October 7, 2026
The NID DAT 2027 Prelims is on Sunday, 20 December 2026 (offline, 3 hours, 100 marks, no negative marking) - one subjective paper for B.Des and M.Des. The defining change- Prelims now carries 0% weightage and is only a shortlisting filter and the final merit list is decided 100% by DAT Mains.
The last cycle (NID 2026) was fully subjective with no aptitude section. Expect a similar ideation- and sketching-heavy paper. Our live question-by-question analysis publishes here right after the exam. Last verified: 6 October 2026.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam | NID DAT 2027 Prelims (B.Des/Integrated & M.Des) |
| Date | Sunday, 20 December 2026 (offline) |
| Duration & Marks | 3 hours, 100 marks |
| Prelims weightage in merit | 0% - shortlisting filter only (official) |
| Final merit | 100% DAT Mains (Studio/Sensitivity Test + interview) |
| Negative marking | None |
| Expected nature | Subjective - ideation, visual storytelling, problem-solving, sketching |
| Aptitude/GAT | Minimal/absent in the last cycle (not guaranteed for 2027) |
| Expected Difficulty Level | Moderate (but lengthy if the paper is all drawing) |
| Prelims result | 16 March 2027 (B.Des) / 16 February 2027 (M.Des) |
Source: NID Admissions Handbook 2027-28. Last verified: 6 October 2026.
The NID DAT 2027 Prelims is confirmed for Sunday, 20 December 2026 (offline, pen-and-paper), the same single paper for B.Des and M.Des applicants across all NID campuses.
NOTE: This section sets out what to expect, based on the official NID Admissions Handbook 2027-28. Our live, memory-based analysis - actual questions, difficulty and good attempts - will be published here right after the exam.
NID does not publish a fixed exam pattern, and it is known for surprising candidates. Based on the last cycle, expect:
| Aspect | What to expect in NID 2027 Prelims (indicative) |
|---|---|
| Mode | Offline, pen and paper, 3 hours |
| Questions asked in subjective section | Expect questions on ideation, visual storytelling, product design/redesign, storyboarding, sequential drawing, problem-solving |
| Questions asked in objective section | Likely minimal or absent; if asked expect - Design Awareness, Visual Reasoning and Analytical / Logical Reasoning |
| Total marks | 100 (qualifying only) |
| Negative marking | None |
Treat "no aptitude" as a strong recent trend, not a guarantee - prepare visual reasoning and design awareness lightly so a surprise section can't rattle you. Map the full structure in our NID DAT exam pattern guide.
As you prepare for the upcoming NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) 2027, it’s crucial to understand not only what has changed in the exam structure but also how these changes will impact strategy, competition, and question-type focus.
Here's what changed from 2026, side by side for B.Des and M.Des, based on the official NID Admissions Handbooks 2027-28:
| Factor | B.Des / Integrated | M.Des |
|---|---|---|
| New in 2027 | 5.5-Year Integrated pathway for Class 12 pass-outs - more seats | No major change |
| Shortlist for Mains | 2.5 × NID seats (up from 1.5×) | 4.5× seats (same) |
| Prelims weightage | 0% | 0% |
| Mains format | Studio + In-Person Sensitivity Test | Studio Test + Interview |
| Mains weightage | 100% of merit | 100% of merit (split now TBA) |
| Prelims mode | Offline, English, 3 hrs | Offline, English, 3 hrs |
| Qualifying bar | Expected to ease | Broadly stable |
Here's how these changes play out for aspirants, by program.
