NID DAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 (B.Des & M.Des ): Category-wise Age limit & Qualification

National Institute of Design Entrance Exam 2025 ( NID Entrance Exam )

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Registration: 3 Sep '24 - 6 Dec '24

Manashjyoti
Manashjyoti Hazarika
Manager Content
Updated on Nov 20, 2024 15:21 IST

The application form for the NID DAT 2025 exam is currently open. If you are planning to apply for admission to the NIDs, you must not only crack the NIFT 2025 exam but also meet the program-specific NID DAT 2025 eligibility criteria. Note that if you don't meet the eligibility conditions, you may be disqualified at any stage of the admission process.

The National Institute of Design (NID) will conduct the NID 2025 (Prelims) on January 5, 2025.

The application form for NID DAT 2025 is currently OPEN. The application is for admission to B.Des and M.Des courses. 

Now, if you intend to apply to any of these courses, you must meet the NID DAT 2025 eligibility criteria for the program to which you are applying.

The eligibility criteria will cover academic requirements, percentage of marks, and age limit. Only if the candidate meets all eligibility criteria will he or she be eligible for admission.

Further, any candidate trying to forge their eligibility may be disqualified if caught at any stage of the admission process. Criminal charges may also be imposed on such candidates.

Note that all documents will be verified at the time of NID DAT 2025 counseling

Keep reading to learn the full details about NID DAT 2025 eligibility criteria and much more.

Latest Updates:

NID Entrance Exam Eligibility Criteria for UG Admissions 2025

BDes course offered by NID campuses is of four years duration. Admission to the program is open to candidates who not only qualify the NID DAT 2024 entrance exam but also meet the eligibility criteria prescribed by the institute.

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NID BDes Admissions 2025: Qualifying exams

  • The candidate must have passed the 10+2 exam 
  • Those appearing in the 10+2 exam in the academic year 2024-25 may also appear.
  • Students from any stream (Science, Arts, Commerce, Humanities, etc.) may apply.

Accepted education boards: CBSE, IB, ICSE, or equivalent.

Examinations considered equivalent are given below:

  • 10+2 system under a central or state board recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
  • Intermediate or two-year pre-university examination under a board or university recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
  • Final examination of the two-year course of the Joint Services Wing of the National Defence Academy.
  • Senior secondary school examination under the National Institute of Open Schooling, with a minimum of five subjects.
  • Any public school, board, or university examination completed in India or from any foreign country recognized as equivalent to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)
  • HSC vocational examination.
  • General Certificate Education (GCE) examination at the Advanced (A) level taken in London, Cambridge, or Sri Lanka.
  • High School Certificate Examination from Cambridge University or an International Baccalaureate diploma from the International Baccalaureate Office, Geneva.
  • AICTE approved three-year full-time Diploma after Class X offered by Board of Technical Education of any state in India or Union Territories as mentioned on http://www.aicte-india.org/statisticbote.php.
  • Candidates who have completed final examinations for Class XII (or equivalent) outside India or from a board not specified above should produce a certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) confirming that the examination they have passed is equivalent to the Class XII examination conducted in India.

Also Read:

NID Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Age Limit for BDes Admission

Candidates can go through the upper age limit criteria that they need to meet to be eligible to be considered for admission to the B.Des program offered by the NIDs.

Q:   How difficult is it to get into NID Ahmedabad?

A:

NID Ahmedabad admission 2024 is based on NID Design Aptitude Test conducted for both B. Des and M.Des courses. The Design Aptitude Test comprises two steps:

DAT Prelims - The applicant takes the Prelims test initially.

DAT Mains - Candidates are chosen for DAT Mains based on their performance in that Prelims.

For admission to the BDes or MDes course, it is mandatory to appear in both that Prelims and that Mains. NID DAT Prelims comprises both objective- and subjective-type questions. Candidates must have a well-thought-out NID study plan if they want to ace the test. Candidates might adhere to the following preparation schedule for the NID Entrance Exam 2024: 

  1. Know the NID DAT exam pattern and marking scheme well 
  2. Get well-versed with the NID DAT syllabus
  3. Prepare a time-table and strictly adhere to it
  4. Attempt NID DAT previous year question papers 
  5. Solve NID DAT sample papers and mock tests 
  6. Keep revising.

Q:   How many seats are there in NID Bangalore?

A:

NID Bangalore offers a fulltime MDes course. The total seat intake of NID Bangalore MDes is 95, divided among five specialisations:

DisciplineSeats
Universal Design19
Digital Game Design19
Information Design19
Interaction Design19
Design for Retails Experience19

Q:   What is the eligibility criteria for NIFT 2025?

A:

The eligibility criteria may differ depending on the course opted by the candidate. For instance, candidates seeking admission to the B. Des course needs to have passed 10+2 exam from a recognised institute and should be less than 24 years as of August 1, 2025. Relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit applies for candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwD candidates.

