NID DAT Prelims 2026 on December 21, 2025: Live Updates

NID DAT Prelims 2026 on December 21, 2025: Live Updates

Upcoming Event

NID DAT Result Date:07 Apr' 26 - 07 Apr' 26

Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 21 Dec 2025, 03:28 PM IST

The National Institute of Design conducted NID DAT 2026 prelims on December 21, 2025, in offline mode from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Initial student reaction suggests that the NID DAT 2026 was easy to moderate. The questions were easy but students found them lenghty especially questions which focussed on sketching and detailing. The NID prelims 2026 are the first step in the NID admission 2026 process

NID DAT Prelims 2026 on December 21, 2025: Live Updates
NID Exam 2026 Live Updates

As per the NID exam pattern the NID 2026 prelims was a paper-and-pencil/pen test. The NID 2026 was conducted at all the NID exam centres simultaneously on the same day. The NID DAT 2026 questions included text and visuals.

The NID DAT 2026 prelims result will be declared on February 17, 2026, for M.Des, and on April 7, 2026, for B.Des. The NID DAT 2026 prelims are only a qualifying exam, and the marks will not be carried forward to the mains.

NID DAT 2026 Timings

ParticularsTime

NID DAT 2026 reporting time

8:30 am

Gate closing time

9:30 am

NID DAT 2026 exam time

10 am to 1 pm

NID DAT 2026: Live Updates

Get all the latest updates on NID DAT 2026, being conducted on December 21, 2025, here.

NID DAT 2026 Prelims Result

The NID DAT 2026 prelims will be declared on February 17, 2026 for M.Des. The NID BDes prelims result 2026 will be declared on February 8, 2026.

NID DAT 2026 Easy to Moderate But Lengthy

The initial NID exam analysis suggests the NID DAT 2026 was easy to moderate. There was no part A . Only drawing-based questions were there in the exam. Students found the questions to be too lenghty.

NID DAT 2026 Ends

The NID DAT 2026 prelims exam ended at 1 PM. Candidates can now look forward to the prelims results which will be out first for M.Des and then later for B.Des.

NID DAT 2026 to Conclude Soon

The NID DAT 2026 exam will end at 1 PM having started at 10 am with a duration of 3 hours. The exam is being conducted at 17 cities across the country.

NID DAT Prelims 2026 Expected Cut-Off

The NID 2026 expected cut-off for B.Des is likely to be higher with tighter shortlisting criteria, as candidates numbering only 1.5 times the seats will be called for mains. The NID prelims 2026 cut-off is expected to be around 60-65 marks for the general category, 58-63 marks for EWS/OBC and 40-45 marks for SC/ST category.

No Negative Marking in NID DAT 2026

The authorities have notified that there will not be negative marking in NID DAT 2026 prelims. It means candidates can try to attempt maximum questions to improve their chances of clearing the prelims and qualify for the mains.

Extra Time for PwD Candidates

Candidates from PwD category can ask for extra compensatory time of 60 minutes after 1 PM to complete the exam.

NID DAT Prelims from 10 to 1 pm

The NID DAT 2026 prelims exam will be conducted for 3 hours from 10 am to 1 pm. The exam will be conducted in offline mode. Candidates are not allowed to carry the question paper booklet or part thereof outside the exam hall.

NID DAT Prelims 2026 Exam Centre Gate Closed at 9:30 am

The entry to the NID DAT 2026 exam centre closed at 9:30 am, half an hour before the start of the exam. Candidates arriving late will not be allowed to appear for the exam.

Items Allowed to be Carried for NID DAT 2026 Exam

Candidates must carry a printed copy of the NID 2026 admit card along with a valid ID proof inside the exam hall. Additionally, candidates must carry their own stationery as borrowing during the exam is not allowed. Candidates are also allowed to carry a transparent writing pad.

Candidate Entry at NID 2026 Exam Centres Started

The candidates have started reporting at the NID 2026 exam centres from 8:30 am onwards. The NID DAT 2026 reporting time and the allotted exam centres have been notified in the NID 2026 admit card, which was released on December 11.

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Questions related to NID DAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NID DAT ?

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.