Updated on Apr 14, 2025
Gaurav Chaurasia
NID Entrance Exam 2025: NID has released NID DAT 2025 Admit Card for B.Des Mains at the official website at admissions.nid.edu. Candidates registered for the examination can download NID DAT 2025 Admit Card using their email address and date of birth. NID DAT 2025 B.Des Mains exam is going to be conducted between April 26 and May 04, 2025. Check NID DAT Exam Pattern 2025
NID DAT B.Des Mains Studio test 2025 is going to be conducted on May 3, 2025. Candidates shortlisted for NID DAT Mains exam will be given an interface on NID admissions portal to select the preferred test centre. The selection window was open from April 3 to April 6, 2025.
NID DAT 2025 M.Des exam was conducted from March 3, 2025 to April 6, 2025. NID DAT 2025 Result for M.Des Mains will be released on May 06, 2025. The rechecking window is going to be open on May 6 and will remain open till May 7, 2025.
- NID Entrance Exam 2025 Highlights
- NID DAT (Prelims) 2025 Important Dates
- NID DAT (Mains) 2025 Important Dates
- NID DAT 2025 Eligibility
- NID DAT 2025 Application Process
- NID DAT 2025 Application Fee
- NID DAT 2025 Exam Pattern
- NID DAT (Prelims) 2025 Exam Pattern
- NID DAT Prelims Syllabus 2025 for B.Des Program
- NID DAT Prelims Syllabus 2025 for M.Des Program
- NID DAT Mains Syllabus 2025 for B.Des (Studio Test)
- NID DAT Mains Syllabus for MDes (Studio Test)
- NID DAT 2025 Admit Card
- NID DAT 2025 Answer Key
- NID DAT 2025 Result
- NID DAT 2025 Cutoff
- NID DAT 2025 Exam Centers
- NID DAT Counselling 2025
- NID DAT 2025 FAQs
NID Entrance Exam 2025 Highlights
The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID) for admission to its B.Des and M.Des programs offered at NID campuses across India.
The exam is conducted in two stages:
- DAT Prelims: The prelims exam is a written exam aimed to test the candidate's ability in design aptitude, creativity, visual observation, and analytical ability. It tests the candidate through a NID exam pattern of objective (MCQs), subjective questions, and sketching.
- DAT Mains: Candidates who will qualify for the prelims can appear in the mains exam. The main exam involves studio tests and personal interviews. Candidates need to showcase their practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity during the studio test. Personal interviews test the candidates' perspectives on design, motivations, and communication abilities, providing a comprehensive evaluation of their suitability for the field.
Check important highlights for NID DAT 2025 in the table below.
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) / NID DAT |
| Conducting Body | National Institute of Design |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Level | National |
| Courses Offered | BDes, MDes |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Official Website | https://admissions.nid.edu/ |
NID DAT (Prelims) 2025 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Period | September 3 to December 6, 2024 |
| Application Edit Window | December 6 to December 11, 2024 |
| Admit Card Release | December 24, 2024 |
| DAT Prelims Exam Date | January 5, 2025 |
| DAT Prelims Result (B.Des) | April 1, 2025 |
| DAT Prelims Result (M.Des) | February 17, 2025 |
| Rechecking Request for DAT Prelims (B.Des) | April 1 to April 2, 2025 |
| Rechecking Request for DAT Prelims (M.Des) | February 17 to 18, 2025 |
NID DAT (Mains) 2025 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Admit Card Release (B.Des) | April 11, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release (M.Des) | February 24, 2025 |
| DAT Mains Exam Date (B.Des) | April 26 to May 5, 2025 |
| DAT Mains Exam Date (M.Des) | March 3 to April 6, 2025 |
| DAT Mains Result (B.Des) | May 16, 2025 |
| DAT Mains Result (M.Des) | May 6, 2025 |
| Rechecking Request for DAT Mains (B.Des) | April 1 to April 2, 2025 |
| Rechecking Request for DAT Mains (M.Des) | February 17 to February 18, 2025 |
NID DAT 2025 Eligibility
The National Institute of Design (NID) Design Aptitude Test (DAT) 2025 has specific eligibility criteria for its Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) programs. Below are the key requirements:
Bachelor of Design (B.Des)
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | General Category: Candidates must be born on or after July 1, 2004. Reserved Categories (OBC-NCL, SC, ST): Candidates must be born on or after July 1, 2001. Persons with Disabilities (PwD): Candidates must be born on or after July 1, 1999. |
| Educational Qualification | Candidates should have passed or be appearing for the Higher Secondary (10+2) examination in any stream from a recognized board during the academic year 2024-25. |
Master of Design (M.Des)
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | General Category: Candidates must be born on or after July 1, 1992. Reserved Categories (OBC-NCL, SC, ST): Candidates must be born on or after July 1, 1989. Persons with Disabilities (PwD): Candidates must be born on or after July 1, 1987. |
| Educational Qualification | A bachelor's degree of a minimum of four years duration in any specialization after 10+2 from a recognized university or institute. Alternatively, a full-time diploma in design, fine arts, applied arts, or architecture of a minimum of four years duration after 10+2 from a recognized institution. |
NID DAT 2025 Application Process
The NID DAT 2025 (National Institute of Design's Design Aptitude Test) application process is a crucial step for aspiring design students seeking admission to NID's undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The process involves registration, form submission, document upload, and payment of the required fees. Here's how to apply: Candidates can follow the steps provided below to fill out the NID DAT application form 2025 online.
