September 11, 2026
NID DAT 2027 Prelims will be held on Sunday, 20 December 2026 (offline). Applications are open 10 September - 30 November 2026 at admissions.nid.edu.
Prelims results- 16 February 2027 (2.5-year M.Des) and 16 March 2027 (B.Des & 5.5-year Integrated M.Des). Prelims is a qualifier only (0% weight); the DAT Mains score alone decides selection.
New for 2027 – a new 5.5 years integrated M.Des program has been launched.
Now 3 programs are available for design aspirants:
Dates are from the official NID handbooks released on 10 September 2026.
Not sure where you stand? Take a free NID mock test and get a diagnostic score.
The NID Exam 2027 is a national-level design entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID) for admission to their B.Des, M.Des and now 5.5 year integrated M.Des programs offered across the 7 NID campuses - Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Madhya Pradesh.
You can choose amongst specializations like industrial design, textile design, communication design, etc.
The exam is conducted in two stages, NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains, to evaluate candidates’ creativity, drawing skills, observation, visualization, problem-solving skills, and design aptitude.
If you dream of becoming a designer and studying at one of India’s most prestigious design colleges, the NID Exam, officially known as the NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) is your gateway.
NID exam has been going through significant structural changes in recent years. Future aspirants (NID 2027 & beyond) must understand this shift carefully.
| Year | Prelims Weightage | Mains Weightage | CAT Weightage | GAT Presence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2024 |
40% |
60% |
65-70% |
30-35% |
|
2025 |
30% |
70% |
70-75% |
25-30% |
|
2026 |
0% (Qualifier Only) |
100% |
100% |
No (Removed) |
Important: While GAT did not appear in 2026, it cannot be confirmed whether it will return in NID 2027 & 2028 or not. Aspirants should prioritize CAT preparation but maintain basic readiness for GAT as a precaution.
If you're applying for design course from NID after Class 12, you're no longer applying to a plain B.Des. You now have another option.
NID Ahmedabad, NID Bangalore, and NID Gandhinagar now also give admission to undergraduates into the 5.5-Year Professional Education Master of Design (Integrated Pathway) - one continuous program of 11 semesters that awards a Master of Design (M.Des) degree after completion.
The regular 2.5 years M.Des is also available at these campuses.
The traditional 4-year B.Des continues at NID Ahmedabad, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, which also run their own 5.5-year Integrated M.Des.
NID shortlists 2.5× seats per category for Mains, plus 15 supernumerary overseas seats. Finer curriculum details will be announced by NID in due course - check the NID application form and seat matrix (locked after 1-3 Dec 2026).
The 2026 changes (GAT removed, Prelims now qualifier-only) have shifted how you should prepare. Get a free 1-on-1 session to understand what it means for your 2027 attempt.
| Particulars | NID Entrance Exam Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) |
| Conducting Body | NID (National Institute of Design) |
| NID Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| NID Exam Purpose | Admission to Design courses offered by top NID colleges in India and some private design colleges |
| Courses Offered | B.Des, M.Des in disciplines like graphic design, industrial design, product design, etc. |
| NID Exam Application Fee | INR 3,000 |
| NID Exam Date 2027 | December 2026 to January 2027 |
| NID Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Official Website | https://admissions.nid.edu |
Check out the table below to know all the important dates related to the NID Exam 2027.
