NID DAT 2026 Overview

NID DAT 2026 dates are yet to be announced. Registration for NID DAT 2026 is expected to begin in the first week of September 2025.

NID grants admission to design courses based on two stages of Design Aptitude Tests: Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims and Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Mains. The National Institute of Design (NID) encompasses five faculty streams and offers 20 diverse design domains.

• NID DAT 2026 prelims are expected to be conducted in the first week of January 2026.
• NID DAT 2026 main examination is expected to be conducted in the last week of April to the first week of May 2026.
• For admission to BDes courses, candidates must have completed class 12th from any recognized board in any stream.
• For NID DAT 2026 MDes admissions, aspirants must have completed at least a 3-year bachelor's degree.

To apply for NID DAT 2026, aspirants must log on to the official website of NID DAT 2026 at admissions.nid.edu. Once the NID DAT 2026 results are released, eligible students can participate in the NID DAT 2026 counselling process, where candidates are allotted BDes and MDes seats. Students selected for admission must get their NID DAT 2026 offer letter and pay the required fee to claim their NID DAT seats 2026.

NID DAT 2026 Admission Highlights

The NID DAT Campus provides eight different specializations for the Bachelor of Design (B. Des) program and also offers a Graduate Diploma Programme in Design (GDPD) for 4 years.

The Master of Designing (M.Des) program offers 18 different specializations, and the duration for these PG courses is two and a half years. The Ph.D. programmes are in two modes: full-time and part-time formats. The full-time is for 3 years.

NID DAT Important Dates 2026

NID DAT 2026 dates are yet to be announced. The expected dates are listed below.

NID DAT Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for NID DAT 2026 depends on the course applied for. The requirements for BDes and MDes are different.

NID DAT BDes Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have completed class 12th from any recognized board in any stream. There is no specific stream requirement for BDes admission.

NID DAT MDes Eligibility Criteria

Aspirants must have completed at least a 3-year bachelor's degree. This is the minimum qualification required for MDes admissions.

NID DAT Registration

Registration for NID DAT 2026 is expected to begin in the first week of September 2025. Candidates must apply online through the official website at admissions.nid.edu.

The registration process involves the following steps:

1. Step 1: Sign up or register
2. Step 2: Fill out the NID DAT Application
3. Step 3: Upload the Required Documents
4. Step 4: Pay NID DAT Application Fee

NID DAT Application Fee 2026

The application fee details for NID DAT 2026 are part of the registration process. Candidates must pay the fee in Step 4 of the application process.

NID DAT Exam Pattern

NID DAT is conducted in two stages: Prelims and Mains. The exam pattern covers both stages of the Design Aptitude Test.

NID DAT Admit Card

NID DAT 2026 admit cards for prelims are expected to be released in the last week of December 2025. Admit cards for NID DAT Mains are expected in the 2nd week of April 2026.

NID DAT Syllabus 2026

The syllabus for NID DAT 2026 is divided by course and stage of examination. Separate syllabi are available for BDes and MDes.

NID DAT 2026 Syllabus for B.Des Prelims

The BDes prelims syllabus covers the subjects tested in the first stage of the Design Aptitude Test for Bachelor of Design applicants.

NID DAT Syllabus 2026 for Studio Test

The Studio Test is part of the NID DAT Mains stage. The syllabus for this stage is separate from the prelims syllabus.

NID DAT 2026 Syllabus for B. Mes Prelims

A separate syllabus is available for the B. Mes prelims examination. Candidates should refer to the specific syllabus for their course.

NID DAT 2026 Mains Syllabus for M.Des

The MDes mains syllabus is specific to the Master of Designing program. It covers the topics tested in the second stage of the exam for MDes applicants.

NID DAT 2026 Best Books

Recommended books for NID DAT 2026 preparation are listed in the full syllabus and preparation material. Candidates should refer to standard design aptitude preparation books.

NID DAT Result 2026

NID DAT 2026 results are released after each stage of the examination. Once results are released, eligible students can participate in the counselling process.

NID DAT 2026 Admission

Admission to NID DAT 2026 is based on the candidate's performance in the Design Aptitude Tests. Seats are allotted through the counselling process for both BDes and MDes programs.

NID DAT 2026 - B.Des Admission

BDes admission is based on the candidate's performance in NID DAT Prelims and Mains. Selected candidates receive offer letters and must pay the required fee to claim their seats.

NID DAT 2025: M.Des. Admission

MDes admission follows the same process as BDes. Candidates must clear both stages of the exam and participate in counselling for seat allotment.

