10 Sep, 2026
NID DAT 2027 Notification has been released for B.Des and M.Des Admission 2027-28. Registrations are open @admissions.nid.edu till Nov 30 (11:59 PM). NID DAT 2027 Prelims will be held on Dec 20, 2026. Read news!
NID Bengaluru offers Digital Game Design as a 2.5-year, full-time Master of Design with 19 seats. It is taught on the Bengaluru campus of the National Institute of Design, which Parliament made an Institute of National Importance in 2014. The course mixes computing, fine arts and cognitive science, with 2D and 3D graphics, storytelling and game theory. The full fee is INR 13.18 Lakhs over five semesters, and the campus has no hostel. You get a seat through NID DAT: the prelims first, then a studio test and an interview. NID does not publish pay for this course alone. Across all NID campuses, the highest offer in 2023-24 was INR 36 LPA.
NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design Fees
The total fee without hostel is INR 13.18 Lakhs, or INR 13.21 Lakhs once you add the DAT form fee. The tuition fee is INR 13.10 Lakhs of that, which is INR 2.62 Lakhs a semester. That comes to about INR 5.27 Lakhs a year. You pay it in five parts, one each semester. The campus has no hostel, so you rent a room yourself. The INR 10,000 deposit comes back when you leave.
Fee head
Amount
How it is charged
Tuition fee
INR 13.10 Lakhs
INR 2.62 Lakhs a semester, 5 semesters
Other semester charges
INR 2,800
Insurance, activity fund and film club, semesters 1 and 3
Alumni fee
INR 5,000
One time, semester 5
Deposit
INR 10,000
One time, refundable
DAT form fee
INR 3,000
One time, General, EWS and OBC-NCL
Total, no hostel
INR 13.18 Lakhs
Full course
Total with form fee
INR 13.21 Lakhs
Full course
NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design Admission Dates
The NID DAT 2027 form opened on 10 Sep 2026 and the last date to apply is 30 Nov 2026. The prelims are on 20 Dec 2026 and the M.Des prelims result comes on 16 Feb 2027. NID has not fixed the mains dates yet, so the later rows are estimates based on 2026. Classes for the 2027 batch are expected in Jul 2027.
Event
Date
Status
NID DAT 2027 registration, last date to apply
10 Sep 2026 to 30 Nov 2026
Confirmed
Application form edit window
1 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 2026
Confirmed
DAT Prelims exam
20 Dec 2026
Confirmed
M.Des Prelims result
16 Feb 2027
Confirmed
Mains studio test
Mar 2027
Tentative
Mains interview
Apr 2027
Tentative
Final result and merit list
Apr 2027
Tentative
Seat offer, round 1
May 2027
Tentative
Seat acceptance fee, last date
May 2027
Tentative
Reporting and document check
Jul 2027
Tentative
Classes start
Jul 2027
Tentative
NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design Eligibility
You need a bachelor's degree of at least 3 years in any subject. A 4-year diploma in design, fine arts, applied arts or architecture also counts. Final-year students can apply if they finish the degree on time. There is also an upper age limit, and it is relaxed for OBC-NCL, SC, ST and PwD students. Check your birth date against the 2027 handbook before you pay the form fee.
Requirement
What you need
Degree
A bachelor's degree of at least 3 years, any subject
Diploma
A 4-year full-time diploma in design, fine arts, applied arts or architecture
Final year
You can apply; finish the degree and clear backlogs by the date in the handbook
Exam
NID DAT Prelims, then the Mains
Age
Upper limit, relaxed for OBC-NCL, SC, ST and PwD
NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design Admission Process
NID takes students only through NID DAT, and there is no counselling body. You write the prelims, and then the studio test (40%) and the interview (60%) decide your rank. NID offers seats in merit order. If you do not pay the seat fee by the date on the offer letter, you lose the seat.
Step
What you do
1. Apply
Fill the NID DAT form on admissions.nid.edu by 30 Nov 2026
2. Prelims
Write the test on 20 Dec 2026; it only qualifies you
3. Studio test
A hands-on design test worth 40% of the merit
4. Interview
Show your portfolio; it is worth 60% of the merit
5. Accept the offer
Pay the seat fee by the date on the letter
6. Report
Bring your marksheets for the document check
NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design Cutoff
NID does not publish a closing score or rank for Digital Game Design. Since 2026 the prelims carry 0% of the final merit, the studio test 40% and the interview 60%. So your prelims marks only need to clear the shortlist. The seat is won in the mains.
