Is there negative marking in NID DAT Prelims?

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.

What are the best study material to prepare for NID DAT 2026?

The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is a two-step entrance exam. The candidate first appears in DAT Prelims. If shortlisted, the candidate has to next appear in DAT Mains. Here are some suggested study material for NID DAT: Quantitative Aptitude - Physics and Maths syllabus up to Class 10. Logical Reasoning - Step-by-Step Verbal Reasoning by Philip Kay, How to Pass Diagrammatic Reasoning Test by Mike Bryon. GK and Current Affairs - Read newspapers daily for current affairs. For static GK, read any good GK book for NID. English - The Ultimate Guide for NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam by Arihant

When will the NID DAT 2026 syllabus be released?

Candidates may note that the National Institute of Design (NID) doesn’t release any syllabus for either DAT Prelims or DAT Mains. However, the institute will release the sample test papers for the NID DAT 2026 exam. The sample papers contain questions similar to the ones that will be asked in the actual exam. So, the candidate may download and practice the sample papers to get an idea about the difficulty level, types of questions asked, marking scheme, weightage, and topics covered. Additionally, the candidate may download the section-wise topics for the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains exam that have been prepared by consulting previous years’ question papers.

Can Diploma candidates apply for admission to M.Des programme through NID DAT 2026?

Diploma candidates need to meet the following conditions for admission: Done full-time Diploma of 4-year duration after 10+2 Diploma in the following subjects is accepted - Design/ Fine Arts/ Applied Arts/ Architecture. The Diploma must be done from a university or institute recognised by law in India.

When will the NID DAT 2026 Prelims exam be conducted?

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.

When will NID DAT (Prelims) admit card be released?

The National Institute of Design (NID) released the NID DAT 2026 admit card for DAT Prelims on December 11, 2025. Admit cards were issued only to successfully registered candidates. To download the admit card, Candidates were required to log in to the portal using their email ID and date of birth.

How many NID 2026 Mains exam centres are there?

NID Mains Exam will consist of Studio Test and Interview. NID 2026 Mains exam will be conducted at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar.

Can overseas candidates apply for admission to GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, and ST seats through NID DAT?

As per information given in the NID admission handbooks, overseas candidates cannot apply for admission to GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, and ST seats. Such candidates can't also apply for age-relaxation, scribe, etc. Also, the fee structure for overseas category is different.

Who is eligible for admission under overseas category through NID DAT?

To apply under overseas category, candidate needs to hold citizenship of a country other than the Republic of India. Such candidates will have to meet the eligibility criteria prescribed for admission. The candidate will be able to check the eligibility criteria in the respective admission handbooks for the B.Des and M.Des courses.

How many NID campuses are there in India?

The NID DAT exam is conducted for admission to the B.Des and M.Des courses. The B.Des course is currently offered at five campuses - NID Ahmedabad, NID AP, NID Haryana, NID MP, and NID Asaam. The combined intake for the B.Des is 425 seats. Meanwhile, the M.Des programme is offered at following three campuses - NID Ahmedabad, NID Gandhinagar, and NID Bengaluru. The M.Des programme currently has 347 seats.

Which M.Des specialisations are offered through NID entrance exam?

A. The M.Des specialisations in which candidates can secure admission basis their performance in NID that are listed below: Animation Film Design Ceramic and Glass Design Furniture & Interior Design Film & Video Communication Graphic Design Product Design Textile Design Apparel Design Lifestyle Accessory Design Strategic Design Management New Media Design Photography Design Toy & Game Design Transportation & Automobile Design for Retail Experience Digital Game Design Information Design Interaction Design Universal Design There are a total of 347 seats available for the M.Des programme. The programme is offered at NID Ahmedabad, NID Bengaluru, and NID Gandhinagar campuses. Admission to the programme will be based on NID that 2023 merit rank.

Do I need to select campuses as part of NID DAT counseling 2026 for B.Des program?

Yes, all B.Des candidates who were shortlisted for NID DAT 2026 counselling had to submit their campus preferences within the allotted time. The preferences have to be entered in the order of priority. The allotment of seats to the B.Des programme will be based on the campus option selected and merit rank of the candidate in NID DAT 2026 So, one must bear caution when entering their preferences.

Can NID change the nature and structure of the entrance exam?

Yes, under unforeseen circumstances, the National Institute of Design reserves the right to change the nature and structure of the NID exam. This means all tests can be conducted online or offline, or a combination of online and offline, depending on how the National Institute of Design deems it fit. So, the candidate is urged to keep looking up this space for all the latest on the NID 2026 exam.

How to fill the NID DAT application form? Also, what is the exam fee?

NID DAT application form is closed for 2026-2027. To register for NID DAT, candidate has to Get registered: Candidate had to get registered using their email ID and mobile number. Log-in and fill the form - Fill in all the necessary sections in the form: academic, personal, and contact details. Also, select an exam centre of your choice. Upload documents - Follow specified format and specification when uploading documents like photographs and signatures. Pay the exam fee to complete the application process. NID DAT 2026 fee is expected to be around Rs. 3000 for open, and Rs. 1500 for reserved-category candidates. A late fee of 50% more than can be charged by NID for registration if the application forms are not filled out after the deadline.

Is it necessary to upload the relevant category certificate for NID?

