Most Asked Questions in NID Prelims 2026

NID Prelims Previous Year Question Papers Analysis

Analysis and the detailed review of the NID DAT previous year question papers and official sample papers has been done according to which a set of 15 most asked questions has been prepared for students below to go through and get an understanding of what is asked in the NID Prelims exam and create an effective study plan accordingly.

Most Asked Questions in NID DAT Prelims

Directions (Question Nos. 1 to 15): Each question carries 3 marks. Please read the question carefully and select your response from the options provided.

Q1. Among the options given, in which of the following languages are the sacred scriptures of Buddhism written in?

1. Prakrit
2. Hebrew
3. Pali
4. None of these

Solution: (C) Pali

Explanation: The sacred scriptures of Buddhism, known as the Tripitaka (Three Baskets), were written in Pali. This collection includes the Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka, forming the foundation of Theravāda Buddhism. Pali was a common language in ancient India and was preferred over Sanskrit to make Buddhist teachings accessible to the masses.

Q2. Which city is the “Geographical Centre” of India?

1. Nagpur
2. Indore
3. Surat
4. Kochi

Solution: (A) Nagpur

Explanation: The city of Nagpur (Maharashtra) is considered the geographical centre of India. The "Zero Mile Stone" in Nagpur was erected by the British to denote the geographical centre of colonial India. From this point, distances to various cities were traditionally measured. This landmark is why Nagpur is often called the "Heart of India."

Q3 . The state of Emergency in India was of 21 months duration. When did this happen?

1. 1975-77

2. 1973-75

3. 1977-79

4. None of these

Solution: (A) 1957-77

Explanation: The Internal Emergency was proclaimed in India from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It lasted for 21 months and is often referred to as one of the darkest periods of Indian democracy. During this time, fundamental rights were suspended, press censorship was imposed, and opposition leaders were imprisoned. The other given periods (1973–75, 1977–79) do not match the official Emergency duration.

Q4. Given the different stitch types from top to bottom, identify the right pattern.

1. Running, Fly, Flower, Criss-Cross

2. Chain, Fly, Flower, Criss-Cross

3. Running, Criss-Cross, Fly ,Feather

4. French, Fly, Cris-Cross, Chain

Solution: (C) Running, Criss-Cross, Fly, Feather

Explanation:

1. First row (pink dashed line): This is the Running Stitch — simple in-and-out stitches forming a dashed line.

2. Second row (blue X pattern): Clearly the Criss-Cross (Cross Stitch) — rows of “X”-shaped stitches.

3. Third row (pink decorative V pattern): This is the Fly Stitch — looks like repeated V shapes connected.

4. Fourth row (yellow open branch pattern): This is the Feather Stitch — open, decorative, with branching effect.

So, the correct sequence is: Running, Criss-Cross, Fly, Feather.

Q5. Which Art-era, spans from the 1860s to the 1970s, encompassing movements like Post-Impressionism (1885–1910), Fauvism (1904–1909), Expressionism (1890–1939), Cubism (1905–1939).

1. Medieval-Art

2. Romanticism

3. Realism

4. Modern-Art

Solution: (D) Modern-Art

Explanation: The era from the 1860s to the 1970s is called the Modern Art period. It includes influential movements such as Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Art. Artists in this era broke away from traditional styles and experimented with form, color, and technique.

Q6. On which mechanism do the pliers work?

1. Levers

2. Springs

3. Wedge

4. Load

Solution: (A) Levers

Explanation: Pliers work on the principle of levers. They are a pair of double levers of the first order, where the fulcrum is at the joint, the effort is applied at the handles, and the load is at the jaws (where the object is gripped). This lever mechanism multiplies the applied force, making it easier to grip, bend, or cut objects.

Q7. I was tailgated by Vikram. This means________________

1. Closely approached by Vikram

2. Ignored by Vikram

3. Unauthorized passage on my account by Vikram

4. Kept restricted space open for me

Solution: (A) Closely approached by Vikram

Explanation: The term “tailgated” means someone is driving very closely behind another vehicle, often without keeping a safe distance. In a broader sense, it refers to being followed too closely.

Q8. Read the hidden message in the given picture below.

1. I can’t sleep

2. Hello World

3. Flipped horizontally

4. Flipped vertically

Solution: (B) Hello World

Explanation: This is a classic visual illusion text puzzle, where letters are hidden among diagonal/zig-zag lines. If you relax your focus or slightly zoom out, the words “HELLO WORLD” become visible.

Q9. Of the given pattern which of the following answer series will continue the pattern

1. (1)

2. (2)

3. (3)

4. (4)

Solution: (A) 1

Explanation:

In the problem row, the shapes cycle circle → triangle → square.

Every second panel shows a composite: the outer shape = the previous single shape, and the inner shape = the next single shape (e.g., ◯ with △ inside; △ with ◻ inside).

So after the single square, the next continuation should be a square-based frame - option (1) matches this progression best (square theme with the square as the innermost figure).

Q10. From the face of the famous character ’Identify the Right Emotion’.

1. Worried

2. Shy

3. Embarrassed

4. Annoyed

Solution: (D) Annoyed

Explanation: Looking at the facial expression:

• Eyebrows are drawn together and slanted down → sign of irritation.

• Eyes are narrowed, lips tightened, and corners slightly downturned → shows displeasure.

• It does not show fear (worried), modesty (shy), or blushing/self-consciousness (embarrassed).

Therefore, the emotion being expressed is Annoyed.

Refer to the image below and answer the question from question 11-12.

Q11. The shadow of which of the cones will appear to be circular?

1. Cone 2

2. Cone 3

3. Cone 4

4. Cone 5

Solution: (A) Cone 2

Explanation: Cone 2 shows the base clearly in front. When light falls from above, the shadow matches the base → a circle.

Q12. The shadow of which of the cones will appear as a sharp triangle?

1. Cone 2

2. Cone 3

3. Cone 1

4. Cone 4

Solution: (C) Cone 1

Explanation: Cone 1’s alignment lets light produce a triangle-shaped shadow (apex to base).

Q13. Six people, P, Q, R, S, T, and U are standing in a circle. Q is standing between U and R.P is standing between T and S. U is standing to the left of S. Who is standing between P andU ?

1. Q

2. S

3. R

4. T

Solution: (B) S

Explanation:

Arrange them around a circle using the clues:

• “U is to the left of S” → … S, U …

• “Q is between U and R” → … S, U, Q, R …

• “P is between T and S” → … T, P, S, U, Q, R …

Now, the common neighbour of P (neighbours: T, S) and U (neighbours: S, Q) is S. Hence, S stands between P and U.

Q14. Choose the alternative that closely resembles the mirror image of the given combination.

Solution: (D)

Explanation:

A vertical mirror reverses the order of characters and flips each symbol left–right.
Original: D F 1 2 % E f → Mirror should read (left→right): f E % 2 1 F D, with mirrored glyphs (ɟ, Ǝ, …).
Option D shows exactly this sequence, so it’s the correct mirror image.

Q15. Identify the difference in the two images as provided below ?

1. 6

2. 10

3. 12

4. 5

Solution: (D) 5

Explanation: