NID Admission 2026: Eligibility, Selection Process and Documents Required

Summary: Discover the comprehensive guide to NID Admissions 2026 Criteria: From the DAT entrance exam details, eligibility criteria, and application process to the courses offered across various NID campuses. Dive deep into the admission process, document requirements, seat allotment, and get a glimpse of life at the esteemed NID campus. Dive into your design dream with insights from this guide! 

Download Free Study Material for NID 2026 by CreativeEdge

NID Admissions 2026: Overview

The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Design to provide UG and PG programs in the Design category.

As per the official NID 2026 admission brochure, only those who score above the cut-off in the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) will be given admission to their desired course at the university. 

Read through the post that will give a complete insight into NID 2026 Admission, courses offered by the institute, the NID counselling process, and more. 

Read more: NID Important Subjects

NID Admission 2026 - Test, Courses and Campuses

The National Institute of Design admission offers various undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs such as B.Des., M.Des., and Ph. D in design.

NID is an autonomous institute that comes under the perview of the Ministry Of Commerce and Industry. It is also recognised as one of the best institutes all across the country concerning core designing courses. 

Check out the table below to know the different courses offered at the NID institutes all across India.

NID Campus	Courses Offered
NID Ahmedabad	B. Des, M. Des
NID Gandhinagar	M. Des
NID Bengaluru	M. Des
NID Andhra Pradesh	B. Des
NID Haryana	B. Des
NID Madhya Pradesh	B. Des
NID Assam	B. Des

Also Check: Top NID Colleges in India

Important Dates for NID Admissions Process 2026

Students can refer the NID 2026 admission dates below:

Events	NID 2026 Exam Dates (Tentative)
The NID 2026 application process starts from	September 12th 2025
Last date for submitting NID Online Application Form (or NID Application Last Date)	11:59 pm (midnight) Monday, 01 December 2025
Application correction window	4 pm Tuesday, 02 December 2025 to 11:59 pm (midnight) Thursday, 04 December 2025
NID admit card download begins for NID DAT Prelims	4 pm Thursday, 11 December 2025
NID Exam Date (Prelims)	Sunday, 21 December 2025
Declaration of NID DAT Prelims Results	B.Des: 4 pm. Tuesday, 07 April 2026 M.Des: 4 pm. Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Rechecking request for DAT prelims	B.Des:  4 pm Tuesday, 07 April 2026 to 11:59 (midnight) Wednesday, 08 April 2026 M.Des:  6 pm Tuesday, 17 February 2026 to 11:59 (midnight). Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Download the NID DAT Mains Exam Admit Card	Around 10 days before mains exam
NID DAT Mains Exam/ NID 2026 Exam Date	M.Des: March - April 2026 B.Des: April - May 2026
NID DAT 2026 Mains Result	May 2026
Rechecking Request for DAT Mains Exam	To be announced later (Mid-may tentatively, right after the mains results are announced)
Admission Counselling, Payment of Fees & Physical verification of Documents	B.Des: Tentatively in the second/third week of June 2026 M.Des: 4 pm. Tuesday, 05 May 2026 to 11:59 pm (midnight) Thursday, 07 May 2026

Practice with: NID 2026 Free Mock Test.

Resource: Download NID 2026 Admission Prep Kit PDF for a steal-worthy weekly NID preparation planner, studio test sample questions, portfolio creation tips and more invaluable information to crack NID in 2026.