NID DAT 2026 - Selection Criteria

Selection for NID DAT 2026 is based on the candidate's performance in the two stages of Design Aptitude Tests. Candidates must qualify in the prelims to appear for the mains.

NID DAT Prelims Qualifying Marks 2025

Qualifying marks for NID DAT prelims are set for each course. The expected cutoffs for 2026 are listed below.

Expected NID DAT B.Des Cutoff 2026

The expected BDes cutoff for NID DAT 2026 is based on previous years' trends. Candidates should aim to score above the expected cutoff to qualify for the mains.

Expected NID DAT M.Des Cutoff 2026

The expected MDes cutoff for NID DAT 2026 is also based on previous years' trends. The cutoff varies by specialization.

NID DAT Previous Years' Cut Off

Previous years' cutoffs provide a reference for expected qualifying marks. The cutoffs for 2024 and 2023 are listed below.

NID DAT 2024 Cut Off

The NID DAT 2024 cutoff scores are available for reference. These scores indicate the minimum marks required for admission in that year.

NID DAT 2023 Cut Off Scores

The NID DAT 2023 cutoff scores are also available for reference. Candidates can use these to estimate the expected cutoff for 2026.

NID DAT 2025 Seat Capacity

Seat capacity for NID DAT 2025 is distributed across the BDes and MDes programs. The exact seat matrix is released by the institute.

NID DAT 2026 - PhD Admission

NID DAT 2026 Admission Highlights

The National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad conducts the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) for admission. The institute is autonomous and admission is entrance-based.

NID DAT Important Dates

NID DAT 2026 dates are yet to be announced. The table below shows tentative dates based on previous years.

NID DAT Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria for NID DAT 2026 differ for each course. The requirements for BDes and MDes are listed below.

NID DAT BDes Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the qualification and age requirements for NID DAT BDes admission 2026.

• Students must be born on or after 1 July 2005 (1 July 2001) to be eligible for NID DAT 2026.
• Students must have completed class 12th from any recognized board in any stream for admission to BDes through NID DAT 2026.

NID DAT MDes Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the qualification and age requirements for NID DAT MDes admission 2026.

• The candidate must possess a bachelor's degree of a minimum 4-year duration in any specialization after passing the 12th standard or equivalent to the 12th standard.
• The candidate must possess a bachelor's degree of a minimum 3-year duration in any specialization after passing the 12th standard or equivalent to the 12th standard.
• The candidate must have a full-time diploma in Design/Fine Arts/Applied Arts/Architecture of a minimum 4-year duration, which should be obtained after completing the 12th standard or an equivalent qualification.

NID DAT Registration

Once the NID DAT 2026 registration window is live, candidates must register and complete the application to appear for the examination. The steps are listed below.

Step 1: Sign up or register

• Visit the official website of NID DAT 2026.
• Register by filling out the details, including your email ID, mobile Number, program, nationality, and category.
• After NID DAT registration is complete, students will get their NID DAT login credentials via registered email ID.

Step 2: Fill out the NID DAT Application

• Log in to the NID DAT 2026 portal.
• Fill out all the required details, including personal and academic details.
• After filling out the NID DAT application form, click on "save & proceed."

Step 3: Upload the Required Documents

Students must upload all the required documents as specified by the concerned authority after completing the NID DAT application form.

• Photograph.
• Signature.
• Category/caste certificate (if applicable)

Step 4: Pay NID DAT Application Fee

• Pay the NID DAT application fee 2026 as prescribed by the concerned authority.
• Print the NID DAT application form for future reference.

NID DAT Application Fee 2026

NID DAT fee can be paid online or offline. Payment can be made online through a debit card/credit card. The following are the application fees for various courses:

NID DAT 2026 Application Fee

The NID DAT 2026 application fee depends on the programme and the candidate's category. The fee for B.Des and M.Des (1 Discipline) is the same for most categories.

NID DAT 2026 Important Dates

The official NID DAT 2026 dates have not been announced yet. Based on past trends, the registration is expected to begin in the first week of September 2025.

• NID DAT 2026 prelims is expected to be conducted in the first week of January 2026.
• NID DAT Mains is expected to be held between the last week of April and the first week of May 2026.

NID DAT Exam Pattern

The NID DAT 2026 question paper includes both objective and subjective questions. The exam pattern is detailed below.

• 70% of the total questions are objective.
• The remaining 30% of questions are subjective.
• The objective and subjective papers are held separately on the same day.
• There is no negative marking for wrong answers.

NID DAT Admit Card

After the NID DAT admit cards are released for prelims or mains, candidates can download them by following the steps below.