Stage
Weight in final merit
What it decides
DAT Prelims
0%
Who is called to the mains
Studio test
40%
Part of your final rank
Interview
60%
The bigger part of your final rank
NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design Placements
Across all NID campuses, the highest offer in 2023-24 was INR 36 LPA and the lowest was INR 4 LPA. In the Nov 2023 drive, 367 students registered and 269 offers were made, about 73% of them. NID does not publish pay for Digital Game Design alone. The placement cell holds one drive for all three campuses together.
Metric
Value
Highest offer
INR 36 LPA, 2023-24
Lowest offer
INR 4 LPA, 2023-24
Students registered
367, Nov 2023 drive
Offers made
269, Nov 2023 drive
Offer rate
73%
NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design Scholarships
The Top Class Education Scheme for SC students can cover the full INR 13.18 Lakhs. It needs a family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a year. Students with a disability of 40% or more can get up to INR 3.75 Lakhs. Their family income must be up to INR 2.5 Lakhs. Both are central schemes, and you apply on the National Scholarship Portal after you join.
Scholarship
Who can get it
Amount or waiver
Top Class Education Scheme for SC students
SC, family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a year
INR 13.18 Lakhs, the full fee
Post-matric scholarship for students with disabilities
40% disability or more, family income up to INR 2.5 Lakhs a year
INR 3.75 Lakhs over the course, INR 1.50 Lakhs a year
NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design Ranking
Collegedunia ranks NID Bengaluru #2 of 76 colleges in Design and #52 in Animation in 2025. NID also holds the status of an Institute of National Importance since 2014. Collegedunia ranks colleges on fees, placements and student reviews.
Ranking body
Year
Rank or grade
Collegedunia Design ranking
2025
#2 of 76
Collegedunia Animation ranking
2025
#52
Institute of National Importance
2014
Status by an Act of Parliament
NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design Hostel and Campus
The Bengaluru campus has no hostel, so every student rents a room or a PG nearby. The INR 10,000 deposit is paid once and comes back when you leave. Four faculty members teach this course.
Item
Detail
Hostel
None on the Bengaluru campus
Deposit
INR 10,000, one time, refundable
Faculty
4 members listed for this course
Campus
Bengaluru, Karnataka
Should you pick M.Des Digital Game Design at NID Bengaluru?
This course suits students who want to design games and can pay the full fee or take a loan.
Pick it if:
You want a job in games or tech: the campus is in Bengaluru, a city full of tech and game companies you can visit for projects.
You want teachers who know your work: the batch has only 19 seats, so you work in small teams with the four listed faculty.
You fear one bad prelims paper: since 2026 the prelims only decide who reaches the mains, and the studio test and interview decide the seat.
You studied engineering or arts, not design: any 3-year bachelor's degree lets you apply, so your first degree does not stop you.
Skip it if:
You need a hostel room: the Bengaluru campus has no hostel, so you rent a room or a PG near the campus yourself.
You need a salary number before you pay: NID does not publish pay for this course; the INR 36 LPA highest offer covers all campuses.
You want a low-cost M.Des: the fee is INR 13.18 Lakhs, which is much higher than public design schools that charge for two years.
You plan to apply in December: the last date to apply is 30 Nov 2026, and NID takes no form after that.
Counsellor's advice
If games are your clear goal and you can pay INR 13.18 Lakhs, apply by 30 Nov 2026. If you are not sure about games, write one more design exam too before you pay.
M.Des Digital Game Design Eligibility▾
Degree: A bachelor's degree of at least 3 years, in any subject.
Diploma: A 4-year full-time diploma in design, fine arts, applied arts or architecture also counts.
Final year: You can apply now. Finish the degree and clear every backlog by the date in the handbook.
Age limit: There is an upper age limit, relaxed for OBC-NCL, SC, ST and PwD. Check your birth date in the handbook.
Exam: NID DAT (the Design Aptitude Test): the Prelims first, then the Mains.
M.Des Digital Game Design Admission Process▾
Apply online: Fill the NID DAT form on admissions.nid.edu by 30 Nov 2026.
Write the Prelims: The test is on 20 Dec 2026. It only decides who reaches the Mains.
Studio test: A hands-on design test. It carries 40% of the final merit.
Interview: Show your portfolio and talk about your work. It carries 60% of the final merit.
Accept and report: Pay the seat fee by the date on the offer letter or you lose the seat. Then report with your marksheets.
