NID MDes Exam Dates 2026: Prelims & Mains Full Schedule at nid.edu

NID MDes Exam Dates 2026: Prelims & Mains Full Schedule at nid.edu

Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 11 Jul 2025, 05:18 PM IST

The National Institute of Design (NID) will publish the NID DAT MDes exam dates on its official website nid.edu. Candidates can check the NID 2026 schedule for M.Des in the admission handbook published by the institute. The NID MDes admission dates will inform candidates about the registration window, exam date, result, and counselling dates. The NID Design Aptitude Test M.Des entrance exam consists of two parts - prelims and mains. The authorities will notify the NID MDes exam dates for both components. NID will conduct the NID DAT 2026 prelims tentatively in the first week of January 2026 and NID DAT M.Des mains in March/April. The exams for all disciplines will be conducted on the same day. In this article, get the complete NID M.Des tentative dates based on previous year trends.

This Story also Contains

  1. NID MDes Exam Tentative Schedule 2026 (Prelims & Mains)
  2. NID DAT MDes Application Form Date 2026
  3. NID DAT MDes Admit Card 2026 Date
  4. NID DAT MDes 2026 Entrance Exam Date
  5. NID DAT 2026 MDes Result Date
  6. NID DAT M.Des Counselling Date 2026
NID MDes Exam Dates 2026: Prelims & Mains Full Schedule at nid.edu
NID MDes Exam Date

Through the NID entrance exam, candidates will be admitted into the two and a half year's M.Des programmes of NID Ahmedabad, NID Bengaluru, and NID Gandhinagar.

NID MDes Exam Tentative Schedule 2026 (Prelims & Mains)

The table below provides the tentative NID M.Des dates for prelims and mains based on the trends observed in the previous year.

NID MDes 2026 Exam Date - Prelims

MDes Events

Dates (tentative)

NID DAT MDes registration start date

First week of September 2025

NID DAT application form last date

First week of December 2025

Window to edit the application forms

Second week of December 2025

Download admit cards for DAT Prelims

Fourth week of December 2025

DAT Prelims exam

First week of January 2026

DAT Prelims result

Third week of February 2026

Rechecking request for DAT Prelims

Third week of February 2026

NID MDes Exam Date 2026 - Mains

Particulars

Dates

Download admit card for DAT Mains

Fourth week of February 2026

DAT Mains exam

March/April 2026

DAT Mains result

First week of May 2026

Rechecking request for DAT Mains

Shortly after the result

Seat allotment, payment of token fees & uploading of documents

Shortly after the result

Provisional offer letter round-1 release date

Third week of May 2026

Payment of remaining semester fees

Fourth week of May 2026

Provisional offer letter round-2 release date

June 2026


You may also check:

Pearl Academy B.Des Admissions 2025

No. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings | Last Date to Apply: 31st August

UPES B.Des Admissions 2025

Ranked #46 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings | Last Date to Apply: 31st August | Admissions Closing Soon

NID DAT MDes Application Form Date 2026

The NID DAT MDes 2026 registration will tentatively open in September 2025. Candidates can submit the NID application form 2026 online from the official website - admissions.nid.edu. It was important to check the NID DAT eligibility criteria for M.Des before filling out the registration form so as not to face any disqualification.

NID DAT MDes Admit Card 2026 Date

The National Institute of Design will notify the NID DAT M.Des admit card date 2026 at admissions.nid.edu. The institute will issue a separate NID DAT admit card for prelims and mains. All registered candidates will be able to download the NID DAT MDes prelims admit card through their login to appear for the exam. Shortlisted candidates from the prelims have to download the NID DAT M.Des mains admit card to appear for the mains exam.

NID DAT MDes 2026 Entrance Exam Date

The NID DAT M.Des 2026 exam date will be notified on NID's official website. The NID M.Des prelims will tentatively be conducted in the second week of January 2026. The NID DAT M.Des mains which consist of studio test and interview will tentatively be conducted in March/April 2026.

NID DAT 2026 MDes Result Date

The authorities will declare the NID DAT results for MDes Prelims tentatively in the third week of February 2026. Only those candidates who qualify in the NID DAT 2026 M.Des prelims result will be called to appear for the NID DAT M.Des mains. The NID DAT M.Des mains result will be declared tentatively in the first week of May 2026.

NID DAT M.Des Counselling Date 2026

NID will notify the NID DAT 2026 counselling dates on its official website - nid.edu. Shortlisted candidates from the NID DAT result after prelims and mains will be eligible to participate in the NID DAT counselling process to secure admission into M.Des programmes of participating institutes.


Also Check:

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When will the NID DAT 2026 application form for MDes be released?
A:

The NID DAT MDes application form 2026 will be released tentatively in September 2025.

