NID Exam 2025: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility Criteria & Exam Schedule [Check Complete Details]
Updated On : June 25, 2024
Summary: Dive in now to be the first to mark your calendar with NID exam 2025 important dates released by the National Institute of Design for 2025! Prepare in advance to unlock your door to a brighter design career by starting your preparations early!
The National Institute of Design (NID), established in 1961 in Ahmedabad, is India's premier design institute. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs, with admission being highly competitive and based upon candidates' performance in the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT).
As thousands eagerly await this pivotal moment in the design aspirants' calendar, we bring you the first glance at the NID exam schedule. Discover key insights and preparation tips to help you in your journey.
Table of Content
What is the NID Exam 2025?
The National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad, along with its extension campuses in Gandhinagar and Bengaluru, is designated as an 'Institute of National Importance' according to the NID Act of 2014.
It operates autonomously under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), which is part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Design to provide admission to design UG and PG programs.
- Bachelor of Design (B.Des - 4 Years) is offered at NID Ahmedabad, NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Haryana, NID Madhya Pradesh and NID Assam.
- Master of Design (M.Des - 2.5 Years) is offered at NID Ahmedabad (and its extension campuses at Gandhinagar and Bengaluru).
NID Exam 2025 Highlights
| Particulars | NID Entrance Exam Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | National Institute of Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) |
| Conducting Body | NID |
| Exam frequency | Once a year |
| Exam purpose | Admission to Design courses offered by NIDS and some private colleges |
| Courses offered | B.Des, M.Des |
| Application fee | INR 3,000 |
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| Official website | https://admissions.nid.edu |
NID Exam 2025 Dates & Schedule
Check out the table below to know all the important dates related to the NID Exam 2025. NID DAT exam date is provided below:
| Events | NID Exam Dates 2025 |
| Release of NID 2025 Notification | August 2024 (Expected) |
| The NID 2025 application process starts from | September 2024 (Expected) |
| Last date for submitting NID Online Application Form | December 2024 (Expected) |
| The last date for submitting the NID Application Form with the late fee | December 2024 (Expected) |
| Application correction window | December 2024 (Expected) |
| NID admit card download | December 2024 (Expected) |
| NID DAT Prelims Exam/ NID B.Des exam date 2025 | December Last Week 2024 (Expected) |
| Declaration of NID DAT Prelims Results | March 2025 (Expected) |
| Rechecking request for DAT prelims | March Last Week 2025 (Expected) |
| Download the NID DAT Mains Exam Admit Card | April 2025 (Expected) |
| NID DAT Mains Exam/ NID 2025 Exam Date | April Last Week 2025 (Expected) |
| NID DAT 2025 Mains Result | May 2025 (Expected) |
| Window for submission of Campus Preference | May 2025 (Expected) |
| Rechecking request for DAT Mains | May 2025 (Expected) |
| Seat Allotment, Payment of Token Fees and Uploading of documents | May Last Week 2025 (Expected) |
| Provisional offer letter | June 2025 (Expected) |
| Payment of remaining fees | June 3rd Week 2025 (Expected) |
| Subsequent rounds of seat allotment, along with the payment of full fees | June 2025 (Expected) |
| Physical verification of documents at the respective NIDs | To be announced by the respective NIDs |
Check: NID 2025 Admission
NID Admission Process 2025
NID 2025 Admission Process is a 2-tier procedure that includes Prelims and Mains. Qualifying both stages will result in making you eligible for sitting in counselling for admission into the desired NID.
You can check out the detailed admission process in the post below.
NID DAT Prelims Exam 2025
The B.Des. DAT Prelims paper is a paper-and-pencil/pen test, conducted at the same time on the same day across all test centres. The questions asked may involve text and visuals.
- The duration of the test will be three hours.
- The question paper will be in English language only.
Based on the DAT Prelims scores, separate merit lists shall be prepared for each category (GENERAL, GENERAL-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST & PwD) as applied for by the candidate. only shortlisted candidates, as per merit, will be eligible to appear for the DAT Mains exam as per the schedule announced. Separate merit list will be prepared for Overseas candidates.
NID DAT Mains 2025
Based on the scores obtained in the DAT Prelims, eligible candidates will be shortlisted for the DAT Mains as per merit. Admit Cards for shortlisted candidates will be available for download only on the official NID admissions website (httns://admissions.nid.edu/.
- The DAT Mains will consist of tests in multiple formats such as in studio set-up.
- The question paper will be in English language ONLY.
- The test centres for the DAT Mains will be announced later.
Note: NID will not provide accommodation for candidates appearing for the DAT Mains; candidates must arrange travel/accommodation on their own. In emergent unforeseen circumstances, the schedules as well as the nature & structure of the exams can change, and all tests may be conducted entirely online or entirely offline or in a combination of offline & online modes, at the discretion of the Institute.
Check: Tips to Improve Drawing Skills for NID 2025
NID Exam 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Only those who will satisfy the criteria set by the exam conducting body are eligible to apply for the exam.
