How Many Students Appeared for NID DAT 2026? Complete Data, Acceptance Rate & Selection Statistics

Quick Answer: NID DAT Prelims Exam was conducted on December 21, 2025 in offline mode. One of the most common questions aspirants ask every year is “how many students appeared for NID DAT?” because it directly shows the level of competition. While official final numbers for 2026 are yet to be updated in upcoming annual reports on the official NID website, historical data and expert analysis suggest that around 15,000-20,000 candidates typically appear for the NID DAT exam annually across B.Des and M.Des programs.

Understanding how many students gave NID in 2026 and how many get shortlisted helps students realistically evaluate their chances of clearing the exam. Before analysing NID DAT 2026, let’s look at previous trends to understand how many students gave NID in India and how competition has evolved.

How Many Students Gave NID in 2026? (Estimated Overview)

Even though exact official numbers are released gradually on the NID website, experts estimate:

Category	Estimated Students Appeared (2026)	Total Seats (including supernumerary)
B.Des DAT	14,000 - 17,000	425
M.Des DAT	3,500 - 4,500	402
Total Candidates	18,000 - 20,000+

These estimates align with historical participation trends and the growing popularity of design careers.

Table of Contents

1. How Many Students Appeared for NID DAT 2026
2. What is the acceptance rate of NID? NID Acceptance Rate Calculation (Year-Wise)
3. How Many Students Get Shortlisted for NID Phase 2? 
4. How Many Students Appeared for NID DAT 2025?
5. NID DAT Applicants & Appearing Candidates (Previous Years 2021 to 2024)
6. Why Knowing How Many Students Appeared for NID DAT Matters for Future Aspirants

How Many Students Usually Apply for the NID Entrance Exam?

The NID DAT exam happens in two stages:

1. DAT Prelims
2. DAT Mains (Studio Test + Interview)

Many aspirants confuse registrations with actual participation. The number of students who apply is usually higher than those who finally appear for the exam.

• Around 20,000 students apply for the NID entrance exam every year according to various admission analyses.
• A slightly smaller number actually appears due to absenteeism or eligibility issues.

So when students ask:

How many students apply for the NID entrance exam?
The answer is - roughly 18,000 to 20,000 applicants depending on the year.

What is the Acceptance Rate of NID? NID Acceptance Rate Calculation (Year-Wise)

Understanding the acceptance rate helps aspirants see how competitive NID admissions truly are. The acceptance rate is calculated by comparing the number of final admissions offered with the total number of candidates who appeared for DAT Prelims in that year.

B.Des Acceptance Rate (Year-Wise)

Academic Year	Candidates Appeared (B.Des)	Final Admissions Offered	Estimated Acceptance Rate
2024-25	15,269	144	~0.94%
2023-24	13,467	144	~1.06%
2022-23	11,780	144	~1.22%

Key Insight:

Even though the number of students appearing for NID DAT keeps increasing, the seat intake remains constant. This is why the acceptance rate of NID continues to stay around 1%, making it one of the most selective design entrance exams in India.

M.Des Acceptance Rate (Year-Wise)

Academic Year	Candidates Appeared (M.Des)	Final Admissions Offered	Estimated Acceptance Rate
2024-25	6,612	402	~6.08%
2023-24	3,878	316	~8.15%
2022-23	3,562	278	~7.80%

Key Insight:

The acceptance rate for M.Des is comparatively higher than B.Des because:

• Fewer candidates appear for postgraduate design programs.
• More seats are available across NID courses or specialisations.

Overall Acceptance Trend Analysis

Year	Total Candidates Appeared (Approx.)	Total Admissions Offered	Overall Acceptance Trend
2024–25	~21,881	546	Extremely Competitive
2023–24	~17,345	460	Highly Selective
2022–23	~15,342	422	Competitive

What This Means for Future Aspirants

• When students ask 'how many students appeared for NID DAT', the answer explains the scale of competition.
• Knowing what is the acceptance rate of NID helps aspirants understand that only a very small percentage secure admission.
• The growing number of applicants every year shows that design education is becoming increasingly popular in India.

