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NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility
Paldi, AhmedabadEstd 1961
Total fees
INR 13.18 Lakhs
Full course, no hostel
Highest offer
INR 30 LPA
NID-wide, 2023 placement season
Seats
19
Ahmedabad campus only
Job offers
620
NID-wide, 2023 placement season
In This Page▾
01About this courseThe full write-up, from fees to placements
02Should you pick it?Who it suits, who should skip it, and a counsellor's advice
03EligibilityThe degree and age rules before you apply
04Admission ProcessEvery step from the form to reporting
05Admission DatesThe admission calendar, step by step
06FeesThe full course cost with and without hostel
07Will you get a seat?What decides your place at each stage
08ScholarshipsWhat you can claim and what you missed
09How does it compare?The same course at colleges in its league, side by side
10FAQsShort answers to what students ask before they apply
About NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design
NID Ahmedabad offers a 2.5-year, full-time Master of Design in Animation Film Design with 19 seats. The course has five semesters and sits in the Communication Design faculty on the Ahmedabad campus. You learn drawing, storytelling and digital animation, and you make your own short animation films. NID is an Institute of National Importance under an Act of Parliament. The full fee without hostel is INR 13.18 Lakhs, and INR 13.93 Lakhs with the hostel room. You get a seat through the NID DAT, which has a Prelims round and a Mains round. NID does not publish pay figures for this course. The highest offer across NID campuses in the 2023 season was INR 30 LPA.
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design Fees
The total fees with hostel is INR 13.93 Lakhs while the fees without hostel is INR 13.18 Lakhs. The tuition fees is INR 13.10 Lakhs of that. You pay the tuition fee of INR 2.62 Lakhs every semester, five times in all. The alumni, welfare and other fees are paid once. The security deposit of INR 10,000 comes back when you leave. The hostel room adds INR 15,000 a semester if you take one.
| Fee head | Amount | How it is charged |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | INR 13.10 Lakhs | INR 2.62 Lakhs a semester, 5 semesters |
| Alumni membership | INR 5,000 | One time |
| Student welfare fund | INR 2,000 | One time |
| Other fees | INR 800 | One time |
| Security deposit | INR 10,000 | One time, refundable |
| Hostel room | INR 75,000 | INR 15,000 a semester, 5 semesters |
| Total, no hostel | INR 13.18 Lakhs | Full course |
| Total with hostel | INR 13.93 Lakhs | Full course |
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design Admission Dates
Applications for the 2027 batch opened on 10 Sep 2026 and close on 30 Nov 2026. The DAT Prelims is on 20 Dec 2026 and its result is due on 16 Feb 2027. NID sets the Mains and offer dates later. Classes for the 2027 batch are expected to start in Jul 2027.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| DAT registration, last date to apply | 10 Sep 2026 to 30 Nov 2026 | Confirmed |
| DAT Prelims admit card | 10 Dec 2026 | Confirmed |
| DAT Prelims exam | 20 Dec 2026 | Confirmed |
| Prelims result and Mains shortlist | 16 Feb 2027 | Confirmed |
| DAT Mains studio test and interview | Mar 2027 | Tentative |
| Final result and merit list | Apr 2027 | Tentative |
| Seat allotment and offer letter | May 2027 | Tentative |
| First semester fee payment | May 2027 | Tentative |
| Document check on campus | Jun 2027 | Tentative |
| Classes start | Jul 2027 | Tentative |
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design Eligibility
You need a bachelor's degree of three or four years in any subject. For 2026 entry, General students had to be born on or after 1 Jul 1994, and reserved categories get more years. A four-year diploma in design, fine arts, applied arts or architecture also counts. You can apply in your final year.
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Degree | A bachelor's degree of three or four years, any subject |
| Diploma route | A four-year diploma in design, fine arts, applied arts or architecture |
| Final-year students | Can apply, but must pass before the date NID sets |
| Age for 2026 entry | General: born on or after 1 Jul 1994 |
| Exam | NID DAT Prelims and Mains |
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design Admission Process
NID fills every seat through the DAT: you apply online, write the Prelims, then sit the Mains studio test and interview. NID then sends an offer letter, and you pay the semester fee by its date or you lose the seat.