|
Stage |
B.Des / Integrated M.Des |
M.Des (2.5-yr) |
|
Application start |
10 Sep 2026 |
10 Sep 2026 |
|
Application last date |
30 Nov 2026 (11:59 pm) |
30 Nov 2026 (11:59 pm) |
|
Edit/correction window |
1 Dec (4 pm) - 3 Dec 2026 |
1 Dec (4 pm) - 3 Dec 2026 |
|
Prelims admit card |
10 Dec 2026 (4 pm) |
10 Dec 2026 (4 pm) |
|
DAT Prelims exam |
Sun, 20 Dec 2026 |
Sun, 20 Dec 2026 |
|
Category certificate edit |
16-28 Feb 2027 |
15-31 Jan 2027 |
|
DAT Prelims result |
16 Mar 2027 (4 pm) |
16 Feb 2027 (4 pm) |
|
Prelims re-totalling |
16-17 Mar 2027 |
16-18 Feb 2027 |
|
DAT Mains admit card / exam / result |
To be announced later |
To be announced later |
|
Admission application (post-Mains) |
To be announced later (separate step) |
- |
|
Counselling / seat allotment / verification |
To be announced later |
To be announced later |
Only those who will satisfy the NID B.Des eligibility criteria and NID M.Des eligibility 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 2027.
| Category | B.Des / Integrated M.Des | M.Des |
|---|---|---|
|
Age Limit (General / GEN-EWS) |
Candidates born on or after 1 July 2006 are eligible. |
Candidates born on or after 1 July 1995 are eligible. |
|
Age Limit (OBC-NCL / SC / ST) |
Candidates born on or after 1 July 2003 are eligible. |
Candidates born on or after 1 July 1992 are eligible. |
|
Age Limit (PwD Category) |
Candidates born on or after 1 July 2001 are eligible. |
Candidates born on or after 1 July 1990 are eligible. |
|
Age Limit (Overseas Category) |
Candidates born on or after 1 July 2006 are eligible. |
Candidates born on or after 1 July 1995 are eligible. |
|
Educational Qualification |
Must have passed or appeared in Class 12 (10+2) in the academic year 2026-27 from any recognized board (Science, Arts, Commerce, Humanities, etc.). |
Must hold a Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) in any discipline from a recognized university. |
|
Accepted Equivalent Exams (for B.Des) |
10+2 exam under any recognized board (CBSE, ICSE, IB, State Boards, etc.) |
— |
|
2-year Pre-University Exam; HSC Vocational Exam |
||
|
AICTE-approved 3-year Diploma (after Class X) |
||
|
GCE A-Level (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) |
||
|
Senior Secondary School under NIOS (with 5 subjects) |
||
|
Final Year Candidates |
Candidates appearing for Class 12 exams in 2027 must pass in their first attempt and upload the mark sheet by 15 July 2027. |
Candidates appearing in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree (2026-27) are eligible if they clear all backlogs by 28 June 2027 and submit their degree/mark sheet by 31 July 2027. |
|
Nationality |
Open to Indian Nationals and Foreign Nationals (Overseas Category). |
Open to Indian Nationals and Foreign Nationals (Overseas Category). |
|
Medium of Instruction |
English |
English |
Important Notes:
Apply online only at admissions.nid.edu (NID warns any NID site on a .org or .org.in domain is fake). Register with a valid email, mobile and date of birth; fill the form; upload photo, signature and any category certificate; pay the fee; and print the confirmation. For the step-by-step walkthrough, see our NID application form guide before you start.
Here's a brief overview of the steps involved:
Here are the required documents for NID exam 2027 application -
| Applicants | Photo | Signature | Certificate | Valid documents to be submitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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 and/or UDID Card* |
|
GEN-EWS-PwD |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
EWS Certificate |
|
Disability Certificate and/or UDID Card * |
||||
|
OBC-NCL-PwD |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
OBC-NCL Certificate |
|
Disability Certificate and/or UDID Card * |
||||
|
SC-PwD |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Caste Certificate |
|
Disability Certificate and/or UDID Card * |
||||
|
ST-PwD |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Tribe Certificate |
|
Disability Certificate and/or UDID Card * |
||||
|
Overseas |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
First page of Passport |
|
Last page of Passport |
||||
|
OCI/PIO Card, if opted in the application form |
Note:
|
Applicant |
Fee |
|
General, GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL |
₹3,000 |
|
Female (except SC, ST, PwD) |
₹2,000 |
|
SC & ST |
₹1,500 |
|
PwD |
₹500 |
|
Third Gender |
₹500 |
|
Overseas (Supernumerary) |
US$125 |
For the independent M.Des, the fee is charged per discipline chosen (e.g., two disciplines = twice the fee).