- Step 1: Visit the official NID website at admissions.nid.edu.
- Step 2: Navigate to the ‘How to Apply’ section and click on ‘Sign Up.’
- Step 3: Enter the required details to create an account and log in with the generated credentials.
- Step 4: Complete the application form by filling required details and uploading the documents.
- Step 5: Pay the applicable fee and submit the form.
- Step 6: Download and print a copy of the confirmation page.
NID DAT 2025: Documents to be Submitted During the Application Process
The following are important documents to have on hand when registering and filling out an application form:
- Scanned photograph (75-100 KB, JPG)
- Scanned signature (under 100 KB, JPG)
- SC/ST candidates: caste certificate (under 150 KB, JPG)
- PwD candidates: disability certificate (under 150 KB, JPG)
- Foreign candidates: passport (under 150 KB, JPG)
- Payment via debit/credit card or net banking.
NID DAT 2025 Application Fee
The NID entrance exam fee can be paid either online or offline. Payment can be made online through a debit card/credit card. Below are the application fees for the B.Des and M.Des Programmes for the academic year 2024-25, categorised by applicant type.
B.Des Programme
| Category | DAT Application Fee | Application Fee + Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General/General-EWS/OBC-NCL | Rs 3,000 | Rs 4,500 |
| SC/ST/General-PwD/General-EWS-PwD/OBC-NCL-PwD/SC-PwD/ST-PwD | Rs 1,500 | Rs 2,250 |
| Overseas (Supernumerary) | Rs 5,000 | Rs 7,500 |
M.Des Programme
| Category | DAT Application Fee (1 Discipline) | DAT Application Fee (2 Disciplines) | Application Fee + Late Fee (1 Discipline) | Application Fee + Late Fee (2 Disciplines) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General/General-EWS/OBC-NCL | Rs 3,000 | Rs 6,000 | Rs 4,500 | Rs 9,000 |
| SC/ST/General-PwD/General-EWS-PwD/OBC-NCL-PwD/SC-PwD/ST-PwD | Rs 1,500 | Rs 3,000 | Rs 2,250 | Rs 4,500 |
| Overseas (Supernumerary) | Rs 5,000 | Rs 10,000 | Rs 7,500 | Rs 15,000 |
NID DAT 2025 Exam Pattern
Candidates are assessed on the basis of their design skills, creativity, reasoning ability, and problem-solving skills. The exam is designed to evaluate a candidate's overall aptitude for design and innovation. NID DAT 2025 will consist of two stages: the Prelims and the Mains. The Prelims include an objective-type test, while the Mains involve a studio test and interview. NID DAT 2025 Exam Pattern highlights have been tabulated below separately for B.Des and M.Des:
NID DAT (Prelims) 2025 Exam Pattern
| Particulars | B.Des | M.Des |
|---|---|---|
| Test duration | 3 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Mode | Pen-and-paper based | Online |
| Sections | Part 1 (Objective type questions) Part 2 (Subjective type questions) | Common Design Aptitude Test & Discipline Specific Test |
| Question type | Textual and Visual questions | A mixture of subjective and objective questions |
| Total number of questions | Part 1 (Objective type questions) - 22 Part 2 (Subjective type questions) - 4 | 100 |
| Total marks | 100 | 100 |
| Medium of the test | English | English |
| Negative marking | No negative marking | No negative marking |
NID DAT (Mains) 2025 Exam Pattern
The DAT Mains for the B.Des will comprise a Studio Test, whereas for the M.Des it will also include a Personal Interview.
