UPES DAT 2027: Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Cutoff and Portfolio

UPES DAT 2027 (University of Petroleum and Energy Studies Design Admissions Test) is an institute-level, computer-based entrance exam conducted by UPES, Dehradun, for admission to B.Des. and M.Des. programs at its School of Design. The 2027 cycle has not been officially announced yet as of September 2026, but based on the previous year’s pattern, Phase 1 registration is expected to open in September or October 2026, with Phase 1 exams likely in January 2027.

• Registration (Phase 1): UPES DAT 2027 Phase 1 registration is expected to open in September or October 2026. In the 2026 cycle, Phase 1 registration opened in September 2025 and closed on January 20, 2026, giving students around four months to apply.
• Phase 1 Exam: The first exam window for UPES DAT 2027 is expected in January 2027. In 2026, Phase 1 was held from January 22 to 24, 2026, in online, remote-proctored mode from home.
• Phase 2 Exam: UPES DAT 2027 Phase 2 is expected around June 2027. In the 2026 cycle, Phase 2 was held on June 18, 2026, with registration closing on August 31, 2026.
• Portfolio and Interview: All students shortlisted through UPES DAT 2027 must present a digital portfolio and appear for a personal interview with UPES faculty. This stage is typically scheduled 2–3 weeks after each phase result is declared.

What is UPES DAT 2027?

UPES DAT stands for University of Petroleum and Energy Studies Design Admissions Test. UPES, Dehradun, conducts this exam every year to select students for its B.Des. (Bachelor of Design) and M.Des. (Master of Design) programs at the School of Design. The test is institute-level — only UPES accepts UPES DAT scores, and it is not shared with any other university or institution in India.

The exam tests design aptitude through two core areas: visual analogy and design & general awareness. For M.Des. applicants, a third section on quantitative aptitude is also included. UPES DAT is conducted online in a remote-proctored mode, which means you appear from home on a laptop or desktop with your webcam active throughout the exam.

The School of Design at UPES offers 7 specializations under B.Des.:

• Game Design
• Animation and VFX Design
• Graphic Design
• Interaction Design
• Industrial and Product Design
• Mobility and Vehicle Design
• Interior and Retail Space Design

Admission through UPES DAT is a three-stage process. First, you appear for the written test. Shortlisted students then present a digital portfolio. Finally, there is a personal interview with a UPES faculty panel. All three stages together determine your final admission — the written test score alone is not sufficient.

The UPES DAT 2027 cycle will follow a multi-phase format — typically Phase 1 in January and Phase 2 around June. Around 180–200 students are admitted to the B.Des. program each year across all 7 specializations. UPES also accepts scores from national exams like NID, NIFT, UCEED, JEE Main, and CUET-UG in place of UPES DAT. Students with 60% or above in both Class X and XII can also apply through a Board Merit pathway without appearing for the written test at all.

UPES DAT 2027: Key Highlights

UPES DAT 2027 Important Dates

The official schedule for UPES DAT 2027 has not been released yet as of September 2026. The expected dates in the table below are based on the 2026 cycle timeline. You should check the UPES official website regularly for confirmed announcements.

All dates listed below are tentative and expected for the 2027 cycle. Official confirmed dates will be published on upes.ac.in by UPES.

Source: UPES DAT Official Admissions Page — upes.ac.in

UPES DAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria

UPES DAT 2027 has separate eligibility conditions for B.Des. and M.Des. applicants. No stream restriction applies to B.Des. — students from Science, Commerce, and Arts backgrounds are all equally eligible.

Eligibility Criteria for B.Des. (Undergraduate)

Eligibility Criteria for M.Des. (Postgraduate)

If you have 60% or above in both Class X and XII, you qualify for the Board Merit pathway and do not need to appear for UPES DAT at all for B.Des. admission. You still must clear the portfolio presentation and personal interview stages. Similarly, valid scores from national design exams can replace UPES DAT — those are covered in a dedicated section below.

