NID Ahmedabad offers admission to B.Des, M.Des, and Ph.D at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral level, respectively, in around 20 diverse domains in the field of Design. Admission to all the courses at NID Ahmedabad is entrance-based. At the UG level, NID Ahmedabad offers B.Des in eight different specializations. At the PG level, the institute offers M.Des in seven different specializations. Apart from that, NID Ahmedabad also offers the Ph.D. program in both full-time and part-time modes.
BDes is the flagship program of NID Ahmedabad. Admission to the B.Des program is based on merit in the NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) that is conducted in two stages, namely Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims and Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Mains. The final merit list will be based on the total score obtained by students in DAT Prelims and the DAT Mains. The overall cutoff marks for NID are 50.1 - 66. The first-year fee for the BDes is INR 4.22 Lakhs.
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Courses Offered: Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral programs across 20 design domains under five faculty streams.
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B.Des (Bachelor of Design)
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Specializations: 9
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Seats: 128
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First-Year Fee: INR 4.22 Lakhs
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Selection: Merit in NID DAT Prelims + Mains
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M.Des (Master of Design)
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Specializations: 7
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Seats: 126
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First-Year Fee: INR 4.90 Lakhs
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Selection: Merit in NID DAT Prelims + Mains
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Ph.D. in Design
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Mode: Full-time & Part-time
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First-Year Fee: INR 81,400
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Selection: Eligibility Screening + Research Proposal Assessment + NID DRT + Personal Interview
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Admission Criteria: Entrance-based
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Entrance Exams:
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B.Des & M.Des: NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test)
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Ph.D.: NID DRT (Design Research Test)
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Application Mode: Online
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Application Fees:
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General/EWS/OBC: INR 3,000
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SC/ST/PwD: INR 1,500
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Table of Contents
NID Ahmedabad B.Des Admissions
NID Ahmedabad offers Bachelor of Design (B.Des) at the undergraduate level for a duration of 4 Years in eight specializations in the field of Design. Admission to B.Des at NID Ahmedabad is based on the aggregate merit scored by the candidates in NID DAT (Prelims + Mains).
Here are the important details about NID Ahmedabad B.Des Admission 2025:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Bachelor of Design (B.Des) |
| Duration | 4 Years |
| Type | Full-time |
| Number of Specializations | 8 |
| Specializations | Film and Video Communication, Exhibition Design, Animation Film Design, Graphic Design, Ceramic and Glass Design, Furniture and Interior Design, Product Design, Textile Design |
| Total Seat Intake | 128 Seats |
| Course Fees | INR 15.82 Lakhs |
| Basic Eligibility Criteria | Passed 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board & Must not be older than 20 Years of Age |
| Basic Selection Criteria | Merit in NID DAT Prelims + NID DAT Mains |
NID Ahmedabad B.Des Seat Intake
NID Ahmedabad offers a total of 128 Seats for different specializations of B.Des. Here is the specialization-wise seat intake for B.Des at NID Ahmedabad:
| B.Des Specialization | Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| Film and Video Communication | 13 |
| Exhibition Design | 13 |
| Animation Film Design | 19 |
| Graphic Design | 13 |
| Ceramic and Glass Design | 13 |
| Furniture and Interior Design | 13 |
| Product Design | 19 |
| Textile Design | 19 |
| Total Seats | 128 Seats |
NID Ahmedabad B.Des Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for admission to B.Des at NID Ahmedabad are as follows:
- Candidates must have passed 10+2 in any stream (Science/ Commerce/ Humanities) from a recognized board.
- The upper age limit for candidates for B.Des at NID is 20 Years (3 Years Relaxation SC/ ST/ OBC-NCL) on or before July 1 of Admission Year.
NID Ahmedabad B.Des Selection Criteria
Admission to B.Des at NID Ahmedabad is based on Design Aptitude Test (DAT) which will be conducted in two stages namely Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims and Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Mains. Based on the merit list of DAT Prelims, eligible candidates will have to appear for DAT Mains. The final admission will be based on the sum total of the weighted scores obtained by the candidates in DAT Prelims and Mains.