Yes, if you belong to any reserve category, then it is necessary to upload the required category Certificate. The documents have to be uploaded at the time of filling out the NID application form. Note that candidates trying to use counterfeit documents may be disqualified at any stage of the admission process if caught. The NID DAT 2026 counseling will also have a document verification process. The counseling process for the B. Des and M.Des programme will commence soon after the results are declared.

When will the results of NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) be declared?

The results of DAT Prelims for B.Des was declared on April 02, 2026, while results for the M.Des programme was declared on February 12, 2026. The candidate were able to check their results by logging into the result portal using their email ID and date of birth. Such candidates who get shortlisted have to next appear in DAT Mains.

Is NID 2026 B.Des Admit Card for In Person Sensitivity Test released?

Yes, the Admit card for B.Des In Person Sensitivity Test for 2026 has been released. It was released on April 23, 2026.

Is NID B.Des 2026 Studio Sensitivity Test Admit Card Out?

Yes, the NID B.Des 2026 Studio Sensitivity Test Admit Card is out. It was out April 09, 2026. The link is active now.

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.

Is there negative marking in NID DAT Prelims?

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.

Which tasks do I need to do to effectively for NID DAT exam?

Along with following the official NID DAT exam pattern and syllabus, do these tasks to prepare for the NID Entrance exam: Solve sample papers - You can start solving sample papers very early on in your preparation, for instance, after completing a chapter. Solve previous years’ papers - This exercise will help you get an idea about the nature and structure of the exam, including difficulty level, types of questions asked, marking scheme, and much more. Take mock tests - Mocks are usually taken closer to the exam date. It will help you fine-tune your preparation and fix the mental aspect of taking an entrance exam. Take notes during study - This exercise will not only help you stay focused, but also help you jot down important and difficult points. This, in turn will make revision easier and quicker.

Which are the best books for NID Entrance Exam?

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

When will NID DAT cutoff be released?

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.

What are the various factors that will be considered for preparing NID DAT cut-off?

Cut-off for NID DAT 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.

What is the minimum qualifying criteria for NID admissions?

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

Do I need to carry my own stationery for NID DAT (Prelims)?

The NID DAT exam will be conducted in an OMR-based (offline mode). Note that exam officials will not provide any stationery inside the exam hall. So, you need to bring the following items with you: A blue/black ball-point pen (for filling the OMR sheet), scissor, glue stick, lead pencil (of varying grades), colors (such as oil pastels/color pencils/sketch pens, etc.) eraser, sharpeners, ruler etc. for the purpose of examination. If any of you are wondering, exam offials will also not arrange for refreshments for the candidates. Check here the detailed NID DAT Prelims exam day guidelines .

What is the minimum qualifying criteria for NID admissions?

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

I belong to OBC category. Is there any reservation of seats in my category for B.Des programme at NIDs?

Yes, the National Institute of Design has reserved seats for OBC, SC, ST, PwD and EWS categories. For the OBC-NCL category, the combined intake capacity is 114 seats. Candidates who belong to the OBC-NCL category need to select their admission category at the time of filling out the NID that application form. Note that only genuine candidate needs to apply under the category, because every information furnished by the candidate will be checked at the time of NID counseling. Also, the candidate will have to furnish the relevant category Certificate to be considered for admission under that category. During seat allotment, OBC-NCL candidates will also be considered for admission under the general category.

Will unfilled SC/ST seats be de-reserved for NID DAT admission?

No, unfilled seats in SC/ ST category will not be de-reserved. Meaning, such seats will not be transferred to the open category. The same applies to GEN-EWS category seats. So, even if there are vacant seats left in SC, ST, and GEN-EWS category, such seats will lapse.

Which are the best books for NID Entrance Exam?

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

Which level of NID Entrance Exam is the hardest?

NID Studio Test is said to be the hardest. Here, students are asked to prepare a model using the material given. It checks creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills.

At what time do I need to report for NID DAT 2026 exam?

The reporting time for the DAT Prelims exam will be mentioned on the NID DAT 2026 admit card. Arrive at the exam center on time according to the reporting time. Please note that latecomers will not be permitted inside the NID DAT 2026 exam center. The gates at the exam center will close half an hour before the exam. The expected timing of NID DAT 2026 is: Event B.Des (Expected) M.Des (Expected) NID DAT (2025) Prelims date First week of January 2026 First week of January 2026 Reporting Time 8 AM 8 AM Gate closing time 9.30 AM 9.30 AM Time of the exam 10 AM - 1 PM (Part I + Part II) 10 AM - 12.30 PM (Part I + Part II)

Do I need to appear in both NID DAT Prelims and DAT Mains for admission to the NIDs?

The admission to the NIDs is conducted through a Design Aptitude Test (DAT). The DAT is a two-stage exam. The candidate has to first appear in DAT Prelims and then, if shortlisted, have to appear in DAT Mains. The final merit list for admission will be prepared by giving weightage to both DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. If a candidate appear in DAT Prelims, but doesn’t appear in DAT Mains, he or she will not be considered for admission.

NID Entrance Exam 2026: B.Des Mains Result (Out Soon), Rechecking Window, Seat Allotment, Expected Cutoff, M.Des Final Result (OUT)

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

To be notified

Updated on May 14, 2026 12:36 IST

By Sayeba Naushad, Assistant Manager

Overview

National Institute of Design Entrance Exam 2026 - The final result of the NID B.Des 2026 is expected in the third week of May 2026. NID DAT Rechecking Window for the Final result of B.Des will open on the same day as the result declaration. After this, NID seat allotment process will begin for the shortlisted candidates.

