UPES B.Des Admissions 2026
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NID DAT Admit Card Date:11 Dec' 25 - 21 Dec' 25
Your admission to the esteemed National Institute of Design will be decided by your performance on the NID studio test in 2026. The last step in gaining admission to the NID DAT 2026 exam is passing NID Mains. Experts offer some crucial strategic preparation methods to help candidates get ready for the NID Mains. These methods will increase confidence and improve the ability to think systematically.
The NID Studio Test is mostly conducted across the NID campuses for the selected candidates. Where aspirants are exposed to different types of questions including the theoretical and mostly practical reflection to the given problem statements from the different domain areas that are as follows:
Material Understanding (Applied through Model Making)
Common Manufacturing Processes
Observation and Sensorial Reflection
Domain Specific Questions(M Des.)
Visual Reflection (Sketching Based Questions)
Each of the sections demands a unique skillset, and we need to understand each one in detail, one by one.
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There is no defined syllabus for NID-Mains/Studio, since this is a personality test of an individual to understand the mindset towards surrounding opportunities, people interactions and contribution to challenges of people in everyday life. Students need to effectively prepare for Model Making and Material Handling section for NID studio Test.
Material Understanding is one of the most crucial important skills tested in the Studio-Test. It evaluates the understanding of awareness of an individual to surrounding products, manufacturing processes and frugal innovations (Jugaad)
We Would be taking a the common everyday materials, potential uses in modelling and Examples to uses :
Material | Properties | Uses in Model Making | Example Applications |
PET Bottles | Lightweight, transparent, flexible, durable | Structure making, fluid storage, upcycled product design | Creating modular containers, mini greenhouses, lamp designs |
MS (Mild Steel) Wire | Malleable, strong, rust-prone | Wireframe models, support structures, sculpting | Making human figurines, wire sculptures, support or clay models |
Cardboard | Easy to cut, lightweight, rigid, recyclable | Structural base, packaging, furniture models | Prototyping furniture, packaging designs, pop-up structures |
Paper (A3, A4, Handmade, Chart, Kraft) | Flexible, foldable, easy to manipulate | Origami, paper architecture, detailing elements | Dioramas, decorative elements, texture experimentation |
Clay (Air-dry, Terracotta, Polymer Clay) | Soft, moldable, hardens on drying, versatile | Creating forms, textures, figurines, product design | Sculpting mini furniture, characters, functional objects |
Thermocol (Expanded Polystyrene) | Lightweight, brittle, easy to carve | Model making, insulation, architectural models | Buildings, vehicle models, foam-core furniture prototypes |
Fabric (Felt, Cotton, Canvas) | Soft, flexible, texturable, stretchable | Adding texture, soft product design, upholstery prototypes | Soft toys, fashion accessories, cushioning elements |
Bamboo Sticks / Ice Cream Sticks | Strong, eco-friendly, smooth surface | Frameworks, structural models, armatures for models | Miniature bridges, framework for tensile structures |
Rubber Bands & Elastic Materials | Flexible, stretchable, tension holding | Mechanism-based models, joints, movement simulation | Prototyping springs, elastic-driven toy models |
Small Scale Prototypes : Work on making physical prototypes of everyday objects, scale down models, and working models from classroom assignments.
Understand the Joining Techniques : look for different joining, slotting, folding and weaving techniques.

This section tests the observation, Analysis and Sensory Experience for creative outputs. The most essential topics and exercise related to same have been provided below in a tabular format as follows:
Topic | Significance | Example Applications |
Everyday Life Observation | Capturing real-world interactions and activities | Sketch a chaiwala’s stall depicting customers and gestures |
Perspective & Proportions | Understanding scale, depth & different viewpoints | Draw a bus stop scene from a worm’s-eye view |
Human Gestures & Expressions | Depicting emotions, body language, and movement | Illustrate a child’s excitement at a local countryside fair |
Environmental Detailing | Representing the atmosphere and surroundings realistically | Sketch scene of railway platform with passengers, luggage & vendors |
Textures & Surface Interpretation | Recognizing and differentiating material finishes | Recreate textures of glass, wood, stone, and fabric |
Light & Shadow Analysis | Understanding reflections, highlights & contrast | Depict a candle-lit room showing realistic shadows |
Sound-to-Visual Mapping | Converting auditory experiences into visuals | Represent the sound of a busy marketplace through abstract forms |
Thematic Apperception | Generating creative stories from visual prompts | Create a story from a single old window with a broken pane |
Sketching Exercises : Try to capture the detailed life-scenarios with surroundings including objects, animals and human interaction to improve accuracy and develop a sense of storytelling in a time bound manner.
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The sensory development is a key focus area for the NID-studio Test to evaluate the candidate’s ability to perceive, interpret and respond to sensory stimuli, through touch,sound, texture, and material identification.
We have comprehensively combined the important activities/topics to qualify this section for all the aspirants along with sample questions and activities to train the senses for the studio test.
Topic | Significance | Suggested Activities |
Tactile Perception | Understanding surface properties & material feel | Blindfolded texture identification (e.g., fabric, sandpaper, glass) |
Weight & Balance Analysis | Evaluating how objects balance & distribute weight | Create a self-standing structure with paper & clips |
Temperature & Sensory Contrast | Understanding how materials retain or release heat | Compare the heat absorption of metal vs. wood by touch |
Sound-Visual Mapping | Translating sound patterns into creative visuals | Sketch abstract forms based on music or city noise |
Scent Association & Memory | Connecting smells to memories, spaces & experiences | Blindfold test with spices, perfumes, or natural scents |
Material Interaction | Exploring how different materials react when combined | Mix clay with fabric or paper with wire to test flexibility |
Blind Sketching & Memory Drawing | Enhancing intuitive drawing & perception | Sketch an object blindfolded, then compare to the real one |
Multisensory Storytelling | Developing narratives based on sensory experiences | Write a short story inspired by a sound or touch experience |
Practice Abstract Representations: Convert sensory inputs into sketches or forms.
Develop Awareness of Sensory Contrasts: Compare soft vs. rough, warm vs. cold and try to abstract into textures.
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The NID Studio mains Examination is a holistic evaluation of a candidate's creativity, problem-solving attitude, and reflective skills through visual solutions. By observing, experimenting and refining the practical skill set, one can successfully embrace all the uncertainties of the Studio Test. Every challenge is a prospect for growing as a designer.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
Yes, if you are in Class 12, you are eligible to sit for the NID DAT 2026 (BDes) exam. The National Institute of Design allows students who are in their final year of Class 12 or have already passed to apply.
To know more access below mentioned link:
https://design.careers360.com/articles/nid-admission-2026
Hope it helps.
You can get the NIT DAT SYLLABUS, updated version from careers 360 in detail from careers 360 article. Follow the link given from The link of the syllabus article is given below from careers 360
https://design.careers360.com/articles/nid-dat-syllabus-2026
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.
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EXAMS dates- 13-14 Dec | Leading Design College | Highest CTC: ₹12 LPA | Average CTC: ₹7.5 LPA | Scholarships for Deserving Students