M.Des Digital Game Design Admission Dates 2027
▾
These are the official 2027 dates. Tap 2028 Session for expected dates of the next batch.
The 2028 calendar is not out yet. These dates are estimates based on 2027.
Confirmed
10 Sep 2026 to 30 Nov 2026
NID DAT 2027 registration, last date to apply
Last date to apply is 30 Nov 2026, till 11:59 PM. Late forms are not taken.
Confirmed
1 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 2026
Application form edit window
You can fix mistakes in your form on these three days only.
Confirmed
10 Dec 2026
Prelims admit card
The admit card shows your test centre and reporting time.
Confirmed
20 Dec 2026
DAT Prelims exam
The prelims only decide who is called to the mains.
Confirmed
16 Feb 2027
M.Des Prelims result
The result comes out at 4 PM on 16 Feb 2027.
Tentative
Mar 2027
Mains studio test
Expected in Mar 2027. The studio test carries 40% of the final merit.
Tentative
Apr 2027
Mains interview
Expected in Apr 2027. The interview carries 60%, so bring your portfolio.
Tentative
Apr 2027
Final result and merit list
NID ranks students by course and campus on the mains marks.
Tentative
May 2027
Seat offer, round 1
NID sends offer letters in the order of the merit list.
Tentative
May 2027
Seat acceptance fee, last date
You lose the seat if the fee is not paid by the date on your offer letter.
Tentative
Jul 2027
Reporting and document check
Bring your degree marksheets. Final-year students bring the final marksheet.
Tentative
Jul 2027
Classes start
Classes are expected to start in Jul 2027 on the Bengaluru campus.
Tentative
Sep 2027 to Nov 2027
NID DAT registration, last date to apply
Expected to open in Sep 2027; the last date is usually in Nov.
Tentative
Dec 2027
DAT Prelims exam
Expected in Dec 2027, like this year.
Tentative
Feb 2028
M.Des Prelims result
Expected about eight weeks after the prelims.
Tentative
Mar 2028
Mains studio test
Expected in Mar 2028.
Tentative
Apr 2028
Mains interview
Expected in Apr 2028, after the studio test.
Tentative
Apr 2028
Final result and merit list
Expected soon after the interviews end.
Tentative
May 2028
Seat offer, round 1
Offer letters are expected in May 2028.
Tentative
May 2028
Seat acceptance fee, last date
Expected within days of the offer letter.
Tentative
Jul 2028
Reporting and document check
Expected in the week classes start.
Tentative
Jul 2028
Classes start
Expected in Jul 2028.
Source: NID DAT 2027 admission notice, admissions.nid.edu. Confirm on the official site before you act.
NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design Fees 2027
▾
This is the full 2.5-year cost of the 2026 batch; the 2027 fee is not out yet. Turn on the toggle to add the DAT form fee.
Tuition fee
Per semester × 5, INR 2.62 Lakhs a semester
INR 13.10 Lakhs
Other semester charges
Full course, as published: insurance, activity fund and film club in semesters 1 and 3
INR 2,800
Alumni fee
One time, in semester 5
INR 5,000
Deposit Refundable
One time, returned when you leave
INR 10,000
Add the DAT form fee
NID DAT form fee
One time, General, EWS and OBC-NCL; INR 2,000 for women, INR 1,500 for SC and ST, INR 500 for PwD
INR 3,000
Total course fee
INR 13.18 Lakhs
2.5 years · tuition + semester charges, no hostel on campus
Total course fee
INR 13.21 Lakhs
2.5 years · tuition + semester charges + DAT form fee
Education loan EMI
INR 22,219
7 yr · 10.5% per year
Tuition a semester
INR 2.62 Lakhs
2026 batch, five semesters
Education loan EMI
INR 22,270
7 yr · 10.5% per year
Tuition a semester
INR 2.62 Lakhs
2026 batch, five semesters
Source: NID M.Des fee structure 2026-27 and NID DAT 2027 notice. Confirm on the official site before you act.
Can you apply for a seat in Digital Game Design at NID Bengaluru?
Pick your degree and your age status. NID does not publish a cutoff score, so this checks the rules you must meet.
Your degree
Age limit for your category
Yes, you can apply
Register by 30 Nov 2026 and write the DAT Prelims on 20 Dec 2026. Start your portfolio now for the interview.
Almost there
Check your birth date against the limit for your category in the 2027 handbook before you pay the form fee.
Not this year
You are over the age limit for your category, so NID will not accept the form.
