NID DAT 2027: applications close November 30, Prelims on December 20
By TUF News Desk · Published 11 November 2026 · 3 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Design aspirants have 19 days left to apply for NID DAT 2027. The National Institute of Design closes applications on November 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm, and the Design Aptitude Test Prelims will be held on December 20.
Registration opened on September 10 on the institute’s official portal, admissions.nid.edu. The test decides admission to NID’s B.Des and M.Des programmes for the 2027-28 academic session, and this cycle adds a new option for applicants: a 5.5-year integrated Master of Design pathway alongside the four-year B.Des and the 2.5-year M.Des.
The dates to remember
The last date to apply is November 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Applications submitted after that time will not be accepted.
Candidates who have already applied get a short window to fix mistakes. The correction window runs from December 1 to December 3, 2026, for rectifying errors in the submitted form.
Admit cards for the Prelims will be available from December 10, from 4 pm. The Prelims will be held on December 20, 2026, across multiple cities in India. It is a pen-and-paper test. The B.Des Prelims result is expected on March 16, 2027. Candidates who clear the Prelims move on to the Mains, the second stage of the exam, which includes hands-on studio tasks.
What is new this year
The 5.5-year Professional Education Master of Design is the main change in the 2027-28 cycle. It is an integrated pathway, so applicants choose it at the application stage rather than after a separate degree. The regular B.Des runs for four years and the regular M.Des for two and a half years. The integrated pathway runs at the Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar campuses.
How to apply
Applications are accepted only online, through the official NID admissions portal. The portal carries the admissions handbook for 2027-28, which lists the programme-wise eligibility, fees and seat details. The application fee is paid online at the time of registration, and it varies by category and programme. Candidates should check the handbook for their programme before paying the fee, since the rules differ between B.Des and M.Des.
Before starting the form, keep a photograph, signature and marksheet scans ready. Our admission documents checklist covers the photo and signature specifications that exam portals commonly ask for, and having the files ready avoids a last-minute scramble.
NID has said the schedule may change in exceptional circumstances. Candidates should check the portal for updates as the deadline approaches rather than relying on second-hand dates.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last date to apply for NID DAT 2027?
November 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Applications are submitted online at admissions.nid.edu.
When is the NID DAT 2027 Prelims exam?
December 20, 2026. The Prelims will be held across multiple cities in India, and the B.Des result is expected on March 16, 2027.
Can I correct my NID DAT 2027 application form?
Yes. A correction window runs from December 1 to December 3, 2026, after the application deadline.
Which programmes does NID DAT 2027 cover?
B.Des, M.Des and the new 5.5-year integrated M.Des pathway for the 2027-28 academic session.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last date to apply for NID DAT 2027?
November 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Applications are submitted online at admissions.nid.edu.
When is the NID DAT 2027 Prelims exam?
December 20, 2026. The Prelims will be held across multiple cities in India, and the B.Des result is expected on March 16, 2027.
Can I correct my NID DAT 2027 application form?
Yes. A correction window runs from December 1 to December 3, 2026, after the application deadline.
Which programmes does NID DAT 2027 cover?
B.Des, M.Des and the new 5.5-year integrated M.Des pathway for the 2027-28 academic session.
Sources: The Times of India, Shiksha, Collegedunia