The last date for NID DAT 2026 M.Des Seat allotment Round 1, payment of token money and document uploading process for M.Des was May 07, 2026, 11:59 PM. NID M.Des Final Result 2026 has been released on April 23, 2026.

Latest Updates:

NID M.Des 2026 Seat Allotment Round 1 Ends; Complete your Admission Process Now

NID DAT B.Des In- Person Sensitivity Test was conducted on April 26, 2026. The mains exam was conducted for the candidates who had cleared the NID DAT Prelims Exam. NID DAT Studio Sensitivity Test was conducted on April 19, 2026.

NID DAT 2026 Exams were conducted on December 21, 2025 for B.Des and M.Des.

LIVE

1 hour ago

NID B.Des 2026 Mains Result Live: Check Final Scorecard, Merit Rank, Seat Allotment & Download Link @admissions.nid.edu

10:53 PM IST•15 May 2026

List of NIDs accepting NID DAT Scores

What is NID DAT Entrance Exam?

NID DAT stands for NID Design Aptitude Test. It is conducted by the National Institute of Design at the national level for admission to B.Des and M.Des programmes at NID institutes in India. NID DAT evaluates candidates on the basis of creativity, problem-solving skills, innovative skills, visual perception, etc.

Highlights of NID Entrance Exam 2026

The important highlights for NID DAT 2026 are listed in the table below.

Particulars	NID DAT Details
Exam Name	NID Entrance Exam 2026
Full Form	National Institute of Design Entrance Exam
Exam Level	Undergraduate (B.Des) & Postgraduate (M.Des)
Exam Frequency	Once a year
Courses Offered	B.Des, M.Des, GDPD
NID 2026 Registration Start Date	September 11, 2025
Last Date to Apply	December 01, 2025
Application Form Fee	INR 3,000 (General/OBC), INR 1,500 (SC/ST/PWD)
Admit Card Release Date	December 11, 2025
Exam Mode	DAT Prelims: Pen-and-Paper, DAT Mains: Studio Test/Interview
Exam Date	December 21, 2025 for B.Des and M.Des
Exam Duration	3 Hours
Exam Centers	Across major cities in India
Counseling Process Start Date	June 2026
Seat Intake	425 seats for B.Des and 347 seats for M.Des
Official Website	www.nid.edu

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
To Be Notified	NID DAT 2026 (Mains) Exam Result for B.Des
May ' 26	NID M.Des Provisional Letter Round 1 TENTATIVE
May ' 26 - Jun ' 26	Round 2 M Des: Seat Allotment, Payment of Tuition Fees of Semester-I for the Confirmation of Seat & Uploading of Documents TENTATIVE
Jun ' 26	NID M.Des Provisional Offer Letter: Round 2 TENTATIVE

Dates	Past Exam Dates
26 Apr ' 26	B.Des DAT Mains Studio Test
23 Apr ' 26	NID B.Des In Person Sensitivity Test
23 Apr ' 26	Round 1 M Des: Seat Allotment Starts
View More Past Events (15)

NID Result 2026

DeskCalendar Result: To be notified

The final result of NID DAT B.Des 2026 is expected to be out in May 2026. The result will be followed by NID Seat Allotment, college preference and fee payment.

NID DAT Prelims Result 2026 for B.Des was out on April 02, 2026. NID DAT Rechecking window was active from April 02, 2026, at 4 PM for the declaration of the B.Des. result. NID M.Des Final Result was declared on April 23, 2026.

When and Where to Download NID DAT Scorecard 2026?

NID DAT UG 2026 results were released online. Check table below to know when and where to download NID DAT 2026 scorecard:

NID DAT 2026 Result Features	Details
NID DAT scorecard 2026 direct link	admissions.nid.edu
Conducting body	National Institute of Design
Status of NID DAT result 2026	Released for B.Des and M.Des
NID DAT result date 2026 (Prelims)	Feb 12, 2026, for M.Des April 02, 2026 for B.Des
NID DAT Final Result	B.Des: First - Second Week of May 2026 M.Des: April 23, 2026.
NID DAT rechecking Window	Closed now April 04, 2026, 11:59 PM
Mode of NID DAT result declaration	Online
NID DAT 2026 expected cutoff	Varies as per the university/college

How to check the NID DAT B. Des 2026 (Prelims & Mains) Result?

Scores can be checked online at the NID admission portal.

Go to NID admission website.
Click on NID DAT BDes/M.Des Result 2026 link.
You will be redirected to the log-in page.
Enter your email ID and date of birth.
On log-in, the NID DAT result will be displayed on the screen.
Download and take a printout of the DAT Prelims scorecard.

DAT Prelims scorecard will contain details like sectional and overall scores and qualifying status.

Shortlisting of Candidates for NID DAT Mains

Candidates will be shortlisted for the DAT Mains based on their NID DAT Prelims scores. The National Institute of Design will release the category-wise cut-off marks for DAT Prelims.

Final Result of NID DAT 2026

DAT Mains 2026 Final results for B.Des are expected to be released in the second week of May, 2026. The final result will be determined based solely on the candidate's performance in NID DAT Mains. NID DAT Prelims, from this year onwards, was just a qualifying exam for the NID Mains Exam for B.Des and M.Des. Candidates who do not qualify for the DAT Prelims 2026 or fail to appear for the DAT Mains 2026 will not be issued DAT Mains results. Further, only such candidates who qualify for the DAT Mains will be eligible to participate in NID DAT 2026 counselling.

