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    NID DAT 2026: M.Des Prelims Result (Out), Mains Exam Date, Question Paper, Expected Cutoff

    NID DAT 2026: M.Des Prelims Result (Out), Mains Exam Date, Question Paper, Expected Cutoff

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    Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 19 Mar 2026, 05:08 PM IST
    Switch toEnglish IconHindi Icon

    The National Institute of Design will announce NID DAT 2026 B.Des prelims result in online mode on April 7, 2026. Earlier, authorities has declared the NID 2026 M.Des prelims result on February 12, 2026, at 4 pm as per the revised date. Candidates can submit the request for rechecking the NID M.Des result from February 12, 6 pm onwards, till February 14 upto 11:59 pm. The NID DAT B.Des prelims result will be declared on April 7, 2026. Candidates who qualify in the prelims will be able to participate in the NID mains 2026. As per student feedback, the difficulty level of the exam was easy to moderate, with some questions being too lengthy. The NID DAT 2026 notification includes the complete NID DAT 2026 schedule and complete details of the NID 2026 entrance exam. The institute conducts the NID DAT entrance exam for admissions into B.Des and M.Des programmes of NID campuses. It conducted the NID DAT 2026 prelims on December 21, 2025. Continue reading for more information on the NID entrance exam 2026.

    This Story also Contains

    1. NID DAT 2026: An Overview
    2. NID DAT Exam Date 2026
    3. NID DAT 2026 Exam Analysis
    4. NID DAT 2026 Answer Key
    5. NID DAT 2026 Result
    6. NID Selection Process (Revised Weightage)
    7. NID DAT 2026 Admit Card
    8. NID DAT 2026 Counselling
    9. NID 2026 Eligibility Criteria
    10. NID DAT 2026 Application Form
    11. NID 2026 Registration Fees
    12. NID DAT 2026 Exam Pattern
    13. Previous Year NID Question Paper
    14. NID 2026 Preparation Tips
    15. NID DAT 2026 Books for Preparation
    NID DAT 2026: M.Des Prelims Result (Out), Mains Exam Date, Question Paper, Expected Cutoff
    NID 2026

    NID DAT 2026 exam has two components - Prelims and Mains. Candidates have to appear and qualify in both parts to be considered for NID admissions 2026. As per the revised NID selection process, NID prelims does not have any weightage in the final selection of the candidates. It is only a qualifying exam for the mains. Candidates will be offered NID admissions 2026 based on the scores in the mains exam. Aspirants can check the NID exam eligibility, the paper pattern of the NID DAT exam, the best books for preparation, NID exam dates, and more on this page.
    Also read- How many students appeared for NID DAT 2026

    NID DAT 2026: An Overview

    ParticularsNID Details

    NID full form

    NID Design Aptitude Test

    Short Name

    NID DAT

    Conducting Body

    National Institute of Design

    Frequency of Conduct

    Once a year

    Exam Level

    National Level Exam

    Languages

    English

    Mode of Exam

    Offline

    Exam Duration

    3 Hours

    Official website

    admissions.nid.edu

    UPES B.Des Admissions 2026

    Last Date to Apply: 26th March | Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings

    Pearl Academy B.Des Admissions 2026

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

    NID DAT Exam Date 2026

    The National Institute of Design has notified the NID 2026 exam date at admissions.nid.edu. Candidates can refer to the table given below for the schedule of NID DAT 2026 BDes and MDes.

    NID DAT 2026 Exam Date

    NID EventsNID BDes Dates 2026NID MDes Dates 2026

    NID DAT 2026 application form date

    September 11, 2025

    September 11, 2025

    NID application form 2026 last dateDecember 1, 2025December 1, 2025

    Correction of NID DAT 2026 application form

    December 2-4 2025

    December 2-4 2025

    NID DAT admit card 2026

    December 11, 2025

    December 11, 2025

    NID 2026 exam date for prelims

    December 21, 2025

    December 21, 2025

    NID DAT result 2026 prelims

    April 7, 2026, 4 pm

    February 12, 2026, 4pm

    Rechecking request for DAT prelims

    April 7-8, 2026

    February 12-14 2026

    Download admit card for NID DAT mains

    April 2026

    February 2026

    NID DAT 2026 exam date for mains

    April 2026

    March 2026

    NID DAT 2026 mains result

    May 2026

    May 2026

    Rechecking request for DAT mains 2026

    May 2026

    May 2026

    NID DAT 2026 Exam Analysis

    The NID exam analysis for prelims based on feedback obtained from students shows that attempting the exam was time-consuming. The paper was lengthy, with only drawing-based questions. Given below are important points related to the exam analysis.

