NID Exam Date 2026: Check Last Dates for Application and More

Overview: The NID DAT Prelims for the academic year 2026 is about to take place on 21 December 2025, and the NID DAT Mains will likely be held in April-May 2026. While the NID exam date has recently been announced, keep an eye on this page for regular updates.

The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually to provide admission to UG and PG programs in the Design category. NID recently published the NID Exam Date 2026 and the official NID application form on 11th September 2025. 

If you are also planning to apply for the National Institute of Design (NID), here’s everything you need on NID exam dates for the 2026 intake. Get insights on official registration deadlines, DAT (Design Aptitude Test) Prelims schedule, admit-card timelines, correction window, plus quick notes on the exam pattern and syllabus so you can plan preparation effectively. The key dates below are taken from the official NID admissions page and corroborated by leading education outlets.

Continue reading for more info on the NID Entrance Exam dates for 2026 and more info on the exam.

Unlock the Ultimate Study Material Pack for NID 2026 by CreativeEdge

Understanding the NID Entrance Exam

The NID entrance exam, officially known as the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT), is conducted in two stages: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The DAT Prelims is a written test, while DAT Mains comprises a studio test and personal interview. Both stages are crucial for determining the final selection of candidates.

Particulars	NID Entrance Exam Details
Exam Name	NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT)
Conducting Body	NID (National Institute of Design)
Exam Frequency	Once a year
Exam Purpose	Admission to Design courses offered by top NID colleges in India and some private colleges
Courses Offered	B.Des, M.Des
Exam Duration	3 hours
Official Website	https://admissions.nid.edu

Check: NID Eligibility Criteria 2026 (B.Des & M.Des ): Age Limit & Educational Requirements

Explore the Only NID Booklist You'll Ever Need

Important NID Exam Date 2026

1) NID Application Form Dates 2026 :Official Registration & Application Details (How to Apply)

Application for NID 2026 Exam Dates	Dates
Start date to fill out the NID application form	September 11, 2025
Last date to submit the application form	December 1, 2025
Application correction window	4 pm Tuesday, 02 December 2025 to 11:59 pm (midnight) Thursday, 04 December 2025

Where to apply: All applications are processed only through the NID admissions portal: admissions.nid.edu. 

Basic steps to register and apply (quick): The process for applying for the NID exam consists of five steps: 

1. Create an account (Sign up) on the NID admissions page. 
2. Complete the online application form: personal details, educational details, and programme choices (B.Des or M.Des). 
3. Upload required documents (photograph, signature, educational certificates) in prescribed formats. 
4. Pay the application fee online (the portal displays the fee; follow payment instructions). 
5. Save/print the confirmation and take note of application ID for future communication. 

Important:

• Submitting an application doesn’t guarantee eligibility. It ensure you meet the educational and age criteria specified in the official notification. 
• You must have completed the final examination of 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board (AISSE/ ICSE/ CBSE) to fill out the NID Online Registration Form 2026.
• You can only fill out the application form online through the official website. 

NID Application Fees:

Application Fees for Academic Year 2026-27 are as under:

a) Indian National

Applicants	Application Fees
General, Gen-EWS, OBC-NCL	Rs.3000/-
Female Candidates (except SC, ST& PwD)	Rs.2000/-
SC & ST Candidates	Rs.1500/-
PwD Candidates	Rs.500/-

Applicants	Application Fees
Third Gender	Rs.500/-

b) All Overseas Candidates

Applicants	Application Fees
Overseas (Supernumerary) Candidates	US$ 125*

* The equivalent amount in Rupees of US$ rounded off to higher Rs.100 at the time of announcement of admissions.

Download Most Important NID Logical Reasoning Questions PDF

2) Admit Card for NID Exam Date 2026

The National Institute of Design entrance exam consists of two stages: a written paper (NID DAT Prelims), a studio test, and an interview round (NID DAT Mains). 

• The NID Admit Card is released separately for prelims and main examinations.
• You can download the admit card from the official website only through online mode.
• Your Email ID and date of birth are required to download the call letter. 

Events	Dates
NID DAT Prelims Admit Card Release Date (B.Des & M.Des)	4 pm Thursday, 11 December 2025
Release of NID Admit Card for Mains Exam (B.Des)	April-May 2026 (Tentative)
Release of NID Admit Card for Mains Exam (M.Des)	February 2026 (Tentative)

NID Exam Date 2026

Per the NID Exam Pattern, prelims and main exam question papers will have two sections: Section A (MCQ type) and Section B (subjective).

Both exams are conducted for 100 marks, and each exam lasts 3 hours.

