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
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.
| Particulars | Time |
|---|---|
NID DAT 2026 reporting time | 8:30 am |
Gate closing time | 9:30 am |
NID DAT 2026 exam time | 10 am to 1 pm |
Get all the latest updates on NID DAT 2026, being conducted on December 21, 2025, here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Candidates from PwD category can ask for extra compensatory time of 60 minutes after 1 PM to complete the exam.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On Question asked by student community
Dear Student,
For NID DAT exam preparation, you can follow the preparation tips provided by Careers360. The article covers important aspects such as understanding the exam pattern and syllabus, choosing the right study material, practising previous-year papers, and taking mock tests.
Use these strategies
Hello Student,
To start your NID DAT and UCEED preparation, begin with the syllabus, exam pattern, and previous years' question papers. You can also refer to the Careers360 preparation resources and sample papers for regular practice using the links provided below.
No, the NID DAT Prelims paper is not exactly the same for B.Des and M.Des aspirants.
You can check these resources for more clarity:
https://design.careers360.com/articles/nid-dat-sample-papers
https://design.careers360.com/articles/nid-mdes-previous-year-question-papers-with-solution
Hello Dear Student,
Could you provide more information so that i could help you further
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