The National Institute of Design (NID) is a premier, autonomous design education institution in India (est. 1961), recognized as an Institute of National Importance. It offers B.Des, M.Des, and GDPD programs across multiple campuses, focusing on Industrial, Communication, and Textile design, with admissions based on strict NID entrance exams. 

The National Institute of Design (NID) conducts the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) for admission into its 4-year B.Des program.

• Conducted by National Institute of Design (NID) (Institutes of National Importance under Government of India).
• Offers a 4-year Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) program.
• Admissions are based on Design Aptitude Tests (DAT).
• Courses are taught in English.
• 
  

• Application Start: 11 - 30 Sept 2026
• Last Date: Soon
• DAT Prelims Exam:  Dec - JAN
• DAT Prelims Result: April 2026 (Tentative)
• Counselling: June 2026 (tentative)

• Ahmedabad
• Andhra Pradesh
• Haryana
• Madhya Pradesh
• Assam

• Ahmedabad: 128 seats
• Others: ~75 seats each
• MP includes supernumerary (overseas) seats

• Communication Design
• Industrial Design
• Textile & Apparel Design
  (+ specific disciplines at Ahmedabad)

• General/EWS: Born on/after 1 July 2006  (tentative)
• OBC/SC/ST: Born on/after 1 July 2003  (tentative)
• PwD: Born on/after 1 July 2001  (tentative)
• 
  

• Must have passed or appearing in Class 12 (any stream)
• Must pass by 15 July 2027  (tentative) (else admission cancelled)

• Written test (pen-paper)
• Used only for shortlisting
• No weightage in final result

• Includes:
  • Studio Test
  • In-person test/interview

• Studio Test: 60%
• Interview/Test: 40%

• Creative + analytical questions
• Visual + textual
• Conducted nationwide

• Hands-on design test
• Creativity, problem-solving, observation skills tested

• EWS: 10%
• OBC-NCL: 27%
• SC: 15%
• ST: 7.5%
• PwD: 5% (horizontal)

⚠️ Important:

• OBC seats can be de-reserved to Open
• SC/ST/EWS seats are NOT de-reserved

• Extra 15% supernumerary seats
• Must have:
  • Valid passport
  • Equivalent qualification certificate

1. Register online
2. Fill application form
3. Upload documents
4. Pay fees
5. Print application

• General: ₹3000
• Female: ₹2000
• SC/ST: ₹1500
• PwD: ₹500
• Overseas: $125

• Separate merit lists for each category
• Final ranking based only on DAT Mains

1. Higher Studio Test marks
2. Specific question scores
3. Same rank if unresolved

• Based on:
  • Rank
  • Campus preference
  • Category

• False information → cancellation
• Must upload valid certificates
• No category change after edit window
• Must attend counselling or lose seat

• 2-stage exam: Prelims → Mains
• Final selection = Mains only
• Creativity > academics
• Portfolio NOT required for B.Des
• Limited seats → highly competitive

• National Institute of Design (NID) is an Institute of National Importance under the Government of India.
• Campuses:
  
  • Ahmedabad (Main)
  • Gandhinagar
  • Bengaluru
• Programme:
  
  • Master of Design (M.Des.)
  • Duration: 2.5 years
• Medium: English only

• Written test (design aptitude)
• Conducted nationwide
• Used only for shortlisting

• Includes:
  • Studio Test (40%)
  • Interview (60%)
• Final selection based only on Mains performance

👉 Important:

• Prelims marks are NOT counted in final result
• Appearing in exams ≠ guaranteed admission

• Application Start: 11 - 30 Sept 2026 (tentative)
• Last Date: Soon
• DAT Prelims Exam:  Dec - JAN (tentative)
• DAT Prelims Result: April 2026 (Tentative)
• Counselling: June 2026 (tentative)

You can apply to ONLY ONE stream (max 2 disciplines inside it):

1. Communication Design (CD)
2. Industrial Design (ID)
3. IT Integrated Design (ITID)
4. Interdisciplinary Design Studies (IDDS)
5. Textile, Apparel & Lifestyle (TAAD)

• Most disciplines: 19 seats
• Some: 12 seats

👉 Total seats vary by specialization and campus.

• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline

• General: Born after 1 July 1994 (tentative)
• OBC/SC/ST: After 1 July 1991 (tentative)
• PwD: After 1 July 1989 (tentative)

• Eligible if:
  • No backlogs
  • Final result submitted by 31 July 2027 (tentative)

• 15% extra seats (supernumerary)
• Must:
  • Have valid passport
  • Provide equivalence certificate (AIU)
• Cannot use Indian reservation benefits

• GEN-EWS: 10%
• OBC-NCL: 27%
• SC: 15%
• ST: 7.5%
• PwD: 5%

👉 Important:

• OBC seats can be de-reserved to General
• SC/ST/EWS seats cannot be transferred

1. Register online
2. Fill details
3. Upload documents:
   
   • Photo, signature
   • Category certificate (if applicable)

1. Pay fee
2. Submit & print form

1500 - 6000 (Depend upon categories)

• Common test for all streams
• English language
• Objective + subjective

• Studio Test (hands-on tasks)
• Interview (portfolio + questions)

Weightage :- 

• Studio Test40%
• Interview60%

👉 Only candidates who attend both are considered

Category Required %

• General/EWS45%
• OBC40%
• SC/ST/PwD35%
• Overseas45%

• Based on:
  
  • Mains score
  • Category
  • Discipline preference
• If tied:
  
  • Higher interview marks win

👉 Important:

• Preference order matters
• Cannot change after submission

• ID proof (Aadhar/PAN/Passport)
• 10th & 12th marksheets
• Graduation marksheets
• Degree certificate
• Category certificates (if applicable)
• Migration certificate

• Wrong info = cancellation anytime
• No re-evaluation (only rechecking)
• No change in:
  
  • Name
  • DOB
  • Programme
• Must track updates on official website

• Only Mains decides final selection
• Portfolio + interview = critical
• Choose stream carefully (no switching later)
• Competition is high (limited seats)
• Rank ≠ guaranteed admission