Almost there
You can apply now. Finish the degree and clear every backlog by the date in the handbook, or the offer is cancelled.
Almost there
Check your birth date against the limit for your category in the 2027 handbook before you pay the form fee.
Not this year
You are over the age limit for your category, so NID will not accept the form.
Yes, you can apply
Register by 30 Nov 2026 and write the DAT Prelims on 20 Dec 2026. Start your portfolio now for the interview.
Almost there
Check your birth date against the limit for your category in the 2027 handbook before you pay the form fee.
Not this year
You are over the age limit for your category, so NID will not accept the form.
Not yet
A 3-year diploma is not enough. You need a bachelor's degree or a 4-year diploma in design, fine arts, applied arts or architecture.
Not yet
A 3-year diploma is not enough. You need a bachelor's degree or a 4-year diploma in design, fine arts, applied arts or architecture.
Not yet
A 3-year diploma is not enough. You need a bachelor's degree or a 4-year diploma in design, fine arts, applied arts or architecture.
EDITOR'S NOTE
NID does not publish a closing score for this course. The prelims only decide who reaches the mains; the studio test (40%) and the interview (60%) decide the seat.
NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design Scholarship Calculator
Answer two questions to see what you can claim. Confirm the final amount with the college.
Category
Annual family income
Scholarships you missedYou do not qualify on your answers. Tap to see why.▾
Each card below says who qualifies. Your category or income does not match it.
Top Class Education Scheme for SC students
INR 13.18 Lakhs
Ministry of Social Justice, through NSP
Pays the full tuition and other fees that do not come back, plus a yearly allowance for books and living.
Who qualifies: SC, family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a yearApply on NSP after you join
Not eligible on your answers
Post-matric scholarship for students with disabilities
INR 3.75 Lakhs
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, through NSP
Pays back fees that do not come back, up to INR 1.50 Lakhs a year, for the 2.5 years.
Who qualifies: 40% disability or more, family income up to INR 2.5 Lakhs a yearApply on NSP after you join
Not eligible on your answers
No scheme matches these answers. Ask the college about paying in parts and about education loans.
Estimated total waiver
INR 0
Your net course fee: INR 13.18 Lakhs
Estimated total waiver
INR 13.18 Lakhs
Your net course fee: INR 0
Estimated total waiver
INR 3.75 Lakhs
Your net course fee: INR 9.43 Lakhs
NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design vs similar colleges
Tap a college to see it next to NID Bengaluru. The cream box marks the better number in each row: lower fees, more seats, higher pay.
Compare with
This page
National Institute of Design, Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Compared with
IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay
Mumbai
Compared with
Department of Design, IIT Delhi
New Delhi
Compared with
Department of Design, IIT Hyderabad
Sangareddy
Compared with
Department of Design, IIT Guwahati
Guwahati
Total feesfull course, no hostel
INR 13.18 Lakhs
2026 batch, 2.5 years
INR 1.24 Lakhs
INR 11.94 Lakhs less, M.Des Animation, 2 years
INR 1.60 Lakhs
INR 11.58 Lakhs less, M.Des Industrial Design, 2 years
INR 2.86 Lakhs
INR 10.32 Lakhs less, M.Des Interaction Design, 2 years
INR 2.44 Lakhs
INR 10.74 Lakhs less, M.Des, 2 years
Fees a yearfull fee over the course years
INR 5.27 Lakhs
5 semesters
INR 62,000
INR 4.65 Lakhs less, 2 years
INR 79,800
INR 4.47 Lakhs less, 2 years
INR 1.43 Lakhs
INR 3.84 Lakhs less, 2 years
INR 1.22 Lakhs
INR 4.05 Lakhs less, 2 years
Seatsthis course
19
Digital Game Design
14
5 fewer, M.Des Animation
Not published
Not published
Not published
Highest offerlatest published
INR 36 LPA
all NID campuses, 2023-24
Not published
Not published
Not published
Not published
Offer rateoffers vs students registered
73%
Nov 2023 drive
Not published
Not published
Not published
Not published
In short
IDC IIT Bombay costs much less, but it takes CEED, not NID DAT, and teaches Animation, not games. If games are your goal, choose NID Bengaluru; if cost decides, write CEED too and apply to both.
In short
IIT Delhi charges much less, but its M.Des is Industrial Design and it takes CEED. If you want to build games, NID Bengaluru is the direct route; if product design also interests you, write CEED as a second chance.
