NID Admission 2026: Dates, Criteria, Campus-Wise Offered Course, Fees

NID Admission 2026: Dates, Criteria, Campus-Wise Offered Course, Fees

Ongoing Event

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

Rajyalaxmi VenkatapuramUpdated on 15 Sep 2025, 05:26 PM IST

National Institute of Design offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the design sector. NID admissions 2026 are based on two stages of NID entrance exam (Design Aptitude Test - DAT) Prelims and DAT Mains. The interested candidates have to appear and qualify in both the exams to obtain NID admission. Candidates interested need to apply online for BDes and MDes programmes at admissions.nid.edu. The NID DAT 2026 application form has been released online on September 11, 2025. Go through the full article to know more details about the NID admission process 2026.

This Story also Contains

  1. NID Admission 2026 - Overview
  2. NID 2026 Admission Dates
  3. How to get admitted to NID?
  4. NID 2026 Admission Criteria
  5. NID Admission Campus-wise
  6. NID Application Process 2026
  7. NID Application Fee as per Category for BDes
  8. NID Application Fee as per Category for MDes
  9. NID 2026 Weightages for BDes & MDes
  10. NID Counselling Process 2026
  11. NID Admission Cutoff 2026
  12. NID Admission 2026 Fees
  13. NID Seat Matrix 2026
NID Admission 2026: Dates, Criteria, Campus-Wise Offered Course, Fees
nid admission

NID Admission 2026 - Overview

ParticularsDetails

NID full form

National Institute of Design

NID Entrance exam name

NID DAT 2026

NID official website for admissions

admissions.nid.edu

NID admission stages 2026

Stage 1 - NID DAT Prelims

Stage 2 - NID DAT Mains

NID DAT full form

National Institute of Design - Design Aptitude Test

NID 2026 Admission Dates

National Institute of Design has announced the NID admission dates 2026 through the official brochure at admissions.nid.edu. Aspirants looking for admission to the NID courses must know the latest updates with all the dates. Here are some NID important dates 2026 that should not be missed by the aspirants.

NID 2026 Admission Process Dates

Events

Dates



Availability of NID admission forms start date

September 11, 2025

NID Application form last dateDecember 1, 2025

NID DAT admit card date

Prelims - December 11, 2025

Mains - February 2026 (MDes)

Mains - April 2026 (BDes)

NID exam date

Prelims - December 21, 2025

Mains - March to April 2026 (MDes)

Mains - May 2026 (BDes)

NID DAT result date

Exam name

MDes

BDes

Prelims

February 17, 2026

April 7, 2026

Mains

May 2026

May 2026

How to get admitted to NID?

National Institute of Design is the leading design institution in India offering admission to design aspirants. Candidates willing to obtain NID admission 2026 should go through the NID 2026 admission process. The applicants should check the NID eligibility criteria 2026 before proceeding to apply. Aspirants applying for Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Master of Design (MDes) programmes need to appear for the NID DAT exam 2026.

NID DAT is a national level entrance exam conducted once in a year that comprises of two stages - Prelims and Mains. Candidates who qualify in the NID prelims exam will only be eligible to appear for the NID Mains exam. The NID DAT mains exam for MDes consists of a Studio test and an Interview and for BDes it is a studio sensitivity test and In-person sensitivity test. NID DAT Merit list 2026 will be prepared based on the candidates performance from the NID DAT mains exam. The selected candidates should register and attend the NID 2026 counselling process for seat confirmation.

NID 2026 Admission Criteria

To obtain NID admission, the applicants should meet the NID eligibility criteria 2026. The authorities will specify the NID DAT eligibility criteria 2026 at the official website - admissions.nid.edu. Candidates are hence advised to check the NID DAT 2026 eligibility criteria before applying for any of the courses. The NID eligibility criteria for BDes and MDes are provided as below.

NID Eligibility Criteria for BDes

NID offers a BDes programme for a 4 year duration. The eligibility criteria for BDes includes age limit and academic qualification that are described as follows.

NID age limit for BDes

CategoryAge Limit
Indian Nationals in General Category & General EWS CategoryCandidates must have born on or after July 1, 2005
Indian Nationals in Reserved Category (OBC-NCL, SC, ST)Candidates must have born on or after July 1, 2002
Indian Nationals in PwD Reserved CategoryCandidates must have born on or after July 1, 2000
Foreign Nationals in Overseas (Supernumerary) CategoryCandidates must have born on or after July 1, 2005


NID Educational Qualification for BDes

  • Candidates who have passed class 12 in any stream (science, arts, commerce, humanities) from any recognized board such as CBSE, IB, ICSE or equivalent are eligible to apply.

  • Candidates who appear for 10+2 in that academic year are also eligible to apply.

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MDes - NID Eligibility Criteria

NID offers MDes programme for a duration of 2.5 years. The MDes eligibility criteria includes age limit and also academic qualification described below.

