NID DAT Exam 2025: Registration (Extended till Dec 6), Edit Window (Dec 6-11) DAT Prelims (Jan 5), Syllabus

NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT), aka NID DAT, is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID). 

The edxam is conducted in two stages:

1. DAT Prelims - The candidate first appears in DAT Prelims.
2. DAT Mains - Shortlisted candidates have to appear in DAT Mains.

The FINAL result of NID DAT will be prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. 

The exam is conducted to screen candidates for admission to the Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Master of Design (MDes) courses offered by NID participating institutes.

Currently, the B.Des course has 425 seats, while the M.Des course offers 347 seats.

B.Des is available at the following FIVE campuses - NID Ahmedabad, NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Haryana, NID Madhya Pradesh, and NID Assam. Meanwhile, the M.Des program is offered at THREE campuses - NID Ahmedabad, NID Gandhinagar, and NID Bengaluru.

Check important highlights for NID DAT 2025 in the table below. 

The application form for NID 2025 is currently OPEN from September 3 - December 3, 2024.

The direct link to fill out the NID application form is given above. 

Candidates who meet the program-specific eligibility criteria will have to apply before the last date.

How to fill NID 2025 application form 

The step-wise process to apply for NID DAT 2025 is explained below:

1. Get Registered - Register for the exam by entering your email ID, mobile number, etc. 
2. Fill in the application form - Next enter personal, academic, and contact details.
3. Upload necessary documents - Scanned copies of essential documents, including photographs, signature, and academic documents must be uploaded in the prescribed format.
4.  Pay the exam fee - The application fee must be paid online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking. 

The application fee for NID DAT 2024 is INR 3,000 for the OPEN category; reserved category candidates need to pay only INR 1,500. 

Can I Edit NID Application Form 2025?

The NID 2025 application form edit window will be OPEN from December 4-9, 2024. You can use the edit option to make corrections to the application form. 

However, you can edit only certain information using the correction window.

For instance, you can't edit the name, email ID, mobile number, and program of study. Particulars that can be edited include the exam center, address, uploaded documents, etc.

So, be careful when filling out the form.

NID DAT 2025 Test Centres

The DAT Prelims exam will be conducted in 23 test cities in the country. The candidate can select their choice of exam center at the time of filling out the application form. Check the list of NID exam centers 2025 below:

The National Institute of Design will release the detailed NID DAT 2025 eligibility criteria for the B.Des and M.Des programs.

Before proceeding to fill out the form, make sure that you go through the details.

Program-wise NID DAT 2025 eligibility criteria

The NIDs are among the top design institutes in the country. 

Consequently, they are much sought after, which leads to intense competition for a seat, especially for the top-ranked ones. So, if you want to get admission to any of the top-tier NIDs, you better straighten up your NID DAT 2025 preparation strategy.

In case you need some, just go through these quick tips.

DAT Prelims will comprise both objective- and subjective-type questions. To ace the exam, here is what you need to do:

• Know the NID exam pattern and marking scheme well
• Get well-versed with the NID DAT syllabus
• Prepare a time-table and strictly adhere to it
• Work on your sketching and try to improve on your creative side.
• Solve NID previous year question papers
• Ensure that you use the best books as reference material. The best books will cover the entire syllabus, be well written, contain problem sets and examples, and contain few to no errors.
• Solve NID sample papers and mock tests
• Keep revising

Candidates who qualify DAT Prelims will be shortlisted for DAT Mains, which comprise a Studio Test ( + a Personal Interview for PG courses) 

The Studio Test for B.Des will be conducted in April, while the studio Test for M.Des will be conducted starting March 2025.

Tips to prepare for NID DAT 2025 Studio Test

Here are some useful resources to prepare for DAT Mains:

• DAT Mains Studio Test - Purpose, Preparation Tips, Pattern, Recommended Books
• How to prepare for NID Studio Test 2025
• What to expect in NID Studio Test 2025?

What can you do after class 12th for a career in Design, Mass Comm & Architecture?

Candidates appearing in the NID DAT 2025 exam must consult the exam syllabus to prepare for the Design Aptitude Test (DAT).

The 1st phase of the NID DAT 2025 entrance exam is DAT Prelims. 

DAT Prelims syllabus for the B.Des and M.Des programs will include topics like color terminology, principles of composition, design theory, lettering, optical illusion, picture analysis, theme development, etc.

To get a good score in the exam, it is pertinent to prepare for all the topics.

However, during the preparation, if the candidate is not able to complete a topic even after trying hard, it is wise to move to the next topic or to take help.

Once the candidate has completed the other topics, he or she can always come back and complete the pending topic.

Go through the detailed syllabus of NID DAT (Prelims) 2025 here. 

NID DAT Mains 

Candidates who get shortlisted based on their DAT Prelims have to next appear in the DAT Mains exam. 

• DAT Mains for the B.Des program will include a Studio Test
• However, M.Des applicants will also have to appear in a Personal Interview in addition to the Studio Test.