    • The NID 2026 exam difficulty level was easy to moderate
    • The questions seemed to be lengthy and time-consuming
    • There were only drawing-based questions
    • There was no part A
    • Students found that there was not enough time to detail their sketches
    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.
    Download EBook

    NID DAT 2026 Answer Key

    NID will not officially release the NID DAT answer key 2026. However, the unofficial NID answer key will be released by the coaching institute for the candidates' sake as per the memory-based questions. Candidates will be able to download the answer key online as per its release.

    NID DAT 2026 Result

    The NID DAT 2026 result is declared online. First, the institute declares the NID DAT prelims result 2026. The NID B.Des prelims 2026 result will be declared on April 7, 2026. The NID M.Des prelims result 2026 has been declared on February 12, 2026. Candidates who are shortlisted in the prelims will be called to attend the NID DAT 2026 mains in the ratio of 1.5 candidates for each available seat for B.Des and 4.5 times candidates for each seat in M.Des. The final NID DAT result 2026 will be prepared based on the scores of the candidates in the mains exam.

    Steps to Download the NID Result 2026

    Candidates can download the result of NID DAT 2026 by following the steps given below

    • Visit the official website - admissions.nid.edu
    • Click on the NID DAT Result link
    • Login with email id and date of birth
    • NID DAT 2026 result will be displayed on the screen
    • Download and take a printout of the result for future reference
    ITM Institute of Design and Media Admissions 2026

    Faculty from A+ Design schools of India and Abroad | 100% Placement Assistance

    IIAD Admissions 2026

    Leading Design College | Highest CTC: ₹12 LPA | Average CTC: ₹7.5 LPA | Scholarships for Deserving Students

    Also Check

    NID Selection Process (Revised Weightage)

    The tables given below provide the revised weightage for NID prelims and mains for final admission into B.Des and M.Des programmes.

    NID B.Des 2026 Revised Weightage

    Particulars

    Revised Weightage in Final Selection

    Prelims

    Nil

    Mains

    Studio sensitivity test - 60%

    In-person sensitivity test - 40%

    NID M.Des 2026 Revised Weightage

    Particulars

    Revised Weightage in Final Selection

    Prelims

    Nil

    Mains

    Studio test - 40%

    Interview - 60%

    NID DAT 2026 Admit Card

    The institute released the NID DAT admit card 2026 on December 11, 2025, for NID prelims for candidates to download on the official website. Candidates who are shortlisted for NID DAT 2026 mains will be issued the NID DAT 2026 mains admit card separately. The NID admit card is issued online. Candidates can download the admit card through their login.

    Steps to Download the NID Admit Card 2026

    • Visit the website link - admissions.nid.edu/NIDA2026/Login_AdmitCard.aspx
    • Enter the login credentials
    • Click on the 'Proceed to download admit card' button.
    • The NID DAT admit card 2026 will appear on the screen.
    • Download the admit card and take a printout

    NID DAT 2026 Counselling

    The full NID DAT counselling 2026 schedule will be released online. Candidates to visit the official website - admissions.nid.edu for the counselling dates. The NID DAT 2026 counselling will be held tentatively in May 2026. The NID DAT 2026 seat allotment will be done based on the campus and course preferences opted by the students during the counselling registration process. The authorities will also release the NID DAT cutoff 2026 as per each counselling round.

    NID 2026 Eligibility Criteria

    Candidates applying for the BDes and MDes programmes should meet NID DAT 2026 eligibility criteria. It is important to fulfill the NID DAT eligibility criteria so as not to face any disqualification at the last moment. The NID eligibility criteria 2026 for BDes and MDes programmes are different. Candidates can refer to the table given below for the NID DAT eligibility criteria 2026.

