Leading design institutes like NID and NIFT have announced their schedules for the 2026 intake interview and portfolio rounds. Shortlisted candidates from the DAT and GAT/CAT prelims will move to the second stage of selection this spring. Ensure your creative portfolio is ready and review the campus-specific interview dates.

The second stage of the design-selection process is officially moving into high gear as premier institutes finalize their assessment dates. The National Institute of Design (NID) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) have released tentative timelines for their mains examinations. This phase marks a shift from objective testing to holistic portfolio-review sessions, where candidates must demonstrate their practical skills, design thinking, and personal creative journey to a panel of industry experts and academicians.

NID DAT Mains: Studio Test and Personal Interview

Following the prelims held in December, NID is preparing for the M.Des-Mains and B.Des second-stage evaluations.

• M.Des Timeline: The result for the M.Des prelims is expected on February 17, 2026. Shortly after, the M.Des-Mains rounds—comprising the Studio Test and Personal Interview—are scheduled to be held between March and April 2026.
• B.Des Timeline: Undergraduate aspirants will see their prelims results on April 7, 2026, with the creative-assessment (Mains) taking place in late April and early May.
• Admit Cards: Separate hall tickets for the mains will be issued in February for PG and April for UG candidates via the official NID admissions portal.
• Weightage: For the final merit, the creative-assessment typically carries significant weight, often accounting for 60% to 70% of the total score depending on the discipline.

NIFT Stage 2: Situation Test and Interviews

NIFT has also outlined the trajectory for its interview-circuit following the upcoming written exams on February 8.

• Situation Test (B.Des): Shortlisted B.Des candidates will undergo a Situation Test in April 2026 to evaluate their material handling and spontaneous creativity.
• PG Interviews: Candidates for M.Des, M.F.M., and M.F.Tech will participate in the interview-circuit scheduled between May and June 2026.
• Portfolio Requirement: While NIFT primarily focuses on the Situation Test for UG, PG candidates must present a comprehensive portfolio-review during their personal interaction rounds.
• Artisan Category: Specific dates for the Artisan Skill Test and interview have been set for April 2026, targeting the specialized design-selection pool.

Private Institute Cycles and Portfolio Evaluation

Many private design-selection players are already conducting their early-cycle interviews this January.

• Interactive Portfolios: Institutes are increasingly moving toward digital portfolio-review formats, requiring candidates to curate their best 10–15 projects on platforms like Behance or personal websites.
• Question Themes: Common queries in the interview-circuit this year focus on sustainability, the integration of AI in design, and the candidate's awareness of traditional Indian crafts.
• Mock Sessions: Expert mentors suggest participating in creative-assessment simulations to build confidence in explaining the "why" behind their design decisions.

Conclusion

As the 2026 design-selection cycle enters its most interactive phase, candidates must transition from theoretical study to physical and digital curation. Successfully navigating the M.Des-Mains or NIFT Situation Test requires a balance of technical proficiency and authentic storytelling. Whether it is the upcoming interview-circuit in April or the rolling portfolio-review rounds at private colleges, staying organized with deadlines is key. This spring will determine the final rosters for India's top design studios, making this the most critical time for applicants to refine their creative voice.