NID Admission 2026-2027

Getting through the NID admission process is a dream for thousands of design aspirants across India. NID is globally recognized as one of the best educational and research institutes for Industrial, Communication, Textile and IT Integrated (Experiential) Design. NID offers Bachelor of Design (B.Des.), Master of Design (M.Des.), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Design across diverse disciplines.

Why choose NID?

01

Premier Design Institute

NID is renowned for its innovative design programs and has multiple campuses across India.

02

Diverse Programs

Offers undergraduate (B.Des) and postgraduate (M.Des) courses covering various design disciplines.

03

Industry Oriented Curriculum

Focuses on practical skills and industry exposure through projects and internships.

04

Global Recognition

NID graduates are highly sought after in the design industry worldwide.

NID DAT Prelims & Mains 2026-2027

All those appearing for NID DAT in the academic year 2026-2027 must have a comprehensive understanding of the entrance exam, programs, and admission process. Understanding the exam pattern, syllabuses, and key topics can provide you with a strategic advantage to face the exam with confidence. As the pioneer in the NID DAT prep classes, afdindia is your go-to option for cracking the NID DAT 2026-2027 . Our coaching programs at afdindia can help you refine your creative and analytical skills. We provide you with top-notch and updated resources to secure your admission at NID.

At afdindia, our faculty team consists of accomplished alumni from prestigious institutions like NID, IIT, NIFT, and CEPT, bringing vast experience and expertise across various design disciplines. With our meticulously crafted curriculum, afdindia provides personalized and holistic learning experiences to help students excel in the NID DAT Mains 2026-2027. We focus on enhancing creativity, problem-solving skills, and design thinking, ensuring students are well-prepared for the challenges of the exam. Our structured approach guarantees comprehensive guidance and weekly practice sessions of mock tests, empowering students to approach the exam with confidence and achieve success in their BDes/MDes journey.

NID Admission Criteria

You must meet the eligibility requirements to appear in the NID DAT Mains 2026-2027 and obtain NID admission. The criteria vary for both B.Des and M.Des courses:

B.Des and Graduate Diploma Programs in Design

Age Limit: The upper age limit for candidates applying for the B.Des. and Diploma Programs is 20 years, as of July 1st in the case of General, EWS, and international categories. In the case of reserved categories, candidates have the opportunity to avail themselves of an age relaxation of upto 3 years from the given upper age limit.

Educational Qualifications: Candidates who have passed or will appear for the higher-secondary (10+2) qualification examination in the academic year from any stream, including CBSE, IB, ICSE, or equivalent boards, are eligible to apply for the NID admission test.

Master of Design (M.Des) Course

Age Limit: The upper age limit for candidates applying for the M.Des program is 28 years as of July 1st in the case of General, EWS, and international categories. When it comes to reserved categories, candidates can avail themselves of an age relaxation of 3 years from the given upper age limit.

Educational Qualification: The M.Des candidates who fulfill one of the following categories can apply:

A four-year Bachelor’s degree in any specialization after 12th grade.
A four-year full-time diploma in Design, Fine Arts, Applied Arts, or Architecture after 12th grade.
A three-year Bachelor’s degree in any specialization (must have completed exams by August).
Final-year students can apply if they complete all exams (including backlogs) by June 28, 2025, and submit the final results by July 31, 2025.

NID Campuses and Courses

NID has campuses in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Bangalore for PG program. NID offers B.Des courses in five campuses - Ahmedabad, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam.

The following is a detailed list of courses offered at NID campuses in both B.Des and M.Des programs:

B.Des Programs: NID offers the following four-year Bachelor’s in Design programs:

Communication Design

Animation Film Design
Film and Video Communication
Exhibition Design
Graphic Design

Industrial Design

Ceramic and Glass Design
Furniture and Interior Design
Product Design

Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle, and Accessory Design

Textile Design

M.Des Programs: NID offers the following two and a half year Master’s in Design programs:

Communication Design

Film and Video Communication
Graphic Design
Animation Film Design
Photography Design

Industrial Design

Ceramic and Glass Design
Furniture and Interior Design
Product Design
Toy and Game Design
Transportation and Automobile Design
Universal Design