Boost Your NID 2026 with CreativEdge Preparation Kit PDF

NID Admission Process 2026 - Step-by-Step

Step No.	Stage	Description	Key Details / Timeline
1	Apply for NID Entrance Exam (DAT 2026)	Candidates must register on admissions.nid.edu, fill out the online application form, upload required documents (photo, signature, certificates), and pay the application fee.	Application Window: September - December 2025 Edit Window: 2-4 December 2025
2	Appear for NID DAT Prelims	A 3-hour offline exam testing creativity, design sensitivity, visualization, logical reasoning, and general awareness. This is the first stage of the selection process.	Exam Date: 21st December 2026 Mode: Offline (Pen & Paper)
3	Qualify NID DAT Prelims	Only 1.5 times the number of available seats in each category are shortlisted for the Mains round. Prelims results show qualifying status and category ranks.	Results: 7th April 2026 Shortlisting based on performance
4	Appear for NID DAT Mains (Studio Test + Interview)	The Studio Test evaluates hands-on creativity, visualization, and 3D design thinking. The Interview assesses design approach, portfolio understanding, and communication.	Conducted at NID Campuses: April-May 2026 for B.Des and March to April 2026 for M.Des (tentatively) Mode: Offline
5	Qualify Final NID Cut-Off	From 2026, only DAT Mains marks are considered for the final merit list (Prelims weightage = 0). Candidates must score above the category-wise minimum cut-off.	Final Results: June 2026 (tentatively)
6	Register for Counselling & Seat Allotment	Shortlisted candidates register online for the NID Counselling through official website using their login credentials. Preferences for NID campuses and disciplines are filled here.	Counselling Starts: May End to June 2026 (tentatively)
7	Participate in Counselling Process	Based on merit, category, and preference, candidates are allotted seats in the NID campus of their choice. Seat acceptance must be confirmed within the given timeline.	Online Allotment Rounds: 2nd or 3rd Week June 2026 (tentatively)
8	Confirm Provisional Admission & Upload Documents	Candidates accepting their seat must upload scanned documents (marksheets, ID proof, category certificate, etc.) for verification by NID officials.	Online Verification: For B.Des - June 2026 (tentatively) For M.Des - May 5 to May 7, 2026
9	Pay Fees & Complete Final Admission at Allotted Campus	After successful document verification, candidates must pay the first-semester fees online and report to their allotted NID campus for physical verification and orientation.	Reporting & Fee Payment: July to August 2026

Quick Highlights

• The Prelims score will not be counted in final merit (new rule from 2026).
• The Mains marks (Studio Test + Interview) alone determine final admission.
• Seat allocation is purely merit- and preference-based, subject to category reservation.
• Counselling and document verification are conducted completely online before campus reporting.

Check: How to Prepare for NID Studio Test?

NID Admissions 2026: Courses Offered

The institute, well-known for its excellence in design and education, offers courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The following are some popular NID 2026 admission courses offered.

Undergraduate (B.Des) Program:

Duration: 4 years (8 semesters)

Offered at: NID Ahmedabad, NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Haryana, NID Madhya Pradesh, NID Assam

Faculty of Industrial Design  

• Ceramic & Glass Design 
• Furniture & interior Design 
• Product Design 

Faculty of Communication Design 

• Animation Film Design 
• Exhibition Design  
• Film & Video Communication Design 
• Graphic Design 

Faculty of Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle & Accessory Design 

• Textile design 

Check: NID Syllabus

Postgraduate (M.Des) Program

Duration: 2.5 years (5 semesters)

Offered at: NID Ahmedabad, NID Bengaluru, NID Gandhinagar

Faculty of Communication Design 

• Animation Film Design 
• Photography Design 
• Film & Video Communication Design 
• Graphic Design 

Faculty of Industrial Design  

• Ceramic & Glass Design 
• Furniture & interior Design 
• Product Design 
• Toy & Game Design
• Automobile & Transportation Design
• Universal Design

Faculty of Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle & Accessory Design 

• Apparel Design
• Lifestyle Accessory Design
• Textile Design

Interdisciplinary Design:

• Design for Retail Experience
• Strategic Design Management

IT Integrated:

• Digital Game Design
• Interaction Design
• Information Design
• New Media Design

Download Detailed Plan to Manage NID Exam Preparation with Boards

NID Admissions 2026 - Eligibility Criteria Requirements

Many students ask - 'Can I get direct admission in NID?' The answer is no. To get admission to NID, you need to crack the NID Entrance exam and to appear for this exam, you need to meet the following NID eligibility criteria:

NID Eligiility For B.Des Admission:

Criteria	Requirement
Age Limit	Born on or after 1 July 2005 (Relaxation: 3 years for OBC-NCL, SC, ST; 5 years for PwD)
Educational Qualification	Must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (10+2) in 2025–26 from any recognized board (Science, Commerce, Arts, Humanities, etc.)
Number of Attempts	Maximum of 2 attempts allowed (consecutive years)

