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
To get admitted to the National Institute of Design, candidates need to be well-prepared for the NID Entrance Exam 2027. As a result, candidates need to be familiar with the NID entrance exam syllabus 2027 for both the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. Candidates will be able to check the NID DAT syllabus 2027 on the official NID website. However, the NID Information Bulletin doesn’t provide the exact details for the NID DAT Syllabus 2027 Section-wise. Candidates can instead refer to the NID question papers or the NID Sample Papers on the official website to see the NID DAT Syllabus 2027 Topics-wise.
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. Read the article below to check out the list of the NID DAT 2027 syllabus.
The NID DAT exam 2027 consists of two distinct sections: the Prelims and the Mains. The Prelims will be conducted in a paper-and-pen test format with MCQ-based questions. The Mains will include a studio test and a personal interview for M.Des and for B.Des a Studio Sensitivity Test and an In-Person Sensitivity Test.
The NID entrance exam syllabus PDF has been included below for candidates. 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 2027 in the paragraphs below.
Particulars | Details |
Download Link |
As mentioned earlier, the NID DAT information bulletin 2027 does not have the official details of the NID DAT Syllabus. However, based on a breakdown of the question paper for NID DAT candidates can check out the subjects that they need to focus on and study for the entrance exam. The table below provides a breakdown of the B.Des and M.Des syllabus for NID DAT Prelims.
Category | NID DAT 2027 B.Des Prelims Syllabus |
General Knowledge / Current Affairs | Geography, Time Zones, UPI Meaning, Indian Cinema, Multi-National Companies, Union Territories |
Basic Science & Environment Awareness | Renewable energy, Biodiversity, Biomedical waste, Climate change, Air pollution, Conservation biology |
Verbal & Coding Logic | Word pattern/Coding problems |
Visual Reasoning & Pattern Recognition | Sequences, Odd One out, Spatial Pattern Matching |
Mirror & Symmetry Concepts | Mirror-letter recognition |
Set Theory / Venn Diagram Reasoning | Interpreting overlapping sets (images, patterns, etc.) |
Combinatorial / Logic Puzzles | Chessboard Puzzle, Gear Rotation logic, Seating Arrangement |
Reading Comprehension (Design-Themed) | Passages on design thinking, designed vs natural things, design history |
Design History & Architecture Styles | Identify style (Gothic, Italian, Japanese, Indian) |
Creative & User-Centric Product Design | Example: Modify a water tap for: child, artist, visually impaired individual |
Drawing & Proportion Skills | Sketch an object based on parts |
Perspective Drawing | Drawing a scene from another person’s viewpoint |
Category | NID DAT 2027 M.Des Prelims Syllabus |
General Knowledge | Golden ratio, Compositions of Metals, Tribes and Indigenous Groups, Human Body, Major Institutions of Science and Technology in India, Rivers, Books & Author |
Design Principles & Design History | “Form follows function,” shadow/shape relations, rotational/mirror symmetry |
Current Events | Based on the Existing Events across the World |
Mathematical & Applied Logic | Animal count puzzle, cube counting, triangle counting, % relationship problems |
Visual & Spatial Reasoning | Pattern completion, shadows of objects, and folding net recognition |
Logical Deductions | Statements & conclusions |
Colour Theory | Tints, tones, shades, hues |
Tints, tones, shades, hues | Long RC passages on globalization, environmental design, village–city relationships |
Design Philosophy / Professional Ethics | Service relationships in design, clients, stakeholders, and accountability |
Applied Reasoning / Family Relations | Family tree logic |
Advanced Symmetry Interpretation | Translational, rotational, mirror, grid-reflection |
Visual Mathematics / Ratio Interpretation | Shaded region proportion |
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 or M.Des, the candidates need to check the NID exam syllabus for Mains. The Mains exam consists of the NID studio test and an interview, for which the syllabus is as follows.
NID DAT Syllabus for B.Des Mains (Studio Test) | ||
Model Making | Material manipulation | Audio-visual exercises |
Doodling | Creative thinking | Evolving Ideas |
Candidates need to be familiar with the subjects above for the Studio Test in B.Des Mains. As for the Interview, candidates will have to engage with.
Understanding of design principles and awareness of contemporary design trends.
Ability to explain thought process, decision-making, and idea development clearly.
Problem-solving and creativity shown through situational or object-redesign questions.
Observation skills and analytical reasoning based on everyday scenarios.
Communication skills, confidence, and clarity of expression.
Knowledge of personal projects, portfolio work, and past experiences (especially for M.Des).
NID DAT Syllabus for M.Des Mains (Studio Test) | ||
Model Making | Material manipulation | Audio-visual exercises |
Doodling | Creative thinking | Evolving Ideas |
The syllabus for M.Des and B.Des in the Mains sections remain the same. As for the Interview, candidates will have to engage with the following for the M.Des Mains.
Evaluation of your design portfolio’s originality, depth, and process.
Discussion of past academic, professional, or project experience relevant to your discipline.
Assessment of your ability to explain design decisions and articulate your thinking clearly.
Questions testing your understanding of your chosen M.Des specialization.
Analysis of problem-solving skills through scenario-based or redesign questions.
Review of design awareness, contemporary trends, and contextual understanding.
Judging clarity of purpose, motivation for NID, and long-term goals in design.
EXAMS dates- 13-14 Dec | Leading Design College | Highest CTC: ₹12 LPA | Average CTC: ₹7.5 LPA | Scholarships for Deserving Students
NAAC A+ & NBA Accredited | QS I-Gauge Gold rated University | Scholarships available for Meritorious students | Application Deadline: 28th Feb’26
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
According to the NID DAT information bulletin, candidates have two sections for the NID DAT 2027 exam, the prelims and the mains.
Candidates will be tested on the basis of Model Making, Material manipulation, Audio-visual exercises, Doodling, Creative thinking, and Evolving Ideas.
The National Institute of Design will release the NID DAT Syllabus 2027 in the Information Brochure in September 2027.
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.
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 2nd in the IIRF 2023 Design School Ranking | Approved by AICTE | Highest CTC 13 LPA | Application Deadline: 20th Jan'26
Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
No. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings
EXAMS dates- 13-14 Dec | Leading Design College | Highest CTC: ₹12 LPA | Average CTC: ₹7.5 LPA | Scholarships for Deserving Students