Overview

Anant National University, a private institution, was founded in 2016 by the Laxman Gyanpith Trust under the Gujarat Private Universities Act, 2016. The University derives its name from Shri Anantrao Kale (1917-1990), an engineer and educationist who dedicated his life to disseminating knowledge among the masses through the establishment of several schools in Gujarat.

Established as India’s first DesignX University, Anant National University offers programs in design, architecture, and climate technology with an interdisciplinary approach to pedagogy.

The institution’s mission is to prepare and empower solutionaries who design, build, and implement equitable and sustainable solutions for India and the world.

Anant National University’s unique selling proposition lies in its dedication to training young designers to address problems through creative thinking, contemporary technologies, and indigenous practices. Referred to as “DesignX,” the institution’s approach integrates perspectives and experiences from various liberal arts disciplines and emphasizes community immersion, innovation, and collaboration.

The campus spans 78 acres and is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956. The Bachelor of Architecture program is approved by the Council of Architecture (COA), and the Bachelor of Technology program with a specialization in Climate Change adheres to the norms and regulations of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

As a state private university established under The Gujarat Private Universities (Amendment) Act, 2016, Anant National University currently has an average enrollment of 1400 students and employs approximately 250 teaching staff. The institution follows a teacher-student ratio of 1:20 or 1:15 for studio courses and 1:50 for theory courses.

Campus

Anant National University boasts a sprawling campus spanning 78 acres and housing 51 classrooms and studios, including collaborative classrooms, and 10 ICT-enabled labs. Among its impressive facilities are:

1. Multipurpose Hall: With a capacity of 450 people, ideal for events and gatherings.
2. Gallery Space: Dedicated area for exhibiting students’ work and creative projects.
3. Learning Commons: Comprehensive space housing the library, presentation area, reading space, working area, and Cyberspace (computer lab for accessing academic journals and digital resources).

Moreover, the university has established eleven centers of excellence dedicated to research, curriculum development, and teaching across various domains and practices:

1. Aarambh Incubation Centre
2. Anant Centre for Documentation and Design of Crafts
3. Anant Centre for Sustainability
4. Centre for Public Policy at Anant
5. Centre for Visual Arts
6. Centre for Moving Image
7. Centre for Urbanism and Cultural Economics
8. International Centre for Inclusive Cultural Leadership
9. Centre for Behavioral Science and Design
10. Writing and Communication Studio
11. Bloom: Centre for Wellbeing

Additionally, Anant National University offers a diverse range of laboratories to facilitate hands-on learning and research:

1. Makerspace: Collaborative workshop area for design and craft skills.
2. Futureshift: Advanced product laboratory for prototyping equipped with 3D printing and virtual reality capabilities.
3. Climate Lab: Equipped with weather monitoring instruments for climatic analysis and simulations.
4. Earthlink AI Lab: Dedicated to the advancement of AI technology and hyper visualization.
5. Fashion Lab: State-of-the-art facility for garment construction and sustainable fashion design.
6. Computer Lab: Cutting-edge facility for graphic design and digital media production.
7. Moving Image Lab: Equipped with the latest software and hardware for multimedia production.
8. Loom Room: Traditional looms for hands-on learning in textile design.
9. Tinkering Lab: Equipped with laser cutting machines, 3D printers, and Arduino kits for hands-on experimentation.
10. Photography Lab: Advanced studio space for professional-grde photography.

These facilities enhance the learning experience for students and provide them with opportunities for practical application and innovation in their respective fields of study.

Academics

General Information

Admission

Bachelor of Design (BDes)

Eligibility Criteria:

• Minimum 50% marks in class XII (Higher Secondary School Certificate Examination) or its equivalent examination from any stream (Science, Commerce and Arts/Humanities) from Gujarat State Board or any other state’s board or CBSE/CISCE/NIOS/IB with a minimum 50% aggregate marks.
• Clear the Anant Design Entrance and Proficiency Test (ADEPT*)

*Anant Design Entrance and Proficiency Test. Adept is used to describe a person who is skilled or proficient at something.

Admissions Process:

The entire admission process for BDes for all majors at Anant is conducted online. After submission of online application, the candidates are evaluated in three different rounds:

• Online MCQ
• Situational Test
• Personal Interview

Admissions Deadline:

Applications are accepted in three rounds with the following deadlines:

Round 1: 20 January

Round 2: 3 April 2024

Round 3: June 2024

Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA)

Eligibility Criteria:

Passed 10 + 2 examination in any discipline.

Admission Process:

Online application, personal Interview and portfolio submission,.

