Candidates appearing in the NID DAT 2026 exam must follow a proper dress code and exam day instructions. A risque dressing may invite unwanted attention and frisking. So, here we bring you the NID DAT 2026 dress code you may follow to stay out of trouble and have a smooth exam day experience.
NID DAT 2026 Dress Code - The National Institute of Design (NID) is expected to conduct the NID DAT 2026 exam in the first week of January, 2026. On NID DAT exam day, you would ideally like to wear something comfortable and decent. But what if you wear something fancy or indecent? Will NID officials stop you from appearing in the entrance exam? Are there any downsides to not dressing inappropriately for the NID DAT 2026 exam? What exactly is appropriate dressing inside the NID DAT 2026 exam center?
Explore colleges based on NID Entrance Exam
These are some of the questions that could go through your mind when you consider picking a dress for the NID DAT 2026 exam.
So, here we discuss the NID DAT 2026 dress code in detail, explaining what a proper dress code is, why outrageous dressing should be avoided, and why too much jewelry is a big no.
Candidates who get shortlisted based on their DAT Prelims scores for the M.Des programme has to next appear in DAT Mains, which comprises a Studio Test and Interview. The Personal Interview is conducted after the Studio Test and carries a weightage of 30%. The interview will be conducted by a panel, which may include experts from industries/academics. The purpose of the interview is to assess the general awareness, extracurricular activities, academics, and the field of interest of the candidate. It is mandatory for candidates to appear in the Personal Interview or else the candidate will not be included in the final merit list.
The National Institute of Design (NID) has released the schedule for NID DAT 2024 (Mains).
The reporting time for NID DAT will be mentioned in the Admit card, along with gate closing time, and exam timings and date.
The candidate needs to report for the DAT Prelims exam at 8 am. The gates of the exam center will close at 9:30 AM (or 30 minutes before the commencement of the exam). After that no candidate will be allowed inside the exam hall.
NID DAT Exam timings:
- B.Des - 10 am - 1 pm
- M.Des - 10 am - 12.30 pm
- Does NID prescribe a dress code for the NID DAT exam?
- Recommended dress code for NID DAT 2026
- NID DAT 2026 Code of Conduct
- NID DAT 2026 - Barred and Allowed Items
- NID DAT 2026 - Document Cheklist
- NID DAT 2026: Important Dos and Don’ts
Does NID prescribe a dress code for the NID DAT exam?
The National Institute of Design hasn’t prescribed any dress code for the NID DAT 2026 exam. But this doesn’t mean that you can wear anything you like.
The assumption is that the candidate will have the good sense to dress appropriately for the exam, keeping in mind traditional and community norms.
Further, the candidate isn’t expected to dress in a way that may vitiate the exam environment.
Recommended dress code for NID DAT 2026
Here is how the candidate must dress for the NID DAT 2026 exam.
Clothing:
- Dress comfortably - NID DAT is a very competitive exam, and you don’t want to be distracted. If you are dressed comfortably, it will have a calming influence on you.
- Try formal attire - Both male and female candidates can wear formal attire, like a shirt, trousers, and salwar kameez.
- Don’t wear a dress with lots of pockets or flaps - This will unnecessarily raise suspicion, and you may be subject to a lot of frisking.
- Head covering - Unless it is for a religious purpose, don’t wear items like scarves, stoles, or other accessories that cover your head.
- Shoe type - Closed-toe shoes can be an option. However, if you instead wear shoes with heavy heels or thick soles, you may face extra frisking.
- Slippers and sandals are perfectly ok.
- Jewelry, belts, hats, and other accessories may be avoided. It is recommended that you don’t wear jewelry to the exam hall, as exam officials will not take responsibility for any items damaged or lost.
- Personal belongings - Don’t bring electronic items like mobile phones, smart watches, calculators, etc., inside the exam hall. Candidates found in possession of these items can be disqualified.
- Printed/Embroidered Clothing - There is no restriction on wearing printed or embroidered clothing. But do ensure that it is nothing obscene, racial, or controversial.
Religious Attire
The candidate can wear religious attire like hijabs and turbans. However, exam officials may demand that the attire doesn’t obstruct security checks and verification of the candidate’s identity.
Also Read:
- NID DAT 2026 exam-day guidelines - Reporting time, Attempting the Paper
- Subject-wise Books to prepare for NID DAT 2026
NID DAT 2026 Code of Conduct
While there is no official code of conduct for the NID DAT 2026 exam, here are some general guidelines.
- Follow the exam schedule - The exam timings, including the reporting time, will be mentioned on the NID DAT 2026 admit card. If you arrive late at the exam center, you may not be allowed entry into the NID DAT 2026 exam hall/ center.