| Change | Impact on B.Des / Integrated | Impact on M.Des |
|---|---|---|
| New Integrated pathway | More seats for 12th pass-outs; eases the seat squeeze | No direct effect |
| Wider shortlist (2.5×) | Easier to clear Prelims; qualifying bar drops | Unchanged (stays 4.5×) |
| Prelims = 0% | Clearing Prelims isn't enough - Mains decides all | Same - Mains decides all |
| Mains = 100% | Studio + portfolio skills are the real differentiator | Studio + interview depth is decisive |
| Subjective paper | Rewards ideation & clarity, not rote prep | Rewards concept depth & articulation |
Source: NID Admissions Handbook 2027-28 (admissions.nid.edu). DAT Prelims: Sunday, 20 December 2026. Mains dates, weightage break-up and tie-break policy to be announced by NID. Last verified: October 2026.
| Event | Date (NID Handbook 2027-28) |
|---|---|
| Registration window | 10 September - 30 November 2026 |
| Form correction | 1-3 December 2026 |
| Prelims admit card | 10 December 2026 |
| DAT Prelims exam | Sunday, 20 December 2026 |
| Prelims result (B.Des) | 16 March 2027 |
| Prelims result (M.Des) | 16 February 2027 |
| DAT Mains | Announced after the Prelims result |
With the Prelims on 20 December 2026 and registration closing 30 November 2026, the next step is to apply - see our NID DAT 2027 application form guide for the step-by-step registration process, fees and documents.
Set your target score with the expected NID cut-off. Our full NID 2027 question-by-question analysis, difficulty verdict, good attempts and expected cut-off go live on this page on 20 December 2026, straight from the exam centres.
| Category | Expected Score of Last Candidate Admitted - NID Ahmedabad / top campuses (out of 100) | Expected Score of Last Candidate Admitted - other NID campuses |
|---|---|---|
| Open (General) | 55-62 | 35-50 |
| GEN-EWS | 50-56 | 35-46 |
| OBC-NCL | 48-55 | 38-48 |
| SC | 45-53 | 32-45 |
| ST | 42-52 | 34-44 |
| PwD | 42-52 | 38-50 |
Source: NID Admissions Handbook 2027-28 + NID 2026–27 last-candidate score sheets. Last verified: 6 October 2026.
Note: These ranges are indicative estimates, anchored to NID's officially published 2026-27 "Rank & Score of the Last Candidate Allotted a Seat" and adjusted for the 2027 changes (wider 2.5× B.Des shortlisting and additional Integrated-pathway seats) - both of which push the qualifying bar lower.
Scores vary widely by campus and discipline. Top campuses like NID Ahmedabad run highest, while newer NID colleges admit at noticeably lower scores.
Unlike B.Des, the M.Des structure is essentially unchanged for 2027- shortlisting stays at 4.5× seats, Prelims remains a 0%-weightage qualifier, and Mains is still Studio Test + NID Interview. So M.Des closing scores are expected to stay close to 2026-27 levels. Below are NID's officially published final-merit scores of the last candidate admitted in 2026-27, with a realistic 2027 outlook by category.
| Category | 2026-27 Last-Admitted Final Score (NID Ahmedabad, actual range across disciplines) | 2027 Expected Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Open | ~45-76 (varies sharply by discipline) | Broadly similar to 2026 |
| GEN-EWS | ~49-61 (many disciplines: No Eligible Candidate) | Similar; stays thin/variable |
| OBC-NCL | ~40-63 | Broadly similar to 2026 |
| SC | ~36-71 | Similar; discipline-dependent |
| ST | ~38-73 (several disciplines: No Eligible Candidate) | Similar; stays variable |
| PwD | ~51-58 (most disciplines- NE / NA) | Similar; very few applicants |
Source: NID M.Des Admissions Handbooks 2026-27 & 2027-28; NID M.Des 2026-27 last-candidate score sheet. Last verified: 6 October 2026.
Note: These are NID's officially published final-merit scores (Studio Test + Interview; Prelims carries 0% weightage) of the last candidate allotted a seat for M.Des 2026-27 at NID Ahmedabad.
"NE" (No Eligible Candidate) and "NA" (No Applicant) appear across many reserved-category disciplines, so a single category cutoff doesn't exist - closing scores swing widely by discipline (e.g. Universal Design Open 45.25 vs Design for Retail Open 76.30).
