NID Entrance Exam MDes Cut off 2026: Check Category wise Cut off Marks

National Institute of Design Entrance Exam 2026 ( NID Entrance Exam )

DeskCalelnderExam On - 8 Mar '26

This exam is conducted for courses given below:
Sayeba Naushad
Updated on Feb 19, 2026 17:02 IST

By Sayeba Naushad, Assistant Manager

NID Cutoff 2026: NID is likely to release the cutoff for B.Des and M.Des at the time of NID DAT Prelims Result 2026. NID DAT Cutoff marks will include the minimum marks, on the basis of which candidates will be shortlisted for NID DAT 2026 Mains.

NID DAT Qualifying cutoff marks are different from NID Admission Cut-off. The NID DAT Final Result 2026 is prepared, giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The cut-off marks varies for different courses and categories. The cutoff for B.Des and M.Des will be out on admissions.nid.edu/NIDA2026. The allotment of seats will be based on the Institute campus preferences submitted by the candidate in the order of merit and availability of seats, in their respective category. Obtaining a rank in the NID merit list does not guarantee admission in UG and PG programmes.

Read on for detailed information.

Table of contents
  • NID DAT 2026 Admission Cutoff Vs. Prelims Cut-off
  • NID Entrance Exam 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
  • NID DAT Cut-off 2026 for B.Des
  • NID DAT 2026 Cutoff for M.Des
  • NID Previous Year Cut-off
  • NID DAT 2026 Cut-off - FAQs
NID Entrance Exam Logo

NID DAT 2026 Admission Cutoff Vs. Prelims Cut-off

Candidates may note that the NID DAT 2026 Prelims score is not the admission cut-off, as it is merely used to shortlist candidates for the next stage (DAT Mains). 

What Factors Affect  NID Cutoff 2026?

Some of the factors that affect the NID Cutoff are given below.

1. Total number of candidates taking the NID entrance Exam.

2. Seat Intake of NIDs

3. Level of Question Paper

4. Reservation policy of NIDs

5. Preference given by candidates during NID counselling.

6. Scores/Marks of the candidates

Difference between NID DAT Prelims Cut-off and NID DAT Admission Cut-off

Here, we explain the difference between Admission cut-off and DAT Prelims cutoff.

Particulars NID DAT Prelims Cut-off NID DAT Admission Cutoff 
Purpose 

To shortlist candidates for the 2nd stage of the admission process, which is DAT Mains.

Only shortlisted candidates will be issued admit cards and can sit in the NID DAT Mains exam

The admission cut-off is the minimum Final marks a candidate needs to secure in NID DAT 2026 exam for admission to a B.Des or M.Des course in participating institutes.

Based on Scores of NID DAT Prelims exam.

The final score of NID DAT 2026. The final score will be calculated by giving weightage to marks obtained in DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

Number of candidates shortlisted The number of candidates shortlisted for DAT Mains will be no less than three times the number of seats available in each category.

All candidates meeting the cut-off will be admitted to the M.Des/ B.Des courses.

Also, the number of seats allocated will be equivalent to the

number of seats available in each category.   

NID College Predictor, prepared by Shiksha.com, helps students predict the college in which they can get admission based on their expected exam score.

NID Exam College Predictor 2026
 
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the minimum qualifying criteria for NID 2026 admissions?
A: 

Minimum qualifying criteria for NID DAT are the minimum marks candidate needs to secure for admission. Category-wise cut-off would be released at the time of counseling and seat allotment. Cut-off would be prepared by considering factors: total number of applicants, merit ranks of applicants in NID DAT, seat intake of applied programme, etc. 

Q:   What are the various factors that will be considered for preparing NID 2026 cut-off?
A: 

Cut-off for NID 2026 Entrance exam will be prepared based on factors like total number of applications, seat intake for the applied programme, category under which admission is sought, and merit rank of the applicant in NID DAT 2026. Each of these factors are variables. For example, number of applications may vary from one category to another. Cut-off would also vary. The cut-off represents the minimum marks a candidate needs to secure in his or her category to get admission to the B. Des or M.Des programme.

