NID DAT 2026: The National Institute of Design (NID) is expected to release the official notification for the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) 2026 soon. This examination is the gateway for admission to the prestigious Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) programs offered across NID campuses in India.
Candidates aspiring to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate design courses at NID should prepare for the upcoming DAT 2026 registration and exam, which are anticipated to commence shortly. Here is everything students need to know about the NID DAT 2026 recruitment process, eligibility, exam pattern, and application timelines.
Expected Application Dates for NID DAT 2026
The application process for NID DAT 2026 is expected to open in early September 2025. The online registration window will likely remain active until December 2025, providing ample time for aspirants to gather the necessary documents and complete the submission.
Prospective candidates will need to apply online via the official NID admissions portal at admissions.nid.edu, as offline applications will not be accepted.
NID DAT 2026 Exam Structure
The NID DAT exam is conducted in two stages:
- Prelims: A written test evaluating design aptitude, observation, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The prelims will include multiple-choice as well as subjective questions.
- Mains: Shortlisted candidates from the prelims will appear for the studio test and personal interview, assessing practical design skills and overall suitability.
The DAT Prelims 2026 for both B.Des and M.Des programs is tentatively scheduled for the first week of January 2026. Results for the prelims round are expected by early April 2026.
NID DAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- B.Des: Candidates must have completed or be appearing in 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board.
- M.Des: Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
NID DAT 2026 Application Fee
The expected application fees for NID DAT 2026 are as follows:
- General, General-EWS, OBC-NCL categories: INR 3,000 (one discipline), INR 6,000 (two disciplines)
- SC, ST, PwD categories: INR 1,500 (one discipline), INR 3,000 (two disciplines)
- Overseas candidates: INR 5,000 (one discipline), INR 10,000 (two disciplines)
NID DAT 2026 Exam Cities and Centers
The DAT Prelims exam will be conducted across approximately 22 cities nationwide, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and others. Candidates can select their preferred exam city during the application process, though changes later may not be allowed.
NID DAT 2026 Important Updates for PwD Candidates
Candidates with disabilities who require assistance will have access to scribe services during the DAT Prelims exam. Additionally, 5% of seats across all categories are expected to be reserved for Persons with Disability (PwD).
Seat Intake for NID DAT 2026
NID offers B.Des and M.Des programs across several campuses, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam. Masters programs include specialized disciplines such as Digital Game Design, Animation Film Design, Interaction Design, and more, with seat numbers varying across campuses.
NID DAT 2026 Final Selection and Weightage
The final admission decision will be based on a combined evaluation of prelims and mains. For B.Des, prelims contribute 30% and mains 70% to the final score. For M.Des, prelims count for 20%, followed by 50% for the studio test and 30% for the interview.
How to Apply NID DAT 2026?
Applicants should follow these steps to complete the NID DAT 2026 application:
- Register on the official NID admission portal.
- Fill in personal, academic, and program details.
- Upload required documents such as photographs and certificates.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit the application and retain a copy of the confirmation.
