December 1, 2025
Overview: Struggling with the GK section of NID GAT 2026? This guide covers the most frequently asked NID GK questions, prep tips and expert resources to help you. Preparing right for GK can easily result in higher overall score in the exam. Whether it's current affairs or design awareness, this article will equip you with smart prep tools to crack the GK questions for design entrance exam like NID.
When aspirants think about cracking NID entrance exam 2026, first thing they focus on is perfecting drawing/sketching, design thinking and visual problem-solving. The next in line is verbal, non-verbal reasoning and then quantitative aptitude.
Sure these are key to succeed in NID, but here’s a little-known fact- a solid grip on GK can significantly boost your overall NID result.
That's because GK is a direct scoring game, no formulas, no concepts, only facts. Even a few correctly answered GK questions can be a rank-breaker for you.
That being said, keeping informed and preparing well for GK asked in design exams, you not only ensure an edge over your competitors but also save time that can be allocated for other, more challenging sections of the exam.
In this blog we'll dive deep into NID GK questions. We'll explore frequently asked topics, past NID GK questions with answers pdf, weightage of GK in NID exam, preparation strategies and bonus tips that no one talks about.
Whether you're preparing for B.Des or M.Des, this complete guide on GK for NID is sure to help you.
Following are topic-wise sample GK questions asked in NID exam, so you get a clear idea of the type of GK you need to read about for the 2026 exam.
1. Current Affairs
Q. Who won the J.C. Daniel Award 2024, Kerala’s highest film award, for lifetime contribution to cinema?
A. Adoor Gopalakrishnan
B. G. Aravindan
C. Shaji N. Karun
D. Bharathan
Ans - C
Explanation: The 2024 JC Daniel Award was presented to filmmaker Shaji N. Karun for his lifetime achievements in Malayalam cinema. The award, which is the highest honour in the field, was announced in December 2024 and includes a cash prize of ₹ 5,00,000, a citation, and a statuette.
2. Design Awareness (Design GK Questions)
Which of the following sets of colors represents an analogous color scheme?
A. Red, Green, Blue
B. Blue, Green, Yellow
C. Red, Orange, Yellow
D. Purple, Red, Green
Ans - D
Explanation: Analogous colors are those that are next to each other on the color wheel, creating a harmonious blend. In option D, purple, red, and green are adjacent on the color wheel, making them an analogous color scheme.
Why other options are incorrect:
3. Visual GK
Q. Identify this logo. Which design principle does it strongly represent?