Re-check of NID DAT Result

Candidates will have the option to re-evaluate their answer sheets by applying for the rechecking process on the official website. They are also allowed to apply for re-checking the DAT Mains results. The fee for submitting recheck requests for DAT Prelims will be around INR 2,000 per discipline.

DAT Prelims re-check will be restricted to.

Whether all the answers have been marked.
Whether there has been any mistake in the totalling of marks for each question in Part II of the answer booklet, and in transferring the marks correctly onto the first cover page of the answer booklet.

Weightage for the NID DAT B.Des Program 2026

Only NID DAT Mains Score will be used to calculate the Final Result of NID. No weightage is given to NID Prelims Score this year by NID. It is only a qualifying mark this year to reach NID Mains Exam.

The weightage for NID B.Des Program is

Exam Component	NID DAT Studio Sensitivity Test	In-person Sensitivity Test
Weightage	60%	40%

Weightage for the NID DAT 2026 Final Results - M.Des Program

The weightage for Studio Test in NID M.Des programme.

Exam Component	Studio Test	Personal Interview
Weightage	40%	60%

NID Counselling 2026

DeskCalendar Counselling: May ' 26

The National Institute of Design (NID) conducts the counselling for NID DAT separately for the M.Des and B.Des courses. Candidates who qualify for the NID DAT exam will be eligible to participate in the online counselling process.

NID Counselling 2026 is expected to start in the last week of May 2026 for the B.Des Programme. NID M.Des Counselling has started for NID DAT M.Des 2026.

Provisional Offer Letters are released for NID B.Des Programme Round 1 in the second week of June 2026 and for M.Des Programme Round 1 in the third week of May 2026. Candidates can download the NID Provisional Offer Letter using their Email ID and Date of Birth.

NID Counselling Dates 2026

The following table shows important events regarding NID DAT 2026 Counselling.

Event	B. Des (Expected)	M. Des
NID DAT Mains Result	Second week of May, 2026	April 23, 2026
Rechecking Request for DAT Mains Result	Second week of May, 2026	Closed (April 25, 2026)
Seat Allotment, Payment of Token Fee and Uploading of Documents	Second week of May, 2026	May 07, 2026

The allotment of seats to the B.Des program will be based on NID DAT 2026 merit rank and campus preference opted by the candidate. Candidates who are allotted seats have to pay the seat acceptance fee of INR 30,000. The 1st-semester tuition fee is INR 2,13,500 for admission to NID participating colleges; the total fee includes a non-refundable token fee of INR 30,000 and convenience charges.

Note: If the candidate fails to make the payment within the given deadline, his or her seat allotment will be allocated to the candidate next in the order of merit. Also, apart from the NID participating colleges, scores of the NID 2026 will be used by other institutes for admission purposes.

NID DAT Fee Structure 2026

Check out the fee for NID B.Des and M.Des.

Participating Institute	NID Fee Structure 2026
NID Ahmedabad: B.Des	Download Here
NID Andhra Pradesh: B.Des	To be notified
NID Haryana: B.Des	Download Here
NID Madhya Pradesh: B.Des	Download Here
NID Assam: B.Des	To be notified
NID M.Des 2026 Fee (All Campus)	Click Here

NID Cutoff 2026

The National Institute of Design (NID) will release the minimum qualifying criteria for NID DAT 2026 Final results. Meanwhile, have a look at NID DAT expected cutoff 2026.

Category	Rank	Estimated Score
Open	48	59-60
GEN-EWS	16	50
OBC-NCL	40	53
SC	24	51
ST	11	47
PwD	7	40

NID DAT Minimum Qualifying Criteria

The minimum qualifying criteria for NID DAT are:

Category	Minimum Qualifying Criteria
Open	50%
Gen-EWS	50%
OBC-NCL	45%
SC	40%
ST	40%
PwD	40%
Overseas	50%

Note: Only such candidates who meet the category-wise minimum qualifying marks will be in contention for admission.

The NID DAT cutoff (admission) will be released at the time of counseling and seat allotment. Admission cut-off is the minimum mark a candidate needs to secure in their respective categories to get admission to the B.Des or M.Des program.

NID DAT 2026 cut-off will be prepared considering the following points:

The total number of candidates appearing in the NID DAT 2026 exam
The merit rank of applicants in NID DAT 2026
Seat intake to the program for admission.
The category under which admission is sought.

Also Read:

NID Participating Colleges and Seat Intake 2026

Candidates can secure admission to B.Des and M.Des courses offered by NID campuses through the NID 2026 Entrance Exam.

The various B.Des and M.Des specializations offered at the NID participating colleges are given below:

BDes Courses at NID
Ceramic & Glass Design	Furniture & Interior Design
Product Design	Animation Film Design
Exhibition Design	Film & Video Communication
Graphic Design	Textile Design
Industrial Design	Communication Design
Textile & Apparel Design
MDes Courses at NID
Animation Film Design	Ceramic and Glass Design
Furniture & Interior Design	Film & Video Communication
Graphic Design	Product Design
Textile Design	Apparel Design
Lifestyle Accessory Design	Strategic Design Management
New Media Design	Photography Design
Toy & Game Design	Transportation & Automobile Design
Design for Retail Experience	Digital Game Design
Information Design	Interaction Design
Universal Design

The seven NID campuses accepting NID entrance exam scores/ranks for admission include:

List of NIDs accepting NID DAT Scores
NID Ahmedabad	NID Gandhinagar
NID Bengaluru	NID Andhra Pradesh
NID Haryana	NID Madhya Pradesh
NID Assam

What is the Seat Intake and Reservation Criteria for NID DAT 2026 B.Des Program?