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Duration of exam | 3 hours |
| Total marks | 100 |
| Language of question paper | English |
| Type of questions | Multiple formats (Drawing/ Sketching/ Model Making) |
NID DAT Prelims Syllabus 2025 for B.Des Program
The NID DAT Prelims Syllabus 2025 for the B.Des Program is designed to assess candidates' design aptitude, creativity, and analytical skills. The NID entrance exam syllabus includes various topics that test the ability to think critically and solve design problems effectively. Candidates can refer to the topics below to prepare for the exam:
| Design Outline for Beginners | Colour Terminology | Inspiration & Design Development |
|---|---|---|
| Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship | Design Theory | Elements & Principles Of Design |
| Natural & Geometrical Form | Innovation in Design | Principles of Composition |
| Lettering | Optical Illusion | Understanding Light & Shade |
| Colour Psychology & Optical Illusions | Form & Function | Colour, Pattern & Texture |
| Theme Development | Creative thinking & writing | Picture Analysis |
| Visual Logic | Good Design vs Bad Design | Drawing Fundamentals |
| Use of Measurements, Scale & proportions | Optical Illusion | Foreshortening & Perspective |
| Developing Themes & Colour Associations | Inspiration & Creativity | Ornaments & motifs |
| Memory Drawing | Usage of Colour in Compositions | Expression & Emotion |
| Exercises on imagination | Lateral Thinking | Story Pictures |
| Presentation Techniques | Imagination & Doodling | 3D Visualisation |
| Graphics & Pictograms | Innovation & Creation | Design Awareness |
NID DAT Prelims Syllabus 2025 for M.Des Program
The NID DAT Prelims Syllabus 2025 for the M.Des Program is structured to evaluate candidates' creativity, design thinking, and problem-solving abilities. It covers a variety of topics that help assess conceptual knowledge, visual skills, and analytical reasoning. Aspirants can refer to the following table for the topics they need to study:
| Design Outline for Beginners | Colour Terminology | Inspiration & Design Development |
|---|---|---|
| Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship | Design Theory | Elements & Principles Of Design |
| Natural & Geometrical Form | Innovation in Design | Principles of Composition |
| Lettering | Optical Illusion | Understanding Light & Shade |
| Colour Psychology & Optical Illusions | Form & Function | Colour, Pattern & Texture |
| Theme Development | Creative Thinking & Writing | Picture Analysis |
| Visual Logic | Good Design vs Bad Design | Drawing Fundamentals |
| Use of Measurements, Scale & proportions | Optical Illusion | Foreshortening & Perspective |
| Developing Themes & Colour Associations | Inspiration & Creativity | Ornaments & Motifs |
| Memory Drawing | Usage of Colour in Compositions | Expression & Emotion |
| Exercises on Imagination | Lateral Thinking | Story Pictures |
| Presentation Techniques | Imagination & Doodling | 3D Visualisation |
| Graphics & Pictograms | Innovation & Creation | Design Awareness |
NID DAT Mains Syllabus 2025 for B.Des (Studio Test)
The NID DAT Mains Syllabus 2025 for the B.Des Studio Test focuses on evaluating candidates' practical design skills, creativity, and the ability to conceptualize ideas through hands-on activities. Candidates are tested on various aspects of design, material handling, and problem-solving. Below is a list of topics to master for preparation:
| Model Making | Doodling | Typical questions asked in an interview |
|---|---|---|
| How to Evolve Ideas | Audio – Visual Exercises | Material Manipulation |
| Material manipulation | Interview tips | Body language and how it is important |
| Previous years' question papers of Studio Test & Interview | Evolving ideas | Portfolio making |
NID DAT Mains Syllabus for MDes (Studio Test)
The NID DAT Mains Syllabus 2025 for MDes (Studio Test) assesses candidates' design thinking, creativity, and conceptual skills through practical tasks. This stage evaluates the candidates' ability to express ideas visually and solve design problems. Below is a list of key topics to focus on while preparing for the MDes studio test:
| Model Making | Doodling | How to evolve ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Audio – Visual Exercises | Material Manipulation | Creative Thinking |
NID DAT 2025 Admit Card
The authorities released the NID DAT 2025 Admit Card for B.Des Mains exam on April 11, 2025. Candidates who completed the registration process for the NID DAT successfully could download the NID DAT admit card 2025. It is crucial for students to carry the NID DAT hall ticket to the exam center. If they fail to bring the admit card, candidates are not permitted to enter the NID DAT 2025 exam centre. Candidates need to bring any one of the valid documents such as PAN card, driving licence, aadhar card, etc along with the NID admit card 2025.
Steps to download the NID DAT 2025 admit card
Candidates can access the NID DAT admit card 2025 by following the below steps:
- Go to the NID official website - admissions.nid.edu.
- Click the NID DAT admit card tab on the home page.
- Enter the credentials such as email ID and date of birth in the login window.
- Click the submit button and check the details mentioned on the admit card.
- Take the printout of the download admit card for further reference.
NID DAT 2025 Answer Key
Last year, the authority did not release the NID DAT answer key for the prelims and main exams. This year, the answer key for NID DAT 2025 for the prelims exam is released, and the link to download will be updated. The purpose of the NID DAT exam answer key is to help candidates get an idea of their possible scores. Candidates can match their answers with the NID DAT 2025 answer key with the answers given by them in the entrance exam. While calculating the marks, the candidates should follow the same marking scheme as given on the day of the actual examination.
