What is the age limit to apply for BDes programme at the NIDs?

Indian nationals who belong to the General and General EWS categories need to be born on or after 1 July 2003 to apply for NID that 2024. In the case of candidates belonging to the OBC-NCL, SC, and ST categories, candidates born on or after 1 July 2000 may apply. Meanwhile, PwD candidates who are born on or after 1 July 1998 may apply for admission. The candidate needs to ensure that meets the age criteria before filling out the application form. It is because every detail entered by the candidate will be cross checked at the time of counselling, during the document verification process. Any candidate found to be faking their eligibility stands to be disqualified.

Do I need to appear in both NID DAT Prelims and DAT Mains for admission to the NIDs?

The admission to the NIDs is conducted through a Design Aptitude Test (DAT). The DAT is a two-stage exam. The candidate has to first appear in DAT Prelims and then, if shortlisted, have to appear in DAT Mains. The final merit list for admission will be prepared by giving weightage to both DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. If a candidate appear in DAT Prelims, but doesn’t appear in DAT Mains, he or she will not be considered for admission.

How to secure admission at NID?

Admission to the NIDs is conducted through the NID Entrance Examination. The NID exam has two stages - the candidate first appears in the that Prelims. Scores of the that Prelims are used to then shortlist candidates for that Mains. The final merit list for NID DAT 2025 will be prepared by giving weightage to that Prelims and that Mains. Note that the National Institute of Design hasn't yet released the weightage for the that Prelims and that Mains. The NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) exam will be conducted in January 2025. Meanwhile, the DAT exams for the M.Des programme will be conducted tentatively in March, whereas DAT Mains for the B. Des programme will be conducted in April 2025.

I belong to open category and am born before July 1, 2005. Can I apply for NID DAT 2025?

As per the prescribed eligibility criteria, open category candidates seeking admission to the B.Des programme must be born on or after July 1, 2005. So, you are not eligible for admission. Note that even General-EWS categories have the same criteria as general or open category. However, in case of SC, ST, and OBC-NCL candidates, there is a relaxation of 5-years in the upper age limit. Further, PwD candidates are eligible for 5-year exemption.

What is the NID DAT Prelims exam?

NID DAT Prelims is the 1st step of the two-step NID admissions process. DAT Prelims comprises a written exam that candidates need to clear in order to be eligible for DAT Mains. The National Institute of Design will conduct DAT Prelims exam around December 2024. The DAT Mains for the B. Des programme will include a Studio Test, whereas the DAT Mains for the M.Des programme will comprise a Studio Test and Interview. The Studio Test and Interiew for the M.Des programme will be conducted in March 2025. The DAT Mains for the B.Des programme will be conducted in April 2025.

What is the mode of the NID DAT Mains exam?

The NID DAT 2025 Mains exam for B. Des will comprise a Studio Test. The Studio Test will be conducted in offline mode. The candidate will be given the option to select test centre before the test. Test centres will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. DAT Mains exam for the B. Des programme will be conducted in April 2025. Meanwhile, DAT Mains for the M.Des programme will comprise a Studio Test and an Online Interview. The Studio Test will be conducted on offline mode, while the Personal Interview will be conducted online.

What kind of questions are asked in NID Entrance Exam?

NID Entrance Exam consists of two admissions tests: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains. NID DAT Prelims is a written entrance exam, while NID DAT Mains comprises a studio test and interview round. In NID DAT Prelims, candidates are asked both objective and subjective-type questions. Candidates who qualify in the NID DAT 2025 exam will be considered for admission to the M.Des and B. Des courses offered by participating colleges. The that Prelims exam for the B. Des programme will include questions from topics like color terminology, principles of composition, and form and function.

Will I be allowed inside the NID DAT 2025 exam center after 9.30 am?

The GATE closing time for both the B.Des and M.Des courses is 9.30 am (30 minutes before the commencement of the exam), after which no candidate will be allowed inside the exam centre. So, make sure that you reach the exam centre at 8 am (the official reporting time). Note that you may have to go through security checks and registration. If you are late, then you may face a lot of trouble, which is not a good thing to experience on exam day.

What happens if I fail to qualify NID DAT (Prelims)?

