Top NID colleges in India - Courses, Admission Process

Summary: Studying at an institution of learning excellence can change your life and kickstart your career with India's top design institute. NID provides a world-class design education that can help students improve their future. To understand better, a list of top NID colleges has been provided below with courses offered and eligibility criteria for admission.

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 has been designated as an 'Institution of National Importance' by the National Institute of Design Act of 2014.  

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. 

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

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List of NID colleges in India 

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. 

The National Institute of Design has seven campuses in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam. Here's all NID colleges in India: 

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

Top NID colleges in India - S. No.	Top NID colleges in India - Institute	Top NID colleges in India - Year Established
1.	NID College Ahmedabad	1961
2.	National Institute of Design, Gandhinagar	2004
3.	National Institute of Design, Bengaluru	2006
4.	National Institute of Design, Andhra Pradesh	2015
5.	National Institute of Design, Haryana	2019
6.	National Institute of Design, Madhya Pradesh	2016
7.	National Institute of Design, Assam	2019

National Institute Courses Offered 

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

1. 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, such as: 

• Industrial design,  
• Communication design,  
• Textile design, and more.  

2. M.Des is a two-and-a-half-year postgraduate programme that focuses 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: 

• Product design 
• Graphic design 
• Animation, film design, and more.  

3. PhD in Design: NID provides a PhD programme for those interested in advancing the design field through research and academics.  

This programme allows researchers to explore developing design theories, perform in-depth research, and contribute to the design conversation. Doctoral candidates cooperate with experienced faculty members to do cross-disciplinary research that pushes the boundaries of design knowledge.  

Top 10 NID colleges in India: NID Admission Process 

Admission to all programmes at NID 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 30% of the candidate's NID DAT prelims score and 70% of the candidate's NID DAT mains score.  

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. 

Candidates can select the NID DAT exam centres after completing the registration form. The exam centres are the cities where the NID entrance exam will be held. The steps to apply for the NID DAT exam are as follows. 

• NID DAT registration: NID DAT 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. 

Top NID colleges in India: NID Eligibility Criteria  

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

NID College Branches -

• 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 restricted categories). 
• M.Des: Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a recognised institution or institute in any discipline. In addition, they must have a valid score on NID's Design Aptitude Test (DAT).  
• 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. 

Top NID colleges in India: NID Cutoffs 

The cut-off of NID DAT is usually high as the NID is one of the most prestigious design institutes in India. Candidates planning to apply for the NID DAT should prepare well for the exam and aim to score high marks. NID releases category-specific cutoffs for each course offered on its campuses. To be eligible for admission to top NID colleges, aspirants must meet NID cutoffs in the BDes, GDPD, and MDes courses.  

Top NID colleges in India: NID Fee Structure

The NID is a premier design institute in India, with relatively high 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. Aspirants must pay the NID tuition fee every semester, whereas the other components of the NID application fee must be paid annually. 

The fee for the BDes programme is approximately Rs. 1 lakh per year for Indian nationals, and the fee for the MDes programme is approximately Rs. 1.5 lakh per year. 

Top NID colleges in India: 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. A total of 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 2022-23	Package (CTC per annum)
Lowest package	8 LPA
Average package	21.30 LPA
Highest package	30 LPA

How to prepare for NID Design Aptitude Test 

NID Design Aptitude Test, or NID DAT, is a national design entrance exam for applicants seeking admission to B.Des and M.Des programmes. The NID DAT is conducted in paper and pen mode once a year.  

The NID DAT is divided into two stages: prelims and mains. Acing the NID DAT requires careful planning and an effective exam approach. Candidates should review the NID DAT exam pattern and syllabus before beginning their study for the design entrance exam.