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Apply online | Fill the form on the NID admissions portal and pick Animation Film Design |
| 2. Write the Prelims | One offline paper that decides the Mains shortlist |
| 3. Sit the Mains | A studio test and an interview for this discipline |
| 4. Accept the offer | Pay the first semester fee by the date in the letter |
| 5. Report | Bring original papers for the document check |
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design Cutoff
The Mains studio test counts for 40% and the interview for 60% of your final score. The Prelims score counts for 0% in the final list. NID does not publish a closing score for this course, so no past cutoff can tell you if you are safe.
| Stage | What it decides | Weight in final score |
|---|---|---|
| DAT Prelims | Who gets a Mains call | 0% |
| Mains studio test | Part of your final score | 40% |
| Mains interview | Part of your final score | 60% |
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design Placements
NID had 620 job offers for 837 students across its campuses in the 2023 placement season. The highest offer was INR 30 LPA. NID does not publish average pay or a placement rate for this course. NID says its animation graduates work in production houses, TV channels, animation and game studios and e-learning firms.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Highest offer, NID-wide | INR 30 LPA, 2023 season |
| Job offers, NID-wide | 620 in the 2023 season |
| Students in placements, NID-wide | 837 in the 2023 season |
| Average pay for this course | Not published |
| Where graduates work | Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, MTV, Tata Interactive, Infosys, Cognizant |
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design Scholarships
Two central schemes can pay the full tuition fee of INR 13.10 Lakhs. The SC scheme needs a family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a year, and the ST scheme needs less than INR 6 Lakhs. You apply on the National Scholarship Portal after you join, with an income certificate.
| 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 13.10 Lakhs, the full tuition fee |
| National Scholarship for Higher Education of ST students | ST, family income below INR 6 Lakhs a year | INR 13.10 Lakhs, the full tuition fee |
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design Ranking
NIRF has no design list, so NID has no NIRF rank. The NID Act of 2014 made NID an Institute of National Importance. That status comes from Parliament, not from a ranking.
| Ranking body | Year | Rank or status |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF | 2025 | No design list |
| NID Act, Parliament | 2014 | Institute of National Importance |
Should you pick M.Des Animation Film Design at NID Ahmedabad?
This course suits graduates who draw well, love telling stories and want to make animation films for a living.
Pick it if:
You want to make cartoons for TV: NID lists Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and MTV among the places its animation graduates have worked.
You like drawing by hand: the course teaches classical drawing and frame by frame animation along with digital tools, and you make your own short films.
You want your own studio one day: NID says some of its animation graduates now have their own studios and some teach at design schools.
You are SC with family income up to INR 8 Lakhs: the Top Class scheme pays your full tuition fee here.
Skip it if:
You want to know the salary before you join: NID publishes no average pay for this course, only a highest offer for all its campuses together.
You are paying the full fee yourself: the fee is INR 13.18 Lakhs without hostel, and NID shows no pay figure for this course.
You want to finish in two years: this course takes 2.5 years, five semesters, because the last part goes into your own film.
You are counting on a good Prelims score: it only gets you a Mains call, and the studio test and interview alone decide your rank.
Counsellor's advice
If NID offers you a seat and you want to make animation films for work, take it. If a loan will pay the fee, check the EMI in the fee block before you accept.
M.Des Animation Film Design Eligibility▾
Degree: A bachelor's degree of three or four years in any subject.
Diploma route: A four-year diploma in design, fine arts, applied arts or architecture also counts.
Final year: You can apply in your final year. You must pass before the date NID sets.
Age limit: For 2026 entry, General students had to be born on or after 1 Jul 1994. Reserved categories get more years.
Exam needed: The NID DAT, Prelims and Mains. No other exam score is accepted.
M.Des Animation Film Design Admission Process▾
Apply online: Fill the form on the NID admissions portal by 30 Nov 2026.
Write the Prelims: One offline paper on 20 Dec 2026. It only decides who gets a Mains call.
Sit the Mains: A studio test (40%) and an interview (60%) decide your final rank.
Accept the offer: Pay the first semester fee by the date in your offer letter, or you lose the seat.
Report on campus: Bring your original papers for the document check before classes start.
M.Des Animation Film 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
DAT registration, last date to apply
The form closes at midnight on 30 Nov 2026. Late forms are not taken.
Confirmed
1 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 2026
Application edit window
You can fix mistakes in your form only in these three days.
Confirmed
10 Dec 2026
DAT Prelims admit card
Download it from the portal and carry a printout to the exam.
Confirmed
20 Dec 2026
DAT Prelims exam
One offline paper on one day. It decides who gets a Mains call.
Confirmed
16 Feb 2027
Prelims result and Mains shortlist
Your Prelims score is used only for this shortlist.
Tentative
Feb 2027
DAT Mains admit card
Expected in the fourth week of Feb 2027.
Tentative
Mar 2027
DAT Mains studio test and interview
The studio test is 40% and the interview 60% of your final score.
Tentative
Apr 2027
Final result and merit list
NID puts out one merit list for each category.
Tentative
May 2027
Seat allotment and offer letter
Expected in May 2027, with a document upload before the offer.
Tentative
May 2027
First semester fee payment
Pay by the date in your offer letter or you lose the seat.
Tentative
Jun 2027
Document check on campus
Bring your original degree papers and category certificate.