The NID DAT Reservation (expected) and Seat Intake are as follows.

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	525	45	114	63	33

NID DAT 2026 Seat Intake - M.Des Program

The National Institute of Design offers a two-and-a-half-year Master of Design (M.Des.) program at its Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Gandhinagar campuses. Candidates may apply in any of the following disciplines:

Faculty of Communication Design

Discipline	NID Campus	Seat Intake
Animation Film Design	Ahmedabad	19
Film & Video Communication	Ahmedabad	19
Graphic Design	Ahmedabad	19
Photography Design	Gandhinagar	19

Faculty of Industrial Design

Discipline	NID Campus	Seat Intake
Ceramic & Glass Design	Ahmedabad	12
Furniture & Interior Design	Ahmedabad	19
Product Design	Ahmedabad	19
Toy & Game Design	Gandhinagar	12
Transportation & Automobile Design	Gandhinagar	19
Universal Design	Bengaluru	19

NID Centre Details 2026 for Studio Test and Interview

NID Mains Exam for M.Des was conducted at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar. The exact address was mentioned in the Admit card.

NID DAT 2026 Studio Test Centre

NID Mains Exam for M.Des was conducted on March 08, 2026 at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar.

Faculty Stream	Discipline	Test Centre City for Studio Test
Industrial Design (ID)	- Ceramic & Glass Design	Ahmedabad
	- Furniture & Interior Design
	- Product Design - Toy & Game Design
	- Transportation & Automobile Design - Universal Design
	- Animation Film Design
Communication Design	- Film & Video Communication
	- Graphic Design
	- Photography Design
Interdisciplinary Design Studies (IDDS)	- Design for Retail Experience	Bengaluru
Interdisciplinary Design Studies (IDDS)	- Strategic Design Management
IT-Integrated Design (ITID)	Digital Game Design Information Design Interaction Design
IT-Integrated Design (ITID)	New Media Design
Textile, Apparel and Lifestyle Accessory Design (TALAD)	Apparel Design Lifestyle Accessory Design Textile Design	Gandhinagar

NID M.Des Main Interview Schedule

NID M.Des Interview was conducted in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar. It is compulsory for candidates to bring Admit card to the test centres. The admit card must have the seal of the NID Test Studio.

Check out the schedule for M.Des Mains.

Faculty Stream	Discipline	Date of the Interviews	Test Centre City for Interviews
Industrial Design (ID)	Ceramic & Glass Design	21- 23 March 2026	Ahmedabad
	Toy & Game Design	21- 23 March 2026
	Furniture & Interior Design Product Design Transportation & Automobile Design	21 – 25 March 2026
Interdisciplinary Design Studies (IDDS)	Design for Retail Experience Strategic Design Management	21 – 25 March 2026	Bengaluru
Textile, Apparel, and Lifestyle Accessory Design (TALAD)	Lifestyle Accessory Design	21 – 24 March 2026	Gandhinagar
Textile, Apparel, and Lifestyle Accessory Design (TALAD)	Apparel Design	21- 25 March 2026	Gandhinagar
Communication Design (CD)	Photography Design	27- 30 March 2026	Ahmedabad
	Animation Film Design Film & Video Communication	27- 31 March 2026
	Graphic Design	27 March – 01 April 2026
IT-Integrated Design (ITID)	Digital Game Design Information Design New Media Design	27- 31 March 2026	Bengaluru
IT-Integrated Design (ITID)	Interaction Design	27 March – 01 April 2026	Bengaluru

NID DAT Prelims Exam was conducted in 17 cities in India. The NID Prelims Exam was conducted on December 21, 2025 for B.Des and M.Des.

The DAT Prelims will be conducted in the following cities across India:


Ahmedabad	Bengaluru	Bhopal
Bhubaneshwar	Chandigarh	Chennai
Dehradun	Hyderabad	Jaipur
Jorhat	Kochi	Kolkata
Lucknow	Mumbai	Nagpur
New Delhi	Patna

Important Points for NID DAT Prelims Centre

A city may have more than one NID test centre.
NID reserves the right to add or remove any test centre and allot a test centre that may not be of the candidate's choice.
A city can have more than one test centre.
The test centre selected by the candidate can be changed only during the Window to Edit Application Form. Any request for a change of test centre will not be accepted once the Window to Edit Application Form closes.

NID Admit Card 2026

NID DAT Admit card for B.Des In person Sentitivity Test is out. Studio Test Admit card was released on April 09, 2026, for the shortlisted candidates who have cleared the NID DAT Prelims Exam.

NID DAT Admit card 2026 for M.Des was released for candidates who have cleared the NID Prelims exam conducted on December 21, 2026. Only shortlisted candidates can download the NID Mains Hall ticket for Studio Test and Interview. Candidates must carry the same Admit card that they took for the Studio Test. The Admit card must bear the seal of the NID Studio Test Centre.

How to Download the NID DAT 2026 Admit Card?

