Some info about best schools in design within India. This is my personal opinion of course and relative to my experience.
Fashion Design (as in garments):
1) NIFT (Government supported under Ministry of Textile:-Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad,Hyderabad- there are other centers too but these are more popular) Best part is the Alumni network boasting of some of India’s top most fashion designers and strong industry links.
NIFT also offers Textile, Leather and Knitwear as specialization areas besides mainstream Fashion Design.
2) NID Ahemdabad (Government backed) offers this under Textile (UG & PG) and Apparel Design & Merchandising (PG)
3) Pearl Academy Delhi (Private)
4) Apeejay; JD Institute; Shrishti School of Design; MITID Pune (relatively new Institute but boasts of some of the best and experienced faculties) (All are private)
Other design related areas like Visual communication, Product design and Interior:
1) NID Ahemdabad (both UG and PG diploma programs though UG is more respected)
2) IITB- IDC (yes IIT Bombay as well as Kanpur and Guwahati offer design programs at PG level but Bombay one is most reputed so far as it is the oldest)
3) NIFT (Delhi, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and other centers): More Fashion oriented so if you are looking towards product design in fields like lifestyle accessories which would include furniture, interior decoration accessories, ceramics cutlery, table top objects etc. NIFT is the preferred option over IITB(IDC).
4) Pearl Academy (specially for Visual communication); CEPT Gujarat (Interior related design), MITID Pune
5) Shriti School of design, Apeejay, JD
Jewelry:
1) NIFT Ahmedabad (focus is on jewelry design therefore excellent choice for those interested in this field), Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata…etc.
2) NID Ahmedabad
3) Pearl Academy and JD
4) Other Institutes like Apeejay etc. There is one Institute in Mumbai too which is quiet popular among Industry there but I do not remember the name unfortunately.
Institute’s tie up with industry is major point to consider while making you choice. For this reason those located in fashion hubs like Delhi, Mumbai etc get natural advantage as many established designers, fashion houses and export businesses are located there.