Q:   Is the NID DAT exam very difficult to crack?
A: 

NID DAT, along with NIFT and UCEED are among the most competitive national-level entrance exams in the country. The fact that there are only 425 seats for the B. Des and 347 seats for the M.Des programme makes it very competitive. But that being said, if the candidate prepares well and with the correct strategy, then the NID DAT exam can be cracked. Among the first things the candidate needs to do is prepare a efficient study timetable get familiar with the syllabus and pattern, and use good books as reference material. 

NID Entrance Exam 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

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

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
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
May ' 26

Round 1 M Des: Seat Allotment Starts

TENTATIVE
May ' 26

NID DAT 2026 (Mains) Exam Result for B.Des

TENTATIVE
DatesPast Exam Dates
12 Feb ' 26

NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) - Results for M.Des

12 Feb ' 26 - 14 Feb ' 26

NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) - Results Recheck for M.Des

NID Entrance Exam Logo

NID DAT Cut-off 2026 for B.Des

Candidates can go through the NID DAT 2025 cut-off. This will give them a fair idea of NID 2026 cutoff. The NID DAT admission cut-offs are released in the form of the last ranks and scores of admitted candidates. 

B.Des. Admissions 2025-26: Rank & Score for the Last Candidate Allotted a Seat (As on 31 July 2025)

Check out the B.Des Cutoff for 2025 Open, GEN-EW and OBC-NCL:

Campus OPEN Rank OPEN Score GEN-EWS Rank GEN-EWS Score OBC-NCL Rank OBC-NCL Score
NID Ahmedabad 48 59.60 16 50.90 41 53.60
NID Andhra Pradesh 225 53.50 53 45.60 125 48.20
NID Assam 294 51.80 56 45.00 142 47.40
NID Madhya Pradesh 197 54.20 49 45.90 103 49.30
NID Haryana 193 54.30 48 45.90 106 49.00

Check out the B.Des Cutoff for 2025 for SC, ST, PwD and Overseas:

Campus SC Rank SC Score ST Rank ST Score PwD Rank PwD Score Overseas Rank Overseas Score
NID Ahmedabad 24 51.70 11 47.80 7 40.60 10 52.50
NID Andhra Pradesh 67 45.50 46 38.60 NE NE 13 49.00
NID Assam 83 44.00 40 40.00 NE NE NA NA
NID Madhya Pradesh 44 48.20 25 42.80 NE NE 22 46.20
NID Haryana 56 46.60 35 41.20 9 40.00 NE NE

NID DAT 2026 - Institute-wise Reservation of seats for B.Des (expected)

Institute

Total seats

GEN-EWS

(10%

OBC-NCL

(27%)

Scheduled Caste

(15%)

Scheduled Tribe

(7.5%)

NID Ahmedabad

125

13

34

19

9

NID Andhra Pradesh

75

8

20

11

6

NID Haryana

75

8

20

11

6

NID Madhya Pradesh

75

8

20

11

6

NID Assam

75

8

20

11

6

Total

425

45

114

63

33

Also Read:

 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   When will NID 2026 DAT cutoff be released?
A: 

National Institute of Design (NID) will release the NID DAT 2026 admission cut-off for the B.Des and M.Des programmes at the time of seat allotment, around May-June 2026. The cut-off will be released as the rank and score of the last candidate admitted to the M.Des program. 

NID DAT cut-off for B.Des programme will be released separately.

Cut-off will be released by considering factors like the number of applicants, seat intake, and category. Candidates who meet the cut-off for their category in their chosen programme will get admission.

NID Entrance Exam Logo

NID DAT 2026 Cutoff for M.Des

NID M.Des Programme is offered at NID Ahmedabad, NID Bengaluru, and NID Gandhinagar. M.Des program has a combined intake of 347 seats and NID campuses. The cutoff for NID M.Des will be updated once the final results are out.