NID Eligibility For M.Des Admission:

Criteria	Requirement
Age Limit	Born on or after 1 July 1995 (Relaxation: 3 years for OBC-NCL, SC, ST; 5 years for PwD)
Educational Qualification	Bachelor’s degree of 4 years (or 3+ years after 12th) in any discipline from a recognized university
Number of Attempts	Maximum of 3 attempts allowed

Check: How to get into NID Ahmedabad

NID Admission Process 2026: How to Apply for B.Des & M.Des

The NID 2026 application process is conducted online through admissions.nid.edu. Candidates must complete all steps carefully to avoid disqualification.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step	Description
1. Online Registration	Visit the official website and register using email ID and mobile number.
2. Fill Application Form	Enter personal details, educational qualifications, and select your test centre.
3. Upload Documents	Upload a recent photograph, signature, and relevant category/disability certificates (if applicable).
4. Pay Application Fee	Pay online using debit/credit card or net banking.
5. Submit & Download Form	Verify details and download a copy of the completed form for reference.

NID Application Form Correction 2026 (Latest Update)

The NID application form correction window will open from 2 to 4 December 2025 (4 PM to 11:59 PM).

As per the latest amendment:

• Candidates can edit most details except name, date of birth, program applied in, registered email, and mobile number.
• Category and gender can now be changed (new rule added in 2026), but additional fees (if applicable) must be paid online.
• No refund for lower category/gender change.

Always double-check uploaded certificates and category details before final submission.

Check: NID Exam Day Instructions

Attempt Free Full-length NID Mock Tests Here!

NID Admissions 2026 - The NID DAT Entrance Exam Overview

The Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is conducted in two stages:

1. DAT Prelims (Screening Test)

2. DAT Mains (Final Selection)

NID DAT Prelims 2026 (21st December 2025) - Both B.Des & M.Des

Details	Information
Mode of Exam	Pen & Paper (Offline)
Duration	3 hours
Total Marks	100
Question Types	Objective (MCQ) + NID Subjective Questions (Drawing/Descriptive)
Key Areas Covered	Observation, Creativity, Visualization, General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, Design Thinking
Weightage in Final Result	0%

 NID DAT Mains (April-May 2026) - Both B.Des & M.Des

Component	Description
Format	Studio Test + Personal Interview
Studio Test	Practical hands-on test assessing creativity, problem-solving, model-making, and visual interpretation
Interview	Conducted at the allotted NID campus (offline)
Weightage	100% (Prelims score not included from 2026 onwards)

New Rule (2026): The Prelims score will no longer be added to the final merit list. Only Mains marks will decide the final admission rank.

Check: NID Exam Pattern

NID 2026 Admission Criteria and Counselling Process

How to take admission in NID? You will get shortlisted for counselling only if your name is present in the final merit list. The counselling process of the NID exam primarily involves four steps:

• Qualifying NID Mains/ Online Approval 
• Uploading Documents 
• Counselling/ Allotment of Seat 
• Provisional Admission Offer 