MDes - NID age limit

Category

Age limit

For Indian Nationals in General Category & General EWS Category

Candidates must have born on or after July 1, 1994

For Indian Nationals in Reserved Category (OBC-NCL, SC, ST)

Candidates must have born on or after July 1, 1991

For Indian Nationals in PwD Reserved Category

Candidates must have born on or after July 1, 1989

For the Foreign Nationals in Overseas (Supernumerary) Category

Candidates must have born on or after July 1, 1994

NID Educational Qualification for MDes

To be eligible for the NID MDes programmes, the candidates must have one of the following qualifications:

  • Minimum 4-year of bachelor degree in any specialisation, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th from any university and/or institute recognized by the law in India.

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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(or)

  • Minimum 4-year full-time diploma of duration in Design/ Fine Arts/ Applied Arts/ Architecture, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th standard, from university and/or institute recognized by the law in India.

(or)

  • Minimum of 3-year bachelor degree in any specialisation, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th standard from university and/or institute recognized by the law in India.

  • Candidates who are in their final year of bachelor degree / full-time diploma programme are also eligible to apply.

NID Admission Campus-wise

Candidates willing to pursue BDes or MDes courses can go through the following list to know about the NID admission process according to campus. The list gives complete features of each NID campus, to help the candidates.

NID Admission - Ahmedabad

Official website: nid.edu/about/campuses/ahmedabad-campus

NID’s main campus is the NID Ahmedabad which offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in various design disciplines. Aspirants can go through to check the NID Ahmedabad admissions.

Course Offered

Disciplines Offered

NID Admission Process

Bachelor of Design (BDes)

  • Film and video communication

  • Exhibition design

  • Animation film design

  • Graphic design

  • Ceramic and glass design

  • Furniture and interior design

  • Product design

  • Textile design

NID DAT Prelims +

NID DAT Mains

Master of Design (MDes)


  • Film and video communication

  • Graphic design

  • Animation film design

  • Photography design

  • Ceramic and glass design

  • Furniture and interior design

  • Product design

  • Toy and game design

  • Transportation and automobile design

  • Universal design

  • Design for retail experience

  • Strategic design management

  • Digital game design

  • Interaction design

  • Information design

  • New media design

  • Apparel design

  • Lifestyle accessory design

  • Textile design

NID DAT Prelims +

NID DAT Mains

(studio test + personal interview )

NID Admission - Gandhinagar

Official website: nid.edu/about/campuses/gandhinagar-campus

NID Gandhinagar campus offers postgraduate courses as MDes. The below table provides the course information and NID admission process for Gandhinagar Campus.

Course Offered

Disciplines Offered

NID Admission Process

Master of Design (MDes)


  • Lifestyle Accessory Design

  • Apparel Design

  • New Media Design

  • Toy and game design

  • Photography design

  • Strategic Design Management

  • Transportation and Automobile Design

NID DAT Prelims +

NID DAT Mains (studio test + personal interview)

NID Admission - Bengaluru

Official website: nid.edu/about/campuses/bengaluru-campus

NID Bengaluru Campus also offers postgraduate programmes in design. Candidates can check the table below for the NID admission process at Bengaluru campus.

Course Offered

Disciplines offered

NID Admission Process

Master of Design (MDes)


  • Design for retail Experience

  • Digital game design

  • Information design

  • Interaction design

  • Universal design

NID DAT Prelims +

NID DAT Mains (studio test + personal interview)

NID Admission - Andhra Pradesh

NID campus at Andhra Pradesh is also one of the campuses of the National Institute of Design, which offers undergraduate courses in design. Candidates can check the NID Admission process Andhra Pradesh as below.

Course Offered

Disciplines offered

NID Admission Process

Bachelors of Design (BDes)

  • Industrial Design

  • Communication Design

  • Textile and Apparel Design

NID DAT Prelims +

NID DAT Mains

NID Haryana Admission

Official website: nidh.ac.in

NID Haryana (Kurukshetra) Campus is also a new campus which offers bachelor courses in design. The design aspirants can check the NID Haryana admission process provided below.

Course Offered

Disciplines

NID Admission Process

Bachelor of Design (BDes)

  • Industrial Design

  • Communication Design

  • Textile and Apparel Design

NID DAT Prelims +

NID DAT Mains

NID Admission - Madhya Pradesh

Official Website: nidmp.ac.in

The NID Madhya Pradesh campus offers undergraduate design courses. The NID Madhya Pradesh admission process from the below table.

Course Offered

Discipline offered

NID Admission Process

Bachelor of Design - BDes

  • Communication Design

  • Industrial Design

  • Textile and Apparel Design

NID DAT Prelims +

NID DAT Mains

NID Admission - Assam

Official website: nidj.ac.in

The new campus of the National Institute of Design, Assam offers only bachelor courses in design. The NID Assam admission process is provided below in the table.