M.Des. Admissions 2025-26: Rank & Score for the Last Candidate Allotted a Seat (As on 31 July 2025)

Check out the M.Des Cutoff for 2025 for Open and GEN-EWS Category:

Discipline OPEN Rank OPEN Score GEN-EWS Rank GEN-EWS Score
Animation Film Design 12 55.10 NE NE
Ceramic & Glass Design 6 58.10 NA NA
Furniture & Interior Design 10 55.90 2 50.25
Film & Video Communication 10 67.35 2 54.20
Graphic Design 8 62.25 NE NE
Product Design 13 57.60 NE NE
Textile Design 8 59.25 NE NE
Apparel Design 9 54.15 NE NE
Lifestyle Accessory Design 10 59.30 NE NE
New Media Design 8 57.70 NE NE
Photography Design 16 50.15 NE NE
Strategic Design Management 11 61.40 1 50.50
Transportation & Automobile Design 9 56.35 NE NE
Toy & Game Design 6 72.95 NA NA
Digital Game Design 7 66.65 2 60.00
Design for Retail Experience 7 59.30 NE NE
Information Design 10 63.50 3 52.10
Interaction Design 11 57.50 NE NE
Universal Design 14 60.55 2 57.00

Check out the M.Des Cutoff for 2025 for OBC-NCL and SC Category:

Discipline OBC-NCL Rank OBC-NCL Score SC Rank SC Score
Animation Film Design 6 46.65 5 46.30
Ceramic & Glass Design 4 49.95 3 50.50
Furniture & Interior Design 7 47.45 4 44.85
Film & Video Communication 7 62.65 6 56.35
Graphic Design 9 53.90 4 55.65
Product Design 15 46.80 3 50.70
Textile Design 5 47.20 6 40.20
Apparel Design 6 47.95 3 40.65
Lifestyle Accessory Design 9 48.60 7 43.95
New Media Design 8 46.55 4 43.00
Photography Design 1 46.50 5 43.50
Strategic Design Management 7 45.15 4 43.90
Transportation & Automobile Design 5 47.25 4 45.35
Toy & Game Design 6 48.70 2 45.40
Digital Game Design 6 54.85 5 52.70
Design for Retail Experience 8 47.60 3 55.10
Information Design 8 49.95 3 53.45
Interaction Design 7 50.35 5 52.80
Universal Design 11 48.80 5 51.25

Check out the M.Des Cutoff for 2025 for ST, PwD and Overseas Category are:

Discipline ST Rank ST Score PwD Rank PwD Score Overseas Rank Overseas Score
Animation Film Design 1 52.15 NE NE NA NA
Ceramic & Glass Design NE NE NA NA 1 57.80
Furniture & Interior Design 2 50.40 NA NA NA NA
Film & Video Communication 1 63.45 NA NA 1 66.00
Graphic Design 1 59.80 1 51.20 NE NE
Product Design 1 46.05 NE NE NA NA
Textile Design 1 48.40 NA NA NA NA
Apparel Design 1 43.35 NA NA NE NE
Lifestyle Accessory Design 2 46.25 NA NA NA NA
New Media Design 1 52.50 NA NA NA NA
Photography Design NA NA NA NA NA NA
Strategic Design Management 2 55.25 NA NA NA NA
Transportation & Automobile Design NE NE NA NA NA NA
Toy & Game Design NA NA NA NA NA NA
Digital Game Design 1 53.15 1 42.15 NA NA
Design for Retail Experience NA NA 1 44.95 NA NA
Information Design NE NE NA NA NA NA
Interaction Design 1 41.80 NE NE NE NE
Universal Design 1 46.55 NE NE NE NE
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   When will NID DAT cutoff be released?
A: 

National Institute of Design (NID) will release the NID DAT 2026 admission cut-off for the B.Des and M.Des programmes at the time of seat allotment, around May-June 2026. The cut-off will be released as the rank and score of the last candidate admitted to the M.Des program. 

NID DAT cut-off for the B.Des programme will be released separately.

The cut-off will be released by considering factors like the number of applicants, seat intake, and category. Candidates who meet the cut-off for their category in their chosen programme will get admission.

Q:   When will NID DAT Mains result be declared?
A: 

The NID DAT 2026 results (Mains) for the B. Des program will be announced in the third week of May 2026.

The final result will be prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The direct link to check the results will be provided here.

Note that the candidate was also given the opportunity to apply for re-check of their results.

Q:   When will the NID DAT 2026 Prelims exam be conducted?
A: 

The National Institute of Design (NID) conducted the DAT Prelims exam on December 21, 2025.

The B.Des exam was held around 10 am - 1 pm; meanwhile, the M.Des exam was 10 am - 12.30 am. The candidates were required to report for the exam at 8 am. Gates' closing time was 9.30 am. 