Interdisciplinary Design

Design for Retail Experience
Strategic Design Management

IT Integrated Design

Digital Game Design
Interaction Design
Information Design
New Media Design

Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle, and Accessory Design

Apparel Design
Lifestyle Accessory Design
Textile Design

NID Course Details for 2026-2027 Admission

Below, you can find a detailed breakdown of the Bachelor’s in Design and Master’s in Design programs available for the 2026-2027 admission cycle:

Bachelor’s in Design (B.Des)

Duration: 4 Years

Eligibility: 10+2 - Any stream

NID Campuses where the course is offered: Ahmedabad, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam

Specializations Available:

Communication Design (Animation Film Design, Film & Video Communication, Exhibition Design, Graphic Design)

Industrial Design (Ceramic & Glass Design, Furniture & Interior Design, Product Design)

Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle, and Accessory Design (Textile Design)

Master’s in Design (M.Des)

Duration: 2.5 Years

Eligibility: A bachelor’s degree - any stream or diploma in Design, Fine Arts, Architecture, or any similar/related fields.

NID Campuses where the course is offered: Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Bangalore

Specializations Available:

Communication Design (Film & Video Communication, Graphic Design, Animation Film Design, Photography Design)

Industrial Design (Ceramic & Glass Design, Furniture & Interior Design, Product Design, Toy & Game Design, Transportation & Automobile Design, Universal Design)

Interdisciplinary Design (Design for Retail Experience, Strategic Design Management)

IT Integrated Design (Digital Game Design, Interaction Design, Information Design, New Media Design)

Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle, and Accessory Design (Apparel Design, Lifestyle Accessory Design, Textile Design)

NID Admission Registration Details - 2025-2026

The registration for NID admission comprises the following tests:

Visit the official NID website and sign up for the admission process
After signing up, initiate the registration process
Fill out the online application form with all the appropriate details
Upload all the correct mandatory documents
Select the payment option of your preference and complete payment
After the process is completed, you will receive a confirmation mail

NID Admission Stages - 2025-2026

The NID admission application forms will open during the first week of September. The portal will close in the first week of December. The provision for editing the admission applications will be open until the 9th of December. You can download the admit cards for the DAT preliminary exams during the last week of December. The DAT prelims will be conducted in January. The results for the prelims will be declared on March The date for the DAT mains will be announced tentatively.

NID DAT Entrance Exam Pattern - 2025-2026

To secure admissions to Bachelor’s in Design programs at NID, candidates need to clear two stages:

Stage 1 - NID DAT Prelims - Pen and Paper (written Test)
Stage 2 - NID DAT Mains - Studio Test

For a Bachelor’s in Design, the DAT prelims comprise a three-hour pen-and-paper examination that is further divided into two parts - objective-type questions worth 40 marks, which are MCQs on general knowledge, observation skills, and design awareness. The 2nd half consists of subjective/drawing based questions worth 60 marks, which assess drawing skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

Candidates who clear the preliminary round will be invited to attend the NID DAT Mains. Dat Mains comprises studio tests that involve candidates engaging in hands-on assessments such as drawing, sculpting, group discussions, and presentations.

Mode of Exam	Pen and Paper Mode
Duration of Exam	3 hours duration Part I: General Ability Test (GAT) (Weightage 40%) Part II: Design Aptitude Test (DAT) (Weightage 60%)
Total marks	100
Language of the question paper	English
Types of questions	Objective & Subjective

For the Master’s in Design program, the DAT prelims is a 2.5-hour paper divided into two parts: objective-type questions - Common Design Aptitude test (40 marks) that has to be finished within 30 minutes. The subjective-type questions involve sketching, which has to be completed within 2 hours.

Mode of Exam	Pen and Paper mode
Duration of Exam	2 hours 30 mins (for one discipline) Paper I: Common Design Aptitude Test (30 mins) Paper II: Discipline-wise (2 hours) 4 hours 30 mins (for two disciplines) Paper I: Common Design Aptitude Test (30 mins) Paper II: Discipline-wise (2 hours) Paper III: Discipline-wise (2 hours)
Total marks	100
Language of the question paper	English
Types of questions	Objective & Subjective

Applicants who pass the mains will receive a counseling invitation to confirm their admission to their preferred NID campus.

NID Admission Counselling

The NID admission process after the results are declared comprises the following steps:

Selecting the preferred NID Campus: After the results are declared, the students must check and submit their campus preferences. It is an important step, as failing to select the campus preference denotes that the student has withdrawn from the admission process.