Course OfferedDiscipline offeredNID Admission Process

Bachelors of Design - BDes

  • Communication Design
  • Industrial Design
  • Textile and Apparel Design

NID DAT Prelims +

NID DAT Mains

NID Application Process 2026

Candidates should register for the NID entrance exam 2026 in online mode. The NID 2026 application form is available at the official website - admissions.nid.edu. The candidates who register successfully will receive the NID admission login credentials at their registered email id. Aspirants willing to pursue design courses need to fill the NID application form 2026 and submit it online. The applicants should submit the application form before the NID 2026 application form last date. During the NID application process, candidates have to pay the NID application fee provided in the official brochure as per the category.

NID Application Fee as per Category for BDes

CategoryApplication Fee

General/General EWS/OBC-NCL

Rs. 3000/-

Female candidates (Except SC, ST & PwD)Rs. 2000/-

SC and ST candidates

Rs. 1500/-

PwD candidates
Rs. 500/-
Third GenderRs. 500/-

Overseas (supernumerary)

US $ 125

NID Application Fee as per Category for MDes

Category

Application Fees

Discipline 1

Discipline 2

General/General EWS/OBC-NCL

Rs. 3000/-

Rs. 6000/-

Female candidates (Except SC, ST & PwD)

Rs. 2000/-

Rs. 4000/-

SC and ST candidates

Rs. 1500/-

Rs. 3000/-

PwD candidates
Rs. 500/-
Rs. 1000/-
Third Gender
Rs. 500/-
Rs. 1000/-

Overseas (supernumerary)

US $ 125

US $ 250

NID 2026 Weightages for BDes & MDes

The NID 2026 Prelims score will only be used to shortlist the candidates for NID DAT Mains exam. Candidates should be aware that the NID Prelims score will not be carried forward as any weightage for the NID 2026 Mains exam. The NID weightages for BDes and MDes are as follows.

BDes tests

Weightage

Studio sensitivity test

60%

In-Person sensitivity test

40%


MDes tests

Weightage

Studio test

40%

Interviews

60%

NID Counselling Process 2026

NID counselling is the final stage to offer NID admission 2026. The authorities will conduct the NID counselling process for the students who will be shortlisted in the DAT prelims and DAT mains exams. The selected candidates need to undergo through a document verification process and confirm their seat allotment by making admission fee payment. The NID admission seat allocation will be based on the candidate’s merit list, category, campus preference and the seat availability.

NID Admission Cutoff 2026

The NID authorities will release the NID DAT 2026 cutoff online for the entrance exams - prelims and mains. NID DAT cutoff is the minimum score required for the candidates to move for the further level of NID admission. The authorities will release the NID cutoff 2026 as per the schedule. The NID 2026 cutoff will be prepared based on certain factors such as the total number of students who appeared for the exam, availability of seats, category reservations, NID DAT exam difficulty levels, and the previous year's cutoff trend. The candidates who meet the NID cutoff marks will be eligible for NID admission to the desired campus, subject to the seat availability, the rank and the score obtained by the candidates.

NID Admission Cutoff

NID Admission 2026 Fees

The National Institute of Design offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in design. NID admission fees 2026 varies according to the campus, and also the candidate’s category. The NID admission 2026 fee includes NID course fees, student development fund, security deposit, hostel fee, mess charges, and alumni association membership fee.

The NID 2026 fee structure will be released at admissions.nid.edu. The NID admission fees for all campuses such as Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Assam will be mage available on their respective websites as well.

NID Seat Matrix 2026

NID authorities will release the NID 2026 seat matrix as per each campus and the programme through the official brochure on the official website - admissions.nid.edu. NID offers BDes and MDes courses in different specialisations such as Industrial Design, Communication Design, Textile and Apparel Design, and Ceramic and Glass Design. The following tables provide the NID seat matrix for all NID campuses.

NID Seat Matrix for Ahmedabad Campus

Faculty of Communication Design

Discipline

Number of seats (BDes)Number of seats (MDes)

Animation Film Design

19

19

Exhibition Design

13

-

Film & Video Communication

13

19

Graphic Design

19

19

Faculty of Industrial Design

Discipline

Number of seats (BDes)

Number of seats (MDes)

Ceramic & Glass Design

13

12

Furniture & Interior Design

13

19

Product Design

19

19

Faculty of Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle and Accessory Design

Discipline

Number of seats (BDes)

Number of seats (MDes)

Textile and Apparel Design

19

19

NID Seat Matrix for Andhra Pradesh Campus

Discipline

Number of seats (BDes)

Communication Design

25

Industrial Design

25

Textile and Apparel Design

25

NID Seat Matrix for Haryana Campus

Discipline

Number of seats (BDes)