The Studio Test will be conducted in offline mode. On the other hand, the personal interview will be held online.

Important Instructions for DAT Mains:

1. Candidates will be included in the final NID DAT 2024 merit list only if they take both the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.
2. The weightage for DAT Prelims and DAT Mains will be announced before the declaration of NID DAT 2024 (Final) Results.
3. Requests for rescheduling the Studio Test will not be entertained
4.  Admit cards will be issued separately for the Studio Test and Online Interview.
5. If the candidate fails to appear in the online interview, admit cards will not be generated for the Studio Test.
6. On the day of the Studio Test, the candidate must bring with them a hard copy of the admit card and a valid photo ID proof.
7. Simply appearing in DAT Mains doesn't guarantee admission.

DAT Mains Components

The DAT Mains test for the M.Des program has two test components:

1. Studio Test
2. Personal Interview

However, DAT Mains for the B.Des program has only one test component: Studio Test. 

Statement of Purpose and Portfolio Review for DAT Mains

1. Candidates who get shortlisted for DAT Mains will have to upload a Statement of Purpose (SoP) and Portfolio during the given window.
2. The specific time/window for uploading SoPs and Portfolio will be intimated to the candidate by the National Institute of Design through the registered email ID/ result page.
3. The candidate has to upload SoPs and Portfolios separately for each discipline they are shortlisted for.
4. Format of the SoP - The Statement of Purpose should not contain more than 100 words for each question. The SoP should be uploaded as a single file (maximum size - 2 MB).
5. Format of the Portfolio - The candidate has to upload a digital copy of their Portfolio in a single file (maximum size - 10 MB).

The NID entrance exam has TWO parts.

The candidate 1st appears in DAT Prelims, and if shortisted, has to appear in DAT Mains.

The FINAL result of NID DAT 2025 will be prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

The NID DAT 2025 exam pattern for the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains exam is given below.

Exam Pattern 2025 - DAT Prelims (Overview)

Exam Pattern for the DAT Mains or Studio Test

The DAT Mains for the B.Des will comprise a Studio Test, whereas for the M.Des it will also include a Personal Interview.

DAT Mains exam pattern 2025 - B.Des

Also Read:

• UCEED vs NID - Which is Better?
  

• NID vs NIFT - Differences, Participating colleges, Admission Process, Placement
• Tips to prepare for NID Design Aptitude Test

The participating institutes of NID 2025 offer B.Des and M.Des courses.

Admission to these courses will be based on NID DAT merit ranks.

The step-wise admission process for NID DAT 2025 is given below, starting from application submission to the allotment of seats:

1. Fill out the Application Form - Eligible candidates have to duly fill out the form and submit it before the last date. Use only genuine and verifiable information for filling out the form. Note that all information will be checked at the time of NID DAT counseling and seat allotment. If any discrepancy is found, the candidate may be disqualified.
2. Download Admit Card - On the day of the exam, the candidate must bring with them the admit card and a valid photo ID proof. The admit card will carry details like the date and time of the exam, roll number, exam center address, and exam-day guidelines. Admit cards will be released separately for DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.
3. Appear in DAT Prelims - DAT Prelims will be conducted offline as a paper-and-pen(pencil) exam. The full details of the DAT Prelims exam pattern will be outlined in the admit card.  
4. Check DAT Prelims Result - The results for DAT Prelims can be checked by entering one's email address, date of birth, and roll number/application number. DAT Prelims scores will be used to shortlist candidates for DAT Mains. 
5. Download DAT Mains Admit Card - All registered candidates will be issued admit cards that have to be downloaded online. After downloading the admit card, take a printout of the admit card.
6. Appear for NID DAT Mains - DAT Mains will comprise a Studio Test; M.Des candidates will also have to appear in an online interview round. In the studio test for NID admissions, aspirants are given hands-on practical assignments, which they need to complete within the stipulated time.
7. Check NID DAT final Result - DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains performance are considered to prepare the FINAL results. Note that the final result or merit rank will be considered for the admission or seat-allotment process.

The National Institute of Design will release admit cards separately for DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

The DAT Prelims admit card will be released on December 24, 2024.

On the day of the NID DAT 2025 exam, the candidate must bring with them the admit card and a valid photo ID proof. Also, the candidate must get it signed by the invigilator and with the seal of the center. 

Note that the signed (with the seal of the center) DAT Prelims admit card will be required to 1) request DAT Prelims result recheck and 2) to download the NID DAT 2025 answer sheet.

How to download the NID DAT 2025 admit card:

The admit card will be released online at the NID admission portal. To download it, follow these steps.

1. Go to NID admission portal
2. Click on the admit card download link
3. A log-in window will open
4. Enter your email ID and date of birth to download the admit card.

Note that admit cards for DAT Mains will be released once the DAT Prelims results are out.

Also, given DAT Mains for B.Des and M.Des courses will be conducted on separate dates, the admit card will be released accordingly.