• Log on to the official website of NID DAT 2026.
• Click on the link 'Login to download admit card.'
• Fill in the required details like email ID, DOB, and verification number, and click on the "Submit" button.
• The NID DAT 2025 Admit card will then be displayed on the screen.
• Students can download and take a printout of the NID DAT 2025 Admit card for future reference.

NID DAT Syllabus 2026

The syllabus for NID DAT differs for B.Des and M.Des. NID does not release the official syllabus on its website.

Based on previous years' question papers, the expected syllabus for the NID DAT is given below.

NID DAT 2026 Syllabus for B.Des Prelims

NID DAT Syllabus 2026 for Studio Test

NID DAT 2026 Syllabus for B.Des Mains

The syllabus for the B.Des Mains is not specified in the source material.

NID M.Des Prelims Syllabus

The NID M.Des prelims exam covers a wide range of design-related topics. The syllabus is divided into three broad columns of subjects.

NID DAT 2026 Mains Syllabus for M.Des

The NID DAT 2026 Mains exam for M.Des is the Studio Test. It focuses on practical and creative skills.

NID DAT 2026 Best Books

Several books are recommended for NID DAT 2026 preparation. The table below lists the book names and their authors.

NID DAT Result 2026

The NID DAT 2026 results will be released on the official website after the prelims and mains exams are over. Candidates can follow the steps below to check their results.

• Visit the official website of NID DAT 2026.
• Click on the link for the NID DAT result 2026.
• Log in using NID DAT 2026 login credentials.
• NID DAT result will be displayed on the screen, and students can download the NID DAT result for future reference.

NID DAT 2026 Admission

Admission to NID DAT 2026 is offered for both undergraduate and postgraduate design courses. The specializations and details for each are given below.

NID DAT 2026- B.Des Admission

The following specializations are offered after the NID DAT BDes 2026 examination.

• Ceramic and Glass Design
• Product Design
• Exhibition Design
• Graphic Design
• Furniture and Interior Design
• Animation Film Design
• Film and Video Communication
• Textile Design

NID DAT 2025: M.Des. Admission

It offers 2.5-year postgraduate courses in Master of Design (M.Des.) and 19 specializations, which are as follows.

• Animation Film Design
• Furniture & Interior Design
• Graphic Design
• Textile Design
• Lifestyle Accessory Design
• New Media Design
• Toy and Game Design
• Design for retail experience
• Information Design
• Universal Design
• Ceramic and glass design
• Film and Video Communication
• Product design
• Apparel Design
• Strategic Design Management
• Photography Design
• Transportation and automobile design
• Digital Game Design
• Interaction Design

NID DAT 2026- Selection Criteria

NID DAT 2026 admission criteria are different for UG and PG courses.

Selection Process for BDes and MDes

For BDes admissions, selection is based on the merit list of the entrance test, followed by counselling. For MDes admissions, selection is based on performance in the Design Aptitude Test (DAT), followed by a Personal Interview.

The weightage for the two stages of the DAT is given below.

Note: A candidate can apply to only two disciplines for the Master of Design (MDes) programme.

• Seat allotment is based on the preference submitted by the candidate at the time of application.
• Applications once received are not transferable at any stage of the admissions process.

NID DAT Prelims Qualifying Marks 2025

The National Institute of Design (NID) has not released the qualifying marks for NID DAT Prelims 2025 yet. The details are typically announced around mid-February. Candidates should check the official NID website regularly for updates.

Estimating the precise cutoff for NID DAT 2025 is difficult. The cutoff depends on several factors.

• Total number of applicants: A higher number of applicants may lead to higher cutoffs.
• Difficulty level of the exam: A tougher exam may result in a lower cutoff.
• Seat availability: Limited seats in a popular programme can increase the cutoff.
• Performance of test-takers: Better overall performance can raise the cutoff.

Expected NID DAT BDes Cutoff 2026

Expected NID DAT MDes Cutoff 2026

NID DAT Previous Years' Cut Off

The previous years' cutoff for the NID DAT exam is provided below.

NID DAT 2024 Cut Off

NID DAT 2025 Cut Off Scores

The NID DAT 2025 cut off scores are listed below for each campus and category. The cut off is the minimum score required for admission.

NID DAT 2025 Cut Off Scores by Campus

NID DAT 2023 Cut Off Scores

The NID DAT 2023 cut off scores are provided below for reference. These scores show the minimum marks required in the previous admission cycle.

NID DAT 2025 Seat Capacity

The seat capacity for NID DAT 2025 varies by test centre city. The seating capacity for each campus is listed below.

NID DAT 2026 PhD Admission

The PhD programme at NID is offered in both part-time and full-time modes. The duration and basic criteria for the programme are given below.

