NID 2026: Admission Test
National Institute of Design (NID) will conduct Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims on the first week of January 2026. Students selected in the first round of exams will be eligible to appear for the second round called DAT Mains. Final admission is based on the cumulative marks obtained in DAT prelims and Mains. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through all the important details related to the NID entrance exams.
NID 2026 DAT
- The NID entrance exams include two stages of the Design Aptitude Test - Prelims and Mains. These tests are designed to asses the candidates knowledge, skills and behavioural abilities.
- Candidates pursuing B.Des program need to appear for both DAT Prelims & DAT Mains.
- Candidates pursuing M.Des program need to appear for DAT Prelims, DAT Mains & Portfolio/Interview.
NID 2025 Application
- Last Date for Online registration for NID 2025 was on December 6th, 2025.
- To complete the application process, you'll need to register, provide personal and academic details, upload necessary documents, and pay the application fee.
- Application fees for Open/General-EWS, OBC-NCL category: INR 3000/-
- Application fees for SC/ST/PwD category: INR 1500/-
NID Exam Centers
NID conducts, DAT Prelims in multiple cities. Applicants may select exam centers in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kurukshetra, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New delhi, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Thiruvananthapuram & Vijayawada.
Past Toppers from afdindia
Will you be our next success story? Make the leap from average artist to outstanding creative designer by becoming an afdian.
Bhadra Balu - AIR 1
NID M.Des – 2023
C S Jasweth - AIR 1
NID M.Des - 2020
Sreehari S
- AIR 1
NID B.Des - 2017
Arun Job Pynadath - AIR 1
NID B.Des - 2018
What is NID Entrance Exam
The Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is an admission test for various undergraduate and postgraduate design programs offered by the National Institute of Design in India. It consists of two components:
1. DAT Prelims (Design Aptitude Test - Preliminary Examination): This is the first stage of the NID entrance exam. It is a paper and pencil test conducted on the same day in centres across India. It assesses a candidate's design aptitude, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The DAT Prelims includes questions related to drawing, sketching, creativity, observation and visualization. It may also involve a General Knowledge section to test a candidate's awareness of design-related topics. The exact format and content of the DAT Prelims can vary from year to year.
2. DAT Mains (Design Aptitude Test - Main Examination): Candidates who qualify in the DAT Prelims are shortlisted to appear for the DAT Mains. The DAT Mains is the second stage of the NID entrance exam and is hands-on and practical. ( It includes Portfolio Review and personal interview for M.Des candidates). The studio test often involves design problems or tasks that candidates must complete within a specified time frame. The personal interview is an opportunity for the selection panel to assess a candidate's thought process, interests, and suitability for the design program.
Preparation for both DAT Prelims and DAT Mains typically involves honing one's creative and problem-solving skills, as well as practicing drawing, sketching & hands-on design tasks. It is advisable to review past years' question papers & sample tests to get a sense of the types of questions and tasks that are typically included in the exams.
NID 2025 DAT MAINS & NID 2026 Coaching classes are ongoing.
NID coaching is ongoing at afdindia with regular, weekend, advanced, offline & online batches
NID 2025 Application
The NID 2025 application form was available from September 3rd, 2024. The institute released the admission notification & information brochure, which contains details such as eligibility criteria, fees, step-wise application process, seat matrix & admission procedures.
How to Apply
- Visit the NID Admission Portal: The official NID admission website has "Signup" link.
- Registration: In the registration form, you will be prompted to enter your personal details, including your name, email ID, phone number, and other relevant information. Upon successful registration, an applicant account will be created, which you will use to fill out the rest of the application.
- Log In and Fill Out the Application: After registration, log in to your applicant account to access the application form. Here, you will need to provide additional information and select your preferred exam center.
- Document Upload: NID requires you to upload specific documents, including a recent passport-size color photograph and a scanned signature. Ensure that your photograph & signature meets the following criteria:
- File size: 100KB (maximum)
- Format: jpeg only
- Background: White
- Ink Color: Blue/Black
- Payment of Application Fee: The final step in the application process is paying the application fee. For candidates in the Genera & OBC-NCL category, the fee is INR 3,000. For candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories, application fee is INR 1,500.
NID Eligibility Criteria
B.Des Program Eligibility
- Qualification: Candidates must have completed their 12th grade or its equivalent in Science, Commerce, Arts, Humanities, or any other recognized stream from a reputable board.
- Age:
- For Indian (General & General EWS category): Birth on or after July 1, 2005.
- For Indian Reserved (OBC-NCL, ST & SC category): Birth on or after July 1, 2002.
- For Indian Reserved (PWD category): Born on or after July 1, 2000.
- For Foreign in Overseas Category: Born on or after July 1, 2005.
- Qualification:
- Graduation in a 4-year duration in any specialization, or
- A 4-year diploma course in Design, Applied Arts, Fine Arts, or Architecture after 12th or
- an equivalent standard from a university or institute recognized by Indian law, or
- A 3-year graduation degree in any stream.
- Age:
- For Indian (General & General EWS category): Birth on or after July 1, 1994.
