Anant National University - [AnantU]

Anant National University (AnantU) is a private multidisciplinary university in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It was established in 2016 and is recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat.

The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and fellowship programmes in Design, Architecture, Climate Action, Visual Arts, and the Built Environment. Its campus spans 78 acres and follows the DesignX learning approach.

AnantU has collaborations with over 60 international institutions.

• Ranked 51 in Design (MyKollege) and 40 in Architecture & Planning (NIRF).
• Flagship course: Bachelor of Design (BDes).
• Admission is based on ADEPT, UCEED, NATA, academic performance, and portfolio/interview where applicable.
• Selection process includes entrance exam scores, portfolio evaluation, interview, and academic performance.
• Highest placement package recorded recently was INR 11 LPA.
• Recruiters included PhonePe, Swiggy, Accenture, TCS, General Motors (TCS Design Studio), Hidesign, and MATTER Motors.

ADEPT (Anant Design Entrance and Proficiency Test) is the entrance exam for BDes admission at Anant National University. It evaluates creativity, design aptitude, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

ADEPT is India's first multilingual design entrance exam, conducted in 10 languages. Students can take the test in their preferred language.

Candidates shortlisted through ADEPT must appear for a Sketch Round and Personal Interview.

Candidates seeking admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at Anant National University must complete the application process before the prescribed deadlines.

Application Dates

BDes is the most popular programme at Anant National University. It is preferred for its studio-based learning approach, portfolio development focus, and multidisciplinary design exposure.

Along with design, the university also offers programmes in architecture, climate action, visual arts, and research-oriented fields. Fees vary depending on the course and residential options.

The admission process for Anant National University follows a schedule set by Gujarat ACPC. The dates for registration, merit list declaration, and seat allotment are listed below.

Eligibility criteria and the selection process depend on the specific course applied for. Candidates should check the detailed requirements for their chosen programme before applying.

The admission process at Anant National University includes an entrance examination, portfolio review, interview, and academic assessment, depending on the programme applied for. The details for Anant National University Admission 2026 are given below.

Undergraduate Programmes

• BDes (Bachelor of Design)
  • Online Application: Register on the official portal and pay the application fee.
  • Entrance Exam: Appear for ADEPT (Anant Design Entrance and Proficiency Test) or submit UCEED scores.
  • Situation Round (Online): Complete a 300-word essay/précis writing (10 marks) and submit a handmade sketch based on the assigned topic (10 marks) within a 4-day window.
  • Personal Interview & Portfolio: A personal interaction round to showcase the creative portfolio and discuss design motivation.
  • Merit List & Offer: Admission is offered based on a combined score (ADEPT 50% + Situation Test 20% + Interview 30%).
• BArch (Bachelor of Architecture)
  1. Option A: All India Quota (AIQ)
  • Fill out the online application on the university website.
  • Submit Class 12th marks and a valid NATA scorecard.
  • Evaluation of merit list leads to the issuance of an offer letter.

Each course at Anant National University has its own entrance exam and academic eligibility criteria. The table below lists the requirements for all programmes.

Seats for some undergraduate programmes are divided between counselling and direct admission. The distribution is as follows.

• B.Arch: 50% seats through ACPC Counselling and 50% seats through All India Quota.
• BDes: 50% seats through ACPC Counselling and 50% seats through Anant National University Admission Process.

BDes (Bachelor of Design)

Admission to BDes has two routes. Option A is the direct application route, and Option B is the ACPC quota for Gujarat state candidates.

Option A: Direct Application

• Submit the online application form.
• Appear for the Design Aptitude Test (DAT).
• Clear the Studio Test and Personal Interview round.

Option B: ACPC Quota (Gujarat State Candidates)

• Apply through the Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC) portal.
• Follow the centralized state allotment process. Once a seat is allocated, book an appointment to visit the campus with your ACPC admission letter and document file.

BTech (Climate Change)

Selection is based on motivation, high school marks, and JEE Main / NEET scores, if applicable.

• Submit an online application form including CV, high school transcripts, and a Letter of Motivation.
• Selected candidates are called for an online interview, held on a rolling basis.