In short
IIT Hyderabad costs less and teaches Interaction Design through CEED. If you want to design apps and game screens, it is a good second option; if you want to design whole games, pick NID Bengaluru.
In short
IIT Guwahati costs less, but its M.Des is a general design course taken through CEED. If games are your goal, NID Bengaluru fits better; if you want a wider design course at a lower fee, apply to IIT Guwahati too.
Fees and pay can change. Check each college site before you decide.
FAQs on NID Bengaluru M.Des Digital Game Design
Straight answers to what students ask before they decide.
Is M.Des Digital Game Design at NID Bengaluru worth the fee?▾
It depends on how sure you are about games. The full fee is INR 13.18 Lakhs, and NID does not publish pay for this course alone, so you cannot work out the payback in advance. If games are your clear goal, it is worth applying. If not, compare it with other design courses before you pay.
What job can I get after this course?▾
Most students aim for game designer, level designer, game artist or user experience roles in games and tech. The placement cell holds one drive for all three NID campuses, and in the Nov 2023 drive 269 offers were made for 367 students registered. Ask current students which studios came to campus before you decide.
Who should not take this course here?▾
Skip it if you need a hostel, a low fee or a fixed salary number. The Bengaluru campus has no hostel, the fee is INR 13.18 Lakhs, and pay for this course is not published. If two of these three matter to you, look at other options first.
Is this course right for me if I studied engineering?▾
Yes, if you enjoy drawing, stories and play as much as code. Any 3-year bachelor's degree lets you apply, and the course mixes computing with fine arts. Build a small portfolio of game ideas, sketches or prototypes before the interview, because the interview carries 60% of the final merit.
Is this course good for higher studies or research?▾
Yes, if you plan for it early. The course covers game theory and design research, and the final project can become a strong research portfolio. If you want a PhD later, keep a record of your research work from the first semester and talk to the faculty about it.
Should I wait a year to build a better portfolio?▾
Only if your portfolio is very thin. Since 2026 the prelims carry no weight in the final merit, so the studio test and the interview decide the seat. If you already have game projects to show, apply for 2027 now, because there are only 19 seats every year.
Is a small batch of 19 seats good for me?▾
Mostly yes. With 19 seats you work in small teams and the faculty know your work. The problem is that few seats make the selection tough, so treat the studio test and the interview as the real exam and prepare your portfolio well.
Will I get a placement if I am not a top student?▾
Most likely, but NID does not publish the numbers for this course. Across all NID campuses, the lowest offer in 2023-24 was INR 4 LPA and the highest was INR 36 LPA. Build a strong final project and a clean portfolio, because studios hire on the work you show.
How do I get admission to this course?▾
Apply for NID DAT 2027 on admissions.nid.edu by 30 Nov 2026 and write the prelims on 20 Dec 2026. If you clear it, you sit the studio test and the interview, and NID offers seats on that merit. Pay the seat fee by the date on the offer letter or you lose the seat.
What is the full fee for the course?▾
The full 2.5-year fee is INR 13.18 Lakhs without hostel, for the 2026 batch. You pay INR 2.62 Lakhs of tuition each semester for five semesters, plus small charges. The 2027 fee is not out yet, so check the fee block above before you pay.
Is there a hostel on the Bengaluru campus?▾
No. The Bengaluru campus has no hostel, so you rent a room or a PG near the campus. Add that rent to the INR 13.18 Lakhs fee when you plan your budget. Ask current students about areas close to the campus before you sign a rent deal.
Can I get a scholarship for this course?▾
Yes, if you fit a scheme. SC students with family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a year can get the full fee through the Top Class Education Scheme. Students with a disability of 40% or more and family income up to INR 2.5 Lakhs can get up to INR 3.75 Lakhs. Use the calculator above to check your case.
Admission to the college involves registration on the official website and passing the Digital Aptitude Test (DAT). Selection is based on exam performance, followed by fee payment to secure a seat. The Bangalore campus, a hub for IT-based design innovation, is renowned for its skilled faculty, who excel in both theoretical and practical teaching.
The Master of Design course, with a total cost slightly over 8 lakhs, has an annual fee of 1.76 lakhs, and the first-year fee is about 3 lakhs. International students pay only the tuition fee for the degree project semester. The college provides 100% placement assistance, with top recruiters like Wipro, GE Healthcare, and Oracle, ensuring successful career opportunities for students.
![National Institute of Design - [NID]](https://img.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1480596546logo.jpg?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
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