- Identity verification - The candidate must carry with them the admit card and a valid photo ID proof. Without these documents, the candidate will not be allowed to sit in the exam.
- Exam center etiquette - Maintain discipline and respectful behavior at the exam center. You are not allowed to communicate with others during the exam, either verbally or non-verbally.
- Unfair practices - Any candidate found indulging in unfair means will be disqualified.
- Prohibited Items - The candidate is not allowed to bring items included in the prohibited list. For instance, written text, electronic gadgets, bags, etc., are not allowed inside the exam hall.
- Conduct Inside the NID DAT 2026 exam hall - The candidate must take his or her seat immediately after entering the exam hall. Also, once the exam commences, listen carefully to and follow what the invigilator says. No candidate is allowed to leave the exam hall until the exam ends.
- Use of a scribe - The services of a scribe are available to candidates with a disability for the Objective NID DAT 2026 question paper. However, scribe service is not available for the Subjective part of DAT Prelims.
NID DAT 2026 - Barred and Allowed Items
The following items are barred inside the NID DAT 2026 exam center: Mobile phones, any type of watch, bag, handbag, papers, notes, books, calculator, electronic gadgets, correction marker/white fluid, etc.
The NID DAT 2025 (Mains) exam for the B. Des programme will be held from April 26 - May 4, 2024. The timings for the dat Mains exam will be mentioned in the NID DAT 2025 admit card, along with the reporting time. The candidate needs to reach the DAT Mains exam centre as per the timings given in the admit card. Note that you may not be allowed entry inside the exam venue once the exam commences. So, it is advisable to reach the exam venue with time in hand.
The NID DAT 2026 Studio Test and Interview for the M.Des program will be conducted from in the first week of March 2026. Candidates will be shortlisted for DAT Mains on the basis of their performance in DAT Prelims.
The Studio Test and Interview will be conducted programme-wise from. Candidates who have qualified DAT prelims are eligible to appear in DAT Mains, which comprise a Studio Test and Interview for the M.Des programme. The Studio Test is usually conducted from 9 am - 12 noon. The Interview will be conducted after the completion of the studio test.
The National Institute of Design will release schedule for NID DAT 2026 counseling on its admission portal soon after DAT Mains results are declared.
Eligible candidates seeking admission to the B.Des program has to submit campus preferences.
The 1st round of seat allotment for B.Des program will be announed around the last week of May 2026. Note that the seat allotment for the M.Des program will be announced in April 2026.
The counseling process will be conducted online and include one or more seat allotment rounds.
NID counseling notification will include information like the mode of the counseling, application process, fees, etc. The candidate needs to carefully go through the notification to learn about the process. The NID counseling will be conducted for admission to the B. Des and M.Des courses. For the current session, there ate 425 B. Des seats, and 247 M.Des seats.
However, the candidate is allowed to carry the following items:
- Lead pencils of various grades
- Sharpener
- Scissor
- Ruler
- Dry colors
- Two black ball-point pens to mark the OMR answer sheet
NID DAT 2026 - Document Cheklist
The candidate needs to bring the following documents with them:
- NID DAT 2026 Admit Card
- Photo ID proof
Any of the following documents will be accepted as valid photo ID proof.
- Aadhaar card
- Voter card
- Passport
- PAN card
- Driving license
Note that the IDs should be in the original. Photocopies will not be accepted.
