Summary
A Calligrapher works within the Applied Arts field in India. The role applies the specialist training of this stream to real problems — in industry, in public service, in institutions or in independent practice. Students usually enter through the Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject route after Class 12, then specialise through work experience or a master's degree. This page brings together the study route, the entrance exams, the leading institutes and the day-to-day reality of the job, using the same exam and institute records published elsewhere on HBK Careers.
Core skills
- Subject knowledge from the qualifying degree
- Communication and teamwork
- Attention to detail
- Willingness to keep learning
Where you can work
- Government departments and public bodies
- Private companies in the sector
- Consultancies and service providers
- Self-employment and freelance practice
Professional Opportunities
Government departments and public bodies
Private companies in the sector
Consultancies and service providers
Self-employment and freelance practice
Career Path
| Stage | What you study | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| After Class 10 | Any stream in Class 11–12 (subject requirements vary by programme) | 2 years (Class 11–12) |
| Graduation | Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject | 3–4 years |
| After Graduation | Master's degree / PG diploma in a specialisation | 2 years |
| After Post-Graduation | M.Phil. / Ph.D. for research and teaching roles | 3–5 years (optional) |
Important Facts
- Entry qualification: Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject.
- Most institutes ask for 50–60% in the qualifying examination; reserved categories usually get a 5% relaxation.
- Admission is through the entrance exams listed below — national tests plus the state CET where applicable.
- Government and private institutes both offer this route; fee levels differ sharply between them.
- Scholarships listed on the HBK scholarships page apply to most of these programmes.
Leading Institutes in India
| # | Institute | Entrance / Category | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai | State Entrance | sirjjinstituteofappliedart.in |
| 2 | Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai | State Entrance | sirjjschoolofart.in |
| 3 | College of Art, University of Delhi | CUET / College Test | collegeofart.du.ac.in |
| 4 | Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda | University Test | msubaroda.ac.in |
| 5 | Faculty of Visual Arts, Banaras Hindu University | BHU UET | bhu.ac.in |
| 6 | Jamia Millia Islamia — Faculty of Fine Arts | JMI Entrance | jmi.ac.in |
| 7 | Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata | State Entrance | gcac.ac.in |
| 8 | Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan | Visva-Bharati Test | visvabharati.ac.in |
| 9 | National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad | NID DAT | nid.edu |
| 10 | Chitrakala Parishath College of Fine Arts, Bengaluru | Institute Test | karnatakachitrakalaparishath.com |
| 11 | Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai | State Entrance | gcfachennai.ac.in |
| 12 | Amity School of Fine Arts, Noida | Amity Test | amity.edu |
| 13 | Pearl Academy, Delhi | Pearl Entrance | pearlacademy.com |
| 14 | Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh | University Test | iksvv.ac.in |
| 15 | C. N. College of Fine Arts, Ahmedabad | State Entrance | cnfa.ac.in |
| 16 | Sophia College for Women, Mumbai — Applied Art | Merit | sophiacollegemumbai.com |
| 17 | Rachana Sansad Academy of Applied Arts, Mumbai | Institute Test | rachanasansad.edu.in |
| 18 | World University of Design, Sonipat | WUD Aptitude Test | wud.ac.in |
Institutions Abroad
| Institute | Country | Website |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | www.ox.ac.uk/ |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | www.cam.ac.uk/ |
| Harvard University | United States | www.harvard.edu/ |
| University of Toronto | Canada | www.utoronto.ca/ |
| University of Melbourne | Australia | www.unimelb.edu.au/ |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore | www.nus.edu.sg/ |
Entrance Exams
| Exam | Full name | What it admits you to | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| NID DAT | National Institute of Design Design Aptitude Test | B.Des in communication and applied arts. | admissions.nid.edu |
| UCEED | Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design | B.Des at IITs. | uceed.iitb.ac.in |
| CUET-UG | Common University Entrance Test (UG) | BFA Applied Arts at central universities. | cuet.nta.nic.in |
| BFA Entrance (State) | State Fine Arts Entrance Examination | Bachelor of Fine Arts admissions in state colleges. | gujacpc.admissions.nic.in |
| BHU UET (Fine Arts) | Banaras Hindu University Undergraduate Entrance Test | BFA at BHU Faculty of Visual Arts. | bhu.ac.in |
| JMI Entrance | Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Test | BFA Applied Art at Jamia. | jmi.ac.in |
| CEED | Common Entrance Examination for Design | M.Des and PG applied arts specialisations. | ceed.iitb.ac.in |
Work Description
- 01Plan the day's work against targets set by the organisation or client.
- 02Apply the specialist knowledge of the field to the task at hand.
- 03Coordinate with colleagues, suppliers and users involved in the work.
- 04Maintain accurate records, reports and compliance documents.
- 05Keep skills current through training and professional updates.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Recognised qualification pathway
- Options across public and private employers
- Specialisation raises pay over time
Cons
- Entry can be competitive
- Continuing education is expected
- Early-career pay varies by employer
Are you fit for this career?
Take the free HBK psychometric test and see how Calligrapher matches your interests and aptitude.