NID DAT 2027 Prelims exam is on December 20 2026, in offline pen-and-paper mode. NID DAT Mains date and result will be notified later, after the conduct of prelims. NID DAT 2027 registration started on September 10, 2026, and will conclude on November 30, 2026.

Direct Link to NID DAT 2027 Registration (Until November 30, 2026)
  • NID DAT application fee is INR 3000 for General/OBC NCL/ EWS candidates and INR 1500 for SC/ST category.
  • The NID DAT eligibility criteria for BDes is passing 10+2 in any discipline. For MDes, candidates must be graduates.
  • The NID DAT 2027 Prelims admit card will be released on December 10, 2026.
  • NID DAT exam pattern 2027 contains 70% objective and 30% subjective questions and is conducted in English.
  • NID DAT total marks are 100 for each of the Prelims and Mains. There is no negative marking for the exam.
  • NID DAT BDes exam question types are: MCQ-type questions, Visual Reasoning, General Awareness, Creative Illustration, etc.
  • NID DAT MDes exam question types are: Visual MCQs, Logical Questions, Colour Questions, Current Affairs, Reading Comprehension, etc.
  • NID DAT B.Des Prelims syllabus high-weightage topics are Design Principles, Visual Reasoning, and General Knowledge, with 5 - 7% weightage each.
  • Model Making carries 22 - 25% weightage, and Material Manipulation and Creative Thinking have 15 - 20% weightage each in MDes.
  • NID DAT Prelims is a qualifying round only. Only your Mains score determines your final rank and admission chances.
  • NID DAT BDes 2027 Prelims result will be declared on March 16, 2027. The result for MDes will be published on February 16, 2027.

NID DAT 2027 Latest Updates

  • The last date to register for NID DAT 2027 is November 30, 2026.
  • NID DAT 2027 application form correction window will be open from December 1, 2026, from 4 PM to December 3, 2026, 11:59 PM.
  • NID DAT 2027 Prelims admit card will be available on December 10, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
  • NID DAT 2027 Prelims exam is on December 20, 2026.
  • NID DAT 2027 Prelims Result will be available on March 16, 2027 at 4:00 PM.

Related Links:

NID DAT 2027

NID DAT 2027 Key Highlights

NID DAT 2027 is an entrance examination for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate design courses. The details regarding the NID DAT 2027 exam are outlined below:

Particulars Details
Exam Name National Institute of Design - Design Aptitude Test
Conducting Body National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad
Exam Date Third Week of December 2026
Exam Frequency Once a Year (January)
Eligibility Criteria
  • BDes- 10+2 in any discipline
  • MDes- Bachelor's degree of minimum four years duration OR its equivalent
WBJEE ANM GNM Registration Fee
  • INR 3000- General/OBC-NCL/EWS
  • INR 2000- Female Candidates
  • INR 1500- SC/ST
  • INR 500- PwD
Exam Mode Offline pen-and-paper mode
Total Marks 100 marks
Duration 3 hours

Related Link: NID DАT Registration: Check Form Correction Window, Exam Date, Direct Links, Application Process

Ques. Which skills should I build for NID DAT 2027?

Ans. The Prelims syllabus covers design concepts, visual understanding, creative thinking, general awareness and analytical ability. Practise drawing and sketching daily, observe everyday objects critically, follow current affairs and solve previous years' papers.

NID DAT 2027 Registration

NID DAT 2027 registration is completely online. Candidates need to create an account, fill in their personal and academic information, upload the required documents, pay the application fee and submit the application form.

How to Fill NID DAT Application Form 2027?

Step 1: Visit the official NID admissions website at admissions.nid.edu.

Step 2: Select the applicable B.Des./Integrated M.Des. or M.Des. registration option.

Step 3: Complete the registration by entering the required personal details.

Step 4: Create login credentials.

Step 5: Enter personal, academic and category details.

Step 6: Select the applicable programme/discipline.

Step 7: Upload the photograph, signature and other required documents.

Step 8: Pay the applicable NID DAT 2027 application fee.

Step 9: Review all information entered in the application form.

Step 10: Submit the application form and download the confirmation page.

NID DAT 2027 Application Fee

The NID DAT application fee for BDes and MDes courses is the same. The category-wise NID DAT application fee is tabulated below:

Category NID DAT Application Fee
General / OBC-NCL / EWS INR 3000
Female INR 2000
SC / ST INR 1500
PwD INR 500
NID DAT 2027 Application Fee

Source:admissions.nid.edu

NID DAT 2027 Application Form Correction

NID will provide an application edit window from December 1 to December 3, 2026.