UPES DAT 2027 Application Process

The UPES DAT 2027 application is fully online through the UPES admissions portal. You should keep all documents ready before starting the form, as a complete submission in one session avoids errors.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for UPES DAT 2027

• Step 1 – Create an Account: Visit admission.upes.ac.in/apply and register with your active email ID and mobile number. Verify your account using the link sent to your email.
• Step 2 – Fill the Application Form: Log in and complete all sections — personal details, academic details, contact information, and your preferred B.Des. specialization or M.Des. track.
• Step 3 – Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the format specified on the portal. Ensure scans are legible and within the specified file size limits.
• Step 4 – Pay the Application Fee: Pay the Rs. 1,750 fee online via net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable, so confirm all details before completing the payment.
• Step 5 – Book Your Exam Slot: Once slot booking opens — approximately 7–10 days before the exam — log in and select your preferred time within the 10 AM to 2 PM window on the exam date.
• Step 6 – Note Your Application Number: Save your application number after submission. You will need it for all future communication with UPES admissions and for any technical support queries.

Documents Required for UPES DAT 2027 Application

• Class X mark sheet or passing certificate
• Class XII mark sheet (if result declared) or admit card (if still appearing)
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Scanned signature on plain white paper
• Government-issued photo ID — Aadhaar card, PAN card, or Passport

You can also apply offline by visiting the UPES Admissions Office at the Dehradun campus. Online application is faster and lets you track your status through the portal at any time.

UPES DAT 2027 Application Fee

The UPES DAT 2027 application fee is Rs. 1,750. This applies to all categories — General, OBC, SC, and ST. There is no category-based fee difference and no waiver of any kind.

The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. Payment can be made online through the UPES admissions portal using net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. Confirm your eligibility and program choice before completing the payment.

UPES DAT 2027 Syllabus

UPES has not released a detailed official syllabus PDF for UPES DAT. The topics below are based on the exam’s stated scope, question type descriptions in official communications, and preparation patterns from previous cycles. Use these as your primary preparation framework for UPES DAT 2027.

Section 1: Visual Analogy (B.Des. — 20 Questions; M.Des. — 15 Questions)

This section tests your ability to identify patterns, spatial relationships, and logical visual connections. Topics include:

• Pattern recognition and series completion
• Spatial reasoning — mental rotation and orientation of 2D and 3D figures
• Mirror images and water reflections
• Embedded and hidden figures
• Paper folding and cutting patterns
• Visual matrices — completing a grid based on the pattern across rows and columns
• Analogical visual reasoning — identifying the relationship between one pair and applying it to another

Section 2: Design and General Awareness (B.Des. — 20 Questions; M.Des. — 15 Questions)

This section tests knowledge of design history, theory, principles, and current events. Topics include:

• History of design — Bauhaus movement, Arts and Crafts movement, modernism, postmodernism
• Indian design heritage — NID Ahmedabad, NIFT Delhi, and India’s contribution to global design
• Principles of design — balance, contrast, hierarchy, proportion, rhythm, and emphasis
• Colour theory — colour wheel, primary, secondary and tertiary colours, warm and cool tones, complementary colours
• Typography fundamentals — font families, kerning, leading, type hierarchy
• Graphic design, product design, vehicle design, and interior design basics
• Famous international designers — Charles and Ray Eames, Dieter Rams, Jonathan Ive, Le Corbusier
• Famous Indian designers — Charles Correa, Achyut Kanvinde, and other pioneers
• Current affairs — technology, innovation, sustainability, architecture, and design-related news
• English comprehension — vocabulary, reading, and sentence reasoning

Section 3: Quantitative Aptitude (M.Des. Only — 10 Questions)

This section applies only to M.Des. aspirants. It covers:

• Number systems and basic arithmetic
• Percentages, ratios, and proportions
• Simple and compound interest
• Data interpretation — tables, bar charts, and pie charts
• Basic algebra and geometry

There is no drawing, sketching, or studio test in UPES DAT. Creative ability is assessed in the portfolio presentation stage only, not in the written exam. This makes the test accessible even to students who have not had formal art or design training.

UPES DAT 2027 Admit Card

UPES does not issue a traditional downloadable admit card for UPES DAT 2027. Instead, your exam credentials — a unique exam link and a passkey — are sent directly to your registered email ID and mobile number, one day before the exam.

Check your inbox on the day before your scheduled exam. Also check your spam and junk folder in case the credentials are filtered. The link is tied to your registered email address, so make sure that account is active and accessible before exam day.