Q: When is the last date to submit the NID DAT application form?
A:

The last date to submit the MDes application form is December 2025.

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

The NID Prelims exam will be conducted for 3 hours.

Q: When is the NID DAT MDes exam date?
A:

The NID DAT MDes prelims will tentatively be conducted in the first week of January 2025 and the NID DAT MDes mains will tentatively be conducted in March/April.

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Questions related to NID DAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NID DAT ?

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.

No, IPU (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University) does not accept NID DAT Prelims score for admission to the B.Des (Bachelor of Design) program.

Instead, IPU conducts its own entrance test or may consider CUET (UG) scores for B.Des admissions, depending on the latest admission guidelines. Always refer to the university's official prospectus for the year you're applying to for the final admission criteria.

NIT DAT (https://www.shiksha.com/design/articles/nid-admissions-2025-colleges-accepting-nid-entrance-exam-scores-for-bdes-mdes-courses-blogId-13097)

Hello,

Yes, it's possible to prepare for the NID DAT 2025 exam on your own, even with limited time, by following these steps:

  1. Understand the Syllabus : Focus on key areas like design principles, creativity, visualization, and observation skills.
  2. Solve Previous Papers : Practice with past NID DAT papers to understand question types and patterns.
  3. Time Management : Dedicate daily hours to sketching, problem-solving, and revision.
  4. Strengthen Drawing Skills : Practice daily to improve speed and accuracy.
  5. Use Online Resources : Utilize free tutorials, sample papers, and design blogs.
  6. Mock Tests : Take regular mock exams to assess progress and manage time efficiently.

Hope it helps !

Hello,

There are numerous websites which give free study material and classes to prepare for entrance exams NID DAT, UCEED, or NIFT. Here are a few popular ones:

YouTube: YouTube has many educators as well as institutes, which have been uploading free video lectures on important topics, on aptitude for design, and how to give these exams. Useful content can be found in the channels "Design Coach" and "NID Preparation".

You can download free courses offered on websites like Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy on the topics of design principles, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Official Websites: Both NID and UCEED and also NIFT would usually release sample papers and previous question papers for self-preparation.

Study Groups: One can join online forums or social media groups which are dedicated to NID, UCEED, and NIFT preparation for peer-to-peer learning assistance.

The resource utilization would bring in good preparation for the exams and, therefore, increase in confidence.

Hello,

Preparing for the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance exam involves focusing on several key areas. Here’s a structured approach to get you started:

1. Understand the Exam Structure

Familiarize yourself with the NIFT entrance exam format:

  • General Ability Test (GAT): Tests general knowledge, current affairs, and quantitative ability.
  • Creative Ability Test (CAT): Assesses your creative and visual ability through sketching and design-based questions.
  • Situation Test (for B.Des): Evaluates your ability to create a design from given materials.
  • Group Discussion and Personal Interview (for M.Des/MFM): Tests your communication skills, understanding of the fashion industry, and design knowledge.

2. Gather Study Materials

  • For GAT: Use general knowledge books, current affairs magazines, and quantitative aptitude guides.
  • For CAT: Practice sketching and drawing regularly. Books on design and creativity can be useful.
  • For Situation Test: Practice creating models from various materials and understanding design principles.
  • For GD/PI: Prepare by staying updated on fashion trends, industry news, and developing a strong portfolio.

3. Create a Study Plan

  • Daily Study: Allocate time for each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Weekly Goals: Set goals for completing practice papers and revising key concepts.
  • Mock Tests: Regularly take mock tests to simulate the exam environment and improve time management.

4. Enroll in Coaching Classes (if needed)

Consider joining a coaching institute that specializes in NIFT preparation. They can provide structured guidance, practice tests, and expert feedback.

5. Work on Your Portfolio

If you’re applying for design courses, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your creative work. Include sketches, designs, and any relevant projects.

6. Refer to Previous Years’ Papers

Solving past years' question papers helps you understand the exam pattern and types of questions. It also aids in identifying important topics.

7. Stay Updated

  • Follow fashion industry news to stay informed about trends and innovations.
  • Read relevant books and articles about design and fashion.

8. Practice Creativity

Engage in activities that boost your creativity, such as drawing, painting, or crafting. Keep experimenting with new ideas and techniques.

By focusing on these areas, you'll build a solid foundation for the NIFT entrance exam. Good luck with your preparation!

You can also refer to the following articles to better understand the NIFT examination and its preperation strategy :-

1. https://design.careers360.com/articles/how-prepare-for-nift-entrance-exam

2. https://design.careers360.com/exams/nift-entrance-exam


Hope it helps !