NID DAT Question Papers 2026 (UG/PG): Download Previous Year Sample Papers PDFs (2016 to 2025)

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

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 11 Sep '25 - 1 Dec '25

This exam is conducted for courses given below:
Sayeba Naushad
Updated on Sep 12, 2025 15:23 IST

By Sayeba Naushad, Assistant Manager

NID Question Papers 2026 - National Institute of Design (NID) will release the sample papers for NID DAT 2026 soon on its official website. The sample papers will be released for both the B.Des and M.Des courses. Candidates can download the NID DAT 2026 sample paper in PDF format from the official website once it is released.

If you're preparing for the NID DAT Entrance Exam 2026, practicing with sample papers and previous years' question papers should be an essential part of your study plan. These papers not only enhance your problem-solving skills but also help you apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios. Candidates are advised to solve the question paper and the sample paper daily to get the idea of time, pattern and syllabus. 

Latest updates:

 

Q:   Where to find NID DAT sample papers?
Q:   What is the difficulty level of NID DAT?
Q:   Can I prepare for NID DAT 2025 without solving sample papers?
Table of content
  • NID Admission Process 2026
  • Benefits of Solving NID DAT Sample Papers 2026
  • Right time of Solve NID DAT Sample Papers
  • NID DAT 2025 Sample Papers
  • NID DAT Previous Years' Question Papers for B.Des
  • NID DAT Previous Years' Question Papers for M.Des
  • Resources for Exam Preparation
  • Tips to Prepare for DAT Prelims
  • NID DAT 2026 Sample Papers - FAQs
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NID Admission Process 2026

Admission to the B.Des and M.Des programmes of the National Institute of Design (NID) is conducted through the NID DAT Entrance Exam.

The NID DAT 2026 entrance is a two-step process.

  1. Step 1 - The candidate first has to appear in the NID DAT Prelims
  2. Step 2 - Candidates who qualify NID DAT Prelims have to next appear in NID DAT Mains.

NID DAT Mains Exam for the B.Des program includes a NID Studio Test. However, M.Des candidates will also have to appear in a personal interview in addition to the Studio Test. Final results of NID DAT 2026 will be prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. If a candidate fails to appear in the DAT Mains, then he or she will not be included in the merit list.

DAT Prelims is expected to be conducted in the first week of January 2026 for B.Des and M.Des. Admit cards for the exam will be released in the last week of December 2025. Candidates appearing in the exam had to go through the NID DAT 2026 exam-day guidelines.

 

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   How to download the NID sample papers?
Q:   Can I carry the NID question paper with me after the exam?
Q:   What is the benefit of solving NID sample papers?
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Benefits of Solving NID DAT Sample Papers 2026

Sample papers contain questions that are similar to the ones that will be asked in the NID DAT 2026 exam. So, by solving sample papers, one can benefit in multiple ways as discussed below.

  1.  NID DAT sample papers will give the candidate a clear idea regarding the types of questions asked, difficulty level, and topic-wise weightage.
  2. Sample papers will help the candidate work on their problem-solving and time-management skills.
  3. One can also assess one's weak and strong areas from this exercise. This, in turn, will help the candidate to reinforce the weak points and fortify the strong areas.
  4. After completing a topic, the candidate can solve the corresponding questions in the sample papers. This way, the candidate will be better able to learn and retain the concepts, and also learn how to use disparate concepts and ideas to solve a problem.
  5. If you take the NID sample papers at the same time as the NID DAT 2026 exam timings, you can better align your body clock. This will help you have a better frame of mind on exam day, as you will feel like being in a familiar environment.
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the best time to solve NID sample papers?
Q:   Is it possible to crack NID DAT without coaching?
Q:   Can I solve NID sample papers simultaneously with mock tests?
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Right time of Solve NID DAT Sample Papers

The right way and time to practice the Sample paper can be understood with the help of the following points:

  • While one can't put a specific timeframe as to when one should start solving sample papers, it is generally accepted that the earlier you start the process, the more you stand to gain. For instance, you can start solving the NID DAT sample papers even after completing a chapter.
  • To explain how it works, first identify the questions related to the chapter in the sample papers and solve them. At the start, the process might appear tedious, but as you progress in your exam preparation, it will become easier.
  • And by the time you near the completion of the NID 2026 Syllabus, you should be able to solve an entire sample paper. The more sample papers you solve, the better you will get. Along with helping you speed up your problem-solving abilities, this exercise will also help you better understand the various concepts and how they are correlated.

Download previous year NID Entrance Exam question papers and sample papers. Use them for practice and improve your speed and accuracy. You can download NID Entrance Exam previous year question papers and the preparation guides for free.

