NID colleges in India 2026: Courses, Fee Structure, Campuses and Admission Process

Summary: NID is one of the most esteemed institutions in India, offering B.Des and M.Des programs. It provides a world-class design education that can help students improve their future. Let's have a look at the top NID colleges in India, their fee structure, and the courses offered.

The National Institute of Design (NID) is a statutory institute established in 1961 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The National Institute of Design Act of 2014 designated it an 'Institution of National Importance'.

If you are interested in studying design, NID campuses in India should be at the top of your Design college list. Interested students should visit the official website at www.nid.edu/home.

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Best NID Colleges in India 2026

The National Institute of Design is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It is internationally renowned as one of the finest educational and research institutions for industrial, communication, textile, and IT Integrated (experiential) Design.

NID is a member of the International Council of Design (ICD) and is registered as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation by the Government of India's Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. It is an excellent choice for students interested in pursuing a career in design. The school has a strong alumni network and provides good placement opportunities.

The National Institute of Design has seven NID campuses in india - Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam. Here are all the colleges accepting NID scores in India:

The list of best NID institutes in India is as follows:

Total NID colleges in India - Institute	Established Year
NID College Ahmedabad	1961
National Institute of Design, Gandhinagar	2004
National Institute of Design, Bengaluru	2006
National Institute of Design, Andhra Pradesh	2015
National Institute of Design, Haryana	2019
National Institute of Design, Madhya Pradesh	2016
National Institute of Design, Assam	2019

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Best NID Colleges in India 2026: Courses Offered and Seat Intake

NID provides a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate design courses. Bachelor of Design (BDes) programmes last four years, and Master of Design (MDes) programmes last two years. NID also offers a PhD programme in design.

Best NID Institutes in India: B.Des Courses Offered

B.Des is a four-year undergraduate programme with a solid foundation in design thinking, creative problem-solving, and technical knowledge. Students study design concepts in-depth, experiment with various mediums, and acquire hands-on experience through industry collaborations and internships. 

NID offers B.Des in a variety of fields at the Ahmedabad Campus, such as: 

Faculty of Communication Design

Discipline	Seat Intake
Animation Film Design	19
Exhibition Design	13
Film & Video Communication	13
Graphic Design	19

Check: Life at NID Bangalore Campus

Faculty of Industrial Design

Discipline	Seat Intake
Ceramic & Glass Design	13
Furniture & Interior Design	13
Product Design	19

Faculty of Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle, and Accessory Design

Discipline	Seat Intake
Textile Design	19

Check: NID Bangalore Fees

Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) at NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Haryana, NID Madhya Pradesh, NID Assam

Discipline	Seat Intake in each NID
Communication Design	25
Industrial Design	25
Textile and Apparel Design	25

Check: NID Exam Pattern 2026

Best NID Colleges in India 2026: M.Des Courses Offered

M.Des is a two-and-a-half-year postgraduate programme focusing on specialisation and advanced design principles. Students conduct extensive study, conceptualisation, and prototyping to understand their chosen profession better.

The M.Des programme trains students to be design industry leaders with a unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking. 

NID offers a wide range of specialisations, such as: 

Faculty of Communication

Discipline	NID Campus	Seat Intake
Animation Film Design	Ahmedabad	19
Film & Video Communication	Ahmedabad	19
Graphic Design	Ahmedabad	19
Photography Design	Gandhinagar	19

Check: NID Gandhinagar Placements

Faculty of Industrial Design

Discipline	NID Campus	Seat Intake
Ceramic & Glass Design	Ahmedabad	12
Furniture & Interior Design	Ahmedabad	19
Product Design	Ahmedabad	19
Toy & Game Design	Gandhinagar	12
Transportation & Automobile Design	Gandhinagar	19
Universal Design	Bengaluru	19

Faculty of Information Technology Integrated Programs

Discipline	NID Campus	Seat Intake
Digital Game Design	Bengaluru	19
Information Design	Bengaluru	19
Interaction Design	Bengaluru	19
New Media Design	Gandhinagar	19

Check: NID Ahmedabad Courses

Faculty of Interdisciplinary Design Studies

Discipline	NID Campus	Seat Intake
Design for Retail Experience	Bengaluru	19
Strategic Design Management	Gandhinagar	19

Faculty of Textile, Apparel, and Lifestyle Accessory Design

Discipline	NID Campus	Seat Intake
Apparel Design	Gandhinagar	19
Lifestyle Accessory Design	Gandhinagar	19
Textile Design	Ahmedabad	19

Check: Career Opportunities After B.Des

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Best NID Colleges in India 2026 - PhD Courses

In line with its ongoing dedication to Design Research, the National Institute of Design initiated a doctoral program in Design in 2017. The aim was to advance beyond the practical application of Design, which is thoroughly covered in its bachelor's and master's programs, to a more profound, comprehensive research study of specific facets of Design that may have remained unexplored until now.

NID’s PhD in Design aims to promote deep reflection, inquiry, and rigour in developing and disseminating new ideas, expressions, and skills in Design and allied fields and contribute new theories and knowledge to Design, Design Education, and Design practice.

Top NID colleges in India 2026 : NID Fee Structure

The NID is a premier design institute in India, with relatively high NID college fees. However, the quality of education at the NID is excellent, and the institute has a good placement record. The fee for NID courses differs for Indian nationals, candidates from SAARC and African countries, and those from the rest of the world.