Candidates can correct eligible application details during this period. You cannot change the programme applied for, name, date of birth, registered email ID and registered mobile number.

Note: Verify these details carefully before submitting the application form.

Related Link: NID DAT Admit Card: Hall Ticket Out at admissions.nid.edu, Download Link and Login Steps

Ques. What is the last date to apply for NID DAT 2027?

Ans. The last date to apply to NID DAT 2027 is on November 30, 2026, up to 11:59 pm IST.

NID DAT 2027 Exam Dates

NID DAT 2027 exam date is around the third week of December 2026. The important events related to the NID DAT 2027 exam date are tabulated below.

Events Dates
Registration opens September 10, 2026 (Started)
Last date to apply (with fee) November 30, 2026, 11:59 pm IST (Confirmed)
Application edit window December 1- 3, 2026 (Confirmed)
DAT Prelims Admit Card December 10, 2026 (Confirmed)
NID DAT Prelims Exam 2027 December 20, 2026 (Confirmed)
M.Des DAT Prelims 2027 Result February 16, 2027 (Confirmed)
B.Des DAT Prelims 2027 Result March 16, 2027 (Confirmed)
DAT Mains 2027 To be Announced
DAT Mains Result To be Announced
Admission Counselling, Payment of Fees and Physical Verification of Documents To be Announced

Source: admissions.nid.edu

Ques. How can I apply for NID DAT 2027?

Ans. Candidates can apply online by registering on the official portal, filling in personal and academic details, uploading documents, choosing a test centre, paying the fee and submitting the form.

NID DAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria

Check out the respective NID DAT eligibility criteria for BDes and MDes courses below.

Note: 
  • BDes- Candidates appearing in the 10+2 examination must submit their qualifying certificate on or before July 15, 2027.
  • MDes- Candidates appearing for the final year examination must submit their qualifying certificate on or before July 31, 2027.
Eligibility Requirements BDes MDes
Educational Qualification 10+2 in any discipline Bachelor's degree of minimum four years' duration OR its equivalent
Age
  • General category candidates must be born on or after 1 July 2006.
  • OBCNCL, SC, ST candidates must be born on or after 1 July 2003.
  • PwD candidates need to be born on or after 1 July 2001.
  • General category candidates must be born on or after 1 July 1995.
  • OBCNCL, SC, ST candidates must be born on or after 1 July 1992.
  • PwD candidates need to be born on or after 1 July 1990.
For foreign nationals applying for admission under the Overseas (Supernumerary) Category, the candidate must be born on or after 1 July 2006. For foreign nationals applying for admission under the Overseas (Supernumerary) Category, the candidate must be born on or after 1 July 1992.

Related Link: NID DAT Eligibility: Check B.Des, M.Des Age Limit and Qualifications

Ques. How many programmes and campuses are there?

Ans. Applicants can choose from professional design disciplines across five main campuses. B.Des is also offered at the newer NID campuses in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. M.Des is offered at Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Bengaluru.

NID DAT 2027 Exam Pattern

NID DAT 2027 Exam has two parts.

  • Part 1- Prelims
  • Part 2- Mains

Candidates will be eligible for NID Mains only if they clear the NID DAT Prelims 2027.

NID Exam Pattern 2027: Prelims

NID DAT Prelims is a qualifying round only. Only your Mains score determines your final rank and admission chances.

Particluar BDes MDes
Exam Mode Offline mode/pen-and-paper-based test Offline mode/pen-and-paper-based test
No. of sections 2 2
No. of Questions Approx. 26, which includes MCQs and Subjective Approx. 26, which includes MCQs and Subjective
Total Marks 100 100
Negative Marking No No
Time 3 hours 2.5 hours

NID Exam Pattern 2027: Mains

NID DAT Mains is conducted at NID campuses. You must travel to your assigned campus for the Mains exam. The final merit rank is based on the NID DAT Mains score.

Note: 
  • Studio Sensitivity Test: design exercises, model making, material manipulation, creative problem-solving, ideation under supervision
  • In-person Sensitivity Test: Interview with NID faculty panel and design discussion.
Particular Details
Mode of exam Offline
Duration 3 Hours
Negative Marking No
NID DAT Total Marks 100
Mode of Language English
NID Mains Weightage BDes
  • Studio Sensitivity Test: 60%
  • In-person Sensitivity Test: 40%
MDes
  • Studio Sensitivity Test: 60%
  • Interview: 40%

Related Link: NID DAT Exam Pattern 2027: Syllabus, Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Important Topics and Weightage

Ques. What documents are needed for the application?