What to Keep Ready on UPES DAT 2027 Exam Day

• Access to your registered email ID — the exam link and passkey arrive here
• A government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or Passport) — the online proctor will ask you to show it on camera before the session begins
• Your application number for any verification queries
• A laptop or desktop with Google Chrome (latest version) installed and updated
• A working webcam — test it at least two days before the exam
• A stable internet connection of at least 4 Mbps — run a speed test beforehand
• A quiet, well-lit room — the proctor may scan your surroundings before the exam starts

Do not share your exam link or passkey with anyone. Each set of credentials is unique to your application and is linked to your webcam session during proctoring.

The exam window is from 10 AM to 2 PM. You can begin any time within this four-hour window, but once you start, you must complete all 40 questions within the 60-minute timer that starts from that point.

UPES DAT 2027: Courses and Seat Intake

UPES School of Design offers design education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. All seats are filled through UPES DAT scores, equivalent national exam scores, or the Board Merit pathway, followed by the portfolio and interview stages.

B.Des. Programs — 4 Years, Full-Time, On-Campus

Total B.Des. intake at UPES School of Design is approximately 180–200 students per year across all 7 specializations. The exact seat count per specialization is not publicly disclosed by UPES. Contact the UPES admissions office directly for program-specific figures.

M.Des. Programs — 2 Years, Full-Time, On-Campus

UPES B.Des. Program Fee (Approximate — Based on 2026 Data)

Merit-based scholarships of up to 50% of tuition fee are available for high-scoring students. Check the official UPES website for updated scholarship criteria applicable to the 2027 academic session, as amounts and eligibility thresholds may be revised.

As per UPES placement data for 2023–24, the School of Design reported 100% placement for the graduating batch. The highest CTC was 14 LPA and the top 10% average CTC was 12 LPA. Key recruiters included Amazon, TCS, Infosys, Maruti Suzuki, Daimler Truck, Dell, and Accenture.

UPES DAT 2027 Preparation Tips

UPES DAT is a 60-minute exam with no negative marking. With focused preparation across all three sections — and early work on your portfolio — you can score in the competitive range and build a strong overall application for 2027.

For Visual Analogy

• Practice pattern recognition and non-verbal reasoning daily. Books on spatial reasoning and IQ testing cover this topic well and are widely available
• Mirror images, water reflections, and paper folding are among the most frequently tested topics in design aptitude exams — give these extra practice time
• Time yourself when solving practice sets. You have around 90 seconds per question on average, so building speed is as important as accuracy
• NIFT and NID preparation books cover visual analogy topics that overlap significantly with UPES DAT’s format — use them as secondary resources

For Design and General Awareness

• Study design history in a structured way — start with the Bauhaus movement, then Indian design institutions like NID and NIFT, and key international movements
• Learn about famous designers through their most recognizable works. Dieter Rams’ 10 principles of good design, the Eames lounge chair, and Jonathan Ive’s work at Apple are commonly referenced topics
• Study colour theory and basic typography — these appear consistently across design entrance exams and are high-return areas to cover early
• Follow a design-focused publication for current trends in product, graphic, interior, and vehicle design — awareness of what is happening now helps with general awareness questions
• Practice English vocabulary and comprehension through regular reading — newspapers, design magazines, or any current affairs source will help

For Quantitative Aptitude (M.Des. Aspirants Only)

• Revise Class 10 mathematics — percentages, ratios, simple algebra, and geometry are the core areas
• Practice data interpretation using tables and charts. MBA entrance exam prep books contain good material for this topic and are available at most bookstores

For Stage 2 — Start Your Portfolio Now

• Do not wait for your exam result to begin building your portfolio. Start collecting, organizing, and creating work as soon as you register
• Include a range of creative output — sketches, paintings, photographs, digital art, graphic design projects, UI mockups, or physical models
• Show design thinking alongside finished work. Include rough sketches, idea exploration, and how a concept evolved from an early idea to a final piece
• Tailor the content to your chosen specialization — a Game Design portfolio should look meaningfully different from one for Interior and Retail Space Design
• Keep the final PDF or PPT clean and easy to navigate — faculty review many portfolios in each phase and clarity matters

General Tips for UPES DAT 2027

• Attempt all 40 questions — with no negative marking, leaving any question blank only hurts your score
• Test your laptop, webcam, internet connection, and Chrome browser at least two days before the exam to avoid last-minute technical problems
• Practise mock tests in a timed, exam-like environment to get comfortable with the online CBT format before the actual exam day
• Log in to start the session at least 15 minutes before you plan to begin, to complete the proctor verification without rushing