National Institute of Design Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Cutoff, Ranking, Placement

Placements 2025

NID Ahmedabad’s 2025 placements recorded strong outcomes, with design graduates securing offers from leading product, IT and FMCG brands. The institute’s central placement cell coordinated industry interface and recruitment through its official Industry Interface portal.

Placement Statistics

Top Recruiters

IT: Microsoft, Adobe, IBM, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services

Consulting: Deloitte, Cognizant

Core: Hindustan Unilever, Tata Motors, Adidas, VIP Industries, Trident Group

Branch-wise Placement

Rankings & Accreditations

National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad is consistently positioned among the top design institutes in India and holds a strong global presence in design-specific rankings. It stands in the 51–100 band in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 for Art & Design, reflecting solid international recognition.

NIRF 2025

Other Rankings

Accreditations

• NAAC: Not accredited; NID is an Institute of National Importance under an Act of Parliament
• NBA: Design programmes are not NBA-accredited (NBA focuses on engineering, management, pharmacy and a few other disciplines)

Comparison

National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad, IIT Bombay’s IDC School of Design and IIT Delhi’s Department of Design are premier public design schools offering rigorous, studio-based UG and PG design programmes with strong national reputation, competitive admissions and solid placement outcomes. Students commonly compare these three when targeting top-end, government-funded design education in India.

Key Strengths

• National Institute of Design - [NID] Ahmedabad: Flagship, standalone design institute of national importance with deep industry links, diverse studios and the broadest spread of specialised design disciplines.
• IIT Bombay – IDC School of Design: Strong integration of design with engineering and technology, excellent research ecosystem and very high-value placements driven by the IIT brand.
• IIT Delhi – Department of Design: Focus on interdisciplinary and technology-led design, access to cutting-edge labs and start-up ecosystem, and robust campus-wide placement network.

Campus & Infrastructure

NID Ahmedabad’s main campus is located in Paldi, a central locality of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on the banks of the Sabarmati river. Designed with a modernist, Bauhaus-influenced layout, it integrates studios, workshops, hostels and green courtyards within a compact urban campus.

Campus Details

Academic Facilities

• Library: More than 50,000 books and bound volumes; over 150 subscribed print and online journals/periodicals
• Labs: 1 Railway Design Centre, 1 Design Clinic for MSME, multiple discipline-specific studios and workshops integrated into academic blocks
• Classrooms: Modular studios and seminar rooms with double-glazed viewing into workshops; majority equipped with digital projection and studio infrastructure

Hostel

Other Facilities

• Hostels at Paldi and Gandhinagar campuses together accommodate approximately 650 students (≈450 at Paldi, ≈200 at Gandhinagar)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entrance exam for NID Ahmedabad B.Des and is there any age limit?

Admission to NID Ahmedabad B.Des is through the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) with Prelims and Mains conducted by NID. DAT Prelims 2025-26 is scheduled on Sunday, 21 December 2025. General/EWS candidates must be up to 20 years of age on or before 30 June of the admission year.

What educational background is required for B.Des at NID Ahmedabad?

For B.Des, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 in any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts, Humanities, etc.) from a recognised board such as CBSE, ICSE, IB or equivalent. A 10+3 AICTE-approved diploma is also accepted for eligibility.

How do I apply online for NID Ahmedabad B.Des or M.Des?

Candidates apply through the official NID admissions portal. The process includes signup (with nationality, category, disability, birthdate, email, mobile), filling the application form, uploading documents (photo, signature, category certificates, passport for overseas), paying the fee online, and printing the application form.

What is the fee structure for the NID Ahmedabad B.Des programme?

B.Des fees at NID Ahmedabad include tuition, studio, and other academic charges notified annually by NID in the official fee schedule. Students must pay semester-wise after seat allotment and document verification, with first-semester fee payment typically due in July–August at the time of reporting.

Are scholarships or fee waivers available at NID Ahmedabad?

NID offers need-based financial assistance and scholarships funded by the institute and external agencies, detailed each year in the official admission and fee documents. Support generally prioritises economically weaker students who clear DAT and secure admission, with awards varying by category and income.

Does NID Ahmedabad support education loans for its students?

NID students commonly obtain education loans from nationalised and private banks using admission offer letters and fee structures issued by NID. Banks treat NID as a premier government institute, typically offering standard education loan schemes that cover tuition and living expenses subject to eligibility.

How are placements at NID Ahmedabad and what kind of companies visit?

