National Institute of Design (NID) Admission 2027
The National Institute of Design (NID) is one of India’s most prestigious design institutions and is recognized globally for excellence in Industrial Design, Communication Design, Textile & Fashion Design, Animation, Interaction Design, and Interdisciplinary Design Studies. Established as an Institute of National Importance under the National Institute of Design Act, 2014, NID has consistently been a preferred destination for students aspiring to build successful careers in design.
Admission to NID’s undergraduate (B.Des) and postgraduate (M.Des) programs is conducted through the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT), a highly competitive entrance examination that evaluates creativity, observation, visualization, design thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
If you are planning to appear for NID Admission 2027, this guide covers everything you need to know, including eligibility criteria, admission process, important dates, participating campuses, courses offered, and application details. Start your preparation early and stay updated with the latest NID admission announcements to maximize your chances of securing a seat at one of India’s leading design institutes.
About National Institute of Design (NID)
NID is internationally recognized for design education and has played a significant role in shaping India’s design ecosystem. The institute offers programs in Product Design, Communication Design, Textile Design, Animation Film Design, Furniture Design, Apparel Design, Interaction Design, and several other specialized disciplines.
NID focuses on innovation, creativity, user-centered design, and industry-oriented learning, making it one of the most preferred destinations for design aspirants in India.
NID DAT 2027 Application Form & Important Dates
What are the Important dates of NID Admission 2027 ?
The NID DAT 2027 online application process has officially started for admission to Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) programs for the academic session 2027–28. Eligible candidates can complete their registration through the NID Admissions Portal and begin their journey toward a career in design.
Important Dates for NID Admission 2027
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Online Application Begins | 10 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (Regular Fee) | 30 November 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | 1 December 2026 (4:00 PM) to 3 December 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Admit Card Release | 10 December 2026 (4:00 PM) |
| NID DAT 2027 Prelims Examination | 20 December 2026 |
| NID DAT Prelims Result | February 2027 (Expected) |
| NID DAT Mains Examination | March–April 2027 (Expected) |
| Final Result & Seat Allotment | April–May 2027 (Expected) |
Note: Candidates are advised to regularly check the official NID admission portal for any updates or changes in the admission schedule.
Apply for NID Admission 2027
Students seeking admission to NID’s prestigious design programs should complete their application well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues. The admission process is conducted entirely online and consists of registration, form submission, document upload, fee payment, and final confirmation.
Follow these simple steps to complete your NID DAT 2027 application:
Step 1: Register Online
Create an account using a valid email address, mobile number, and date of birth.
Step 2: Fill the Application Form
Enter your personal details, academic qualifications, contact information, and category details carefully.
Step 3: Upload Required Documents
Upload scanned copies of:
- Recent Passport Size Photograph
- Signature
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Relevant Supporting Documents
Step 4: Pay Application Fee
Complete the application by paying the prescribed fee through:
- UPI
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- Net Banking
Step 5: Download Confirmation Page
After successful submission, download and save the application confirmation page for future reference.
The National Institute of Design (NID) conducts the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) in two stages: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. Candidates must qualify the Prelims examination to become eligible for the Mains stage. The exam is designed to assess creativity, observation skills, visualization ability, design aptitude, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities.
NID DAT 2027 Exam Structure
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| DAT Prelims | Written examination used for shortlisting candidates for DAT Mains |
| DAT Mains | Studio Test and further assessment of design aptitude and creativity |
NID DAT Prelims 2027 Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper Based) |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Language | English |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks |
| Sections | Objective & Subjective Questions |
| Negative Marking | No Negative Marking |
The DAT Prelims evaluates a candidate’s:
- Creativity & Imagination
- Observation Skills
- Visual Perception
- Design Aptitude
- Analytical & Logical Reasoning
- Drawing & Sketching Ability
- Communication Skills
- General Awareness Related to Design
The paper typically includes a combination of visual, textual, objective, and subjective questions.
NID DAT Mains 2027 Exam Pattern
Candidates shortlisted through DAT Prelims are invited to appear for DAT Mains.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Duration | Approximately 3 Hours |
| Language | English |
| Assessment Type | Studio Test & Design Exercises |
Which Cities is the NID Entrance Exam 2027 Held In?
The NID DAT 2027 (Design Aptitude Test) is expected to be conducted in multiple cities across India. Candidates can select their preferred exam city while filling out the application form, subject to availability and NID’s final allotment policy.
NID DAT 2027 Exam Cities
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Bhopal
- Bhubaneswar
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Dehradun
- Hyderabad
- Jaipur
- Jorhat
- Kochi
- Kolkata
- Lucknow
- Mumbai
- Nagpur
- New Delhi
- Patna
Important Points
- Candidates must choose their preferred examination city during the online application process.
- The exact exam centre address will be mentioned on the admit card.