The National Institute of Design (NID) will release the minimum qualifying criteria for NID DAT 2025 final results.

NID DAT 2024 Minimum Qualifying Criteria 

Note that only such candidates who meet the category-wise minimum qualifying marks will be in contention for admission.

The NID DAT cutoff (admission) will be released at the time of counseling and seat allotment.

The admission cut-off is the minimum marks a candidate needs to secure in their respective categories to get admission to the B.Des or M.Des program.

The NID DAT 2025 cut-off would be prepared considering the following points:

1. The total number of candidates appearing in NID DAT 2025 exam
2. The merit rank  of applicants in NID DAT 2025
3. Seat intake to the program applied for admission.
4. The category under which admission is sought. 

The National Institute of Design will declare the B.Des NID DAT 2024 (Prelims) results on April 1, 2025. M.Des DAT Prelims result will be declared on February 17, 2025.

The result can be checked online at the NID admission portal.

How to check NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) Result

• Click on the result link
• You will be redirected to a log-in page
• Enter your email ID and date of birth
• On log-in, the DAT Mains result will be displayed on the screen.
• Download and take a printout of the results.

Earlier, the DAT Prelims results for the B.Des program were announced on April 4, 2024. DAT Prelims results for the M.Des program were declared on February 16, 2024. 

The DAT Prelims scorecard contains details like the sectional and overall scores and the qualifying status. Candidates who qualify in prelims have to appear in DAT Mains.

Re-check of NID DAT result

Candidates are also allowed to apply for re-check DAT Mains results. 

The fee for submitting recheck requests for DAT Prelims was INR 2000.

Note that the DAT Prelims re-check will be restricted to:

1. Whether all the answers have been marked.
2. Whether there has been any mistake in the totaling of marks for each question in Part II of the answer booklet and transferring the marks correctly onto the first cover page of the answer booklet.

Shortlisting of candidates for DAT Mains

Candidates were shortlisted for DAT Mains based on their scores in DAT Prelims. Note that the National Institute of Design will release the category-wise cut-off marks for DAT Prelims. 

FINAL result of NID DAT

The FINAL result will be prepared by considering the performance of the candidate in DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. This means if the candidate hasn't qualified DAT Prelims or doesn't appear in DAT Mains, he or she will not be included in DAT Mains results.

Further, only such candidates who qualify DAT Mains will be eligible to participate in NID DAT 2025 counseling.

Weightage for the NID DAT final results 

The final results of NIFT will be prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. 

Weightage for the B.Des Program

Weightage for the NID DAT final results - M.Des Program 

The National Institute of Design (NID) conducts the counseling for NID DAT separately for the M.Des and B.Des courses.

Candidates who qualify in NID DAT exam will be eligible to participate in the online counseling process. 

B.Des candidates had to submit campus preferences as part of the counseling registration process; however, M.Des candidates aren't required to submit preferences.

The allotment of seats to the B.Des program will be based on NID DAT 2025 merit rank and campus preference opted by the candidate.  

Candidates who are allotted seats have to pay a seat acceptance fee of INR. 30,000.  

The 1st-semester tuition fee is INR 2,13,500 for admission to NID participating colleges; the total fee includes a non-refundable token fee of INR 30,000 and convenience charges.

Note that if the candidate fails to make the payment within the given deadline, his or her seat allotment will be allocated to the candidate next in the order of merit. 

Note that apart from the NID participating colleges, scores of the NID 2025 will also be used by other institutes for admission purposes. Take, for example, the World University of Design (WUD) will consider NID merit ranks for filling some of its UG and PG seats.

Candidates can secure admission to BDes and MDes courses offered by NID campuses through the NID 2025 entrance exam.

The various B.Des and M.Des specializations offered at the participating colleges are given below.

The seven NID campuses accepting NID entrance exam scores/ranks for admission include:

The exam analysis for the NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) exam will be updated here once the exam is over. 

The DAT Prelims exam analysis will cover key points like the overall and sectional difficulty level of the exam, the types of questions asked, whether questions were asked as per the syllabus, and the expected cut-off.

If there are any technical or other issues during the exam, it will also be covered in the analysis.

Read the DAT Prelims exam analysis from the previous edition below. 

NID DAT 2024 (Prelims) - Exam Analysis

1. Part A had many GK questions 
2. 1 question was on perspective drawing, 1 question on storyboard, and 1 on problem-solving
3. The paper was lengthy, according to one student
4. Compared to previous editions, many students this year’s paper to be easier
5. A projection-based question on cubes was asked
6. Cut-off as per some students could go up to around 90

NID DAT 2024 - Sectional and Overall Difficulty Level

Read More:

• NID DAT Preparation 2025: Subject-wise Books, Tips to learn Drawing & Improve Creativity and Aptitude
• Sample Questions for NID Entrance Exam
• How to prepare for Design Aptitude Test (DAT)?

Check important FAQs related to the NID DAT 2025 entrance exam below.