Ans. Candidates require recent photograph, signature, ID proof, date-of-birth proof, educational certificates and a category or PwD certificate where applicable.

NID DAT 2027 Syllabus

NID does not publish a chapter-by-chapter syllabus for the DAT. The exam tests your design aptitude, your ability to observe, think visually, and express ideas through drawing.

The topics are based on previous years' papers and expert analysis of NID DAT Prelims and Mains.

The NID DAT Prelims and Mains Syllabus for BDes and MDes is discussed below:

  • For Prelims: Focus on Design Principles and Elements, Colour Theory, Cubes and 3D Figures, as these are important topics.
  • For Mains: Important topics include Creative Problem Solving, Model Making, and Material Manipulation.

NID DAT BDes Prelims 2027 Syllabus Topics & Weightage

Topics Key Topics Weightage (%)
Design Principles and Elements Composition, form & function, good vs bad design, principles of design 5- 7
Design Awareness and Functional Design Innovation, theme development, real-world design applications 5- 7
Visual / Spatial Reasoning and 3D Visualisation Perspective, spatial ability, cubes/nets/3D figures, pattern recognition 5- 7
Colour Theory Colour psychology, mood & theme, optical illusions, usage in composition 3- 5
Logical and Analytical Ability Visual logic, series, mirror, water images, symmetry 4- 6
General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Environment & Sustainability Indian art/culture/heritage, logos/symbols/brands, environmental issues 3- 5

NID DAT BDes Mains 2027 Syllabus Topics & Weightage

NID DAT BDes Mains syllabus 2027 high-weightage topics are Creative Problem Solving, Model Making and Material Manipulation.

Topic Weightage (%)
Creative Problem Solving 15 - 20
Model Making 10- 15
Material Manipulation 10- 15
Sketching & Drawing 10- 15
In-Person Interaction 10- 15
Visual Storytelling 8- 12
Observation Skills 8- 12
Design Thinking 10- 15
Communication & Presentation 8- 12
NID DAT BDes Mains 2027 Syllabus Topics & Weightage

NID DAT MDes Prelims 2027 Syllabus Topics & Weightage

Topics Key Topics Weightage (%)
Design Principles and Elements Composition, balance 5- 7
Design History Design movements, materials & manufacturing awareness 5- 7
Visual Reasoning, Spatial Visualisation, Pattern/Symmetry Perspective, proportion, light/shade/shadow 5- 7
Colour Theory Colour psychology, mood & theme, optical illusions, usage in composition 4- 6
Art, Culture, GK, Current Affairs, Environment - 3- 5

NID DAT MDes Mains 2027 Syllabus Topics & Weightage

NID DAT MDes Mains syllabus 2027: Studying Model Making, Material Manipulation, and Creative Thinking topics will help students cover 50 - 65% of the entire syllabus.

Topic Weightage (%)
Model Making 20- 25
Material Manipulation 15- 20
Creative Thinking 15- 20
Idea Development 10- 15
Doodling & Visualisation 8- 12
Audio-Visual Exercises 8- 12
Design Sensitivity & Observation 5- 10
Presentation & Visual Communication 5- 10
NID DAT MDes Mains 2027 Syllabus Topics & Weightage

Watch the YouTube video by “SSAC Institute- NID, UCEED and NIFT” to learn about the NID 2027 Syllabus.

Related Link: NID DAT Syllabus 2027: Download Prelims & Mains Syllabus PDF, Topic-Wise Weightage, Exam Pattern

Ques. What is the application fee?

Ans. It is expected to be INR 3000 for General/OBC-NCL/EWS, INR 1500 for SC/ST and INR 500 for Third Gender.

NID DAT 2027 Preparation Tips

NID DAT tests creative ability and design thinking, not academic memory. Here are practical tips based on what NID consistently assesses across Prelims and Mains.