The results of the DAT Prelims will include the qualifying status of the candidate. If the candidate fails to qualify DAT Prelims, he or she will not be eligible to appear in DAT Mains. Note that the Desing Aptitude Test (DAT) conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID) has two sub-exams: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. Both the exams are mandatory. Also, the final merit list is prepared by giving weighatage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. So, if a can candidate fails to qualify DAT Prelims or doesn’t appear in DAT Mains, the candidate will be disqualified from the admission process.

Is there negative marking in NID DAT Prelims?

There is no negative marking in NID DAT Prelims. So, the candidate may attempt all the questions. If the wrong answer is selected, the candidate won't be penalized. However, if the correct answer option is selected, the candidate may get some free marks. Note that the DAT Prelims exam will be conducted in an OMR-based mode. The candidate will need a blue/black ball-point pen for filling the OMR sheet.

Do I need to carry my own stationery for NID DAT (Prelims)?

The NID DAT 2025 exam will be conducted in an OMR-based (offline mode). Note that exam officials will not provide any stationery inside the exam hall. So, you need to bring the following items with you: A blue/black ball-point pen (for filling the OMR sheet), scissor, glue stick, lead pencil (of varying grades), colors (such as oil pastels/color pencils/sketch pens, etc.) eraser, sharpeners, ruler etc. for the purpose of examination. If any of you are wondering, exam offials will also not arrange for refreshments for the candidates. Check here the detailed NID DAT Prelims exam day guidelines.

How to secure admission at NID?

Admission to the NIDs is conducted through the NID Entrance Examination. The NID exam has two stages - the candidate first appears in the that Prelims. Scores of the that Prelims are used to then shortlist candidates for that Mains. The final merit list for NID DAT 2025 will be prepared by giving weightage to that Prelims and that Mains. Note that the National Institute of Design hasn't yet released the weightage for the that Prelims and that Mains. The NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) exam will be conducted in January 2025. Meanwhile, the DAT exams for the M.Des programme will be conducted tentatively in March, whereas DAT Mains for the B. Des programme will be conducted in April 2025.

What are the design courses offered through NID DAT 2025 exam?

The NIDs offer a full-time B.Des programme of 4-year duration, and a full-time M.Des programme of two-and-half years duration. The institute, in addition, also offers a PhD program. The programme can be pursed full-time or part-time. Admission to the design courses at the NID is conducted through a Design Aptitude Test (DAT). The exam comprise DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The final result or merit list is prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

When will the admit cards be released for NID DAT Mains?

The National Institute of Design will release the admit cards for the DAT Mains for the B. Des program tentatively in the 2nd week of April 2025. The admit cards will be released online at the admission portal of NID. To download the admit card, you need to login by using your email id and date of birth. On the day of the DAT Mains exam, you need to bring the admit card and a valid photo id proof. The DAT Mains exam for the B. Des program will be conducted around the last week of April 2025. Meanwhile, admit cards for the M.Des program will be released tentatively in the 4th week of February 2025. The DAT Mains exam for the M.Des program will be conducted starting March 2025.

What aspects will be covered by NID DAT exam analysis?

The NID DAT exam analysis will cover the following points: Sectional difficulty - The difficulty level will be evaluated on a scale of easy, moderate, and difficult. Overall difficulty - The overall difficulty will be calculated by considering the sectional difficulty. The previous years difficulty level will also taken into context. The weightage of questions - The part of the analysis will examine the distribution of questions (or weightage) across various topics. Good attempts - This will be an indication of how many questions you need to attempt to be in contention for a seat. Expected cut-off - The candidate needs to meet the cut-off criteria to get admission.

What is the application fee for NID DAT?

The application fee of NID DAT 2025 for the B. Des for General, General-EWS, OBC-NCL candidates is INR 3,000. SC, ST, PwD candidates only ned to pay INR 1,500. However note that the application fees for overseas candidates seeking admission to supernumerary seats is INR 5000. In case of the M.Des programme, the application fees for General, General-EWS, OBC-NCL candidates applying for one discipline is INR 3,000. If two disciplines are chosen, the application fee is INR 6000. Meanwhile, SC, ST, PwD candidate need to pay INR 1,500 for one discipline, and INR 3000 for two disciplines. The NID DAT 2025 application form is now open.

When will the application forms for NID 2025 be released?

