NID DAT Answer Key 2026: Provisional Answer Key PDF for UG/ PG, OMR Sheet, Objection Window

Q: When will NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) result be announced for M.Des?

The DAT Prelims results for the M.Des program will be announced in February 2025. The result can be checked online at admissions.nid.edu. Note that DAT Prelims result will be released for all candidates who appear in the exam. The candidate can check DAT Prelims result by logging into the result portal using their email ID and date of birth. The scores of the DAT Prelims exam will be used to shortlist candidates for DAT Mains. The National Institute of Design will released the M.Des DAT Mains 2025 exam after prelims results are declared.

559 Students Q&A

Registration - 11 Sep '25 - 1 Dec '25

This exam is conducted for courses given below:

BDes, GDPD MDes

Updated on Sep 13, 2025 09:10 IST

By Sayeba Naushad, Assistant Manager

NID Answer Key 2026 - The National Institute of Design (NID) usually does not release any answer key or question booklet for the NID DAT exam. As per instructions given in the Admission Handbooks, the answer keys will not be shared with the candidate even upon request. The NID will have a Rechecking window, which will open after the declaration of the NID DAT Prelims or Mains Result for B.Des and M.Des.

The reason for the non-release is that the question booklets are highly subjective. So, once the DAT Prelims exam is over, candidates will not be able to lay their hands on an answer key and compare their answers. However, one option you have is to go through the DAT Prelims Exam ANALYSIS and Student REACTIONS that we will bring to you.

The exam analysis, among other things, will include information on the questions asked, probable answers (or keys), and expected cut-off. The National Institute of Design is expected to conduct the NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) exam in the first week of January, 2026.
The scores of DAT Prelims will be used to shortlist candidates for NID DAT Mains.
NID DAT (Prelims) B.Des result 2026 will be tentatively announced in the first week of April 2026, with the rechecking window opening the same day and closing the next day. The result for DAT Mains M.Des will be declared in the first week of May 2026, and the rechecking window will remain open from the same day till the next day, most probably till 4 PM.
As for NID DAT Answer Sheets, they will be retained for one year after the final result is announced. Candidates can request their answer sheets only after the completion of the admission process — no requests will be entertained during the ongoing admission process.
Candidates shortlisted for the DAT Mains will be provided with an interface on the NID Admissions Portal to select their preferred test center. The selection window will be open in the first week of April 2026.
For the admission cycle 2026–27, candidates wishing to obtain their answer sheets must make an online payment of around Rs. 1000 per exam and submit their admit card, duly attested by the invigilator, with the seal of the test center. Once the payment and required documents are received, the answer sheet will be provided within 15–20 days.

Q: What is NID answer key?

It may be noted that the National Institute of Design (NID) will not release any answer keys for the NID DAT exam. The institute has mentioned in the Admission Handbooks the answer keys for the that exams will not be shared with the candidate even upon request. This is because the question booklets are highly subjective in nature, as per NID officials. The candidate may however download unofficial answer keys of NID that released by coaching institutes. But note that answers given in the unofficial keys may be incorrect. Nevertheless, the unofficial keys will give the candidate a fair idea about the expected score.

Q: What is the difficulty level of NID DAT?

The NID Entrance Exam is considered to be one of the toughest design entrance exam conducted in the country. In NID DAT, more weightage is given to subjective, drawing related questions. Thus, candidates need to be extremely creative and have a clear understanding of their concepts when appearing for the NID exam.

For preparing the final results for the B. Des program, the DAT Prelims will be allocated 40% weightage, while DAT Mains will be given 60%.

During the DAT Mains, which comprises a Studio Test, the candidate is tested hands-on and have to show their drawing abilities, creativity, innovativeness, and material-handling ability.

Q: Is it possible to crack NID DAT without coaching?

It is not mandatory to take coaching to get a good rank in NID DAT. It is because the entrance exam will test the creative, drawing, and innovative skills of the candidate. Now, a coaching institute cannot exactly teach you to be creative or become innovative. Instead, with a little effort these skills can learn these skills yourself. Also, a major thrust of the design aptitude test is to evaluate the drawing skills of the candidate. So, make it a point to work on your design skills, including learning how to draw lines, shadow, figure, gesture, cartoon drawing, etc. When practicing drawing, also keep a tab on the drawing speed, as it will help you complete the paper in the allotted time.