Your candidature will get cancelled if you do not satisfy the Eligibility Criteria for NID Exam 2025
NID B.Des Eligibility Criteria
Check out the detailed NID exam B.Des eligibility criteria for age and qualification listed below.
Age Limit
- For Indian Nationals in General Category and General EWS Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 2004 are eligible to apply for admission.
- For Indian Nationals in Reserved Category (Other Backward Class - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST): Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 2001 are eligible to apply for admission.
- For Indian Nationals in PWD Reserved Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 1999 are eligible to apply for admission.
- For Foreign Nationals in Overseas (Supernumerary) Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 2004 are eligible to apply for admission.
Educational Qualification
- You must have completed the final examination of 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board (AISSE/ICSE/CBSE) to be eligible for the exam.
- Those appearing for the higher secondary examination in the academic year 2025 can also apply for the NID DAT exam.
- Applications for the academic year 2025-26 are open to candidates who have passed or will appear for higher secondary (10+2) qualifying examinations in any stream (Science, Arts, Commerce, Humanities etc.) from any recognized board of education such as CBSE, IB, ICSE or equivalent.
NID M.Des Eligibility Criteria
Check out the detailed NID exam M.Des eligibility criteria for age and qualification listed below.
Age Limit
- For Indian Nationals in General Category & General EWS Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 1993 are eligible to apply for admission.
- For Indian Nationals in Reserved Category (Other Backward Class - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Scheduled Caste (SC) & Scheduled Tribe (ST): Only those candidates born on
or after 1 July 1990 are eligible to apply for admission. - For Indian Nationals in Person with Disabilities (PwD) Reserved Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 1988 are eligible to apply for admission.
- For Foreign Nationals in Overseas (Supernumerary) Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 1993 are eligible to apply for admission.
Educational Qualification
In addition to satisfying the above age criteria, the candidate must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications to be considered eligible for admissions:
- Bachelor's degree of minimum 4-year duration in any specialization, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th standard from any university and/or institute recognised by the law in India. Candidate must have appeared for all the subjects and backlogs (if any), of the bachelor's degree Examination by 30 June 2025.
- Full-time Diploma of minimum 4-year duration in Design/Fine Arts/Applied Arts/Architecture, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th standard, from university and/or institute recognised by the law in India. Candidate must have appeared for all the subjects and backlogs (if any), of the bachelor's degree Examination by 30 June 2025.
- Bachelor's degree of minimum 3-year duration in any specialization, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th standard from university and/or institute recognised by the law in India. Candidates must have passed the 3-year bachelor's degree examinations by August 2024.
Check: How is Life at NID?
NID Exam Application Process 2025
The entire application process for NID DAT 2025 is only done online.
There are four stages involved in the NID application process, i.e., online registration, filling out the application form, uploading documents, and paying the application fee.
- Visit the official website of NID, i.e. www.nid.edu.
- Click on the "New Registration" tab.
- Provide a valid mobile number, email ID, and Date of birth, and click on the submit button.
- After registration, login credentials will be emailed to the registered email ID and mobile number.
- Re-login to the portal using the credentials received after registration.
- Fill out the application form by entering all the details correctly.
- Upload all the necessary documents in the specified format.
- Pay the application fee either online or offline mode.
Check: NID 2025 Application Form
Documents Required for NID Exam Application 2025
Here are the required documents for NID exam application -
| Category/Documents | Photo | Signature | Certificate | Remarks |
| General | Yes | Yes | No | - |
| General EWS | Yes | Yes | Yes | EWS Certificate |
| OBC-NCL | Yes | Yes | Yes | OBC-NCL Certificate |
| SC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Caste Certificate |
| ST | Yes | Yes | Yes | Tribe Certificate |
| General-PwD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Disability Certificate |
| GEN-EWS-PwD | Yes | Yes | Yes | EWS Certificate, Disability Certificate |
| OBC-NCL-PwD | Yes | Yes | Yes | OBC-NCL Certificate, Disability Certificate |
| SC-PWD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Caste Certificate, Disability Certificate |
| ST-PWD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Tribe Certificate, Disability Certificate |
| Overseas | Yes | Yes | No | First page of Passport, Last page of Passport |
NID Application Fees 2025
| Category | Application Fees (Rs) | Application Fee + Late Fee (Rs) |
| General | 3000 | 4500 |
| General-EWS | 3000 | 4500 |
| OBC-NCL | 3000 | 4500 |
| SC | 1500 | 2250 |
| ST | 1500 | 2250 |
| General-PwD | 1500 | 2250 |
| General-EWS-PwD | 1500 | 2250 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD | 1500 | 2250 |
| SC-PWD | 1500 | 2250 |
| ST-PWD | 1500 | 2250 |
| Overseas (Supernumerary) | 5000 | 7500 |
NID 2025 Admit Card
The NID 2025 Admit Card is the mandatory document that has to be carried to the exam hall without fail. The admit card can be downloaded by following the below steps:
- Visit the official website of NID
- Click on the link “NID 2025 Admit Card”
- Enter the login credentials such as registration number and password
- Click on the submit button
- The Admit Card will be displayed on the screen
- Take a printout for future reference (All Pages – 2 copies)
NID 2025 Exam Pattern
As per the notification, the NID exam involves two stages: prelims and mains for both B.Des. and M.Des.