A. Symmetry
B. Minimalism
C. Ornamental Design
D. Skeuomorphism
Ans: B
Explanation: The main design principle behind the Apple logo is simplicity and minimalism, which was influenced by Steve Jobs' appreciation for stark aesthetics and Zen Buddhism. Other principles include scalability and versatility to ensure the logo is easily recognizable and reproducible across all products and platforms. The logo also uses the bite mark as a key element for scale and to represent the word "byte," while the apple itself symbolizes knowledge and innovation.
4. Art & Culture
Q. The Ajanta Caves, known for ancient Buddhist paintings, are located in which state?
A. Karnataka
B. Maharashtra
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Rajasthan
Ans - B
Explanation: The Ajanta Caves are located in the state of Maharashtra, India. They are a series of rock-cut Buddhist monuments situated near Aurangabad, a city in Maharashtra.
5. Design History
Q. The phrase “Form follows function” is associated with which design movement?
A. Bauhaus
B. Art Deco
C. Art Nouveau
D. Postmodernism
Ans - A
Explanation: Bauhaus School of Design by Walter Gropius followed this ideology of “form follows function”. They have given importance to the process of achieving simpler forms, clean lines, rationality, and functionality of the design.
6. Eco-friendly Innovation
Q. Which of the following is considered an example of sustainable product design?
A. Single-use plastic straws
B. Bamboo toothbrushes
C. Non-recyclable glass bottles
D. Styrofoam cups
Ans - B
Explanation: Bamboo is a renewable resource that grows quickly, requires minimal water, and can be harvested without significantly harming the plant, making it a sustainable choice for toothbrush production. Bamboo toothbrushes are also biodegradable, unlike plastic toothbrushes, which contribute to plastic pollution.
7. Awards & Recognition
Q. Who received the Padma Bhushan 2023 in the field of Art for contribution to Indian design and architecture?
A. Balkrishna Doshi
B. Ritu Kumar
C. Gita Mehta
D. Paresh Maity
Ans - A
Explanation: B. V. Doshi received the Padma Vibhushan in 2023 posthumously for his significant contributions to Indian design and architecture. He was a celebrated architect, known for his modernist and brutalist work, and had been awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2020 and the Padma Shri earlier in his career.
8. Architecture Landmark
Q. The Lotus Temple in New Delhi is built primarily from:
A. White Marble
B. Sandstone
C. Granite
D. Concrete
Ans - A
Explanation: The exterior of the Lotus Temple is clad in white marble panels, with the concrete structure beneath.
9. Visual GK (Observation)
Q. Which color combination is used in the Google logo?
A. Red, Yellow, Blue, Green
B. Red, Orange, Blue, Black
C. Yellow, Green, Black, Blue
D. Red, Blue, Purple, Green
Ans - A
Explanation: The Google logo uses a color combination of blue, red, yellow, and green. These colors are arranged in a way that gives the logo a simple, yet recognizable and playful appearance
10. General Awareness
Demography is the statistical study of which of the following?
A. Population
B. Census
C. Family
D. People
Ans - A
Explanation: Demography is the statistical study of human populations, focusing on their size, structure, and distribution. It examines changes over time and space, primarily due to birth rates, death rates, and migration.
Over the past five NID DAT Prelims, General Knowledge (GK) has consistently carried 30-40% weightage in the GAT (General Ability Test) section. However, the type of GK questions and their topic distribution have evolved noticeably. Here’s a trend-based overview based on past-year papers and analysis by experts:
|
Year |
GK Weightage |
Question Specifics |
|
2025 |
11 out of 19 questions in GAT |
|
|
2024 |
10 out of 19 questions in GAT |
|
|
2023 |
11 out of 28 questions in GAT |
|
|
2022 |
11 out of 27 questions in GAT |
|
|
2021 |
10 out of 22 questions in GAT |
|
Although NID entrance exam 2026 does not release any official outline of the exact type of design GK questions they ask in their entrance test, we can get an idea of the subjects/topics to cover while preparing, by analysing the past year NID GK questions and trends thoroughly. Refer the table below to get an overview of the NID GK Syllabus and most probable topics to cover, prepared by our in-house NID experts.
|
S.No |
Subject Topics |
Specifics |
|
1. |
Current affairs |
- New innovations in product design, fashion/art meets - Global Events, International Relations, Political Developments |
|
2. |
Socio-Cultural Matters |
Paintings, Music, Dance, Musicians, and Instruments |
|
3. |
Types of Design and Design Processes |
Characteristics of different styles, design principles, and use cases |
|
4. |
Indian Crafts, Textiles, and Embroideries |
Famous art forms, textiles, and embroideries of different states, architectural landmarks |
|
5. |
Architectural Marvels of the World and Architecture Styles |
Different architectural styles and popular monuments adopting those styles |
|
6. |
World Heritage Sites |
Structure, Location, Significance, Architectural Style |
|
7. |
Art Movements and Art History |
Art philosophies of different eras and regions, elements of design, famous masterpieces, and their creators. |
|
8. |
Famous Designers, Artists, Architects, Movie Directors, and Business Personalities |
Notable personalities in these fields, their works/studios, etc. |
|
9. |
Brands and Logos |
Taglines, Ambassadors, Logos, Logo Designers |
|
10. |
Awards and Recognitions |
Grammys, Oscars, Peace Prize, Nobel Prizes |
|
11. |
Sports |
Events, famous Athletes, Trophies, Governing Organizations, and winners of tournaments in the past 3 months. |
|
12. |
Books and Authors |
Autobiographies and works of veteran authors |