Category

NID DAT 2025 Age Limit for BDes

General or General-EWS Category

The candidate must be:

Born on or after July 1, 2004.

Reserved Category - OBC-NCL, SC, ST

Born on or after July 1, 2001.

PwD Category

Born on or after July 1, 1999.

Foreign Nationals - Overseas (Supernumerary) Category

Born on or after July 1, 2004.

NID DAT Eligibility Criteria for PG Admissions 2025

Candidates seeking admission to the M.Des program must meet age and educational criteria.

NID DAT eligibility criteria 2025 (M.Des) - Qualifying Exam 

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Bachelor’s degree of minimum four-year duration in any discipline from a recognized university or college. 

OR

  • Bachelor’s degree of minimum three-year duration in any discipline from a recognized university or college. 

OR

  • Full-time diploma of minimum four-year duration in Design/ Fine Arts/ Applied Arts/ Architecture passed from a recognized university or college after clearing Class 12. However, candidates must (have passed/ have appeared for/ be appearing for) the diploma exams at the time of document verification tentatively scheduled in May 2024.

NID DAT eligibility criteria 2025 (M.Des) - Age Limit 

Category

NID DAT 2025 Age Limit for MDes

General Category

The candidate must be born on or after July 1, 1993.

Reserved Category - OBC-NCL, SC & ST

The candidate must be born on or after July 1, 1990.

PwD Category

The candidate must be born on or after July 1, 1988.

NID Eligibility Criteria 2025 for Overseas Category

Foreign citizens (candidates holding citizenship of any country other than India) can apply for the NID entrance exam 2025 only under the overseas (Supernumerary) category, provided they fulfill all the eligibility criteria.

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NID DAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria B.Des - Overseas Category

Overseas candidates seeking admission to B.Des need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • The candidate must be born on or after July 1, 2004.
  • The candidate must have passed the 10+2 exam (any stream) equivalent to CBSE, IB, or ISCE.

NID DAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria M.Des - Overseas Category

To apply under the overseas (Supernumerary) category, the candidate must meet the following conditions:

  • Age Limit: The candidate must be born on or after July 1, 1993.
  • Qualifying exam: The candidate must have passed: 
    • Bachelor’s degree of minimum four-year duration in any discipline from a recognized university or college, or

    • Bachelor’s degree of minimum three-year duration in any discipline from a recognized university or college, or 

    • Full-time diploma of minimum four-year duration in Design/ Fine Arts/ Applied Arts/ Architecture passed from a recognized university or college after clearing Class 12. However, candidates must (have passed/ have appeared for/ be appearing for) the diploma exams at the time of document verification tentatively scheduled in May 2024.

Read More:

Q:   How many candidates appear for NID DAT?

A:

There is no official notification on the number of applicants for NID DAT 2024.

However, as per unofficial sources, around 15,000 applicants appeared in the NID DAT 2024 (Prelims) exam. Note that only shortlisted candidates were eligible to appear in DAT Mains. The DAT Prelims was held on December 24, 2023.

If the National Institute of Design releases the exam statistics for the NID DAT exam, the details will be updated here. Note that the current session of the NIFT exam is conducted by the NTA. Now considering the NTA releases the exam stats, including the number of applicants registered, appeared, qualified - it is likely the details will also be released for the NIFT 2024 exam.

Q:   What entrance exam scores are accepted by NID Vijaywada/ National Institute of Design, Andhra Pradesh for admission?

A:
The National Institute of Design (NID) Andhra Pradesh accepts scores from the National Entrance Test (NET) or Design Aptitude Test (DAT). The DAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually for admission to all NIDs. The exam is a two-tier design entrance test that consists of a prelims exam and a Mains exam. 
 
To be eligible for admission, you must:
  • Have a 10+2 or equivalent qualification with a minimum aggregate of 60%
  • Have appeared for the NET or DAT conducted by NID
  • Submit a portfolio of your design work 
     
 

Q:   Is the NID DAT exam very difficult to crack?

A:
NID DAT, along with NIFT and UCEED are among the most competitive national-level entrance exams in the country. The fact that there are only 425 seats for the B. Des and 347 seats for the M.Des programme makes it very competitive. But that being said, if the candidate prepares well and with the correct strategy, then the NID DAT exam can be cracked. Among the first things the candidate needs to do is prepare a efficient study timetable, get familiar with the syllabus and pattern, and use good books as reference material.

Q:   Who is eligible for BDes admission at NID Jorhat?

A:

For admission in a BDes programme at NID Jorhat, it is crucial that the aspirant fulfills the course-specific eligibility criteria. Thus, only the asiprants who have passed Class 12 in any stream are eligible for admission. In addition, student should have passed the qualifying examination from a recognised board. Candidate must also hold the Class 12 mark sheet during application form filling and at the time of admission for verification purposes.