Look at the table below to learn the detailed NID Exam Pattern for both UG and PG programs.
| NID DAT 2025 Exam | B.Des | M.Des |
| Mode of Exam | Offline | Offline |
| No. of Questions | Section A: 64 (MCQ)* Section B: 3 (Subjective)* |
Section A: 59 (MCQ)* Section B: 3 (Subjective)* |
| No. of Sections | 2 | 2 |
| Total Marks | 100 | 100 |
| Negative Marking | No | No |
| Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours to 3.5 hours** |
* No. Of Questions may vary every year
** Depending upon the no. of specialization, the time may vary.
Sectional Weightage 2025
| Exam | Weightage (B.Des) | Weightage (M.Des) |
| DAT Prelims | 30-40% | 30% |
| DAT Mains | 60-70% | 70% |
NID Exam Syllabus 2025
Before starting your preparation, it is important to go through the detailed NID entrance exam syllabus as it will help you know the important topics from the exam point of view.
The table below explains the important topics for the NID DAT for both the aptitude and studio tests.
| Exam | Syllabus |
| Aptitude Test | Includes various topics like Creativity, Comprehension, Knowledge and Visualization, Drawing Skills, Memory Drawing, General Mental Ability, etc. |
| Studio Test | Comprises of topics such as 3D Modeling, Body Language, Observation Test, Portfolio Making, Creative Thinking, etc. |
Check: NID Study Plan 2025
NID 2025 Exam Centers
NID Entrance Exam 2025 will be conducted at various exam centres across India. The table below shows the list of exam cities.
| Ahmedabad | Hyderabad | Patna |
| Bengaluru | Guwahati | Nagpur |
| Bhopal | Lucknow | Raipur |
| Jaipur | New Delhi | Kolkata |
| Chandigarh | Mumbai | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Chennai | - | - |
How to Prepare for NID 2025?
NID DAT Prelims consist of both objective and subjective type questions. You must ensure to prepare equally for both types of questions. Here, we have provided a few tips to enhance your NID Preparation.
- One of the important tips by toppers is to practice sketching objects and human figures.
- Be thorough with the detailed syllabus and pattern of the exam.
- List out all the important topics you need to focus on.
- Give more time for the topics that you feel are difficult.
- Solve more and more questions from the previous year's NID Sample Papers to know the difficulty level of the exam and the type of questions asked.
- Try to attempt at least one to two NID mock tests weekly.
- Also, make sure to analyze your performance after the completion of each paper.
Check: NID Preparation Books
NID Exam Analysis 2025
Let us look at the previous year's NID Exam Analysis and get an idea about the difficulty level of the exam.
- The difficulty level of NID DAT exam was easy to moderate. However, some candidates found the paper lengthy.
- Most Students found maths to be very easy and drawing to be moderately difficult.
- Some surprises in the question paper, a norm for NID exams.
- Questions ranged from General Knowledge to Reasoning, with topics like Sustainable Development and the G20 summit.
- Subjective questions included posture drawing on slow fashion and conscious buying.
Check: NID Exam Analysis
NID Exam 2025 Result & Merit List
The results are declared after the exam is completed and published as a PDF.
You can check NID Exam Result from the official website by following the below steps:
- Visit the official site of NID: results.nid.edu.
- Click on the link NID 2025 Result
- Enter the roll number, the application number
- Click on the submit button
- The result PDF will be displayed on the screen.
- Take a printout of the same for future reference.
NID Exam Answer Key 2025
The answer key is also made available by the National Institute of Design (NID) in two stages:
- Provisional Answer Key
- Final Answer Key
The right responses to every question on the NID admission exam are provided in the answer key.
It is crucial to remember that the answer key only contains the right answers, not the solutions to the problems. Students preparing for the entrance exam can greatly benefit from the NID answer key.
It may provide students with the information and comprehension they require to do well on the test.
Check: NID Answer Key
NID Exam 2025 Cut-Off Marks
Generally, the cut-off marks will be released after the declaration of results. You must remember that scoring above the NID Exam Cut Off only results in being shortlisted for the merit list.
To help you understand the expected cut-off, we have provided the cut-off for the previous year in the table below.
NID Exam B.Des Expected Cut-Off for 2025
| Category | B.Des Cut Off NID (Expected) |
| OPEN | 48-53 |
| OBC - NCL | 43-48 |
| EWS | 50-55 |
| ST | 40-45 |
| SC | 40-45 |
| PWD | 40-45 |
NID Exam 2025 Reservation Policy
The National Institute of Design follows the reservation norms for all courses.