BVA (Bachelor of Visual Arts)

The BVA admission process has three stages: application, aptitude test, and interview.

• Application: Submit the online application form.
• Aptitude Test: Take the university's specialized visual arts aptitude test.
• Personal Interview & Portfolio: Present your physical or digital artwork portfolio during the final interview round.

MDes (Master of Design)

The MDes selection process includes an application package and a personal interview.

• Application Package: Complete the online form and upload your design Portfolio, Statement of Purpose (SOP), and two Letters of Recommendation (LORs).
• Personal Interview: An online panel interview via Zoom or Google Meet, focusing heavily on your portfolio, career goals, and creative design thinking.

Anant Fellowship (Sustainability / Climate Action)

No entry test or application fee is required for the Anant Fellowship.

• Profile Submission: Submit your comprehensive application.
• Telephonic Interview: A preliminary technical screening round to understand your background and core interests.
• Panel Interview: Shortlisted candidates are invited for a comprehensive faculty interview, on-campus or online for international students, to test problem-solving, leadership potential, and compatibility.

Ph.D. / Research Masters

Final selection for doctoral programmes is based on a merit system with 70% weightage on the RAA test or proposal evaluation and 30% weightage on the personal interview presentation.

• Registration: Submit the online application along with your comprehensive Research Proposal.
• Written Evaluation: Appear for the Research Aptitude Assessment (RAA) Test.
• Presentation & Viva: Present your research proposal before the doctoral committee.

Anant National University offers admission to B.Tech (Climate Action) programs based on GUJCET scores and ACPC counselling. The cutoff trends vary each year depending on the number of applicants, seat availability, and exam difficulty level.

Anant National University is ranked across multiple agencies mainly in Design and Architecture categories. Performance is comparatively stronger at the state level in Gujarat.

Some of the highlights of Anant National University Placement are given below.

The highest package offered at Anant National University is INR 11 LPA. The university provides 100% career support to students.

• Student Ventures Supported: 79
• IPRs Filed: 126+
• International Collaborations: 60+

Top recruiters at Anant National University include PhonePe, Swiggy, Accenture, TCS, General Motors (TCS Design Studio), Amar Chitra Katha, United Nations Organisation, Studio Carbon, People Design, OneThing Design, Hidesign, MATTER Motors, IIT Gandhinagar, Architect Hafeez Contractor, INI Design Studio, and HCP Design Planning & Management.

Anant National University offers merit-based and need-based financial assistance to eligible students. The scholarship details are provided below.

UCEED-Based Scholarship

Scholarships are available based on UCEED rank. The financial aid covers tuition fees and hostel fees.

Scholarship for Wards of Defence Personnel

Scholarships are available for wards of defence personnel. The aid is based on the category of the defence personnel.

Need-Based Financial Aid

Anant National University provides need-based financial aid to students from financially constrained backgrounds. The assistance may range from a partial waiver to a full waiver of tuition fees.

Anant National University, CEPT University, and UID Ahmedabad are design institutes in Ahmedabad offering BDes programmes. They differ in admission process, fees, student intake, faculty strength, campus infrastructure, placements, and scholarships.

The university campus is spread across 78 acres. It includes academic, residential, innovation, and recreational facilities.

Academic & Infrastructure

• 5 Academic Blocks
• Design Studios and Collaborative Classrooms
• Computer Laboratories
• FutureShift AR/VR Innovation Lab
• Makerspace
• Tinkering Lab
• Climate Lab
• Photography Lab
• Exhibition Spaces
• Amphitheatre

Residential Facilities

• On-campus residential accommodation
• Separate hostels
• Dining facilities
• Common recreational areas

Medical Support

• 24×7 Infirmary
• Doctor-on-call
• Nursing Staff
• Primary Healthcare Facilities

Sports & Recreation

• Gymnasium
• Indoor and Outdoor Sports Facilities
• Cultural Activities
• Student Clubs and Events

Anant National University offers residential accommodation within the campus premises and outside as well. The hostels come with modern facilities for students.

Anant National University (AnantU) offers on-campus and off-campus hostel accommodation with double occupancy rooms. The Year 1 fees vary by accommodation type.

