NID DAT 2026 Mains Admit Card Release Anticipated Before Studio Tests

The National Institute of Design (NID) is preparing to release the DAT Mains 2026 admit cards for the M.Des program by late February, following the recent declaration of prelims results on February 12. Shortlisted candidates must download their hall tickets from the official admissions portal to secure entry for the upcoming Studio Tests and Personal Interviews. B.Des aspirants can expect their mains admit cards in mid-April as the competitive 2026-27 design admission cycle progresses toward its final selection rounds.

The National Institute of Design (NID) has officially entered a high-stakes transition period as the focus of the admission cycle shifts toward the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Mains for the 2026-27 academic session. Following the declaration of the M.Des DAT Prelims results on February 12, 2026, the institute is now streamlining administrative protocols for the second stage of evaluation. As of today, February 16, the official NID admissions portal is being updated to facilitate the download of admit cards for the M.Des Mains, which are anticipated to be available by the final week of February. This upcoming phase is critical for postgraduate aspirants who must now prepare for the rigorous Studio Test and Personal Interview components scheduled for March and April.

Staggered Schedule for M.Des and B.Des Mains

The NID Admission Cell follows a staggered schedule to manage the evaluation of both undergraduate and postgraduate candidates across its seven prestigious campuses. For M.Des applicants, the release of the admit card in late February is the immediate priority, as their Mains exams are slated to begin in early March. In contrast, B.Des aspirants are currently awaiting their Prelims results, which are officially scheduled for release on April 7, 2026. Consequently, the call letters for the B.Des mains (Studio Test) will only be issued in mid-April, targeting an examination window in the first week of May. This timeline ensures that each program receives dedicated faculty attention during the practical assessment stages.

• M.Des Prelims Result: February 12, 2026 (Declared)
• M.Des Mains Admit Card: Expected last week of February 2026
• B.Des Prelims Result: April 7, 2026 (Upcoming)
• B.Des Mains Admit Card: Expected second week of April 2026
• M.Des Mains Exam Window: March – April 2026
• B.Des Mains Exam Window: May 2026

Studio Test Requirements and Hall Ticket Protocol

The mains examination is designed to test the practical application of design principles, moving beyond the theoretical aptitude assessed in the Prelims. Shortlisted candidates are required to download their digital hall tickets using their registered email ID and date of birth. The admit card is a mandatory document for entry and will contain specific details regarding the allotted exam center, reporting time, and a list of required stationery for the hands-on exercises. The National Medical Commission-style biometric verification is expected to be strictly enforced at the entry points of campuses in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Bengaluru to maintain the integrity of the selection process.

• Identity Verification: Original government-issued photo ID is mandatory.
• Biometric Authentication: Mandatory facial/fingerprint scans at the venue.
• Prohibited Items: Digital devices and specific drawing aids are strictly barred.
• Portfolio Submission: M.Des candidates must carry their physical or digital portfolios for the interview round.

Conclusion

As the February 16 milestone passes, the countdown to the NID DAT 2026 mains has officially begun for the postgraduate cohort. The transition from Prelims to the mains stage represents the final hurdle for design aspirants seeking to secure one of the limited seats at India's premier design institution. The NID Ahmedabad Admissions Handbook provides a comprehensive guide on the evaluation rubrics for the Studio Test, which often includes 3D modeling and material manipulation exercises. Candidates are encouraged to monitor the official website regularly for the final activation of the download link to ensure they are fully prepared for the March and April selection rounds.

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