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    NID DAT 2026 Selection Process: Prelims & Mains Weightage (Revised), Tie-Breaker Rules, Counselling

    NID DAT 2026 Selection Process: Prelims & Mains Weightage (Revised), Tie-Breaker Rules, Counselling

    Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 21 Dec 2025, 04:08 PM IST

    The National Institute of Design (NID) has notified the details of the revised NID DAT 2026 selection process on its official website - admissions.nid.edu through the information handbook. The weightage for NID DAT prelims and mains have changed in the revised selection process. The NID 2026 selection process requires the candidates to appear for the NID DAT entrance exam. Candidates have to appear for both components of NID 2026 - the NID DAT prelims and then the NID DAT mains for shortlisted candidates. Candidates who are shortlisted in the NID prelims have to appear for the mains. The final selection in NID 2026 will be done based on the performance in mains exam as per the prescribed weightage.

    This Story also Contains

    1. NID 2026 Selection Criteria: Exam-Wise Weightage
    2. NID DAT Selection Process 2026
    3. Tie Breaker in NID 2026 B.Des Selection Process
    4. NID Selection Process for M.Des - Tie Breaker Rule
    5. NID DAT Counselling 2026
    NID DAT 2026 Selection Process: Prelims & Mains Weightage (Revised), Tie-Breaker Rules, Counselling
    nid selection process

    The NID DAT exam is one of the most popular design entrance exams. The National Institute of Design conducts the NID DAT every year to select the best students across India. It offers both undergraduate and post-graduate courses. The NID 2026 admissions will be done through NID DAT counselling process conducted in multiple rounds.

    NID 2026 Selection Criteria: Exam-Wise Weightage

    The weightage of NID DAT Prelims and Mains is listed in the table below.

    NID BDes Weightage (Revised)

    NID DAT Exam

    Weightage

    NID DAT Prelims

    No weightage in final result (only qualifying exam)

    NID DAT Mains

    Studio Sensitivity test - 60%

    In-person sensitivity test - 40%

    NID MDes Weightage (Revised)

    NID DAT Exam

    Weightage

    NID DAT Prelims

    No weightage in the final result (only qualifying exam)

    NID DAT Mains Studio Test

    40%

    NID DAT Mains Personal Interview

    60%

    NID DAT Selection Process 2026

    The Bachelor of Design Course is available across NID Ahmedabad, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam campus. However, Master of Design Course is offered in the NID Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bangalore campuses only. For the NID selection process, students have to appear for the NID DAT exam.

    NID Prelims Entrance Exam

    The NID DAT Prelims is a pen and paper-based exam which is conducted through textual and visual-based questions. The exam is conducted on the same day across all the centres in India.

    NID Prelims Result & Merit List

    A merit list of shortlisted candidates is prepared for each category based on the score obtained in the NID DAT prelims. The NID prelims is only a qualifying exam. The marks will not be carried forward to the next level. The shortlisted candidates have to then appear in the NID DAT mains exam, as per the schedule announced by NID.

    NID Mains Entrance Exam

    The DAT Mains exam is only for the students who are shortlisted in the DAT Prelims exam. The DAT mains exam for MDes consists of a Studio test and interview. The total marks of the student is calculated based on the weightage of the exams. The studio test has exams of different formats and is conducted only in the English language. The interviews are conducted separately for each discipline in the centre of the Studio test itself.

    Tie Breaker in NID 2026 B.Des Selection Process

    The tie-breaker rule for NID DAT 2026 will be announced later. Till last year, in case two or more candidates have same marks in the NID DAT Prelims exam, the following steps are taken to do a tie breaker

    • The higher rank will be given to the candidate who has obtained higher marks in Part B of the DAT Prelims.
    • If this does not break the tie, higher rank will be assigned to the candidate who has obtained higher marks in Part A of the DAT Prelims.
    • If this still does not break the tie, then both the candidates will be assigned the same rank.
    UPES B.Des Admissions 2026

    Last Date to Apply: 26th March | 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

    Similarly, during the NID selection process for BDes Mains Exam the following rules will be applied to break the tie.

    • A higher rank will be assigned to the candidate who has obtained higher marks in DAT Mains.
    • If this does not break the tie, a higher rank will be assigned to the candidate who has obtained higher marks in Stage 1 Design Aptitude Test.
    • If this does not break the tie, a higher rank will be assigned to the candidate who has obtained higher marks in Stage 1 Design Aptitude Test Part B.
    • If this does not break the tie, a higher rank will be assigned to the candidate who has obtained higher marks in Stage 1 Design Aptitude Test Part A.
    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

    See Also:

    ITM Institute of Design and Media Admissions 2026

    Faculty from A+ Design schools of India and Abroad | 100% Placement Assistance

    IIAD Admissions 2026

    Leading Design College | Highest CTC: ₹12 LPA | Average CTC: ₹7.5 LPA | Scholarships for Deserving Students

    NID Selection Process for M.Des - Tie Breaker Rule

    When two or more candidates scored the same in the Prelims exam of the NID DAT exam the following steps were taken to break the tie:

    • The student will be given higher rank who has obtained higher marks in DAT Prelims (Part 2 or 3)
    • If this does not break the tie, a higher rank will be assigned to the candidate who has obtained higher marks in DAT Prelims (Part 1).
    • If this still does not break the tie, then both candidates will be assigned the same rank.

    The candidates having a tie in the NID DAT Mains exam need to know that the tie-breaker is done through the following.

    • The higher rank will be assigned to the candidate who has obtained higher marks in DAT Mains.
    • If this does not break the tie, higher rank will be assigned to the candidate who has obtained higher marks in DAT Mains - Studio Test.
    • If this does not break the tie, higher rank will be assigned to the candidate who has obtained higher marks in DAT Prelims.
    • If this still does not break the tie, then the same rank will be assigned to the candidates.

    NID DAT Counselling 2026

    Finally, aspirants who have qualified for both Prelims and Mains are required to participate in the NID counselling 2026 process. Based on the marks obtained, aspirants will be allotted a seat in the NID campuses in India. The counselling process is conducted in multiple rounds of seat allotment.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: How many attempts for NID?
    A:

    There is no limit on the number of attempts for the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT), as long a candidate meet the age bar and educational qualification, they can appear for the same.

    Q: What is the process of getting into NID?
    A:

    Candidates need to appear for the NID DAT entrance exam and qualify the prelims and mains to get into NID.

    Q: What is the qualification for NID?
    A:

    The students must have passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised board.

    Q: Is NID private or government?
    A:

    NID is a central government institute. 

    Q: How many rounds are there in NID?
    A:

    NID DAT has two rounds: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains.

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    Questions related to NID DAT

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to NID DAT ?

    No specific stream is required in Class 11 for BDes admissions. You can join B.Des (Bachelor of Design) with any stream in Class 11th (Science, Commerce, or Arts/Humanities). Top design institutes like NID ( NID DAT scores) and NIFT ( NIFT Entrance Exam ), as well as IITs (via UCEED),

    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

    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

    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