Animator
Animators design and bring characters, scenes and visual narratives to life for film, TV, advertising, games and digital media. In India you can enter through design/animation degrees, university arts courses, diploma institutes or a technical CS route for real-time and tools work.
Actions for your grade
- Build a small portfolio of drawings and short animation clips
- Take online courses in fundamentals of animation and storytelling
- Join school art clubs or local animation workshops
Your complete path from Grade 10 to Animator
Every step you need — from now to your first job.
Highly competitive; strong portfolio and design aptitude test performance are critical.
- NowArts Stream
- ExamsNID DAT or UCEED or NIFT Entrance
- DegreeB.Des (4 years) — Animation / Film & Video / Visual Communication
- CollegesNational Institute of Design · Industrial Design Centre IIT Bombay · NIFT Delhi
- CareerAnimator
University programs emphasize fine arts and storytelling; portfolio and practical projects help placement.
- NowArts Stream
- ExamsCUET UG
- DegreeBFA or B.Sc Animation (3–4 years)
- CollegesJadavpur University · Delhi University · Sir J J School of Art Mumbai
- CareerAnimator
Fast track to studio jobs; combine with internships to build a showreel for better long-term prospects.
- NowAny Stream Stream
- Exams—
- DegreeDiploma / Professional Certificate in Animation & VFX (1–2 years)
- CollegesMaya Academy of Advanced Cinematics · Frameboxx Animation Academy
- CareerAnimator
Strong for pipeline, rigging, and game/real-time roles; pair with animation electives or personal projects.
- NowScience Stream
- ExamsJEE Main or BITSAT or MHT CET
- DegreeB.Tech / B.E. in Computer Science (4 years) — suited for technical animation, tools, real-time graphics
- CollegesIIT Bombay · BITS Pilani · NIT Trichy
- CareerAnimator
Entrance exams
| Exam | Eligibility | Difficulty | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
JEE Main NTA | Class 12 PCM | Very Hard | Jan & Apr |
BITSAT BITS Pilani | Class 12 PCM, 75%+ | Hard | May-Jun |
MHT CET Maharashtra State CET Cell | Class 12 PCM (Maharashtra domicile preferred) | Medium | Apr-May |
CUET UG NTA | Class 12 (any stream) | Medium | May-Jun |
NIFT Entrance NIFT | Class 12 (any stream) | Medium | Feb |
UCEED IIT Bombay | Class 12 (any stream) | Hard | Jan |
NID DAT National Institute of Design | Class 12 (any stream) | Hard | Jan (Prelims) + Apr (Mains) |
Where to Study
Institutes known to offer this career pathway in India.