NID application form 2025 opened on September 3, 2024. The application form is open online at the NID admission portal -admissions.nid.edu. Candidates who meet the program-specific eligibility criteria may apply before the last date. The NID application form is for admission to the B. Des and M.Des courses offered by participating colleges. The last date to apply for NID DAT 2025 is December 6, 2024 (extended from December 3). The candidate can also edit the submitted application from December 4-9, 2024. The NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) exam will be conducted on January 5, 2025.

How can I improve my sketching skills for NID DAT?

If you intend to get a good rank in NID DAT, you must be able to sketch quickly without compromising on the sketch quality. This means you must be able to able to conceive the idea as you sketch. Remember, when you are in the exam hall, time seems to just fly. So, it is vital that you are able to sketch uninhibited and fast, and with confidence. To improve your drawing skills, you can start by drawing tiny thumbnails first, then switching to the light hand and finishing with dry colours. You can use pencils, crayons, or even a pen to make the sketches.

What is the full form of NID DAT?

The NID DAT translates to the National Institute of Design - Design Aptitude Test. The Design Aptitude Test has two parts - DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The candidate has to first appear in DAT Prelims. If shortlisted, the candidate has to appear in DAT Mains. Note that NID DAT scores are accepted for admission to the B.Des and M.Des programs offered by participating colleges. This means, the NIDs will not accept scores of no other entrance exams for admission purposes. The DAT Prelims exam is typically conducted in January.

How many seats are available for admission through NID DAT 2025?

The participating institutes of NID DAT 2025 offers B. Des and M.Des courses. The B. Des programme is available at five participating NIDs and has an intake capacity of 425 seats. Meanwhile, the M.Des programme is three NIDs and has a combined intake of 347 seats. Admission to both B. Des and M.Des courses will be through the NID DAT 2025 entrance exam. The seat allotment to the above courses wlll be based on respective merit lists which will be prepared considering weighted scores of DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

How to crack NID DAT 2025 without coaching?

It is not mandatory to take coaching to get a good rank in NID DAT 2025. It is because, the entrance exam will test the creative, drawing, and innovative skills of the candidate. Now, a coaching institute cannot exactly teach you to be creative or become innovative. Instead, with a little effort these skills can yourself learn these skills yourself. Also, a major thrust of the design aptitide test is to evaluate the drawing skills of the candidate. So, make it a point to work on your design skills, including learning how to draw line, shadow, figure, gesture, cartoon drawing, etc. When practicing drawing, also keep a tab on the drawing speed, as it will help you complete the paper in the allotted time.

Who is eligible for admission under overseas category through NID DAT?

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 respective admission handbooks for the B.Des and M.Des courses.

How many NID campuses are there in India?

The NID DAT exam is conducted for admission to the B.Des and M.Des courses. The B.Des course is currently offered at five campuses - NID Ahmedabad, NID AP, NID Haryana, NID MP, and NID Asaam. The combined intake for the B.Des is 425 seats. Meanwhile, the M.Des programme is offered at following three campuses - NID Ahmedabad, NID Gandhinagar, and NID Bengaluru. The M.Des programme currently has 347 seats.

Can I give NID exam if I only have my photo ID card?

The candidate will not be allowed to enter the exam venue without a printout of the NID DAT 2025 admit card; note that digital copies of the admit card will not be accepted. So, on the day of the exam, you will need both: 1) printout of the admit card and 2) original photo ID proof. Note that photocopies or digital copies of the photo ID proof will not be accepted. The admit card will contain exam-day guidelines; carefully go through these guidelines to ensure that your exam-day is smooth and unstressful.

Can overseas candidates apply for admission to GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, and ST seats through NID DAT?

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.

What is the frequency of the NID DAT exam?

The NID DAT entrance exam is conducted once every year. The exam has two sub-exams - DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. Candidates are shortlisted for DAT Mains based on their scores in DAT Prelims. The DAT Prelims exam is conducted around December/ January. The DAT Prelims exam for the current session will be conducted around the 4th week of December 2024. The scores of NID DAT 2025 will be considered for admission to the B.Des and M.Des courses offered by participating NIDs.

How can I download the provisional offer letter for NID DAT 2025 counseling?