Tentative
Jul 2027
Classes start
The first semester of the 2027 batch starts in Ahmedabad.
Tentative
Sep 2027
DAT registration, last date to apply
Expected to open in Sep 2027 and close in Nov 2027.
Tentative
Dec 2027
DAT Prelims exam
Expected in Dec 2027, one offline paper.
Tentative
Feb 2028
Prelims result and Mains shortlist
Expected in Feb 2028.
Tentative
Mar 2028
DAT Mains studio test and interview
Expected in Mar 2028.
Tentative
Apr 2028
Final result and merit list
Expected in Apr 2028.
Tentative
May 2028
Seat allotment and offer letter
Expected in May 2028.
Tentative
May 2028
First semester fee payment
Expected with the offer letter.
Tentative
Jun 2028
Document check on campus
Expected before classes start.
Tentative
Jul 2028
Classes start
Expected in Jul 2028.
Source: NID admissions portal and M.Des admissions handbook. Confirm on the official site before you act.
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design Fees 2027
▾
This is the full 2.5-year cost, not one year, from the 2026-27 fee notice; the 2027 fees are not out yet. Turn on the toggle to add the hostel room.
Tuition fee
Per semester × 5, INR 2.62 Lakhs a semester
INR 13.10 Lakhs
Alumni membership
One time, in year 1
INR 5,000
Student welfare fund
One time, in year 1
INR 2,000
Other fees
One time, in year 1
INR 800
Security deposit Refundable
One time, returned when you leave
INR 10,000
Add the hostel room
Hostel room
Per semester × 5, INR 15,000 a semester, mess paid on its own
INR 75,000
Education loan EMI
INR 22,219
7 yr · 10.5% per year
Per semester
INR 2.62 Lakhs
tuition fee, 5 semesters
Education loan EMI
INR 23,484
7 yr · 10.5% per year
Per semester
INR 2.62 Lakhs
tuition fee, 5 semesters
Source: NID M.Des admissions handbook and fee structure 2026-27. Confirm on the official site before you act.
Will you get a seat in M.Des Animation Film Design at NID Ahmedabad?
Pick your degree and your DAT stage. NID does not publish a cutoff for this course, so the card tells you what decides your seat.
Your degree
Your DAT stage
You can apply
Your degree meets the rule. Register by 30 Nov 2026 and write the Prelims on 20 Dec 2026.
Almost there
The Mains studio test (40%) and interview (60%) now decide your rank. Your Prelims score does not carry over.
Not this year
Without a Mains call there is no seat. Build your portfolio and apply again in the next cycle.
You can apply
Final-year students can apply. Your seat holds only if you pass your degree before the date NID sets.
Almost there
The Mains decides your rank. The offer holds only if you pass your final exams on time.
Not this year
Without a Mains call there is no seat. Apply again after your degree, with a stronger portfolio.
Not yet
You need a finished degree, or to be in its final year, before you apply.
Not yet
Without a degree or a final-year place, NID cancels the seat even after the Mains.
Not yet
Finish more of your degree first. You can apply once you reach its final year.
EDITOR'S NOTE
No past cutoff exists for this course. A high Prelims score only gets you into the Mains; your place in the merit list comes from the studio test and the interview.
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film 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 the scheme is for.
Top Class Education Scheme for SC students
INR 13.10 Lakhs
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, through NSP
Pays the full tuition fee at NID for the whole course, plus a yearly allowance for books and living.
Who qualifies: SC, family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a yearApply by Oct 2027
Not eligible on your answersNational Scholarship for Higher Education of ST students
INR 13.10 Lakhs
Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through NSP
Pays the full tuition fee for the whole course at a listed top institute, plus allowances.
Who qualifies: ST, family income below INR 6 Lakhs a yearApply by Oct 2027
Not eligible on your answersNo scheme matches these answers. Ask the college about paying in parts and about education loans.
NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design vs similar colleges
Tap a college to see it next to NID Ahmedabad. The cream box marks the better number in each row: lower fees, more seats, a higher offer.
