Eduspray
HomeExamsNID DATEligibility
NID DAT
Entrance Exam

NID DAT

National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad

NID DAT 2027 is the Design Aptitude Test for NID’s 5.5-year Integrated M.Des / B.Des and M.Des programmes. Prelims on 20 December 2026; apply by 30 November 2026. Check eligibility, fees, pattern, seats and results.

NID DAT 2027NID DATNID admission 2027NID Integrated M.DesNID B.DesNID M.DesDesign Aptitude Test

Last updated: 16 Oct 2026

Eligibility for Integrated M.Des and B.Des

Full page

Eligibility for NID’s undergraduate route depends on your Class 12 status and your date of birth. The rules below are from the official NID Admissions Handbook 2027-28 for the 5.5-year Integrated M.Des / B.Des.

NID UG eligibility and age limits

Educational Qualification

  • Passed or appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) in the academic year 2026-27.

  • You must pass the qualifying exam in the first attempt; a compartment or supplementary result makes the admission void.

  • Final marksheets must be submitted by 15 July 2027.

  • Candidates from foreign boards need an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Age Limit (Born On or After)

Category

Born on or after

General / GEN-EWS

1 July 2006

OBC-NCL / SC / ST

1 July 2003 (3 years relaxation)

PwD

1 July 2001 (5 years relaxation)

Overseas (supernumerary)

1 July 2006 (no relaxation)

Stream

The handbook does not restrict the Class 12 stream — students from Science, Commerce and Arts can apply.

Key Takeaways

  • Passed or appearing in Class 12 in 2026-27.

  • Must pass in the first attempt.

  • General/EWS candidates must be born on or after 1 July 2006.

Pro Tip: Check your date of birth against the cut-off before paying the fee — age is the most common reason for ineligibility.

Source: NID Admissions Handbook 2027-28 (5.5-year Integrated M.Des / B.Des), Section 5

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Commerce or Arts students apply for NID?

Yes. The handbook does not restrict the Class 12 stream.

What is the age limit for NID DAT UG?

General and EWS candidates must be born on or after 1 July 2006; OBC-NCL, SC and ST on or after 1 July 2003; PwD on or after 1 July 2001.

Can I take admission if I clear Class 12 through a compartment exam?

No. You must pass in the first attempt; a compartment or supplementary result makes the admission void.

NID eligibilityNID B.Des eligibility

Eligibility for M.Des

Full page

The 2.5-year Master of Design (M.Des) at NID is open to graduates from any discipline. Here are the official eligibility rules from the NID M.Des Admissions Handbook 2027-28.

NID M.Des eligibility and age limits

Educational Qualification

  • A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.

  • Final-year students can apply but must pass by 28 June 2027 and submit marksheets by 31 July 2027.

  • Design Education discipline: a master’s degree in Design, or a B.Des plus a master’s degree in any discipline.

Age Limit (Born On or After)

Category

Most disciplines

Design Education

General / GEN-EWS / Overseas

1 July 1995

1 July 1992

OBC-NCL / SC / ST

1 July 1992

1 July 1989

PwD

1 July 1990

1 July 1987

Choosing Disciplines

Candidates can apply for up to three disciplines, following the group combinations listed in the handbook. The application fee is charged per discipline.

Key Takeaways

  • Any bachelor’s degree is enough for most M.Des disciplines.

  • General candidates must be born on or after 1 July 1995.

  • Apply for up to three disciplines as per group rules.

Pro Tip: Choose disciplines that match your portfolio and experience — the Studio Test and Interview are discipline-focused.

Source: NID M.Des Admissions Handbook 2027-28

Frequently Asked Questions

Can non-design graduates apply for NID M.Des?

Yes. A bachelor’s degree in any discipline is accepted for most M.Des disciplines.

What is the age limit for NID M.Des?

General, EWS and overseas candidates must be born on or after 1 July 1995; OBC-NCL, SC and ST on or after 1 July 1992; PwD on or after 1 July 1990.

How many M.Des disciplines can I apply for?

Up to three, following the permitted group combinations; the fee is per discipline.

NID M.Des eligibilityNID M.Des age limit

NID DAT Age Limit and Reservation

Full page

NID follows the Government of India reservation policy for Indian nationals, with age relaxation for reserved categories and supernumerary seats for overseas candidates.

NID seat reservation percentages

Reservation of Seats

Category

Reservation

Scheduled Castes (SC)

15%

Scheduled Tribes (ST)

7.5%

Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL)

27%

General – Economically Weaker Sections (GEN-EWS)

10%

Persons with Disability (PwD)

5% (horizontal)

Age Relaxation

Programme

General / EWS

OBC-NCL / SC / ST

PwD

UG (Integrated M.Des / B.Des)

Born on/after 1 July 2006

1 July 2003

1 July 2001

M.Des (most disciplines)

Born on/after 1 July 1995

1 July 1992

1 July 1990

De-reservation

  • Unfilled OBC-NCL seats are de-reserved and offered to Open category candidates in order of merit.

  • As per the handbook, unfilled EWS, SC, ST and Overseas seats are not reallocated.

Key Takeaways

  • SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC-NCL 27%, EWS 10%, PwD 5%.

  • Reserved categories get 3 years (OBC-NCL/SC/ST) or 5 years (PwD) age relaxation.

  • Only unfilled OBC-NCL seats move to Open.

Pro Tip: Keep your category certificate in NID’s prescribed format (available on the admissions portal). There is a one-time window to correct the category certificate after Prelims.

Source: NID Admissions Handbooks 2027-28 (Sections on Eligibility and Reservation of Seats)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the reservation for OBC in NID?

27% of seats for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates.

Do reserved categories get age relaxation in NID DAT?

Yes. OBC-NCL, SC and ST candidates get 3 years and PwD candidates 5 years of relaxation.

What happens to unfilled OBC seats at NID?

They are de-reserved and offered to Open category candidates by merit.

NID age limitNID reservation