NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Paldi, AhmedabadEstd 1961

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NID Ahmedabad Latest Updates and News

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!

Total fees

INR 13.18 Lakhs

2.5 years, no hostel

Highest offer

INR 34 LPA

NID Industry Interface, Nov 2024

Cutoff

Top 36

DAT Prelims rank for a Mains call, Open list

Offers made

601

for 779 students, all NID campuses, 2024-25

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 limit you need before you apply 04Admission ProcessEvery step from the form to counselling 05Admission DatesThe admission calendar, step by step 06FeesThe full course cost, semester by semester 07Will your rank get you in?Seats and Mains calls for your category 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 Graphic Design

The National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad offers a 2.5-year, full-time M.Des in Graphic Design with 19 seats. It is an Institution of National Importance and stands #2 in Collegedunia's Design ranking 2026. The full fee without hostel is INR 13.18 Lakhs, paid over five semesters. You get in through the DAT Prelims and then the DAT Mains studio test and interview, both held by NID. NID does not publish an average salary. Offers across its campuses went from INR 4 LPA to INR 34 LPA in Nov 2024. Final projects in this course were done with firms such as Razorpay, IFB and Microsoft.

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Fees

The total fees is INR 13.18 Lakhs without hostel, and INR 13.21 Lakhs with the DAT application fee. The tuition fee is INR 13.10 Lakhs of that. You pay INR 2.62 Lakhs a semester for five semesters. NID set these fees for the 2026 batch, and the 2027 fee is not out yet. 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
Insurance, activity and film club	INR 2,800	INR 1,400 in semesters 1 and 3
Alumni fee	INR 5,000	One time, in semester 5
Deposit	INR 10,000	One time, refundable
DAT application fee	INR 3,000	One time, General, EWS and OBC-NCL
Total, no hostel	INR 13.18 Lakhs	Full course
Total with application fee	INR 13.21 Lakhs	Full course

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Admission Dates

The 2027 application form opened on 10 Sep 2026 and closes on 30 Nov 2026. The DAT Prelims is on 20 Dec 2026 and its result comes on 16 Feb 2027. NID gives the Mains dates later. Keep your portfolio ready by March.

Event	Date	Status
Application form, last date to apply	10 Sep 2026 to 30 Nov 2026	Confirmed
DAT Prelims exam	20 Dec 2026	Confirmed
DAT 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 acceptance fee payment	May 2027	Tentative
Seat allotment and admission counselling	Jun 2027	Tentative
Document check and token fee	Jun 2027	Tentative
Classes start	Jul 2027	Tentative

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Eligibility

You need a bachelor's degree in any subject from a recognised university. General and EWS students must be born on or after 1 Jul 1995. OBC-NCL, SC and ST students must be born on or after 1 Jul 1992. Final-year students can apply if they finish all exams by 28 Jun 2027. If you miss that date, NID cancels your admission.

Requirement	What you need
Degree	A bachelor's degree in any subject
Age, General and EWS	Born on or after 1 Jul 1995
Age, OBC-NCL, SC and ST	Born on or after 1 Jul 1992
Age, PwD	Born on or after 1 Jul 1990
Final-year students	All exams by 28 Jun 2027, passed in the first attempt
Final marksheet	Submit by 31 Jul 2027

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Admission Process

The route has four steps: the application form, the DAT Prelims, the DAT Mains and counselling. NID handles every step itself. The Prelims score only decides who gets a Mains call. You lose the seat if you miss counselling, the fee or a paper.

Step	What you do
1. Application form	Fill one form on admissions.nid.edu and pick up to two disciplines
2. DAT Prelims	Write the pen and paper test at one of 17 cities
3. DAT Mains	Take the studio test and the interview with your portfolio
4. Counselling	Pay the fee and show original papers to keep the seat

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Cutoff

NID does not publish closing ranks. The Open list has 8 seats and 36 Mains calls, and the OBC-NCL list has 5 seats and about 22 calls. About 4.5 students get a Mains call for each seat in a category. Your final place comes only from the Mains marks.

Category	Seats	Mains calls
Open	8	36
EWS	2	9
OBC-NCL	5	About 22
SC	3	About 13
ST	1	About 4

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Placements

NID does not publish an average salary for this course. Companies made 601 offers for 779 students across NID campuses in 2024-25. The highest offer was INR 34 LPA in Nov 2024 and the lowest was INR 4 LPA. The placement office holds this Industry Interface twice a year, in May and November.