Admissions Deadline:

Application: 1 March 2024

BTech in Climate Change (BTech)

Eligibility Criteria:

• Passed 10+2 examination with Physics/ Mathematics/ Chemistry/ Computer

Science/ Electronics/ Information Technology/ Biology/ Informatics Practices/ Biotechnology/Technical Vocational subject/ Agriculture/ Engineering Graphics/ Business Studies/Entrepreneurship.

• Obtained at least 45% marks (40% marks in case of candidates belonging to reserved category) in the above subjects taken together.

Admissions Process:

• Submission of online applications.
• Applicants will be offered admission/provisional admission based on their merit. The merit will be determined based on the information submitted by the candidates.
• In addition, students will be tested for their understanding of climate-related problems and solutions through SOP and interviews.
• The selection process for the candidates applying through the ACPC quota shall be as per the counselling process of ACPC.

Admissions Deadline:

• Applications: 31 March 2024

Anant Fellowship for Climate Action (AFCA)

Eligibility Criteria:

Individuals who are already implementing solutions to mitigate climate change and individuals desirous of leveraging their existing skills in other fields to climate action.

Admission Process:

• Submission of online applications
• Applications will be shortlisted based on CV screening and application question review
• After each round of applications, applicants will be invited for interviews – Round I and II based on which final selection will be done

 Admissions Deadline:

• 1 April 2024

Anant Fellowship for Sustainability and Built Environment (AFSBE)

Eligibility Criteria:

–       Undergraduate degree in any discipline.

–       Students in the final year may also apply.

–       Good combination of academic record and co-curricular activities.

–       Demonstrated commitment towards the built environment.

Admission Process:

–       Online application form on the Anant admissions portal (no application fee).

–       Shortlisting for interviews.

–       Telephonic Interview by a programme member.

–       Panel Interviews with faculty and other university members.

All selected candidates are eligible to apply for need-based tuition scholarships.

Admissions Deadline:

Pre-registration: 1 October 2023 – 31 October 2023

Round 1: 1 November 2023 – 31 January 2024

Round 2: 1 February – 30 April 2024

Round 3: 1 May – 31 July 2024

The process and form for new applicants to MSc remain the same.

Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)

Eligibility Criteria:

The eligibility for admission to 1st year of the 5-year BArch degree programme is as per Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education) Regulations. The eligibility in terms of Regulations is as under:

• Candidates must have cleared Class XII examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with Chemistry or Biology or Technical Vocational Subjects or Computer Science or Information Technology or Informatics Practices or Engineering Graphics or Business Studies with a minimum of 45% marks.
• Alternatively, the candidate must have cleared the 10+3 diploma examination with Mathematics as a compulsory subject and has a minimum of 45% or equivalent CGPA.
• Candidate must have qualified in the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) examination and secured a valid score

Admission Process:

All India Quota

• Apply For BArch Online
• Assessment based on 12th examination marks and NATA score
• Generation of Merit List
• Offer Letter

ACPC*

Candidates seeking admissions through ACPC must book an appointment before visiting the university for the admission process.

*Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC) is a body constituted by the Government of Gujarat to regulate the admission of candidates to the professional degree courses including Architecture.

Admissions Deadline:

As per NATA and ACPC timelines.

Master of Architecture (MArch)

Eligibility Criteria:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture in 10+2+5 years scheme
• Minimum 55% marks and 50% in case of SC/ST candidates

Admission Process:

• Apply online for the programme
• Applicants must submit their Statement of Purpose and Portfolio
• Applicants must appear in the Personal Interview

Note: Applicants need to provide two references from their professional or academic background and a Statement of Purpose (SOP) to understand their career goals, work experience, motivation and interest in the programme. Students should carry their resume & design portfolios during the interview. Personal interviews will be conducted online through meet/zoom.

Admissions Deadline:

Applications: 15 April

Master of Design in Integrated Product Design (MDes:IPD)

Eligibility Criteria:

• The candidate must be a graduate (10+2+3/4) or equivalent from a recognised institute/university
• The student should have secured a minimum of 50% in his/her graduation

Admission Process:

• Apply Online
• Portfolio
• Recommendation letters and Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Personal interview

Admissions Deadline:

Doctoral Programme (PhD)

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates must have studied under 10+2+3 pattern of education (or 10+2+4) (or 10+2+5) or equivalent years of study through regular full-time study.
• Candidates are ideally required to have completed a Master’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 55% marks (or an equivalent grade).
• Candidates of Indian origin or overseas scholars who have completed a Master’s Degree from an accredited overseas university securing a minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent grade) would be eligible.
• Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree must demonstrate a minimum of three years of postgraduate professional or practice experience.