The M.Des admission structure is unchanged for 2027 (4.5× shortlisting, same Mains format), so 2027 closing scores are expected to track 2026 closely.
Students outside the NID Exam Centres said - “It didn’t feel like a typical NID paper at all.”
NID DAT 2026 Prelims had 6 drawing-based questions, each testing a different design skill. Below is a quick snapshot of what was asked and what each question evaluated.
| # | What was asked (in brief) | Skill NID tested | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illustrate key scenes from a given story, showing transformation over time | Visual storytelling, sequential narration, character consistency | Multi-part |
| 2 | Show three alternative functional uses of a given rigid product | Functional creativity, reimagining form, usability | 15 |
| 3 | Write an opinion on solar energy + design three awareness social-media posts | Balanced thinking, opinion-to-visual translation, social awareness | Multi-part |
| 4 | Design three child-safety solutions (other than seat belts) for bus seats | Empathy-driven design, safety logic, age-appropriate thinking | 15 |
| 5 | Redesign a water bottle for three different users (hospital, restaurant, family) | User-centric design, adapting one product across contexts | 15 |
| 6 | Draw a hand holding an object (hammer / plant / rope) as a visual metaphor + caption | Symbolic thinking, metaphor, concept clarity | 20 |
For the full questions with expert model solutions, scoring tips and a downloadable PDF, use our dedicated paper page - NID 2026 Question Paper. This analysis focuses on difficulty, attempts and cut-off trends.
| Section | Difficulty Level | Key Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Problem-solving | Moderate | Dominant section; Require creative design-oriented thinking based on user needs |
| Scene Creation | Moderate | Required speed and clean execution |
| Storyboarding | Moderate | Time-heavy but manageable if you know the right tricks |
| Ideal Attempts | - | Required better time-management |
To see how these question types have appeared before, work through the NID previous year question papers.
Despite being a 100-mark drawing paper, this cannot be called a traditional drawing-based exam. The paper heavily tested:
Before you dive into the deeper analysis, make sure you qualify to apply - our NID DAT 2027 eligibility guide covers the age limits, qualifying exam and category rules for B.Des and M.Des.
| Parameter | B.Des Remarks | M.Des Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Moderate | Moderate |
| Paper Length | Slightly Lengthy | Lengthy |
| Major Weightage Areas | GAT: No aptitude questions CAT: Problem-solving + Creativity + Innovation |
GAT: No aptitude questions CAT: Discipline related questions |
| Questions in CAT - Drawing | Moderate level questions on problem solving and sketching. | Moderate number of concept heavy questions (Fewer, explanation-based). |
| Questions in GAT - Aptitude/Reasoning/GK | Removed | Removed |
| Common Student Feedback | Manageable but time pressure in CAT | Conceptually demanding & time-intensive. |
Check: NID Question Papers
| Year | Drawing Marks | Aptitude Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Till 2025 | 70 | 30 |
| NID 2026 | 100 | 0 |
The NID DAT Prelims 2025 maintained its traditional two-part format:
| Section | Subject / Part | Total Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part I – Objective | General Knowledge & Design Awareness | 11 questions | Easy |
| Part I – Objective | Logical Reasoning / Visual & Spatial Ability | 8 questions | Easy to Moderate |
| Part II – Subjective | Design Aptitude / Drawing / Creative Tasks | 5 questions | Moderate but lengthy |
| Overall | - | 26 questions (100 marks total) |
Below is a detailed, precise, paper-based analysis table:
| Section | Approx. Weightage | Difficulty Level | Types of Questions Asked (Based on Actual Paper) | Key Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAT (General Ability Test) | 25% (Approx.) | Easy to Moderate | 1. Logical Reasoning: Pattern completion, series, coding/decoding, figure identification, clocks |
GAT in 2025 was scoring, with few tricky logic questions. |
| 2. General Knowledge + Current Affairs: Design awareness, Indian art/craft, brands/logos, government schemes, environment/sustainability initiatives related questions. |
No high-level math. | |||