NID Ahmedabad B.Des Cutoff
NID Ahmedabad B.Des Admission is based on the total score in DAT Prelims and Mains. NID Ahmedabad B.Des Cutoff 2024 has been released. Here is NID Ahmedabad B.Des Cutoff in 2024 for different categories:
| Category | Cutoff By Marks (2024) |
|---|---|
| General | 65.1 |
| OBC | 58.8 |
| SC | 56.4 |
| ST | 52.5 |
| EWS | 58.2 |
| PwD | 43.5 |
| Overseas | 21.2 |
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Admissions
NID Ahmedabad offers Master of Design (M.Des) at the postgraduate level in seven specializations for a duration of 2.5 Years. Admission to M.Des at NID Ahmedabad is based on the merit in NID DAT (Prelims + Mains).
The key details about NID Ahmedabad M.Des Admission 2025 are as follows:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Course | Master of Design (M.Des) |
| Duration | 2.5 Years |
| Type | Full-Time |
| Total Seat Intake | 126 Seats |
| Course Fees | INR 11.5 Lakhs |
| Number of Specializations | 7 |
| Specializations Offered | Film and Video Communication, Graphic Design, Animation Film Design, Ceramic and Glass Design, Furniture and Interior Design, Product Design, Textile Design |
| Basic Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor's Degree of 4 Years/ Full-Time Diploma (4 Years) in Design/ Fine Arts/ Applied Arts/ Architecture/ Bachelor’s Degree of 3 Years |
| Basic Selection Criteria | Merit in NID DAT Prelims + NID DAT Mains |
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Seat Intake
NID Ahmedabad offers 126 Seats for a total of seven specializations of M.Des. The specialization-wise seat matrix for M.Des at NID Ahmedabad is as follows:
| Specialization | Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| Product Design | 19 |
| Film & Video Communication | 19 |
| Animation Film Design | 19 |
| Furniture & Interior Design | 19 |
| Graphic Design | 19 |
| Ceramic & Glass Design | 12 |
| Textile Design | 19 |
| Total Seats | 126 Seats |
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for NID Ahmedabad M.Des Admission is as follows:
- Bachelor's Degree with a minimum duration of 3 or 4 Years in any specialization after 10+2.
- Full-Time Diploma of 4 Years in Design/Fine Arts/Applied Arts/ Architecture after 10+2.
- The upper age limit for M.Des at NID is 30 Years (3 Years Relaxation SC/ ST/ OBC-NCL) on or before July 1 of Admission Year.
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Selection Criteria
Admission to the M.Des. program will be granted solely based on the candidate’s performance in DAT(Prelims + Mains). Candidates can apply to a maximum of ONLY TWO disciplines for the Master of Design programme. The seat allotment will be purely based on the preference submitted by the candidate at the time of submitting their application.
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Cutoff 2024
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Cutoff 2024 has been released. Given below is NID Ahmedabad M.Des Cutoff in 2024 for different specializations for the General Category:
| Course | Cutoff By Marks (2024) |
|---|---|
| M.Des Product Design | 64.4 |
| M.Des Film & Video Communication | 59 |
| M.Des Animation Film Design | 61.4 |
| M.Des Interior & Furniture | 51.65 |
| M.Des Graphic Design | 60 |
| M.Des Ceramic & Glass Design | 57 |
NID Ahmedabad Ph.D Admissions
NID Ahmedabad offers Ph.D in Design in both full-time and part-time modes. Admission to Ph.D. at NID Ahmedabad involves Eligibility Screening, Research Proposal Assessment, NID DRT (Design Research Test), and Personal Interview.
The important details of NID Ahmedabad Ph.D Admission are as follows:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Course | Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) |
| Type | Part Time & Full-time |
| Duration | Part-Time: 5-7 Years |
| Full-Time: 3-5 Years | |
| Seat Intake | 12 Seats |
| Basic Eligibility Criteria | M.Des/ M.Phil (Design) Degree with 55% Marks in Aggregate/ B.Des from NID with 3 Years of Professional Experience |
| Basic Selection Criteria | Eligibility Screening + Research Proposal Assessment + NID DRT (Design Research Test) + Personal Interview |
NID Ahmedabad Ph.D Eligibility Criteria
Candidates with follwoing educational qualification are eligible for Ph.D at NID Ahmedabad:
- Master of Design (M.Des) Degree from a recognized institution.
- Master of Philosophy in Design (M.Phil (Design)) Degree from a recognized institution.
- Master of (Architecture/Fine Art/Applied Art) Degree following a M.Des/B.Des Degree.
- Bachelor of Design (B.Des) from NID + 3 Years Professional or Teaching Experience.
- 2-Year Faculty Development Program in Design from NID or any recognised university.
