INDEA: India’s First Automotive Design School Opens in Delhi

India has finally got its first dedicated automotive design school — INDEA (Indian School for Design of Automobiles)— launched in partnership with XLRI Delhi-NCR. Set to begin operations by late 2025, INDEA aims to nurture Indian talent for the global automotive design industry.

Unlike existing engineering and design programs, INDEA will focus exclusively on automobile design, offering a one-year Master’s in Automobile Design & Management. The program combines creative design training — covering exteriors, interiors, lighting, components, and UX — with business skills like team leadership and customer-centric design thinking. Each batch will admit around 20-25 students.

INDEA will be located at XLRI’s Delhi-NCR campus, equipped with state-of-the-art design studios, prototyping labs, and strong industry partnerships with OEMs and consultancies. Students will work on live projects and interact directly with automotive firms, ensuring real-world experience.

The school is led by industry veteran Avik Chattopadhyay, with support from an advisory board including Gautam Sen, Justice Indira Banerjee, and I.V. Rao. INDEA showcased its vision publicly at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 and has already received positive feedback from the industry.

By bringing world-class design education to India, INDEA hopes to not just support “Make in India” but champion “Create in India,” building a new generation of Indian automotive design leaders.