The provisional offer letters for the NID DAT 2025 counseling will be issued separately for the B.Des and M.Des courses. The offer letters for the 1st round of counseling for B.Des will be released around the 2nd week of June 2025. To download the offer letter, follow these steps: Go to the NID admission portal Click on the Provisional Offer Letter link A log-in window will open Enter your log-in credentials On successful log-in, you can download the Offer Letter. The candidate need to produce the offer letter at the time of admission.

Do I need to select campuses as part of NID DAT counseling 2024 for B.Des program?

Yes, all B.Des candidates who were shortlisted for NID DAT 2024 counseling had to summit their campus preferences. The window to submit campus preferences was open from May 21 (4 pm) to May 23 (4 pm). The preferences had to be entered in the order of priority. Note that the allotment of seats to the B.Des programme will be based on the campus option selected and merit rank of the candidate in NID DAT 2024. So, one must bear caution when entering their preferences.

Will there be a physical verification of document for NID DAT 2025 counseling?

Yes, the National Institute of Design (NID) will conduct physical document verification for candidates who have been selected for admission. The document verification process for the M.Des programme will be conduted in June 2025. The schedule for the B.Des programme hasn’t been announced yet. It will be announced later by the respective NIDs. Venue for the verification process - The NIDs will conduct the verification at their respective campuses.

How to fill the NID DAT application form? Also, what is the exam fee?

The NID DAT 2025 application form will open sometime in October 2024. To fill the form, the candidate has to follow these steps: Get registered - The candidate had to get registered using their email id and mobile number. Log-in and fill the form - Next fill in all the necessary sections in the form - academic, personal, and contact details. Also, select an exam centre of your choice. Upload documents - Follow the specified format and specification when uploading documents like photograph and signature. Pay the exam fee to complete the application process. The NID DAT 2025 fee is Rs. 3000 for open, and Rs. 1500 for reserved-category candidates. Note that the late fees is 50% more than the NID 2025 application fee.

Can NID change the nature and structure of the entrance exam?

Yes, under unforeseen circumstances, the National Institute of Design reserves the right to change the nature and structure of the NID exam. This means, the all tests can be conducted in online or offline or a combination of online and offline depending on how the National Institute of Design deems it fit. So, the candidate is urged to keep looking up this space for all the latest on the NID 2025 exam.

Is it necessary to upload the relevant category certificate for NID?

Yes, if you belong to any reserve category, then it is necessary to upload the required category Certificate. The documents have to be uploaded at the time of filling out the NID that application form. Note that candidates trying to use counterfeit document may be disqualified at any stage of the admission process if caught. The NID DAT 2025 counseling will also have a document verification process. The counseling process for the B. Des programme will commence soon after results are declared.

What information can be edited in submitted application form when NID DAT 2025 application edit window opens?

The application edit window for NID DAT 2025 will be open from December 4-9, 2024. Using the application edit window, the candidate will be able to edit details like their address, applied category, exam centre, etc. However, the candidate can't change the Programme Applied in, Name of the Candidate, Date of Birth, Registered Mobile Number, and Registered Email ID. Also, if the candidate changes their applied category, the applicable application fees have to be paid by the candidate. Further, no refund of fees will be made in case of any category change.

How much time is needed to prepare for the NID DAT 2025 exam?

A candidate would ideally need around 6 months or so to prepare the NID DAT 2025 exam. This time frame will allow the candidate to go through each topic in depth and prepare for the exam effectively. However, if the candidate has a strong grip over the fundamentals and basis concepts, it is still possible to prepare for the exam even in 3 months or less. But as the time duration shrinks, one will have to be more judicious with the use of each day and hour and be meticulous. Having a well defined time table in place will help matters. The time table can include things like day-wise topics to read and revise, sample papers to be solved, etc.

Which are the best books for NID Entrance Exam?

To give oneself a higher chance of securing a good rank in NID DAT, it is important to use good quality books a reference material. Here are some of the best books recommended by experts and previous rank holders to prepare for the NID that exam: NID (B. Des. ). Entrance Books and Test Series by AFAINDIA Basic Rendering by Robert W. Gill Design drawing by Francis D. K. Ching NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide by RPH Editorial Board In addition to these books, the candidate must also make it a habit to solve sample papers and take mock tests. Mock tests can be taken closer to the exam.

Which tasks do I need to do to effectively for NID DAT 2025 exam?