Communication Design

25

Industrial Design

25

Textile and Apparel Design

25

NID Seat Matrix for Madhya Pradesh Campus

Discipline

Number of seats (BDes)

Communication Design

25 + 4 Overseas

Industrial Design

25 + 4 Overseas

Textile and Apparel Design

25 + 3 Overseas

NID Seat Matrix for Assam Campus

Discipline

Number of seats (BDes)

Communication Design

25

Industrial Design

25

Textile and Apparel Design

25

NID Seat Matrix for Gandhinagar Campus

Discipline

Number of seats (MDes)

Photography Design

19

Toy and Game Design

12

Transportation and Automobile Design

19

New Media Design19
Strategic Design Management19
Apparel Design19
Lifestyle Accessory Design19

NID Seat Matrix for Bengaluru Campus

Discipline

Number of seats (MDes)

Universal Design

19

Digital Game Design

19

Information Design

19

Interaction Design19
Design for Retail Experience19


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When will the NID 2026 application form be released?
A:

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

Q: How can I apply for NID admission 2026?
A:

Candidates should register for NID 2026 admission by applying in online mode on the official website - admissions.nid.edu.

Q: How many levels of entrance exam will be conducted by NID to offer admission?
A:

There are 2 stages of the NID entrance examination. NID Prelims and NID Mains. The candidates who clear the NID prelims will be eligible to appear for NID mains examination.

Q: How much does NID exam cost?
A:

The cost of NID exam is separate for the candidates of all categories.

Q: What is the minimum score to get into NID?
A:

The NID minimum score cutoff depends on the factors as the number of total applications received, number of students appeared for the test, seat availability.

Q: What courses are offered by the National Institute of Design?
A:

National Institute of Design - NID offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D courses in design. They are Bachelor of Design (BDes), Master of Design (MDes), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Design.

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Questions related to NID DAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NID DAT ?

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 !

Hello,

There are numerous websites which give free study material and classes to prepare for entrance exams NID DAT, UCEED, or NIFT. Here are a few popular ones:

YouTube: YouTube has many educators as well as institutes, which have been uploading free video lectures on important topics, on aptitude for design, and how to give these exams. Useful content can be found in the channels "Design Coach" and "NID Preparation".

You can download free courses offered on websites like Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy on the topics of design principles, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Official Websites: Both NID and UCEED and also NIFT would usually release sample papers and previous question papers for self-preparation.

Study Groups: One can join online forums or social media groups which are dedicated to NID, UCEED, and NIFT preparation for peer-to-peer learning assistance.

The resource utilization would bring in good preparation for the exams and, therefore, increase in confidence.

Hello,

Preparing for the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance exam involves focusing on several key areas. Here’s a structured approach to get you started:

1. Understand the Exam Structure

Familiarize yourself with the NIFT entrance exam format:

  • General Ability Test (GAT): Tests general knowledge, current affairs, and quantitative ability.
  • Creative Ability Test (CAT): Assesses your creative and visual ability through sketching and design-based questions.
  • Situation Test (for B.Des): Evaluates your ability to create a design from given materials.
  • Group Discussion and Personal Interview (for M.Des/MFM): Tests your communication skills, understanding of the fashion industry, and design knowledge.

2. Gather Study Materials

  • For GAT: Use general knowledge books, current affairs magazines, and quantitative aptitude guides.
  • For CAT: Practice sketching and drawing regularly. Books on design and creativity can be useful.
  • For Situation Test: Practice creating models from various materials and understanding design principles.
  • For GD/PI: Prepare by staying updated on fashion trends, industry news, and developing a strong portfolio.

3. Create a Study Plan

  • Daily Study: Allocate time for each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Weekly Goals: Set goals for completing practice papers and revising key concepts.
  • Mock Tests: Regularly take mock tests to simulate the exam environment and improve time management.

4. Enroll in Coaching Classes (if needed)

Consider joining a coaching institute that specializes in NIFT preparation. They can provide structured guidance, practice tests, and expert feedback.

5. Work on Your Portfolio

If you’re applying for design courses, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your creative work. Include sketches, designs, and any relevant projects.

6. Refer to Previous Years’ Papers

Solving past years' question papers helps you understand the exam pattern and types of questions. It also aids in identifying important topics.

7. Stay Updated

  • Follow fashion industry news to stay informed about trends and innovations.
  • Read relevant books and articles about design and fashion.

8. Practice Creativity

Engage in activities that boost your creativity, such as drawing, painting, or crafting. Keep experimenting with new ideas and techniques.

By focusing on these areas, you'll build a solid foundation for the NIFT entrance exam. Good luck with your preparation!

You can also refer to the following articles to better understand the NIFT examination and its preperation strategy :-

1. https://design.careers360.com/articles/how-prepare-for-nift-entrance-exam

2. https://design.careers360.com/exams/nift-entrance-exam


Hope it helps !