- NID reserves the right to add, remove, or modify examination centres if required.
- Requests for a change of exam city are generally not entertained after the correction window closes.
Note: Candidates should refer to the official NID admission notification for the final list of examination centres and any updates regarding NID DAT 2027.
General Information
National Institute of Design (NID)
NID was established in 1961 .
NID was established in 1961 .
NID is an Autonomous Institute under the DIPP, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.
NID has its campuses in :
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Gandhinagar
- Vijayawada
- Kurukshetra
- Andhra Pradesh
- Haryana
- Madhya Pradesh
- Assam
Campus-wise programme structure and seat intake is given below –
Ahmedabad Campus :
| Course and Specialization | No. of Seats |
|---|---|
| B.Des: | 100 |
| Product Design | 15 |
| Furniture & Interior Design | 10 |
| Ceramic & Glass Design | 10 |
| Graphic Design | 15 |
| Animation & Film Design | 15 |
| Film & Video Communication | 10 |
| Spatial Design | 10 |
| Textile Design | 15 |
| M.Des: | 100 |
| Animation & Film Design | 15 |
| Ceramic & Glass Design | 10 |
| Film & Video Communication | 15 |
| Graphic Design | 15 |
| Furniture & Interior Design | 15 |
| Product Design | 15 |
| Textile Design | 15 |
Gandhinagar Campus :
| Course and Specialization | No. of Seats |
|---|---|
| M.Des: | 100 |
| Apparel Design | 15 |
| Accessory Design | 15 |
| Strategic Design Management | 15 |
| New Media Design | 15 |
| Photography Design | 15 |
| Toy & Game Design | 10 |
| Transportation Design | 15 |
Bengaluru Campus :
| Course and Specialization | No. of Seats |
|---|---|
| M.Des: | 75 |
| Retail Design | 15 |
| Digital Game Design | 15 |
| Information Design | 15 |
| Interaction Design | 15 |
| Universal Design | 15 |
Vijayawada & Kurukshetra Campus :
| Course and Specialization | No. of Seats |
|---|---|
| B.Des & M.Des | 60 (each) |
| Industrial Design | 20 |
| Textile Design | 20 |
| Communication Design | 20 |
Andhra Pradesh:
| Course and Specialization | No. of Seats |
|---|---|
| Communication Design | 25 |
| Industrial Design | 25 |
| Textile & Apparel Design | 25 |
Haryana :
| Course and Specialization | No. of Seats |
|---|---|
| Communication Design | 25 |
| Industrial Design | 25 |
| Textile & Apparel Design | 25 |
Madhya Pradesh :
| Course and Specialization | No. of Seats |
|---|---|
| Communication Design | 25 |
| Industrial Design | 25 |
| Textile & Apparel Design | 25 |
Assam :
| Course and Specialization | No. of Seats |
|---|---|
| Communication Design | 25 |
| Industrial Design | 25 |
| Textile & Apparel Design | 25 |
(Note 1 – At the Bachelors level, candidates can apply for B.Des. or GDPD or both programs.)
(Note 2 – At the Bachelors level, candidates can apply for B.Des. or GDPD or both programs.)At the Masters level, candidates can apply for up to 2 disciplines of M.Des.)
Eligibility Criteria for B.Des. programs :
- Upper Age Limit – Candidate should be 20 years of age before 1st July (relaxable for up to 3 years for reserved category)
- Educational Qualification – Candidate should have passed or be appearing for 10+2 exam from any recognized board.