NID DAT Eligibility 2025: PhD

The eligibility criteria for PhD admission at NID are listed below. Candidates must meet all the requirements to apply.

• The candidate needs to have a qualification in Design.
• Candidate needs to have a Bachelor’s level qualification in Design from NID.
• 3 years of professional or teaching experience minimum.
• One can obtain a master's degree in Design, such as an M.Phil. (Master of Philosophy) degree.

How to Apply for a PhD at NID DAT

The application process for the PhD programme is entrance-based. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the exam.

NID DAT Admission Process

The NID admission process starts with filling out the application form. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria appear for the NID DAT Prelims.

After clearing the NID DAT Prelims, candidates appear for the NID DAT Mains. Admission is offered to candidates who clear both stages.

NID DAT 2026 FAQs

NID DAT Merit List Categories

The NID DAT merit list is released for General-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC/ST, and PwD categories. Overseas candidates are offered admission after the final merit list is released.

Intake Capacity at NIDs

NIDs offer different courses with different intake capacities. The intake varies by course.

• Communication Design: 64 seats
• Industrial Design: 45 seats
• Textile, Apparel, and Accessory Design: 19 seats

Campus Preference for B.Des Program

Candidates must submit their campus preference before the NID DAT counselling process. The window for submitting campus preferences opens from May 21, 2025, to May 23, 2025.

Seat allotment for the B.Des Program is based on campus selection and the candidate's merit rank.

Admission Procedure for NID, Ahmedabad

Candidates must appear for the NID entrance exam, which has two rounds. The two rounds are NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains.

Only candidates who clear the NID DAT Prelims can appear for the NID DAT Mains.

Seat Criteria in NID DAT

The B.Des course admits 425 students. The M.Des course admits 347 students.

Category Selection in Application Form

Candidates can select their category while filling the NID DAT application form. This is permitted at the time of application.

Difficulty of NID Entrance Exam

The NID entrance exam is considered one of the toughest exams. Candidates need thorough preparation.

NID DAT Exam Pattern

The NID exam is held in two stages. The preliminary exam is the first stage, and the main examination is the second stage.

The preliminary exam includes two papers:

• Paper 1: Objective-type questions, 70 marks
• Paper 2: Subjective-type questions, 30 marks

The main examination is conducted for students who clear the first stage.

M.Des Specialisations at NID Ahmedabad

NID Ahmedabad offers 2.5-year postgraduate courses in Master of Design (M.Des). There are 19 specialisations.

• Animation Film Design
• Furniture & Interior Design
• Graphic Design
• Textile Design
• Lifestyle Accessory Design
• New Media Design
• Toy and Game Design
• Design for Retail Experience
• Information Design
• Universal Design
• Ceramic and Glass Design
• Film and Video Communication
• Product Design
• Apparel Design
• Strategic Design Management
• Photography Design
• Transportation and Automobile Design
• Digital Game Design
• Interaction Design

B.Des Specialisations at NID Ahmedabad

The following specialisations are offered under the undergraduate B.Des course at NID DAT:

• Ceramic and Glass Design
• Product Design
• Exhibition Design
• Graphic Design
• Furniture and Interior Design
• Animation Film Design
• Film and Video Communication
• Textile Design

NID DAT Merit List Categories

The NID DAT merit list is released for General-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC/ST, and PwD categories. Overseas candidates are offered admission after the release of the final merit list.

Seat Intake Capacity

NIDs offer different courses with different intake capacities. The Communication Design Course has a total of 64 seats.

• Industrial Design: 45 seats
• Textile, Apparel, and Accessory Design: 19 seats

The B.Des. course admits 425 students. The M.Des. course admits 347 students.

Campus Preference for B.Des Program

Yes, you must submit your campus preference before the NID DAT counselling process. The window for submitting campus preferences opens from May 21, 2025, to May 23, 2025.

Seat allotment for the B.Des Program is based on campus selection and the candidate's merit rank.

Admission Procedure

Candidates must appear for the NID entrance exam, which has two admission rounds: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains. Only candidates who clear NID DAT Prelims can appear for NID DAT Mains.

Category Selection in Application Form

Yes, you are permitted to select your category at the time of filling the application form.

Exam Difficulty

Yes, the NID entrance exam is considered one of the toughest exams.

Exam Pattern for NID DAT

The NID exam is held in two stages. The preliminary exam is the first stage and includes two papers.

The main examination is the second stage, conducted for students who clear the first stage.

M.Des. Specialisations at NID Ahmedabad

NID Ahmedabad offers 2.5-year postgraduate courses in Master of Design (M.Des.) with 19 specialisations.