Wondering what you're applying into? Here's an honest look at life at NID - campus, studios and culture.
As per the notification, the NID entrance 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 weightage in the final merit |
||
|
Stage |
Role |
Weight in final merit |
|
DAT Prelims |
Shortlisting only |
0% (qualifier) |
|
DAT Mains - B.Des/Integrated |
Studio Sensitivity + In-Person Sensitivity Test |
Decides merit (exact split TBA) |
|
DAT Mains - M.Des |
Studio Test + Interview |
Decides merit (exact split TBA) |
| Particulars | B.Des | M.Des |
|---|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Offline | Offline |
| No. of Questions | Objective GAT = 14-25 questions (removed in 2026) | Objective GAT = 10-17 (removed in 2026) |
| Subjective CAT = 6-8 drawing/design questions (with sub-sections) | Subjective CAT = 6-8 drawing/design questions (with sub-sections) | |
| No. of Sections | 2 | 2 |
| NID Prelims Total Marks | 100 | 100 |
| Negative Marking | No | No |
| Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours to 3.5 hours (depending on the number of specializations) |
NOTE:
| Aspect | B.Des | M.Des |
|---|---|---|
|
Mode of exam |
Offline |
Offline |
|
Duration of exam |
3 hours |
3 hours |
|
Total Marks of NID Exam Mains |
100 |
100 |
|
Language of question paper |
English |
English |
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 NID DAT Prelims serves as the first stage of the NID admission process and acts as a screening test. It assesses your imagination, visual reasoning, analytical skills, and awareness of design concepts.
| Sections | Key Topics Covered |
|---|---|
|
Visualisation & Spatial Ability |
Perspective drawing, geometric transformation, 3D form composition, and spatial awareness. |
|
Design Thinking & Creativity |
Concept visualization, idea generation, and innovative design solutions. |
|
Observation & Perception |
Observation of real-life situations, identifying design problems, and translating ideas visually. |
|
Analytical & Logical Reasoning |
Pattern recognition, analogies, visual puzzles, sequencing, and logic-based reasoning. |
|
Environmental & Social Awareness |
Indian art & culture, sustainable design, design for society, and current events in design. |
|
General Knowledge |
Design icons, global design trends, and famous product innovations. |
|
Drawing & Sketching Skills |
Composition, proportion, shading, perspective, and narrative sketching. |
Note: The Prelims results are qualifying in nature and the marks are used to shortlist candidates for the NID DAT Mains 2027, but they do not contribute to the final merit list.
The NID DAT Mains is the decisive stage of the NID exam 2027, carrying 100% weightage in the final selection. This stage assesses your hands-on design ability, creativity, material handling, and problem-solving through practical tasks.
| Components | Description & Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|
|
Studio Test / Design Problem |
Model-making, 3D composition, prototyping, material usage, and spatial design understanding. |
|
Observation & Memory Drawing |
Drawing scenes from memory, visualising spaces, and conveying ideas clearly through sketching. |
|
Material Handling Test |
Using given materials (like paper, wire, clay, etc.) to create innovative functional models. |
|
Audio-Visual Test (if applicable) |
Observation and interpretation of short visual/audio clips, testing memory and interpretation skills. |
|
Portfolio & Personal Interview |
Presentation of creative works, design thought process, awareness of trends, and design motivation. |
Tip: Since the final NID result 2027 will be based only on Mains, focus heavily on hands-on creative exercises, model-making, and design problem-solving tasks.
For the Mains stage, rehearse with real NID interview questions.