DAT Prelims for the B.Des programme was conducted in a paper-and-pencil/pen mode. 

NID Entrance Exam Logo

NID Previous Year Cut-off

NID DAT 2024 Cut-off (B.Des) - Rank and Score of Last Candidate Admitted as of July 15, 2024

Check out the cut-off for NID B.Des 2024:

Campus
OPEN GEN-EWS OBC-NCL SC ST PwD OVERSEAS
Total Seats
Filled
Open
Rank
Score Category
Rank
Score Category
Rank
Score Category
Rank
Score Category
Rank
Score PwD
Rank
Score Overseas
Rank
Score
NID Ahmedabad 50 65.1 15 58.2 47 58.8 28 56.4 11 52.5 7 43.5 21 51.4 144
NID Andhra Pradesh 233 59 56 51.2 134 54 69 50.6 32 45.4 8 40.4 - - 74
NID Assam 295 57.9 64 50.1 141 5.78 96 47.9 44 43.2 NE NE - - 75
NID Madhya Pradesh 216 59.38 41 53.9 114 54.5 62 50.9 31 45.5 NE NE 23 51 77
NID Haryana 219 59.3 33 55 95 55.2 57 51.9 39 44.2 NE NE NE NE 75

NID DAT 2024 Cut-off (B.Des) - Rank and Score as of June 24, 2024

Check out the cutoff for 2024 B.Des:

B.Des. Admissions 2024-25: Last candidate who has been allotted a seat as on 24 June 2024
Institute NID Ahmedabad NID Andhra Pradesh NID Haryana NID Nadhya Pradesh NID Assam
CATEGORY Open Rank/ Category Rank Open Rank / Category Rank Open Rank/ Category Rank Open Rank/ Category Rank Open Rank/ Category Rank
OPEN 49* 213* 195* 202* 254*
GEN-EWS 274/ 1Li 703/ 50 482/ 32 587/ 40 778 / 55
OBC-NCL 242/ 47 585 / 134 485 / 95 538/ 114 602 / 139
SC 369 / 26 819/ 67 738 / 55 773/ 59 879 / 80
ST 694/ 11 1185 / 32 1218/ 38 1175 / 31 1266 / 41
OVERSEAS 21** Not Applicable NE 23** Not Applicable
PwD 1289/ 7 1419 / 9 NE NE NE

NID DAT 2024 Cut-off (M.Des) - Rank and Score of the Last Candidate Admitted as on 15 July 2024

Check out the cutoff for M.Des 2024:

M.DES ADMISSIONS 2024-25: Rank and Score of the Last Candidate Admitted as on 15 July 2024
Discipline OPEN GEN-EWS OBC-NCL SC ST PwD OVERSEAS
Total
Seats
Filled
Open Rank Score Category
Rank
Score Category Rank Score Category Rank Score Category Rank Score PwD
Rank
Score
Overseas Score
Rank
Animation Film Design 8 61.4 2 51.05 10 45.85 4 53.65 1 51.6 1 48 NA NA 19
Cearmic & Glass Design 8 57 NE NE 2 52.2 NE NE NA NA NA NA NA NA 8
Product Oesign 10 64.4 2 51.35 10 56.45 4 54.15 1 57 1 59.8 NA NA 19
Graphic Design 11 60.15 4 50.4 6 52.5 4 45.8 1 52.9 NA NA NA NA 19
TeKtile Design 10 61.25 NE NE 5 33.1 4 52.65 3 48.6 NE NE NA NA 17
Furniture & Interior Design 9 51.65 NE NE 5 45.2 1 49.1 1 51.05 NE NE NA NA 15
Film & Video Communication 11 59.05 NE NE 7 46.6 4 51.35 1 57 NA NA NA NA 17
Apparel Design 8 61.75 NE NE 6 54.05 3 56.25 2 47.5 1 55.3 NA NA 17
Lifestyle Accessory Design 9 66 1 52.3 6 51.2 S 46.8 1 41.6 NA NA NA NA 18
Transportation & Automobile
Design
9 62.53 2 58.05 9 53 3 47.5 2 46.78 NA NA NA NA 18
Toy & Game Design 7 66.35 NE NE 4 57.3 3 44.45 NE NE NA NA 1 60.1 11
Strategic Design Management 8 59.75 1 54.4 6 46.6 3 48.6 2 44.15 2 40.35 NA NA 18
New Media Design 9 52.1 NE NE 4 45.85 NE NE NE NE NA NA NA NA 12
Photography Design 15 50.1 NA NA NE NE 3 47.4 1 43.1 NA NA NA NA 16
Digital Game Design 12 53.15 1 50.35 6 46 4 46.55 NE NE NA NA NA NA 17
Interaction Design 10 53.55 3 51 6 46.6 4 43.5 NE NE NE NE NA NA 18
Design For Retail Experience 11 61.35 NE NE 6 54.05 6 40.73 1 57.9 NA NA NA NA 17
Information Design 8 65.45 1 51 8 56.5 4 50.7 1 53.45 1 42.45 NA NA 18
Universal Design 12 62.45 3 52.4 8 54.25 4 46.65 1 49.6 NE NE NA NA 19