Metric	Value
Average pay	Not published
Offers made	601 offers for 779 students, all NID campuses, 2024-25
Highest offer	INR 34 LPA, Nov 2024
Lowest offer	INR 4 LPA, 2024-25
Companies at the Industry Interface	More than 635, 2023-24
Final project firms, this course	Razorpay, IFB, Samsung Design Delhi, Microsoft and Titan

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Scholarships

Two central schemes can pay the full fee of INR 13.18 Lakhs. The SC scheme needs a family income up to INR 8 Lakhs, and the ST scheme up to INR 6 Lakhs. You apply on the National Scholarship Portal after you join, with an income certificate. NID also gives a few need-based scholarships after admission.

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	Full fee, INR 13.18 Lakhs over the course
National Scholarship for ST students	ST, family income up to INR 6 Lakhs a year	Full fee, INR 13.18 Lakhs over the course

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Ranking

NID Ahmedabad stands #2 in Collegedunia's Design ranking 2026, and it was #1 in 2025. It is an Institution of National Importance under the NID Act of 2014. Collegedunia ranks on fees, placements and student reviews.

Ranking body	Year	Rank or status
Collegedunia Design ranking	2026	#2
Collegedunia Design ranking	2025	#1
IIRF Design ranking	2026	#1
Government status	2014	Institution of National Importance

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Seats and Intake

The course has 19 seats: 8 Open, 2 EWS, 5 OBC-NCL, 3 SC and 1 ST. Up to 3 more seats go to overseas students, outside these 19. NID filled 17 seats in 2023-24 and all 19 in 2024-25.

Quota	Seats
Open	8
EWS	2
OBC-NCL	5
SC	3
ST	1
Overseas, extra seats	3

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Hostel and Campus

The Ahmedabad campus has no hostel for M.Des students, and the INR 10,000 deposit is the only extra money NID holds. It comes back when you leave. You rent a room in the city and pay for food yourself.

Item	Detail
Hostel	None on the Ahmedabad campus for this course
Deposit	INR 10,000, refundable
Campus	Paldi, Ahmedabad
Study time	Five semesters over 2.5 years

Should you pick M.Des Graphic Design at NID Ahmedabad?

This course suits graduates who want to design brands, books, packs and screens, and who can pay a high fee.

Pick it if:

You want brand or product design work: Razorpay, IFB, Samsung Design Delhi and Microsoft took M.Des Graphic Design students for final projects.

You want a small class: the course has only 19 seats, so the placement office has few students from it to place.

You come from a non-design degree: NID takes a bachelor's degree in any subject, and the Mains judge your portfolio and interview, not your marks.

You are an SC or ST student: a central scheme can pay the full fee here, so apply on the scholarship portal in your first year.

Skip it if:

You want a known average salary: NID does not publish one; offers across campuses went from INR 4 LPA to INR 34 LPA.

You need a hostel room: the Ahmedabad campus has no hostel for this course, so you rent a room in the city for 2.5 years.

You are paying the full fee yourself: the fee is INR 13.18 Lakhs, and the lowest offer in 2024-25 was INR 4 LPA.

You will build a portfolio after the Prelims: the result comes on 16 Feb 2027 and the Mains follow in March, so start it now.

Counsellor's advice

If graphic design is your main goal, put it first in the form. If you also want Photography Design, add it second, because you cannot change the order later.

M.Des Graphic Design Eligibility▾

Degree: A bachelor's degree in any subject from a recognised university. The handbook sets no minimum marks.

Final-year students: You can apply if you finish all final exams by 28 Jun 2027 and pass them in the first attempt.

Age limit: General and EWS: born on or after 1 Jul 1995. OBC-NCL, SC and ST: 1 Jul 1992. PwD: 1 Jul 1990.

Exam: You must make the DAT Prelims shortlist, then sit the DAT Mains studio test and interview.

Marksheet: Final-year students submit the final result by 31 Jul 2027, or NID cancels the admission.

M.Des Graphic Design Admission Process▾

Apply online: One form on admissions.nid.edu covers both stages. The fee is INR 3,000 for General, EWS and OBC-NCL.

Write DAT Prelims: A pen and paper test. Its score only decides who gets a Mains call.

Take DAT Mains: A studio test and an interview with your portfolio. Only Mains marks make the final merit list.

Get a seat: NID gives seats by merit, category and the discipline order in your form. You cannot change that order later.

Report with papers: Pay the fee and show original papers at counselling, or you lose the seat.

M.Des Graphic Design Admission Dates 2027

▾

These are the official 2027 dates. Tap 2028 Session for expected dates of the next batch.

2027 Session2028 Session

The 2028 calendar is not out yet. These dates are estimates based on 2027.

Confirmed

10 Sep 2026 to 30 Nov 2026

Application form, last date to apply

The form closes at midnight on 30 Nov 2026. One form covers the Prelims and the Mains.

Confirmed

1 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 2026

Window to edit the application form

You can fix most details, but not your name, birth date or discipline.