NID DAT 2025 Sample Papers

SamplePaper_DATPrelims_2025_BDes

SamplePaper_DATPrelims_2025_MDes
SamplePaper_DAT_Prelims_2024_MDes
Sample_Paper_DAT_Prelims_2024_BDes

NID DAT Previous Years' Question Papers for B.Des

NID DAT Sample Paper BDes 2022
NID Entrance Exam DAT Sample Paper for BDes & GDPD
NID Entrance Exam 2018 Actual Question Paper & Answer Key for BDes & GDPD
NID DAT Prelims Sample Paper-II for BDes
NID-DAT-Prelims-2023-B.Des-Original-Paper-08.01.2023-
NID-B.Des-QP_2022
NID-B.Des-QP_2021
NID-B.Des-QP_2020
NID-2020-Question-Paper_Part_1
NID-2019-Question-Paper_B.Des
NID-2018-Question-Paper_B.Des
NID-2017-Question-Paper_B.Des
NID-2016-Question-Paper_B.Des

NID DAT Previous Years' Question Papers for M.Des

NID DAT Sample Paper MDes 2022
NID DAT Prelims Sample Paper-II for MDes
NID DAT 2018 Actual Question Paper for MDes
NID Entrance Exam Sample Paper for MDes

Resources for Exam Preparation

Prepare like NIT DAT Prelims Toppers.pdf
Prepare like NIT DAT Prelims Toppers
Prepare like NID DAT Mains Toppers.pdf
Prepare like NID DAT Mains Toppers
How to crack interviews of top design entrance exams.pdf
How to crack interviews of top design entrance exams
Important Design Entrance Exams Students Should Not Miss.pdf
Important Design Entrance Exams Students Should Not Miss
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Tips to Prepare for DAT Prelims

DAT Prelims is the First Stage of the NID DAT 2026 entrance exam, followed by NID DAT Mains (Studio Test + PI).

Here are some sure-fire tips to prepare for the exam.

  1. Carefully go through the syllabus - While NID doesn't release any official syllabus, you can download the NID DAT syllabus prepared by our experts after analyzing previous years' papers.
  2. Refer to the NID Exam pattern - This exercise will help you get insights into the types of questions asked, marking scheme, sections, and also weightage. 
  3. Prepare a study timetable - You can prepare the table taking into account the difficulty level of various topics. Remember, you will need more time to prepare the difficult topics.
  4. Do a timely revision - One of the greatest mistakes a candidate can commit is not doing a timely revision. It is because if you leave a topic unattended for an extended period, the effort you have put into learn the topic the first time may get undone. Remember, until a topic has been truly internalized, you are not supposed to relax.
  5. Solve Sample papers - As explained above, the more sample papers you solve, the better you will get at solving various types of questions and better understand the underlying concepts, even the difficult ones.
  6. Take Mock tests - Closer to the exam, you need to take a few NID mock tests to give the final touch to your preparation.
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is there negative marking in NID DAT?
Q:   How much time is needed to prepare for the NID DAT exam?
Q:   What tasks I need to do to effectively prepare for NID DAT 2025 exam?
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NID DAT 2026 Sample Papers - FAQs

Read the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the NID DAT 2026 question paper below. 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Will the National Institute of Design release NID question paper along with the answer key?
Q:   What is NID DAT Prelims exam pattern?
Q:   When will NID answer key be released?
Q:   When to download the answer sheets of NID?
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NID Entrance Exam Exam

Student Forum

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Write here...

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

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

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

Sayeba Naushad

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

Sayeba Naushad

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

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

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

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

One can follow these tips for NID 2026 preparations:

  1. Know your NID Syllabus.
  2. Understand the exam pattern of NID DAT.
  3. Make the NID DAT 2026 preparation plan.
  4. Books to refer.
  5. Practice till you are perfect using mock tests and previous year's papers.
  6. NID DAT Exam Day Strategy.

S

Sayeba Naushad

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

Sayeba Naushad

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

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

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

Sayeba Naushad

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

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

32 Institutes accepting NID Entrance Exam

National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

Paldi, Ahmedabad Public

National I
  • 16.84 Lakh
  • 4 years
  • |
  • Full Time

FLAME University

Lavale Village, Pune Private

FLAME Univ
    • 35.85 Lakh
    • 4 years
    • |
    • Full Time
    • 12.00 Lakh
    • 4 years
    • |
    • Full Time

    School of Design, MIT WPU

    Kothrud, Pune Private

    School of
    • 17.00 Lakh
    • 4 years
    • |
    • Full Time

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