Fee for B.Des Programs

Particulars	(2025-26)		(2026-27)		(2027-28)		(2028-29)
	Sem-1	Sem-2	Sem-3	Sem-4	Sem-5	Sem-6	Sem-7	Sem-8
A: Tuition Fees	1,96,500	1,96,500	1,96,500	1,96,500	1,96,500	1,96,500	1,96,500	1,96,500
B: Other Charges
i) Insurance (Personal Accident)	200	-	200	-	200	-	200	-
ii) Student Activity Fund	1,000	-	1,000	-	1,000	-	1,000	-
iii) Film Club	200	-	200	-	200	-	200	-
iv) Alumni Fee	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	5,000
TOTAL - B	1,400	-	1,400	-	1,400	-	1,400	5,000
Fees Without Hostel Charges (A+B)	1,97,900	1,96,500	1,97,900	1,96,500	1,97,900	1,96,500	1,97,900	2,01,500
C: Hostel Charges	15,000	15,000	15,000	15,000	15,000	15,000	15,000	-
Fees With Hostel Charges (A+B+C)	2,12,900	2,11,500	2,12,900	2,11,500	2,12,900	2,11,500	2,12,900	2,01,500
D: Mess Charges	Will be informed at the beginning of each Academic Year
E: Students Refundable Deposit	Rs. 10,000/- to be paid once at the beginning of the first semester

Check:NID Ahmedabad Admission

Aspirants must pay the NID tuition fee every semester, whereas the other components of the NID application fee must be paid annually. 

Fee for M.Des Programs

Particulars	(2023-24)		(2024-25)		(2025-26)
	Sem-1	Sem-2	Sem-3	Sem-4	Sem-5
A. Tuition Fees	2,13,500	2,13,500	2,13,500	2,13,500	2,13,500
B.Other Charges
i. Insurance (Personal Accident)	200	-	200	-	-
ii. Student Activity Fund	1,000	-	1,000	-	-
iii. Film Club	200	-	200	-	-
iv. Alumni Fee	-	-	-	-	5,000
Total B	1,400	-	1,400	-	5,000
Fees without Hostel Charges (A B)	2, 14,900	2,13,500	2,14,900	2,13,500	2,18,500
C. Hostel Charges	INR 17,500 per semester for Gandhinagar campus. Ahmedabad and Bengaluru are non-residential campuses.
Mess Charges	Will be informed at the beginning of each Academic Year
Security Deposit	INR 10,000 to be paid once at the beginning of the 1st semester

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Top NID Colleges in India: NID Admission Process 2026

Admission to all NID programmes is based on an aspirant's performance in the NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT). The NID admissions procedure is divided into two stages: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains.

The NID DAT prelims are a written entrance exam for BDes, GDPD, and MDes course admissions. Candidates who pass this admission phase can take the NID DAT mains, which include a studio test and a personal interview.

The final NID DAT result is determined by dividing 40% of the candidate's NID DAT prelims score and 60% of the candidate's NID DAT mains score. (The weightage % may vary every year) 

Interested candidates can apply for the NID DAT by visiting the official website at www.admissions.nid.edu. Aspirants are encouraged to maintain the necessary documents on hand ahead of time to avoid confusion and last-minute obstacles when filling out the application form.

The steps to apply for the NID DAT exam are as follows -

• NID DAT registration: NID registration involves filling out the application form, uploading documents and making the payment. 
• Fill out the NID DAT application form: Candidates must fill in their basic details, including name, date of birth, address, contact information, academic qualifications, etc. 
• Upload the documents: Candidates have to upload their photograph, signature, passport, and caste certificate (if applicable). 
• Pay the NID DAT application fee. 
• Download and print the application form for NID DAT for future reference. 

Practice with: NID Mock Test Series by Creative Edge

Best NID colleges in India: NID Eligibility Criteria 2026

Aspiring designers must meet the institute's eligibility criteria to be accepted to Best NID in india. For various programs, criteria could differ slightly. The general requirements for eligibility are as follows: 

• B.Des: Candidates must have passed or be scheduled to take their qualifying examination for higher secondary (10+2) from any recognised board, such as CBSE, ISC, or State Boards. The general category's maximum age is 20 years (three years might be added for reserved categories). 

• M.Des: Applicants must have a bachelor's degree of a minimum of four years duration in any specialization. Students with a three-year Bachelor’s degree can also apply, provided they completed it the previous year. 
• PhD in Design: Applicants must hold a master's degree in design or a related discipline from a recognised university. In addition, they must have a minimum of three years of relevant professional or teaching experience. 

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Top NID colleges in India 2026: Placements at NID 

Employers highly seek NID graduates because of their strong design skills and creative ability. The placements at NID are excellent. The NID placement drive 2024 concluded in March with an average salary package of INR 21.30 LPA.

124 companies, such as Google, Microsoft, Wipro, VIP Industries, and Trident Group, participated in the placement drive, and 90% of the students were placed. The most popular sectors for NID graduates were product design, graphic design, and interior design.

NID Placement Drive 2024	Package (CTC per annum)
Lowest package	12 LPA
Average package	21.3 LPA
Highest package	50 LPA

Read more: Difference between NID and NIFT

Conclusion

NID colleges in India are premier institutions, fostering a generation of design thought leaders. Their focus on excellence in various design disciplines, combined with industry collaborations and a problem-solving approach, equips graduates to make a significant impact.

Whether shaping the future of products, graphics, or user experiences, NID students are well-positioned to address the design needs of tomorrow's India and the global landscape. For aspiring designers seeking a rigorous and transformative education, NID colleges offer an unparalleled path to success.

Check: List of NID courses