Communication Design

The M.Des program's DAT Prelims results were released on February 17 at 4 p.m. Online at admissions.nid.edu, the outcome is available for viewing. Recall that the results of the DAT preliminary exam will be made available to all applicants who take the test. Using their email address and birthdate, candidates can access the DAT Prelims results by logging onto the result portal. A shortlist of candidates for the DAT Mains will be created using the results of the DAT Prelims exam.

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.

The qualifying status of the candidate was disclosed in the DAT Prelim findings. The candidate was ineligible to participate in the DAT Mains if they had not qualified in the DAT Prelims. It should be noted that there are two sub-exams for the National Institute of Design's (NID) Desing Aptitude Test (DAT): DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. It is required to take both tests. Additionally, the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains are weighed in order to generate the final merit list. Therefore, an applicant will be eliminated from consideration for admission if they do not pass DAT Prelims or do not show up for DAT Mains.

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.

The GATE closing time for both the B.Des and M.Des courses is 9.30 am (30 minutes before the commencement of the exam), after which no candidate will be allowed inside the exam centre. 

So, make sure that you reach the exam centre at 8 am (the official reporting time).

Note that you may have to go through security checks and registration. If you are late, then you may face a lot of trouble, which is not a good thing to experience on exam day.

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.

The candidate will be allowed to apply for re-check of their results soon after the results are declared. The recheck window will be available on the NID admission portal - admissions.nid.edu.

Recheck window for the B.Des program will be open from April 07, 2026 to April 08, 2026, whereas re-check window for M.Des will be open from May 6-7.

To apply for recheck, you need to log into the portal using your candidate credentials, pay the relevant fees and complete any othe formalities. 

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. The National Institute of Design will conduct DAT Prelims exam 2026 on December 21, 2025. The DAT Mains for the B. Des programme will include a Studio Test, whereas the DAT Mains for the M.Des programme will comprise a Studio Test and Interview. The Studio Test and Interiew for the M.Des programme will be conducted in April 2026. The DAT Mains for the B.Des programme will be conducted in April 2026.