Government
Institute of National Importance · Est. 1961
NID Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
- Indicative fee / yr
- ₹3.5L – ₹4.5L
- Entrance
- NID DAT
- Design
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Design entrance exam
NID DAT
NID Design Aptitude TestTwo-stage entrance for B.Des and M.Des programmes at the NID campuses.
- Conducted by
- National Institute of Design
- Level
- Undergraduate & Postgraduate
- Frequency
- Once a year
- Typically held
- Prelims in Dec–Jan, Mains a few months later
- Mode
- Written prelims, followed by studio test and interview
- Duration
- Prelims: 3 hours
Who it's for
Creative students from any stream considering a career in product, communication, textile or interaction design.
- B.Des and M.Des at NID campuses
Typical eligibility
- B.Des: Class 12 in any stream (appearing students can apply)
- Upper age limits apply — check the current admission guide
Exam pattern
Duration
Prelims: 3 hours
Marking
Prelims shortlist for Mains; final merit combines stages
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Prelims | Design aptitude — drawing, observation, visual reasoning |
| Mains | Studio test and personal interview / portfolio |
Patterns are revised from time to time. Confirm the current pattern in the official information bulletin.
Subjects
- Drawing & sketching
- Visual reasoning
- Design thinking
- General awareness
How to prepare
- 01
Sketch every day — observation beats technique
- 02
Keep a visual diary of everyday design problems
- 03
Practise with material-based studio exercises before Mains
Typical preparation timeline
Class 11
Exploration
Sketching habit, exposure to design fields
Jul–Dec
Prelims prep
Timed drawing, previous papers
Jan–Apr
Mains prep
Studio tasks, interview practice
Colleges that accept NID DAT
From our directory. Cut-offs vary by year, category and programme.
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