• Animation Film Design
• Furniture & Interior Design
• Graphic Design
• Textile Design
• Lifestyle Accessory Design
• New Media Design
• Toy and Game Design
• Design for Retail Experience
• Information Design
• Universal Design
• Ceramic and Glass Design
• Film and Video Communication
• Product Design
• Apparel Design
• Strategic Design Management
• Photography Design
• Transportation and Automobile Design
• Digital Game Design
• Interaction Design

B.Des. Specialisations at NID Ahmedabad

The following specialisations are offered under the undergraduate B.Des. course at NID DAT:

• Ceramic and Glass Design
• Product Design
• Exhibition Design
• Graphic Design
• Furniture and Interior Design
• Animation Film Design
• Film and Video Communication
• Textile Design

NID DAT Exam Pattern 2024

The NID DAT 2024 exam pattern has three stages: Written Exam (Prelims and Mains), Studio Test, and Personal Interview Round. The written exam has 70 marks for subjective questions and 30 marks for objective questions. There is no negative marking.

The syllabus differs for B.Des and M.Des courses. The exam pattern was updated for both B.Des and M.Des in 2021.

• B.Des candidates must upload a theme poster as a PDF file on given topics.
• M.Des candidates must submit a Statement of Purpose (SoP) with a 500-word limit as a PDF file.
• Candidates who clear the NID Cut-Off are called for the studio test and personal interview.
• The second stage is a 100-mark studio test covering drawing/sketching, modeling, and group discussion.
• The third stage is an interview held right after the studio test at the same center. The final NID Merit List is prepared after this round.

NID DAT Exam Pattern for B.Des and M.Des

NID DAT Exam Pattern 2024 for B.Des

• Shortlisted candidates must upload a PDF of a theme poster on the topics.
• The maximum PDF size is 10 MB.
• The theme poster can be made in any media. It must be made manually, and a scanned copy must be uploaded digitally in A3 paper within the stipulated time.

NID DAT Exam Pattern 2024 for M.Des

• Shortlisted candidates must submit an SoP (Statement of Purpose).
• The SoP word limit is 500 words. It must be typed and uploaded as a PDF not exceeding 2 MB.
• A portfolio must also be uploaded as a PDF with a size limit of 10 MB.
• Candidates will be separately informed about the topics for the theme poster.
• The upload window closes after one week.

NID DAT Marking Scheme

The NID 2024 written exam is an offline exam of a mixed nature. This means the paper includes both objective and subjective type questions.

• 70% of the total questions are objective in nature.
• The remaining 30% of questions are subjective in nature.
• The two papers (objective and subjective) are held separately on the same day.
• There is no negative marking for wrong answers.

Candidates who qualify in the first round (prelims) are called for the second round (mains). The mains include a Studio Test of 100 marks. This test checks skills in sketching/drawing, handicraft modeling, and group discussions. All tests in this round are conducted in English medium only.

NID DAT Syllabus 2024

The NID exam is held in two stages. The first stage is the preliminary exam with 2 papers. Paper 1 has 70 marks of objective type questions, and Paper 2 has 30 marks of subjective type questions. There is no negative marking.

Stage 2 is the main examination for students who clear the first stage. It is based on practical tests including sketching/drawing, handicraft models, group discussions, and presentations. This exam carries a total of 100 marks and is conducted in English medium only.

NID has outlined a fixed syllabus. Analysis of keywords in the syllabus section of the notification and previous year's question papers shows the following topics are the main ones for stage one and stage two exams.

NID DAT 2024 Syllabus and Important Topics

The NID DAT 2024 syllabus is divided into two stages. Each stage tests different skills.

Stage 1: NID DAT 2024 (Written Test)

The written test covers a range of design and general ability topics. The important topics are listed below.

• Communication skills
• Composition
• Animation
• Creativity
• Drawing Skills (For the subjective part)
• General Mental Ability
• Design skills
• Environment sensitivity
• Visual Design
• Thematic color arrangement
• Proportions and Perspective
• Abstract Symbolism
• Memory Drawing

Stage 2: NID DAT 2024 (Studio Test)

The studio test focuses on practical and hands-on skills. The important topics are listed below.

• Doodling
• 3D Modeling
• Observation Test
• Creative Thinking
• Audio-visual experience
• Body Language
• Material Manipulation
• Portfolio making

The topics mentioned above form the core of the NID exam syllabus and cover over 90% of the questions in both stages of the exam.

NID DAT 2024 Important Instructions

Candidates are advised to follow the given instructions on the day of the exam and the week prior to the same.

