The National Institute of Design is progressing with its 2026-27 admission cycle following the completion of the DAT Prelims on December 21. M.Des aspirants are currently awaiting their results on February 17, while B.Des candidates will receive theirs on April 7.The subsequent Mains phase, featuring studio tests and interviews, is tentatively scheduled between March and May, ensuring the academic session remains on track for a July commencement.

The National Institute of Design (NID) is moving steadily through its 2026-27 academic intake, maintaining strict adherence to the schedule released by the admissions cell. Following the successful nationwide conduct of the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims on December 21, 2025, the focus has now shifted to the evaluation phase. As of mid-January, the university has confirmed that all post-exam activities, including the processing of OMR sheets and subjective drawing portfolios, are progressing without delay. This consistency ensures that thousands of design aspirants can plan their next steps for the Mains examinations with confidence in the official schedule provided at the start of the session.

Critical Milestones for Prelims Results

The results for the first stage of the entrance process are bifurcated based on the program level. NID utilizes a specialized portal for these declarations, where candidates can access their sectional scores and qualifying status for the second round.

• M.Des Results: Candidates for the Master of Design programs will be the first to receive their scores, with the result link set to go live on February 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
• B.Des Results: Undergraduate applicants have a longer wait, as their results are officially slated for publication on April 7, 2026.
• Rechecking Window: A brief 24-to-48-hour window will be provided immediately after each result declaration for candidates to request a re-totaling of their marks.
• Shortlisting Ratio: Typically, NID invites candidates to the Mains in a ratio of approximately 1:3 per seat, based on the scores achieved in this initial stage.

Preparation for DAT Mains 2026

The second stage of the NID admission process is widely considered the most challenging, as it moves away from theoretical aptitude toward hands-on creative execution. Successful candidates from the Prelims will be required to download fresh admit cards for this phase.

A significant change for the 2026-27 cycle is the weightage distribution. For many disciplines, the DAT Mains now carries a higher percentage of the final score compared to previous years, placing immense pressure on the performance during the studio sessions.

Admission Formalities and Campus Preferences

Once the final merit lists are released in May, the process enters the administrative finalization phase. Unlike many other entrance exams, NID requires a proactive campus preference submission before the seat allotment begins.

1. Campus Selection: B.Des candidates must rank the five NID campuses (Ahmedabad, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam) in order of preference through the digital portal.
2. Document Upload: Verification of Class 12 mark sheets (for UG) or Degree certificates (for PG) is mandatory. Students appearing for final exams in 2026 must submit their provisional results by July 15.
3. Seat Acceptance: A non-refundable token fee must be paid to secure the allotted seat during the first round of counseling in June.
4. Physical Verification: The final step involves a physical visit to the respective campus for original document scrutiny before the semester begins in July.

Conclusion

The NID DAT 2026 admissions process is currently in a transitional phase as the institute prepares to bridge the gap between the Prelims and the high-stakes Mains rounds. With the M.Des results arriving in February and B.Des in April, the university is successfully upholding its commitment to the pre-defined calendar. For the aspirants, this period is best utilized by refining their portfolio and practicing three-dimensional modeling, as the upcoming stage of the competition will demand a practical demonstration of their design philosophy. As the 2026-27 intake continues, staying aligned with the official portal updates remains the most effective way for students to navigate the final hurdles toward a seat at India's premier design institute.