NMIMS DAT 2026 Bengaluru campus B.Des Phase 2 merit list is expected by June 26, 2026; with only 25 seats at the Bengaluru campus, the closing merit position is highly competitive and determined by combined DAT, Studio Test, Portfolio, and Personal Interview performance.
NMIMS School of Design offers the B.Des (Humanising Technology) program across eight campuses including Bengaluru. Admission is entirely through the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) — an 80-minute two-part exam covering visual aptitude and creative problem-solving — followed by a Portfolio Review and Personal Interview. NMIMS does not publish a numeric score-based cutoff; selection is merit-rank based. Understanding the merit list structure and the factors that shift closing ranks is the most reliable way to gauge your chances for the Bengaluru campus.
- Bengaluru campus B.Des 2026 seat intake: 25 students
- DAT format: Part A — 20 MCQs (20 min) + Part B — Studio Test (60 min)
- Additional rounds: Portfolio Review and Personal Interview for all shortlisted students
- UCEED scorers: exempt from Studio Test (Part B); portfolio submission and interview are mandatory
- Phase 1 merit list expected: second week of June 2026
- Phase 2 merit list expected: June 26, 2026 (based on 2025 trend)
- Eligibility: Class 12 pass with minimum 60% aggregate from any recognised stream
| Direct Link to NMIMS DAT 2026 Merit List / Result (Expected June 26, 2026) |
NMIMS DAT 2026 Exam Pattern for B.Des
The DAT is an 80-minute two-part test. Part A (20 minutes) is an objective MCQ section with 20 questions across four design aptitude areas. Part B (60 minutes) is a Studio Test — a subjective creative design challenge evaluated by faculty. There is no negative marking in Part A. Your final merit rank is based on combined performance across all rounds: Part A, Studio Test, Portfolio Review, and Personal Interview.
| Part | Section | Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Part A — MCQ (20 min) | Visual and Spatial Ability | Form recognition, spatial reasoning, pattern identification |
| Part A — MCQ (20 min) | Logical Reasoning | Sequences, analogies, matrix problems |
| Part A — MCQ (20 min) | Environmental and Social Awareness | Design in context, sustainability concepts, design history |
| Part A — MCQ (20 min) | Observation and Memory | Visual recall, detail retention, image-based questions |
| Part B — Studio Test (60 min) | Creative Design Challenge | Ideation, sketching, humanising technology problem-solving |
Students who clear both parts are shortlisted for Portfolio Review and Personal Interview. UCEED scorers skip Part B entirely and move directly to Portfolio Review and Personal Interview, with their UCEED score substituting the Studio Test component in the final merit calculation.
Phase-Wise Merit List Schedule
NMIMS releases the B.Des merit list in two phases after all interview rounds conclude. In 2025, Phase 1 was published on June 13 and Phase 2 on June 24. Based on this pattern, the 2026 Phase 2 merit list for Bengaluru is expected around June 26, 2026. Students selected in Phase 1 who decline or miss the response deadline release their seats to waitlist students in Phase 2.
| Event | Expected Date (Based on 2025 Trend) |
|---|---|
| NMIMS DAT 2026 Exam | March 2026 |
| Studio Test and Portfolio Review | April to May 2026 |
| Personal Interviews | May to June 2026 |
| Phase 1 Merit List | Second week of June 2026 (expected) |
| Phase 2 Merit List | June 26, 2026 (expected) |
| Admission Confirmation and Fee Payment | July 2026 |
| Program Commencement | July to August 2026 |
Expected Cutoff: Bengaluru Campus Seat Breakdown
NMIMS does not publish a score-based cutoff for the DAT. Selection is merit-rank driven — your position in the final consolidated list determines campus allotment. With just 25 seats at Bengaluru, Phase 2 is the final admission window and no further waitlist opens after it. Based on 2025 merit list patterns, the expected phase-wise seat release for the Bengaluru campus is as follows:
| Phase | Expected Seats Released (Bengaluru) | Who Gets Admitted |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 Merit List | ~18 to 20 seats (expected) | Top-ranked students who confirm admission within the stated deadline |
| Phase 2 Merit List | ~5 to 7 seats (expected, from Phase 1 declines) | Next-ranked waitlist students offered vacant seats |
| Total B.Des 2026 Intake — Bengaluru | 25 students | — |
The Bengaluru merit pool consists of students who listed Bengaluru as their campus preference during the DAT application. You are not competing against the entire DAT cohort — only against students who specifically opted for Bengaluru. A strong studio portfolio and a confident Personal Interview carry as much weight as Part A scores in determining whether you make the closing merit position.