Step	Stage	Description	Important Details / Rules
1	Release of Final Merit List	NID publishes the final merit list (category-wise) based on DAT Mains marks only. Rank in the merit list does not guarantee admission, but qualifies candidates for counselling.	Result announced on admissions.nid.edu
2	Campus Preference Submission	Candidates must submit or update their NID campus preferences (Ahmedabad, AP, Haryana, MP, Assam) after the final result and before counselling starts.	Once submitted, preferences are final and cannot be changed later.
3	Seat Allotment Based on Merit & Category	Seats are allotted in the order of merit, category, and campus preference.	Allocation follows strict reservation hierarchy (OPEN, GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD).
4	Counselling Mode	Counselling may be conducted online or offline, at NID’s discretion.	If offline, candidates must report in person with required documents and fees.
5	Provisional Seat Allotment	Shortlisted candidates receive provisional admission offers based on seat availability.	Candidates must confirm acceptance within the specified time.
6	Payment of Token Admission Fee	To confirm the allotted seat, candidates must pay the prescribed admission fee within the given deadline.	Failure to pay fees results in seat cancellation and transfer to the next candidate.
7	Uploading Documents for Verification	Candidates must upload all documents (as a single PDF under 10 MB) on the portal for verification.	List includes: photo ID, 10th & 12th mark sheets, category certificate, birth certificate, PwD/OCI/PIO certificates, etc.
8	Verification of Documents	NID verifies uploaded documents against application details.	If found invalid or incomplete, candidature is cancelled and token fee is non-refundable.
9	Offline Reporting (if applicable)	For offline rounds, candidates must appear physically with original documents and pay remaining fees.	Absence during in-person counselling leads to forfeiture of seat.
10	Final Admission Confirmation	After document verification and full fee payment, the candidate’s admission is finalized.	Students receive official admission confirmation from their allotted NID campus.
11	Cancellation Rules	Admission can be cancelled for reasons like invalid documents, non-payment, misconduct, or false information.	NID reserves full right to cancel admission at any stage if eligibility is not met.

Check: Previous year exam analysis for NID entrance exam

Crack the NID 2026 Studio Test with Our Ultimate Prep Kit

Step-1: Qualifying NID Mains/ Online Approval 

If your name is present on the merit list, you are required to submit your acceptance through online mode to be eligible for the next stage of the NID Admission criteria

Based on the online approval submitted by the aspirants, authorities will regularly update the merit list on the official website.

If you fail to submit the approval online within the stipulated time, you are not considered for further rounds of the admission procedure for NID.

Only those who are eligible according to the rank list and who have submitted the acceptance in the given time will be considered in the merit list.

Step-2: Uploading Documents - List of Documents Required for NID Admission Process

If you get shortlisted in the merit list, you will be required to upload all the scanned copies of requisite documents for verification.

You need to upload the following documents for the verification process.

• 10th & 12th Mark sheet
• Graduation Mark sheet
• Graduation Certificate
• Birth Certificate
• Category Certificate (if required)
• PwD Certificate
• Passport (for the overseas category)
• Bonafide Certificate from the Principal of their College (those are waiting for results)

Step-3: NID 2026 Seat Allotment - Admission Procedure

The National Institute of Design will conduct the allotment of seats at the Ahmedabad campus after declaring the final NID Admission DAT Results.

It is mandatory to attend the counselling process with all the required documents as per the schedule.

If you fail to report to the centre, your candidature will get cancelled, and your seat will be allotted to another person based on merit.

Step-4: Provisional Offer for NID Admission Process 2026

After verifying all the documents, authorities will send the provisional admission offer letter that includes details of the admission fee to be paid, hostel rules, etc to your registered mail ID.

You will have to reply to the mail by attaching the following documents:

• Format of physical fitness certificate (signed by RMO)
• Indemnity bond
• Hostel rules and regulations and hostel application form

You must make sure to fill in all the required details with your parent's signature on printed copies of all documents before paying the admission fee.

The seat will be allotted only after the completion of the entire process.

Check: NID Fee Structure 

NID Selection Process for 2026

The admission is provided based on your performance in the two-stage exam i.e. DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.  

The admission process of the NID entrance exam involves four stages:

• Online Registration 
• NID DAT Prelims Exam
• NID DAT Mains Exam
• NID DAT Final Merit List
• NID Counselling

NID Admission 2026: Online Registration

• Make sure to fill out the registration form in the stipulated time to avoid discrepancies at the last moment.
• Ensure all the required documents are ready in hand before proceeding with the process.
• The NID registration fee/National Institute of Design admission form fees for the general category is Rs. 3000 while it is Rs. 1500 for SC/ST category.

Check: NID Application Form Filling Guide 2026

NID DAT Prelims Exam 2026

• The first stage of the Design Aptitude Test is a written test that comprises objective and subjective questions.
• The prelims exam is conducted for a total of 100 marks.
• The time duration of the exam is 3 hours, and the exam is conducted in offline mode.

NID DAT Mains Exam 2026

Only those who will score more than NID DAT cut off in the prelims exam will be shortlisted for the mains examination.

