Topics that are Most Likely to Come in NID 2026 Exam

Topics that are Most Likely to Come in NID 2026 Exam

Upcoming Event

NID DAT Result Date:07 Apr' 26 - 07 Apr' 26

Ritika JonwalUpdated on 20 Dec 2025, 03:09 PM IST

Hello students! As the NID 2026 exam is around the corner, there is very little time left for students preparing for the NID exam. NID has rewired the B.Des Selection process as according to the revised selection process, the NID DAT 2026 prelims result will not have any weightage in the final selection of candidates for B.Des and M.Des programmes. The NID 2026 prelims exam will be a qualifying exam to shortlist candidates for the mains exam.

This Story also Contains

  1. NID 2026 Trends and Changes Overview
  2. Most Commonly Asked Question Types for NID 2026
  3. NID 2026 - Other Useful Study Resources - Free PDF Download
  4. What to know before reaching for the NID 2026 Exam?
  5. The New Selection Pattern for NID 2026 and Its Effect on Questions Asked
Topics that are Most Likely to Come in NID 2026 Exam
Topics that are Most Likely to Come in NID 2026 Exam

Therefore, it is important for NID DAT 2026 aspirants to prioritise practice to perfection. In this article, we have focused on breaking down to understand the topics that are most likely to come in the NID exam.

NID 2026 Trends and Changes Overview

Students can get an overview of the key changes that are made for NID 2026 from below to understand what is expected of them for preparation for NID DAT:

  • PRELIMS: "Qualifying Filter Only’ ( you need to qualify this for appearing in next stage)

    • Duration: 180 minutes

    • Marks: 100

    • Mode of Exam: Pen and Paper-based

  • MAINS: “ Final Deciding Factor’ (what matters here is the in-person sensitivity and right aptitude).

    • NID Mains exam will have 60% weightage for studio test

    • 40% weightage for in person interview for NID B.Des selection

Shifting Patterns in Questions for NID 2026

From the students who have given the NID exam over last years, reviews have been taken and analysis is done by experts according to the NID 2026 DAT Exam Syllabus and NID DAT 2026 Exam Pattern suggest a pattern in the topics and type of questions as follows:

  1. Questions asked in the previous years have moderate difficulty levels but were lengthy to execute, therefore demanding the proper time management.

  2. Design Aptitude : Questions were easy. Questions focus on creative thinking ability and innovation skills.

  3. Drawing Aptitude : Questions needed details and specifics thus time consuming.

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

Related articles that students may 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

Most Commonly Asked Question Types for NID 2026

We have comprehended all the NID DAT High Weightage Topics and the sub-topics under the theme for the topics mostly likely asked in NID 2026 for students by analysing NID DAT previous year question papers to understand and prepare better:

Topics

Most Asked Types

What is being Evaluated

Practise Question Recommendation

Observation and
Everyday Life Scenes

This include the scene drawing drawings, memory sketches, observation from daily life in Indian context (like work and patterns on the brassware)


Scenes from Schools,markets and Streets.

Accuracy in the postures and movements of the people in the given scenes.

Small contextual details like interactions

E.g. Identify the material and the type of work done on the given utensil.1765197617036

Product & Experience Design for Specific Users

Rethinking or redesigning the small products of daily utility, includes the usability and other aspects like ergonomics and Simple Mechanisms of daily life objects.

-Emapathy for user
-Functional viability
-Limitation like cost, size and the context
-Mechanisms + Forms Understanding

E.g.

Design a lunch-box for a 5 year old considering the Indian Food habits.

Story Boards and Visual Narratives

Three to Six frame story boards explaining a concept, process, behaviour change, social situations.

Focussed on visuals with little or no textual information

-Clear beginning-middle and ending of the storyboards.

-Details like expressions, facial features and gestures.

E.g. Micky finds an old hand pump accidentally in the old house where her family has recently shifted, out of curiosity she tries………

Complete the story and represent the same with 06 frame story board.

Poster, Campaign and Other Communication Design

Pencil sketched posters on social topics, current events and other behavioural themes.