Confirmed

10 Dec 2026

DAT Prelims admit card

Download it from 4 pm on 10 Dec 2026. NID does not post a printed card.

Confirmed

20 Dec 2026

DAT Prelims exam

A pen and paper test in 17 cities. Its score only decides the Mains call.

Confirmed

15 Jan 2027 to 31 Jan 2027

Category certificate edit window

One chance to upload a correct category certificate.

Confirmed

16 Feb 2027

DAT Prelims result and Mains shortlist

About 4.5 students get a Mains call for each seat in a category.

Tentative

Mar 2027

DAT Mains studio test and interview

In 2026 the studio test was on 8 Mar. Bring your portfolio to the interview.

Tentative

Apr 2027

Final result and merit list

In 2026 the final result came on 23 Apr.

Tentative

May 2027

Seat acceptance fee payment

Pay by the last date on the result page, or the seat goes to the next student.

Tentative

Jun 2027

Seat allotment and admission counselling

Seats go by merit, category and the discipline order in your form.

Tentative

Jun 2027

Document check and token fee

Show original papers. You lose the seat if a paper is missing.

Tentative

Jul 2027

Classes start

The first of five semesters begins.

Tentative

Sep 2027

Application form opens

Expected in the same month as this year.

Tentative

Nov 2027

Last date to apply

Expected at the end of November, as this year.

Tentative

Dec 2027

DAT Prelims exam

Expected on a Sunday in late December.

Tentative

Feb 2028

DAT Prelims result and Mains shortlist

Expected in mid February.

Tentative

Mar 2028

DAT Mains studio test and interview

Expected in March, with your portfolio.

Tentative

Apr 2028

Final result and merit list

Expected in April.

Tentative

May 2028

Seat acceptance fee payment

Expected soon after the final result.

Tentative

Jun 2028

Seat allotment and admission counselling

Expected in June.

Tentative

Jun 2028

Document check and token fee

Expected with counselling.

Tentative

Jul 2028

Classes start

Expected in July.

Source: NID M.Des Admissions Handbook 2027-28. Confirm on the official site before you act.

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Fees 2027

▾

This is the full 2.5-year cost, not one year. These are the fees NID set for the 2026 batch; the 2027 fee is not out yet. Turn on the toggle to add the exam fee.

Tuition fee

Per semester × 5, INR 2.62 Lakhs a semester

INR 13.10 Lakhs

Insurance, activity and film club

Full course, as published: INR 1,400 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 exam fees

DAT application fee

One time, General, EWS and OBC-NCL

INR 3,000

Total course fee

INR 13.18 Lakhs

2.5 years · tuition and other fees, no hostel on this campus

Total course fee

INR 13.21 Lakhs

2.5 years · tuition and other fees + DAT application fee

Education loan EMI

INR 22,219

7 yr · 10.5% per year

Tuition a semester

INR 2.62 Lakhs

5 semesters, fee set for the 2026 batch

Education loan EMI

INR 22,270

7 yr · 10.5% per year

Tuition a semester

INR 2.62 Lakhs

5 semesters, fee set for the 2026 batch

Source: NID M.Des fee structure for students joining 2026-27. Confirm on the official site before you act.

Will your DAT rank get you M.Des Graphic Design at NID Ahmedabad?

Pick your category. NID does not publish closing ranks, so these cutoff ranges come from the seats and the Mains call rule.

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Scholarship Calculator

Answer two questions to see what you can claim. Confirm the final amount with NID after you join.

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic 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 better rank, a higher offer.

Compare with

NIFT DelhiIDC IIT BombayIIT GuwahatiNID Bengaluru

This page

National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad

Compared with

National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi

New Delhi

Compared with

IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay

Mumbai

Compared with

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Guwahati

Compared with

National Institute of Design, Bengaluru

Bengaluru

Total feesfull course, no hostel

INR 13.18 Lakhs

2.5 years

INR 6.84 Lakhs

INR 6.34 Lakhs less, 2 years

INR 1.24 Lakhs

INR 11.94 Lakhs less, 2 years

INR 2.44 Lakhs

INR 10.74 Lakhs less, 2 years

INR 13.18 Lakhs

Same fee

Seatsthis course, a year

Graphic Design

19 more, M.Des

3 fewer, Communication Design

14 more, M.Des

Same, Information Design

Collegedunia rankDesign ranking 2026

of 2026

1 place higher

Not published

5 places lower

Highest offerlatest published

INR 34 LPA

Nov 2024, all NID campuses

Not published

INR 34 LPA

Same pay, all NID campuses

Offers madelatest published year

601

2024-25, all NID campuses

Not published

601

Same, all NID campuses

In short

NIFT Delhi costs about half as much and has twice the seats, but its M.Des is not a graphic design course. If brand and print work is your goal, keep NID Ahmedabad first and NIFT Delhi as your backup.

