The UPES Design Aptitude Test (UPES DAT) 2026 is a state-level online entrance exam conducted by the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES). It is designed for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate design programs such as B.Des and M.Des. The exam evaluates candidates on creativity, design aptitude, logical reasoning, language skills, and general awareness.
UPES DAT 2026 will be held in multiple phases throughout the year, with each phase offering a 60-minute test consisting of 40 multiple-choice questions. The exam is conducted in English, and each correct answer awards 4 marks with no negative marking for unanswered questions.
Candidates can apply through a simple online process after meeting the eligibility criteria, which includes academic qualifications and valid scores from national-level design exams for some direct admissions. The application forms open as early as September 2025, with the exam phases scheduled from January 2026 onward.
Admit cards will be sent via email before each exam phase, and results will also be communicated through the registered email accounts. Qualified candidates proceed to interviews and portfolio presentations as part of the admission process.
UPES DAT 2026 Highlights
This section provides key details about the UPES Design Aptitude Test (UPES DAT) 2026. It includes important information such as the exam name, conducting body, mode of exam, duration, and question type to help candidates understand the basics of the test.
| Particular | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPES Design Aptitude Test (UPES DAT) |
| Conducting Body | University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Exam Duration | 1 Hour |
| Exam Type | Objective (MCQs) |
UPES DAT 2026 Important Dates
This section provides the tentative schedule for UPES DAT 2026. It includes the start and last dates to submit the application forms, exam dates for each phase, and information about result announcements. Knowing these dates helps candidates stay on track and plan their application and exam preparation accordingly.
| Event | Tentative Dates 2026 |
|---|---|
| UPES DAT application form start date | Phase 1 - September 3, 2025 Phase 2 - February 8, 2026 Phase 3 - April 7, 2026 Phase 4 - May 1, 2026 Phase 5 - June 2, 2026 Phase 6 - July 2, 2026 |
| Last date to submit the application form | Phase 1 - January 21, 2026 Phase 2 - April 4, 2026 Phase 3 - April 30, 2026 Phase 4 - May 29, 2026 Phase 5 - June 23, 2026 Phase 6 - July 15, 2026 |
| UPES DAT entrance exam date | Phase 1 - January 23-25, 2026 Phase 2 - April 5-6, 2026 Phase 3 - May 2-4, 2026 Phase 4 - May 31 - June 1, 2026 Phase 5 - June 25-26, 2026 Phase 6 - Every Saturday (from July 2026 onwards) |
| UPES DAT result | Through email after exam phases |
UPES DAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for UPES DAT 2026, candidates must meet certain academic requirements. The eligibility criteria vary for B.Des and M.Des programs and include exam-based and non-exam pathways. Candidates with valid national-level exam scores (like NID, NIFT, UCEED, JEE, or CUET) or high board marks may get direct admission and can skip the entrance exam. The table below gives a clear view of all eligibility requirements:
| Program | Pathway | Academic Qualification | Additional Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Des | Exam Pathway | Minimum 50% marks in Class 10 & 12 (any stream) | Must appear for UPES DAT, followed by interview and portfolio presentation |
| Non-Exam Pathway | Minimum 60% marks in Class 10 & 12 | Valid score in NID DAT / NIFT / UCEED / JEE / CUET / Board Merit – Direct entry to interview & portfolio | |
| M.Des | Exam Pathway | Minimum 50% marks in Class 10, 12, and Bachelor's degree (any stream) | B.Des/B.Arch/B.Tech/BFA preferred. Must take UPES DAT. Interview & portfolio required |
| Non-Exam Pathway | Same as above | Valid CEED 2026 / NID / NIFT score – Direct entry to interview & portfolio presentation |
UPES DAT 2026 Application Form
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for UPES DAT 2025 online. The application process is simple and can be completed in a few steps. Make sure all details are correct and documents are ready before starting the form.
How To Apply
- Click on the official UPES DAT application link.
- Register using your name, email ID, and mobile number.
- Fill in the remaining details such as personal, academic, and contact information.
- Upload your documents in the required format.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit the completed application form.
