NID DAT 2026 Mains Preparation Phase Active Ahead of March Studio Tests

As of February 7, 2026, the National Institute of Design (NID) has transitioned into the preparation phase for the DAT Mains. Following the Prelims held in December, M.Des candidates are awaiting results on February 17 to qualify for the March studio tests. This update covers the specialized evaluation of hands-on skills, the weightage shift toward the Mains for final selection, and the B.Des timeline for May. Aspirants are focusing on material handling and model-making as they prepare for the rigorous creative assessment at NID campuses. The National Institute of Design (NID) has initiated the intensive preparatory phase for the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Mains 2026. Following the nationwide conduct of the DAT Prelims on December 21, 2025, the focus of the 2026-27 admission cycle has shifted toward the subjective and practical evaluation of India’s most promising creative minds. As of today, February 7, candidates for the Master of Design (M.Des) programs are in the final stretch of waiting, with their prelims results scheduled for release on February 17, 2026, via the official NID admissions portal.

The Shift to Hands-on Evaluation

The Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Mains represents a significant departure from the theoretical and sketching-based Prelims. For the 2026 cycle, the National Institute of Design maintains a multi-format assessment strategy designed to test "learning-by-doing." While B.Des candidates will wait until May for their studio tests, the M.Des candidates will face a combined challenge of studio exercises and personal interviews starting in March 2026.

• Studio Test Components: Candidates are typically required to demonstrate proficiency in 3D modeling using materials like wire, clay, and foam, alongside sensory tests and observation exercises.
• Weightage Dynamics: Under the revised 2026 norms, the NID admission selection process places a massive emphasis on the Mains performance. In several specializations, the Prelims score serves only as a qualifying gate, making the studio test the primary determinant of the final rank.
• Admit Card Timeline: M.Des aspirants can expect their studio test hall tickets to be available for download in the third or fourth week of February, immediately following the result declaration.

Critical Milestones for B.Des and M.Des

The NID examination cell has clarified that the schedules for undergraduate and postgraduate programs will diverge significantly during this phase. B.Des aspirants have a longer preparation window, as their Prelims results are not expected until April 7, 2026. This allows for a more focused approach to portfolio development and advanced sketching.

The NID admission selection remains one of the most competitive in the world, with only about 1.5 to 3 times the number of available seats being filled for the shortlisting to the Mains round. This ensures that the experts conducting the studio test hall tickets verification and evaluation can spend adequate time with each candidate's creative output.

Conclusion

As the February 7 dateline passes, the atmosphere among design aspirants is one of focused anticipation. The National Institute of Design is preparing to host the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Mains across its campuses, where the objective data of the Prelims will give way to the subjective brilliance of hands-on creation. Candidates should prioritize refining their material handling skills and mental agility as they await their studio test hall tickets, which will mark the penultimate step in the NID admission selection journey for the 2026 academic year.

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