| 3. Visual Reasoning (Mild): Counting shapes, folding/unfolding cube, identifying top/side views |
11 out of 19 GAT questions were based on GK. These focused more on design awareness, not static facts. Overall, students finished early and gained marks easily here. | |||
| CAT (Creative Ability Test) | 75% (Approx.) | Difficult | 1. Bird’s Eye View Drawing: visualize a scene from top view | CAT dominated the exam, with time pressure being the biggest challenge. |
| 2. Scenario Visualization: depict a real-world situation with storytelling details | Questions demanded clarity, neatness, proportion sense, and creativity, not just drawing ability. | |||
| 3. Object Transformation & Redesign: redesign or modify an object with purpose | Texture-based tasks and scene-creation were high-weight tasks. Students who pre-planned the composition scored well. | |||
| 4. Conceptual Sketching: express an idea visually with clarity | ||||
| 5. Creative Thinking Questions: unusual design problem-solving type prompts requiring imagination and functional thinking | ||||
| Overall | 100% | Lengthy but easy | Overall, the exam needed design awareness, problem-solving skills and time management skills the most. | - |
Sharpen the skills this section rewards with our NID drawing tips and tricks.
The question papers were different depending on the specializations chosen by candidates at the time of application. They were divided into CDAT (Common DAT) & DDAT (Discipline Specific DAT). The CDAT includes questions on GK, English Comprehension, 3D visualization, Logical Reasoning, Visual Reasoning, etc. While, the DDAT section includes design-based questions specific to each discipline. There are a total of 19 disciplines at NID.
For example: For a student who applied for Product Design at NID, faced questions like sketching perspective view of everyday objects, new concept-based design, sequential drawing of a product's design and so on.
| Section | Subject / Part | Total Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part I – Objective | General Knowledge & Design Awareness | 11 questions | Easy |
| Part I – Objective | Logical Reasoning / Visual & Spatial Ability | 8 questions | Easy to Moderate |
| Part II – Subjective | Design Aptitude / Drawing / Creative Tasks | 5 questions | Moderate but lengthy |
| Overall | - | 26 questions (100 marks total) |
Following is a direct comparison of question types and overall difficulty level of the NID DAT exam in comparatively recent years 2024, 2023 & 2022.
| Year | Difficulty Level | Section-wise Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Moderate | GAT: Very easy in quantitative, moderate in GK/awareness. |
| CAT/Drawing: Moderate, more creative prompts (e.g., sustainable fashion, conscious buying) | ||
| 2023 | Moderate | GAT: Moderate, with non-verbal reasoning and visual puzzles. |
| CAT: Tricky drawing and scenario-based questions. Time pressure high. | ||
| 2022 | Easy to Moderate | GAT: Easier numerical and reasoning |
| CAT: moderate, fewer full-scale scenario questions. More straightforward than later years. |
Must Read: NID DAT Counselling Process
The National Institute of Design (NID) Design Aptitude Test (DAT) 2024 was an essential milestone for candidates aspiring to pursue design courses at NID. The exam consisted of two main sections: Aptitude and Drawing.
The total marks allocated for Aptitude were 25, and for Drawing, it was 75. Here's a detailed analysis of the NID DAT 2024.
Overall Exam Difficulty and Structure
Specific Insights
Section-wise Exam Analysis Table for NID DAT 2024
| Section | Total Marks | Difficulty Level | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aptitude | 30 | Varies (Easy to Above Average) | General Knowledge, Reasoning, Sustainable Development, G20 Summit |
| Drawing | 70 | Moderate | Posture Drawing, Slow Fashion, Conscious Buying |
Check: Total no. of NID Seats in India
The NID exam analysis 2023 suggests that it had a moderate level of difficulty. Here are the key highlights of the exam:
NID DAT 2023 Exam Analysis – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Number of questions | 32 |
| Maximum marks allotted | 100 |
| Types of questions | MCQ + Subjective Type Drawing Questions |
| Number of questions in each section |
|
| Marks allotted in each section |
|
Know more: Mastering the NID Marking Scheme
As per the NID 2022 paper analysis, the overall difficulty level of the NID entrance exam was moderate.