Along with following the official NID DAT 2025 exam pattern and syllabus, do these tasks to prepare for NID DAT 2024 exam: Solve sample papers - You can starting solving sample papers very early on in your preparation, for instnce after completing a chapter. Solve previous years’ papers - This exercise will help you get an idea about the nature and structure of the exam, including difficulty level, types of questions asked, marking scheme, and much more. Take mock tests - Mocks are usually taken closer to the exam date. It will help you fine tune your preparation and fix the mental aspect of taking an entrance exam. Take notes during study - This exericise will not only help you stay focused, but also help you jot down important and difficult points. This in turn will make revision easier and quicker.

What tasks I need to do to effectively prepare for NID DAT 2025 exam?

Along with following the official NID DAT 2025 exam pattern and syllabus, do these tasks to prepare for NID DAT exam: Solve sample papers - You can starting solving sample papers very early on in your preparation, for instnce after completing a chapter. Solve previous years’ papers - This exercise will help you get an idea about the nature and structure of the exam, including difficulty level, types of questions asked, marking scheme, and much more. Take mock tests - Mocks are usually taken closer to the exam date. It will help you fine tune your preparation and fix the mental aspect of taking an entrance exam. Take notes during study - This exericise will not only help you stay focused, but also help you jot down important and difficult points. This in turn will make revision easier and quicker.

What is the minimum qualifying criteria for NID admissions?

The minimum qualifying criteria for NID 2025 is the minimum marks the candidate needs to secure for admission. The category-wise cut-off would be released at the time of counseling and seat allotment. The cut-off would be prepared by considering factors like the total number of applicants, the merit ranks of applicants in NID DAT 2025, seat intake for the applied programme, etc. Note that if the seat allotment for NID that is conducted in multiple rounds, then a separate cut-off would be prepared for each round. And candidates who meet the cut-off criteria for that round will get admission.

What are the various factors that will be considered for preparing NID DAT cut-off?

The cut-off for NID DAT 2025 will be prepared based on multiple factors like the total number of applications, the seat intake for the applied programme, the category under which admission is sought, and merit rank of the applicant in NID DAT 2025. Note that each of these factors are variables. For instance, the number of applications may vary from one category to another. Consequently, the cut-off would also vary. The cut-off represents the minimum marks a candidate needs to secure in his or her category to get admission to the B. Des or M.Des programme.

Will unfilled OBC-NCL seats be de-reserved for NID DAT admission?

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.

When will NID DAT cutoff be released?

The National Institute of Design (NID) will release the NID DAT 2025 admission cut-off for the M.Des programme at the time of seat allotment, around May 2025. The cut-off will be released as rank and score of the last candidate admitted to the M.Des program. The NID DAT 2025 cut-off for the B.Des programme will be released separately, around June 2025. The cut-off will be released by considering factors like the number of applicants, seat intake, and category. Candidates who meet the cut-off for their category in their chosen programme will get admission.

How many candidates appear for NID DAT?

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.

Is it possible to crack NID DAT 2025 without coaching?

It is not mandatory to take coaching to get a good rank in NID DAT 2025. It is because, the entrance exam will test the creative, drawing, and innovative skills of the candidate. Now, a coaching institute cannot exactly teach you to be creative or become innovative. Instead, with a little effort these skills can yourself learn these skills yourself. Also, a major thrust of the design aptitide test is to evaluate the drawing skills of the candidate. So, make it a point to work on your design skills, including learning how to draw line, shadow, figure, gesture, cartoon drawing, etc. When practicing drawing, also keep a tab on the drawing speed, as it will help you complete the paper in the allotted time.

What is the difficulty level of NID DAT?

The NID Entrance Exam is considered to be one of the toughest design entrance exam conducted in the country. In NID DAT, more weightage is given to subjective, drawing related questions. Thus, candidates need to be extremely creative and have a clear understanding of their concepts when appearing for the NID exam. For preparing the final results for the B. Des program, the DAT Prelims will be allocated 40% weightage, while DAT Mains will be given 60%. During the DAT Mains, which comprises a Studio Test, the candidate is tested hands-on and have to show their drawing abilities, creativity, innovativeness, and material-handling ability.

Which are the best books for NID Entrance Exam?