Note:

• Hostel and mess fees are payable on a per-semester basis.
• No GST is applicable on residence and mess fees.
• A year-on-year increase of 7.5% is applicable to residence and mess charges.
• A refundable caution deposit of INR 20,000 is payable at the time of admission.
• The caution deposit is refunded (without interest) upon withdrawal or completion of the final year, subject to applicable rules.
• The final tuition fee is subject to approval by the Appellate Committee, Centre of Excellence, Government of Gujarat.

The hostels at AnantU provide the following facilities:

• Furnished rooms
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Laundry services
• Dining facilities
• Recreational spaces
• 24/7 security

What is the real return on investment (ROI) of studying at Anant National University?

The ROI of Anant National University cannot be measured solely through placement packages. As a design-focused institution, career outcomes often depend on a student's portfolio, specialization, internships, and industry exposure rather than a fixed placement pathway.

Students benefit from project-based learning, international collaborations, incubation support, and interdisciplinary coursework that can open opportunities in design consulting, entrepreneurship, architecture, sustainability, research, and technology sectors. Candidates who secure UCEED-based scholarships or need-based financial aid can significantly reduce their education costs, improving the overall return on investment. Students planning careers in creative industries, design innovation, and entrepreneurship may find the long-term value extends beyond initial salary figures.

What is hostel life actually like at Anant National University?

Hostel life at Anant National University is designed around a residential learning environment where students spend considerable time collaborating on projects, studio assignments, exhibitions, and workshops. Since many academic activities continue beyond regular classroom hours, students often use common spaces for discussions, prototyping, and team work.

The residential setup enables interaction with peers from different programmes including Design, Architecture, Visual Arts, and Climate Action. Apart from accommodation and dining facilities, students have access to recreational areas, sports facilities, campus events, and student-led activities. The experience tends to be more collaborative and project-oriented than a traditional hostel environment due to the nature of design education.

How strong is the internship culture at Anant National University?

Internships form an important part of the learning experience at Anant National University. Students regularly engage with industry professionals through workshops, live projects, field immersions, design challenges, and mentorship programmes before taking up formal internships.

The curriculum encourages students to work on real-world problems, helping them build portfolios that are often crucial for securing internships and job opportunities. Depending on the specialization, students may intern with design studios, startups, consulting firms, architecture practices, social enterprises, technology companies, and research organizations. For many students, internships also become pathways to pre-placement offers or long-term professional collaborations.

Is Anant National University worth it for design students?

Anant National University is a design-focused institution in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The university offers programmes in Design, Architecture, Visual Arts, and Climate Action.

The value of studying at AnantU depends on individual career goals. Students gain exposure to project-based learning, international collaborations, and interdisciplinary coursework. Career outcomes often depend on portfolio quality, specialization, internships, and industry exposure rather than a fixed placement pathway. Candidates who secure UCEED-based scholarships or need-based financial aid can reduce their education costs.

Anant National University can be a suitable choice for students seeking a design-focused education that goes beyond conventional classroom learning. The university follows a project-based and interdisciplinary approach where students work on real-world challenges related to design, sustainability, technology, entrepreneurship, and the built environment.

The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning through studios, workshops, industry projects, field immersions, and internships instead of focusing solely on theoretical concepts. Students also benefit from interactions with industry professionals, international collaborations, and opportunities to build strong portfolios. For learners interested in creative problem-solving, innovation, and design-led careers, the university offers an environment that encourages experimentation and practical application of knowledge.

While tuition and accommodation constitute the major expenses, students should also plan for additional academic and personal costs throughout the programme. Design and architecture students may incur expenses on materials, model-making supplies, printing, software subscriptions, sketching tools, photography equipment, and project-related requirements.

Participation in competitions, workshops, exhibitions, educational visits, and certification programmes can also involve additional spending. Personal expenses such as transportation, dining outside campus, healthcare, entertainment, and daily necessities should be considered while planning the overall budget. The actual expenditure varies depending on a student's lifestyle, programme requirements, and involvement in extracurricular activities.