The admit card for NID DAT UG and PG 2026 will be released online at the NID admission portal. To download it

Go to the NID admission portal.
Click on admit card download link.
A log in window will open.
Enter your email ID and date of birth to download the admit card.

Important Points About NID DAT Admit Card

Candidates must bring any one valid Original photo ID proof for verification, such as (i) Voter ID Card, (ii) PAN Card, (iii) Driving License, (iv) Student ID issued by current school/ college (v) Passport (vi) Aadhar Card, etc., to the examination centre.
In case candidates do not have any of photo ID proofs, they should get both Part “A” and Part “B” of the NID DAT Admit Card attested by the Principal of their current school/college or a Gazetted Officer.
NID DAT digital copy of admit card will not be considered. You must bring a hard copy of admit card.

Also Read:

NID Preparation Tips 2026 for Studio Test

NIDs are among the top design institutes in the country. To prepare for the exam, candidates need to follow the syllabus and pattern. The following are a few points that can help in preparation.

Tips to prepare for NID Studio Test

Check out the tips for NID Studio Test.

Practice sketching, material handling, doodling, model making, etc. The more you practice, the better you will become at Studio Test.
Try to make a self-explanatory model.
This test will check how well a student can give problem-solving ideas through their model/sketches.
Learn to use all the possible materials, clay, all kinds of paper, wire, ice cream sticks, etc.
There can be some questions on Audio sensory skills, be patient and listen to the audio played.
Go through the questions asked in the previous year's paper and practice them.
Work on your speed. Try to finish the question in the given time.
Make sure the model is clean.

Prep Tips for NID DAT Written Exams

Know the NID exam pattern and marking scheme well.
Get well-versed with the NID DAT syllabus.
Prepare a timetable, if possible, and try to adhere to it.
Work on your sketching and try to improve your creative side.
Solve NID's previous year's question papers.
Ensure that you use the best books as reference material. Use the updated books and resources for the pattern.
Solve NID sample papers and mock tests regularly.
Keep revising.

Last week's prep tips for NID DAT Prelims 2026

In the last week leading up to the exam, make sure that you do extensive revision.
Solve a few sample papers and take mock tests.
Try not to start any new topics at the last moment, as it can eat up your revision time and turn the timetable upside down.
Stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and engage in light exercise to ensure you start fresh and energized.
Maintaining a balanced diet will also help improve your focus and performance.

What happens after the NID DAT Prelims?

Candidates who qualify for DAT Prelims 2026 will be shortlisted for NID DAT Mains 2026, which comprises a Studio Test ( + a Personal Interview for PG courses). No weightage is given to the NID DAT Prelims Exam. It is just a shortlisting exam. NID Mains Exam will have all the weightage, this time.

NID Syllabus and Pattern 2026

Candidates appearing in the NID DAT 2026 exam must consult the exam syllabus to prepare for the Design Aptitude Test (DAT).

First phase of the NID DAT 2026 entrance exam is NID DAT Prelims.

NID DAT syllabus for the B.Des and M.Des programs will include topics like color terminology, principles of composition, design theory, lettering, optical illusion, picture analysis, theme development, etc.
To get a good score in the exam, it is important to prepare for all the topics. However, during the preparation, if the candidate is not able to complete a topic even after trying hard, it is wise to move to the next topic or get help. Once the candidate has completed the other topics, he or she can always come back and complete the pending topic.

NID DAT Mains

Candidates who get shortlisted based on their DAT Prelims have to next appear in the DAT Mains exam.

DAT Mains for the B.Des program will include a Studio Test
However, M.Des applicants will also have to appear in a Personal Interview in addition to the Studio Test.

The NID Studio Test will be conducted in offline mode. On the other hand, the NID personal interview will be held online.

Important Instructions for DAT Mains

Some of the NID DAT guidelines that should be kept in mind are:

Candidates will be included in the final NID DAT 2026 merit list only if they take both the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.
The weightage for DAT Prelims and DAT Mains will be announced before the declaration of NID DAT 2026 (Final) Results.
Requests for rescheduling the Studio Test will not be entertained
Admit cards will be issued separately for the Studio Test and Online Interview.
If a candidate fails to appear in the online interview, admit cards will not be generated for the Studio Test.
On the day of the Studio Test, the candidate must bring with them a hard copy of the admit card and a valid photo ID proof.
Simply appearing in DAT Mains doesn't guarantee admission.

DAT Mains 2026 Components

The NID DAT Mains 2026 test for the M.Des program has two test components:

Studio Test
Personal Interview

NID DAT Mains for the B.Des program has only one test component: Studio Test.

Statement of Purpose and Portfolio Review for DAT Mains

Candidates who get shortlisted for the DAT Mains will have to upload a Statement of Purpose (SoP) and Portfolio during the given window.
The specific time/window for uploading SoPs and Portfolio will be intimated to the candidate by the National Institute of Design through the registered email ID/ result page.
The candidate has to upload SoPs and Portfolios separately for each discipline they are shortlisted for.
Format of the SoP - The Statement of Purpose should not contain more than 100 words for each question. The SoP should be uploaded as a single file (maximum size - 2 MB).
Format of the Portfolio - The candidate has to upload a digital copy of their Portfolio in a single file (maximum size - 10 MB).

NID DAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The NID DAT 2026 entrance exam has two parts. The candidate will first appear in NID DAT Prelims 2026, and if shortlisted, they have to appear in NID DAT Mains 2026. The Final result of NID DAT 2026 will be prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

Exam Pattern 2026 - DAT Prelims (Overview)

The NID DAT 2026 exam pattern for the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains exams is given below.

