Law, Design & Other UG Entrance · Higher study

NID DAT

National Institute of Design - Design Aptitude Test (B.Des)

Admission to the four-year Bachelor of Design (B.Des) at NID Ahmedabad and the NIDs at Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Assam (the same DAT also covers M.Des).

Eligibility

Passed or appearing in Class 12 from any stream. For the 2027 intake the general upper age limit is 20 years (born on or after about 1 July 2006), with a 3-year relaxation for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD; check the admissions handbook for the exact cut-off date.

Age limit: Maximum 20 years (3-year relaxation for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD)

Exam pattern

Two stages. DAT Prelims is a paper-and-pencil test of about 3 hours with visual and text-based questions, mixing objective questions with subjective drawing and design tasks; it is used to shortlist for Mains. DAT Mains comprises a Studio Sensitivity Test (hands-on tasks with materials, observation and model-making) and an In-Person Sensitivity Test (interview). The final merit is based on the Mains components as per the handbook.

Syllabus at a glance

There is no fixed syllabus. Prelims assesses visualisation, observation, drawing, creativity, colour sense, design awareness, general knowledge and reasoning. Mains assesses hands-on problem-solving with materials, three-dimensional thinking, communication and motivation for design.

Upcoming dates

Event	Date	Status
Online registration (B.Des and M.Des, currently open)	10 Sep - 30 Nov 2026	confirmed
Application correction window	1-3 Dec 2026	confirmed
Prelims admit card	10 Dec 2026	confirmed
DAT Prelims exam	20 Dec 2026 (Sunday)	confirmed
B.Des category certificate edit window	16-28 Feb 2027	confirmed
B.Des Prelims result	16 Mar 2027	confirmed
DAT Mains (studio test and interview)	Apr - May 2027	expected

Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.

Free prep material

Official

NID admissions portal

Official handbook, sample questions and all admit cards and results.

Official

National Institute of Design

Programme pages and student work that show what NID values in design thinking.

Previous papers

UCEED previous papers (IIT Bombay)

Free official design-aptitude papers with answer keys; excellent visual reasoning practice.

Video course

NPTEL - Design Thinking courses

Free IIT courses introducing design process and user-centred thinking.

Study material

NCERT Fine Art textbooks

Covers Indian art and craft traditions that appear in design awareness questions.

Standard books

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain - Betty Edwards
Perspective Made Easy - Ernest R. Norling
Sketching: The Basics - Koos Eissen and Roselien Steur
The Design of Everyday Things - Don Norman
NID/NIFT/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide - Arihant Experts

How toppers play it

Prelims rewards ideas over polish: practise turning a one-line brief into three distinct concepts in 20 minutes each.
Keep a daily observation sketchbook of people, objects and spaces; memory drawing and human figures appear repeatedly.
For the studio test, practise making 3D models from paper, clay, wire and found materials within 1-2 hours.
Prepare to discuss your own work and design influences for the interview; carry a coherent sketchbook rather than a glossy portfolio.
Read about Indian crafts, design institutions and everyday product design for the general awareness questions.