To give oneself a higher chance of securing a good rank in NID DAT, it is important to use good quality books a reference material. Here are some of the best books recommended by experts and previous rank holders to prepare for the NID that exam: NID (B. Des. ). Entrance Books and Test Series by AFAINDIA Basic Rendering by Robert W. Gill Design drawing by Francis D. K. Ching NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide by RPH Editorial Board In addition to these books, the candidate must also make it a habit to solve sample papers and take mock tests. Mock tests can be taken closer to the exam.

What is the minimum qualifying criteria for NID admissions?

The minimum qualifying criteria for NID 2025 is the minimum marks the candidate needs to secure for admission. The category-wise cut-off would be released at the time of counseling and seat allotment. The cut-off would be prepared by considering factors like the total number of applicants, the merit ranks of applicants in NID DAT 2025, seat intake for the applied programme, etc. Note that if the seat allotment for NID that is conducted in multiple rounds, then a separate cut-off would be prepared for each round. And candidates who meet the cut-off criteria for that round will get admission.

I belong to OBC category. Is there any reservation of seats in my category for B.Des programme at NIDs?

Yes, the National Institute of Design has reserved seats for OBC, SC, ST, PwD and EWS categories. For the OBC-NCL category, the combined intake capacity is 114 seats. Candidates who belong to the OBC-NCL category need to select their admission category at the time of filling out the NID that application form. Note that only genuine candidate needs to apply under the category, because every information furnished by the candidate will be checked at the time of NID counseling. Also, the candidate will have to furnish the relevant category Certificate to be considered for admission under that category. During seat allotment, OBC-NCL candidates will also be considered for admission under the general category.

Will unfilled SC/ST seats be de-reserved for NID DAT admission?

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.

Which M.Des specialisations are offered through NID entrance exam?

A. The M.Des specialisations in which candidates can secure admission basis their performance in NID that are listed below: Animation Film Design Ceramic and Glass Design Furniture & Interior Design Film & Video Communication Graphic Design Product Design Textile Design Apparel Design Lifestyle Accessory Design Strategic Design Management New Media Design Photography Design Toy & Game Design Transportation & Automobile Design for Retail Experience Digital Game Design Information Design Interaction Design Universal Design There are a total of 347 seats available for the M.Des programme. The programme is offered at NID Ahmedabad, NID Bengaluru, and NID Gandhinagar campuses. Admission to the programme will be based on NID that 2023 merit rank.

What are the best study material to prepare for NID DAT 2025?

The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is a two-step entrance exam. The candidate first appears in DAT Prelims. If shortlisted, the candidate has to next appear in DAT Mains. Here are some suggested study material for NID DAT 2025. Quantitative Aptitude - Physics and Maths syllabus up to Class 10. Logical Reasoning - Step-by-Step Verbal Reasoning by Philip Kay, How to Pass Diagrammatic Reasoning Test by Mike Bryon. GK and Current Affairs - Read newspapers daily for current affairs. For static GK, read any good GK book for NID. English - The Ultimate Guide for NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam by Arihant

NID DAT 2025: DAT Prelims Result for M.des (Feb 17), DAT Mains Admit Card (24 Feb), Expected Cut-off

527 Students Q&A

Result - 17 Feb '25

This exam is conducted for courses given below:

BDes, GDPD MDes

Updated on Jan 23, 2025 16:47 IST

By Manashjyoti Hazarika, Manager Content

NID Entrance Exam 2025 - The National Institute of Design (NID) will declare the results of the NID DAT 2025 exam on February 17, 2025 (M.Des). The results will be declared online at the NID admission portal. The candidate needs to use their log-in crendetials to check NID DAT 2025 result.

The direct link to check NID DAT 2025 results will be provided here.

The results for the M.Des program will be declared on April 1, 2025.

NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) exam was conducted on January 5, 2025. On exam day, the candidate had to follow NID DAT 2025 exam-day guidelines, such as bringing your NID DAT Prelims admit card and photo ID proof.

The NID DAT 2025 exam analysis is available now. The analysis covers expected NID DAT cut-off, overall and sectional difficulty, weightage, good attempts, specific questions asked, etc. The candidate can check the exam analysis and get exam insights.

DAT Prelims scores will be used to shortlist candidates for DAT Mains.