NID Ahmedabad Ph.D Selection Criteria
The selection of the candidates for Ph.D at NID Ahmedabad includes the following stages:
- Stage 1: Screening for Eligibility
- Stage 2: Assessment of Research Proposal
- Stage 3: Design Research Test
- Stage 4: Personal Interview
The complete details about the different stages are as follows:
- Stage 1 (Eligibility Screening): The application forms will be scrutinized for eligibility, such as educational qualification.
- Stage 2 (Assessment of Research Proposal): Candidates need to submit a research proposal outlining their motivation and research plan. The content of the research proposal will be examined from the point of view of alignment with NID’s research objectives and other factors. Candidates whose proposals pass this assessment will be shortlisted for Stage 3.
- Stage 3 (Design Research Test): Shortlisted candidates will have to take the Design Research Test (DRT). Candidates with a work experience of 15 Years or more are exempted from taking the DRT. Candidates who pass the DRT will be eligible for the final Personal Interview.
- Stage 4 (Personal Interview): Candidates will have to interact online with appointed representatives of the institute for the assessment of their aptitude for conducting the proposed research.
NID Ahmedabad Admission 2025 FAQs
Ques. What is NID DAT Prelims at NID Ahmedabad?
Ans. NID DAT Prelims is the shortlisting round for NID admissions. NID DAT Prelims comprises a written entrance exam that candidates need to appear for and clear to be eligible for NID DAT Mains.
Ques. What is NID DAT Mains at NID Ahmedabad?
Ans. NID DAT Mains is the final admission round for NID admissions. NID DAT Mains consists of a Studio Test and Interview round that candidates need to clear to secure admission in design courses offered at NID campuses.
Ques. Does NID Ahmedabad offer an M.Des course?
Ans. NID Ahmedabad offers 2.5-year postgraduate courses in Master of Design (M.Des.) in seven specializations which are Film and Video Communication, Graphic Design, Animation Film Design, Ceramic and Glass Design, Furniture and Interior Design, Product Design, Textile Design. The per semester fee for M.Des at NID is INR 2,28,500.
Ques. Is it tough to get into NID Ahmedabad?
Ans. The NID entrance exam is considered to be the most difficult design entrance exam in the country. In NID DAT, more emphasis is placed on thematic, drawing-related questions. Thus, candidates need to be extremely creative and have a clear idea about their ideas while appearing for the NID exam.
Ques. How can a candidate join NID Ahmedabad?
Ans. Aspirants can go through the steps given below to apply for NID Ahmedabad:
- Step 1: Fill NID DAT Application Form
- Step 2: Download the NID DAT Admit Card
- Step 3: Appear for NID DAT (Prelims)
- Step 4: Check NID DAT Prelims Result
- Step 5: Download the Admit Card of NID DAT Mains
- Step 6: Appear for NID DAT Mains
Ques. What is the exam pattern of NID DAT?
Ans. The NID Exam is held in two stages. The first stage is the preliminary exam. The exam will comprise 2 papers. Paper 1 will comprise 70 marks questions of objective type and Paper 2 will comprise 30 marks questions of subjective type. Stage 2 is the main examination that will be conducted for those students who clear the 1st stage. The stage 2 examination will be based on practical tests including sketching/ drawing, handicraft models, group discussions as well as presentations. The examination will carry 100 marks.
Ques. Can I pay the NID Ahmedabad application fee offline?
Ans. The NID Ahmedabad application fee can not be paid offline. This is because the registration and application process is online. Therefore, the applicants are not supposed to visit the campus to pay any fee offline.
Ques. Is a portfolio required for NID Ahmedabad admissions?
Ans. Yes, a student’s portfolio is required and mandatory to present during the NID Ahmedabad interview call for an M.Des. degree. Students need to make sure that their portfolio should have the best works attached to secure a seat at NID.
Ques. How to pay the application fee for NID Ahmedabad?
Ans. The application fee for NID Ahmedabad is paid online only. At the end of the application, students will be redirected to the application fee portal. Therefore, students do not have to visit the campus offline for any fee submission. The application fee for NID Ahmedabad is INR 3000 for B.Des and M.Des for general category students.
Ques. Is IELTS required for NID Ahmedabad admissions?
Ans. No, IELTS is not required for NID admissions. IELTS is required for students who wish to study abroad. If a student plans to opt for an exchange program from NID, they might have to appear for an IELTS test.
Ques. Does NID Ahmedabad offer exchange programs?
Ans. Yes, NID Ahmedabad offers faculty exchange, international collaborative research projects, student exchange programs and more. It has programmes wherein students have the opportunity to visit other countries and study a semester internationally.