NID DAT 2026: Important Dos and Don’ts
The candidate can quickly go through the NID DAT 2026 exam dos and don’ts given below:
Dos |
Don'ts |
---|---|
Admit Card - Bring a printout of the admit card. |
Don’t Bring Banned Items Items like mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, calculators, etc, are not allowed inside the exam hall. |
ID proof - Bring an ID proof in the original. Photocopies will not be accepted. |
Don’t Carry Bags or Purses |
Be punctual. |
Bags, purses, and clutches are prohibited |
Reach the exam center at least an hour in advance. |
Don’t wear unnecessary jewelry, including rings, bracelets, etc. |
Follow the dress code. |
Take your seat immediately after entering the exam hall. |
Do Follow the Dress Code |
Don’t leave your seat during the exam |
Adhere to the dress code and wear simple, comfortable clothing. |
Don’t gossip or disturb other candidates during the exam. |
Carry the stationery required to attempt the exam:
|
Do help or take help from other candidates. |
Carry two passport-size photos, a transparent water bottle, and sanitizer. |
Don’t cheat or use unfair means. |
Read the instructions carefully before attempting the exam |
Don’t scribble on the admit card or OMR Sheet |
Follow all instructions on the admit card and given by the invigilator |
Don’t enter the exam hall late |
Use the Washroom Before the Exam |
No candidate will be allowed inside the exam hall once the exam has commenced. |
Carefully fill in all the particulars in the OMR sheet |
Don’t disregard instructions given by exam officials. |
Mark answers clearly and accurately on the OMR sheet. |
Don’t cheat or indulge in malpractice of any kind. |
Crosscheck the answers if you have time. |
Don’t waste time. Try to complete the paper within the given time. |
Do Check Your Answers |
Don’t misbehave with exam officials |

News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
1 Oct '25 - 31 Oct '25 | UCEED 2026 Application DATE |
1 Nov '25 - 7 Nov '25 | UCEED 2026 Application DATE (L... |
Nov '25 | NIFT 2026 application form OPE... |
Jan '26 | NIFT 2026 application form (La... |
Jan '25 | UID DAT 2025 exam date |
12 Sep '24 | UID DAT 2025 Registration STAR... |
1 Aug '25 - 10 Aug '25 | AIEED Examination |
31 Jul '25 - 5 Aug '25 | AIEED Examination |
30 May '25 | Cycle 2: Semester 1 Fee Paymen... |
17 May '25 | Cycle 2: Acceptance Deadline |
1 Aug '25 - 30 Nov '25 | SEED 2026 Online registration ... |
5 Jan '26 | SEED 2026 Admit Card (B.Des) |
Jul '25 | PESSAT DAT 2025 Application Cl... |
Jan '25 | PESSAT DAT 2025 Exam START Dat... |
Sep '25 | Pearl Academy Application Form... |
Jul '25 | Pearl Academy Registration 202... |
May '25 | DEED Application 2025 |
Jan '25 | DEED 2025 Exam Dates (Phase 1) |
Student Forum
Answered a month ago
Candidates will be able to apply online by registering on the official portal, filling out the form, uploading documents, and paying the application fee. The registration process will start after the release of the NID DAT 2026 official notification. National Institute of Design is expected to relea
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The NID DAT 2026 notification will provide information about eligibility, application process, fees, exam dates, exam pattern, and selection process. The notification provides details of seat capacity at each NID campus for both B.Des and M.Des.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NID DAT 2026 notifications will be available on the official website of NID at admissions.nid.edu. Official notification of the NID entrance exam is all set to be out by the first week of September 2025. The notifications will be out for UG and PG programmes.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
National Institute of Design is expected to release the NID DAT 2026 Applications by the first week of September 2025 for B.Des and M.Des programmes. The registration for NID DAT 2026 will be on the official website of NID. Candidates can fill out the application form by registering, filling in info
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NID notification for 2026 is expected to be out by the first week of September 2025. The official notification will be out on the official website of the NID and will contain details about the NID entrance examination.
The NID notifications will include:
General Information
Important Dates
Intake Capa
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
One can follow these tips for NID 2026 preparations:
- Know your NID Syllabus.
- Understand the exam pattern of NID DAT.
- Make the NID DAT 2026 preparation plan.
- Books to refer.
- Practice till you are perfect using mock tests and previous year's papers.
- NID DAT Exam Day Strategy.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
In general, the average salary after passing from NID is between 8-12 lakhs. It can also range between 17 and 50 lakhs, depending on the recruiter and the performance of the student.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, there are placements in NID campuses. NID has separate Placement cells for the placement process. Placement in NID completely depends on the performance of the student during the selection interview. Some of the top recruiters of NID are:
- Malabar Gold & Diamonds
- J.P.Morgan
- Tcs
- The Asian Heritage F
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NID students can get job opportunities in graphic designing, UX designing, animation, fashion communication, furniture designer, fashion consultant, Textile designer, web designer, product designer, film and video communication and much more.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NID Ahmedabad has a good record of placements. NID Ahmedabad consistently leads in placement outcomes among NID campuses. In 2025, the average package was around ?21.3 LPA and the highest package was around ?30 LPA. The Total offers made were 620.
S
Contributor-Level 10
The National Institute of Design (NID) is expected to conduct the DAT Prelims exam in the first week of January 2026.
The B.Des exam will be held around 10 am - 1 pm; meanwhile, the M.Des exam will be held around 10 am - 12.30 am. The candidate needs to report for the exam at 8 am. Gates' closing time is 9.30 am.
The DAT Prelims for the B.Des programme will be conducted in a paper-and-pencil/pen mode. The question paper may include both textual and visual questions. Other details like duration of the exam, marking scheme, etc., will be published in the DAT Prelims admit card.
The DAT Prelims exam for the M.Des programme will be conducted offline and include a mix of objective and subjective questions. The paper will have a total of 100 questions.