![National Institute of Design - [NID]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1480594103a.jpg?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
National Institute of Design (NID) Gandhinagar is an autonomous institution established in 2004. It is under the administrative control of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. NID Gandhinagar is recognised as an “Institution of National Importance” by the Government of India. The college has been ranked 43rd in Design and 32nd in Animation by Collegedunia in 2025.
Key Summary:
- Popular Course: M.Des is the only course offered at NID Gandhinagar, with 7 specialisations having 12-19 seats each, depending on the specialisation.
- Admission at NID is based on the score in the Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT), which consists of two stages: Prelims and Mains.
- Fees: The first-year tuition fees for M.Des are INR 5.25 Lakhs for Indian National students.
- Cutoff: The cutoff range of M.Des in 2025 is 40.2 - 72.95.
- Placement: As per our research, the highest package offered at NID Gandhinagar in 2023 stood at INR 36 LPA, while the lowest package stood at INR 15 LPA.
NID Gandhinagar spans around 2.8 acres of land and boasts state-of-the-art facilities. The Institute also offers separate hostel facilities for postgraduate students, with separate hostels for boys and girls as per availability.
NID Gandhinagar Important Dates 2026
NID Gandhinagar accepts NID DAT scores for admission to the M.Des program. Tabulated below are the important admission dates for the upcoming session:
FAQs
Ques. How many times can I take the DAT for NID Gandhinagar?
Ans. There is no specific number of attempts restricted for aspirants for the DAT entrance exam. Therefore, an applicant can take the NID DAT as many times as desired to achieve a score for admission at NID Gandhinagar.
Ques. Where can I check my NID DAT results?
Ans. Aspirants can check their NID DAT exam results only on the official website of the National Institute of Design (NID). After entering their credentials, candidates can access their results.
Ques. What are the test centres for DAT Prelims?
Ans. The DAT Prelims will be conducted in the following cities across India: Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jorhat, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, and Patna.
NID Gandhinagar Courses & Fees 2026
NID Gandhinagar offers a full-time Master of Design (M.Des) of two and a half years duration in multiple specialisations. NID Gandhinagar course fees differ for Indian National Students, Rest of the World Students, and SAARC & African Countries, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam Students.
Here is the detailed information about NID Gandhinagar Courses & Fees:
| Course | Intake | First Year Tuition Fees (Indian National Students) | Total Fees (Indian National Students) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Des | 12 - 19 (Depending on Specialisation) | INR 5.24 Lakhs | INR 13.17 Lakhs |
FAQs
Ques. What are the M.Des specialisations offered at NID Gandhinagar?
Ans. At NID Gandhinagar, M.Des is offered in 7 specialisations, and they are in Photography Design, Toy & Game Design, Transportation & Automobile Design, New Media Design, Strategic Design Management, Apparel Design, and Lifestyle Accessory Design.
Ques. At NID Gandhinagar, can I choose two disciplines for the M.Des Program?
Ans. Yes, at NID Gandhinagar, Candidates can choose up to a maximum of two disciplines within the chosen faculty stream only.
NID Gandhinagar Admission 2026
NID Gandhinagar admission to M.Des is entrance-based. The entrance examination is conducted by the Institute itself. All candidates applying for the program must fulfil the eligibility criteria of both age and educational qualification.
Here is the detail regarding NID Gandhinagar Admission:
| Course | Eligibility Criteria | Selection Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| M.Des | Bachelor's Degree of 4 Years/ Full-Time Diploma (4 Years) in Design/ Fine Arts/ Applied Arts/ Architecture/ Bachelor’s Degree of 3 Years | Merit in NID DAT Prelims + NID DAT Mains |
NID Gandhinagar Admission Process 2026
Candidates seeking admission to NID Gandhinagar will have to apply online on its official website @ admissions.nid.edu/. On successful registration for admission, the candidates will have to appear for the entrance exam on the scheduled date. For M.Des, the admission process includes the following stages:
- NID DAT Prelims Exam + Results
- Shortlisting of Candidates for NID DAT Mains
- NID DAT Mains Exam + Results
- Release of Final Merit List (Score in NID DAT Prelims Exam + Results)
- Seat Allotment Process (Preference Filling, Seat Allotment & Confirmation, Fee Payment)
The seat allotment for final admission at NID Gandhinagar will be based on the merit list, the category of the candidates, and the seats available. The admission will be confirmed only after the payment of fees and verification of documents.
NID Gandhinagar Application Fees 2026
The application fee for NID Gandhinagar Admission for M.Des is as follows for different categories:
| Category | Application Fee for M.Des (1 Discipline) | Application Fee for M.Des (2 Disciplines in the same faculty stream only) |
|---|---|---|
| General/ EWS/ OBC-NCL | INR 3,000 | INR 6,000 |
| Female Candidates (except SC, ST & PwD) | INR 2,000 | INR 4,000 |
| SC & ST Candidates | INR 1,500 | INR 3,000 |
| PwD Candidates | INR 500 | INR 1,000 |
| Third Gender | INR 500 | INR 1,000 |
| Overseas (Supernumerary) Candidates | US$ 125 | US$ 250 |
FAQs
Ques. Does NID Gandhinagar have category-wise reservation of seats?
Ans. Yes, NID Gandhinagar has category-wise reservation of seats, 10% for Gen-EWS, 27% for OBC-NCL, 15% for SC, and 7.5% for ST. Alongside, 15% supernumerary seats are available for overseas category students.
Ques. Is there any age limit for admission to NID Gandhinagar?
Ans. NID Gandhinagar is one of the three main campuses of the National Institute of Design recognised by DPIIT. The maximum age limit for admission to the M.Des. course is 30 years for General Category students. Relaxation is given to OBC / SC / ST students.