NID DAT Prelims: The Qualifying Stage

  • Sketch every day: Spend at least 30 minutes drawing objects from memory. It helps to build accuracy, proportion, and line quality matter.
  • Solve previous year papers: Solve at least 10 papers under timed conditions to understand the format, question types, and time management.
  • Build visual reasoning skills: Work on pattern completion, mirror reflection, spatial rotation, and visual analogy problems. These appear consistently in the objective section of the Prelims.
  • Learn about Indian craft and design history: Know major Indian textiles and key design movements.
  • Study elements and principles of design: Understand how colour theory, composition, balance, and visual hierarchy work in design practice.

NID DAT Mains: The Merit-Determining Stage

  • Practise model making: Use scrap paper, cardboard, clay, and household materials to build 3D forms regularly. Speed, structural integrity, and creative use of material is the main testing criteria.
  • Work through open design briefs: Think about the user, context, material, and form. Speak your reasoning out loud.
  • Develop material sensitivity: Handle fabric, paper, metal, wood, ceramic, and plastic. Understanding how materials behave, such as how they fold, tear, bend, and join, is critical during the Mains studio.
  • Stay updated with design: Follow design awards, leading Indian design studios, and design events.

Also Check:

On a discussion forum such as Reddit, a user asked for advice on how to prepare for the NID DAT. Based on this, the user suggested that the NID Prelims are easy to crack. There is no fixed syllabus for these exams; all you need is skills and a problem-solving mindset. Do regular practice of daily-life scene objects, perspective and human figures. They test whether you have the mindset to create something that solves a problem.

Reddit

Source: Reddit

Ques. When will the NID DAT 2027 Prelims result be declared?

Ans. B.Des Prelims results are scheduled for 4 pm on March 16, 2027, followed by a short re-totalling window on March 16 and 17.

NID DAT 2027 Admit Card

NID releases separate admit cards for the Prelims and the Mains of both B.Des and M.Des. All admit cards are available at admissions.nid.edu. You log in with your registered email ID and password to download them.

NID DAT 2027 Admit Card Dates

Exam Dates
NID DAT Prelims Admit Card December 10, 2026 (Confirmed)
NID DAT Prelims Exam 2027 December 20, 2026 (Confirmed)
NID DAT Mains Admit Card TBA
NID DAT Mains Exam 2027 TBA

How to Download the NID DAT Admit Card 2027

  • Step 1: Visit admissions.nid.edu and log in with your registered email ID and password
  • Step 2: Navigate to the admit card section on the dashboard
  • Step 3: Download the PDF and print at least two copies; one for the exam centre, one for your records
  • Step 4: Carry the printed admit card and a government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Voter ID) to the exam

Details Mentioned on the NID DAT Admit Card

  • Candidate’s full name and application number
  • Photograph and signature for identity verification at the gate
  • Exam centre name, address, and reporting time
  • Exam date and session details
  • Important instructions for exam day conduct

Also Check: NID DAT Reservation: Category Wise Seats, Fee Concession and Cutoff Relaxation

Ques. Is the Prelims score added to the Mains score?

Ans. No, the NID DAT Prelims score is used only for shortlisting and is not carried forward to Mains.

NID DAT 2027 Result

The NID DAT 2027 prelims result for the M.Des programme will be declared on February 16, 2027. For the BDes programme, the NID DAT 2027 Prelims result will be declared on March 16, 2027, on the official website.

Note: The NID DAT Mains exam and result dates have not been announced yet.

How to Check the NID DAT 2027 Result

  • Step 1: Visit admissions.nid.edu and log in with your registered email ID and date of birth
  • Step 2:Your merit rank, marks in the Studio Sensitivity Test, and marks in the In-person Sensitivity Test appear on the dashboard
  • Step 3: Download the result scorecard as a PDF for your records

NID DAT scorecard shows your marks for each Mains component, your total Mains score, and your category-wise merit rank. The scorecard does not show Prelims marks, as those carry zero weightage.

Related Link: NID DAT Prelims Result: How to Check, Merit List, Scorecard, Direct Link, Login Process

Ques. What happens if I don't report to my allotted campus?

Ans. If you miss the reporting or fee deadline, the seat is cancelled and offered to the next candidate.

NID DAT 2027 Cutoff (Expected): Good Score for Prelims

The expected qualifying cutoff marks for NID DAT Prelims are tabulated below for category-wise candidates. It is based on past years' trend analysis.