Particulars	B.Des	M.Des
Test duration	3 hours	2 ½ hours
Mode	Pen-and-paper-based	Online
Question type	Textual and Visual questions	A mixture of subjective and objective questions
Total number of questions	26	-
Total marks	100	100
Medium of the test	English	English

Exam Pattern for the NID DAT 2026 Mains or Studio Test

The DAT Mains for the B.Des will comprise a Studio Test, whereas for the M.Des, it will also include a Personal Interview.

DAT Mains exam pattern 2026 - B.Des

The exam pattern for NID DAT B.Des is:

Particulars	Description
Mode of exam	Offline
Duration of exam	3 hours
Total marks	100
Language of question paper	English
Type of questions	Multiple formats (Drawing/ Sketching/ Model Making)

Weightage of NID B.Des Final Result

The weightage for NID B.Des for Final Result is given below.

NID DAT Mains Test (B.Des)	Weightage
Studio Sentivity Test	60%
In-person Sensitivity Test	40%

Weightage of NID M.Des Final Result

The weightage for NID M.Des for Final Result is given below.

NID DAT Mains Test (M.Des)	Weightage
Studio Test	40%
Personal Interview	60%

Also Read:

NID Admission Process 2026

The participating institutes of NID 2026 offer B.Des and M.Des courses. Admission to these courses will be based on NID DAT merit ranks.

The step-wise admission process for NID DAT 2026 is given below, starting from application submission to the allotment of seats.

Fill out the NID DAT Application Form - Eligible candidates have to duly fill out the form and submit it before the last date. Use only genuine and verifiable information for filling out the form.
Download Admit Card - Download the Admit card and check all the details mentioned in it. If there are any discrepancies, contact the NID helpdesk. It is mandatory to appear for the NID Exam with the Admit Card.
Appear in DAT Prelims - After downloading the admit card, the candidate must appear for the NID DAT Prelims. The prelims exam will be held offline in pen/pencil paper mode.
Check DAT Prelims Result - Enter the credentials and check the NID DAT Prelims result.
Download DAT Mains Admit Card - All registered candidates will be issued admit cards that have to be downloaded online. After downloading the admit card, take a printout of it.
Appear for NID DAT Mains - DAT Mains will comprise a Studio Test; M.Des candidates will also have to appear in an online interview round. In the studio test for NID admissions, aspirants are given hands-on practical assignments, which they need to complete within the stipulated time.
Check NID DAT final Result - DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains performance are considered to prepare the FINAL results. Note that the final result or merit rank will be considered for the admission or seat allotment process.

NID Application Form 2026

The application form for NID 2026 is closed now. Candidates can fill out the form for NID B.Des and NID M.Des.

Check table below to know the NID DAT exam highlights, important dates for application form and NID DAT 2026 apply link below:

Particulars	Details
NID DAT registration 2026 start date	September 11, 2025
NID DAT UG 2026 application form last date	December 01, 2025
NID DAT 2026 correction window	December 02 to December 04, 2025
NID DAT official website	admissions.nid.edu
NID DAT registration 2026 official link	admissions.nid.edu
Application mode	Online
NID DAT 2026 number of attempts	One
Frequency of application	Once
Details Required to fill the Application Form	Personal, Academic and Contact Details
NID DAT 2026 Registration Fee	Varies on the number of subjects and category
Mode of fee payment	Online through Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card/UPI
Scanned documents	Passport-size Photograph Candidate's Signature Gen-EWS/PwD/OBC-NCL/SC/ST certificate (If applicable)

How to fill out the NID 2026 Application Form?

The step-wise process to apply for NID is explained below.

Get Registered - Register for the exam by entering your email ID, mobile number, etc.
Fill in the application form. Next, enter personal, academic, and contact details.
Upload necessary documents - Photographs, signatures, and academic documents must be uploaded in the prescribed format.
Pay the exam fee - The application fee must be paid online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking.

Can I Edit the NID Application Form 2026?

Yes, NID Application form can be edited. The NID 2026 application form for the edit window was open from December 02, 2025 to December 04, 2025. Candidates could use the edit option to make corrections to the application form. However, only certain information using the correction window could be edited.

As per the amendment made on October 27, 2025, candidates can modify the details filled in the application form, except the Program Applied, Name of the Candidate, Date of Birth, Registered Mobile Number & Registered Email ID when the Window to Edit Application Form opens.

Candidates will have to pay fees applicable in addition to the application fees if the candidate changes his/her applied category or gender during the "Window to Edit Application Form" period. However, no refund of excess fees will be made in the case of any category or gender change.

Particulars that can be edited include the exam center, address, uploaded documents, etc. So be careful when filling out the form.

Eligibility for NID DAT 2026

The National Institute of Design has released the detailed NID DAT 2026 eligibility criteria for the B.Des and M.Des programs. Before proceeding to fill out the form, make sure that you go through the details.

Program-wise NID DAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for NID DAT 2026 are given below.

Parameters

B.Des

M.Des

Age Limit

The candidate must be born on or after 1 July 2005.
In case of reserved category - Other Backward Class-Non Creamy Layer (OBCNCL), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) - the candidate must be born on or after 1 July 2002.
PwD candidates need to be born on or after 1 July 2000.