• The mains exam includes a studio test followed by a personal interview.
• In the studio test, you are given practical assignments that need to be completed in a given time. 
• If you are shortlisted in the Studio Test round, you can appear for the personal interview round. 

NID DAT Final Merit List 2026

To be considered for the merit list and eventually for NID admissions, you must appear for prelims and mains exams.

Based on the performance of all aspirants in prelims and mains, the authorities will generate the final merit list.

The exam conducting body will release a merit list category-wise, i.e., General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD.

Check: How to prepare for NID Exam in 6 months?

Use CreativEdge NID Free Resources for Effective Preparation

FREE NID Study Material Name	Link
NID Study Material for Drawing	Click Here
NID Study Material for Drawing	Click Here
NID Study Material for Quantitative Aptitude	Click Here
NID Study Material for Verbal Reasoning	Click Here
NID Study Material for Non-verbal Reasoning	Click Here
NID Study Material for Verbal Ability	Click Here
NID Study Material for General Awareness	Click Here
NID Study Material for UCEED Aptitude	Click Here

Check: How to Solve Simple Interest Problems for NID 2026

NID Admission 2026 Procedure 

The National Institute of Design admission procedure is a rigorous process designed to select candidates with exceptional creativity and design aptitude. It begins with the submission of an online application form, where applicants provide personal details, educational qualifications, and a portfolio showcasing their creative work. Alongside this, candidates must pay the required application fee to complete the initial stage of the process.

Following the application submission, candidates undergo the Design Aptitude Test (DAT), which is divided into two parts: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The DAT Prelims assesses candidates through a written exam that tests their knowledge of design principles, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

Successful candidates from the DAT Prelims proceed to the DAT Mains, which includes studio tests, practical assignments, and personal interviews conducted to evaluate their practical skills and conceptual thinking. Final selection for admission to NID's esteemed design programs is based on the cumulative performance in these stages, ensuring that only the most talented and promising individuals join the institute's creative community

Check: How to get into NID Bangalore

Career Opportunities after NID Admission 2026

Completing a design program at NID opens doors to multiple career opportunities:

• Graphic Designer
• Product Designer
• Fashion Designer
• UX/UI Designer
• Interior Designer Design
• Consultant Entrepreneur in Creative Industry

Life at NID Campus: What to Expect in 2026

Most of you appearing for National Institute of Design Admission may have queries like how the faculty is, whether are there any internship opportunities at the university, are placements provided by the university, and more.

Well, you can go through the points given below to get a fair idea of how is life at NID. 

• Being a national institution, NID provides you with the opportunity to meet individuals from all states of the country.
• The place is loaded with fascinating and inspiring individuals who keep you aroused with their creative energy. 
• The fundamental goal of the institute is to educate students like you on how you can meet the advanced design needs by modernizing the overall quality of life by making you knowledgeable about various products, frameworks, materials, design, and creative processes.
• The faculty resemble a parent figure, and they know how to fuel the fire of innovativeness among even the shyest students. 
• There are numerous studio spaces on the campus where you will work with wood, metal, styrofoam, texture, glass, pottery, and that is just the tip of the iceberg!
• The campus is one of the most delightful, quiet, and serene spots in the city. There are lush trees, beautiful birds such as peacocks, and other animals freely wandering around the campus.
• The campus offers a lot of cultural festivals and events throughout the year. It depends on the type of person you are, and you can participate in them to have immense fun and learn new skills along the way.

Conclusion

The NID Admission 2026 procedure, detailed in this guide, offers aspiring designers a clear pathway to enter one of India's most prestigious design institutions. With rigorous selection criteria, varied courses, and an enriching campus life, NID promises a comprehensive design education experience.

Aspiring candidates should ensure they're well-prepared and informed to navigate this extensive NID admissions journey, ultimately culminating in a transformative educational experience.

Preparing for NID 2026? We can help you with exact strategic roadmap, study material and crucial feedback required to ace this exam.

Join CreativEdge, India’s leading NID online coaching and get expert guidance on all NID 2026 subjects. 

You can enroll in offline NID batches at your nearest centres also!