The NID DAT syllabus primarily encompasses creativity, sketching, imagination, design theory, colour understanding, and 3D visualisation. To prepare well, you should practice daily sketching and idea-based questions because the exam tests how you think, not just how you draw. Good study materials include previous year papers and basics from Ching’s Design Drawing. Watching design tutorials and solving mock tests will also boost your confidence.
What are Qualifying Marks for NID 2026? Check Previous Year NID Qualifying Marks
Ongoing Event
NID DAT Application Date:11 Sep' 25 - 01 Dec' 25
The National Institute of Design will conduct the NID Design Aptitude Test for admission into its undergraduate and postgraduate design programmes. The NID selection process has been revised, and candidates appearing for the NID DAT 2026 should be aware of the qualifying marks for NID admission. In this article, let’s understand the changes in the NID qualifying marks and the revised selection process.
Through the NID entrance exam, candidates will be admitted into the B.Des and M.Des. programmes of participating NID campuses.
What Are the Qualifying Marks for NID?
Before the selection process of NID was revised, the NID prelims marks were considered for the candidate’s final selection. In NID DAT B.Des, the prelims exam had a weightage of 40%, while the NID DAT mains had a weightage of 60%. In NID DAT M.Des, the prelims had a weightage of 30%, and the mains had 70% weightage - (Studio test 40% and Interview 30%).
The previous-year NID cut-off trends indicate that the qualifying marks were between 45 and 60 marks, varying across categories. However, this is likely to change under the revised selection process.
The tables below provide the rank and score of the last candidate who was allotted a seat at various NIDs under different categories.
Qualifying Marks for NID B.Des (Previous Year)
Campus | OPEN | GEN-EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | |||||
Open Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | |
NID Ahmedabad | 48 | 59.60 | 16 | 50.90 | 41 | 53.60 | 24 | 51.70 | 11 | 47.80 |
NID Andhra Pradesh | 225 | 53.50 | 53 | 45.60 | 125 | 48.20 | 67 | 45.50 | 46 | 38.60 |
NID Assam | 294 | 51.80 | 56 | 45.00 | 142 | 47.40 | 83 | 44.00 | 40 | 40.00 |
NID Madhya Pradesh | 197 | S4.20 | 49 | 45.90 | 103 | 49.30 | 44 | 48.20 | 25 | 42.80 |
NID Haryana | 193 | 54.30 | 48 | 45.90 | 106 | 49.00 | 56 | 46.60 | 35 | 41.20 |
Qualifying Marks for NID M.Des (Previous Year)
Discipline | OPEN | GEN-EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | |||||
Open Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | |
Animation Film Design | 12 | 55.10 | NE | NE | 6 | 46.65 | 5 | 46.30 | 1 | 52.15 |
Ceramic & Glass Design | 6 | 58.10 | NA | NA | 6 | 49.95 | 3 | 50.50 | NE | NE |
Furniture & Interior Design | 10 | 55.90 | 2 | 50.25 | 7 | 47.45 | 4 | 44.85 | 2 | 50.40 |
Film & Video Communication | 10 | 67.35 | 2 | 54.20 | 7 | 62.65 | 6 | 56.35 | 1 | 63.45 |
Graphic Design | 8 | 62.25 | NE | NE | 9 | 53.90 | 4 | 55.65 | 1 | 59.80 |
Product Design | 13 | 57.60 | NE | NE | 15 | 46.80 | 3 | 50.70 | 1 | 46.05 |
Textile Design | 8 | 59.25 | NE | NE | 5 | 47.20 | 6 | 40.20 | 1 | 48.40 |
Apparel Design | 9 | 54.15 | NE | NE | 6 | 47.95 | 3 | 40.65 | 1 | 43.35 |
Lifestyle Accessory Design | 10 | 59.30 | NE | NE | 9 | 48.60 | 7 | 43.95 | 2 | 46.25 |
New Media Design | 8 | 57.70 | NE | NE | 8 | 46.55 | 4 | 43.00 | 1 | 52.50 |
Photography Design | 16 | 50.15 | NE | NE | 1 | 46.50 | 5 | 43.50 | NA | NA |
Strategic Design Management | 11 | 61.40 | 1 | 50.50 | 7 | 45.15 | 4 | 43.90 | 2 | 55.25 |
Transportation & Automobile Design | 9 | 56.35 | NE | NE | S | 47.25 | 4 | 45.35 | NE | NE |