The question paper had a total of 31 questions, out of which 27 were MCQs and 4 were NID CAT questions.
The NID exam was successfully concluded on 14 March 2021 at various centres across India.
GAT had 22 general aptitude questions of 40 marks in total, while CAT part had 5 NID sketching & problem-solving questions of 60 marks total.
NID Exam Analysis 2021: Question Asked in Drawing Section
In the drawing section, there were five questions based on perspective drawing, comic strips, poster making, story writing, and compositions.
The following were some of the NID Drawing Questions asked in last year's exam.
NID 2020 Exam was a complete creativity-based paper. There were 21 questions based on Aptitude, with the highest number of Logical Reasoning questions. And as per NID exam analysis 2020, there were 6 questions in CAT section (for a total of 70 marks).
Here is a basic overview of the exam:
Questions asked in the Logical Reasoning/Aptitude section
Questions Asked in Drawing Paper
There was no question about Color Theory mentioned. One had to judge the colour theory accordingly.
Know more: Short tricks to crack the NID interview on the first attempt
As per the analysis, the overall difficulty level of the exam was easy to moderate. The NID exam was conducted in two stages: Prelims and Mains.
The NID Prelims had objective and subjective questions, and the Mains exam had Studio Test and Personal Interview.
The creative aptitude section had a good mix of questions designed to test students' creativity skills.
The table below presents a pattern of questions asked in the B. Des Entrance Exam 2019.
The question paper had 22 objective questions and 6 subjective questions. The objective-type questions focused more on General Knowledge, and subjective-type questions focused more on Creativity Skills.
| Parameters | Objective Questions | Subjective Questions |
| Difficulty level | Easy to moderate | Moderate to Difficult |
| Focus | General Knowledge | Creativity Skills |
| Length of paper | Short Paper | Lengthy Paper |
NID Question Pattern 2019 (Prelims)
Have a look at the table below to learn the detailed NID Exam Analysis 2019 for the B. Des program.
| Question | Number of Questions | Marks per questions | Total Marks | Total Time |
| Objective Type | 1-22 | Question 1-14= 1 Mark Question, 15-22=2 marks | 30 Marks | 3hours |
| Subjective Type | 23-26 | Question 23= 15 marks ;Question 24=20 marks ;Question 25=15 marks; Question 26=20 marks | 70 marks |
Read more: Important points to remember before appearing for the NID exam
NID Questions Asked in Objective Type Paper (B.Des 2019)
The NID Questions were asked in the objective-type section for the B. Des program.
| 1 | A textile pattern was to be identified |
| 2 | Question regarding Transgender Symbol |
| 3 | The candidates needed to choose the odd one out from Cotton, Coir, Jute, and Wool |
| 4 | Choose the non-classical dance form between the options |
| 5 | Images of strokes like Caligraphy strokes and flat brush strokes were given, and the candidates were required to distinguish between them |
| 6 | The candidates were given to name the instrument that Annapurna plays |
| 7 | What was the navigation aid in ancient times? |
| 8 | Which animal is the design inspiration for the Japanese Bullet Train |
| 9 | Which is the highest Sports Award in India? |
| 10 | There were given names of a few Indian personalities, one of whom was not an artist |
| 11 | There was a graph-based question |
| 12 | Determine relationships based on patterns between siblings, sisters, boys, and girls |
| 13 | There was a shape-based question- Rotate the vase and identify the core of the shape |
| 14 | The mother and child together were 70kg, the father and child together were 90 kg, the father and mother were 120 kg and the combined weight of the family |
NID Questions Asked in Subjective Type Paper 2019
The questions asked in the NID DAT 2019 B. Des exam are given below in the table below for your reference.