UPES DAT 2026 Syllabus
The UPES DAT syllabus 2026 includes topics that test a candidate’s creativity, design thinking, logical reasoning, and language skills. Understanding the syllabus helps students focus their preparation on the important areas of the exam. The exam checks how well students can visualise, understand grammar, follow current events, and solve logical problems.
| Section | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| English Grammar | Synonyms & antonyms, punctuation, incorrect words, tenses, sentence completion, missing words, active/passive voice, sentence correction, jumbled paragraphs |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | Political science, geography, sports, economics, business, technology, international affairs, and government schemes |
| Comprehension | Reading passages, understanding context, answering questions, using correct words, expressions, and phrases |
| Logical Reasoning | Verbal reasoning, analogies, matrix arrangement, embedded figures, syllogisms, family trees, data interpretation, dot situations, critical reasoning |
UPES DAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The UPES Design Aptitude Test (UPES DAT) 2026 will be conducted online. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes. It aims to evaluate a candidate's creativity, design aptitude, and problem-solving skills. Each correct answer carries 4 marks, and there is no negative marking for questions left unanswered.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of the Exam | Online |
| Number of Questions | 40 |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Duration of the Exam | 60 minutes |
| Medium of Language | English |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for each correct answer 0 marks for unattempted questions |
UPES DAT 2026 Admit Card
The UPES DAT 2026 admit card will be sent to the applicant’s registered email ID. Candidates must download and print the admit card before the exam. It contains important details like the exam date, time, and instructions.
- Log in to the registered email using your user ID and password.
- Look for the email containing the UPES DAT 2026 admit card.
- Open the email and click on the link that says ‘Download UPES DAT 2026 Admit Card’.
- The admit card will open on the screen in a downloadable format.
- Download and take a printout of the UPES DAT 2026 admit card for exam day and future reference.
UPES DAT 2026 Result
The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) will announce the UPES DAT 2026 results in online mode. The result will be shared in the form of a scorecard via the candidate’s registered email account. Login credentials will be required to access the result.
- Open the registered email account.
- Check the inbox for an email from UPES.
- Click on the link titled ‘UPES DAT 2026 result’.
- The scorecard will be displayed on the screen.
- Download and print the result for use in the admission process.
UPES DAT 2026 FAQs
Ques. When will the UPES DAT 2026 Phase 1 entrance exam be conducted?
Ans. The UPES DAT 2026 Phase 1 entrance exam is scheduled to be held from January 23 to 25, 2026.
Ques. What is the duration and question format of the UPES DAT 2026 exam?
Ans. UPES DAT 2026 will be a 60-minute online test consisting of 40 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
Ques. What is the marking scheme for UPES DAT 2026?
Ans. Each correct answer in UPES DAT 2026 carries +4 marks, and there is no negative marking for unattempted questions.
Ques. In which language will the UPES DAT 2026 exam be conducted?
Ans. The UPES DAT 2026 exam will be conducted in English only.
Ques. What are the eligibility criteria for UPES DAT 2026 B.Des non-exam pathway?
Ans. Candidates must have a minimum of 60% marks in Class 10 and 12 and a valid score in NID DAT, NIFT, UCEED, JEE, CUET, or high board merit for direct entry to the interview and portfolio presentation.
Ques. Can candidates with valid CEED 2026 scores skip the UPES DAT 2026 for M.Des?
Ans. Yes, candidates with valid CEED 2026, NID, or NIFT scores are eligible for direct admission to the M.Des program without appearing for UPES DAT 2026.
Ques. How will the UPES DAT 2026 admit card be issued?
Ans. The admit card for UPES DAT 2026 will be sent to the candidate’s registered email ID and can be downloaded from the provided link.
Ques. What topics are covered in the English grammar section of UPES DAT 2026 syllabus?
Ans. The English grammar section in UPES DAT 2026 includes synonyms, antonyms, tenses, sentence correction, active/passive voice, jumbled paragraphs, and punctuation.
Ques. How will the UPES DAT 2026 result be communicated?
Ans. The result of UPES DAT 2026 will be shared through email in the form of a scorecard sent to the candidate’s registered email address.
Ques. What is the exam pathway eligibility for M.Des through UPES DAT 2026?
Ans. Candidates must have at least 50% marks in Class 10, 12, and bachelor's degree in any stream, with preference for B.Des, B.Arch, B.Tech, or BFA graduates. They must appear for UPES DAT 2026, followed by an interview and portfolio presentation.