    NID DAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

    ProgrammeEducational QualificationAge Limit

    BDes

    • The candidates who have completed or appeared for the 10+2 examination in any discipline (Science, Arts, Commerce, Humanities, etc) from any recognised board such as CBSE, IB, ICSE, or its equivalent will be eligible for NID DAT 2026.


    • For Indian Nationals in General Category and General EWS Category: Candidates born on or after 1 July 2005.
    • For Indian Nationals in Reserved Category (Other Backward Class-Non Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST): Candidates born on or after 1 July 2002.
    • For Indian Nationals in PwD Reserved Category: Candidates born on or after 1 July 2000.
    • For Foreign Nationals in Overseas (Supernumerary) Category: Candidates born on or after 1 July 2005.

    MDes

    • Bachelor's Degree of minimum 4-year duration in any specialisation, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th standard from any university and/or institute recognised by the law in India.
      • Or
    • Full-time Diploma of minimum 4-year duration in Design/Fine Arts/Applied Arts/ Architecture, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th standard
      • Or
    • Bachelor's Degree of minimum 3-year duration in any specialisation, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th standard
    • For Indian Nationals in General Category & General EWS Category: Candidates born on or after 1 July 1994.
    • For Indian Nationals in Reserved Category (Other Backward Class-Non Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Scheduled Caste (SC) & Scheduled Tribe (ST): Candidates born on or after 1 July 1991.
    • For Indian Nationals in Person with Disabilities (PwD) Reserved Category: Candidates born on or after 1 July 1989.
    • For Foreign Nationals in Overseas (Supernumerary) Category: Candidates born on or after 1 July 1994.

    NID DAT 2026 Application Form

    The National Institute of Design closed the NID DAT 2026 application form on December 1, 2025.

    NID Application 2026 Correction Window

    Candidates can no longer make corrections to the NID 2026 application form. The Application Form correction window closed on December 4, 2025 at 11:59 PM. Candidates were not allowed to edit details such as registered email ID, mobile number, name, category, and date of birth.

    Steps to fill out the NID DAT registration form:

    • Visit the official website—admissions.nid.edu
    • Click on the NID DAT registration link and get yourself registered.
    • Go to the NID DAT application form link and enter the login credentials.
    • Fill up the personal details, such as
      • Name of the candidate
      • Father’s name
      • Mother’s name
      • Gender
      • Qualification
      • Email ID & Mobile number
      • Communication address
      • Date of birth
      • Course name
      • Category
      • Nationality
    • Select the NID DAT 2026 exam centre
    • Upload the photograph of the candidate
    • Payment of the application fee based on the category
    • Upload the required documents
    • Click on the submit button
    • Download and take a printout of the NID DAT application form 2026 for future reference.

    NID 2026 Registration Fees

    Category

    NID form fees (BDes)

    NID form fees (MDes)


    1 Discipline

    2 Discipline

    General/ General- EWS/ OBC-NCL

    Rs 3000

    Rs 3000

    Rs 6000

    Female candidates (except SC,ST,PwD)Rs 2000Rs 2000Rs 4000

    SC/ ST

    Rs 1500

    Rs 1500

    Rs 3000

    PwDRs 500Rs 500Rs 1000
    Third genderRs 500Rs 500Rs 1000

    Overseas (Supernumerary)

    125 USD

    125 USD

    250 USD

    NID DAT 2026 Syllabus

    The authorities do not release any specific NID syllabus for the DAT exam. However, candidates appearing for the NID DAT 2026 can check the table below for important topics based on the previous year's sample paper.

    NID Entrance Exam Syllabus BDes

    Innovation in design

    Theme development

    Exercises on imagination

    Graphics & pictograms

    Principles of composition

    Design Theory

    Optical illusion

    Form & function

    Inspiration & design development

    Natural & geometrical form

    Colour, pattern & texture

    Drawing fundamentals

    Lateral thinking

    Design Awareness

    Creative thinking & writing

    Ornaments & motifs

    Imagination & doodling

    Understanding light & shade

    Elements & Principles of Design

    Colour psychology & optical illusions

    3D visualization

    Lettering

    Developing observation

    Good design vs. bad design

    Optical illusion

    Outline for beginners

    Memory drawing

    Innovation & Creation

    Mood, theme & colour inter-relationship

    Visual logic

    Colour terminology

    Presentation techniques

    Picture analysis

    Story pictures

    Usage of colour in compositions

    Natural & geometrical form

    Use of measurements, scale & proportions

    Expression & emotion

    Developing themes & colour associations

    Foreshortening & perspective

    Check:

    NID DAT 2026 Exam Pattern

    With the help of the NID DAT exam pattern 2026, candidates can understand the time allotted for each section, the number of questions asked, the types of questions, and the total marks. Refer to the table given below for a better understanding of the exam pattern.