The category-wise reservation of seats for all courses as per the NID Reservation policy is as tabulated below:
| Category | Reservation (in %) |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 27 |
| SC | 15 |
| ST | 7.5 |
Persons with disabilities (PwD) will be given a 5% horizontal reservation of seats from the parent category in each program, cutting across all sections, i.e. SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy only), and General category.
Check: NID Seats 2025
NID Exam 2025 Counselling
The allotment of seats for NID entrance exam 2025, will be based on the merit order. The seat allotment will be carried out either online or offline, depending on the Institute's decision. Only those who will qualify in both prelims and mains exams will get shortlisted for the counselling process.
- In case the allotment is done in the offline mode, each candidate will be required to remain present in person with the requisite documents as per the schedule (which will be announced at a later date).
- Failing to report with the requisite documents, as per the schedule, will lead to forfeiting the candidate's seat and their seat will be allotted to the next eligible candidate in the order of merit in the respective category.
- Allotment of seats will be purely based on the merit and campus preference submitted by the candidate.
- Seat allotment for final admissions will be based on the merit list, category of the candidate and availability of seats provided that the candidates have not availed any reservation benefits (compensatory time, scribe facility or age relaxation).
Check: NID DAT Counselling 2025: Documents Required
NID Exam Seat Matrix 2025
Check out the seat matrix for National Institute of Design listed below.
NID DAT Mains B.Des Seats Matrix 2025
| Institute | Total No. of Seats | GEN-EWS (10%) | OBC-NCL (27%) | Scheduled Caste (15%) | Scheduled Tribe (7.5%) |
| NID Ahmedabad | 125 | 13 | 34 | 19 | 9 |
| NID Andhra Pradesh | 75 | 8 | 20 | 11 | 6 |
| NID Haryana | 75 | 8 | 20 | 11 | 6 |
| NID Madhya Pradesh | 75 | 8 | 20 | 11 | 6 |
| NID Assam | 75 | 8 | 20 | 11 | 6 |
NID DAT Mains M.Des Seats Matrix 2025
| Category | Disciplines with 19 Seats Each | Disciplines with 12 Seats Each |
| GEN-EWS (10%) | 2 | 1 |
| OBC-NCL (27%) | 5 | 3 |
| Scheduled Caste (15%) | 3 | 2 |
| Scheduled Tribe (7.5%) | 1 | 1 |
NID Reservation for Overseas Category
- There is a provision for a 15% reservation of supernumerary seats in B. Des and M. Des programs for the overseas category.
- If you belong to the NRI category (Non-Resident of India), you must apply as an Indian Citizen.
Click Here to Enrol: NID Online Coaching Classes
Colleges Accepting NID Exam 2025 Scores
The NID Exam Scores are accepted in all 7 NID campuses that are listed below:
| NID Ahmedabad | NID Gandhinagar |
| NID Vijayawada | NID Bengaluru |
| NID Bhopal | NID Jorhat |
| NID Kurukshetra | - |
Check: NID Interview Questions with Answers 2025
Courses Offered Through NID Exam 2025
The National Institute of Design offers various specializations under B.Des, GDPD, and M.Des.
Check out the table below to know the institute's list of NID Courses.
| B.Des Courses at NID | |
| Ceramic and Glass Design | Furniture and Interior Design |
| animation film design | Textile Design |
| Film and Video Communication | Graphic Design |
| Exhibition Design | Product Design |
| GDPD Courses at NID | |
| Industrial Design | Communication Design |
| Textile and Apparel Design | - |
| M.Des Courses at NID | |
| Ceramic and Glass Design | Animation Film Design |
| Graphic Design | Product Design |
| Apparel Design | Textile Design |
| Furniture and Interior Design | Film and Video Communication |
| Strategic Design Management | Photography Design |
| Transportation and Automobile Design | Toy and Game Design |
| Universal Design | Interaction Design |
| Digital Game Design | Design for Rental Experience |
| Lifestyle Accessory Design | Information Design |
| New Media Design | - |
Key Takeaways
The NID entrance exam is as difficult as other design entrance exams. Candidates should take the time to become familiar with NID exam patterns, syllabi and mock papers. With the proper preparation and attitude, the NID DAT exam 2025 can be cleared with flying colours.
- The NID DAT is a two-stage exam, with the first stage focusing on Design Aptitude and General Aptitude, and the second stage involving a studio test and interview.
- While some foundational knowledge is helpful, the NID DAT prioritizes assessing your raw design potential, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Regularly solve past papers and take mock tests to build exam temperament, improve speed and accuracy, and identify areas needing improvement.
- Nurture your observation skills, practice sketching, and build a creative portfolio that showcases your unique design voice.
- Utilize NID prep books for guidance on specific topics and exam formats, but remember, true success lies in unleashing your own creativity.
Check: Jobs After NID
Download Your Free NID Prep Material
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NID exam for?
Can I apply for NID after 12th?
Is NID the toughest exam?
Is the the NID Notification 2025 released?
Is there any limitation on number of attempts in NID DAT Exam?
