NID Ahmedabad 2026: Courses Offered, Eligibility Cut Off And Admission Process

Summary: Step into the world of National Institute of Design Ahmedabad, a cradle of creativity and innovation in design education. Uncover the secrets to its challenging entrance exam, diverse design programs, and outstanding placements. Curious about what makes NID a top choice for aspiring designers? Dive in for a glimpse of this prestigious institute's offerings!

The National Institute of Design (NID) is India's premier design school. The Government of India established it in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in 1961. Since 2003, NID has been accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). 

NID Ahmedabad is a public institution administered by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The institute offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral design programmes. 

NID Ahmedabad aims to promote excellence, innovation, and creativity in the field of design. With a long history spanning several decades, NID has come to be associated with high-quality education and contributed to producing many gifted designers who have made their mark on the global stage.  

National Institute of Design Ahmedabad news updates: The authorities will conduct the NID DAT Prelims Exam tentatively in January 2026.

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NID Ahmedabad Courses Offered 2026

The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, offers various undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses. The following are some of the courses offered by NID Ahmedabad as per the National Institute of Design Ahmedabad prospectus: 

Bachelor of Design (B.Des.): A solid foundation in design thinking and problem-solving is intended to be provided by this four-year undergraduate course.

There are five streams available for the undergraduate programmes: 

• Industrial Design 
• Communication Design 
• Textile Design 
• Fashion Design
• Information Technology Integrated Design 

Master of Design (M.Des.): The two-year postgraduate programmes, the Master of Design (M.Des.), allow for advanced specialisation in particular design fields. It motivates students to push limits and investigate original solutions to contemporary issues.  

The postgraduate programs are offered in eight streams: 

• Product Design 
• Industrial Design 
• Communication Design 
• Textile Design 
• Fashion Design 
• Information Technology Integrated Design 
• Design Management 
• Design Research 

Ph.D. in Design: NID Ahmedabad campus also offers research scholars the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. in Design. Through in-depth research and critical inquiry, the programme strives to add to the corpus of knowledge in design. 

How to apply for National Institute of Design Ahmedabad?

NID Ahmedabad Admission Process 2026

Admission to National Institute of Design Ahmedabad is extremely challenging and is based on a tough selection process. The NID Entrance Test is a national-level entrance exam determining NID admission. The NID DAT is conducted by NID every year in June.  

To get admitted, interested applicants must complete the following steps: 

1. NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT): All candidates must appear for the DAT, which evaluates their aptitude for design, creativity, visualization skills, and problem-solving abilities. The DAT consists of both written and practical tests. 
2. Studio Test and Interview: Shortlisted candidates from the DAT are invited to appear for the Studio Test and Interview round. This stage assesses the candidate's hands-on design skills, conceptual thinking, and ability to articulate their ideas. 
3. Portfolio Review: Applicants must submit their portfolio, demonstrating their best work and creative abilities. The portfolio reflects the applicant’s design sensibilities and helps the selection committee evaluate their potential. 
4. Final Merit List: Based on the performance in the DAT, studio Test, personal interview, and portfolio review, a final merit list is prepared. Passed applicants are offered admission to their preferred program based on their rank in the merit list. 

NID Ahmedabad Admission Criteria

To apply for the desired course in online mode, follow the step-wise NID Ahmedabad application process given below: 

• Step 1: Visit the official website using www.nid.edu/home. 
• Step 2: Click on the NID registration link available on the home page. 
• Step 3: Register with the basic details to generate login credentials. 
• Step 4: Log in to complete the NID application form and upload the documents. 
• Step 5: Pay the NID application fee and submit the form. 

Documents required for filling NID application form

• Scanned passport-size photograph and signature. 
• Caste certificate issued by a competent authority (if required). 
• Category certificate (if required). 
• Disability certificate issued by a competent authority (if required). 

Check: NID Admission Process

NID Ahmedabad Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission to the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad:  

Bachelor of Design (B.Des.)  

• Must have passed or sat in their 10+2 (or equivalent) examination from any recognised board in India or overseas.  
• The age restriction for general category candidates is 20 years, while for reserved category candidates, it is 23 years.  

Master of Design (M.Des.)  

• Must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in design, engineering, architecture, or a related discipline from a recognised university/institute.  
• There is no upper age limit for M.Des admissions. 

Candidates should check the official National Institute of Design Ahmedabad website for the most recent information, as these NID eligibility requirements are subject to change. 

NID Ahmedabad Cut Off 2026

National Institute of Design Ahmedabad seats are limited in number and the NID Ahmendabad cutoff varies from year to year and stream to stream. The NET cutoff is often 100 marks, though. The institution's suggested NID DAT cutoff depends on the results each applicant received in their prior tests. The DAT exam serves as the primary basis for the NID DAT cutoff.  

• Mainly based on the DAT score. 
• G.D. and P.I. scores. 
• Cut-off is also effective for students from abroad. 
• The cut-off criteria are categorical, as each category has different cut rates.  

National Institute of Design Ahmedabad Fee Structure 

To ensure that all applicants have a fair chance at receiving a high-quality education, the NID Ahmedabad fees have been kept affordable.  

The fee structure for National Institute of Design Ahmedabad is as follows: 

• For B.Des : 

Semester	Approximate Fees (In INR.)
Sem I & II	1,26,000
Sem III & IV	1,35,000
Sem V & VI	1,55,000

• For M.Des: 

Semester	Approximate Fees (In INR.)
Sem I & II	1,54,000
Sem III & IV	1,76,500

• For Ph.D, fee is 1,54,000 INR per semester. 

NID Ahmedabad Hostel Details 2026

Hostels are exclusively available to local UG and female PG students on campus. The following are the NID, Ahmedabad hostel facility charges proposed by the institution: 

• For UG students, 1,50,000 INR per semester 
• For PG students (only girls), it is 1,54,000 INR per semester. 

National Institute of Design Ahmedabad Scholarships 2026: 

The university offers scholarships to students with strong academic backgrounds, those who perform well academically, and according to the student's financial circumstances. The NID institute provides one of the most prominent scholarships, which are as follows: 

• FORD foundation scholarship 
• There are official scholarships for students who are academically strong yet have little financial resources.  

Placements at NID Ahmedabad 2026

The NID has a very strong placement track record. According to media estimates, during the NID Ahmedabad placements, the average package was INR 21.30 LPA (approx.). A total of 400 job offers were provided to the students by the 124 participating recruiters.  

NID Ahmedabad Placement 2024	CTC (In INR.)
Average Package	21.30 LPA

During the National Institute of Design Ahmedabad 2024 placement drive, Microsoft offered jobs to around 30 students. 

Recruitment has occurred in experimental design, universal design, social communication, service industries, enhanced learning, craft design, green design, etc.  

In recent years, NID Ahmedabad placements' top recruiters include Wipro, Whirlpool India Ltd., VIP Industries Ltd, Trident Group, Titan Industries, Toshiba, Philips, etc. 

Also read: Life at NID