NID DAT — At a Glance
About NID DAT
NID DAT 2027 is the Design Aptitude Test for NID’s 5.5-year Integrated M.Des / B.Des and M.Des programmes. Prelims on 20 December 2026; apply by 30 November 2026. Check eligibility, fees, pattern, seats and results.
NID DAT 2027 Overview
The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is the entrance exam for India’s premier design school, the National Institute of Design (NID). NID Ahmedabad and its extension campuses at Gandhinagar and Bengaluru form an Institute of National Importance under the NID Act, 2014, functioning under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The same DAT Prelims is also used by the newer NIDs in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Assam.
NID admission happens in two stages: the DAT Prelims, a pen-and-paper test used only for shortlisting, and the DAT Mains, which decides the final merit.
Status (as of 16 October 2026): NID admissions for 2027-28 are open. Applications are accepted from 10 September to 30 November 2026 on admissions.nid.edu, and the DAT Prelims is on Sunday, 20 December 2026. The dates and rules below are from the official NID Admissions Handbooks 2027-28.
NID DAT 2027: Highlights
Particular | Details |
|---|---|
Exam name | Design Aptitude Test (DAT) — Prelims and Mains |
Conducted by | National Institute of Design (NID) Admissions Cell, Ahmedabad |
UG programme | 5.5-year Professional Education Master of Design (Integrated Pathway) at NID Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Bengaluru; 5.5-year Integrated M.Des / 4-year B.Des at the newer NIDs |
PG programme | 2.5-year Master of Design (M.Des) |
Application window | 10 September – 30 November 2026 (11:59 pm) |
Edit window | 1 – 3 December 2026 |
Prelims admit card | 4 pm, 10 December 2026 |
DAT Prelims | Sunday, 20 December 2026 (pen and paper, English only) |
Prelims result | M.Des: 16 February 2027 · UG: 16 March 2027 |
DAT Mains | To be announced |
Application fee | ₹3,000 (General/EWS/OBC-NCL) · ₹2,000 (female) · ₹1,500 (SC/ST) · ₹500 (PwD, third gender) · US$125 (overseas) |
Test cities | 17 cities across India |
Official website | admissions.nid.edu |
Why NID?
India’s pioneering design school, with a long record in industrial, communication, textile and IT-integrated design.
Wide choice of disciplines — from Product and Graphic Design to Animation, Interaction and Transportation Design.
Studio-based learning, taught in English, with strong industry and craft links.
One test, many NIDs: the DAT Prelims is common for all NIDs.
Key Takeaways
Apply by 30 November 2026; DAT Prelims on 20 December 2026.
The UG programme at NID Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Bengaluru is now a 5.5-year Integrated M.Des.
Prelims only shortlists — final merit is based on the DAT Mains.
Female candidates pay a lower fee of ₹2,000 (except SC/ST/PwD, who pay less).
Pro Tip: Do not leave the application to the last week. The deadline is 30 November and there is no late-fee window mentioned in the handbook.
Official Websites
NID Admissions portal: admissions.nid.edu
National Institute of Design: nid.edu
NID Admissions Cell: admissions@nid.edu · 079-26623462 (Mon–Fri, 11:00 am–12:30 pm and 3:00–5:30 pm)
Need Help with NID DAT?
Confused about the new Integrated M.Des, which discipline to choose, or how to prepare for the Studio and In-Person tests? Eduspray’s counsellors can help you plan your design career and NID preparation. Reach out to the Eduspray team for personalised guidance.
Source: NID Admissions Handbooks 2027-28 (5.5-year Integrated M.Des / B.Des and M.Des), published 10 September 2026; admissions.nid.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NID DAT?
NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test) is the entrance exam for the National Institute of Design. It has two stages: DAT Prelims for shortlisting and DAT Mains for final merit.
When is NID DAT 2027 Prelims?
On Sunday, 20 December 2026.
What is the last date to apply for NID DAT 2027?
30 November 2026, 11:59 pm, on admissions.nid.edu.