Can a student from Class 12 Arts stream apply for NID Entrance Exam 2025?
What is the age limit to apply for NID DAT Exam 2025?
What is the education qualification required to apply for NID DAT 2025?
What is the NID DAT 2025 Entrance Exam Pattern?
Can I request a change in the exam center for the NID Entrance Exam 2025?
How can I apply for the NID Entrance Exam 2025?
NID Exam 2025: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility Criteria & Exam Schedule [Check Complete Details]
June 25, 2024
Summary: Dive in now to be the first to mark your calendar with NID exam 2025 important dates released by the National Institute of Design for 2025! Prepare in advance to unlock your door to a brighter design career by starting your preparations early!
The National Institute of Design (NID), established in 1961 in Ahmedabad, is India's premier design institute. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs, with admission being highly competitive and based upon candidates' performance in the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT).
As thousands eagerly await this pivotal moment in the design aspirants' calendar, we bring you the first glance at the NID exam schedule. Discover key insights and preparation tips to help you in your journey.
Table of Content
What is the NID Exam 2025?
The National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad, along with its extension campuses in Gandhinagar and Bengaluru, is designated as an 'Institute of National Importance' according to the NID Act of 2014.
It operates autonomously under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), which is part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Design to provide admission to design UG and PG programs.
- Bachelor of Design (B.Des - 4 Years) is offered at NID Ahmedabad, NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Haryana, NID Madhya Pradesh and NID Assam.
- Master of Design (M.Des - 2.5 Years) is offered at NID Ahmedabad (and its extension campuses at Gandhinagar and Bengaluru).
NID Exam 2025 Highlights
| Particulars | NID Entrance Exam Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | National Institute of Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) |
| Conducting Body | NID |
| Exam frequency | Once a year |
| Exam purpose | Admission to Design courses offered by NIDS and some private colleges |
| Courses offered | B.Des, M.Des |
| Application fee | INR 3,000 |
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| Official website | https://admissions.nid.edu |
NID Exam 2025 Dates & Schedule
Check out the table below to know all the important dates related to the NID Exam 2025. NID DAT exam date is provided below:
| Events | NID Exam Dates 2025 |
| Release of NID 2025 Notification | August 2024 (Expected) |
| The NID 2025 application process starts from | September 2024 (Expected) |
| Last date for submitting NID Online Application Form | December 2024 (Expected) |
| The last date for submitting the NID Application Form with the late fee | December 2024 (Expected) |
| Application correction window | December 2024 (Expected) |
| NID admit card download | December 2024 (Expected) |
| NID DAT Prelims Exam/ NID B.Des exam date 2025 | December Last Week 2024 (Expected) |
| Declaration of NID DAT Prelims Results | March 2025 (Expected) |
| Rechecking request for DAT prelims | March Last Week 2025 (Expected) |
| Download the NID DAT Mains Exam Admit Card | April 2025 (Expected) |
| NID DAT Mains Exam/ NID 2025 Exam Date | April Last Week 2025 (Expected) |
| NID DAT 2025 Mains Result | May 2025 (Expected) |
| Window for submission of Campus Preference | May 2025 (Expected) |
| Rechecking request for DAT Mains | May 2025 (Expected) |
| Seat Allotment, Payment of Token Fees and Uploading of documents | May Last Week 2025 (Expected) |
| Provisional offer letter | June 2025 (Expected) |
| Payment of remaining fees | June 3rd Week 2025 (Expected) |
| Subsequent rounds of seat allotment, along with the payment of full fees | June 2025 (Expected) |
| Physical verification of documents at the respective NIDs | To be announced by the respective NIDs |
Check: NID 2025 Admission
NID Admission Process 2025
NID 2025 Admission Process is a 2-tier procedure that includes Prelims and Mains. Qualifying both stages will result in making you eligible for sitting in counselling for admission into the desired NID.
You can check out the detailed admission process in the post below.
NID DAT Prelims Exam 2025
The B.Des. DAT Prelims paper is a paper-and-pencil/pen test, conducted at the same time on the same day across all test centres. The questions asked may involve text and visuals.
- The duration of the test will be three hours.
- The question paper will be in English language only.
Based on the DAT Prelims scores, separate merit lists shall be prepared for each category (GENERAL, GENERAL-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST & PwD) as applied for by the candidate. only shortlisted candidates, as per merit, will be eligible to appear for the DAT Mains exam as per the schedule announced. Separate merit list will be prepared for Overseas candidates.
NID DAT Mains 2025
Based on the scores obtained in the DAT Prelims, eligible candidates will be shortlisted for the DAT Mains as per merit. Admit Cards for shortlisted candidates will be available for download only on the official NID admissions website (httns://admissions.nid.edu/.
- The DAT Mains will consist of tests in multiple formats such as in studio set-up.
- The question paper will be in English language ONLY.
- The test centres for the DAT Mains will be announced later.