- For Indian Reserved (OBC-NCL, ST & SC category): Birth on or after July 1, 1991.
- For Indian Reserved (PWD category): Birth on or after July 1, 1989.
- For Foreign in Overseas Category: Birth on or after July 1, 1994.
NIFT & NID 2026 Entrance Exam Coaching
afdindia offers a range of coaching options for the NIFT & NID Entrance Exam 2025-2026. Our students outshined others in NIFT & NID exam results in the past 25 years. afdindia is the pioneer in this design test prep classes & continues to uphold its legacy.
afdindia boasts of esteemed faculty team, consisting of alumni from prestigious institutions like NID, NIFT, IIT & CEPT proficient in various design domains including apparel design, product design, animation & communication. This extensive expertise provides students with a holistic understanding, covering entrance exam preparation, industry requirements & portfolio.
Why Choose afdindia
- Consistent Highest NIFT Result
- Over 25 years of Unmatched Experience
- Faculty comprises NIFT/NID alumni
- Best-in-Class NIFT Study Materials
- Versatile Training and Coaching Approach
- Foster Self-Confidence in Students
- Superior Infrastructure and Education Facilities
- Essential Classroom Coaching for Design Development
- Rapidly Growing Coaching Institute in India
NID Syllabus
The written exams are a critical component of the admission process, understanding the syllabus is vital.
NID DAT Prelims Syllabus
for B.Des Program
- Design Fundamentals: Colour Terminology, Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship, Design Theory, Elements & Principles Of Design, Natural & Geometrical Form, Principles of Composition.
- Design Technique: Lettering, Optical Illusion, Form & Function, Colour, Pattern & Texture, Visual Logic, Picture Analysis.
- Creative Expression & Drawing: Lateral Thinking, Memory Drawing, Story Pictures, Graphics & Pictograms
- Design Skills & Application: Design Awareness, Presentation Techniques, Ornaments & motifs, 3D Visualisation
NID DAT Mains Syllabus for B.Des Program
- Practical Design Skills: Model Making, Material Manipulation, Body language and importance
- Interview Preparation: Typical questions asked in an interview, Interview tips, Previous years' question papers
- Portfolio Development: How to Evolve Ideas, Audio – Visual Exercises, Portfolio making
NID DAT Prelims Syllabus for M.Des Program
- Design Fundamentals: Similar to B.Des program's Design Fundamentals.
- Design Technique & Creative Expression: Similar to B.Des program's Design Techniques and Creative Expression.
- Creative Design Skills & Application: Similar to B.Des program's Design Skills & Application.
- Advanced Design Skills: Model Making, Doodling & Material Manipulation
- Advanced Creative Application: How to evolve ideas, Audio – Visual Exercises & Creative Thinking
What afdindia Offers...
Personalised guidance from expert tutors, and gain the skills necessary to ace the NIFT/NID entrance exams. Don't miss this opportunity to shape your future in the world of design!
NID Exam Preparation Tips
The NID 2026 written exams, will be held in January 2026 & April 2026, are the gateway to your dream career in fashion and design. To ensure success, preparation is key. Here are essential preparation tips:
- Structured Study Routine: Establish a disciplined study routine and adhere to it consistently.
- Familiarize with Exam Pattern & Syllabus: Understand the NID exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly to align your preparations accordingly.
- Utilize Past Papers & Sample Papers: Practice with previous exam papers and sample tests to get acquainted with the exam format and question styles.
- Create Concise Notes: Develop summarized notes of crucial topics for quick revision and retention.
- Maintain Calmness: Stay composed and avoid stress; drink ample water to stay refreshed and focused.
- Engage in Discussions: Discuss study topics with teachers and peers to clarify doubts and solidify understanding.
- Physical Well-being: Incorporate daily exercise or yoga routines to maintain a clear and fresh mindset during preparations.
NID Exam Preparation Tips
Sample papers play a dual role in your preparation. They sharpen your problem-solving skills by presenting a variety of practice questions, mirroring the exam's diverse challenges. This practice is invaluable for building your capacity to handle different question types.
Moreover, they serve as a training ground for time management. Solving sample papers under timed conditions familiarizes you with pacing requirements. It's a key skill for optimizing performance on the actual exam day.
Stimulating the exam environment, sample papers alleviate anxiety and boost confidence. Their questions match the NID exam's difficulty level, ensuring you feel well-prepared.
Past Question Papers
Moreover, they serve as a training ground for time management. Solving sample papers under timed conditions familiarizes you with pacing requirements. It's a key skill for optimizing performance on the actual exam day.
Stimulating the exam environment, sample papers alleviate anxiety and boost confidence. Their questions match the NID exam's difficulty level, ensuring you feel well-prepared. Previous year question papers reveal the exam's intricacies. They offer insights into question types, sections covered, and their respective weightage. This knowledge helps tailor your study strategy and focus on significant areas. Furthermore, analyzing previous years' papers exposes trends and changes. You can identify recurring topics or question types emphasized in the exam. By staying updated on evolving trends, you ensure your preparation remains current.
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