Admission Process:

• Application Form
• Appear in Research Aptitude Assessment Test (if applicable)
• Comprehensive Evaluation of Forms/Research Proposal
• Personal Interview/Presentation

Admissions Deadlines:

Early Applications Deadline: 8 January 2024

1. Annual fees* (tuition fee, boarding fee, admission fee, registration fee, etc) – Minimum: Maximum.

*(Please note: fees will be provided for registered users only)

1. Bachelor of Design : ₹ 4,50,000* per annum
2. Bachelor of Architecture : ₹ 97,500^ per annum
3. Bachelor of Visual Arts : ₹ 1,50,000* per annum
4. Bachelor of Technology : ₹ 2,62,000* per annum
5. Master of Design : ₹ 3,60,000* per annum (Integrated Product Design)
6. Master of Architecture : ₹ 1,90,000 per annum
7. Anant Fellowship for Sustainability and Built Environment: ₹ 5,00,000
8. Anant Fellowship for Climate Action: ₹ 5,00,000
9. PhD: full-time candidates receive an annual stipend of ₹ 1,00,000

Residence and Mess Fee: ₹ 2,75,000* per annum

       *10% YOY increase, ^ Subject to FRC approval

BDes Application Fee : ₹ 750.00

Students are responsible to procure study material for their coursework and any other additional stationary as required.

Students must also bear the cost of transportation, lodging and food for field visits unless mentioned otherwise.

Achievement

Accolades:

2018

Innovative Curriculum and Pedagogy

ET Now – Making Of Developed India

2019

Experiential Learning in Higher Education

IDA Education

2020

Architecture for Building Additions, Renovations and Adaptive Reuse

2020 SCUP Excellence Awards

2022

Most Promising Design and Architecture University

News 18 Gujarati Gyan Ratna Award

2022

Top 15 Emerging State Private Universities

Outlook – ICARE India’s Top Universities Rankings 2022

2023

• Prof TG Sitharam, Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE), felicitates Anant National University as one of the Best Education Brands at The Economic Times Best Education Brands 2023
• Design University of the Year Collegedunia Excellence Awards 2023

Key Events:

• Anant, in collaboration with UPenn’s Graduate School of Education, organised the Future of Learning collaborative. 28 delegates from 15 countries and 5 continents attended the forum and produced a whitepaper highlighting the challenges of the education sector and recommended solutions for equitable, inclusive and high-quality education.
• WITH Festival, a globally distributed event in partnership with Media for Change. Inaugurated at Anant, it showcased the work of designers, media makers and technologists. Notable performers and keynote speakers: Saz Trio, Pandit Tanmoy Bose, Himmat Mahila Band, Manish Chauhan, drummer, Team of Street to Kathak and Dharavi Dream Project, Prof. Kim Grinfeder from the University of Miami And Jaime Abello Banfi, Director of the Gabriel Garcia Marquez Foundation, Columbia.
• TEDxAnant brought together experts and practitioners to share ideas that will help adapt to the ever-changing world. Notable guests: Benny Kuriakose, sustainable architecture and climate responsive design expert, Aparna Piramal Raje, writer, Hetal Srivastav, Founder and Creative Head, RaasLeela Textile and Gurashish Sahni, Co-founder and COO of Recircle.
• Kathakari, an international symposium, explored storytelling’s intangible heritage across genres, techniques and methodologies. Notable guests: Padma Vibhushan, Dr Teejan Bai, Prof. James Hegarty from Cardiff University, Dr Eric Miller, Director of World Storytelling Institute, author Ami Ganatara, Dr Madan Meena from Adivasi Academy and Dastangoi artists Poonam Girdhani and Rajesh Kumar.
• Over 207 students received graduation certificates from Padma Bhushan N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of the board of Tata Sons, at the convocation ceremony in 2022.

Community Projects:

• Anushilp:Upskilling and upscaling rural artisans in collaboration with USIN Foundation.
• Project Green Signal: An interactive and immersive design experience created in partnership with the Government of Gujarat, Gujarat State Legal Service Authority, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Municipal School Board to prepare street kids for formal education before they get transferred to the municipal schools.
• Craft.Ed: A platform for indigenous artisans and students to exchange knowledge of the traditional and the modern to aesthetic, functional and sustainable design solutions.
• Teaching to Transform: A certification course curated for teachers/ academicians/ independent consultants to introduce design thinking at the grassroots, enabling innovators to think creatively and in a solution-oriented way.
• Dexterity Deck: An interactive card game for kids with mild cerebral palsy.

Accommodation

There are four hostels on campus, accommodating a total of 565 students.

• 

• 

• 

•