Read more: Design as a Career

How Many Students Get Shortlisted for NID Phase 2?  (Official Concept Introduced in 2026)

One of the biggest changes introduced in NID admissions from 2026 onwards is a clear and transparent shortlisting formula for DAT Mains. Earlier, students often guessed how many candidates would be shortlisted for Phase 2, but the 2026 official brochures introduced a fixed rule.

According to the official NID admissions handbook, candidates invited for DAT Mains will be:

“1.5 times the total number of seats available under each category, based on merit in DAT Prelims.”

This new guideline gives aspirants a much clearer idea of how many students will move forward to the next stage after Prelims.

Admission Stage	Shortlisting Rule
DAT Prelims	Stage 1 screening exam
DAT Mains Shortlist	1.5× total NID seats (category-wise)
Final Admission	Based on DAT Mains performance

This means that NID will no longer shortlist an unpredictable number of candidates - instead, the shortlist size is directly tied to seat intake.

Expected Number of Students Selected for NID DAT Mains 2026 - B.Des

Based on the intake capacity mentioned in the B.Des handbook:

• Total B.Des seats across NIDs ≈ 425 seats
• Shortlisting rule = 1.5 × seats

Programme	Total Seats (Approx.)	1.5× Rule	Expected Candidates in DAT Mains
B.Des	~425	×1.5	~630 – 650 Candidates

Expected Timeline:

• B.Des DAT Mains shortlist announcement: around May 2026.

Read more: NID Campus Placement

Expected Number of Students Selected for NID DAT Mains 2026 – M.Des

For M.Des admissions, the total seat count across disciplines is around 402 seats.

Programme	Total Seats	1.5× Rule	Expected Candidates in DAT Mains
M.Des	402	×1.5	~600 Candidates (Approx.)

Expected Timeline:

• M.Des DAT Mains shortlist: March-April 2026

NID follows the same two-stage structure for M.Des admissions, where DAT Prelims is used only for shortlisting and does not directly contribute to final marks.

Why This 1.5× Rule Matters for NID DAT 2026 Aspirants

This new system is extremely important because it gives students clarity on:

• How many students will get shortlisted for NID Phase 2.
• How competitive the Prelims exam really is.
• The approximate NID DAT cut off pressure based on seat intake.

Earlier, aspirants had no official benchmark for Phase 2 selection. Now, with the 1.5× rule, students can estimate competition more accurately

How Many Students Appeared for NID DAT 2025? and How Many Got Selected? (Tentative Analysis)

Understanding participation numbers helps aspirants realistically gauge competition levels and acceptance rates. While NID does not always release exact final attendance figures publicly, reliable exam analysis and past trends provide strong estimates.

How Many Students Appeared for NID DAT 2025?

• Experts estimate that around 10,000 students appeared for NID DAT in 2025 across programmes.
• This aligns with the general trend where approximately 10,000+ candidates participate in the exam every year.

These numbers include both B.Des and M.Des aspirants who appeared for the DAT Prelims stage.

How Many Students Got Selected for NID DAT Mains 2025?

After the prelims exam, only a small percentage moves forward to Phase 2 (DAT Mains).

Stage	Approximate Number of Candidates
Total Students Appeared (Estimated)	~10,000
Candidates Selected for DAT Mains	990
Approximate Selection Percentage	2% - 3%

Official analysis shows that 990 candidates were shortlisted for NID Mains 2025 across categories.

Also Check: NID Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

NID DAT Applicants & Appearing Candidates (Previous Years - 2021 to 2024)

To understand how many students appeared for NID DAT, it is important to look at previous years’ official participation numbers. The NID entrance exam has seen consistent growth in applications and appearances across both B.Des and M.Des programmes, reflecting the increasing interest in design careers in India.

Below is a detailed year-wise breakdown of how many students apply for the NID entrance exam, how many actually appear, and how many get shortlisted for the next stage.

NID DAT 2024-2025: Applicants, Appearing Candidates & Shortlist Data

The Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims for admissions to the academic year 2024-2025 was conducted on December 24, 2023 across 47 test centres in 22 cities across India.