Also Read:

M.Des. in Textile Design in NID : NID Entrance Exam 2021 Overall Percentile (General-All India)Accordion Icon V3
M.Des. in Textile Design in NID : NID Entrance Exam 2021 Overall Percentile (General-All India)
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NID DAT 2026 Cut-off - FAQs

Go through the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the NIFT cut-off below.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Do we need to join coaching to prepare for NIFT entrance exam?
A: 
Joining a coaching for NIFT preparation is not really needed. Coaching is for those who want to learn how to draw things. But, if someone has this talent, which most students passionate about sketching and painting do possess, there is no need for coaching. One can prepare through self-study. For your understanding, I would like to give an example. In coaching, students are made to learn how to draw the 3D image by various techniques using measuring instruments but one who is natural at art can imagine what 3D image would look like if it has to be drawn on a paper and would draw the same. In both cases, the outcome is the same. Regarding theory, that is, GAT, if you are confident to solve Maths, History, Geography, General science up till class 10th level, then there is definitely no need for coaching. Though the level of English is a bit high you can improve it yourself.
Q:   Will NID 2026 studio test and personal interview be conducted on the same day?
A: 

The studio test and personal interview for M.Des DAT Mains are conducted on the same and in some cases different days. Therefore the candidate has to consult their DAT Mains admit to confirm their studio test and interview schedule.

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

The National Institute of Design (NID) will conduct the Studio Test for the B. Des program in April 2026. 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 2026 is prepared by considering the performance of the candidate in DAT Mains and DAT Prelims.

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NID Entrance Exam Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a week ago

If there were any clashes of the interview dates with the college/ university exam, then candidates could inform the NID before February 23, 2026. Candidates needed to attach a copy of the timetable attested by the principal and a letter from the principal confirming that the examination dates clash

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

NID will not release any Answer Key for B.Des or M.Des programme. It opens a rechecking window with the result. 

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, NID has a rechecking Window for the NID Result. This window will check whether all answers are checked or not, and whether the total is correct.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

NID will release the result for B.Des on April 07, 2026. The result be released on the website of NID.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

NID Studio Test for M.Des carries 40% of wieghtage and Interview carries 60% wieghtage. More emphasis is given on the interview by NID.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

No, there is no negative marking in the NID Studio Test. Candidates will be evaluated based on their thinking and creative skills. Studio Test will carry 40% of the total Marks for the NID Mains Exam.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, NID Studio Exam is a bit tough because it will check your creativity and imagination. You can learn some formulas here and apply them to get the answer. The main objective is to evaluate technical skills and critical thinking skills. So, it is said to be a bit tough.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

It is not at all necessary to take coaching to get a good rank in NID Entrance Exam. It is because the entrance exam will test creative, drawing, and innovative skills of the candidate. Now, a coaching institute can't teach you to be creative or become innovative. But you can take coaching classes f

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

National Institute of Design (NID) will release the NID DAT 2026 admission cut-off for the B.Des and M.Des programmes at the time of seat allotment, around May-June 2026. The cut-off will be released as the rank and score of the last candidate admitted to the M.Des program. 

NID DAT cut-off for B.Des

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

NID DAT, along with NIFT and UCEED are among the most competitive national-level entrance exams in the country. The fact that there are only 425 seats for the B. Des and 347 seats for the M.Des programme makes it very competitive. But that being said, if the candidate prepares well and with the corr

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

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