Category Expected NID DAT Prelims Cutoff Expected Shortlisting Range (For Mains)
General 65+ Top 1.5 x total seats
EWS 60- 63 Top 1.5 x total seats
OBC NCL 58- 63 Top 1.5 x total seats
ST 45- 52 Top 1.5 x total seats
SC 40- 48 Top 1.5 x total seats
NID DAT 2027 Cutoff (Expected): Good Score for Prelims

NID DAT 2027 Cutoff (Expected): Safe Score for NID Ahmedabad

The safe score for NID Ahmedabad for category-wise candidates in NID DAT Mains 2027 is tabulated below:

Category Expected NID DAT Mains Cutoff
General 65- 70% of total Mains marks
EWS 60- 65% of total Mains marks
OBC NCL 60- 65% of total Mains marks
ST 60-% of total Mains marks
SC 60-% of total Mains marks

Also Check: NID DAT Cutoff:Campus Wise Closing Ranks and Category Wise Qualifying Marks

Ques. Which stream can apply for B.Des?

Ans. Students from Arts, Commerce and Science streams can apply if they meet the age and qualification requirements.

NID DAT 2027: Counselling and Seat Allotment

After the final merit list is declared, NID conducts an online counselling process for seat allotment. Physical reporting is only required after you confirm your seat, during the final admission formalities at the allotted campus.

NID DAT 2027 Counselling: Step by Step

  • Step 1: Qualified candidates log in to admissions.nid.edu, register themselves and fill in choices as per their preference.
  • Step 2: NID allocates seats based on merit rank, category, and preferences.
  • Step 3: Allotted candidates must pay the seat acceptance fee.
  • Step 4: After fee payment, NID issues provisional offer letters.
  • Step 5: Confirmed candidates report to the allotted NID campus with original documents for verification and final admission formalities during orientation.

Related Links:

NID Colleges Expected Seat Matrix 2027

The expected seat matrix for NID colleges for BDes programmes is tabulated below:

NID Campus BDes Seat Matrix
NID Ahmedabad 128
NID Andhra Pradesh 75
NID Assam 75
NID Haryana 75
NID Madhya Pradesh 86

Also Check: List of Top Colleges in India Accepting NID

NID DAT 2027 FAQs

Ques. What is NID DAT 2027?

Ans. It is NID's entrance exam for B.Des and the M.Des Integrated admission process for the 2027-28 session. It has two stages: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The Prelims are on December 20, 2026.

Ques. What is the eligibility for NID DAT B.Des. 2027?

Ans. Candidates who have passed or are appearing for Class 12/equivalent from a recognised board and satisfy NID's prescribed age criteria can apply for B.Des.

Ques. Is there negative marking in NID DAT 2027?

Ans. No, as per NID DAT marking scheme there is no negative marking. The question type includes subjective and objective questions.

Ques. What happens after NID DAT Prelims?

Ans. Candidates shortlisted through DAT Prelims proceed to DAT Mains. B.Des. candidates appear for the applicable Studio Sensitivity and In-Person Sensitivity Tests, while M.Des. candidates appear for the faculty-stream-specific Studio Test and Personal Interview.

Ques. What is the NID DAT Mains pattern for B.Des.?

Ans. The BDes Mains includes a Studio Sensitivity Test and an In-Person Sensitivity Test. The current framework assigns 60% weightage to the Studio Sensitivity Test and 40% to the In-Person Sensitivity Test.

Ques. What is the NID DAT Mains pattern for M.Des.?

Ans. MDes DAT Mains includes a faculty-stream-specific Studio Test followed by a Personal Interview. The final evaluation is based on the Mains process prescribed for the selected discipline.

Ques. Can students from Commerce or Arts apply for NID B.Des.?

Ans. Yes, NID BDes is not restricted to Science students. Candidates from recognised academic streams can apply if they satisfy the prescribed eligibility requirements.

Ques. Does NID DAT have a fixed syllabus?

Ans. NID does not prescribe a conventional chapter-wise syllabus. Candidates should prepare design aptitude, visualisation, creativity, drawing, analytical ability, design awareness, art and culture, environment and current affairs.

Ques. How should I prepare for NID DAT B.Des. 2027?

Ans. BDes candidates should focus on drawing, observation, visual reasoning, spatial ability, creativity, design awareness, current affairs and previous-year papers. Timed practice is important because the Prelims contain both objective and subjective questions.

Ques. How should I prepare for NID DAT M.Des. 2027?

Ans. MDes candidates should prepare design aptitude along with discipline-specific knowledge. They should practise visual problem-solving, critical thinking, design fundamentals, creative responses and previous DAT papers, followed by focused preparation for the Studio Test and Personal Interview.