The FINAL result of NID DAT 2025 will be prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. Read the full details about the NID DAT 2025 exam below.

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

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.

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Q: When will the NID DAT 2025 Prelims exam be conducted?

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

The B.Des exam will be held from 10 am - 1 pm; meanwhile, the M.Des exam will be held from 10 am - 12.30 am.

The DAT Prelims for the B.Des programme will be conducted in a paper-and-pencil/pen mode. The question paper may incude both textual and visual questions. Other details like duration of the exam, marking scheme, etc. will be published in the DAT Prelims admit card.

The candidate needs to report for the exam at 8 am. Gates closing time is 9.30 am.

The DAT Prelims exam for the M.Des programme will be conducted offline and include a mix of objective and subjective questions. The paper will have a total of 100 questions.

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Q: At what time do I need to report for NID DAT 2025 exam?

The reporting time for the DAT Prelims exam will be mentioned on the NID DAT 2025 admit card. Reach the exam center as per the reporting time. Note that latecomers will not be allowed inside the NID DAT 2025 exam center.

The gates at the exam center will close half an hour before the exam.

NID DAT 2025 exam timing, including reporting time.

Event	B.Des	M.Des
NID DAT (2025) Prelims date	Janaury 5, 2025	Janaury 5, 2025
Reporting Time	8 AM	8 AM
Gate closing time	9.30 AM	9.30 AM
Time of the exam	10 AM - 1 PM (Part I + Part II)	10 AM - 12.30 PM (Part I + Part II)

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Q: When will NID DAT (Prelims) admit card be released?

The National Institute of Design (NID) released the NID DAT 2025 admit card for DAT Prelims on December 24. The direct link to download the admit card is given on this page.

Note that admit cards will be issued only to successfully registered candidates.

To download the admit card, you need to log-in to the portal using your email ID and date of birth. On exam day, bring the admit card and a photo ID proof.

DAT Prelims will be conducted on January 5, 2025

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What is NID DAT M.Des Entrance Exam?

NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) M.Des is a design exam conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID) to shortlist candidates for the M.Des program.

The DAT Prelims exam is conducted in a center-based mode. The details of the exam center are mentioned on the admit card. NID will release the admission schedule on its admission portal. The candidate must consult the schedule to learn when the exam will be conducted, and get the application schedule. The NID DAT exam result will be prepared by giving weightage to Prelims and Mains.

The exam pattern is given in the information brochure.

Currently, the M.Des course has 347 seats.

The M.Des program is offered at THREE campuses - NID Ahmedabad, NID Gandhinagar, and NID Bengaluru.

NID Entrance Exam 2025 Highlights

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

Features	Details
Exam name	NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT)
Popularly known as	NID DAT
Conducting Body	National Institute of Design
Exam frequency	Once a year
Courses offered	BDes, MDes
Application fee	INR 3,000
Exam mode	Offline
Exam duration	3 hours
Seat Intake	BDes – 425 MDes - 347
Official website	admissions.nid.edu

NID DAT Admit Card 2025

DeskCalendar Admit Card: 24 Feb '25

The National Institute of Design will release admit cards on the admission portal.

The DAT Prelims admit card was released on December 24, 2024. The admit card has to be downloaded using one's log-in credentials.

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.

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

Mains admit cards will be released after the results have been declared. The candidate needs to download the admit card before the exam.

DAT Mains for B.Des and M.Des courses are conducted on separate dates.

NID DAT Preparation Tips 2025

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

Last week's prep tips for DAT Prelims

In the last week leading up to the exam, make sure that you do extensive revision. Also, solve a few sample papers and take mock tests as well. However, it is recommended not to start any new topics. If you do that, it will eat into your revision time and can turn the timetable upside down.

Also, keep hydrated, sleep the full quota, and do some light exercise so that you start fresh.

What after DAT Prelims

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:

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

NID DAT Syllabus 2025

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:

Candidates will be included in the final NID DAT 2024 merit list only if they take both the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.
The weightage for DAT Prelims and DAT Mains will be announced before the declaration of NID DAT 2024 (Final) Results.
Requests for rescheduling the Studio Test will not be entertained
Admit cards will be issued separately for the Studio Test and Online Interview.
If the candidate fails to appear in the online interview, admit cards will not be generated for the Studio Test.
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.
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:

Studio Test
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

Candidates who get shortlisted for DAT Mains will have to upload a Statement of Purpose (SoP) and Portfolio during the given window.
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.
The candidate has to upload SoPs and Portfolios separately for each discipline they are shortlisted for.
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).
Format of the Portfolio - The candidate has to upload a digital copy of their Portfolio in a single file (maximum size - 10 MB).

