NID Entrance Exam 2026-27: Important Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Top Design Colleges
If you’ve ever dreamt of turning your creativity into a career, the NID Entrance Exam is probably already on your radar. Run by the National Institute of Design, an institute that has been setting the benchmark for design education in India since 1961, the NID DAT 2026 is the first big step toward studying at one of the most respected design schools in the country.
Unlike many competitive exams, the NID entrance exam is not about cramming facts or solving endless formulas. It’s about observing, imagining and bringing ideas to life. The exam is conducted in 2 stages. The Prelims is a pen-and-paper test through which candidates are selected for the Mains, which is a hands-on round assessing creativity, practical skills and design thinking.
Applications are currently open, with the last date to apply being 1 December 2025.
NID Entrance Exam Dates
| Events | B.Des. Dates | M.Des. Dates |
| Last Date to Apply (Online) | 11:59 pm, Monday, 1 December 2025 | 11:59 pm, Monday, 1 December 2025 |
| DAT Prelims Exam Date | Sunday, 21 December 2025 | Sunday, 21 December 2025 |
| Prelims Result Expected | April 2026 | February 2026 |
NID DAT Syllabus Overview
The syllabus for NID DAT is generally divided into the two test components and focuses on a blend of creative, observational, and analytical skills.
1. DAT Prelims Syllabus
NID DAT is a pen-paper-based assessment that tests broad design aptitude, creativity and general knowledge of aspirants.
| Particulars | Focus Areas |
| Creative Ability Test (CAT) | Drawing Skills: Proportion, perspective, composition, human figures, object study. Creative Thinking: Developing a story/idea, imagination, sequential drawing, and visual communication. Colour Theory: Knowledge of colour psychology, schemes, and application. |
| General Aptitude Test (GAT) | General Knowledge & Current Affairs: Design trends, famous designers, art history, and current world events. Logical Reasoning: Analytical reasoning, visual logic, and abstract reasoning. Quantitative & Verbal Ability: Basic mathematics, reading comprehension, and English grammar. |
2. DAT Mains Syllabus
NID DAT Mains is conducted at NID campuses and is designed to evaluate practical design skills and suitability for the program.
| Course | Focus Areas |
| B.Des. | Model making with given materials, doodling, audio-visual exercises, material manipulation and a quick presentation of an idea. |
| M.Des. | Discipline-specific tests (hands-on or written), a presentation of a Portfolio and a personal interview to assess motivation, subject knowledge, and communication skills. |
Eligibility Criteria
Meeting the eligibility criteria is non-negotiable for appearing in the NID DAT.
1. For Bachelor of Design (B.Des.)
| Parameter | Criteria |
| Educational Qualification | Candidates must have passed or be appearing for the Class 12th exam from a recognised board. |
| Age Limit | General/General EWS: Must be born on or after 1 July 2005.Reserved Categories (OBC NCL, SC, ST, PwD): Age relaxations apply. |
2. For Master of Design (M.Des.)
| Parameter | Criteria |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree of 3 or 4 years duration in any specialisation after 12th OR Full-time Diploma of minimum 4 year duration in Design/Arts/Architecture after 12th. |
| Age Limit | General Category: Must be born on or after 1 July 1993.Reserved Categories: Age relaxations apply. |
Top Colleges Accepting NID Entrance Exam
The primary institutes accepting NID DAT scores include various campuses, such as the NID Ahmedabad. Here are a few top design institutions that accept NID DAT entrance exam scores for their admission process.
National Institute of Design Campuses
- National Institute of Design Ahmedabad (Main Campus)
- NID Gandhinagar
- NID Bangalore
- NID Andhra Pradesh (Vijayawada)
- NID Haryana (Kurukshetra)
- NID Bhopal
- NID Assam (Jorhat)
Other Private Institutes Accepting NID DAT Entrance Exam
While the list changes every year, here are some institutions apart from the NIDs that also accept NID DAT 2026:
- World University of Design (WUD), Sonepat
- IILM School of Design, Gurgaon
- Shiv Nadar University (SNU), Greater Noida
Preparing for the NID Entrance Exam is also a chance to really explore your creativity. Every sketch, model or quick idea you try out counts and sometimes the silliest experiments lead to the best designs. Keep an eye on what’s happening in the design world, play around with different materials and trust your instincts.
Managing your time and practising regularly will boost confidence. If you’re aiming for M.Des., curate a portfolio that really shows how you think and not just what you make. Enjoy the process, celebrate small wins and remember that every little effort brings you closer to turning your design goals into reality.