Compare with
This page
National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Compared with
IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay
Mumbai
Compared with
Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute
Kolkata
Compared with
MIT Institute of Design
Pune
Compared with
Avantika University
Ujjain
Total feesfull course, no hostel
INR 13.18 Lakhs
tuition + one-time fees
INR 1.24 Lakhs
INR 11.94 Lakhs less, 2 years
INR 2.48 Lakhs
INR 10.70 Lakhs less, tuition only, 3 years
INR 9.98 Lakhs
INR 3.20 Lakhs less, 2 years, 2026-27 fee rising 10% in year 2
INR 4.75 Lakhs
INR 8.43 Lakhs less, 2 years, with registration fee
Loan EMI7 yr at 10.5%, on the full fee
INR 22,219
on INR 13.18 Lakhs
INR 2,091
INR 20,128 less
INR 4,173
INR 18,046 less
INR 16,819
INR 5,400 less
INR 8,009
INR 14,210 less
Hostelfull course, room
INR 75,000
5 semesters
INR 1.68 Lakhs
INR 93,000 more, hostel and mess
Not published
INR 2.06 Lakhs
INR 1.31 Lakhs more, room, 2026-27 rate
INR 2.60 Lakhs
INR 1.85 Lakhs more, twin room, 2026-27 rate
Seatsthis course
19
M.Des AFD
12
7 fewer, M.Des Animation
Not published
Not published
Not published
Highest offerinstitute-wide
INR 30 LPA
NID-wide, 2023
Not published
Not published
Not published
Not published
In short
If you get offers from both, IDC IIT Bombay costs far less and takes two years. Pick NID Ahmedabad only if its longer, film-based course is worth the extra fee to you.
In short
If you want to make films for cinema and can study for three years, SRFTI Kolkata costs much less in tuition. If you want a design degree in a shorter course, take NID Ahmedabad.
In short
If NID Ahmedabad gives you a seat, take it, because MITID Pune is a private two-year course with no published seat count for animation. Keep MITID Pune as a backup only.
In short
If you miss the NID Ahmedabad Mains list, Avantika Ujjain is a cheaper two-year backup for animation. If NID Ahmedabad offers you a seat, take that first.
Fees and pay can change. Check each college site before you decide.
FAQs on NID Ahmedabad M.Des Animation Film Design
Straight answers to what students ask before they decide.
Is M.Des Animation Film Design at NID Ahmedabad worth the fee?▾
Yes, if you want to make animation films for a living and can pay or borrow the fee. The full fee without hostel is INR 13.18 Lakhs, and NID publishes no pay figure for this course. If a loan will pay it, the EMI is INR 22,219 a month for seven years, so check you can carry that before you accept.
What job will I get after this course?▾
Most graduates work as animators, character designers, storyboard artists or film directors. NID names Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, MTV, Tata Interactive, Infosys and Cognizant among the places they have worked, and some start their own studios. Make your final film as strong as you can, because studios hire on your film work more than on your marks.
Who should not take this course?▾
Skip it if you do not enjoy drawing every day, or if you need a fixed salary figure before you join. The course takes 2.5 years and most of the work is your own films. NID does not publish average pay for it. If a short, job-focused course matters more to you, keep that as your first choice.
Should I count on my Prelims score to get a seat?▾
No. The Prelims score is used only to pick who gets a Mains call. Your final rank comes from the Mains, where the studio test counts for 40% and the interview for 60%. Spend the weeks after the Prelims on drawing practice and a portfolio you can explain well.
Should I wait a year and apply again if I miss the Mains?▾
Yes, if animation is what you want. NID takes only 19 students in this course each year, so many good students miss it on the first try. Use the year to draw every day and make short films, and apply again when the form opens in Sep 2027.
Is this course good for higher studies or teaching later?▾
Yes. It is a Master of Design from an Institute of National Importance, so it counts as a master's degree when you apply for a PhD or a teaching post. NID says some of its animation graduates now teach at design schools, including NID. If you want to teach, keep your film and your written project work well recorded.
Is the 2.5-year length worth it over a two-year master's?▾
It is, if you want a finished film to show studios. The extra half year gives you five semesters, and the last part goes into your own project. It also costs more: the tuition fee is INR 2.62 Lakhs for each of the five semesters. Plan your money for all five before you accept the offer.
Is the course right for me if I studied engineering or commerce?▾
Yes, your degree can be in any subject. What matters is drawing and storytelling, because the Mains studio test and interview check those. If you have not drawn much, practise for a few months first and bring sketchbooks and short animations to the interview.
How do I get admission to this course?▾
Apply on the NID admissions portal and pick Animation Film Design. Write the DAT Prelims, and if you are on the Mains list, sit the studio test and interview. NID then sends an offer letter, and you pay the first semester fee by its date 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. With the hostel room it comes to INR 13.93 Lakhs. The security deposit of INR 10,000 comes back when you leave. These are the 2026-27 fees, so check the 2027 fee notice before you pay.
Can I get a scholarship for this course?▾
Yes, if you are SC or ST and your family income is low. The SC scheme pays the full tuition fee of INR 13.10 Lakhs for a family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a year. The ST scheme pays it for an income below INR 6 Lakhs. Apply on the National Scholarship Portal after you join, with your income certificate.
When is the last date to apply?▾
The form for the 2027 batch closes at midnight on 30 Nov 2026. You can edit it only from 1 Dec to 3 Dec 2026, and the Prelims is on 20 Dec 2026. Apply early and keep your degree and category papers ready, because the form cannot change after the edit window.
This page is AI assisted and human verified.
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