NID Ahmedabad conducts a central Industry Interface / Placement Week where design studios, FMCG, IT, automotive, lifestyle, and consulting firms recruit. Recruiters regularly include leading Indian and multinational brands across product design, UX/UI, communication, animation, and lifestyle accessory design roles.

What kind of roles and salary packages do NID Ahmedabad graduates usually get?

NID graduates typically join as product designers, UX/UI designers, communication designers, interaction designers, and design strategists in top companies and studios. CTCs vary by discipline and recruiter, with higher packages offered in UX, digital product design, and strategic design roles in large firms.

Are internships mandatory for NID Ahmedabad students?

Most NID programmes include mandatory industry projects or internships as part of the curriculum, typically in the later semesters. Students work with design consultancies, start-ups, NGOs, and corporate design teams to complete credit-based projects evaluated by faculty and industry mentors.

What B.Des disciplines are offered at NID Ahmedabad campus?

NID Ahmedabad offers 8 Bachelor of Design programmes that typically include disciplines like Industrial Design, Communication Design, Textile and Apparel, Animation/Film, and related areas. The detailed list of current B.Des specialisations is published on the Ahmedabad campus section of the official NID website.

How intensive is the academic workload and evaluation at NID Ahmedabad?

Courses run on a studio-based model with continuous assessment, juries, and end-semester juried evaluations instead of traditional written exams. Students typically handle multiple parallel studio projects, research assignments, and workshops that demand extensive lab and studio time throughout the week.

What kind of faculty and industry exposure does NID Ahmedabad provide?

NID Ahmedabad has full-time faculty with backgrounds in industrial design, visual communication, textile, animation, new media and more, supported by visiting professionals. The institute frequently hosts workshops, expert lectures, and collaborative projects with industries and international institutions.

How are the hostels at NID Ahmedabad and who gets hostel accommodation?

Hostels are provided to out-station B.Des students at the Ahmedabad campus, with Paldi and Gandhinagar hostels accommodating about 450 and 200 students respectively. Hostel allocation is for one year at a time, re-allotted annually, and subscription to the hostel mess is compulsory for residents.

What are the food and mess facilities like on campus?

On-campus hostels have attached mess facilities with compulsory subscription for residents, serving standard vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals depending on policy. The campus also has a cafeteria and dining areas that cater to students and staff through the day.

What facilities and clubs are available for students at NID Ahmedabad?

The 37-acre Ahmedabad campus includes design studios, workshops, specialised labs (ceramics, glass, leather, plastics, innovation), an extensive library, computer labs, Wi‑Fi, gym, sports courts, medical dispensary, and guest house. Students organise cultural events, design fests, and interest-based clubs across disciplines.

How safe is the NID Ahmedabad campus and surrounding area?

The campus is in Paldi, a central and active area of Ahmedabad, with controlled entry, security staff, and monitored hostel access. Medical facilities on campus include a dispensary with a doctor available for students, along with access to city hospitals nearby in emergencies.

Is there a dress code at NID Ahmedabad or for DAT Studio Test?

NID does not enforce a formal dress code for daily classes, though students typically wear comfortable clothing suitable for studio and workshop work. For DAT Mains studio tests, candidates are advised to wear simple, practical clothes that allow ease of movement and can handle material work.

Do students at NID Ahmedabad typically do part-time freelancing or jobs?

Many senior NID students take up small freelance design projects or internships during breaks, but regular part-time jobs during semesters are difficult due to the heavy studio workload. Any external work must be managed without affecting attendance, submissions, or academic performance.

What are typical laptop or software requirements for NID Ahmedabad students?

The campus has an IT centre and computer labs with licensed design software, but most students prefer personal laptops capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud, 3D and CAD tools. Specifications differ by discipline, with higher RAM and graphics capabilities useful for animation, film, and product design.

How does NID Ahmedabad compare with IIT design (IDC, IIT Bombay) for B.Des?

NID Ahmedabad is a dedicated design institute with long-standing strength in industrial, communication, and textile design, while IDC School of Design at IIT Bombay sits within a technology-focused ecosystem. Choice typically depends on preference for a pure design campus versus a tech-and-engineering environment.

Is NID Ahmedabad worth the cost in terms of ROI and career growth?

NID Ahmedabad is recognised nationally and internationally as a premier design institute, with strong brand value, alumni presence, and consistent placement opportunities. Graduates often recover education costs within a few years through design roles in top companies, studios, and entrepreneurial ventures.