Note: NID will not provide accommodation for candidates appearing for the DAT Mains; candidates must arrange travel/accommodation on their own. In emergent unforeseen circumstances, the schedules as well as the nature & structure of the exams can change, and all tests may be conducted entirely online or entirely offline or in a combination of offline & online modes, at the discretion of the Institute.
Check: Tips to Improve Drawing Skills for NID 2025
NID Exam 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Only those who will satisfy the criteria set by the exam conducting body are eligible to apply for the exam.
Your candidature will get cancelled if you do not satisfy the Eligibility Criteria for NID Exam 2025
NID B.Des Eligibility Criteria
Check out the detailed NID exam B.Des eligibility criteria for age and qualification listed below.
Age Limit
- For Indian Nationals in General Category and General EWS Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 2004 are eligible to apply for admission.
- For Indian Nationals in Reserved Category (Other Backward Class - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST): Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 2001 are eligible to apply for admission.
- For Indian Nationals in PWD Reserved Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 1999 are eligible to apply for admission.
- For Foreign Nationals in Overseas (Supernumerary) Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 2004 are eligible to apply for admission.
Educational Qualification
- You must have completed the final examination of 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board (AISSE/ICSE/CBSE) to be eligible for the exam.
- Those appearing for the higher secondary examination in the academic year 2025 can also apply for the NID DAT exam.
- Applications for the academic year 2025-26 are open to candidates who have passed or will appear for higher secondary (10+2) qualifying examinations in any stream (Science, Arts, Commerce, Humanities etc.) from any recognized board of education such as CBSE, IB, ICSE or equivalent.
NID M.Des Eligibility Criteria
Check out the detailed NID exam M.Des eligibility criteria for age and qualification listed below.
Age Limit
- For Indian Nationals in General Category & General EWS Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 1993 are eligible to apply for admission.
- For Indian Nationals in Reserved Category (Other Backward Class - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Scheduled Caste (SC) & Scheduled Tribe (ST): Only those candidates born on
or after 1 July 1990 are eligible to apply for admission. - For Indian Nationals in Person with Disabilities (PwD) Reserved Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 1988 are eligible to apply for admission.
- For Foreign Nationals in Overseas (Supernumerary) Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 1993 are eligible to apply for admission.
Educational Qualification
In addition to satisfying the above age criteria, the candidate must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications to be considered eligible for admissions:
- Bachelor's degree of minimum 4-year duration in any specialization, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th standard from any university and/or institute recognised by the law in India. Candidate must have appeared for all the subjects and backlogs (if any), of the bachelor's degree Examination by 30 June 2025.
- Full-time Diploma of minimum 4-year duration in Design/Fine Arts/Applied Arts/Architecture, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th standard, from university and/or institute recognised by the law in India. Candidate must have appeared for all the subjects and backlogs (if any), of the bachelor's degree Examination by 30 June 2025.
- Bachelor's degree of minimum 3-year duration in any specialization, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th standard from university and/or institute recognised by the law in India. Candidates must have passed the 3-year bachelor's degree examinations by August 2024.
Check: How is Life at NID?
NID Exam Application Process 2025
The entire application process for NID DAT 2025 is only done online.
There are four stages involved in the NID application process, i.e., online registration, filling out the application form, uploading documents, and paying the application fee.
- Visit the official website of NID, i.e. www.nid.edu.
- Click on the "New Registration" tab.
- Provide a valid mobile number, email ID, and Date of birth, and click on the submit button.
- After registration, login credentials will be emailed to the registered email ID and mobile number.
- Re-login to the portal using the credentials received after registration.
- Fill out the application form by entering all the details correctly.
- Upload all the necessary documents in the specified format.
- Pay the application fee either online or offline mode.
Check: NID 2025 Application Form
Documents Required for NID Exam Application 2025
Here are the required documents for NID exam application -
| Category/Documents | Photo | Signature | Certificate | Remarks |
| General | Yes | Yes | No | - |
| General EWS | Yes | Yes | Yes | EWS Certificate |
| OBC-NCL | Yes | Yes | Yes | OBC-NCL Certificate |
| SC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Caste Certificate |
| ST | Yes | Yes | Yes | Tribe Certificate |
| General-PwD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Disability Certificate |
| GEN-EWS-PwD | Yes | Yes | Yes | EWS Certificate, Disability Certificate |
| OBC-NCL-PwD | Yes | Yes | Yes | OBC-NCL Certificate, Disability Certificate |
| SC-PWD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Caste Certificate, Disability Certificate |
| ST-PWD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Tribe Certificate, Disability Certificate |
| Overseas | Yes | Yes | No | First page of Passport, Last page of Passport |
NID Application Fees 2025
| Category | Application Fees (Rs) | Application Fee + Late Fee (Rs) |
| General | 3000 | 4500 |
| General-EWS | 3000 | 4500 |
| OBC-NCL | 3000 | 4500 |
| SC | 1500 | 2250 |
| ST | 1500 | 2250 |
| General-PwD | 1500 | 2250 |
| General-EWS-PwD | 1500 | 2250 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD | 1500 | 2250 |
| SC-PWD | 1500 | 2250 |
| ST-PWD | 1500 | 2250 |
| Overseas (Supernumerary) | 5000 | 7500 |
NID 2025 Admit Card
The NID 2025 Admit Card is the mandatory document that has to be carried to the exam hall without fail. The admit card can be downloaded by following the below steps:
- Visit the official website of NID
- Click on the link “NID 2025 Admit Card”
- Enter the login credentials such as registration number and password
- Click on the submit button
- The Admit Card will be displayed on the screen
- Take a printout for future reference (All Pages – 2 copies)
NID 2025 Exam Pattern
As per the notification, the NID exam involves two stages: prelims and mains for both B.Des. and M.Des.