Table of content

What is NID Rechecking Window?
NID Entrance Exam 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
Steps to Download NID Entrance Exam Answer Key 2026
How to Calculate Probable Score using NID Answer Key?
Steps to Raise Objections against NID Answer Key 2026
NID DAT 2026 Answer Sheet
How to obtain the NID DAT 2026 Answer sheet
NID DAT Answer Key 2026 - FAQs

What is NID Rechecking Window?

NID Recehcking window is an opportunity given to the students who appeared for the NID DAT Exam to apply for rechecking their scores. This window is open for a specific time period after the declaration of the result.

Key Points of NID DAT Rechecking Window

The main points that candidates must know about the NID DAT Rechecking window are:

Rechecking is usually limited to verifying calculation errors or unmarked answers, not a re-evaluation of subjective content.
It is available for a limited time after the declaration of NID DAT results.
Candidates must submit a request online via their login portal during the window.
A nominal fee is usually charged per paper.

Purpose of the NID DAT Rechecking Window

NID DAT Rechecking window helps to make the process transparent and accurate.

NID Entrance Exam 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NID Entrance Exam 2026 exam

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
17 Feb ' 26	NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) - Results for M.Des
17 Feb ' 26 - 18 Feb ' 26	NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) - Results Recheck for M.Des
Mar ' 26	NID DAT 2026 (Mains) Studio Test and Interview TENTATIVE
07 Apr ' 26	NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) - Results for B.Des
07 Apr ' 26 - 08 Apr ' 26	NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) - Results Recheck for B.Des
May ' 26	NID DAT 2026 (Mains) Exam Result for M.Des TENTATIVE
May ' 26	Round 1 M.Des: Deadline for Fee Payment & Document Upload TENTATIVE
View more Future Events (14)

Steps to Download NID Entrance Exam Answer Key 2026

As stated earlier, the National Institute of Design (NID) does not publish any official question booklet or answer key for the NID DAT examination.

However, in the event that NID revises its policy and chooses to release the NID DAT answer key, it will be made available on this page. A download link for the answer key will also be provided here. The steps to access and download the answer key will be clarified once it is officially released.

To download the Answer Key, you need to follow these steps:

Go to the NID admission portal
Click on the answer key link
You may or may not need to log in. If there is a log-in option, log in using candidate credentials
Once you are logged in, you can download the NID 2026 answer key in PDF format.

Also Read:

Commonly asked questions

Q: Can I ask for re-evaluation of DAT Prelims?

The candidate is allowed to request re-check of their NID that Prelims. Requests for re-check have to be submitted online through the official website admissions. Nid. Edu. Note that the rechecking is restricted to: Whether all the answers have been marked. Whether there has been any mistake in the totaling of marks for each question in Part II of answer booklet and transferring the marks correctly onto the first cover page of the answer booklet NID officials will not entertain re-evaluation of the answer script or other work done by the candidate as part of the examination.

Q: How to check NID Entrance Exam answer key?

The National Institute of Design (NID) typically doesn't release any answer keys for the that exams. This is because the question booklets are very subjective. That being said, if NID decides to release the answer key in upcoming editions of the NID that exam, candidates can download it from the official admission portal at admissions. Nid. Edu. To download the answer key, the candidate will have to log-in to the portal using their applicant credentials. Note that in some cases, the pdf form of the answer booklet may also available without log in; in that case you will simply have to click on the download tab.

View answer key

How to Calculate Probable Score using NID Answer Key?

The candidate can use the provisional answer key to calculate probable scores in the NID DAT 2026 Prelims exam. This, in turn, will help them assess their chances of qualifying for the Prelims exam. Remember, only those candidates who qualify in the prelims exam are eligible to sit in the Mains exam.

First, calculate the number of correct answers
Then allocate marks for each correct answer as per the official NID DAT 2026 exam pattern
Tally the numbers to arrive at the total score for Prelims.

NID Marking Scheme for NID DAT Prelims 2026

The maximum mark that aspirants can secure in the NID DAT B.Des. paper is 100. The test paper of the NID Entrance Exam is such that it comprises 70 objective-type questions and 30 subjective, short-answer-type questions. There is no negative marking in the NID Entrance Exam 2026.

