The National Institute of Design (NID) has officially commenced the registration process for the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) 2026 for admission to its prestigious BDes and MDes programmes for the academic session 2026-27. Eligible candidates can now apply online at the official website, The last date to submit the NID DAT 2026 application form is December 1, 2025, while the NID DAT exam date 2026 is December 21, 2025.
NID DAT 2026 – Two-Stage Selection Process
The NID entrance exam is conducted in two stages – prelims and mains. Candidates must clear both stages to secure admission to their desired programme. The prelims act as the screening test, while the mains assess a candidate’s in-depth design aptitude, skills, and creativity.
Eligibility Criteria for NID DAT 2026
For BDes admissions, students who have passed or will appear for Class 12 (academic year 2025-26) in any stream from a recognized board are eligible to apply. For MDes programmes, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree of three or four years from a recognized university, or a full-time diploma in design, fine arts, applied arts, or architecture after Class 12 from a recognized institution.
This makes the NID DAT 2026 registration an important gateway for aspirants seeking a career in design, offering a wide range of specializations in undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
NID DAT 2026 Application Fee
The category-wise application fee for NID DAT 2026 is as follows:
- General/General-EWS/OBC-NCL: ₹3,000
- Female candidates (except SC/ST/PwD): ₹2,000
- SC/ST: ₹1,500
- PwD candidates: ₹500
- Overseas (Supernumerary): USD 125
How to Fill Out the NID DAT 2026 Application Form
Students can follow these steps to register for BDes and MDes programmes at NID:
- Visit the official NID admissions website
- Click on the ‘Sign Up’ option under the ‘How to Apply’ section.
- Enter the required details and log in using generated credentials.
- Fill out the NID DAT 2026 application form and upload necessary documents.
- Pay the application fee as per category and submit the form.
- Download and print a copy of the completed form for future reference.
Key Highlights of NID DAT 2026
- Exam Date: December 21, 2025
- Application Deadline: December 1, 2025
- Programmes Offered: BDes and MDes
- Mode of Exam: Two-stage (Prelims & Mains)
The NID DAT 2026 entrance exam is a golden opportunity for aspiring designers to secure admission to India’s premier design institute. By opening registrations early, NID ensures ample time for candidates to prepare for both prelims and mains. Aspirants are advised to carefully review the NID DAT 2026 eligibility criteria, pay the application fee, and submit their online application form well before the deadline, for more details and apply CLICK HERE