Look at the table below to learn the detailed NID Exam Pattern for both UG and PG programs.
| NID DAT 2025 Exam | B.Des | M.Des |
| Mode of Exam | Offline | Offline |
| No. of Questions | Section A: 64 (MCQ)* Section B: 3 (Subjective)* |
Section A: 59 (MCQ)* Section B: 3 (Subjective)* |
| No. of Sections | 2 | 2 |
| Total Marks | 100 | 100 |
| Negative Marking | No | No |
| Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours to 3.5 hours** |
* No. Of Questions may vary every year
** Depending upon the no. of specialization, the time may vary.
Sectional Weightage 2025
| Exam | Weightage (B.Des) | Weightage (M.Des) |
| DAT Prelims | 30-40% | 30% |
| DAT Mains | 60-70% | 70% |
NID Exam Syllabus 2025
Before starting your preparation, it is important to go through the detailed NID entrance exam syllabus as it will help you know the important topics from the exam point of view.
The table below explains the important topics for the NID DAT for both the aptitude and studio tests.
| Exam | Syllabus |
| Aptitude Test | Includes various topics like Creativity, Comprehension, Knowledge and Visualization, Drawing Skills, Memory Drawing, General Mental Ability, etc. |
| Studio Test | Comprises of topics such as 3D Modeling, Body Language, Observation Test, Portfolio Making, Creative Thinking, etc. |
Check: NID Study Plan 2025
NID 2025 Exam Centers
NID Entrance Exam 2025 will be conducted at various exam centres across India. The table below shows the list of exam cities.
| Ahmedabad | Hyderabad | Patna |
| Bengaluru | Guwahati | Nagpur |
| Bhopal | Lucknow | Raipur |
| Jaipur | New Delhi | Kolkata |
| Chandigarh | Mumbai | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Chennai | - | - |
How to Prepare for NID 2025?
NID DAT Prelims consist of both objective and subjective type questions. You must ensure to prepare equally for both types of questions. Here, we have provided a few tips to enhance your NID Preparation.
- One of the important tips by toppers is to practice sketching objects and human figures.
- Be thorough with the detailed syllabus and pattern of the exam.
- List out all the important topics you need to focus on.
- Give more time for the topics that you feel are difficult.
- Solve more and more questions from the previous year's NID Sample Papers to know the difficulty level of the exam and the type of questions asked.
- Try to attempt at least one to two NID mock tests weekly.
- Also, make sure to analyze your performance after the completion of each paper.
Check: NID Preparation Books
NID Exam Analysis 2025
Let us look at the previous year's NID Exam Analysis and get an idea about the difficulty level of the exam.
- The difficulty level of NID DAT exam was easy to moderate. However, some candidates found the paper lengthy.
- Most Students found maths to be very easy and drawing to be moderately difficult.
- Some surprises in the question paper, a norm for NID exams.
- Questions ranged from General Knowledge to Reasoning, with topics like Sustainable Development and the G20 summit.
- Subjective questions included posture drawing on slow fashion and conscious buying.
Check: NID Exam Analysis
NID Exam 2025 Result & Merit List
The results are declared after the exam is completed and published as a PDF.
You can check NID Exam Result from the official website by following the below steps:
- Visit the official site of NID: results.nid.edu.
- Click on the link NID 2025 Result
- Enter the roll number, the application number
- Click on the submit button
- The result PDF will be displayed on the screen.
- Take a printout of the same for future reference.
NID Exam Answer Key 2025
The answer key is also made available by the National Institute of Design (NID) in two stages:
- Provisional Answer Key
- Final Answer Key
The right responses to every question on the NID admission exam are provided in the answer key.
It is crucial to remember that the answer key only contains the right answers, not the solutions to the problems. Students preparing for the entrance exam can greatly benefit from the NID answer key.
It may provide students with the information and comprehension they require to do well on the test.
Check: NID Answer Key
NID Exam 2025 Cut-Off Marks
Generally, the cut-off marks will be released after the declaration of results. You must remember that scoring above the NID Exam Cut Off only results in being shortlisted for the merit list.
To help you understand the expected cut-off, we have provided the cut-off for the previous year in the table below.