B.Des Programme (2024-25)

Parameter	Data
Total Applications Received	15,839
Candidates Appeared in DAT Prelims	15,269
Total Seats Available	144
Candidates Shortlisted for DAT Mains	1,871

This data shows that a large number of students gave NID in India, but only a small fraction progressed to Phase 2.

M.Des Programme (2024-25)

Parameter	Data
Total Applicants	6,897
Candidates Appeared	6,612
Total Seats Available	402
Candidates Shortlisted for DAT Mains	1,328

These numbers highlight how competitive the M.Des pathway is and answer the common question - how many students appear for NID M.Des each year.

IMP NOTE: These official figures highlight how many students apply for the NID entrance exam and how competitive Phase 2 shortlisting is. (Source: Official NID Admission Statistics from Annual Report 2023–24)

Check: NID entrance exam sample question papers

NID DAT 2023-2024: Applicants & Appearing Candidates

The DAT Prelims for the academic year 2023-24 were conducted on January 08, 2023 across 45 test centres in 22 cities.

B.Des Programme (2023-24)

Parameter	Data
Total Applications Received	14,075
Candidates Appeared	13,467
Seats Offered	144
Candidates Shortlisted for DAT Mains	1,831

M.Des Programme (2023-24)

Parameter	Data
Total Applicants	4,093
Candidates Appeared	3,878
Seats Available	402
Candidates Shortlisted for DAT Mains	1,323

Final Admissions Offered (Official Data)

After the completion of DAT Prelims and DAT Mains for the academic year 2023-24, NID released the final admission statistics for both B.Des and M.Des programmes.

Programme	Total Candidates Offered Admission	Overseas Category Included
B.Des	144 Candidates	Yes (19 Overseas seats)
M.Des	316 Candidates	Yes

 (Source: Official NID Annual Report 2023-24)

Check: How is Life at NID?

NID DAT 2022-2023: Applicants vs Appearing Candidates

For the academic year 2022–23, DAT Prelims were conducted on January 2, 2022 across 23 cities.

B.Des Programme (2022-23)

Parameter	Data
Applications Received	12,537
Candidates Appeared	11,780
Total Seats	144

M.Des Programme (2022-23)

Parameter	Data
Total Applicants	3,892
Candidates Appeared	3,562
Total Seats Available	402

NID DAT 2022-2023 - Final Admissions Offered (Official Data)

After completion of the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains stages for the academic year 2022-23, NID released the final admission statistics for both B.Des and M.Des programmes. These numbers provide a clear picture of how many students ultimately secure seats compared to the thousands who appear for the exam.

Programme	Total Candidates Offered Admission	Overseas Category Included
B.Des	144 Candidates	Yes (including 19 overseas seats)
M.Des	278 Candidates	Yes

 (Source: Official NID Admission Results 2022–23)

Check: NID Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions

NID DAT 2021-2022: Final Admissions Overview

Although detailed applicant numbers varied, final admission results showed:

Programme	Admissions Offered
B.Des	144 Candidates
M.Des	291 Seats Filled

(Source: Official NID Final Admission Results 2021-22)

This confirms that despite thousands of applicants, only a small number secure admission - a key factor when students ask how many students are selected in NID prelims or what is the acceptance rate of NID.

Check: NID Exam Analysis

Year-Wise Trend Analysis: How Many Students Gave NID in India?

Academic Year	B.Des Applicants	B.Des Appeared	M.Des Applicants	M.Des Appeared
2024-25	15,839	15,269	6,897	6,612
2023-24	14,075	13,467	4,093	3,878
2022-23	12,537	11,780	3,892	3,562

What These Numbers Mean for NID DAT 2026 Aspirants

Looking at these trends helps answer:

• How many students appeared for NID DAT? → Tens of thousands across programmes.
• How many students apply for the NID entrance exam? → Applications continue to rise every year.
• How many students gave NID in 2026? → Likely higher than previous cycles based on increasing participation trends.

