UPES B.Des Admissions 2026
Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
NID DAT Admit Card Date:11 Dec' 25 - 21 Dec' 25
The National Institute of Design releases the NID DAT syllabus 2026 on its official website - nid.edu. The previous year’s NID question papers can also help understand the NID syllabus 2026. The NID DAT 2026 syllabus includes the topics for the prelims and mains exam, which are the two components of the NID DAT entrance exam. The duration of the NID DAT prelims exam will be 3 hours. Candidates who successfully clear the NID DAT prelims will advance to the NID DAT Mains. To excel in the exam well, it is important for the candidates to understand the NID DAT syllabus.
This Story also Contains
Candidates appearing for the NID DAT 2026 are advised to go through the NID exam syllabus thoroughly and practice mock tests to score well in the exam. Read the complete article to know more about the NID DAT exam syllabus 2026, including NID DAT 2026 topics, preparation tips, and more.
The NID DAT exam 2026 consist of two distinct sections: the Prelims and the Mains. The Prelims will be conducted in paper format, and the Mains will include a studio test and a personal interview. The NID entrance exam syllabus PDF varies for each phase, and a thorough understanding will be helpful for the candidates to excel in the NID entrance examination. Candidates can check the detailed syllabus for NID DAT 2026 in the paragraphs below.
| Particulars | Details |
| Download Link | NID Syllabus PDF Download |
As the National Institute of Design will not release the official NID exam syllabus, candidates can check the previous year question papers released by the other sources to understand the NID DAT 2026 topics to begin their preparation. However, candidates can check the NID DAT exam syllabus for BDes courses as per the previous year.
| NID DAT exam syllabus for BDes Prelims | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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 |
Inspiration & Creativity | |||
| Section | High-Weightage Topics |
|---|---|
General Knowledge And Current Affairs |
|
Analytical Ability |
|
Top Design Entrance Exams
The shortlisted candidates from the Prelims exam need to appear for Mains examination. Mains is the second stage of the exam conducted to obtain NID admission. To prepare for the NID DAT Mains exam for BDes course, the candidates need to check the NID exam syllabus for mains. The Mains exam consists of the NID studio test for which the syllabus is as follows.
| NID DAT syllabus for BDes Mains | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Model making | Questions generally asked in an interview | Material manipulation | Mock interview |
Audio-visual exercises | Evolving ideas | Importance of body language | Doodling |
Past studio test & interview questions | Interview tips | Creative thinking | Guidance on portfolio-making |
The applicants planning to appear for the NID DAT MDes exam 2026 can check the syllabus for Prelims and Mains. Provided below in the table are the topics to be covered under the NID entrance exam syllabus pdf for MDes Prelims.
| NID DAT Syllabus for MDes Prelims | ||
|---|---|---|
Design Outline for Beginners | Colour Terminology | Inspiration & Design Development |
Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship | Elements & Principles Of Design | Design Theory |
Natural & Geometrical Form | Innovation in Design | Principles of Composition |
Lettering | Optical Illusion | Understanding Light & Shade |
Colour Psychology & Optical Illusions | Form & Function | Colour, Pattern & Texture |
Theme Development | Creative Thinking & Writing | Picture Analysis |
Visual Logic | Good Design vs Bad Design | Drawing Fundamentals |
Use of Measurements, Scale & proportions | Optical Illusion | Foreshortening & Perspective |
Developing Themes & Colour Associations | Inspiration & Creativity | Ornaments & Motifs |
Memory Drawing | Usage of Colour in Compositions | Expression & Emotion |
Exercises on Imagination | Lateral Thinking | Story Pictures |
Presentation Techniques | Imagination & Doodling | 3D Visualisation |
Graphics & Pictograms | Innovation & Creation | Design Awareness |
Developing Observation | ||
Check Design Colleges:
Provided below are the important topics for NID DAT Mains (Studio Test) for M.Des programme.
| NID DAT Mains Syllabus for MDes | ||
|---|---|---|
Model Making | Doodling | How to evolve ideas |
Audio – Visual Exercises | Material Manipulation | Creative Thinking |
Also Check:
EXAMS dates- 13-14 Dec | Leading Design College | Highest CTC: ₹12 LPA | Average CTC: ₹7.5 LPA | Scholarships for Deserving Students
Courses offered in- Fashion Design, Product Design, Communication Design, Interior & Spatial Design & Animation & VFX Design
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The NID DAT syllabus for BDes and MDes programmes will not be released officially by the National Institute of Design. However, candidates can refer to the previous year NID DAT syllabus.
The duration of the NID DAT exam will be 3 hours.
The NID 2026 syllabus for DAT is divided into two stages: Prelims and Mains.
On Question asked by student community
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.
Ranked as India’s #1 Not for profit pvt. University by India Today | Wide Range of scholarships available
Among top 100 Universities Globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026
World-class design education with a global curricular collaboration with Parson’s School of Design
Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
Ranked 2nd in the IIRF 2023 Design School Ranking | Approved by AICTE | Highest CTC 13 LPA
No. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings