NID Gandhinagar Course Admission 2026: Dates, Fees, Eligibility, Application Process, Selection Criteria

Gandhinagar, GujaratEstd 2004
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Mistu Paul

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NID Gandhinagar Latest Updates and News

25 Feb, 2026 NID DAT 2026 Mains will be held on March 8, 2026, for the M.Des program. The Admit card for the same has been released @admissions.nid.edu. Read more.

NID DAT 2026 Prelims Result for B.Des will be released on April 7, 2026. View details.

NID Gandhinagar offers admission to only M.Des course in seven different specialisations for a duration of 2.5 years, which costs INR 13.17 Lakhs for Indian National Students, excluding Hostel Fees.

  • Admission to the M.Des course at NID Gandhinagar is based on NID DAT Scores, which is conducted in two stages, namely Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims and Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Mains.
  • Students interested in pursuing studies at NID Gandhinagar need to apply online on its official website: admissions.nid.edu for all the programs.
  • The M.Des application fee for NID Gandhinagar Admission for 1 discipline is INR 3,000 for General/ EWS/ OBC-NCL and INR 1,500 for SC/ ST candidates.
  • Candidates can apply to a maximum of two disciplines within the chosen faculty stream only. The application fee is INR 6,000 for General/EWS/OBC-NCL candidates and INR 3,000 for SC/ST candidates.

NID Gandhinagar Admission Dates 2026

Tabulated below are the important admission dates for the upcoming session of NID Gandhinagar:

Events Date
NID DAT 2026 PG Mains Exam Date Mar 08, 2026
NID DAT 2026 PG Interview Date Mar 21 - Apr 01, 2026
NID DAT 2026 PG Registration Date Sep 11 - Dec 01, 2025
NID DAT 2026 PG Prelims Exam Date Dec 21, 2025
NID DAT 2026 PG Prelims Result Date Feb 12, 2026

NID Gandhinagar M.Des Admission 2026

NID Gandhinagar offers seven specializations under its M.Des program at the postgraduate level. Here are the key details about NID Gandhinagar M.Des Admission 2026:

Particulars Details
Course Master of Design (M.Des)
Duration 2.5 Years
Type Full-Time
Number of Specializations 7
Specializations Offered Photography Design, Toy & Game Design, Transportation & Automobile Design, New Media Design, Strategic Design Management, Apparel Design, and Lifestyle Accessory Design.

NID Gandhinagar M.Des Eligibility Criteria

Here is the eligibility criterion for admission to M.Des at NID Gandhinagar:

  • Bachelor's Degree with a minimum duration of 3 or 4 Years in any specialization.
  • Full-Time Diploma of 4 Years in Design/Fine Arts/Applied Arts/ Architecture.
  • The upper age limit for M.Des at NID is 30 Years on or before July 1 of the Admission Year.
  • There is a relaxation of 3 Years in the upper age limit for SC/ ST/ OBC-NCL.

NID Gandhinagar M.Des Selection Criteria

Admission to M.Des at NID Gandhinagar is based on the score obtained by the candidate in the NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT). NID DAT has two stages, namely Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims and Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Mains. Based on the merit list of DAT Prelims, candidates are shortlisted for DAT Mains.

  • DAT Prelims is a paper-and-pencil/pen test involving both text and visual questions.
  • DAT Mains for M.Des consists of two parts, namely Studio Test and Interview.

The final admission for M.Des will be based on the total of the weighted scores obtained by the candidates in the DAT Prelims and Mains.

NID Gandhinagar M.Des Seat Intake

NID Gandhinagar offers a total of 133 seat for admission to M.Des in seven specializations. Tabulated below is the specialization-wise seat matrix for M.Des at NID Gandhinagar:

Specialisations Intake
Photography Design 19
Toy & Game Design 19
Transportation & Automobile Design 19
New Media Design 19
Strategic Design Management 19
Apparel Design 19
Lifestyle Accessory Design. 19

NID Gandhinagar Cutoff 

NID Gandhinagar, NID Cutoff 2025 for the General Category is listed below. The lowest cutoff marks for NID are 57.5 for Interaction Design. Tabulated below are the NID Gandhinagar Cutoffs for M.Des in various specializations.

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

NID Gandhinagar Admission Process

Candidates seeking admission to NID Gandhinagar will have to apply online on the official website of NID, nid.edu. Candidates will have to first register online for the NID DAT. Candidates can apply to a maximum of only two disciplines for the Master of Design program. Once registered successfully, the candidates will have to appear for the entrance exam on the respective date.

Here are the stages for admission at NID Gandhinagar:

  • 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 admission will be purely based on merit and the preference submitted by the candidate at the time of their application. Admission to NID Gandhinagar will be confirmed after the fee payment and verification of documents.

NID Gandhinagar Application Fees

The application fee for NID Gandhinagar Admission is as follows:

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

NID Gandhinagar Admission FAQs

Ques. What is the entrance exam pattern for NID Gandhinagar?

Ans. The entrance examination for the NID Gandhinagar is divided into two stages. The stages are:

  • Prelims: Part A is MCQ-based, which includes Design Aptitude, observation, and creativity, while Part B is subjective, which includes Sketching and problem-solving.
  • Mains: It includes tests, interviews, and portfolio evaluation.

Ques. What is the seat reservation criteria at NID Gandhinagar?

Ans. The seat reservation criteria at NID Gandhinagar are as follows for M.Des:

  • GEN-EWS (10%)
  • OBC-NCL (27%)
  • Scheduled Caste (15%)
  • Scheduled Tribe (7.5%)

Ques. How do I prepare for NID DAT?

Ans. Candidates willing to take admission to NID Gandhinagar must prepare for the NID DAT examination by following the steps given below:

  • Improve their sketching, observation skills, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  • Candidates should also solve previous years’ papers and take mock tests.
  • A strong portfolio for M.Des. candidates is a must.

Ques. Is a portfolio required for admission at NID Gandhinagar?

Ans. At NID Gandhinagar, it's mandatory for M.Des. students to have a portfolio, which should include three to five strong projects and the process and final result incorporated as well. The portfolio should also contain a variety of sketches, prototypes, digital work, and detailed research work.

NID Gandhinagar Upcoming Important Dates 2026

Important Events

EventsDates
Date for DAT Prelims Result for Admission 2026 [M.Des]
Apr 07, 2026
Rechecking Request for DAT Prelims Exam for Admission 2026 [M.Des]
Apr 07, 2026 - Apr 08, 2026

Expired Events

EventsDates
NID DAT Prelims Result
Feb 12, 2026
Date for DAT Prelims Exam for Admission 2026 [M.Des]
Dec 21, 2025
Download Admit Cards for NID DAT Exam for Admission 2026 [M.Des]
Dec 11, 2025

Important Events

EventsDates
Date for DAT Prelims Result for Admission 2026 [M.Des]
Apr 07, 2026
Rechecking Request for DAT Prelims Exam for Admission 2026 [M.Des]
Apr 07, 2026 - Apr 08, 2026

Expired Events

EventsDates
NID DAT Prelims Result
Feb 12, 2026
Date for DAT Prelims Exam for Admission 2026 [M.Des]
Dec 21, 2025
Download Admit Cards for NID DAT Exam for Admission 2026 [M.Des]
Dec 11, 2025

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Why To Join NID Gandhinagar - Reviews & Rating

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Pushpanjali
4.8
B.Ed, General
Reviewed on Aug 16, 2020

Admission:

My admission was confirmed based on the marks obtained in the DAT prelims and mains which was certainly followed by counselling. New applicants are expected to visit the official website and fill the online application form for further procedures.
...Read More
Ashish
4.0
B.design
Reviewed on Jun 22, 2020

Admission:

Admission was through the common entrance test or the general ability test followed by the situation test. The curriculum sometimes get really stressful and competitive, especially during the time of the Juries. Overall, it is an amazing experience altogether with a lot of things to learn in hand.
...Read More
Kapil
4.0
B.Des
Reviewed on Jun 22, 2020

Admission:

After completing my 12th boars and where I secured really good marks. I wanted to study further in designing as I had interest. So, I appeared the NID Entrance Test and also scored good marks for which my application got selected and I got admission here.
...Read More
Rishita
4.5
Bachelor in Design
Reviewed on Jun 22, 2020

Admission:

College is loved as maybe the best college for plan. Over all nature here is stacked up with creative mind and isn't typical for some other structure college you can go to or have thought about. I picked this school as it offered me the best courses, ones that I expected to go for, and raises you to think and make instead of basically study and make.
...Read More
Debajyoti
4.0
Reviewed on Jun 19, 2020

Admission:

They selection is on the basis of entrance exam conducted by the Institute.But i first filled up the Admission form online and on the basis of personal interview the selection are made.The student should score 40% or more in the extrance test for admission.
...Read More
Mehul
4.7
M.Des
Reviewed on Jun 18, 2020

Admission:

I got admission in the colleges after clearing NID entrance examination. The eligibility criteria required me to complete my B.Des graduation degree or equivalent diploma of four years. After completing my B.des, I had always planned to do my post graduation.
...Read More
Milan
4.8
M.Des. Transportation & Automobile Design
Reviewed on Jun 18, 2020

Admission:

I applied to write the NID entrance exam online. They asked for my marklists and certificates of my graduate degree. The exam was fairly okay and had subjective as well as objective questions. I was contacted for coming in and completing the verification and admission process.
...Read More
JEEVANANDHAM
5.0
B.Des Product Design
Reviewed on Jun 18, 2020

Admission:

For admission to our college you need to have at least passed 12th standard. We applied online and had to sit for NID entrance exams. After which they contact to tell if you have to go through interview or you just have to come in for verification.
...Read More
Vijay
4.3Helpful
M.Des in textile design
Reviewed on Jun 18, 2020

Admission:

You need to have a Bachelors degree in any course provided that you have studies English as a compulsory subject in class 12th. 5% reservations are made for the reserved category. The age limit specified for general category is 30 years and 33 years for others. An entrance exam NID is conducted for this course. You can apply online with your NID score card. A merit list will be prepared taking into consideration all the factors and marks. If your name appears in the list you will be called for document verification and granted admission.
...Read More
Aanchal
4.7Helpful
M.Des in Apparel Design
Reviewed on Jun 18, 2020

Admission:

The students seeking admission must have a three or four year Bachelor degree which is recognized by the university. The students who have done a full time diploma in fine arts/design/applied arts/architecture for a period of four years are also eligible to apply for the course. You also need to clear NID DAT entrance exam and based on the scores a combined merit list will be declared by the college. The upper age limit for general students is 30 while for SC/ST/OBC it is 33 years. You can apply online for the college and after uploading all the relevant documents wait for the merit list to be declared for admission in the college.
...Read More

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