NID Entrance Exam MDes Exam Dates 2026: Get Complete Exam Schedule Here

Candidates can go through the list of important NID exam events below:

• NID DAT Application Form Dates: The application form for NID DAT 2026 is expected to open from the first week of  September 2025 to the first week of December 2025. The NID 2026 application form-filling process included steps like registration, uploading of documents, and payment of fees. 

• NID DAT Admit Card Dates: The call letter/admit card of NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) is expected to be released in the last week of December 2025. The DAT Mains B. Des Admit Card is likely to be out in the second week of April 2026.
• NID DAT Prelims 2026 Date: The first stage of the NID admission process is DAT (Prelims). The exam is likely to be conducted in the first week of January 2026. The written test comprises objective as well as subjective questions. 
• NID Prelims Result Dates: NID DAT (Prelims) B.Des result 2026 will be declared in the first week of April 2026, and M.Des Prelims Result will be out tentatively in the third week of February 2026.  
• NID DAT Mains 2026: Candidates who meet the NID DAT (Prelims) cut-off must next appear for NID DAT (Mains), including a Studio Test; M.Des candidates must also appear in a Personal Interview round.
• B.Des DAT Mains Studio Test will be tentatively scheduled to be conducted in the first week of May 2026.. The test will take place at the following National Institute of Design (NID) campuses.
• NID Final Merit List Date: Based on a candidate's performance in NID DAT (Prelims) and NID DAT (Mains), the final merit list for NID admissions is prepared. Aspirants can check the merit list for NID admissions on the official website of the exam.

The NID DAT 2026 application form is common for the B.Des and M.Des courses. However, the admission schedules for the two are different. Here we bring you the NID DAT 2026 tentative dates for the B.Des program.

NID DAT 2026 Important Dates - B.Des

The tentative schedule for NID DAT B.Des 2026 is:

The candidate can select their program of study when filling out the NID DAT 2026 application form. Check out the NID DAT 2026 admission schedule for the M.Des program below.

NID DAT 2026 Important Dates - M.Des

The tentative dates for NID DAT M.Des are:

The National Institute of Design conducts the NID DAT entrance exam in two stages: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains.

NID DAT Stage 1 includes the DAT Prelims. Candidates who get shortlisted for NID DAT Stage 2 will have to appear in DAT Mains. The DAT Mains exam for the B.Des program will be conducted in the last week of April 2026. Meanwhile, the DAT Mains exam for M.Des is likely to be held in the last week of March 2026. The DAT Mains result for B.Des will be declared in the third week of May 2026 and for M.Des will be announced tentatively in the first week of May 2026. 

Go through the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the NID DAT important dates below.