Instructions for the Exam Day

• Make arrangements for necessary documents like NID 2024 Admit Card and Photo ID proof that is required to be carried to the exam venue.
• Visit the exam center before the exam day to get an idea of the time taken and the shortest route to the exam venue from your location.
• In case the exam venue is far away from your current location then you should make some arrangements near the exam center beforehand to avoid last hour rush.
• A valid photo ID card is to be carried along with the admit card. A valid photo ID includes School/College ID card, Passport, Driving License, Aadhar Card, Voter ID Car, PAN card etc.
• Stationery items like Black and Blue ballpoint pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, etc. should also be arranged beforehand.

Instructions to be Followed a Week Prior to the Exam

Candidates should follow the following instructions a week before the NID exam.

• Revise the basic concepts and avoid studying any new thing or referring to some new study material.
• Practice mock tests and check your speed and accuracy of solving by taking them in an exam condition that is in time bound manner.
• Practice drawing and designing concepts by solving questions asked in previous years' question papers.
• Practice MCQ and check for accuracy.

Use of Optical Response Sheet

Candidates will be provided with an Optical Response Sheet during the preliminary exam. These sheets are provided to the candidates to mark the answers in response to the 70 MCQ questions asked in the first round of NID Exam.

• Candidates are required to darken the bubble for that option in the optical sheet which they think is the right answer for the question asked.
• Apart from this, candidates would also be required to darken the bubbles for filling in information like name, roll number, date of exam, the cycle of exam, etc.
• Blue/Black ball pen is to be used for darkening the bubbles. Blue/Black gel pen is not allowed as it is difficult for the OMR analyzing device to capture the marked response.

NID Exam Pattern 2024 FAQs

What is the pattern of NID exam 2024?

As per NID DAT 2024 exam pattern, the exam is conducted in two stages- DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The duration of the exam is 3 hours. There will be objective and subjective types of questions to be answered in English medium only.

What is the maximum marks for NID exam?

100 is the maximum marks for NID exam. Paper 1 will be for 70 marks and Paper 2 for 30 marks.

How many times can we attempt NID?

There is no limit to number of attempts to appear for NID DAT exam. However, students must fulfill the age limit as determined by the organizing committee.

Is there a negative marking in NID?

No, there is no negative marking in NID DAT exam. The exam is conducted for 100 marks. Paper 1 will be of 70 marks and Paper 2 which is subjective will be for 30 marks.

NID DAT 2024 Exam Pattern

The NID DAT 2024 exam is conducted in two stages: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The duration of the exam is 3 hours.

The exam contains objective and subjective types of questions. All questions must be answered in English medium only.

Maximum Marks for NID Exam

100 is the maximum marks for the NID exam. Paper 1 will be for 70 marks and Paper 2 for 30 marks.

Number of Attempts for NID

There is no limit to the number of attempts to appear for the NID DAT exam. However, students must fulfill the age limit as determined by the organizing committee.

Negative Marking in NID

No, there is no negative marking in the NID DAT exam. The exam is conducted for 100 marks.

• Paper 1: 70 marks
• Paper 2 (subjective): 30 marks

Drawing Test in NID

Yes, for NID DAT 2024, a drawing test will be conducted. This test judges students' skills in drawing.

• Design Aptitude and Creativity: Innovation in design, theme development, imagination exercises, visual storytelling, and creative writing.
• Graphics and Visualization: Drawing fundamentals, 3D visualisation, lettering, visual logic, perspective drawing, and pictograms.
• Design Principles: Principles of composition, form and function, elements of design, balance, and proportion.
• Colour and Texture: Colour psychology, optical illusions, mood associations, colour terminology, and pattern work.
• Observation and Memory: Light and shade, memory drawing, picture analysis, and story pictures.
• Forms and Patterns: Natural and geometrical forms, ornaments, motifs, and scale.
• Analytical Reasoning: Lateral thinking, logical reasoning, pattern recognition, mirror images, and paper folding.
• General Awareness: General knowledge related to the design world and current affairs in design and technology.
• English Comprehension: Reading and language skills at Class 12 level.

NID DAT 2024 Cut Off

The qualifying cut-off for the M.Des DAT Prelims has been released. Candidates can check their result and qualifying status on the NID DAT 2024 (Prelims) result portal. The cut-off varies by category.

The final admission cut-off for M.Des will be released in July 2024. The admission cut-off for the B.Des program is expected in the first week of August 2024. This cut-off will be based on the rank and score of the last admitted candidate. Similar to M.Des, the B.Des cut-off will also be category-specific.

