The National Institute of Design (NID) will not release the NID DAT syllabus 2027 as it does not share any detailed syllabus for the exam. However, the NID syllabus 2027 is divided into two stages: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. Till 2025, the NID syllabus was designed using GAT and CAT objectives. However, from 2026, GAT was discontinued, and the CAT objective is being used for the Prelims as a qualifying paper.
- The NID DAT exam pattern 2027 includes 70% objective and 30% subjective questions in English language only.
- The NID DAT B.Des Prelims syllabus 2027 high-weightage topics are Design Principles & Elements, Visual Reasoning, and General Knowledge, with 5 - 7% weightage each.
- The NID exam 2027 B.Des Mains Syllabus 2027 high-weightage topic is Creative Problem Solving, with 15 - 20% weightage.
- The NID DAT M.Des Prelims syllabus 2027 high-weightage topics include Design Principles & Elements, Design Awareness, and Visual Reasoning, with 5 - 7% weightage each.
- The NID DAT M.Des Mains Syllabus 2027 high-weightage topics are Model Making with 220 - 25% weightage, and Material Manipulation and Creative Thinking with 15 - 20% weightage each.
- The NID DAT 2027 B.Des paper consists of a Studio Sensitivity Test with 60% weightage and an In-Person Sensitivity Test with 40% weightage. The M.Des paper consists of a faculty-stream-specific Studio Test with 40% weightage + an Interview with 60% weightage.
- The NID DAT B.Des Prelims and Mains exam duration is 3 hours; for M.Des Prelims it is 2.5 - 4.5 hours, and for M.Des Mains it is 3 hours.
- The NID DAT 2027 total marks are 100 for each: the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains of both B.Des and M.Des examinations. Further, there is no negative marking.
Related Links:
- Check NID DAT Eligibility Criteria 2027: Minimum Age Requirement and Educational Qualification
- NID DAT Exam 2027 Reservation Policy: Check Seat Intake and Documents Required

Key Summary
- The exam is conducted for admission into the B.Des and M.Des programs. Both the B.Des and M.Des papers include the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains exams.
- Students must note that the final merit list is prepared considering the DAT Mains score. The DAT Prelims is a qualifying paper for the Mains.
- The NID DAT B.Des 2027 Prelims and Mains exam duration is 3 hours, whereas for M.Des it is 2.5 to 4.5 hours for Prelims and 3 hours for Mains.
- The NID DAT 2027 B.Des exam includes the Studio Sensitivity Test + In-Person Sensitivity Test, and the M.Des includes Faculty-stream-specific Studio Test + Interview.
- In the NID DAT Syllabus 2027, the weightage of the B.Des Studio Sensitivity Test is 60%, and the In-Person Sensitivity Test is 40%.
- The NID DAT Syllabus 2027 weightage of the M.Des Faculty-stream-specific Studio Test is 40%, and for the Interview round it is 60%.
NID DAT Exam Syllabus 2027 PDF Links
The NID 2027 Syllabus PDF has not been released by the official authority on the website. However, students must go through the PDF link prepared based on the previous year's data.
| Programs | Download Link |
|---|---|
| NID B.Des Syllabus 2027 | Click Here |
| NID M.Des Syllabus 2027 | Click Here |
