IIT Bombay DAT 2026 Question Paper (College‑Specific Round)

Introduction

This is the IIT Bombay DAT 2026 Question Paper shared by the institute during the registration process. This paper is considered the first round of the college‑specific entrance exam after the initial screening.

We have compiled the department‑wise questions from:

• Animation Design

• Interaction Design

• Communication Design

These questions help you understand:

• The expected thinking process

• Structure of responses

• Time & format constraints

• How to approach each department differently

This paper gives a very strong indication of what IIT Bombay expects in the first round of selection.

Interaction Design - IDC (IIT BOMBAY)

Interaction Design Task 1

Question

Instructions:Design a wall‑mounted regulator for a ceiling fan that can be operated without looking at it. Suggest how tactile markers, or form cues, would communicate speed levels to different types of users in an Indian household? Include sketches to illustrate your idea.

Format:

• Maximum 1 Page (A4)

• File Format: PDF

• Maximum Size: 3MB

  
  

How to Structure Your Answer

1. Problem Understanding

Start by identifying the core problem:

• Users operate fan regulator without looking

• Multiple users (children, elderly, visually impaired)

• Indian household context

Example Opening:

"In Indian households, ceiling fan regulators are often operated without direct visual attention — while sleeping, working, or cooking. Existing regulators lack tactile differentiation, making it difficult for users to identify speed levels."

2. User Types to Consider

Mention different user groups:

• Elderly users

• Children

• Visually impaired users

• Users with wet hands (kitchen use)

• Users in low‑light conditions

3. Design Concept

Explain your concept clearly:

Example Ideas:

• Raised dots for speed levels

• Increasing knob size

• Click‑based feedback

• Textured grooves

• Radial bump indicators

Example Explanation:

"The regulator uses progressively increasing tactile bumps. Speed 1 has a small dot, Speed 2 has two dots, and Speed 5 has a large raised ridge."

4. Sketch Suggestions

You can draw:

• Top view of regulator

• Side profile

• Finger interaction sketch

• Speed level indicators

5. Why This Works

Explain usability benefits:

• Easy to learn

• Works in dark

• Inclusive design

• Minimal learning curve

Interaction Design Task 2

Question

Instructions:Observe the image given below. Write a short essay based on your reflections. Your essay can include sketches as well.

https://tinyurl.com/ixd-image

(Max 500 words, and max 1 page - A4)

File format : PDFMaximum Size: 3MB

How to Structure Your Answer

1. Observation

Describe what you see

2. Interpretation

Explain what it means

3. Interaction Perspective

Focus on:

• User behaviour

• Interaction flow

• Experience design

4. Reflection

Add your personal insight

Communication Design - IDC (IIT BOMBAY)

Communication Design Task 1

Question

Instructions:Design a single‑page visual composition that represents:

Miscommunication.Not lack of communication.Not absence of communication.

But a situation where something was communicated and understood differently.Your composition should explore the gap between intention and interpretation.

You may use any medium (digital, illustration, photography, mixed media).

Avoid AI‑generated visuals. If AI tools are used in any capacity, clearly describe your contribution and process in not more than 40 words.

If you include text, the total description of your concept must not exceed 40 words.

File format : PDFMaximum Size: 5MB

How to Structure Your Answer

1. Choose a Simple Scenario

Examples:

• Text message misinterpretation

• Emoji misunderstanding

• Teacher‑student miscommunication

• Signboard confusion

2. Visual Composition Ideas

• Split screen (sender vs receiver)

• Distorted message

• Broken signal

• Whisper chain

3. Minimal Text (Max 40 words)

Example:

"A message sent with care arrives as confusion. The gap between intention and interpretation creates miscommunication."

Animation Design - IDC (IIT BOMBAY)

Animation Design Task 1

Question

Instructions:Illustrate an incident from your childhood, a memory close to your heart and write 2‑3 sentences about the incident.

Keep the background minimal. Use of colours is optional.

Present content on one A4‑sized paper, balancing words and sketches.

File format : PDFMaximum Size: 3MB

How to Structure Your Answer

1. Choose a Simple Memory

Examples:

• Learning bicycle

• First school day

• Festival memory

• Playing with friends

2. Sketch Layout

Top Section:Main illustration

Bottom Section:2‑3 sentence description

Example

"I still remember the day I learned cycling. I fell many times, but my father kept encouraging me. That evening, I rode alone for the first time it felt like flying."

Important Observations from IIT Bombay DAT

What IIT Bombay is Evaluating

• Observation skills

• Thinking clarity

• Human‑centred design

• Simplicity of ideas

• Sketch communication

Key Tips for Students

• Keep answers structured

• Use sketches wherever possible

• Avoid over‑complicated ideas

• Focus on user problems

• Think practical

Final Thoughts

This IIT Bombay DAT 2023‑27 paper clearly shows that the institute values thinking and clarity over artistic perfection.

If you practice solving these questions with proper structure, you significantly increase your chances of clearing the college‑specific entrance round.

We recommend practicing at least:

• 2 Interaction Design questions

• 2 Communication Design questions

• 1 Animation Design question

This will help you build confidence before the actual submission.

More sample questions and solutions coming soon.