The cut-off is the minimum rank or score required for admission. Scoring below it will disqualify a candidate. The qualifying cut-off for DAT Prelims is different from the final admission cut-off. The admission cut-off considers factors like rank, available seats, total applications, and the preferred campus.

NID DAT 2024 cut off for all stages of the NID Selection Process is usually released separately. Candidates whose names appear in the final NID DAT Merit list are shortlisted for admission into NID campuses. Candidates scoring above the cut-offs will be invited for NID DAT 2024 Counselling.

Expected NID DAT 2024 B.Des Cut Off

Applicants must check the expected cutoff data for NID DAT 2024 B.Des and M.Des shared in the tables below.

Expected NID DAT 2024 M.Des Cut Off

NID DAT Cut off 2024 PDF

NID DAT Cut off Ranks 2023

NID DAT Cut off Scores 2023

Relaxation in NID DAT 2023 Cut Off Score

NID offers a certain percentage of relaxation in cut off scores for reserved category applicants. The table below provides the data regarding cut off relaxation for different categories.

NID DAT Category-wise Relaxation in Cutoff

The cutoff relaxation for reserved categories is calculated as a percentage less than the General Category cutoff score.

NID DAT B.Des Cut off 2021

The B.Des cutoff for 2021 is listed below for each NID campus and category. The values are the minimum qualifying scores.

NID DAT M.Des Cut off 2021 (Open Category)

The M.Des cutoff for 2021 in the Open Category is given for each discipline. The cutoff is the minimum score required for admission.

NID DAT 2020 Cut Off

The NID DAT cutoff for 2020 is provided below for both B.Des and M.Des programs.

NID DAT 2020 B.Des Cut Off

The previous year cutoff for the B.Des program is listed here. These are the minimum qualifying marks for admission to B.Des at different NID campuses.

NID DAT 2020 M.Des Cut off

The previous year cutoff for M.Des is given below. The cutoff for each specialization in the M.Des program is listed.

NID DAT Cut Off 2024 for M.Des

The table below shows the NID DAT 2024 cut off scores for the M.Des programme. The scores are listed for each discipline and category.

NID DAT Cut Off 2024 FAQs

What is the topper's marks for NID 2024?

The NID 2024 topper scored 69.5 out of 100 in the DAT prelim exam.

What is the cut off for OBC in NID 2024?

The cut off score for OBC-NCL for NID Ahmedabad is 60.7. The category rank for this score is 30.

For NID Andhra Pradesh, the score for OBC-NCL is 55.9.

What is the cut off for NID 2024?

The qualifying cut off for NID 2024 for open and EWS category is 50.

For OBC-NCL and SC, the qualifying cut off is 45 and 40 respectively.

What is a good score in NID 2024?

Scoring 90+ is considered a very good score in the NID exam. Students with such a score will get into NID Bangalore, NID Ahmedabad, and NID Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

A score above 75 is a good score in the NID 2024 exam.

NID DAT 2026 Result Status

The NID DAT Prelims result for M. Des has been released online. The result is available at the official website, admissions.nid.edu.

To check the result, candidates must log in to the result portal using their email ID and date of birth. The DAT Mains result will include the sectional score, total score, and qualifying status.

• The result re-check window is open.
• Candidates shortlisted for admission must submit campus preferences by May 23, 2026 (4 pm).
• M.Des DAT Mains 2026 results were declared on April 30, 2026.
• NID DAT 2026 Prelims Result for M. Des was released on 16th February 2026.
• NID DAT 2026 is conducted in two stages: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains.
• Final selection is based on the weightage allocated by the institute to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

NID DAT 2026 Result Dates

Only candidates who qualify in the written test will be called for the Studio Test and Personal Test. The result dates for both stages are given below.

How to Check NID DAT 2026 Result

The NID DAT 2026 Mains result for M. Des will be released soon. Based on the NID DAT 2026 score, the NID Merit List is prepared for shortlisted candidates who are invited for the studio test and personal interviews.

Follow these steps to check the result online:

• Go to the official website, admissions.nid.edu.
• Click on the 'NID DAT 2026 Result' link.
• Enter the roll number and application number, then click on submit.
• The result will appear on the screen.
• Take a printout and keep it for further reference.

Rechecking of NID DAT Prelims Result

Candidates who have requested rechecking of the NID DAT Prelims result 2026 must follow the rules below.

• The fee for rechecking each paper of NID DAT is Rs. 2000.
• Candidates must submit the answer booklet online at admission.nid.edu.
• Rechecking is restricted to checking whether all answers have been marked and whether there is any mistake in adding the final marks.

NID DAT Re-evaluation Policy 2026

Only candidates who have qualified for the exam can file for re-checking. No other candidates, parents, or organisations are allowed to do so.

