April 8, 2026
Quick Answer: The NID Exam Dates 2027 include expected timeline for the 2 admission stages of the entrance exam - NID DAT Prelims (December 2026 to January 2027), followed by NID DAT Mains around April-May 2027. Results and further admission stages are announced after each round on the official NID website.
Candidates preparing for the NID 2026 exam should track important dates such as registration, admit card release, exam dates, and result announcements.
If you are also planning to apply, here’s everything you need on NID 2027 exam dates (stage-wise). 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.
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.
While DAT Prelims acts as a qualifier round for DAT Mains and Mains scores have 100% weightage in final results (since 2026).
| 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
No, the NID exam is not conducted twice a year. The NID DAT exam is conducted once annually by the National Institute of Design for admission to B.Des and M.Des programs. The exam takes place in two stages, NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains, but both stages are part of the same admission cycle, not separate attempts.
The NID Exam Dates 2026 admission process is currently ongoing. Candidates who qualified for NID DAT Prelims 2026 must track upcoming stages including NID DAT Mains, Studio Test, interview, counselling, and seat allotment, as these determine final admission.
|
Event |
NID 2026 Exam Dates |
|
NID DAT Prelims 2026 |
December 2025 (Completed) |
|
NID DAT Prelims Result 2026 |
M.Des- 12 Febrauray 2026 (Declared) B.Des - April 2, 2026 (Declared) |
|
NID DAT Mains 2026 (B.Des - Studio Test / In-Person Sensitivity Test M.Des: Interview / Portfolio Round) |
April-May 2026 (Ongoing) |
|
Final Result Declaration |
May-June 2026 (Expected) |
|
June-July 2026 (Expected) |
|
|
Seat Allotment |
June-July 2026 (Expected) |
Candidates should regularly check updates related to NID exam dates to stay informed about the remaining admission process.
The NID Exam Dates 2027 are expected to follow a similar timeline as previous years. Students planning to appear for the NID 2027 exam should track the expected timeline below.
|
Event |
NID 2027 Exam Dates (Expected) |
|
NID 2027 Registration Start Date |
September 2026 |
|
Last Date to Apply |
November 2026 |
|
Admit Card Release |
7-10 Days before the exam |
|
NID DAT Prelims 2027 |
December 2026 / January 2027 |
|
NID DAT Prelims Result 2027 |
February-March 2027 |
|
NID DAT Mains 2027 |
April-May 2027 |
|
Final Result Declaration |
May-June 2027 |
|
Counselling & Seat Allotment |
June-July 2027 |
Students preparing for NID 2027 should begin early preparation and track NID exam dates regularly to stay ahead.
Check: NID DAT Previous Years Exam Analysis
| Application for NID 2027 Exam Dates | Dates (Tentative) |
| Start date to fill out the NID application form | September 2026 |
| Last date to submit the application form | November End or December Beginning 2026 |
| Application correction window |
December 2026 |
✅ 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:
|
Steps |
Particulars |
Process |
|
Step 1 |
Create student account on NID admissions portal |
Create an account (Sign up) on the NID admissions page. |
|
Step 2 |
Fill application form |
Complete the online application form: personal details, educational details, and programme choices (B.Des or M.Des). |
|
Step 3 |
Upload documents |
Upload required documents (photograph, signature, educational certificates) in prescribed formats. |
|
Step 4 |
Pay application fees |
Pay the application fee online (the portal displays the fee; follow payment instructions). |
|
Step 5 |
Print confirmation receipt |
Save/print the confirmation and take note of application ID for future communication. |
Important:
✅ NID Application Fees:
Application Fees for Academic Year 2027-28 are expected to remain similar to last year:
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.
Check: Short tricks to crack the NID exam on the first attempt
The National Institute of Design entrance exam consists of two stages: a written paper (NID DAT Prelims), a studio test + interview round (NID DAT Mains). Only the candidates who successfully complete the application process can download their NID admit card.
| Events | Dates (Tentative) |
| NID DAT Prelims Admit Card Release Date (B.Des & M.Des) | December 2026 |
| Release of NID Admit Card for Mains Exam (B.Des) | April-May 2027 |
| Release of NID Admit Card for Mains Exam (M.Des) | February 2027 |
The admit card includes details like candidate's name, roll number, exam centre details, timing, and exam guidelines / instructions.
The exam is expected to follow a similar schedule as previous years. Students aiming for NID DAT 2027 exam should start preparation early and stay updated with NID exam dates to ensure a smooth application & admission process.
NOTE: Since 2026, DAT Prelims have 0% weightage in the final result. It will be considered as a qualifier-only stage for DAT Mains.
| Events | Dates |
| NID DAT Prelims Exam Date | December 2026 to January 2027 |
| NID DAT Mains Exam Date |
M.Des: March - April 2027 B.Des: May 2027 |
As per the NID Exam Pattern, prelims question paper 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.
The National Institute of Design will declare the results of the entrance test after a month after the examination. First, Prelims results are announced, declaring shortlisted candidates for Stage 2, i.e. DAT Mains.
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 (Tentative) |
| NID DAT Prelims Result Date |
B.Des: April 2027 M.Des: February 2027 |
| NID DAT Mains Result Date |
B.Des: May, 2027 M.Des: February-March 2027 |
The NID counselling 2027 and seat allotment process will begin after the declaration of final results as per the NID exam dates 2027.
Candidates who qualify in NID DAT Mains will be invited to participate in the NID counselling process, where they must fill preferences, upload documents like category & id proof, 10th/12th marksheets, etc., and confirm admission.
Tracking NID exam dates for counselling and seat allotment is crucial, as missing deadlines may lead to loss of admission.
| Particulars | NID Exam Date (Tentative) |
| Window for submission of Campus Preference | May, 2027 |
| Seat Allotment, Payment of Token Fees and Uploading of documents |
M.Des: May, 2027 B.Des: May, 2027 |
| Provisional offer letter |
M.Des: May, 2027 B.Des: June, 2027 |
| Payment of remaining fees | June, 2027 |
| Subsequent rounds of seat allotment, along with the payment of full fees | June 2027 |
| Physical verification of documents at the respective NIDs | To be announced later by the respective NIDs |
Check: NID Admission Process
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:
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.
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
Exam Component |
DAT Prelims |
DAT Mains | |
| Studio Test | Personal Interview | ||
| Weightage | 0% | 40% | 60% |
The NID DAT syllabus emphasizes design aptitude, observational skills, creativity and basic visual communication. Main themes include:
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
Preparing for the NID 2027 exam requires a structured strategy aligned with the NID exam dates and admission timeline.
You should focus on building creativity, sketching skills, observation, and problem-solving ability early for DAT Prelims and material handling, prototyping, creative thinking, audio-visual interpretation & presentation skills for DAT Mains.
Starting preparation well before the NID exam dates 2027 gives aspirants enough time to practice drawing, improve design thinking, and attempt mock tests.
To prepare effectively for NID 2027, candidates should:
Planning preparation according to the NID exam dates helps candidates stay consistent and cover the syllabus effectively before the exam.
Read more: How is Life at NID
Aspirants are eagerly waiting for the announcement of the NID 2027 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!
Keep checking this page for up-to-date information on the NID 2027 Exam date and other important updates.
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 subjects. Or you can enroll in our offline NID batches at your nearest centres also!
Frequently Asked Questions
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