Q:   Who is eligible for MDes course admission at NID Gandhinagar?

A:

Candidates need to have a valid bachelor's degree of a minimum four years duration or equivalent from a recognised university to apply for NID Gandhinagar MDes course. Aspirants with full-time Diploma of a minimum of four years in Design, Fine Arts, Applied Arts or Architecture after Class 12 can also apply for MDes. Candidates belonging to General or General-EWS category must be born on or after Jul 1, 1993 to apply for MDes.

NID DAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria - FAQs

Q. When will the eligibility criteria of NID DAT 2025 be released?

A. The National Institute of Design (NID) releases the eligibility criteria for the NID DAT for the B.Des and M.Des courses through the respective admission handbooks. The eligibility criteria will outline requirements like academic qualification, minimum marks, age limit, number of attempts, etc.  

Q. What is the academic criteria for admission to the M.Des program through NID DAT 2025?

A. Candidates seekling admission to the M.Des program must have complete their 3-year or 4-year Bachelor Degree program in any discipline. Candidates who have done full-time Diploma of minimum 4-year duration in Design/Fine Arts/Applied Arts/ Architecture, after 12th standard or equivalent to 12th standard, from any university or institute recognised by law in India, may also apply. 

Q. What is the academic criteria for admission to the B.Des program?

A. Applications for NID DAT 2025 is open to candidates who have passed or will appear for higher secondary (10+2) qualifying examinations in the academic year 2024–25 in any stream (Science, Arts, Commerce, Humanities etc.) from any recognized board of education such as CBSE, IB, ICSE or equivalent.

Q. What is the age limit for admission to the B.Des program through NID DAT 2025?

A. Indian Nationals belonging to General Category and General EWS Category need to be born on or after 1 July 2004 to apply for admission. Relaxation of 3-year and 5-year applies to candidates belonging to OBC-NCL.ST/SC and PwD candidates respectively.

Q. I have passed H.S.C. vocational examination. Am I eligible for admission to the B.Des program?

A. Yes, candidates who have passed their H.S.C. vocational examination may apply for admission to the M.Des program.

About the Author
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Manashjyoti Hazarika
Manager Content

Creating student-centric content for the higher education sector is my forte. Be it news, well-researched articles, or simple write-ups that update you on an exam date or help you fill out a form, I serve it in the ... Read Full Bio

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Answered 2 months ago

The application fee once paid will not be refunded. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that the information entered in the application form are correct and verifiable. If at any stage, NID deems the information provided to be incorrect, the candidate can be disqualified. 

Also, the c

...more

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

No, unfilled seats in SC/ ST category will not be de-reserved. Meaning, such seats will not be transferred to the open category. The same applies to GEN-EWS category seats. 

So, even if there are vacant seats left in SC, ST, and GEN-EWS category, such seats will lapse. 

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, if there are unfilled seats in OBC-NCL, such seats will be de-reserved. Meaning, such seats will be transferred to the open category. Allotment of de-served seats  will be same as open category.

The allotment will be based on NID DAT 2025 merit rank.

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

When filling out the form, the candidate needs to upload the relevant caste/ tribe certificate (in English/ Hindi).

The certificate should be :

  • Issued in the name of the candidate.
  • Should clearly mention the caste/ tribe the candidate belongs to
  • Be issued by a competent authority  

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Candidates who are yet to appear for Class 12 exam in 2025 must have passed the exam in the first attempt. If the candidate has any backlog/ compartment/ supplementary or have not cleared the Class 12 exam, the candidate will not be considered for admission.

Also, any fee paid by the candidate will b

...more

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Seats that are left vacant/ unfilled in overseas (supernumerary) category will lapse. This means such seats will not be transferred to other categories. 

Candidates applying under overseas category are advised to go through the detailed admission process and eligibility criteria before applying.

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Candidates seeking admission under overseas category will need the following documents:

  • Self-attested copies of the relevant pages of their passports.
  • Self-attested copies of their grade sheets/ marksheets of SSC (Grade X) and HSC (Grade XII)
  • Candidates in the process of completing their Grade XII need

...more

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

As per information given in the NID admission handbooks, overseas candidates cannot apply for admission to GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, and ST seats. Such candidates can't also apply for age-relaxation, scribe, etc.

Also, the fee structure for overseas category is different. 

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

To apply under the overseas category, the candidate needs to be holding citizenship of a country other than the Republic of India. However, such candidates will have to meet the eligibility criteria prescribed for admission.

The candidate will be able to check the eligibility criteria in the respecti

...more

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, institutes like NIDA, NIDAP, and others will conduct a mandatory foundation program. However, note that the duration of the foundation course may vary from one NID to another.

The candidate is urged to carefully go through the admission brochure to learn the full details on the foundation progra

...more

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Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10