Toy & Game Design | 6 | 72.95 | NA | NA | 6 | 48.70 | 2 | 45.40 | NA | NA |
Digital Game Design | 7 | 66.65 | 2 | 60.00 | 6 | 54.85 | 5 | 52.7 | 53.15 | |
Oesign For Retail Experience | 7 | 59.30 | NE | NE | 8 | 47.60 | 3 | 55.10 | NA | NA |
Information Design | 10 | 63.50 | 3 | 52.10 | 8 | 49.95 | 3 | 53.45 | NE | NE |
Interaction Design | 11 | 57.50 | NE | NE | 7 | 50.35 | 5 | 52.80 | 41.80 | |
Universal Design | 14 | 60.55 | 2 | 57.00 | 11 | 48.80 | 5 | 51.25 | 1 | 46.55 |
What are the Qualifying Marks for NID Under the New Selection Process?
Under the revised NID selection process, the NID prelims will not have any weightage in the final selection of the candidates. The NID prelims will only be a qualifying exam for the mains. As a result of this, the weightage for the mains has also changed.
The qualifying marks in NID will change drastically from the previous years in the revised admission process. There will be separate minimum qualifying marks for NID DAT prelims, after which all shortlisted candidates will be called for mains. The NID qualifying cut-off is expected to vary across categories but will remain the same for candidates within a particular category.
Next, candidates have to clear the NID DAT mains cut-off to secure admission.
NID B.Des 2026 Revised Weightage
Particulars | Weightage |
Prelims | No weightage in final selection |
Mains | Studio sensitivity test - 60% In-person sensitivity test - 40% |
NID M.Des 2026 Revised Weightage
Particulars | Weightage |
Prelims | No weightage in final selection |
Mains | Studio test - 40% Interview - 60% |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the weightage of the Studio test in NID M.Des mains?
A:
Studio test has a weight of 40% in the NID M.Des mains
Q: What is the weightage of NID Prelims in the final selection?
A:
NID Prelims will not have any weightage in the final seletion of candidates. It is only a qualifying exam for mains.
Q: Is the NID selection process revised?
A:
Yes, the NID selection process has been changed.
Q: What are the courses offered through NID DAT?
A:
Through NID DAT candidates will be admitted into B.Des and M.Des programmes
Articles
Related Stories
|
Upcoming Design Exams
Certifications By Top Providers
Explore Top Universities Across Globe
Popular Courses and Specializations
Popular Degrees
Popular Branches
List of colleges accepting NID DAT
Browse Design Colleges by State
Questions related to NID DAT
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to NID DAT ?
Hello Aspirant
https://design.careers360.com/download/ebooks/nid-full-study-material
This is the link to access the study material and syllabus for free on NID DAT. It contains details about the best books, including sample papers.
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.
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)
Applications for Admissions are open.
Ranked 2nd in the IIRF 2023 Design School Ranking | Approved by AICTE | Highest CTC 13 LPA
Amity University, B.Design Admissions 2026
ApplyRanked amongst top 3% universities globally (QS Rankings)
Pearl Academy B.Des Admissions 2026
ApplyNo. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings
Manav Rachna-MRIIRS B.Design Admissions 2026
ApplyCourses offered in- Fashion Design, Product Design, Communication Design, Interior & Spatial Design & Animation & VFX Design
UPES B.Des Admissions 2026
ApplyRanked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
IIFT Design Admissions 2026
ApplyRecruiters: Aditya Birla, Wildcraft, Tommy Hilfiger, Vero Moda etc | Only Fashion Institute in India to have entered the LIMCA BOOK OF RECORDS
NID DAT Notifications
Never miss an NID DAT update
Get timely NID DAT updates directly to your inbox. Stay informed!