics and technology:

• B.Des in User Experience (UX): Highly popular due to the tech boom in nearby GIFT City.
• B.Des in Interior Design: Focuses on sustainable and smart home solutions.
• Bachelor of Planning: In high demand due to the rapid urbanization of the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar corridor.
• B.Des in Fashion Design: Leverages Gujarat's rich heritage in textiles.

The fee structure for 2026 is designed to be competitive with other private design institutes in Gujarat. (Note: Fees are subject to university revisions).

Fees usually include tuition and laboratory access but exclude hostel and transportation costs.

Prospective students can apply through a streamlined online process:

1. Visit the Swarrnim University official website.
2. Register with basic details and select 'Institute of Design and Planning'.
3. Fill out the application form and upload documents (10th/12th mark sheets, ID proof).
4. Pay the application fee (approx. INR 1,000).
5. Book a slot for the SDAT (Swarrnim Design Aptitude Test).

The campus is designed to inspire creativity and facilitate technical learning. Facilities include:

• Design Studios: Large, airy spaces with drafting tables and mood boards.
• Computer Labs: High-end systems equipped with Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, Rhino, and 3ds Max.
• Material Library: A collection of textiles, wood types, and building materials for hands-on study.
• Incubation Center: A dedicated space for students to develop their startup ideas with mentorship.
• Hostel: Separate residential facilities for boys and girls with 24/7 security and Wi-Fi.

The institute is organized into specialized departments to ensure focused academic delivery:

• Department of Fashion & Textile Design
• Department of Interior & Furniture Design
• Department of Visual Communication & Graphics
• Department of Product & Industrial Design
• Department of Urban and Regional Planning