NID Gandhinagar Cutoff
Candidates seeking admission to M.Des at NID Gandhinagar will have to meet the set cutoff score for the desired specialisation in NID DAT (Prelims + Mains). Only those candidates who meet the set cutoff score will be eligible for the further process of seat allotment for admission. NID Gandhinagar Cutoff for M.Des for the General Category of 2025 are mentioned in the Table below:
| Courses | Round 1 (Cutoff Marks) |
|---|---|
| M.Des Photography Design | 50.15 |
| M.Des Toy & Game Design | 72.95 |
| M.Des Transportation & Automobile Design | 56.35 |
| M.Des New Media Design | 57.7 |
| M.Des Strategic Design Management | 61.4 |
| M.Des Apparel Design | 54.15 |
| M.Des Lifestyle Accessory Design | 59.3 |
FAQs
Ques. What rank is required for NID Gandhinagar?
Ans. The admissions in NID Gandhinagar and other campuses are based on the marks scored in the NID DAT Pre + Mains exam. NID Gandhinagar M.Des cutoff was 40.2 for the year 2025. Therefore, students have to score 40.2 marks or above in the NID DAT entrance exam to secure a seat in the design institute.
NID Gandhinagar Ranking
Various agencies have ranked NID Gandhinagar in the design & animation categories. Tabulated below are the details of the NID Gandhinagar rankings of 2025:
| Ranking Agency | Category | Rank in India | Rank in Gujarat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia | Design | 43 out of 76 | 6th |
| Animation | 32 out of 100 | 4th | |
| IIRF | Design | 75 out of 109 | 6th |
NID Gandhinagar vs NID Ahmedabad
The National Institute of Design (NID) includes NID Gandhinagar and NID Ahmedabad, among others. Each of these NIDs has its own individual advantages over the others. NID Gandhinagar campus is an extension of NID Ahmedabad Campus. Check out the comparison between 2 prominent NIDs- NID Gandhinagar and NID Ahmedabad.
| Particulars | NID Gandhinagar | NID Ahmedabad |
|---|---|---|
| Established Year | 2004 | 1961 |
| Ranking (2025) |
Collegedunia:
|
Collegedunia:
|
| B.Des Specialisation | Doesn’t provide B.Des Course | Animation Film Design, Exhibition Design, Film & Video Communication, Graphic Design, Ceramic & Glass Design, Furniture & Interior Design, Product Design, and Textile Design. |
| M.Des Specialisation | Photography Design, Toy & Game Design, Transportation & Automobile Design, New Media Design, Strategic Design Management, Apparel Design, and Lifestyle Accessory Design. | Animation Film Design, Film & Video Communication, Graphic Design, Ceramic & Glass Design, Furniture & Interior Design, Product Design, and Textile Design. |
| M.Des Admission Criteria | Merit in NID DAT Prelims + NID DAT Mains | Merit in NID DAT Prelims + NID DAT Mains |
| M.Des NID Cutoff 2025 | 40.2 - 72.95 | 40.2 - 72.95 |
| Hostel Facilities | Available for postgraduate students | Available for undergraduate Students |
NID Gandhinagar Campus
NID Gandhinagar is an extension campus of NID Ahmedabad built on a 2.8-acre plot. The campus houses facilities and resources (Knowledge Management Centre, Central workshop (wood /metal), Laser cutting, CNC machine, 3D printing, Digital lab, and discipline-specific labs/studios) that provide students with a gamut of learning opportunities and help them enhance their creativity.
The campus also has an all-new auditorium/amphitheatre for holding conferences and cultural events, besides a Design Gallery that hosts frequent exhibitions. The campus is also the home to the ICNF (Innovation Centre for Natural Fibre), which is actively engaged in finding design applications for natural fibres.
Apart from this, the NID Gandhinagar has hostel facilities for the postgraduate students, which can accommodate around 200 students. Hostel accommodation is allotted every academic year on a single or shared occupancy. The Hostel Charges per semester are INR 17,500 as per our research, and the mess charges are informed at the beginning of each academic year.
FAQs
Ques. Does NID Gandhinagar provide any scholarships to its students?
Ans. NID Gandhinagar provides a limited number of scholarships to financially deserving candidates. Further information on scholarships can be obtained after successful admission to NID.
Ques. Is NID Gandhinagar a good place to study?
Ans. NID Gandhinagar is an “Institution of National Importance” under the Act of Parliament. This is because the NID Gandhinagar offers great faculty members and placement opportunities, and offers master's degrees in design in multiple specialisations. Therefore, it makes it a good place to pursue a design degree.
Ques. Is it difficult to get into NID Gandhinagar?
Ans. To secure admission to NID Gandhinagar in the M.Des program, the applicant must appear for a Design Aptitude Test (DAT) conducted by NID. It is one of the most difficult entrance exams held in India. However, applicants with good preparation find their difficulty level not very hard. If applicants prepare well and solve sample papers and previously asked questions, it can be easy to crack the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT).
Ques. What is the NID Gandhinagar timing, and the student code of conduct?
Ans. The NID Gandhinagar timing for Monday to Friday is usually 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but timings may vary depending on the courses and projects. NID Gandhinagar maintains a professional and respectful atmosphere. The key highlights of the student code of conduct are as follows:
- Plagiarism is strictly prohibited, and 75% attendance in lectures and workshops is mandatory.
- No discrimination or disrespectful behaviour is entertained.
- Students are expected to be in formal wear.
- Careful use of campus facilities, in case of any damage, the student has to bear the penalty or fine imposed by the college.
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It is expected that the NID Gandhinagar DAT application forms will be released in October 2024. The application forms will be filled out upto November 2024. The DAT Prelims will be conducted in January 2025.