NID DAT Exam Pattern 2025

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)

Particulars	B.Des	M.Des
Test duration	3 hours	2 ½ hours
Mode	Pen-and-paper based	Online
Question type	Textual and Visual questions	A mixture of subjective and objective questions
Total number of questions	26	-
Total marks	100	100
Medium of the test	English	English

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

Particulars	Description
Mode of exam	Offline
Duration of exam	3 hours
Total marks	100
Language of question paper	English
Type of questions	Multiple formats (Drawing/ Sketching/ Model Making)

NID Admission Process

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

NID Eligibility Criteria 2025

The National Institute of Design has released 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

Parameters

B.Des

M.Des

Age Limit

The candidate must be born on or after 1 July 2005.
In case of reserved category - Other Backward Class-Non Creamy Layer (OBCNCL), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) - the candidate must be born on or after 1 July 2001.
PwD candidates need to be born on or after 1 July 200.

Note: In case of foreign nationals applying for admission under Overseas (Supernumerary) Category, the candidate must be born on or after 1 July 2005.

The candidate must be born on or after 1 July 1993.
In case of reserved category - Other Backward Class-Non Creamy Layer (OBCNCL), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) - the candidate must be born on or after 1 July 1990.
PwD candidates need to be born on or after 1 July 1988.

Note: In case of foreign nationals applying for admission under Overseas (Supernumerary) Category, the candidate must be born on or after 1 July 1993.

Educational Qualification

10+2 in any discipline

Bachelor's degree of minimum four years duration OR its equivalent.

NID Application Form 2025

The application form for NID 2025 is now closed.

It was open from September 3 - December 6, 2024.

How to fill NID 2025 application form

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

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

Can I Edit NID Application Form 2025?

The NID 2025 application form edit window closed on December 11, 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:

NID Test Cities
Ahmedabad	Raipur	Bhopal
Bhubaneshwar	Chandigarh	Chennai
Dehradun	Guwahati	Hyderabad
Mumbai	Jaipur	Kolkata
Kurukshetra	Lucknow	Mumbai
Nagpur	New Delhi	Patna
Raipur	Ranchi	Shimla
Thiruvananthapuram	Vijayawada	-

NID Cutoff

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

NID DAT 2024 Minimum Qualifying Criteria

Category	Minimum Qualifying Criteria
Open	50%
Gen-EWS	50%
OBC-NCL	45%
SC	40%
ST	40%
PwD	40%
Overseas	50%

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:

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

NID DAT Result 2025

DeskCalendar Result: 17 Feb '25

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 DAT Prelims scorecard.

The DAT Prelims scorecard will contain 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:

Whether all the answers have been marked.
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

Exam Component	DAT Prelims	DAT Mains
Weightage	40%	60%

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

Exam Component	DAT Prelims	DAT Mains
Exam Component	DAT Prelims	Studio Test	Personal Interview
Weightage	30%	40%	30%

NID DAT Counseling 2025

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.

NID Participating Colleges 2025

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.

BDes Courses at NID
Ceramic & Glass Design	Furniture & Interior Design
Product Design	Animation Film Design
Exhibition Design	Film & Video Communication
Graphic Design	Textile Design
Industrial Design	Communication Design
Textile & Apparel Design
MDes Courses at NID
Animation Film Design	Ceramic and Glass Design
Furniture & Interior Design	Film & Video Communication
Graphic Design	Product Design
Textile Design	Apparel Design
Lifestyle Accessory Design	Strategic Design Management
New Media Design	Photography Design
Toy & Game Design	Transportation & Automobile Design
Design for Retail Experience	Digital Game Design
Information Design	Interaction Design
Universal Design

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

List of NIDs accepting NID DAT Scores
NID Ahmedabad	NID Gandhinagar
NID Bengaluru	NID Andhra Pradesh
NID Haryana	NID Madhya Pradesh
NID Assam

NID DAT Exam Analysis 2025

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

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