NID DAT 2027 – Overview
NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test) is the entrance examination conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID) for admission to its Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) programmes. The admission process consists of two stages: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | NID DAT (National Institute of Design - Design Aptitude Test) |
| Conducting Body | National Institute of Design (NID) |
| Courses Offered | Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) / M.Des. |
| Exam Stages | 2 Stages: DAT Prelims (Written) & DAT Mains (Studio + Interview/In-person Test) |
| Duration of Course | 4 Years (B.Des.) |
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Participating Campuses | Ahmedabad, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Assam |
NID DAT Eligibility
Candidates who have passed or are appearing for Class 12 (10+2) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board can apply. Students from Science, Commerce, Arts, Humanities and other eligible streams can apply, subject to NID’s age and qualification requirements.
For the 2027 admission cycle, General and General-EWS candidates had to be born on or after 1 July 2005. Relaxed age criteria applied to eligible reserved categories.
NID DAT Exam Pattern
DAT Prelims
DAT Prelims is a written examination that may include text-based and visual questions. The paper is conducted in English and tests candidates on areas such as observation, creativity, visualisation, analytical thinking and design aptitude. Candidates are shortlisted for DAT Mains based on their Prelims performance.
DAT Mains
Shortlisted candidates appear for DAT Mains, which includes:
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Studio Sensitivity Test – 60%
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In-Person Sensitivity Test – 40%
The final merit list is prepared based on the prescribed Mains evaluation process.
NID DAT Syllabus
Preparation generally covers:
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Drawing and visualisation
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Observation and perception
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Creativity and imagination
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Visual communication
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Design awareness
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Problem-solving
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Analytical thinking
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Composition
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General awareness related to design, culture and society
NID B.Des. Programmes
NID offers B.Des. programmes across its campuses in Ahmedabad, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Assam. Disciplines include Graphic Design, Product Design, Textile Design, Animation Film Design, Exhibition Design, Film & Video Communication, Ceramic & Glass Design, and Furniture & Interior Design.
Application Fee
For the {2027 cycle, the application fee ranged from ₹500 to ₹3,000 for Indian applicants, depending on category and applicable concessions. The fee for overseas candidates was US$125.
Admission Process
The general admission process includes:
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Online registration
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Application form submission
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Document and photograph upload
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Fee payment
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Admit card download
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DAT Prelims
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DAT Mains for shortlisted candidates
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Final merit list
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Admission and document verification
Course Duration
The NID B.Des. programme is four years long. At NID Ahmedabad, students begin with Design Foundation Studies before moving into their selected discipline.
Important Dates
NID releases the official application, examination, result and admission schedule for each academic year. Candidates should check the latest official NID notification for 2027 dates before applying.
fore applying.