NID DAT 2026: Exam Date, Syllabus, Eligibility, Pattern, Registration & Design Admission Guide
Design
Updated on December 10, 2025
Table of Contents
What is NID DAT?
The National Institute of Design Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) is a national-level entrance examination conducted annually by the National Institute of Design (NID) for admission to Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) programs across its campuses in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh. Established under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, NID DAT evaluates candidates' aptitude for design through a two-stage process: Prelims (objective and subjective screening) and Mains (studio test and interview).
Annually, over 20,000 candidates appear for approximately 1,000 B.Des seats and 400 M.Des seats in specializations like Product Design, Communication Design, Textile Design, and Film & Video Design. Students take NID DAT to access world-class design education at NID, known for its innovative curriculum, industry collaborations, and strong placements (average package 8–12 LPA, highest up to 30 LPA). It is a preferred choice for aspiring designers seeking practical, creative training without the broader scope of exams like UCEED (tech-focused) or NIFT (fashion-specific), offering a focused pathway to careers in industrial, visual, and digital design.
NID DAT 2026 Highlights
NID DAT 2026 features a two-stage process with Prelims emphasizing aptitude and Mains focusing on studio skills.
Particular
Details
Exam Name
National Institute of Design Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT)
Conducting Body
National Institute of Design (NID)
Exam Level
National Level
Exam Frequency
Once a year (two stages)
Mode of Exam
Prelims: Offline (Pen-Paper); Mains: Offline (Studio Test + Interview)
Total Seats (Approx.)
1,000+ B.Des + 400+ M.Des
Prelims Duration
3 hours
Mains Duration
3–4 hours (Studio Test) + Interview
Total Marks
Prelims: 100; Mains: 100
Marking Scheme
Prelims: +1/2/3 marks per question; Mains: Evaluated on creativity, innovation
Language
English
Official Website
admissions.nid.edu
NID DAT 2026 Important Dates
NID will release the official notification on September, 2026. The tentative schedule is as follows:
Event
Tentative Date
Notification Release
September, 2026
Online Registration Starts
September, 2026
Last Date to Submit Application
December, 2026
Application Correction Window
December, 2026
Admit Card Download (Prelims)
December, 2026
NID DAT Prelims Exam Date
December, 2026
Prelims Result Declaration
January 2027
Mains Admit Card Download
February 2027
Mains Exam Date
March 2027
Final Merit List
April 2027
Counselling & Seat Allotment
May–June 2027
NID DAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet NID's criteria, with relaxations for reserved categories. Non-Indian nationals can apply under separate quotas.
Nationality: Indian nationals; Foreign nationals/NRIs/OCIs/PIOs eligible under NRI quota (5% supernumerary seats).
B.Des (UG): Passed or appearing in Class 12 from a recognized board (any stream).
M.Des (PG): Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
Minimum Marks: No minimum percentage required; merit-based selection.
Age Limit: Born on or after August 1, 2005 for B.Des (5-year relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD).
Attempts: No limit.
NID DAT 2026 Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide
The entire process is online only at admissions.nid.edu.
Visit admissions.nid.edu → Click “Apply Now”
Register with email & mobile → Verify OTP → Generate Login ID & Password
Log in → Select B.Des / M.Des / Both → Fill personal, academic, category details
Upload recent passport-size photograph, signature, and certificates (caste/EWS/PwD if applicable)
Prelims result: January 2026 (marks + shortlist status)
Final merit list: April 2026 (combined Prelims + Mains weightage)
Separate rank lists for B.Des and M.Des
Download from admissions.nid.edu
NID DAT vs UCEED vs NIFT: Key Comparison
NID DAT, UCEED, and NIFT are premier design entrances, but differ in focus: NID DAT emphasizes creative aptitude and studio skills, UCEED tech/UI/UX design, NIFT fashion/textiles. Difficulty: UCEED > NID DAT > NIFT. Pattern: NID DAT has Prelims (MCQ + subjective) + Mains (studio); UCEED MCQ + drawing; NIFT GAT + CAT + situation test.
Prelims: 100 marks (MCQ + subjective); Mains: Studio + PI
MCQ + NAT + Sketching (300 marks)
GAT (120 marks) + CAT (100 marks) + Situation Test (100 marks)
Duration
Prelims: 3 hrs; Mains: 3–4 hrs
3 hrs
GAT: 3 hrs; CAT: 3 hrs; Situation: 1 hr
Difficulty
Moderate-High (creative focus)
High (analytical + sketching)
Moderate (fashion-specific)
Negative Marking
No
No
No
Top Colleges
NID Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar
IIT Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati
NIFT Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore
Cutoff (B.Des General)
50–65 marks (Prelims)
200–250/300
40–50/100 (GAT)
Applicants
20,000+
10,000+
50,000+
READ MORE
Frequently Asked Questions
No. UCEED is tougher due to its analytical, numerical, and complex sketching questions. NID DAT Prelims is more creative and drawing-heavy, while Mains (studio test + portfolio) is the real differentiator. Students with strong sketching and ideation usually find NID easier than UCEED.
General category: 68–72+ marks out of 100 for B.Des. Top 500–800 AIR almost guarantees Ahmedabad; 900–1500 AIR gets Gandhinagar/Bengaluru.
Yes. You must carry an A3/A2 portfolio with 10–15 best works (sketches, paintings, 3D models, digital art). Quality and diversity matter more than quantity.
Yes, 80% syllabus overlaps (visualization, drawing, design thinking). Extra focus on studio test practice for NID and NAT questions for UCEED.
NID Ahmedabad > NID Gandhinagar/Bengaluru > Haryana/AP/Assam/MP. Ahmedabad has the best faculty, industry exposure, and placements (highest 25–30 LPA).
Not compulsory, but 95% of toppers join coaching (SILICA, Pahal, BRDS, DQ Labs) for structured drawing practice, mock studio tests, and portfolio building.
Around 20,000–25,000 for B.Des and 10,000+ for M.Des every year.
No negative marking. Attempt all questions.
Communication Design (Graphic, Animation, Film & Video) > Product Design > Textile & Apparel Design. Communication has highest seats and placements.
Very difficult. Both Prelims (subjective sketching) and Mains (studio test) heavily test drawing, observation, and ideation skills.
No. Class 12 from any stream (Science/Commerce/Arts) is eligible.
Practice clay modelling, doodling, material handling (paper, cardboard, wire), group discussion, and theme-based storytelling. Join a good coaching for 2–3 months of hands-on practice.
Yes for first-year students. Optional from second year at some campuses.
For product/industrial/communication design: NID Ahmedabad. For fashion/textile/accessory design: NIFT Delhi. NID has better international recognition and research focus.
No. Campus allotment is final. Only discipline change within the same campus is sometimes allowed after first year.
95–100% placement. Average package: 10–15 LPA (B.Des), 12–18 LPA (M.Des). Top recruiters: Google, Microsoft, Titan, Philips, Infosys, Tata Elxsi.
Yes. SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC-NCL 27%, EWS 10%, PwD 5% (horizontal). 5% supernumerary seats for NRI/Foreign nationals.
NIFT is easier (more objective, fashion-specific). NID DAT is tougher due to subjective drawing and studio test.
Yes, by paying double fee and appearing for both exams. Separate merit lists.
Yes. 58–62 marks (General) usually gets newer campuses (Haryana, AP, Assam, MP).
No bond or compulsory service. You are free to work anywhere after graduation.
SILICA (Mumbai/Pune), Pahal Design (Delhi/Ahmedabad), BRDS, and DQ Labs are the most trusted with consistent toppers.
Not sure which course fits you best?
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