Factors Affecting NMIMS DAT 2026 Bengaluru Cutoff
The competitiveness of the Bengaluru merit list varies each cycle based on these key factors:
| Factor | How It Affects the Closing Merit Position |
|---|---|
| Number of applicants choosing Bengaluru | More campus preferences for Bengaluru tightens the merit list closing position |
| Fixed seat intake of 25 | Small batch size keeps competition consistently high every admission cycle |
| UCEED scorers in the applicant pool | High UCEED scorers raise the overall merit standard for that campus preference group |
| Studio Test and portfolio quality | Subjective evaluation can significantly shift final merit positions in either direction |
| Phase 1 acceptance rate | Fewer Phase 1 declines means fewer Phase 2 seats become available from the waitlist |
| National growth in B.Des applications | Rising interest in design programs increases overall DAT competition year on year |
How to Check NMIMS DAT 2026 Merit List for Bengaluru
When NMIMS releases the Phase 1 or Phase 2 merit list, follow these steps to check your status and campus allotment:
- Visit the official NMIMS DAT portal at ndat.nmims.edu.
- Click Result / Merit List on the homepage.
- Log in with your registered email ID and password.
- Open the Result tab in your candidate dashboard.
- Download the merit list PDF and verify your rank and Bengaluru campus allotment status.
- If selected, complete admission confirmation and fee payment within the deadline specified on your offer letter.
Students absent from the Phase 1 list remain on the waitlist automatically. Phase 2 notifications are sent to your registered email and updated on the portal. Keep checking the DAT portal and your inbox after the Phase 1 date to avoid missing Phase 2 offers.
NMIMS DAT 2026 Bengaluru Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected cutoff for NMIMS DAT 2026 Bengaluru campus?
Ans. NMIMS does not release a score-based cutoff publicly for the DAT. Based on 2025 trends and the 25-seat intake, Phase 1 is expected to fill approximately 18 to 20 seats and Phase 2 the remaining 5 to 7. Students should aim for the strongest possible performance across all DAT rounds, the Studio Test, and the Personal Interview to secure a merit position within the closing rank.
Ques. How many B.Des seats are available at NMIMS Bengaluru campus?
Ans. NMIMS Bengaluru campus offers 25 seats for the B.Des (Humanising Technology) program. Admission is through NMIMS DAT followed by Portfolio Review and Personal Interview. All 25 seats are filled across Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the merit list.
Ques. Is a UCEED score accepted for NMIMS B.Des Bengaluru admission?
Ans. Yes. A valid UCEED score exempts you from the NMIMS DAT Studio Test (Part B). You must still submit a portfolio and appear for the Personal Interview. Your UCEED score and portfolio together substitute Part B in the merit calculation.
Ques. When will the NMIMS DAT 2026 Phase 2 merit list for Bengaluru be released?
Ans. Based on 2025 trends, the Phase 2 merit list is expected around June 26, 2026. Phase 1 typically releases in the second week of June. Check ndat.nmims.edu regularly for official updates and notifications.
Ques. What is the minimum eligibility for NMIMS B.Des at the Bengaluru campus?
Ans. You must have passed Class 12 from any recognised board in any stream with a minimum 60% aggregate marks. Mathematics and Science are preferred but are not mandatory for eligibility.
Ques. Does NMIMS release separate campus-wise cutoffs for the DAT?
Ans. NMIMS prepares a unified merit list based on overall DAT and interview performance. Campus allotment depends on your merit rank and the campus preference you stated during the application. Bengaluru, with 25 seats, has its own closing merit position separate from Mumbai, Hyderabad, or other campuses.
Comments