IIAD DAT 2026 Phase 1 expected cutoff for Phase 2 shortlisting is anticipated to be around 90 to 110 marks out of 200 for General category students, based on previous year trends.

The Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD) conducts the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) in two phases. Phase 1 is an online aptitude test worth 200 marks, and students who meet the cutoff are shortlisted for Phase 2, which includes a studio test and personal interview. The Phase 1 result and Phase 2 shortlist is expected to be released around June 14, 2026.

  • IIAD DAT Phase 1 is an online aptitude test worth 200 marks.
  • Students must score above the cutoff to be shortlisted for Phase 2 (studio test and interview).
  • Expected General category cutoff: 90–110 marks out of 200 (based on 2025 trends).
  • Phase 2 shortlist is expected on or around June 14, 2026.
  • Final admission merit is based on combined scores from both phases.
Direct Link to IIAD Admissions 2026 Portal (Active)

Table of Contents

  1. IIAD DAT 2026 Phase 1 Cutoff Overview
  2. Category-wise Expected Cutoff for Phase 2 Shortlisting
  3. Previous Year IIAD DAT Phase 1 Cutoff Trends
  4. Factors Affecting IIAD DAT 2026 Phase 1 Cutoff
  5. What Happens After Phase 1 Shortlisting
  6. FAQs

IIAD DAT 2026 Phase 1 Cutoff Overview

The IIAD DAT Phase 1 cutoff is the minimum score a student must secure out of 200 to qualify for Phase 2. After Phase 1 results are declared, IIAD publishes the shortlist and students above the cutoff receive a call for the studio test. The 2026 expected cutoff is shaped by the number of applicants, exam difficulty level, and the seat intake for Phase 2.

Parameter Details
Exam Name IIAD Design Aptitude Test (DAT) 2026
Phase 1 Total Marks 200
Cutoff Purpose Shortlisting for Phase 2 (Studio Test and Personal Interview)
Expected Phase 2 Shortlist Date June 14, 2026 (tentative)
Conducting Body Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD), New Delhi
Official Website iiad.edu.in

Category-wise Expected Cutoff for Phase 2 Shortlisting

IIAD DAT Phase 1 cutoffs differ by category. The table below shows the expected category-wise minimum qualifying marks out of 200 for 2026, based on previous year shortlisting data. These are indicative figures; official cutoffs will be published by IIAD on the result date.

Category Expected Minimum Marks (Out of 200) Expected Qualifying Percentage
General (UR) 90–110 45%–55%
OBC-NCL 80–100 40%–50%
SC 70–90 35%–45%
ST 65–85 32%–42%
PwD 60–80 30%–40%

Students in the General category should target at least 100 out of 200 to stay comfortably above the expected Phase 2 shortlisting threshold.

Previous Year IIAD DAT Phase 1 Cutoff Trends

Reviewing past cutoff data is the most reliable way to estimate the 2026 qualifying score. The table below reflects approximate Phase 1 qualifying marks observed in previous years. Cutoffs have trended slightly upward year-on-year as interest in design education and competition for IIAD seats has grown.

Year General Category (Out of 200) OBC (Out of 200) SC/ST (Out of 200)
2025 ~95–108 ~82–96 ~68–82
2024 ~88–105 ~78–92 ~65–80
2023 ~85–100 ~75–88 ~62–76

The upward trend from 2023 to 2025 places the 2026 expected General category cutoff in the 90–110 range out of 200. Students scoring in the top 45%–55% of the applicant pool are typically shortlisted for Phase 2 in the General category.

Factors Affecting IIAD DAT 2026 Phase 1 Cutoff

The Phase 1 cutoff is set by IIAD after the exam and is not published in advance. Several variables drive where the cutoff lands each year.

  • Total number of applicants: A larger applicant pool raises the cutoff as competition for Phase 2 slots increases.
  • Exam difficulty level: A tougher Phase 1 paper results in a lower absolute cutoff, while an easier paper drives it higher.
  • Seat intake for Phase 2: IIAD shortlists a fixed multiple of available seats; fewer seats mean a tighter cutoff threshold.
  • Category-wise reservation: Each reserved category has its own cutoff, set lower than the General category threshold.
  • Shortlisting ratio: IIAD typically shortlists 3x to 5x the final seat intake for Phase 2, directly determining the cutoff level.
  • Score normalisation: If Phase 1 runs across multiple sessions, scores are normalised before the cutoff is applied to ensure fairness.

What Happens After Phase 1 Shortlisting

Students who clear the IIAD DAT Phase 1 cutoff move to Phase 2. Here is the sequence of events after the shortlist is published on or around June 14, 2026.

  1. Phase 2 call letter: Shortlisted students receive a studio test call letter via email and through the IIAD admissions portal.
  2. Studio Test: Phase 2 involves a hands-on creative exercise assessing drawing ability, design thinking, and spatial problem-solving skills.
  3. Personal Interview or Portfolio Review: IIAD may also conduct a personal interview or portfolio evaluation by faculty members.
  4. Final Merit List: IIAD combines Phase 1 and Phase 2 scores to prepare the final merit list. The weightage of each phase is specified in the official admissions notification.
  5. Seat Allocation: Admission offers are issued based on the final merit list, category-wise reservation norms, and programme preferences.
Event Expected Date
Phase 1 Result and Phase 2 Shortlist June 14, 2026 (tentative)
Phase 2 Studio Test To be announced after shortlist release
Final Merit List To be announced after Phase 2
Admission Offers To be announced

IIAD DAT 2026 Phase 1 Cutoff FAQs

Ques. What is the expected IIAD DAT 2026 Phase 1 cutoff out of 200?

Ans. The expected Phase 1 cutoff for General category students is approximately 90–110 marks out of 200, based on 2025 trends. Reserved category cutoffs are lower — around 80–100 for OBC and 65–90 for SC/ST students.

Ques. What is the minimum passing marks in IIAD DAT Phase 1?

Ans. IIAD does not publish a fixed minimum passing mark before the exam. The cutoff is set after Phase 1 based on the total number of applicants, exam difficulty, and seat intake. General category students should aim for at least 100 out of 200 to improve their chances of Phase 2 shortlisting.

Ques. When will the IIAD DAT 2026 Phase 2 shortlist be released?

Ans. The IIAD DAT Phase 2 shortlist is expected to be released on or around June 14, 2026. You should check the official IIAD admissions portal at iiad.edu.in/admissions for the confirmed date and your shortlist status.

Ques. How does IIAD determine the Phase 1 cutoff each year?

Ans. IIAD sets the Phase 1 cutoff based on the total number of applicants, exam difficulty, available seats in Phase 2, and category-wise reservation norms. The institute typically shortlists 3x to 5x the final seat intake for Phase 2, which directly determines how competitive the cutoff will be.

Ques. Is the Phase 1 cutoff the same as the final admission cutoff?

Ans. No. The Phase 1 cutoff only qualifies you for Phase 2. The final admission cutoff is based on combined scores from both Phase 1 and Phase 2, which includes the studio test and personal interview. Shortlisted students must also perform well in Phase 2 to secure admission.

Ques. Where can I check the IIAD DAT 2026 Phase 2 shortlist?

Ans. The official Phase 2 shortlist will be published on the IIAD admissions portal at iiad.edu.in/admissions. Log in with your application credentials to check your shortlist status once the result is released.