    NID DAT BDes Prelims

    Section

    Type of question

    Number of Questions in each section

    Maximum marks per section

    Part I


    MCQ

    • Q1 - Q15
    • Q16- Q26
    • Q27
    • 15 marks
    • 22 marks
    • 3 marks

    Part II

    Subjective type

    Q28 - Q31

    60 marks

    Total Marks



    100 marks

    NID DAT BDes MAINS

    Particular

    Details

    Mode of exam

    Offline

    Exam Duration

    3 hours

    NID DAT Total marks

    100

    Mode of Language

    English

    Type of questions

    Based on Drawing/ Sketching/ Model Making

    Previous Year NID Question Paper

    NID DAT 2026 will consist of two parts: Prelims and Mains exams. The NID DAT exam pattern for the prelims and the mains exam varies. As per the previous year, the NID DAT question paper for the Prelims exam includes subjective and objective-type questions, and the Mains exam consists of questions based on drawing, sketching, and model making.

    NID B.Des Question Paper with Solution PDF by Silica Institute

    NID 2026 Preparation Tips

    • Attempt previous year NID question papers
    • Understand the syllabus and exam pattern
    • Create a study schedule and stick to the routine
    • Focus on maintaining speed and accuracy at the same time
    • Boost your creativity and observation skills

    NID DAT 2026 Books for Preparation

    Aspirants who are going to appear for the NID 2026 exam are advised to check the list of recommended books for the entrance exam. With the help of the NID books, candidates can get a detailed explanation of topics and also the list of important topics.

    Best Books for NID DAT 2026

    NID DAT book by R.S. Aggarwal (aptitude section)

    Design drawing by Francis D.K.Ching

    NID (B.Des.) Entrance Books and Test Series

    NID Workbook

    Basic Rendering from Robert W.Gill

    Guide for NID

    NID Mock Test Series

    Success Master- NID Entrance Examination

    NIFT/ NID/ IIFT entrance exam guide by Surendra

    Also Check:

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: When will the authorities release the NID DAT 2026 dates?
    A:

    The authorities notified the NID DAT dates for BDes and MDes at admissions.nid.edu on September 11, 2025. 

    Q: What is the age limit criteria for the BDes programme?
    A:

    The limit criteria for the BDes programme are as follows:

    • For Indian Nationals in General Category and General EWS Category: Candidates born on or after 1 July 2005.
    • For Indian Nationals in Reserved Category (Other Backward Class-Non Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST): Candidates born on or after 1 July 2002.
    • For Indian Nationals in PwD Reserved Category: Candidates born on or after 1 July 2000.
    • For Foreign Nationals in Overseas (Supernumerary) Category: Candidates born on or after 1 July 2005.
    Q: What is the NID DAT exam duration?
    A:

    The NID DAT exam duration is 3 hours.

    Q: When is NID entrance exam 2026?
    A:

    The NID 2026 prelims exam for B.Des and M.Des was held on December 21, 2025.

    Q: What is the pattern of NID 2026?
    A:

    The NID 2026 exam pattern consists of prelims as well as mains. Candidates who qualify the prelims will be called to attend the mains exam.

    Q: What is the full form of Nid dat?
    A:

    The full form of NID in National Institute of Design. The purpose of NID entrance test is to shortlist candidates for UG and PG design admission offered by colleges in participating colleges. 

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    Questions related to NID DAT

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to NID DAT ?

    No specific stream is required in Class 11 for BDes admissions. You can join B.Des (Bachelor of Design) with any stream in Class 11th (Science, Commerce, or Arts/Humanities). Top design institutes like NID ( NID DAT scores) and NIFT ( NIFT Entrance Exam ), as well as IITs (via UCEED),

    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

    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

    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