The DAT Prelims admit card releases on 10 December 2026 (4 pm); download it from your login with your email ID and date of birth - see the NID admit card guide. Separate admit cards are issued for Prelims and Mains. The admit card can be downloaded by following the below steps:
The prelims runs in 17 cities. See the full NID exam centres list.
|
Ahmedabad |
Dehradun |
Lucknow |
|
Bengaluru |
Hyderabad |
Mumbai |
|
Bhopal |
Jaipur |
Nagpur |
|
Bhubaneswar |
Jorhat |
New Delhi |
|
Chandigarh |
Kochi |
Patna. |
|
Chennai |
Kolkata |
- |
NID 2027 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. Here's a step-by-step breakdown from registration to final admission:
The first step in the NID admission process is registering for the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) through the official website admissions.nid.edu. Candidates must complete the online application, upload required documents, select their preferred exam city, and pay the application fee before the deadline.
Students applying for the NID exam should carefully check the NID 2027 eligibility criteria, upload correct documents in defined specifications, and submit the form on time to avoid disqualification.
Detailed step-by-step guide on NID form-filling process here - NID application form.
The NID exam B.Des. DAT Prelims paper is is the first stage of the admission process, conducted at the same time on the same day across all test centres. The questions asked may involve text and visuals.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
|
Mode of Exam |
Pen-and-paper (offline) |
|
Duration |
3 hours |
|
Type of Questions |
Objective (MCQs) + Subjective (Drawing/Sketching) |
|
Purpose |
To shortlist candidates for NID DAT Mains |
|
Weightage in Final Merit |
0% (used only for shortlisting) |
Only candidates who qualify for the Prelims are eligible to appear for the NID DAT Mains.
Check: NID Exam Analysis
The NID DAT Mains 2027 is the deciding stage in the NID admission process. After Prelims results are announced, Mains admit cards for shortlisted candidates will be available for download only on the official NID admission 2027 website.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
|
Mode |
Offline (in NID campuses) |
|
Tests Conducted |
Studio Test, Material Handling, Drawing/Sketching Test, and Personal Interview (for some programs) |
|
Duration |
Varies by campus and test |
|
Evaluation Parameters |
Creativity, Material Usage, Originality, Problem Solving, and Design Thinking |
|
Weightage |
100% (Final Merit Based on Mains) |
Note: The NID DAT Mains score decides the final rank list. Prelims marks are not counted in final selection.
After the Mains exam, NID releases two sets of results:
| Result Type | What It Contains |
|---|---|
|
NID DAT Prelims Result |
List of candidates shortlisted for Mains |
|
NID DAT Mains Result |
Final scores and ranks based solely on Mains performance |
|
NID Final Merit List |
Combined result used for admission and seat allocation |
Shortlisted candidates from the final merit list are invited to participate in the NID counselling process for seat allocation.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
|
Online Seat Allotment |
Conducted as per ranks, preferences, and category reservations |
|
Document Verification |
Candidates must upload or present all relevant certificates for verification |
|
Seat Confirmation Fee |
Payment of admission fee to confirm the allotted seat |
|
Waitlist Movement |
Additional rounds if seats remain vacant after the first round |
Must Read: How Many Students Appeared for NID DAT 2026?
NID 2027 also follows the Government of India’s reservation norms:
| Category | Reservation (in %) |
|---|---|
| GEN-EWS | 10 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 27 |
| SC | 15 |
| ST | 7.5 |
| PwD | 5% horizontal reservation |
NOTE: 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.
After seat allotment and document verification, students must report to their allotted NID campus (Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, or Madhya Pradesh) for registration and orientation.
Start with understanding the NID syllabus, then build a routine with a structured NID study plan for the 20th December exam. Solve previous-year NID papers, take weekly mocks, and sharpen the skill that decides your rank - NID drawing.