Ques. What documents do I need to bring to the interview at NID Ahmedabad?
Ans. The selected candidates of NID Ahmedabad will be called for a personal interview after the DAT, prelims and mains are qualified. The candidates should carry the following documents while appearing for an interview at the campus:
- All academic documents: mark sheets and certificates
- A valid caste certificate
- Income certificate
- Portfolio
- Experience certificate (if required)
Ques. Should candidates submit the NID application form offline?
Ans. Applicants are not required to submit NID Ahmedabad application forms offline. The application process and submission of fees is an online process entirely. Therefore, students can apply at the Design Institute in the online mode only. A visit to the campus is not required unless informed beforehand.
Ques. Can I study abroad with NID international universities?
Ans. Yes, NID has signed MoUs with different international universities. The Design Institute offers various exchange programmes for students wherein Indian students can visit international universities to pursue their degrees. Some of the partnered universities are, the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design UK, Tama Art University Japan, Royal College of Art & Design London, Arizona State University USA, etc.
Ques. What are the documents required to apply at NID Ahmedabad?
Ans. To apply for any design degree at NID Ahmedabad, applicants should have the following documents:
- 10th and 12th Marksheets
- Graduation and post-graduation consolidated mark sheets (if applicable)
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of DOB
- Person with disability certificate (if applicable)
Ques. How to change my birth date on the NID application form?
Ans. Applicants can not edit information like name, date of birth, registered email ID and registered mobile number in the correction window of the NID application form.
Ques. How can I apply for NID Ahmedabad?
Ans. Aspirants who wish to apply for NID Ahmedabad can follow the below-given steps to fill out the application form.
- Visit the official admission website of NID Ahmedabad.
- Right in the first line, click on the highlighted “sign up” option to proceed to the application form.
- Now select the program of study, nationality and category.
- Proceeding further filling in all the required details such as name, gender, email address, etc.
- Add in the personal and educational details, the work experience and more.
- Next, proceed to upload the photograph, signature, caste certificate, PwD certificate and passport.
- Finally, pay online the application fee and print the application form for future references
Ques. Can international students apply to NID Ahmedabad?
Ans. Yes, international students can apply at NID Ahmedabad for Design degrees. To apply online, the applicant has to visit the website, sign up as a new user and apply for the desired degree.
Ques. How many rounds are there in NID DAT?
Ans. For the NID DAT entrance exam, there are 3 rounds in total. Applicants first have to apply online and fill in the application form. Then, aspirants have to appear for the DAT prelims examination and qualify for the merit criteria. Then applicants will be called for the main exam and personal interview. Then lastly, merit lists will be released by the design institute confirming the admissions.
Ques. Do Ph.D. students get a fellowship at NID Ahmedabad?
Ans. Yes, students pursuing Ph.D. get fellowship at the National Institute of Design (NID). The fellowship is given for the initial 3 years only and discontinued afterwards.
Ques. Will PwD students get a scribe at NID Ahmedabad?
Ans. The students with disabilities are advised to arrange for their scribe. Students have to make sure that the scribe has a valid scribe affidavit to be eligible to become a scribe for the PwD student.
Ques. How can I secure admission to NID Ahmedabad?
Ans. Aspirants need to appear for the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) entrance exam which comprises two entrance test rounds and a personal interview round. The NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains are the two objective and subjective tests respectively. Candidates who clear NID DAT Prelims are only allowed to appear for NID DAT Mains.
NID Ahmedabad Admission Process 2025
Candidates need to apply for NID Ahmedabad Admission online on its official website @ https://admissions.nid.edu/. Once the candidates complete the process for registration, they need to appear for the NID entrance exam on the scheduled date and time.The admission process at NID Ahmedabad for B.Des and M.Des include the following steps:
- 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 allotment of seats for admission to the institute will be based on the merit list, category of the candidates, and seats available. The final admission will be confirmed only after the fee payment and verification of documents.
NID Ahmedabad Application Fees
Here is the application fee for NID Ahmedabad Admission through NID DAT:
| Category | Application Fee | Application Fee + Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General/ EWS/ OBC | INR 3,000 | INR 4,500 |
| SC/ ST/ General PwD/ General-EWS PwD/ OBC PwD/ SC PwD/ ST PwD | INR 1,500 | INR 2,250 |
| Overseas (Supernumerary) | INR 5,000 | INR 7,500 |

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