The National Institute of Design (NID) has opened the NID DAT 2026 application form for B.Desand M.Des programmes. The registration window will remain active till December 1, 2025, on the official NID website. The NID DAT 2026 exam will be conducted on December 21, 2025, in offline (pen-and-paper) mode.
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria must complete the registration process before the last date. On the day of the exam, they must carry their admit card and a valid photo ID proof, without which entry to the exam centre will be denied.
NID DAT 2026 Exam Dates
The NID has announced the official schedule for the Design Aptitude Test 2026. Candidates can check the key exam dates below before completing the registration process.
Event | Date |
NID DAT 2026 Application Form Release | October 10, 2025 |
Last Date to Apply | December 1, 2025 |
NID DAT 2026 Exam Date | December 21, 2025 |
Steps to Fill NID DAT 2026 Application Form
Applicants need to follow the below steps to complete the NID DAT 2026 registration process successfully.
Step 1: Fill in details in the ‘Signup’ form on the NID official website, including name, category, nationality, email ID, and mobile number.Step 2: Log in and fill personal, academic, and contact details in the application form. M.Des applicants must also mention their work experience.Step 3: Upload required documents such as photograph, signature, and caste/PwD certificate.Step 4: Pay the application fee online or through Demand Draft, and then download a copy of the completed application form for reference.
Details Required in NID DAT Application Form 2026
Candidates must fill in the following details while completing the NID DAT 2026 application form:
- Programme of study
- Nationality and category
- PwD status
- Date of birth
- Full name
- Gender
- Contact details (email, mobile number)
- Parent details
- Address (present and permanent)
- Educational details (exam board, stream, school name, year, percentage/GPA)
- Exam centre preference
Documents Required for NID DAT 2026 Application
Applicants must upload scanned copies of their documents as per the specified format and file size.
Document Type | Format | Size | Important Instructions |
Passport-size Photograph | JPG/JPEG | 50–200 KB | Must be a colour photo taken at a professional studio |
Signature | JPG/JPEG | 50–200 KB | Should be clearly visible |
GEN-EWS/OBC-NCL Certificate | Up to 1 MB | Issued on or after April 1, 2024 | |
SC/ST Certificate | Up to 1 MB | Must be issued by a competent authority | |
PwD Certificate | Up to 1 MB | Valid certificate required | |
Passport (for Overseas candidates) | JPG/JPEG | Up to 1 MB | Upload image of first and last page |
NID DAT 2026 Application Fee
The application fee for NID DAT 2026 varies based on category and programme. Payment can be made online or via Demand Draft.
B.Des Application Fee
Category | Application Fee |
General, Gen-EWS, OBC-NCL | INR 3,000 |
Female Candidates (except SC/ST) | INR 2,000 |
SC/ST | INR 1,500 |
PwD | INR 500 |
Third Gender | INR 500 |
Overseas (Supernumerary) | $125 |
M.Des Application Fee (1 Discipline)
Category | Application Fee |
General, Gen-EWS, OBC-NCL | INR 3,000 |
Female Candidates (except SC/ST) | INR 2,000 |
SC/ST | INR 1,500 |
PwD | INR 500 |
Third Gender | INR 500 |
Overseas (Supernumerary) | $125 |
M.Des Application Fee (2 Disciplines)
Category | Application Fee |
General, Gen-EWS, OBC-NCL | INR 6,000 |
SC/ST/PwD | INR 3,000 |
Overseas (Supernumerary) | INR 10,000 |