UPES B.Des Admissions 2026
Last Date to Apply: 25th Feb | Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
The NID conducts the NID DAT design entrance exam. The NID DAT 2026 is one of the challenging design entrance exams through which a student gets admission to BDes and MDes courses at the prestigious design institute. As per the previous year qualifying marks, the score between 60-66 was considered good for NID DAT general category BDes aspirants. As per the revised NID selection process, the NID prelims is only a qualifying exam and will not have any weightage in the final selection. Only those candidates who qualify for the NID DAT prelims will be evaluated for NID DAT mains. The final NID admissions will be done based on the marks in only the mains. Candidates can check the category-wise cutoffs for a better idea of what is a good score.
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A good score in NID varies based on various factors such as the difficulty levels of the exam, the number of candidates, and the institute chosen. Candidates who aspire to get NID admission need to secure good marks in the NID DAT examination. Candidates can refer to the complete article to know what is a good score in the NID DAT exam as per the categories of each NID participating institute.
As per last year's trends, a good score in NID DAT 2026 is expected to be as follows. However, it must also be noted that a good score is expected to change as the marks in prelims will not be considered for final admission.
Last Date to Apply: 25th Feb | Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
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It is necessary for the candidates to understand what the qualifying marks are. The qualifying marks of the NID DAT are the score and rank secured by the last candidates admitted for the B.Des programme. Based on the candidate's discipline and category, the score and rank of the candidate will change accordingly. As per the NID 2026 selection process, the NID prelims is only a qualifying exam, and the marks will not be carried forward into the mains.
The NID authorities will allot the seats to the candidates based on their NID total marks secured, rank, category, preferences, and seat availability. Candidates can look at the NID qualifying marks for B.Des admissions who are shortlisted for Mains 2025 mentioned in the below table:
Category | Score of last candidate shortlisted NID Mains 2025 |
GENERAL | 59 |
| GEN-EWS | 46 |
OBC - NCL | 51 |
SC | 46 |
ST | 38 |
Overseas | 22.5 |
PwD | 19 |
Category | Rank of last shortlisted for NID Mains/ NID prelims cut off 2024 | Score of last candidate shortlisted |
OPEN | 253 | 58.50 |
OBC - NCL | 153 | 43.00 |
EWS | 257 | 50.00 |
ST | 181 | 43.75 |
SC | 120 | 29.00 |
PwD | 62 | 9.75 |
Overseas | 96 | 24.25 |
For each category the candidates must know ‘what is a good score for NID DAT' as per each NID institute. The table below specifies the NID topper marks/good score attained in the previous year in each category of each institute is listed below:
NID aspirants frequently ask 'what is a good score for NID DAT?'. NID Cutoff 2025 will play a crucial role in determining the score. The NID Cutoff is the minimum mark that aspirants need to achieve to qualify for admission.
Category | Rank of last shortlisted for NID Admission | Score of Last Candidate for NID Admission |
OPEN | 48 | 59.60 |
GEN-EWS | 16 | 50.90 |
OBC-NCL | 40 | 53.70 |
SC | 24 | 51.70 |
ST | 11 | 47.80 |
PwD | 7 | 40.60 |
Category | Rank of last shortlisted for NID Admission | Score of Last Candidate for NID Admission |
OPEN | 200 | 54.10 |
GEN-EWS | 20 | 50.40 |
OBC-NCL | 119 | 48.50 |
SC | 66 | 45.60 |
ST | 27 | 42.50 |
PwD | NE | NE |
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Category | Rank of last shortlisted for NID Admission | Score of Last Candidate for NID Admission |
OPEN | 247 | 53.00 |
GEN-EWS | NE | NE |
OBC-NCL | 130 | 47.90 |
SC | 74 | 44.80 |
ST | 39 | 40.20 |
PwD | NE | NE |
Category | Rank of last shortlisted for NID Admission | Score of Last Candidate for NID Admission |
OPEN | 166 | 55.00 |
GEN-EWS | 17 | 50.80 |
OBC-NCL | 102 | 49.30 |
SC | 44 | 48.20 |
ST | 22 | 43.50 |
PwD | NE | NE |
Category | Rank of last shortlisted for NID Admission | Score of Last Candidate for NID Admission |
OPEN | 193 | 54.30 |
GEN-EWS | 21 | 50.30 |
OBC-NCL | 100 | 49.40 |
SC | 56 | 46.60 |
ST | 29 | 42.20 |
PwD | 9 | 40.00 |
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Discipline | OPEN | GEN-EWS | ||
Open Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | |
Animation Film Design | 12 | 55.10 | NE | NE |
Cearmic & Glass Design | 6 | 58.10 | NA | NA |
Furniture & Interior Design | 10 | 55.90 | 2 | 50.25 |