Type of Question	No. of Questions	Marks for Each Question
Objective type questions	Questions 1 to 14	1 mark
Objective type questions	Questions 15 to 22	2 marks
Subjective type questions	Question No. 23	15 marks
	Question No. 24	20 marks
	Question No. 25	15 marks
	Question No. 26	20 marks
Total Marks		100 marks

Note: The National Institute of Design does not specify any marking scheme for M. Des courses. However, the objective questions in the NID DAT M.Des. paper hold a weightage of 30 marks, and the subjective questions hold a weightage of 70 marks.

Commonly asked questions

Q: Where to find NID DAT sample papers?

The National Institute of Design has uploaded the NID DAT sample on its official admission portal. To download a sample papers. Click on the sample paper link, no log in is required. The sample papers for NID DAT can be download in pdf format. The intent of these sample papers is to help the candidate get insights into the pattern and structure of the exam. By solving the sample papers, the candidate will get insights into the difficulty level of the exam, the types of questions asked, topics from which questions are asked, etc. Additionally, if the candidate solves enough sample papers, it will help him or her to develop problem solving and time management skills. So, all candidates must practice the NID DAT sample paper to gain confidence and get rid of exam fear.

Q: What was the difficulty level of NID DAT 2023 (Prelims)?

As per inputs given by candidates, the difficulty level of Part A was moderate, whereas Part B was moderate. Overall, the paper was easy compared to the previous edition. Part A of the question paper includes a number of questions from GK. As for some students, the paper was lengthy. The question paper included one question on perspective drawing, one question on the storyboard, and one question on problem-solving. Considering that the paper was easy compared to the previous year, the cut-off could go higher. Note that if the cut-off goes higher, the candidates will get need better marks to have a good chance of admission.

Steps to Raise Objections against NID Answer Key 2026

The Rechecking window for the NID DAT (Prelims) B.Des is expected to open in the first week of April 2026. The fee for rechecking the DAT Prelims Paper will be around INR 2,000. For the M.Des DAT Mains result, the rechecking window will open in the first week of May 2026.

NID B.Des Final Result will be out tentatively in the second week of May 2026 on the official website. The B.Des rechecking window is expected to open on the result day.

If the NID DAT answer key is released and there is an objection filing window, you may need to proceed as follows:

Visit the official website of NID
Click on the answer key tab/link
Log in to the registered account
Click on the link available for raising objections against the NID Prelims/ Mains Answer key.
Select the question(s) against which the objection needs to be raised
Select the right answer
Upload supporting document(s)
Pay the challenge fee via online mode
Submit the challenge

Commonly asked questions

Q: Will NID release answer booklets for the that Mains and DAT Prelims?

The National Institute of Design (NID) will release the answer booklets for both the DAT Mains and DAT Prelims. The answer booklets will be released after the completion of the admission process. Also, the answer booklets will be available upon request. The answer booklets will not be issued to the candidate during the admission process under any circumstances. To make a request for the that answer booklets, the candidate will have to pay INR 1000 for each exam. The answer sheet will be provided to the candidate within 15-20 days after receiving the payment, on their registered email ID.

Q: Will the NID question paper be released?

No, the design institute will neither release the question booklet nor any answer keys. As per instructions given in the Admission Handbooks for the B. Des and M.Des programs, the question booklet will not be released even upon request. The statement says - The DAT exams question booklet cannot be shared as it is highly subjective in nature, and may not be furnished, in the larger public interest. The candidate can check out the questions for NID published by coaching institutes; most of these questions will be memory-based and shared by test takers. Shiksha. Com will also bring you exam analysis and student reactions of NID DAT, wherein you can get insights into the exam, including what questions were asked.

NID DAT 2026 Answer Sheet

The National Institute of Design will not release any answer keys and question booklets for the NID DAT 2026 exam. It will, however, issue the individual NID DAT 2025 answer sheets to candidates. The answer sheets will be available after the declaration of NID DAT 2026 results. NID 2026 Answer sheets will be retained for one year after the final result is announced. Candidates can request their answer sheets only after the completion of the admission process — no requests will be entertained during the ongoing admission process.

