NID DAT Syllabus 2026: Section Wise Topics for Prelims & Mains

NID DAT Syllabus 2026: Section Wise Topics for Prelims & Mains

Ongoing Event

NID DAT Admit Card Date:11 Dec' 25 - 21 Dec' 25

Rajyalaxmi VenkatapuramUpdated on 05 Dec 2025, 03:24 PM IST

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

  1. NID DAT Syllabus 2026: Overview
  2. NID DAT Syllabus Topics for B.Des - Prelims
  3. NID DAT Syllabus for BDes Admission - Mains
  4. NID DAT Syllabus 2026 - M.Des Admission
  5. NID Entrance Exam Syllabus for MDes Prelims
  6. NID DAT MDes Mains Syllabus
NID DAT Syllabus 2026: Section Wise Topics for Prelims & Mains
NID DAT Syllabus 2026

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.

NID DAT Syllabus 2026: Overview

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.

NID DAT Syllabus 2026 PDF

ParticularsDetails
Download LinkNID Syllabus PDF Download
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

Pearl Academy B.Des Admissions 2026

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


NID DAT Syllabus Topics for B.Des - Prelims

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

NID DAT Syllabus - Prelims - High-Weightage Topics

SectionHigh-Weightage Topics

General Knowledge And Current Affairs

  • Indian Geography
  • World Geography
  • IT and Computers
  • Sports
  • Environmental Awareness
  • Ecology
  • Books and Authors
  • Business Awareness
  • Indian Geography
  • General Awareness

Analytical Ability

  • Coding Decoding
  • Series-Non Verbal
  • Mirror and Water Images
  • Embedded/ Hidden Images
  • Cubes and Dices
  • Venn Diagram
  • Figure Counting
  • Direction and Distance Test
  • Paper Cutting and Folding
  • Linear/Circular Arrangement

Top Design Entrance Exams


NID DAT Syllabus for BDes Admission - Mains

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 BDes Mains

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

NID DAT Syllabus 2026 - M.Des Admission

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 Entrance Exam Syllabus 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:

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 MDes Mains Syllabus

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:

IIAD Admissions 2026

EXAMS dates- 13-14 Dec | Leading Design College | Highest CTC: ₹12 LPA | Average CTC: ₹7.5 LPA | Scholarships for Deserving Students

Manav Rachna-MRIIRS B.Design Admissions 2026

Courses offered in- Fashion Design, Product Design, Communication Design, Interior & Spatial Design & Animation & VFX Design

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When will the National Institute of Design release the NID DAT syllabus 2026?
A:

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.

Q: What is the duration of the NID DAT exam?
A:

 The duration of the NID DAT exam will be 3 hours.

Q: How many sections are there in the NID DAT 2026 exam?
A:

The NID 2026 syllabus for DAT is divided into two stages: Prelims and Mains.

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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.