Mentor tip: with Prelims at 0% weight, treat it as a cut-off to clear, not a paper to perfect. Your rank is decided in the Mains studio test - material handling, ideation under time pressure and presentation. Build a weekly studio-practice habit from day one, and keep a working portfolio even though it isn't formally scored as part of the actual exam, because it will help in the in-person sensitivity / interview stage.
Get a structured study plan, expert-reviewed drawing feedback, and full-length mock tests with Creative Edge - India's leading NID coaching.
Let us look at the previous year's NID Question Paper Analysis and get an idea about the difficulty level of the exam.
The results are declared after the exam is completed and published as a PDF.
You can check NID Exam 2027 Result from the official website by following the below steps:
The answer key is also made available by the National Institute of Design (NID) in two stages:
The right responses to every question on the NID admission 2027 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 of how they've performed in the test.
Check: NID Answer Key
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.
| 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 |
Check: NID Seats 2027
|
Which NID offers which route (2027)? |
||
|
Campus |
UG / Integrated route |
Independent M.Des (2.5-yr) |
|
Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru |
5.5-yr Integrated Pathway (M.Des); Ahmedabad also has the 4 year B.Des |
Yes (21 disciplines) |
|
Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh |
4-yr B.Des / 5.5-yr Integrated M.Des |
Only B.Des & Integrated route |
The National Institute of Design offers various specializations. 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 | - |
Explore the full list of NID colleges in India. Curious where these lead? See typical jobs and salaries after NID.
The allotment of seats for NID entrance exam 2027, 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.
After the introduction of new integrated program for the 2027 exam cycle, the number of NID seats per program, per campus will change:
Industrial Design Stream
|
Discipline |
Campus |
Intake Capacity |
|
Ceramic & Glass Design |
Ahmedabad |
9 |
|
Transportation & Automobile Design |
Gandhinagar |
9 |
|
Product Design |
Ahmedabad |
9 |
Communication Design Stream
|
Discipline |
Campus |
Intake Capacity |
|
Animation Film Design |
Ahmedabad |
9 |
|
Film & Video Communication |
Ahmedabad |
9 |
|
Graphic Design |
Ahmedabad |
9 |
Spatial Experience Design Stream
|
Discipline |
Campus |
Intake Capacity |
|
Exhibition Design |
Ahmedabad |
9 |
|
Furniture & Interior Design |
Ahmedabad |
9 |
|
Design for Retail Experience |
Bengaluru |
9 |
Textile and Apparel Design Stream
|
Discipline |
Campus |
Intake Capacity |
|
Textile Design |
Ahmedabad |
9 |
|
Apparel Design |
Gandhinagar |
9 |
|
Lifestyle Accessory Design |
Gandhinagar |
9 |
Digital Design Futures Stream
|
Discipline |
Campus |
Intake Capacity |
|
Digital Game Design |
Bengaluru |
9 |
|
Interaction Design |
Bengaluru |
9 |
|
Information Design |
Bengaluru |
9 |
To be announced on official websites of respective campuses:
Cracking the NID exam 2027 comes down to knowing the schedule, understanding the new pattern, and starting studio practice early.
Here's your NID 2027 preparation checklist:
The candidates who clear the NID Design Aptitude Test aren't the ones who memorize the most - they're the ones who practise consistently and think like designers.
Preparing for NID 2027? We can help you with exact strategic roadmap, study material and crucial feedback required to ace this exam.
Join Creative Edge, India’s leading NID online coaching and coaching for other design/architecture exams like NIFT, UCEED, CEED, NATA & JEE B.Arch, and get expert guidance on all NID 2027 subjects.
You can enroll in offline NID batches at your nearest centres also!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NID DAT exam?

Can I apply for NID after 12th?

Is there any limitation on number of attempts in NID DAT Exam?

What is the NID DAT 2027 Entrance Exam Pattern?

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Can I apply for NID 2027 with my parents mail ID?

Is Maths required for NID?

Will NID Exam be conducted in online mode?

What is Asked in the NID Entrance Exam?

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