Check the video by Top Rankers explaining the NID DAT syllabus breakdown and preparation strategy.
NID DAT Syllabus 2027: Check B.Des and M.Des Syllabus Topics
The detailed NID DAT Syllabus 2027 topics for the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains papers of the B.Des and M.Des programs are provided below.
NID DAT B.Des Prelims 2027 Syllabus Topics & Weightage
The NID DAT Prelims syllabus 2027 topics for B.Des are Design Principles & Elements with 5 - 7% weightage, Cubes, Nets & 3D Figures with 4 - 6% weightage, Colour Theory with 3 -5% weightage, and many more.
| Topic/Chapter | Expected Weightage |
|---|---|
| Design Principles & Elements | 5 - 7% |
| Design Awareness & Functional Design | 5 - 7% |
| Visual Reasoning | 5 - 7% |
| Spatial Reasoning & 3D Visualisation | 5 - 7% |
| Pattern Recognition | 4 - 6% |
| Cubes, Nets & 3D Figures | 4 - 6% |
| Mirror/Water Images & Symmetry | 3 - 5% |
| Logical Reasoning | 4 - 6% |
| Analytical Ability | 4 - 6% |
| General Knowledge | 5 - 7% |
| Current Affairs | 3 - 5% |
| Environment & Sustainability | 3 - 5% |
| Indian Art, Culture & Heritage | 3 - 5% |
| Logos, Symbols & Brand Awareness | 3 - 5% |
| Colour Theory | 3 - 5% |
| Form, Shape, Pattern & Texture | 3 - 5% |
| Perspective Drawing | 4 - 6% |
| Proportion & Scale | 3 - 5% |
| Observation & Memory Drawing | 3 - 5% |
| Creative Problem Solving | 5 - 8% |
| User-Centric Design | 5 - 8% |
| Visual Storytelling/Poster Design | 4 - 6% |
| Reading Comprehension & Interpretation | 3 - 5% |
| Lateral Thinking | 4 - 6% |
NID DAT B.Des Mains 2027 Syllabus Topics & Weightage
The NID DAT Mains syllabus 2027 M.Des high-weightage topics are Creative Problem Solving with 15 - 20% weightage, Model Making, Material Manipulation with 10 - 15% weightage each, and many more.
| Topics | Expected 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 M.Des Prelims 2027 Syllabus Topics & Weightage
The NID DAT Prelims syllabus 2027 topics for M.Des are Design History & Movements, Visual Reasoning, Composition & Visual Balance, Environment & Sustainability, etc.
| Topic | Expected Weightage |
|---|---|
| Design Principles & Elements | 5 - 7% |
| Design Theory | 4 - 6% |
| Design History & Movements | 4 - 6% |
| Form & Function | 4 - 6% |
| Design Awareness | 5 - 7% |
| Visual Reasoning | 5 - 7% |
| Spatial Visualisation | 4 - 6% |
| Symmetry & Pattern Recognition | 4 - 6% |
| Logical Reasoning | 4 - 6% |
| Analytical Ability | 4 - 6% |
| Colour Theory | 4 - 6% |
| Composition & Visual Balance | 3 - 5% |
| Light, Shade & Shadow | 3 - 5% |
| Perspective & Proportion | 3 - 5% |
| Materials & Manufacturing Awareness | 3 - 5% |
| Art, Architecture & Culture | 4 - 6% |
| General Knowledge | 4 - 6% |
| Current Affairs | 3 - 5% |
| Environment & Sustainability | 3 - 5% |
| Design Ethics | 3 - 5% |
| User-Centred Design | 4 - 6% |
| Creative Thinking | 4 - 6% |
| Lateral Thinking | 3 - 5% |
| Reading Comprehension | 3 - 5% |
NID DAT M.Des Mains 2027 Syllabus Topics & Weightage
Studying Model Making, Material Manipulation, and Creative Thinking topics of the NID DAT Mains syllabus 2027 will help students cover 50 - 65% of the entire syllabus.
| Topic | Expected 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% |

