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 Result Date:07 Apr' 26 - 07 Apr' 26
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.
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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.
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
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:
Questions asked in the previous years have moderate difficulty levels but were lengthy to execute, therefore demanding the proper time management.
Design Aptitude : Questions were easy. Questions focus on creative thinking ability and innovation skills.
Drawing Aptitude : Questions needed details and specifics thus time consuming.
Related articles that students may also check:
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 | 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. | E.g. Identify the material and the type of work done on the given utensil. |
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 | E.g. |
Story Boards and Visual Narratives | Three to Six frame story boards explaining a concept, process, behaviour change, social situations. | -Clear beginning-middle and ending of the storyboards. | E.g. Micky finds an old hand pump accidentally in the old house where her family has recently shifted, out of curiosity she tries……… |
Poster, Campaign and Other Communication Design | Pencil sketched posters on social topics, current events and other behavioural themes. | Ability to design the communication for one clear message at a glance. | 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 | 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. |
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 | |
NID Prelims Time Management | |
NID DAT Prelims (Part-B) Drawing and Sketching-based Questions with Solutions | |
How to prepare for General Knowledge and Design Awareness section for NID Prelims |
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.
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.
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
NAAC A+ & NBA Accredited | QS I-Gauge Gold rated University | Scholarships available for Meritorious students | Application Deadline: 28th Feb’26
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)
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.
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.
We have given a list of anticipated themes/subtopics/ nature of questions most likely to come in NID 2026.
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
Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
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World-class design education with a global curricular collaboration with Parson’s School of Design
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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