Inside India’s Design Education System | NID MP Director Dr. Vidya Rakesh | NIFT NID | PODCAST 2026

What does NID & NIFT in India really look like today - including entrance exams and portfolios? In this episode of Creative Chaos with Akash, we sit down with Dr. Vidya Rakesh, Director of National Institute of Design, Madhya Pradesh, former faculty National Institute of Fashion Technology, to decode the present and future of design education in India. 🎧 Podcast Chapters – India & Design Education ft. Dr. Vidya Rakesh | NID MP 00:00 - Introduction 02:10 – Early life & academic background 06:15 – Moving from academics to leadership roles 09:40 – Understanding design beyond degrees 13:30 – Design as problem-solving 17:45 – Group work & collaboration in design education 21:55 – Why group projects are critical at NID 25:05 – Design thinking in real-life situations (bus & spoon story) 28:45 – Difference between NIFT and NID 33:10 – What NID looks for in students 37:45 – Can creativity be taught or is it inborn? 41:20 – Leadership, creativity & decision-making 44:50 – Indigenous knowledge & local innovation 48:10 – Administrative challenges as a design leader 52:35 – Understanding students as individuals 56:00 – Helping students discover what they truly want to do 59:45 – Design education vs rote learning systems 01:03:40 – Gurukul system vs modern education 01:07:30 – ‘Outcast’ students & alternative thinkers 01:10:30 – Role of national institutes vs private colleges 01:15:10 – Why national design institutes still hold credibility 01:18:40 – Shaping designers, not just professionals 01:22:00 – Final reflections on design, education & responsibility 01:25:00 – Closing remarks & sign-off We talk about: – How design education in India is evolving – What NID NIFT looks for beyond marks and skillsets – The role of research, systems thinking in the Indian context – Challenges faced by design institutions today – Advice for aspiring designers and design students Whether you're a design student, educator, or someone curious about how creativity is taught in India, this conversation gives rare insights straight from someone who's heading the education system. 🎧 Special Thanks - National Institute of Design, Madhya Pradesh & Team #CreativeChaoswithAkash #design #NIFT #NID #designthinking #entranceexamsunlocked 🔔 Subscribe for conversations on creativity, design, culture & ideas shaping India.