• No other re-evaluation of the answer script will be done by the candidate as part of the examination carried out.
• If an error is found while re-checking, marks will be added accordingly.
• If any error is found relating to the re-checking, a mail will be sent to the candidate.
• The institution will not be responsible for any damage or loss of the candidates.

NID DAT Tie-Breaker Policy 2026

NID DAT tie-breaker depends on the merit list of the candidates. The following policy of Tie-Breaker is as follows:

• A higher rank will be assigned to the candidate who has obtained higher marks.
• If this persists, then the higher rank candidate will be promoted to stage 1 of the NID DAT Test.
• If still undecided, a higher rank will be assigned to the candidate who has obtained higher marks in Stage 1 Design Aptitude Test Part B.
• If still undecided, a higher rank will be assigned to the candidate who has obtained higher marks in the Stage 1 Design Aptitude Test Part A.
• If this still continues, the candidate will be assigned a higher rank who has obtained higher marks in NID DAT Mains.

NID DAT 2026 Cut Off

NID DAT 2026 Cut Off is usually announced soon after the results are declared. The candidates who score over the cut off are considered eligible for the examination.

NID DAT 2026 Counselling Procedure

National Institute of Design generally conducts counselling during the months of June and July offering admissions into Bachelor of Design (B.Des), GDPD and M.Des. Counselling of NID DAT is held after the three stages of the selection process are completed: Stage 1- Design Aptitude Test (DAT), Stage 2- Studio Test and Stage 3- Personal Interview.

The entitlement to admission will not be guaranteed only on the basis of appearance in the entrance test or being on the rank list. The results of NID DAT prelims is generally announced in the month of February or March every year.

The shortlisted candidates are required to appear for the mains exam to be conducted in the month of April 2026. The final Merit List of NID DAT is usually released in the same month i.e. fourth week of May 2026. This is followed by the NID DAT counselling procedure which is held for selected candidates on a merit basis.

After online verification of documents, the shortlisted candidates in the rank list are allotted seats provisionally. To be eligible for the next stage of NID DAT 2026 admission process, the qualified candidates are required to submit their consent online (only).

The process for submitting Online Consent starts somewhere around the last week of May 2026 and would last for about a week up to June 2026. The merit list is updated continuously happens during that time on the basis of online consent submitted by the qualified candidates.

Online Uploading of the Documents

For the purpose of verification, the qualifying candidates, as per the first Merit List, would be required to upload scanned copies of requisite documents. All the relevant documents must be issued in the name of the qualifying candidate.

The scanned copies of original documents should be strictly in JPEG format only. Uploaded documents are verified from the information entered in the NID DAT 2026 Application Form and any discrepancy would lead to the cancellation of candidature.

Below is the list of relevant documents for which scanned copies have to be uploaded by the qualified candidates for B.Des. and M.Des. Programs (for all categories):

• Class 10 Marksheet
• Class 12 Marksheet
• Date of Birth Certificate
• Degree Marksheet (for admission to M. Des.)

OBC NCL/SC/ST category candidates have to submit valid category certificates which should be issued by appropriate competent authorities in addition to the above. The scanned copies of the first and last page of the Passport and of the Equivalence certificate should be uploaded by the Overseas category candidates (both B.Des.or M.Des programs), in addition to the ones mentioned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. How can I check the NID DAT Result?

Ans. Candidates can visit the official website of the NID DAT. Login with your Email ID and Date of Birth, then click submit. NID DAT Result 2026 will appear.

Ques. How many seats are available for NID DAT?

Ans. NID DAT 2026 Application Form has already been released. NID DAT Prelims Exam is on 24th December 2023. The current amount of seats for NID DAT is 427.

Ques. How much rank is required for NID DAT 2026?

How to Check NID DAT Result

Candidates can check the NID DAT result on the official website of NID DAT. They must log in with their Email ID and Date of Birth, then click submit.

The NID DAT Result 2026 will appear on the screen after login.

Number of Seats in NID DAT

The total number of seats for NID DAT is 427. The NID DAT 2026 Application Form has already been released.

The NID DAT Prelims Exam is scheduled for 24th December 2023.

Rank Required for NID DAT 2026

Candidates must keep their rank above 50 to secure a good college for design. A rank above 50 is considered necessary for admission.

First Rank in NID DAT 2023

Simran Sharma has ranked AIR 1 in the M.Design Program. She has secured admission at NID Bangalore.

OBC Seats in NID DAT 2026

There are 114 seats reserved for OBC category in NID DAT 2026. These seats are part of the total seat allocation.