For the admission cycle 2026–27, candidates wishing to obtain their answer sheets must make an online payment of around Rs 1000 per exam and submit their admit card, duly attested by the invigilator, with the seal of the test center. Once the payment and required documents are received, the answer sheet will be provided within 15–20 days.

Note: The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the NIFT entrance exam, will release answer sheets for the GAT question paper.

Commonly asked questions

Q: When will the NID DAT 2025 Prelims exam be conducted?

The candidate needs to report for the exam at 8 am. Gates closing time is 9.30 am.

The B.Des exam will be held from 10 am - 1 pm; meanwhile, the M.Des exam will be held from 10 am - 12.30 am.

The DAT Prelims for the B.Des programme will be conducted in a paper-and-pencil/pen mode. The question paper may incude 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.

How to obtain the NID DAT 2026 Answer sheet

To obtain the NID Answer sheet, follow these steps:

The answer sheet will be available only upon request.
The candidate can make requests online on payment of INR 1,000
The candidates will also have to furnish their NID DAT 2026 admit cards, duly attested by the invigilator, with the seal of the exam center.
The NID DAT 2026 answer sheet will be dispatched to the registered email ID of the candidate within 15-20 days after receipt of the payment.

Commonly asked questions

Q: When will the NID DAT 2025 Prelims exam be conducted?

The candidate needs to report for the exam at 8 am. Gates closing time is 9.30 am.

The B.Des exam will be held from 10 am - 1 pm; meanwhile, the M.Des exam will be held from 10 am - 12.30 am.

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.

Q: When will NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) result re-check window open for B.Des?

The DAT Prelims results for the B.Des program will be open from April 1-2, 2025.

Prelims results for B.Des will be declared on April 1, 2025.

The application for re-check has to be submitted online.

The re-check will be limited to:

Whether all answers have been marked
Whether there has been any mistakes in totalling the marks in Part II and transferring the marks to the 1st cover page of the answer booklet.

NID DAT Answer Key 2026 - FAQs

Go through the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the NID answer key below.

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is NID DAT Prelims exam pattern?

NID Entrance Exam comprises that Prelims and that Mains. NID DATA Prelims is a written entrance exam whereas NID DAT Mains comprises an offline based Studio Test (plus an Interview round for the M.Des programme). NID DAT Prelims for the B. Des programme is a paper-and-pencil/pen exam. The question paper may include both textual and visual questions. The language of the test will be English . Note that the test duration and other details related to the exam will be notified to the candidate through the NID DAT admit card. The candidate must follow previous years that Prelims questions papers to get better insights into the exam pattern, including types of questions asked, marking scheme, and difficulty level.

Q: When will the NID Studio Test conducted for the B. Des programme?

The National Institute of Design (NID) will conduct the Studio Test for the B. Des program in April 2025. The Studio Test will be conducted offline. Note that B. Des candidates are not required to appear in any interview, unlike the M.Des applicants. Admit cards for the Studio Test will be released a few days in advance.

On the day of the Studio Test, the candidate had to report at the exam center with the admit card and a valid photo id proof. The Studio Test (or that Mains) is the 2nd stage of the two-stage NID that admission process. The final results of NID DAT 2025 is prepared by considering the performance of the candidate in DAT Mains and DAT Prelims.

Q: What is the criteria to shortlist candidates for DAT Mains of NID?

NID officials will consider the Merit list of that Prelims to shortlist candidates for DAT Mains. The number of candidates shortlisted will be no less than three times in each category. The National Institute of Design will prepare merit lists for GENERAL, GENERAL-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD & OVERSEAS categories. In the scenario where two or more candidates score the same marks in the DAT Prelims, then a tiebreak policy will be applied to decide the merit rank.

Q: When will NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) result be announced for M.Des?

The DAT Prelims results for the M.Des program will be announced in February 2025. The result can be checked online at admissions.nid.edu.

Note that DAT Prelims result will be released for all candidates who appear in the exam.

The candidate can check DAT Prelims result by logging into the result portal using their email ID and date of birth.

The scores of the DAT Prelims exam will be used to shortlist candidates for DAT Mains.

The National Institute of Design will released the M.Des DAT Mains 2025 exam after prelims results are declared.