Note: In case of foreign nationals applying for admission under the Overseas (Supernumerary) Category, the candidate must be born on or after 1 July 2005.

The candidate must be born on or after 1 July 1994.
In case of reserved category - Other Backward Class-Non Creamy Layer (OBCNCL), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) - the candidate must be born on or after 1 July 1991.
PwD candidates need to be born on or after 1 July 1989.

Note: In case of foreign nationals applying for admission under the Overseas (Supernumerary) Category, the candidate must be born on or after 1 July 1994.

Educational Qualification

10+2 in any discipline

Bachelor's degree of minimum four years duration OR its equivalent.

NID DAT 2026 Test Centres

The DAT Prelims exam will be conducted in 17 test cities in the country. The candidate can select their choice of exam center at the time of filling out the application form. Check the list of NID exam centers 2026 below.

Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jorhat, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi and Patna.

The centre details for the NID Mains Exams are Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Gandhinagar. NID DAT Test Centres are declared by the National Institute of Design for M.Des. It is mentioned in the NID DAT Admit card. The exact address will be given in the Admit card.

NID 2026 - FAQs

Check important FAQs related to the NID DAT 2026 entrance exam below.

Q: How 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 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.

Q: What is the full form of NID DAT?

The NID DAT translates to the National Institute of Design - Design Aptitude Test. The Design Aptitude Test has two parts - DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The candidate has to first appear in DAT Prelims. If shortlisted, the candidate has to appear in DAT Mains.

Note that NID DAT scores are accepted for admission to the B.Des and M.Des programs offered by participating colleges. This means, the NIDs will not accept scores of no other entrance exams for admission purposes.

The DAT Prelims exam is typically conducted in January.

Q: I have passed senior secondary exam from NIOS. Am I eligible for NID DAT 2026?

If you have passed senior secondary exam from National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) with minimum five subjects, then you are eligible for NID DAT. The National Institute of Design recognizes boards like CBSE, IB, ICSE, or equivalent.

The candidate must make sure that they meet the eligibility criteria before filling out the NID DAT 2026 application form.

Note that all details entered by the candidate in the application form will be checked at the time of counseling. If there is any discrepancy, the candidate may be disqualified.

Q: What is the application fee for NID DAT?

The application fee of NID DAT 2026 for the B. Des for General, General-EWS, OBC-NCL candidates is INR 3,000. SC, ST, PwD candidates only ned to pay INR 1,500. However note that the application fees for overseas candidates seeking admission to supernumerary seats is INR 5000. In case of the M.Des programme, the application fees for General, General-EWS, OBC-NCL candidates applying for one discipline is INR 3,000. If two disciplines are chosen, the application fee is INR 6000. Meanwhile, SC, ST, PwD candidate need to pay INR 1,500 for one discipline, and INR 3000 for two disciplines.

The NID DAT 2026 application form is now open.

Q: What happens if I fail to qualify NID DAT (Prelims)?

The results of the DAT Prelims will include the qualifying status of the candidate. If the candidate fails to qualify DAT Prelims, he or she will not be eligible to appear in DAT Mains.

Note that the Desing Aptitude Test (DAT) conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID) has two sub-exams: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

Both the exams are mandatory.

Also, the final merit list is prepared by giving weighatage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. So, if a can candidate fails to qualify DAT Prelims or doesn’t appear in DAT Mains, the candidate will be disqualified from the admission process.

Q: What are the design courses offered through NID DAT 2026 exam?

The NIDs offer a full-time B.Des programme of 4-year duration, and a full-time M.Des programme of two-and-half years duration.

The institute, in addition, also offers a PhD program. The programme can be pursed full-time or part-time.

Admission to the design courses at the NID is conducted through a Design Aptitude Test (DAT). The exam comprise DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

The final result or merit list is prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

Q: What kind of questions are asked in NID Entrance Exam?

NID Entrance Exam consists of two admissions tests: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains. NID DAT Prelims is a written entrance exam, while NID DAT Mains comprises a studio test and interview round. In NID DAT Prelims, candidates are asked both objective and subjective-type questions. Candidates who qualify in the NID DAT 2026 exam will be considered for admission to the M.Des and B. Des courses offered by participating colleges. The that Prelims exam for the B. Des programme will include questions from topics like color terminology, principles of composition, and form and function.

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

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.

Q: How to secure admission at NID?

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.

Q: When will the NID 2026 application be released?

National Institute of Design released the NID DAT 2026 Applications on September 11, 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 information, submitting documents, and paying the registration fees.

Q: What is the NID DAT Prelims exam?

NID DAT Prelims is the 1st step of the two-step NID admissions process. DAT Prelims comprises a written exam that candidates need to clear in order to be eligible for DAT Mains.

Q: What information can be edited in submitted application form when NID DAT 2026 application edit window opens?

The application edit window for NID DAT 2026 was open from December 02, 2025 to December 04, 2025 for UG and PG programmes.

Using the application edit window, the candidate were able to edit details like their address, applied category, exam centre, etc.

However, the candidate could not change the Programme Applied for, Name of the Candidate, Date of Birth, Registered Mobile Number, and Registered Email ID.

Also, if the candidate changes their applied category, the applicable application fees have to be paid by the candidate. Further, no refund of fees will be made in case of any category change.

Q: How can I improve my sketching skills for NID DAT?

If you want to get a good rank in NID DAT, sketching is very important. Practice live sketching daily. Sketch daily objects. Sketch from the previous year question paper.