Top 15 Game Design Colleges in India: Ranked Profiles
1. Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Industrial Design Centre (IDC), Mumbai: The IDC is the country’s most cited design institution. Its M.Des programs in Interaction Design and Animation are among the closest pathways to game design research at a public university. The total M.Des fee is INR 1.24L. Admission is through CEED, and cutoffs typically range from the 60th to the 80th percentile. The median placement salary is approximately INR 18.20L per annum. Recruiters include Microsoft and Samsung.
2. National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad: Ranked number one in India for design by IIRF 2026. NID Ahmedabad offers a B.Des across eight specializations and an M.Des in Toy and Game Design. Admission is through NID DAT. The 2025 B.Des cutoff ranged from 40.6 to 59.6. The 2024 placement cycle recorded 476 full-time offers, with the highest package at INR 36L and the lowest at INR 3L. Top recruiters include Microsoft, Samsung, Infosys, and SAP.
3. NID Bengaluru (R&D Campus): NID’s research campus offers an M.Des in Digital Game Design over two and a half years. The total program fee is INR 13.28L. Admission is through NID DAT. Placements are centralized within the NID network. The Bengaluru location provides direct access to gaming and technology studios in the city.
4. Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Pune: The institute is NAAC A-accredited and operates under Symbiosis International Deemed University. The B.Des in Game Design costs INR 22.58L for the 2026-27 academic year. The M.Des in UX costs INR 14.35L. Admission is through the SEED entrance exam and portfolio review. Applicants must have at least 45% in Class 12. The highest reported package is INR 20.27 LPA. Average packages range from INR 6 LPA to INR 18 LPA.
5. Backstage Pass Institute of Gaming and Technology, Hyderabad: One of India’s first institutions dedicated entirely to game development, established in 2010. Programs include a B.A. in Game Art and Design, a B.Sc. in Computer Science and Game Development, an M.Sc. in Gaming Technology, and a UG Diploma in Game Development. Total fees range from INR 2.25L to INR 8L. Admission is merit-based and includes a personal interview. No entrance exam is required. The placement assistance rate is 80%. The institute also operates a student accelerator that helps transform game ideas into playable products before graduation.
6. ICAT Design and Media College, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad: ICAT Design and Media College has offered specialized design and media education since 2004 through affiliations with Bharathiar University and Birmingham City University. Programs include B.Sc. degrees in Game Art and Design and Game Design and Development. The total undergraduate fee is INR 5.7L. Admission is through the ICAT Aptitude Test and a personal interview. The 2024 placement drive recorded a highest package of INR 7 LPA and an average package of INR 3 LPA to INR 4 LPA.
7. World University of Design (WUD), Sonepat: Ranked 31st nationally for design by Times Rankings 2025. The B.Des in Game Design and Animation has a total fee of INR 23.4L. M.Des fees range from INR 6.33L to INR 11.85L. Admission is based on a portfolio review and interview. The university is approved by the Council of Architecture (COA) and University Grants Commission (UGC). The highest package reported across design disciplines reached INR 60 LPA in recent placement cycles.
8. Whistling Woods International (WWI), Mumbai: WWI offers a four-year B.Des in Game Design with a focus on narrative and cinematic game design. The total fee is approximately INR 20L. Admission is through the WWI Entrance Exam, which includes a General Aptitude Test and a Creative Ability Test. Applicants must have at least 50% in Class 12. Placement assistance is available, and the institution’s entertainment industry network is a major advantage.
9. Seamedu, Pune: Seamedu operates under DY Patil University and offers dedicated pathways for both game artists and programmers. Seamedu offers separate pathways for game artists and programmers through its B.Sc. in Game Art and Design and BCA in Game Development programs. Total fees range from INR 6L to INR 9L. Admission is merit-based. The placement cell works with animation studios, mobile game companies, and media organizations.
10. Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS), Chennai: This is NAAC A+ accredited. The four-year B.Des in Game Design has a total fee of INR 9.72L. Admission is based on a portfolio review and interview. The institution is approved by AICTE, COA, UGC, and NBA. Placement figures are reported at the institutional level rather than for the program specifically.
11. Avantika University, Ujjain: Approved by AICTE and UGC and ranked 50th for design in India. The four-year B.Des in Game Design has a total fee of INR 18.30L. Admission is based on a portfolio review and personal interview. Applicants must have at least 50% in Class 12.
12. Poornima University, Jaipur: One of the most affordable structured gaming programs on this list. The four-year B.Sc. in Gaming has a total fee of INR 3.9L. The university is accredited by COA, the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT), and UGC. Admission is merit-based. Alumni placement outcomes are primarily concentrated in the IT and technology sectors.
13. SID Nagpur, Symbiosis International: The Nagpur campus follows the same curriculum framework as SID Pune. The B.Des in Game Design has a total fee of INR 12.6L. The institution holds an NAAC A++ accreditation. Admission is through SEED. Applicants must have at least 45% in Class 12.
14. MIT ADT University, Pune: Offers a B.Des with game design electives, a BCA in Game Development, and a B.Sc. in Animation and Game Design. Program durations range from three to four years. Total fees range from INR 4L to INR 10L. Admission is based on merit and an interview. Average placement packages typically range from INR 3.5 LPA to INR 6 LPA.
15. Raffles Design International, Bengaluru: Part of the global Raffles network. The institution offers a B.Des in Interactive Media and Game Design over three to four years. Total fees range from INR 8L to INR 15L. Admission is based on a portfolio review and personal interview. Applicants must have at least 50% in Class 12. Students also benefit from access to the Raffles global alumni network for domestic and international placement opportunities.
Note: The information provided is subject to change. Please verify details with the respective institution before applying.
