NID DAT 2026 Mains: Admit Cards Expected by Late February

The National Institute of Design is preparing to release the M.Des Prelims results on February 17, 2026, followed by the issuance of Mains admit cards. Candidates shortlisted for the Studio Test and Personal Interview rounds can expect their hall tickets in the final week of February to facilitate their transition to the second stage of the admissions process. )

The National Institute of Design (NID) is moving into a critical transition period as the Academic calendar for the 2026-27 session advances. As of today, February 10, the focus is squarely on the Master of Design (M.Des) candidates who appeared for the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims in December. With the M.Des Prelims results strictly scheduled for release on February 17, the institute is expected to begin the Issuance of DAT Mains admit cards by the last week of February. This second stage of the Selection process is vital for narrowing down the final pool of specialists for the prestigious campuses in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Bengaluru.

M.Des Prelims Results and Mains Scheduling

The initial Screening of postgraduate aspirants will culminate in the declaration of the Prelims result on the Official NID Admissions Portal. Candidates who successfully clear the category-wise cut-offs will be eligible for the DAT Mains, which involves a hands-on Studio Test and a Personal Interview. According to the NID M.Des Admission Handbook, the admit cards for this stage are typically released 10 to 14 days prior to the commencement of the tests. This year, the M.Des Mains exams are tentatively planned to span from early March to the first week of April 2026.

• Result Rechecking: A brief 24-hour window for rechecking M.Des Prelims results will be available from 6:00 PM on February 17 to February 18.
• Mains Components: The Selection at this stage evaluates material handling, creative problem-solving, and communication skills through a physical studio environment.
• Weightage Shift: While Prelims serves as the primary Screening tool, the final merit list for M.Des heavily weighs the performance in the Studio Test and Interview rounds.

B.Des Timeline and Preparatory Phase

Unlike the postgraduate cycle, the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) candidates have a longer Academic waiting period. The B.Des Prelims results are not expected until April 7, 2026. Consequently, the Issuance of B.Des Mains admit cards is slated for the second week of April, with the Studio Tests likely taking place in May. This staggered Selection process ensures that the institute can manage the logistical demands of conducting high-fidelity creative assessments across its various specialized departments. Candidates are advised to utilize this time to refine their portfolios and practice with diverse 3D modeling materials.

Digital Process and Venue Allocation

The National Institute of Design has digitized the entire Issuance and verification workflow for the 2026-27 cycle. Shortlisted candidates must log in to the portal using their registered email ID and date of birth to download their hall tickets. These documents will contain specific details regarding the allotted NID campus for the Studio Test, which may differ from the Prelims test center. The NID FAQs Section clarifies that no physical copies of the admit card will be sent, and carrying a printed version to the venue remains a mandatory requirement for the final Screening.

• Document Check: Aspirants must bring a valid photo ID along with the Mains admit card for on-site verification.
• Campus Allotment: For M.Des, the venue is usually assigned based on the specific discipline applied for (e.g., Toy & Game Design at Gandhinagar).
• Final Result: The cumulative results of the 2026 admission cycle are expected to be declared by the third week of May.

Conclusion

The upcoming Issuance of the NID DAT Mains admit cards in late February represents a major milestone in the 2026-27 Academic journey. For M.Des aspirants, the next few weeks are the most critical, beginning with the February 17 result and leading into the high-pressure Studio Test environment. This multi-stage Selection framework ensures that NIFT's peer institute, NID, maintains its status as a premier global hub for design innovation. As the Screening protocols intensify, candidates must ensure they stay updated through official channels to meet all documentation and reporting deadlines. Successful navigation of these rounds will define the next generation of industrial and communication designers entering India’s top design schools this June.

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