|
13. |
Science and Technology |
Concepts of Physics, Measurement Units, Chemical Formulas, and Uses |
|
14. |
Basic Civics & World Geography |
- Democratic rights & duties, governing bodies, government policies, welfare schemes/acts - Major Rivers/Dams of India, Capitals, Currencies, GI Tags, State Borders, Earth’s Grid System |
|
15. |
Discipline Specific GK (for M.Des) |
Product Design: Industrial innovations, sustainable materials Animation: History of animation, tools, famous studios Textile: Weaves, textile design pioneers, GI tags |
Also Check: NID Aptitude Test Syllabus 2026: Download Section-wise Important Topics
While creativity is undoubtedly the heart and soul of NID exam and infact any exam to enter and carve a career in the world of design, awareness about the field is no less important.
That's why the NID GAT section evaluates your knowledge about the world around you, along with logical reasoning, language skills and math.
Here's a quick overview of the NID GK questions section:
Which means that neglecting GK could cost you as much as half the total marks in GAT section, as NID's paper pattern & total number of questions asked might change year on year.
Here are a few types you should expect:
|
Type of Question |
Example |
Why Its Asked |
|
Logo Identification |
Which brand does this logo belong to? |
Tests observation & memory |
|
Identify Indian Art or Craft and GI Tags |
Which art style is shown in the image below? (Options: Madhubani, Gond…) |
Checks traditional + current relevance |
|
Architecture or Landmark Recognition |
Identify the monument/structure in this image. |
To assess ability to connect design with historical & spatial context. |
|
Textile and Weaving Patterns |
Which Indian weaving style is this? |
Core part of design |
|
Design Movements or Product Styles |
Which design era does this product belong to? (Bauhaus, Art Deco...) |
Measures cultural knowledge |
|
Famous Designer Works (Visual Prompt) |
Who designed this iconic chair/logo/gown? |
Design centric exam |
|
Awards & Recognition |
Who received a Padmashri for contributions in traditional handloom weaving? |
Tests awareness of impact & relevance |
|
Eco friendly Innovations |
Which is an example of eco-friendly innovation in product design? |
Aligns with modern design thinking |
|
Product/Innovation and recent design news |
This product was awarded a Red Dot award in which category? |
Keeps questions fresh and updated |
Students often underestimate GK because they don’t know where to begin. Here's a streamlined strategy:
1. Make Design Your News Filter
Instead of reading everything, follow only NID focused content.
2. Maintain a GK Logbook
Write down key facts weekly: one designer, one award, one Indian craft, and one innovation.
3. Solve Past Year Question Papers
The best insight comes from NID GAT past year papers. You’ll see what kind of questions repeat.
4. Practice Visual GK Regularly
Identify logos, artworks, monuments, fabrics, painting styles. NID entrance exam often asks GK visually.
5. Create a Monthly GK Tracker
Have a 4-week cycle that covers designers, awards, brands, innovations.
Check Out: NID DAT 2025 Exam Analysis
|
Week |
Focus Areas |
Daily Time |
Examples |
|
Week 1 |
Indian Designers, Famous Brands & Logos |
20–30 mins |
Learn about Sabyasachi, Airbnb logo meaning, etc. |
|
Week 2 |
Indian Art Forms, Traditional Crafts, GI Tags |
20–30 mins |
Madhubani, Pattachitra, Kanjeevaram saree |
|
Week 3 |
Design Awards, Architecture, Global Innovations |
20–30 mins |
Red Dot Awards, Le Corbusier buildings |
|
Week 4 |
Current Affairs in Design, Visual GK Practice |
20–30 mins |
India Design ID events, logo flashcards |
Repeat this cycle each month, updating your notes and flashcards along the way. By exam time, you’ll have covered the most relevant topics 3–4 times for better recall.
Here are the Best Resources to Practice NID GK Section, especially curated to boost your NID GAT scores:
Get access to full-length and section-wise NID GAT mock tests that are closest to the real exam.
These mocks include a wide range of frequently asked GK questions important for design entrance exams, both static and current affairs, helping you assess your knowledge, improve speed, and get exam-ready.
Watch insightful videos that explain tricky GK concepts, discusses past year questions, and important design-related general knowledge through engaging audio visual format.
Explore dedicated NID preparation books that include, previous year & sample questions on NID GK with answers and detailed explanations.
These books are curated by NID experts and cover high-yield topics including design, awards, innovations, architecture, and culture.
Stay updated with daily, weekly and monthly current affairs for design exam aspirants.
Focus is given to design, innovation, sustainable development, awards, and important events- helping you target the most relevant topics for your GK preparation.
Design awareness is one of the most critical aspect to focus on when it comes to GK for NID if you want to crack the NID DAT exam.
By focusing on the right topics, using smart preparation strategies, and staying consistent with design world updates, you can easily tackle NID GK questions with confidence.
The best part? You don’t need to memorize facts endlessly, just connect knowledge to creativity.
Want to boost your NID prep instantly?
Attempt FREE NID Mock Tests by CreativEdge today!
Once done, don’t forget to drop your scores in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GK compulsory for NID exam?

What is the GK syllabus for NID GAT?

How to prepare for GK for NID?

How many GK questions come in NID exam?

Best website for NID GK preparation?

Are current affairs also asked in NID?

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