NID Exam Dates 2027: Check B.Des/M.Des Prelims and Mains Schedule Here

There is no negative marking in NID DAT Prelims.

So, the candidate may attempt all the questions. If the wrong answer is selected, the candidate won't be penalized. However, if the correct answer option is selected, the candidate may get some free marks.

Note that the DAT Prelims exam will be conducted in an OMR-based mode. The candidate will need a blue/black ball-point pen for filling the OMR sheet.   

NID Mains Admit card for M.Des will be out tentatively on February 24, 2027. This admit card is for NID Studio Test and Interview.

NID Studio Test and Interview will be conducted on different days. NID will tentatively conduct the Studio Test in the second week of March 2027 for M.Des and Interview from last week of March 2027.

NID application form 2027 is expected to open from the second week of September 2026. Last year, it was out on September 11, 2025. The application form opens online at the NID admission portal.

The National Institute of Design (NID) will conduct the DAT Prelims exam in the third week of December 2026. B.Des exam will be held around 10 am - 1 pm. The candidates will be required to report for the exam at 8 am. Gates' closing time will be 9.30 am. DAT Prelims for the B.Des programme will be conducted in a paper-and-pencil/pen mode. 

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 yourself learn these skills yourself. Also, a major thrust of the design aptitide 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 line, 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.

To give oneself a higher chance of securing a good rank in NID DAT, it is important to use good-quality books a reference material.

 Here are some of the best books recommended by experts and previous rank holders to prepare for the NID DAT exam.

• NID (B. Des. ). Entrance Books and Test Series by AFAINDIA
• Basic Rendering by Robert W. Gill
• Design drawing by Francis D. K. Ching
• NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide by RPH Editorial Board 

NID is expected to release the results for B.Des in the first week of April 2027. Last year, it was released on April 02, 2026. 

The expected timing of NID DAT 2026 is:

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. 

Yes, the Admit card for B.Des In Person Sensitivity Test for 2027 will be released in the last week of April 2027 (tentatively).

National Institute of Design (NID) will release the NID DAT 2027 admission cut-off for the B.Des and M.Des programmes at the time of seat allotment, around May-June 2027. The cut-off will be released as the rank and score of the last candidate admitted to the M.Des program. 

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.

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

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.

Admission to the NIDs is conducted through the NID Entrance Examination. The NID exam has two stages - the candidate first appears in the DAT Prelims. Scores of the NID DAT Prelims are used to then shortlist candidates for DAT Mains. The final merit list for NID DAT 2026 will be prepared by giving weightage to Mains. 

If there were any clashes of the interview dates with the college/ university exam, then candidates could inform the NID. 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 with the interview.

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.