NID DAT 2026 Mains Admit Cards Expected Ahead of March Studio Tests

The National Institute of Design (NID) is set to release the DAT Mains admit cards as the admission cycle transitions to the second stage. M.Des prelims results were declared on February 12, 2026, leading to the upcoming March studio tests and interviews. B.Des aspirants continue their wait for prelims results scheduled for April, followed by the mains examination in May.

The National Institute of Design (NID) is rapidly progressing with the next phase of its Design Aptitude Test (DAT) 2026. Following the declaration of the M.Des Prelims results on February 12, the focus has shifted toward the mains stage of the admission cycle. As of today, February 15, qualified Master of Design (M.Des) candidates are entering a critical window for rechecking requests, which closes at midnight. Simultaneously, the institute is preparing to issue the admit card for the M.Des Mains examination, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in the first week of March. This second stage is pivotal, as the final selection for the 2026-27 academic session is based entirely on the performance in the Studio Test and Personal Interview rounds. While M.Des students prepare for their upcoming test, Bachelor of Design (B.Des) aspirants remain in a waiting phase, with their prelims results and subsequent mains schedule slated for later this spring.

M.Des Mains Preparation and Admit Card Timeline

With the M.Des Prelims results now accessible via the candidate portal, the NID Admissions Cell is finalizing the logistics for the mains examination. The upcoming Studio Test serves as a practical evaluation of a candidate's hands-on skills and creative thinking.

• Hall Ticket Release: The admit card for the M.Des mains stage is expected to be released in the last week of February 2026. Candidates must download this document from the official NID admissions website to gain entry to the specified NID campuses.
• Studio Test Components: The M.Des Studio Test is discipline-specific and typically involves 3D model making, doodling, and sensory-based exercises. For 2026, the test will be conducted at NID campuses in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Gandhinagar.
• Interview Weightage: According to the latest NID Admissions Handbook, the Personal Interview carries a significant 60% weightage for M.Des, emphasizing the need for a well-curated portfolio and clear design articulation.

B.Des Mains and Future Milestones

The timeline for the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programme follows a different trajectory. While the M.Des process is in full swing, B.Des candidates must wait until April for their first major update.

• Prelims Result: The NID DAT B.Des Prelims results are scheduled for declaration on April 7, 2026. Only then will the shortlist for the B.Des mains round be published.
• B.Des Mains Schedule: The admit card for undergraduate mains will tentatively be issued in the second week of April, with the actual Studio Test taking place in the last week of April or the first week of May 2026.
• Consolidated Merit List: Unlike the M.Des process, the final B.Des merit list will be published in the third week of May, followed by the mandatory campus preference submission window.

Conclusion

As of today, February 15, the NID DAT 2026 admission cycle is at a halfway point. For M.Des aspirants, the next few weeks are decisive as they transition from theoretical concepts to practical execution. The admit card, which will be available shortly on the NID candidate dashboard, will be the final requirement for the high-pressure mains environment. Every candidate who has made the shortlist is encouraged to focus on material handling and sensory perception, as the Studio Test often challenges traditional design boundaries. With the M.Des results expected in May and the B.Des cycle concluding shortly after, the 2026 session remains the primary gateway for joining the nation’s most prestigious design fraternity. For further technical support or schedule amendments, students are advised to keep a close watch on the official notifications issued by the National Institute of Design.

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