Events	Dates
NID DAT Prelims Exam Date	December 21, 2025
NID DAT Mains Exam Date	M.Des: March - April 2026  (Tentative) B.Des: May 2026  (Tentative)

Check: Short tricks to crack the NID exam on the first attempt

3) NID Result Dates 2026

The National Institute of Design will declare the results of the entrance test after a month after the examination.

NID DAT Results are published in the form of a scorecard on the official website. You can check the results by using your registration number and password.

Events	Dates
NID DAT Prelims Result Date	B.Des: 4 pm. Tuesday, 07 April 2026 M.Des: 4 pm. Tuesday, 17 February 2026
NID DAT Mains Result Date	B.Des: May, 2026 (Tentative) M.Des: February-March 2026 (Tentative)

4) Other Important NID entrance exam Dates for NID Exam 2026

Other NID 2026 Exam dates to be noted are as follows - 

Particulars	NID Exam Date (Tentative)
Window for submission of Campus Preference	May, 2026
Seat Allotment, Payment of Token Fees and Uploading of documents	M.Des: May, 2026 B.Des: May, 2026
Provisional offer letter	M.Des: May, 2026 B.Des: June, 2026
Payment of remaining fees	June, 2026
Subsequent rounds of seat allotment, along with the payment of full fees	June 2026
Physical verification of documents at the respective NIDs	To be announced later by the respective NIDs

Check: NID Admission Process

How to Check the NID DAT Result 2026

The NID DAT results for the B. Des and M. Des programs will be released after the 2026 NID exam gets over, tentatively around May 2026 for B.Des and around March 2026 for M.Des.

Results can be viewed online by simply clicking on the official portal and logging in with one's login information. The procedure is outlined in detail below.

Follow the steps below to check the final results:

• Visit the official website and locate the NID DAT result link.
• Enter your email address and birth date.
• Click the Submit button.
• Download the NID Entrance Exam Score Report.

It should be noted that the final results for both the B.Des and M.Des courses will be prepared by weighing the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains, and candidates should keep an eye on the NID exam date to ensure they are well-prepared for both stages of the examination.

Weightage for the NID DAT results 2026 - B. Des Program

The weightage performed by the two test parts is shown in the following tables.

Exam Component	DAT Prelims	DAT Mains
Weightage	0%	100%

Check: Important GAT Questions with solutions for the NID exam

Weightage for the NID DAT results 2026 - M. Des Program

Exam Component	DAT Prelims	DAT Mains
		Studio Test	Personal Interview
Weightage	0%	40%	60%

NID Exam Syllabus 2026 - What to Expect

The NID DAT syllabus emphasizes design aptitude, observational skills, creativity and basic visual communication. Main themes include:

• Visualization and spatial ability
• Creativity and problem solving (ideation)
• Observation and design sensitivity (identify design problems & solutions)
• Drawing, composition, perspective and rendering skills
• Basic general knowledge of design, materials and processes

For the detailed, subject-wise syllabus and any changes specific to the 2026 cycle, check NID syllabus 2026 or visit official NID website http://admissions.nid.edu/

Check: NID 2026 Syllabus

Get Your Hands On Real Past Year NID GK Questions with Answers

NID Exam Preparation Tips & Timeline (If You’re Applying for 2026)

If you are applying for the 2026 intake and the prelims are on 21 December 2025, here are two short timelines depending on how much preparation time you have:

If you have 1-2 months before Prelims:

Focus: Sketching speed, composition, visualization drills, and timed past-paper practice.

Practice: 1 full-length practice Prelims paper every 5-7 days; daily 30-60 minutes drawing practice.

Revision: Revise in last 10 days. Go through fundamentals, prepare portfolio/works if required for mains. 

If you have under 1 month:

Prioritise: Past NID DAT question papers, fast sketch drills, and mock studio tasks.

Time management: Split practice into 60-90 minute daily focused sessions (visualization + sketching).

Logistics: Ensure documents and application submission are completed at least 3-4 days before the deadline.

Conclusion

Aspirants are eagerly waiting for the announcement of the NID 2026 exam dates. For many aspirants, it's not just a date on a calendar but a beacon guiding their NID preparation and aspirations.

Staying informed about the NID entrance exam dates is crucial for timely and effective preparation. Mark your calendars with the key dates and plan your study schedule accordingly. Remember, consistency and dedication are key to cracking the NID entrance exam. Good luck with your preparation, and may you achieve your dream of becoming a part of the prestigious NID community!

As you embark on this journey towards admission into one of the most esteemed design institutions, staying informed and preparing well are crucial. Keep checking this page for up-to-date information on the NID 2026 Exam date and other important updates. 

Read more: How is Life at NID

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