The Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is conducted by the National Institute of Design for admission to its B.Des and M.Des programmes at NID Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru and other NID campuses. Selection is in two stages: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.
Advisory Note
Official Portal
Official website: https://www.nid.edu
Official Portal
Application portal: https://admissions.nid.edu
NID DAT at a Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | NID DAT 2027 |
| Conducting body | National Institute of Design (NID) |
| Level | Institute |
| Mode | Offline (pen and paper) – Prelims; Mains studio test/interview |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Exam date | Prelims: 20 December 2026 |
| Registration | Open: 10 Sep – 30 Nov 2026 |
| Official website | https://www.nid.edu |
NID DAT Important Dates
| Event | Date / Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Registration opens | 10 September 2026 | Open |
| Last date to apply | 30 November 2026 | Announced |
| Application edit window | 1–3 December 2026 | Announced |
| Admit card | 10 December 2026 | Announced |
| DAT Prelims | 20 December 2026 | Announced |
| Prelims result | M.Des: 16 Feb 2027; B.Des: 16 Mar 2027 (reported) | Reported |
| DAT Mains | To be announced | Not announced |
Dates last checked by CollegeDarbar on 16 October 2026. Always confirm on the official website before applying.
NID DAT Eligibility Criteria
- B.Des: Class 12 (any stream) passed or appearing in 2027.
- B.Des age limit (General): born on or after 1 July 2006, with relaxation for reserved categories as per the admission brochure.
- M.Des: a bachelor's degree of at least three years (or appearing), in a discipline relevant to the chosen specialisation.
NID DAT Exam Pattern
| Stage | B.Des | M.Des |
|---|---|---|
| DAT Prelims | Pen-and-paper test of design aptitude (drawing, visualisation, objective and subjective questions) | Pen-and-paper test: general and discipline-specific design aptitude |
| DAT Mains | Studio test and/or interview for shortlisted candidates | Studio test and personal interview for shortlisted candidates |
Prelims and Mains scores are combined as specified in the NID admission brochure. Confirm weightage in the 2027 brochure.
NID DAT Syllabus
- Drawing and sketching, visual composition and colour.
- Observation, visualisation and creative problem-solving.
- Design awareness, general knowledge and communication.
- M.Des: specialisation-specific design knowledge.
How to Apply for NID DAT
NID DAT Application Fee
Reported fees: ₹3,000 (General/OBC-NCL), ₹2,000 (female, other than SC/ST/PwD), ₹1,500 (SC/ST), ₹500 (PwD). A late fee applies after 30 November. Confirm on the admissions portal.
Colleges Accepting NID DAT
NID DAT Preparation Tips
- Build a daily sketching habit and practise timed drawing questions.
- Study past DAT Prelims papers to understand question styles.
- Prepare for the Mains studio test with hands-on model-making.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Sources
- [NID admissions portal](https://admissions.nid.edu)
- [National Institute of Design](https://www.nid.edu)