How to Check NID DAT 2025 Answer Key?
Candidates can follow these steps to check the NID DAT 2025 Answer Key:
- Go to the official NID website (https://admissions.nid.edu/) to access the answer key.
- Look for the “NID DAT 2025 Answer Key” link under the latest announcements or notifications section.
- Enter your login credentials, such as application number and password, to access the answer key.
- Click on the link to view and download the answer key for the respective program and exam stage (Prelims/Mains).
- Compare your responses with the answer key to estimate your score.
NID DAT 2025 Result
The National Institute of Design declared the NID DAT results (M.Des) on its official website - admissions.nid.edu on February 17, 2025. The NID DAT results 2025 for B.Des will be released separately by the authorities. Candidates will be able to download the NID DAT results by logging into the official website of NID by entering the login credentials such as roll number/application number and date of birth. The authorities will prepare a separate merit list for each category including General, General-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and overseas.
How to Download NID DAT 2025 Result?
Candidates can follow the steps below to download the NID DAT 2025 result:
- Go to the NID official website (https://admissions.nid.edu/).
- Look for the “NID DAT 2025 Result” link under the latest notifications or announcements section.
- Enter your application number and password to access your result.
- The result will display your score, rank, and qualification status.
- Download the result for future reference and take a printout for use during the admission process.
NID DAT 2025 Cutoff
Candidates from the various categories will be considered eligible for admission only if they meet the minimum qualifying criteria, as mentioned:
| Category | NID Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| Open/General | 50% |
| EWS | 50% |
| OBC-NCL | 45% |
| SC | 40% |
| ST | 40% |
| PwD | 40% |
| Overseas | 50% |
NID DAT 2025 Exam Centers
NID DAT 2025 will take place in the following exam cities:
| Ahmedabad | Guwahati |
|---|---|
| Bengaluru | Hyderabad |
| Bhopal | Jaipur |
| Bhubaneshwar | Kochi |
| Chandigarh | Kolkata |
| Chennai | Kurukshetra |
| Dehradun | Lucknow |
| Mumbai | Nagpur |
| New Delhi | Patna |
| Raipur | Ranchi |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Vijayawada |
NID DAT Counselling 2025
The National Institute of Design will conduct NID DAT 2025 counselling in online mode in May 2025. Candidates who qualify for the NID DAT 2025 entrance exam can participate in the counselling process. As part of the NID 2025 counselling process, B.Des candidates must register and fill in campus preferences. However, M.Des candidates aren't required to submit campus preferences. The window to submit campus preferences will open around May 2025. The seat allotment for the B.Des program will be based on the NID DAT 2025 merit rank and campus preference opted. Meanwhile, seat allotment for M.Des will be solely based on NID DAT 2025 merit rank.
NID DAT 2025 Counselling Process
The NID DAT 2025 counselling process is conducted for candidates who qualify for the Design Aptitude Test. It involves the following steps:
- Candidates shortlisted based on their DAT scores will be notified for counselling.
- NID will release a schedule on its official website (nid.edu) with details of counselling dates, venue, and required documents.
- Shortlisted candidates must attend the counselling session with original documents, including academic certificates, caste certificates (if applicable), and DAT scorecard.
- Seats are allotted based on merit, preferences, and availability in the desired program and campus.
- After seat allotment, candidates must pay the admission fee to confirm their seats.
Documents Required for NID DAT 2025 Counselling Process
Candidates must carry the following documents during the NID DAT 2025 counselling process for verification:
- NID DAT 2025 Scorecard
- Admit Card
- Class 10 & 12 Mark Sheets
- Degree Certificate (if applicable)
- Caste Certificate
- PwD Certificate
- EWS Certificate
- Passport-sized Photographs
- Proof of Identity
- Domicile Certificate
- Migration Certificate
- Portfolio
NID DAT 2025 FAQs
The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Design for admission to its Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) programs.
The NID DAT is conducted in two stages: DAT Prelims (A written test consisting of objective, subjective, and sketching questions) & DAT Mains (Includes studio tests and personal interviews).
The prelims will be held on January 5, 2025.
General category candidates should be born on or after July 1, 2004. Candidates must have completed or be appearing for their 10+2 exams in any stream.
General category candidates should be born on or after July 1, 1992. A bachelor’s degree or a diploma in design/fine arts of at least four years is required.
Visit the official website: admissions.nid.edu. Sign up, fill out the application form, upload documents, and pay the fee.
The application fees are as follows: For General/OBC-NCL: ₹3,000 (B.Des), ₹3,000 (M.Des for 1 discipline). For SC/ST/PwD: ₹1,500 (B.Des), ₹1,500 (M.Des for 1 discipline).
The syllabus includes topics like design basics, colour theory, visual logic, drawing fundamentals, and creative thinking.
The exam centres are in cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and others across India.
How would you rate your experience with this page up to now?