Film & Video Communication | 10 | 67.35 | 2 | 54.20 |
Graphic Design | 8 | 62.25 | NE | NE |
Product Design | 10 | 59.30 | NE | NE |
Textile Design | 8 | 59.25 | NE | NE |
Apparel Design | 9 | 54.15 | NE | NE |
Lifestyle Accessory Design | 10 | 59.30 | NE | NE |
New Media Design | 8 | 57.70 | NE | NE |
Photography Design | 16 | 50.15 | NE | NE |
Strategic Design Management | 11 | 61.40 | 1 | 50.50 |
Transportation and Automobile Design | 10 | 55.60 | NE | NE |
Toy & Game Design | 6 | 72.95 | NA | NA |
Digital Game Design | 7 | 66.65 | 2 | 60.00 |
Design for Retail Experience | 7 | 59.30 | NE | NE |
Information Design | 8 | 67.70 | 3 | 52.10 |
Interaction Design | 11 | 57.50 | NE | NE |
Universal Design | 14 | 60.55 | 2 | 57.00 |
Discipline | OBC-NCL | SC | ||
Category Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | |
Animation Film Design | 6 | 46.65 | 5 | 46.30 |
Cearmic & Glass Design | 6 | 49.95 | 3 | 50.50 |
Furniture & Interior Design | 7 | 47.45 | 4 | 44.85 |
Film & Video Communication | 7 | 62.65 | 6 | 56.35 |
Graphic Design | 9 | 53.90 | 4 | 55.65 |
Product Design | 14 | 49.60 | 3 | 50.70 |
Textile Design | 5 | 47.20 | 6 | 40.20 |
Apparel Design | 6 | 47.95 | 3 | 40.65 |
Lifestyle Accessory Design | 9 | 48.60 | 7 | 43.95 |
New Media Design | 8 | 46.55 | 4 | 43.00 |
Photography Design | 1 | 46.50 | 5 | 43.50 |
Strategic Design Management | 5 | 47.35 | 4 | 43.90 |
Transportation and Automobile Design | 5 | 47.25 | 4 | 45.35 |
Toy & Game Design | 6 | 48.70 | 2 | 45.40 |
Digital Game Design | 6 | 54.85 | 4 | 54.45 |
Design for Retail Experience | 8 | 47.60 | 3 | 55.10 |
Information Design | 8 | 49.95 | 3 | 53.45 |
Interaction Design | 7 | 50.35 | 5 | 52.80 |
Universal Design | 11 | 48.80 | 5 | 51.25 |
Also Read:
Discipline | ST | PwD | ||
Category Rank | Score | PwD Rank | Score | |
Animation Film Design | 1 | 52.15 | NE | NE |
Cearmic & Glass Design | NE | NE | NA | NA |
Furniture & Interior Design | 2 | 50.40 | NA | NA |
Film & Video Communication | 1 | 63.45 | NA | NA |
Graphic Design | 1 | 59.80 | 1 | 51.20 |
Product Design | 1 | 46.05 | NE | NE |
Textile Design | 1 | 48.40 | NA | NA |
Apparel Design | 1 | 43.35 | NA | NA |
Lifestyle Accessory Design | 2 | 46.25 | NA | NA |
New Media Design | 1 | 52.50 | NA | NA |
Photography Design | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Strategic Design Management | 2 | 55.25 | NA | NA |
Transportation and Automobile Design | NE | NE | NA | NA |
Toy & Game Design | NE | NE | NA | NA |
Digital Game Design | 1 | 53.15 | 1 | 42.15 |
Design for Retail Experience | NA | NA | 1 | 44.95 |
Information Design | NE | NE | NA | NA |
Interaction Design | 1 | 41.80 | NE | NE |
Universal Design | 1 | 46.55 | NE | NE |
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NID DAT is one of the most sought-after exams, and the preparations must be done to get the best possible scores. The candidates who are planning to get admission to NIDs need to qualify for the DAT entrance exam at both the Prelims and Mains levels. After knowing what a good score in NID DAT is, the candidates need to plan and prepare their study strategies.
They must follow some tips and guidelines to achieve the desired result. Careers360 brings you some of the preparation tips for how to score well in NID DAT exam from the following list:
By following the above tips, candidates can score high in NID DAT exam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
NID DAT exam is conducted by National Institute of Design (NID) and offers both B.Des and M.Des programmes.
A good score in NID DAT exam will change based on categories. As per past trends, a good score for a general category for B.Des is 60 -66, OBC is 55 -60, SC category is 50 - 58, and for ST category is 45 - 52.
To get good marks in NID DAT exam, candidates must understand the NID DAT exam pattern and syllabus, solve the sample papers and previous year NID DAT question papers, be creative, make a preparation strategy or study material to crack the NID DAT exam, stay positive and confident and eat Healthy diet.
NID DAT exam is conducted in two sessions: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT mains. NID DAT prelims is a written exam and NID DAT Mains consists of studio test and personal interview. Candidates who pass the both Prelims and Mains exams will get admission to NID institute.
For NID Ahmedabad campus, candidates are required to secure a decent rank between 50 to 200 (for General category), but cutoffs varies bu category (OBC, SC, EWS).
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:
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
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
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