How to Apply for NID Entrance Exam 2026: Steps to Apply, Documents List, Fees

How to Apply for NID Entrance Exam 2026: Steps to Apply, Documents List, Fees

Ongoing Event

NID DAT Application Date:11 Sep' 25 - 01 Dec' 25

Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 06 Nov 2025, 11:23 AM IST

The National Institute of Design registrations are ongoing. The NID 2026 application form was released on September 11, 2025. Interested candidates who fulfil the NID 2026 eligibility criteria can submit the application form of NID DAT 2026 online on the official website - admissions.nid.edu. Every year, a huge number of candidates apply for the NID entrance exam as it is one of the top design entrance exams in India. In this article, get all the details about how to apply for NID, including the NID DAT 2026 dates and more.

This Story also Contains

  1. When will NID DAT 2026 Application Form be Released?
  2. How to Apply for NID Entrance Exam 2026?
  3. NID DAT Application Fee
How to Apply for NID Entrance Exam 2026: Steps to Apply, Documents List, Fees
How to Apply for NID Entrance Exam 2026

Through the NID DAT entrance exam, candidates will be admitted into the B.Des and M.Des programmes. Candidates must appear for both components of NID DAT 2026 to secure admissions.

When will NID DAT 2026 Application Form be Released?

The NID 2026 dates for registration have been notified on the official website. The schedule is given below.

NID Registration 2026 Dates

Particulars

Dates

NID Entrance Exam application form release date

September 11, 2025

NID DAT application form last date

December 1, 2025

NID DAT prelims exam date

December 21, 2025

How to Apply for NID Entrance Exam 2026?

In this section, candidates can learn about how to fill NID DAT application form 2026 step by step. There will not be any separate registration window for NID DAT mains after the prelims.

Steps to Apply for the NID Exam

Given below are the steps on how to apply for NID online

Step 1: Registration

  • Visit the official website - admissions.nid.edu and click on new registration/sign up after selecting the programme of study

  • Enter basic details such as name, email ID, mobile number, programme applied for, and date of birth to generate login credentials.

  • The login credentials will be sent to the candidate’s registered email id

Step 2: Fill out the Online Application

  • Log in with the user credentials

  • Fill in the required details, such as the personal details, education details, and address

  • The details can be modified during the application correction window, except name, date of birth, email id, and programme

Pearl Academy B.Des Admissions 2026

No. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings

UPES B.Des Admissions 2026

Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings

Step 3: Uploading Documents and Signature

  • Candidates must submit a scanned passport-size color photograph in jpg/jpeg format with a size between 50 to 200 kb.

  • A scanned copy of the signature in JPG/JPEG with a size between 50 to 200 kb.

  • Candidates from the reserved category must also upload their caste certificate in PDF form with a size less than 1 MB.

NID DAT 2026 Full Study Material
Students preparing for NID 2026 can access this study material for both prelims and mains. Download now to strengthen your preparation and boost your chances of success.
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Step 4: Payment of Application Fee

The last step is to pay the prescribed NID application form fee. The fee differs for various categories. The application fee can be paid online through Debit/Credit card or net banking. The application fee is neither refundable nor transferable.

NID DAT Application Fee

The NID DAT 2026 application fee for BDes and MDes are as follows.

NID Application Fee as per Category for BDes

CategoryApplication Fee
General/General EWS/OBC-NCLRs. 3000/-
Female candidates (Except SC, ST & PwD)Rs. 2000/-
SC and ST candidatesRs. 1500/-
PwD candidatesRs. 500/-
Third GenderRs. 500/-
Overseas (supernumerary)US $ 125
IIAD Admissions 2026

EXAMS dates- 13-14 Dec | Leading Design College | Highest CTC: ₹12 LPA | Average CTC: ₹7.5 LPA | Scholarships for Deserving Students

UID B.Des Admissions 2026

1200+ Recruiters for Placements | 30+ International Collaborations | 45+ Advanced Labs and Studios


NID Application Fee as per Category for MDes

CategoryApplication Fees
Discipline 1Discipline 2
General/General EWS/OBC-NCLRs. 3000/-Rs. 6000/-
Female candidates (Except SC, ST & PwD)Rs. 2000/-Rs. 4000/-
SC and ST candidatesRs. 1500/-Rs. 3000/-
PwD candidatesRs. 500/-Rs. 1000/-
Third GenderRs. 500/-Rs. 1000/-
Overseas (supernumerary)US $ 125US $ 250

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When will NID DAT 2026 application form open?
A:

The NID DAT 2026 application form has been opened on September 11, 2025.

Q: How to apply for NID DAT 2026?
A:

Candidates can apply for NID 2026 online from the official website - admissions.nid.edu.

Q: What are the courses offered through the NID entrance exam?
A:

Candidates will be offered admission into B.Des and M.Des programmes through the NID DAT entrance exam.

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Questions related to NID DAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NID DAT ?

Yes you are eligible to appear for NID DAT for the M.Des programme. Since you are in final make sure you will have completed your BA by the required deadline. Also go through the specific specializations you want to apply for, some may require certain specific backgrounds to be eligible to apply for them. You can find more details here design.careers360.com/articles/nid-dat-eligibility-criteria

Hello,

To prepare for M.des exams like CEED or NID DAT, here are some points which you can follow:

Understand the pattern – focus on creativity, design aptitude, and problem-solving.

Practice sketching daily and improve visualization.

Study basics of color, form, and design concepts.

Solve previous papers and build a strong portfolio.

Stay consistent and observe everyday designs for new ideas.

THANKU.

Hi daksh

As 563 rank in nid dat exam cannot guarantee admission in designing college but it could be a good chance to explore some campus as if you are not from general category as category role plays an important role . But now you can do one thing focus on your strengthening your protofile or preparing for the studio test (bdes) or interview (mdes).

Thanks.

No, IPU (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University) does not accept NID DAT Prelims score for admission to the B.Des (Bachelor of Design) program.

Instead, IPU conducts its own entrance test or may consider CUET (UG) scores for B.Des admissions, depending on the latest admission guidelines. Always refer to the university's official prospectus for the year you're applying to for the final admission criteria.

NIT DAT (https://www.shiksha.com/design/articles/nid-admissions-2025-colleges-accepting-nid-entrance-exam-scores-for-bdes-mdes-courses-blogId-13097)

Hello,

Yes, it's possible to prepare for the NID DAT 2025 exam on your own, even with limited time, by following these steps:

  1. Understand the Syllabus : Focus on key areas like design principles, creativity, visualization, and observation skills.
  2. Solve Previous Papers : Practice with past NID DAT papers to understand question types and patterns.
  3. Time Management : Dedicate daily hours to sketching, problem-solving, and revision.
  4. Strengthen Drawing Skills : Practice daily to improve speed and accuracy.
  5. Use Online Resources : Utilize free tutorials, sample papers, and design blogs.
  6. Mock Tests : Take regular mock exams to assess progress and manage time efficiently.

Hope it helps !