Despite rising applicant numbers, the seat matrix has remained relatively constant - which explains why NID remains one of the most competitive design entrance exams in India.

Check: How to Prepare for NID Studio Test?

NID DAT 2026 Selection Funnel: Prelims → Mains → Final Admissions

Understanding the selection funnel helps aspirants see exactly how many students move forward at each stage of the NID entrance exam.

From thousands of applicants to a limited number of final admissions, the funnel clearly explains how many students appeared for NID DAT, how many get shortlisted, and how competitive the process really is.

NID DAT Selection Funnel Overview (Conceptual Flow)

Stage of Admission	What Happens	Approximate Candidate Numbers (Trend-Based)	Key Insight
Applications Received	Students apply for NID DAT Prelims	18,000 - 22,000+ applicants	Growing interest in design careers in India
Candidates Appearing for DAT Prelims	Students attempt Stage 1 exam	15,000 - 17,000+ candidates	Shows how many students gave NID in India each year
Shortlisted for DAT Mains (Phase 2)	Top candidates selected using 1.5× seat rule	~600-650 (B.Des) ~600 (M.Des)	Only a small percentage move forward
Final Admissions Offered	Candidates selected after Mains evaluation	~425 B.Des seats ~402 M.Des seats	Extremely competitive acceptance rate

What This Funnel Means for Future Aspirants

• Even though thousands of students apply for the NID entrance exam, only a limited number reach DAT Mains.
• The introduction of the 1.5× shortlisting rule in 2026 makes the selection process more transparent.
• Understanding this funnel helps students realistically evaluate what is the acceptance rate of NID and why preparation strategy matters. 

Also Check: Top NID Colleges in India

Why Knowing How Many Students Appeared for NID DAT Matters for Future Aspirants

Because NID offers only 775 total UG and PG seats combined, competition remains extremely high every year.

Knowing how many students appeared for NID DAT each year - especially in 2026 - gives future aspirants a realistic understanding of the competition level, acceptance rate, and preparation strategy required to succeed. It is not just a statistic; it directly shapes how students plan their design entrance journey.

1. Helps You Understand the Real Competition Level

When you know how many students gave NID in 2026 or how many students gave NID in India overall, you begin to see the scale of the exam. Thousands of candidates compete for a limited number of seats, which highlights why consistent preparation and strong creative skills are essential.

2. Gives Clarity on Acceptance Rate and Selection Chances

One of the biggest questions aspirants ask is what is the acceptance rate of NID. Comparing the number of applicants with final admissions shows how selective the institute is. This helps students set realistic expectations instead of relying on guesswork.

3. Helps You Plan a Smarter Preparation Strategy

Understanding how many students apply for the NID entrance exam helps you decide how seriously you need to approach your NID preparation in future. For example:

• If participation numbers are increasing each year, competition becomes tougher.
• Knowing how many students are selected in NID Prelims helps you focus on clearing Stage 1 with a strong strategy.

4. Shows How Important Shortlisting for Phase 2 is

Data on how many students get shortlisted for NID phase 2 reveals that only a small percentage of candidates move to the Mains stage. This insight encourages aspirants to build strong fundamentals in creativity, observation, and design thinking early on.

5. Helps M.Des Aspirants Gauge Competition

For postgraduate candidates, knowing how many students appear for NID MDes helps them understand the level of competition across different disciplines and plan their portfolios and preparation accordingly.

Key Insights About NID DAT Competition in India

• NID DAT is among the most competitive design entrance exams in India.
• Thousands of students apply, but only a small percentage reach the final NID admission stage.
• Acceptance rate remains extremely low, especially for top campuses.

This explains why aspirants frequently search:

• how many students gave NID in India
• what is the acceptance rate of NID
• how many students are selected in NID Prelims

Final Thoughts

So, how many students appeared for NID DAT 2026?

While final official numbers continue to be updated, historical data suggests that roughly 15,000–17,000 students appear each year, with only a small fraction advancing to the next stages.

Understanding how many students apply for the NID entrance exam and how many get shortlisted gives aspirants a clearer perspective on competition and helps them prepare strategically rather than emotionally.

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