Eligibility Criteria for M.Des. programs :
- Upper Age Limit – Candidate should be 23 years of age before 1st July (relaxable for up to 3 years for reserved category)
- Educational Qualification – Candidate should have passed from any recognized institute or university in any of the following :
- Bachelor degree in any discipline under 10+2+4 system
- Bachelor degree in any discipline under 10+2+3 system with one year experience or further academic qualification
- Diploma in Design under 10+2+4 system
Indian nationals belonging to certain categories are admitted under the seats reserved for them as follows :
| Gen. (50.5%) | OBC-NC (27%)* | SC (15%) | ST (7.5%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For BDes : | ||||
| 100 seats | 50 | 27 | 15 | 8 |
| 60 seats | 30 | 16 | 9 | 5 |
| For MDes: | ||||
| 15 seats per discipline | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 10 seats per discipline | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
(Note: This reservation is only available for candidates belonging to OBC non-creamy layer and having the requisite certificate)
The campus provides for residential facilities at the following campuses :
- Ahmedabad campus :
Hostel accommodation is available only for B.Des. students from Sem 1 to 7 - Gandhinagar campus :
Hostel accommodation is available for M.Des. students from Sem 1 to 4 - Vijayawada campus :
Hostel accommodation is available for all students, irrespective of their discipline
Below is the list of a few International Collaborations signed by NID till date :
- École nationale supérieure de création industrielle (ENSCI), Paris, France
- École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs (ENSAD), Paris, France
- Konstfack University College of Art, Craft & Design, Stockholm, Sweden
- Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences, Pforzheim, Germany
- Shenkar College of Engg. & Design, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, (BIAD), Birmingham, UK
- Royal College of Art & Design, London, UK
- The Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA), Johannesburg, South Africa
- Sheridan College of Applied Arts & Design, Canada
- Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
- University “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
- Instituto Europeo di Design, S R L, Milan, Italy
- University of Bocconi, Milan, Italy
- Design & Arts College, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Hochschule, Hannover, Germany
- Pininfarina, S.p.A Italy
- The Ontario College of Art & Design, Toronto, Canada
- Kookmin University, Seoul, Korea
- University College for Creative Arts, Farnham, UK
- Rhode Island School of Design, Rhode Island, USA
- Zurich University of Arts, Zurich, Switzerland
- Domus Academy, Milan, Italy
- École Supérieure d’Art et de Design, Reims, France
- Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Melbourne, Australia
- The Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Scotland
- Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
- Taiwan Design Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, USA
- Arizona State University, USA
- Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
- Haute école des arts du Rhin (H.E.A.R.), Strasbourg, France
- California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Valencia, USA
- Academy of Fine Arts, Warsaw, Poland
To view the complete list please visit the following link :https://www.nid.edu/academics/international-programmes
NID is well known for its innovative pedagogy and unique teaching methods. The education programmes under each discipline are designed to meet these objectives :
- To provide thorough understanding of technical, managerial and design fundamentals along with a strong exposure to real life situations so that they are able to experience how the intellectual, creative and other skills acquired could be adopted to benefit the user, society and industry.
- Each programme must provide the opportunity to identify, plan and achieve learning goals through an understanding of cultural, social and technological developments in the context of historical, contemporary and individual concerns.
- There should be ample opportunity to develop innovative and exploratory thinking, necessary technical skills, and the ability to locate individual design approaches within the appropriate professional context.
- To enable the students to develop a sense of social and professional commitments.
- To provide interdisciplinary and progressive knowledge of design but with a focused understanding of an area of specialisation suited to the professional design practice.
Industry & Job Market
Highlights of Industry Interaction are as follows :
- NID has set up the Industry & online Programmes department (I&OP), which regularly conducts design sensitisation and awareness workshops, seminars, and activities that provides competitive advantage through design.
- Through these programmes, NID shares the vast knowledge and skills of various faculties with professionals, practitioners, teachers from various industries, organisations, and institutions; and welcomes all those who wish to be associated with design.
- Throughout the year, special workshops are organised for design professionals on a variety of specific topics.
- Till date, through the department, NID has conducted many workshops and programmes that have successfully spread design awareness to various sectors in India and abroad.
Every year in December, NID conducts a placement week, where over 100+ recruiting companies float 1,000+ job offers for the last semester students.
Highlights of the placement program are as follows :
- The highest salary offered to a PG Student (2015 placement week) : Rs. 72 lacs p.a.
- The highest salary offered to a Graduate student (2015 placement week): Rs. 48 lacs p.a.
NID has a very strong Industry Interface & Placement process. The Industry Interface is maintained in 3 different ways –
- Sponsored classroom projects :
4 to 8 week projects are conducted for industry in last 2 years of UG and 2nd year of PG program - Mandatory Industrial training :
6 to 8 weeks projects in the industry premises. Students are paid anywhere from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000 per month. This is scheduled during third year of UG and second year of PG program - Mandatory Diploma project:
All final semester students need to complete 6 months of diploma project with a client organization. The stipend is anywhere from Rs.15,000 to Rs.50,000 p.m.
Crack NID with D’Finite Academy
Classroom Coaching for NID
D’Finite Academy offers specialised coaching programs to prepare you fully for design entrance exams for NID, MIT, SRISHTI, SID.
NID DAT Study Material
D’Finite Academy offers top quality study material and test series to help you crack design entrance exams for NID, MIT, SRISHTI, SID.
NID Studio Test Study Material
D’Finite Academy offers high quality video lessons and study material to help you crack the 2nd round of design entrance exams.
Design Career Resources
NID Sample Papers
Want to know how the entrance exam for NID is? Have a look at the NID paper pattern and download sample papers.
Top Design Careers
If you have a creative spark and and aptitude for design you can choose from several different careers in design like Product Design , Graphic Design and more..
Top Design Institutes
Ready for a career in Design? Learn about application dates, entrance exams, courses , fees and placements of top design institutes like NID, MIT, SID and more..
Design News
Did you know that the National Institute of Design (NID) has now been declared as an institute of National Importance and it will be able to confer degrees instead of diplomas.