| 1 | The candidates were asked to draw a stamp and colour it to commemorate the 160th birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi |
| 2 | A picture of a section of a room and a window was given. Assuming that the person was on a ladder and trying to look inside the room. The candidates were required to describe what they saw in the room. |
| 3 | The exam-appearing candidates were asked to draw a woman/man sitting on the table with a spoon, folk, and a plate in front of them |
| 4 | Candidates were asked to draw something that would represent that all glitters are not gold in a realistic manner |
| 5 | The candidates were asked to draw the front view of a picture of the side view Pictures of a dead old man and a dog barking towards a thief were given to the candidates |
| 6 | They were required to draw a fork, a spoon that was put together at the handle |
Know more: NID Study Plan 2024
NID Question Paper Analysis 2019 (Mains)
Here is the NID Exam Analysis for B.Des 2019.
| Question | Weightage | No. of Questions | Total | Total Time |
| Objective Type | 25 % | 12 | 30 Marks | 3hours |
| Subjective Type | 75 % | - | 70 marks |
Check: NID Exam Preparation Books
NID Questions Asked for Subjective Type (M.Des 2019)
Look at the table below to know the type of questions asked in the subjective paper for the M. Des program.
| 1 | The candidates were asked to imagine that they were going on a trek. Keeping that in the mind, they were asked to design a product that could be used to keep the bottle, shoe, phone, sandwich, and book. They were asked to explain the usage of the product (Product Design Question) |
| 2 | The candidates were told that the future Indians would vote through mobile phones. They were asked to identify three problems regarding this and suggest solutions through illustrations |
| 3 | They were also asked to draw five icons from the "UN Sustainable Goals for 2018" |
Check: NID Exam Day Instructions
The NID Prelims and Mains were conducted in English and consisted of both Objective and subjective questions.
The exam was conducted for 3 hours, and both the Prelims and Mains Paper consisted of 100 marks questions.
Given below is the Exam Analysis for NID 2018.
| Question Type | Weightage | Difficulty Level | Total Marks | Total Time |
| Objective | 25 % | Easy to Moderate | 30 | 3hours |
| Subjective | 75 % | Moderate to Difficult | 70 |
Refer: NID Interview Questions with Answers
Topics covered in NID Question Paper 2018
Following are some of the topics from which the NID Questions were asked in the 2018 exam.
Read more: NID DAT Counselling 2024
The NID Exam 2017 took place in 22 centres. There was a slight change in the Question pattern in previous years. Aspirants were tested and selected based on the following parameters:
The below table represents the Exam Analysis of NID 2017.
| Question Type | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Total Marks | Total Time |
| Objective | 88 | Moderate | 30 | 3hours |
| Subjective | 3 | Moderate to Difficult | 70 |
Check: NID Cut off Marks
The NID 2026 Exam (B.Des & M.Des) has redefined what it means to prepare for one of the most prestigious design entrance exams - NID DAT. This was not a memory based or formula-driven test, it was a true design thinking evaluation.
If you are preparing for future NID attempts, the NID 2026 question paper sends one clear message:
'Design is not about drawing well. It's about thinking clearly and communicating creatively.'
The NID Exam Analysis in this article includes a detailed overview of the exam structure, NID exam syllabus, topics covered, question types, time allotted, marking scheme and recommended NID preparation strategies. It also provides insights into the exam pattern and the types of questions asked in the exam, helping you prioritize the type of questions and NID important topics.
Preparing for NID 2027? We can help you with exact strategic roadmap, study material and crucial feedback required to ace this exam.
Join CreativEdge, India’s leading NID online coaching and get expert guidance on all NID 2027 subjects.
You can enroll in offline NID batches at your nearest centres also!
Frequently Asked Questions
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