National Institute of Design (NID) has opened applications for admission to its 2027–28 academic session. Admissions are conducted through the Design Aptitude Test (DAT), which consists of DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.
About NID
The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad is an Institute of National Importance under the NID Act 2014. NID Ahmedabad, along with its Gandhinagar and Bengaluru campuses, offers undergraduate and postgraduate design education.
For 2027–28, students can apply for:
- 4-Year B.Des.
- 5.5-Year Professional Education M.Des. (Integrated Pathway)
Eligibility
For B.Des. / 5.5-Year Integrated M.Des.
Students who have passed or are appearing for Class 12 (10+2) in the academic year 2026–27 from any recognised stream can apply.
Students from Science, Commerce, Arts, Humanities and other recognised streams are eligible.
Students appearing for Class 12 must pass the examination in the first attempt and submit their Class 12 marksheet by 15 July 2027.
B.Des. / Integrated M.Des.
At NID Ahmedabad, the 5.5-year Integrated M.Des. programme includes areas such as:
- Ceramic & Glass Design
- Transportation & Automobile Design
- Product Design
- Animation Film Design
- Film & Video Communication
- Graphic Design
- Exhibition Design
- Furniture & Interior Design
- Design for Retail Experience
- Textile Design
- Apparel Design
- Lifestyle Accessory Design
- Digital Game Design
- Interaction Design
- Information Design
Admission Process
Admission is based on the Design Aptitude Test (DAT).
Stage 1 – DAT Prelims
- Common entrance test
- Conducted across various cities in India
- The paper may include text and visual-based questions
- Question paper is in English
- DAT Prelims scores are used to shortlist candidates for DAT Mains
Stage 2 – DAT Mains
Shortlisted candidates appear for DAT Mains.
For the Integrated M.Des./B.Des. route, DAT Mains consists of:
- Studio Sensitivity Test
- In-Person Sensitivity Test
The Prelims score is used for shortlisting and is not carried forward as weightage to DAT Mains
Important Dates – NID 2027–28
|
Event |
Date |
|
Applications Open |
10 September 2026 |
|
Last Date to Apply |
30 November 2026, 11:59 PM |
|
Application Correction Window |
1–3 December 2026 |
|
DAT Prelims Admit Card |
10 December 2026 |
|
DAT Prelims |
20 December 2026 |
|
DAT Prelims Result |
16 March 2027 |
|
DAT Mains |
To be announced |
|
DAT Mains Result |
To be announced |
|
Counselling/Seat Allotment |
To be announced |
Application Fee
Indian Candidates
|
Category |
Application Fee |
|
General / Gen-EWS / OBC-NCL |
₹3,000 |
|
Female Candidates* |
₹2,000 |
|
SC/ST |
₹1,500 |
|
PwD |
₹500 |
|
Third Gender |
₹500 |
*Except SC, ST and PwD categories.
The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable and does not include applicable bank/convenience charges.
DAT Prelims Test Centres
DAT Prelims is scheduled to be conducted in cities including:
Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jorhat, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi and Patna.
NID may add or remove test centres as required.
Important Points
- Candidates can apply online only through the official NID admissions portal.
- Candidates applying for the UG route cannot simultaneously apply for the independent 2.5-year M.Des. programme because the entrance examinations are scheduled simultaneously.
- The DAT Prelims score is used for shortlisting for DAT Mains.
- Applying or appearing for DAT does not guarantee admission.
- Overseas candidates apply under the Overseas (Supernumerary) category.
- OCI/PIO card holders must apply under the Overseas category.
- NRI candidates holding an Indian passport apply as Indian nationals.
- All courses at NID are taught in English.
How to Apply
Candidates can register and submit their application online through the official NID Admissions portal:
Apply Online: https://admissions.nid.edu/NIDA2027/Default.aspx
Important Dates – NID 2027–28
|
Event |
Date |
|
Applications Open |
10 September 2026 |
|
Last Date to Apply |
30 November 2026, 11:59 PM |
Candidates should check the official website regularly for updates regarding DAT Mains, admit cards, results, counselling and fee details.