Related Links:
- NID DAT Aptitude Sample Paper 2027: Download Questions and Practice
- Download and Practice NID DAT 2027 Drawing Sample Paper Questions
- Download and Practice NID DAT Full-Length Sample Questions and Solutions PDF for Free
Ques. Does NID DAT 2027 have drawing in its syllabus?
Ans. Yes, the NID DAT 2027 exam syllabus contains drawing and visualisation. These two are the most important sections of the NID DAT examination. The drawing paper is used to analyse the observation and communication ideas of the applicants. Students must practice well for the drawing section.
A Reddit user asked for the NID DAT 2027 preparation strategy.

Replying to that, another user said that you must focus on line quality, ideation, and a bit of GK for three weeks for a strong hold.

Source: Reddit
NID DAT Exam Pattern 2027: Check Marking Scheme
The NID DAT 2027 exam pattern states that the exam is conducted in offline mode. Go through the NID DAT B.Des and M.Des exam pattern shared below.
NID DAT B.Des Exam Pattern 2027
As per the NID DAT 2027 B.Des exam pattern, the paper will consist of two sections: Section A & B. Section A consists of multiple-choice questions, and Section B will carry subjective questions.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline mode/pen-and-paper-based test |
| No. of sections | 2 (Sections A and B) |
| No. of Questions | Section A: 1 to 22 (MCQ) |
| Section B: 23 to 26 (Subjective) | |
| Section-Wise Weightage (for final merit list) | DAT Prelims: 0%DAT Mains: Studio Sensitivity Test (60%), In-Person Sensitivity Test (40%) |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Question Type | Multiple |
NID B.Des Marking Scheme 2027
The marking scheme for the NID DAT B.Des exam paper 2027 is provided below.
| Type of Questions | Total Questions | Marks for Each |
|---|---|---|
| Objective Type Questions | Ques 1 - 14 | 1 mark each |
| Ques 15 - 22 | 2 marks each | |
| Subjective Type Questions | Ques 23 | 15 marks |
| Ques 24 | 20 marks | |
| Ques 25 | 15 marks | |
| Ques 26 | 20 marks | |
| Total Marks | 100 marks | |
NID DAT M.Des Exam Pattern 2027
The NID DAT M.Des 2027 exam paper consists of 59 multiple-choice questions in Section A and 3 subjective questions in Section B.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline mode/pen-and-paper-based test |
| No. of sections | 2 (Sections A and B) |
| No. of Questions | Section A: 59 (MCQ) |
| Section B: 3 (Subjective) | |
| Section-Wise Weightage (for final merit list) | DAT Prelims: 0%DAT Mains: Faculty-stream-specific Studio Test (40%), Interview (60%) |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Question Type | Multiple |
NID M.Des Marking Scheme 2027
The marks of the NID DAT M.Des paper are question-specific. The weightage of the NID M.Des exam paper is provided below. It will help students get an idea about the expected marks of the sections.
| Sections | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Studio Test | 40% |
| Interview | 60% |
Check NID DAT Previous Year Question Paper Links:
| NID DAT B.Des 2023 Question Paper | NID DAT M.Des 2018 Question Paper |
| NID DAT B.Des 2018 Question Paper | – |
Ques. Is there any Mathematics in the NID DAT syllabus 2027?
Ans. No, the NID DAT syllabus 2027 does not include Mathematics, as it is not a conventional mathematics-based entrance examination. However, applicants will have to answer some of the basic Mathematical and quantitative questions covered under the Logical Reasoning section.
Which Books Are Best for NID DAT 2027 Exam Preparation?
The list of books students can refer to for preparing for the NID DAT 2027 Prelims and Mains exam for B.Des and M.Des programs is shared below.
NID DAT B.Des Book List 2027
For the preparation of the NID DAT 2027 B.Des paper, students can refer to NID (B.Des.) Entrance Books and Test Series by AFAINDIA, NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide by Surendra, etc.
| Book | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
| Design Drawing | Francis D.K. Ching |
| Basic Rendering | Robert W. Gill |
| NID (B.Des.) Entrance Books and Test Series | AFAINDIA |
| NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide | RPH Editorial Board |
| Arihant's Ultimate Guide for NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam | Arihant |
| NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide | Surendra |
| NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Examination | Dharmendra Mittal |
| The Fundamentals of Figure Drawing | Charles Oliver |
| Origami Design Secrets | Robert J. Lang |
| NIFT/NID (Admission Test) Previous Years' Papers (Solved) | R. Gupta |
NID DAT M.Des Book List 2027
The NID DAT M.Des 2027 book list includes Basic Rendering by Robert W. Gill, NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Examination by Dharmendra Mittal, and many more.
| Book | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
| Design Drawing | Francis D.K. Ching |
| Basic Rendering | Robert W. Gill |
| NID M.Des. Interdisciplinary Design Studies – Previous Year Studio Test Papers + 5 Mock Studio Tests | Qrio Studio |
| NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide | RPH Editorial Board |
| NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide | Surendra |
| NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Examination | Dharmendra Mittal |
| Origami Design Secrets | Robert J. Lang |
| The Fundamentals of Figure Drawing | Charles Oliver |
| Preparing for a Winning Interview | Bibhu Prasad Mishra |
| How to Answer Interview Questions: 101 Tough Interview Questions | Peggy McKee |
NID DAT Syllabus 2027 FAQs
Ques. Is the NID DAT syllabus the same for B.Des and M.Des?
Ans. No, the NID DAT syllabus topics are not the same for the B.Des and M.Des programs. The NID B.Des syllabus topics focus on design aptitude, drawing, observation, creativity, and visual reasoning. Whereas the NID M.Des syllabus focuses on advanced design principles, design history, logical reasoning, design philosophy, and analytical abilities.
Ques. What is the NID DAT Studio Test 2027?
Ans. The NID DAT Studio Test is conducted to evaluate the practical creativity of students through activities such as model making, material manipulation, doodling, creative thinking, idea development, and audio-visual exercises.
Ques. What type of questions are asked in NID DAT Prelims?
Ans. The NID DAT Prelims exam paper consists of both objective and subjective questions involving text and visuals. The paper includes visual reasoning, logical problems, drawing-based questions, design aptitude, observation, and creative problem-solving tasks.
Ques. Can I crack NID DAT 2027 without coaching?
Ans. Yes, you can crack the NID DAT 2027 exam without coaching. You just need to have a proper, strategised preparation schedule and the correct approach to preparation. You must be aware of the best resources and topic weightage for a better outcome. Further, it is advised that you must cover the syllabus topics in detail, prepare your own notes, practice previous year papers, appear for mock tests, and analyse your preparation level.
Ques. Is NID DAT 2027 difficult?
Ans. The NID DAT 2027 can be a little challenging for students, as it does not consist of any textbook knowledge; rather, it focuses on testing the creativity, observation, visualisation, reasoning, and design aptitude of students. Thus, applicants must prepare well and practice previous years' question papers for a better understanding of the question structure.








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