NID Exam B.Des Expected Cut-Off for 2025
| Category | B.Des Cut Off NID (Expected) |
| OPEN | 48-53 |
| OBC - NCL | 43-48 |
| EWS | 50-55 |
| ST | 40-45 |
| SC | 40-45 |
| PWD | 40-45 |
NID Exam 2025 Reservation Policy
The National Institute of Design follows the reservation norms for all courses.
The category-wise reservation of seats for all courses as per the NID Reservation policy is as tabulated below:
| Category | Reservation (in %) |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 27 |
| SC | 15 |
| ST | 7.5 |
Persons with disabilities (PwD) will be given a 5% horizontal reservation of seats from the parent category in each program, cutting across all sections, i.e. SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy only), and General category.
Check: NID Seats 2025
NID Exam 2025 Counselling
The allotment of seats for NID entrance exam 2025, will be based on the merit order. The seat allotment will be carried out either online or offline, depending on the Institute's decision. Only those who will qualify in both prelims and mains exams will get shortlisted for the counselling process.
- In case the allotment is done in the offline mode, each candidate will be required to remain present in person with the requisite documents as per the schedule (which will be announced at a later date).
- Failing to report with the requisite documents, as per the schedule, will lead to forfeiting the candidate's seat and their seat will be allotted to the next eligible candidate in the order of merit in the respective category.
- Allotment of seats will be purely based on the merit and campus preference submitted by the candidate.
- Seat allotment for final admissions will be based on the merit list, category of the candidate and availability of seats provided that the candidates have not availed any reservation benefits (compensatory time, scribe facility or age relaxation).
Check: NID DAT Counselling 2025: Documents Required
NID Exam Seat Matrix 2025
Check out the seat matrix for National Institute of Design listed below.
NID DAT Mains B.Des Seats Matrix 2025
| Institute | Total No. of Seats | GEN-EWS (10%) | OBC-NCL (27%) | Scheduled Caste (15%) | Scheduled Tribe (7.5%) |
| NID Ahmedabad | 125 | 13 | 34 | 19 | 9 |
| NID Andhra Pradesh | 75 | 8 | 20 | 11 | 6 |
| NID Haryana | 75 | 8 | 20 | 11 | 6 |
| NID Madhya Pradesh | 75 | 8 | 20 | 11 | 6 |
| NID Assam | 75 | 8 | 20 | 11 | 6 |
NID DAT Mains M.Des Seats Matrix 2025
| Category | Disciplines with 19 Seats Each | Disciplines with 12 Seats Each |
| GEN-EWS (10%) | 2 | 1 |
| OBC-NCL (27%) | 5 | 3 |
| Scheduled Caste (15%) | 3 | 2 |
| Scheduled Tribe (7.5%) | 1 | 1 |
NID Reservation for Overseas Category
- There is a provision for a 15% reservation of supernumerary seats in B. Des and M. Des programs for the overseas category.
- If you belong to the NRI category (Non-Resident of India), you must apply as an Indian Citizen.
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Colleges Accepting NID Exam 2025 Scores
The NID Exam Scores are accepted in all 7 NID campuses that are listed below:
| NID Ahmedabad | NID Gandhinagar |
| NID Vijayawada | NID Bengaluru |
| NID Bhopal | NID Jorhat |
| NID Kurukshetra | - |
Check: NID Interview Questions with Answers 2025
Courses Offered Through NID Exam 2025
The National Institute of Design offers various specializations under B.Des, GDPD, and M.Des.
Check out the table below to know the institute's list of NID Courses.
| B.Des Courses at NID | |
| Ceramic and Glass Design | Furniture and Interior Design |
| animation film design | Textile Design |
| Film and Video Communication | Graphic Design |
| Exhibition Design | Product Design |
| GDPD Courses at NID | |
| Industrial Design | Communication Design |
| Textile and Apparel Design | - |
| M.Des Courses at NID | |
| Ceramic and Glass Design | Animation Film Design |
| Graphic Design | Product Design |
| Apparel Design | Textile Design |
| Furniture and Interior Design | Film and Video Communication |
| Strategic Design Management | Photography Design |
| Transportation and Automobile Design | Toy and Game Design |
| Universal Design | Interaction Design |
| Digital Game Design | Design for Rental Experience |
| Lifestyle Accessory Design | Information Design |
| New Media Design | - |
Key Takeaways
The NID entrance exam is as difficult as other design entrance exams. Candidates should take the time to become familiar with NID exam patterns, syllabi and mock papers. With the proper preparation and attitude, the NID DAT exam 2025 can be cleared with flying colours.
- The NID DAT is a two-stage exam, with the first stage focusing on Design Aptitude and General Aptitude, and the second stage involving a studio test and interview.
- While some foundational knowledge is helpful, the NID DAT prioritizes assessing your raw design potential, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Regularly solve past papers and take mock tests to build exam temperament, improve speed and accuracy, and identify areas needing improvement.
- Nurture your observation skills, practice sketching, and build a creative portfolio that showcases your unique design voice.
- Utilize NID prep books for guidance on specific topics and exam formats, but remember, true success lies in unleashing your own creativity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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