NID Entrance Exam Process

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 Capacity at Individual NIDs

• Eligibility Criteria

• Reservation of Seats

• How to Apply

• Design Aptitude Tests (DAT)

• Announcement of Results

• Other Information

How should I prepare for NID DAT Mains?

To prepare effectively:

• Practice material handling with clay, paper, and everyday objects.
• Improve sketching & visualization skills by drawing regularly.
• Solve creative problem-solving tasks and work on 3D modeling exercises.
• Stay updated with design trends and real-world design solutions.

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 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.