Seat Allotment (Round 1): The candidate will receive an update on the status of seat allotment, confirming that the student has been granted a seat at her/his campus of preference.

Seat Confirmation Fee Payment: A token fee payment is mandatory to confirm your seat at your preferred campus. This initial payment is non-refundable and should be paid within the announced time limit.

Document Verification: The shortlisted candidates are required to upload all the required documents in a single pdf file not more than 10 mb file size. The uploaded documents will be verified by the authorities from the appropriate NID campuses.

Seat Allotment (Round 2): The seats remaining vacant after the completion of Round 1 will be opened for the remaining candidates. The details will be announced later by the authorities.

NID DAT 2025-2026 Result Updates

The DAT Prelims results for M.Des were officially announced in February, followed by the B.Des results in March. Candidates who qualified in the Prelims are now preparing for the next stage of the admission process. The final results for DAT Mains are usually released mid-April for M.Des and in May for B.Des. Keep checking the official NID admissions portal for updates and further instructions.

Why afdindia to Get Admission in NID?

At afdindia, we acknowledge the challenging nature of the NID DAT Mains and agree that excelling in this competitive exam requires more than just talent. With the right guidance, strategy, and practice, our team of mentors takes a systematic approach to provide students with hands-on training and a holistic educational experience.

We strive to instill the right skills and confidence in our students through our meticulously designed study materials, personalized mentorship, and coaching from experts. This ensures that all our students receive proper guidance and in-depth preparation for both DAT prelims and mains.

With a proven track record for success, afdindia continues to be the go-to choice for aspiring future designers.

Join our NID coaching and ace your DAT prelims and mains with ease!

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FAQ

What is the NID DAT for M.Des Admissions?

The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is a nationwide entrance exam conducted for candidates seeking admission into the Master of Design (M.Des) programs offered by three NID campuses across India. The purpose of the NID DAT is to evaluate a candidate’s design potential, including their creativity, conceptual thinking, visual awareness, and understanding of design fundamentals.

Who is eligible to apply for NID DAT?

B.Des: Candidates who have completed or are appearing for their 10+2 exams from a recognized board.

M.Des: Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline or a full-time diploma in design, fine arts, or architecture.

What is the age limit for NID admissions?

B.Des: Maximum age of 20 years (General category); 3-year relaxation for reserved categories.

M.Des: Maximum age of 27years (General category); 3-year relaxation for reserved categories.

How many campuses does NID have?

NID has seven campuses: Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam. However, B.Des programs are available at only five campuses, while M.Des is offered at three campuses.

What is the exam pattern of NID DAT?

DAT Prelims: A three-hour written test with objective (MCQ) and subjective questions.

DAT Mains: A studio test that involves hands-on exercises like drawing, sketching, and model-making. For M.Des, an interview is also conducted.

What is the seat confirmation fee for NID admissions?

Indian candidates: ₹30,000 (non-refundable).

Overseas candidates: ₹75,000 (non-refundable).

Is there any reservation for NID admissions?

Yes, NID follows the Government of India’s reservation policy for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwD, and EWS categories.

How can I prepare for the NID DAT exam?

Practice sketching, creative problem-solving, and general knowledge. Solve previous years’ question papers. Enrolling in coaching programs provided by afdindia can offer you expert guidance and mock tests to boost your chance of clearing the DAT exam.

Where can I get official updates on NID admissions?

Visit the official NID website for the latest announcements on admissions, exam dates, and eligibility criteria.

Can I apply for multiple M.Des specializations at NID?

Yes, candidates can apply for up to two M.Des disciplines, but they must appear for separate DAT Mains tests for each specialization if shortlisted.

Is there a negative marking in NID DAT?

No, there is no negative marking in NID DAT Prelims or Mains.

What are the passing marks for NID DAT?

There are no fixed passing marks, as selection is based on relative performance. The cut-off varies each year depending on exam difficulty and competition.

Academic Director

Ms. Julie James NIFT (New Delhi - 1994 batch)

She has 30+ years of experience in design education. Post-graduate from NIFT- New Delhi (1991 batch). She has held managerial roles in the fashion industry, HOD - Dept. of Fashion Design, Assumption College & as Academic Director in afdindia.

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