In short

IDC IIT Bombay costs much less, but it takes CEED scores, a separate exam. If you clear both, pick on the kind of teaching you want, because the fee gap is large.

In short

IIT Guwahati costs much less and has more seats, but it is a general M.Des taken through CEED. If graphic design is your aim, keep NID Ahmedabad first and apply to IIT Guwahati as well.

In short

NID Bengaluru charges the same fee and uses the same DAT, but it does not teach Graphic Design; its closest course is Information Design. If you want screens and data more than print and brands, apply for Information Design at NID Bengaluru instead.

Fees and pay can change. Check each college site before you decide.

FAQs on NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design

Straight answers to what students ask before they decide.

Is M.Des Graphic Design at NID Ahmedabad worth the fee?▾

It depends on how you will pay. The full fee is INR 13.18 Lakhs over 2.5 years, and NID does not publish an average salary. Offers across NID campuses went from INR 4 LPA to INR 34 LPA in 2024-25. If a loan pays the fee, check the EMI line in the fee block before you apply.

What job will I get after this course?▾

Most graduates design brands, packs, books and screens. Final projects in this course were done with Razorpay, IFB, Samsung Design Delhi and Microsoft. The placement office holds the Industry Interface twice a year, where companies make offers. Build a portfolio with both print and screen work so you fit both kinds of jobs.

Who should not take this course here?▾

Skip it if you need a hostel, a known salary figure or a low fee. The Ahmedabad campus has no hostel for this course, NID publishes no average salary, and the fee is INR 13.18 Lakhs. If any of these matters more to you than the design training, look at a lower fee course first.

Can I get in without a design degree?▾

Yes. NID takes a bachelor's degree in any subject. The Mains studio test and interview judge your drawing, your ideas and your portfolio, not your degree marks. If you come from commerce or engineering, start a portfolio of posters, type and layout work now.

Should I also apply for a second discipline?▾

Yes, if you would really take it. You can pick two disciplines in the same group, such as Graphic Design and Photography Design. You cannot change the order after you submit the form, so put the one you want most first.

Is this course right for me if I want to design apps?▾

Partly. Graphic design here covers screens as well as print, and final projects have been done with Razorpay and Microsoft. If you want only apps and screens, read the interaction design course pages too before you fill the form, because you pick your disciplines only once.

Is it safe to count on getting in on my first attempt?▾

No, plan for a second try if you can. There are 19 seats, and about 4.5 students get a Mains call for each seat in a category, so 36 Open students sit the Mains for 8 Open seats. Apply this year and keep building your portfolio for next year at the same time.

Should I wait a year to build a better portfolio?▾

Only if your portfolio is very thin and you are well inside the age limit. General and EWS students must be born on or after 1 Jul 1995. If you are close to that limit, apply this year, because the Prelims result shows where you stand.

How do I get admission to this course?▾

Fill the form on admissions.nid.edu by 30 Nov 2026 and write the DAT Prelims on 20 Dec 2026. If you make the shortlist, take the Mains studio test and interview. NID then gives seats by merit, category and your discipline order, and you pay the fee and show papers at counselling.

What is the full fee for the course?▾

The full 2.5-year fee is INR 13.18 Lakhs. The tuition fee is INR 2.62 Lakhs a semester for five semesters, plus small charges and an alumni fee. A deposit of INR 10,000 is taken once and comes back when you leave.

Is there a hostel for this course?▾

No, the Ahmedabad campus has no hostel for M.Des students. You rent a room or a flat in the city and pay for food yourself. Plan this cost before you accept the seat, because the fee total does not include it.

Are there scholarships for this course?▾

Yes, for SC and ST students with a lower family income. The SC scheme needs a family income up to INR 8 Lakhs and the ST scheme up to INR 6 Lakhs, and both can pay the full fee. Use the scholarship calculator above and apply on the national portal in your first year.

This page is AI assisted and human verified.

Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | J/hVSQ

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NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

NID Ahmedabad Latest Updates and News

About NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Fees

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Admission Dates

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Eligibility

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Admission Process

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Cutoff

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Placements

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Scholarships

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Ranking

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Seats and Intake

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Hostel and Campus

Should you pick M.Des Graphic Design at NID Ahmedabad?

M.Des Graphic Design Admission Dates 2027

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Fees 2027

Will your DAT rank get you M.Des Graphic Design at NID Ahmedabad?

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design Scholarship Calculator

NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design vs similar colleges

FAQs on NID Ahmedabad M.Des Graphic Design

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