Using the metaphor , irony or strong visual hierarchy in the communication design.

Ability to design the communication for one clear message at a glance.

Strong composition skills with ability to contextually place the text

E.g. Design a poster on Gender Equality in the given space (A5 size), using the color pencils for colouring if required. Also provide a short slogan in no more than one line.

Logo/Visual Reasoning based Aptitude

Logo identification, patterns decoding, figure analogy, finding the odd-one out, design principles etc.

-Quick Visuals

decisions
- Pattern Recognition , visual perception
-Spatial Understanding

E.g. Your friend who is an entrepreneur is looking to launch the new earbuds, Provide a brand name and the visual identity like logo and packaging for the product.

NID 2026 - Other Useful Study Resources - Free PDF Download

Students are advised to also check these important free resource PDFs curated to help them in their NID 2026 preparation and score high:

NID 2026 Study Plan

Download Here

NID Prelims Time Management

Download Here

NID DAT Prelims (Part-B) Drawing and Sketching-based Questions with Solutions

Download Here

How to prepare for General Knowledge and Design Awareness section for NID Prelims

Download Here

What to know before reaching for the NID 2026 Exam?

  1. Moderate but Lengthy Papers: The recent trends suggest and advise students to be ready for moderately difficult but lengthy question forms with 02 or more parts for each question. It is one of the most important exercises for students preparing for the NID DAT exam to solve NID sample papers and NID mock tests as it would develop the understanding of the language of the paper.

  2. Drawing Questions Need Quick Interpretation and Reflection: For example the question asked to design a lunch box for a 5 year old is simple, but one needs to stand out with a unique angle to stand out from others.

IIAD Admissions 2026

Last Date to Apply – 23rd January | Exam Dates – 31st Jan (online), 1st Feb (Online & Offline) | Leading Design College | Highest CTC: ₹12 LPA | Average CTC: ₹7.5 LPA | Scholarships for Deserving Students

Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences B.Des Admissions 2026

NAAC A+ & NBA Accredited | QS I-Gauge Gold rated University | Scholarships available for Meritorious students | Application Deadline: 28th Feb’26

The New Selection Pattern for NID 2026 and Its Effect on Questions Asked

  • Idea Centric Sketching: The new pattern for NID 2026 may focus more on What and Why , not photorealistic rendering from the aspirants. Devote more time on ideas using 5-3-2 approach (5 minute execution, 3 minute composition and planning & 2 minute thinking for 10 marks questions) for all reflection based questions.

  • Material and Tactile Skills: NID Studio Test tasks use of clay, wire, cardboard and paper you need to think in the 3D execution of the idea right from the beginning.

  • Self-Reflection and Articulation takes Importance: Written Reflection, Portfolios, rigorous practice to evolve with the understanding of everyday things is becoming primary, making you communicate “ How do you think about your own work?”

Also Read:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Will the 25:75 (objective Drawing) split be followed this year in the NID 2026 exam as seen in previous year. ?
A:

Based on the analysis of trends from NID exam 2024-25 and earlier, yes the split is highly perceived to be followed, with 5% shift in either way.

Q: Should I memorise more facts from Design history or theory for the NID Prelim exam ?
A:

Memorising facts may not help in long term, rather focus on understanding the Why and How of the subjects, NID often asks questions contextually, but not so many facts unlike JEE or other exams.

Q: What are the core topics to be focused for NID 2026?
A:

We have given a list of anticipated themes/subtopics/ nature of questions most likely to come in NID 2026.

Articles
|
Upcoming Design Exams
Ongoing Dates
GLS DAT Application Date

17 Aug'25 - 22 Jan'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
WUDAT Application Date

8 Sep'25 - 30 Dec'25 (Offline)

Ongoing Dates
UPESDAT Application Date

12 Sep'25 - 20 Jan'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Computer Fundamentals
Via Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
Certificate Program in Machine Learning and AI with Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Post Graduate Diploma Program in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Via Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi
Data Analysis Using Excel
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Udemy
 1087 courses
Coursera
 505 courses
Edx
 330 courses
Vskills
 157 courses
Swayam
 136 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

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.