Design Aptitude Test 2025: Eligibility And Admission Process

The NID DAT Prelims is a paper-and-pencil/pen test conducted simultaneously across designated test cities. Based on category-wise merit and the applicable tie-break policy, shortlisted candidates are invited to appear for DAT Mains. The number of candidates shortlisted from each category will be 2.5 times the available seats.

The final admission process includes the declaration of the DAT Mains result, preparation of the final merit list, category-wise seat allotment, and submission of the required admission application. You should follow the official NID admissions website for schedules, admit cards, results, and further admission instructions.

NID Eligibility Criteria 2027

NID DAT Exam Stages 2027

The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) for the 2027–28 admission cycle is conducted in two stages:

The DAT Prelims score is used only for shortlisting candidates for DAT Mains. It is not carried forward as weightage to the DAT Mains stage.

The DAT Mains consists of two parts: a Studio Sensitivity Test and an In-Person Sensitivity Test. Only candidates who appear for both components will be considered eligible for the Merit List.

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NID DAT Exam Date 2027

For admission to the 2027–28 academic year, the NID DAT Prelims is scheduled for Sunday, 20 December 2026. The key examination details are given below.

You should check the official NID admissions website for the latest examination schedule, admit card notices, and other updates.

NID Exam Date 2027

NID DAT Prelims 2027

The NID DAT Prelims is a paper-and-pencil/pen-based test conducted at the same time and on the same day across all test centres. The paper may include text- and visual-based questions and will be available in English only.

The DAT Prelims score is used to shortlist candidates for the next stage. You should check the official NID admissions website for the latest updates regarding the examination schedule and admit card.

NID DAT Prelims Test Centres

The DAT Prelims will be conducted in the following cities across India:

A city may have more than one test centre. NID can add or remove test centres and may allot a centre that is different from your preferred choice.

You can change your selected test centre only during the Window to Edit Application Form. Requests for a change will not be accepted after the editing window closes.

NID does not provide accommodation for DAT Prelims. You will have to arrange your own travel and accommodation.

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NID DAT Mains 2027

Candidates are shortlisted for NID DAT Mains based on their DAT Prelims merit and the applicable tie-break policy. For each category, the number of shortlisted candidates will be 2.5 times the available seats.

The DAT Mains has two components:

• Studio Sensitivity Test

• In-Person Sensitivity Test

The question paper for DAT Mains will be in English only. Further details regarding the DAT Mains examination will be announced by NID at a later stage.

NID will use DAT Mains scores for admission to the respective institution. If seats remain vacant, individual NIDs may conduct an additional DAT Mains examination for admission to vacant seats at their respective campuses.

NID does not provide accommodation for candidates appearing for DAT Mains, so you will need to make your own travel and accommodation arrangements.

Retotalling of NID DAT Prelims Exam

You can request retotalling of your DAT Prelims marks online only through the official NID admissions website. The process is limited to checking the marking and totalling of the answer booklet.

• Check Whether All Answers Are Marked: Retotalling includes checking whether all the answers have been marked.

• Verify Marks for Each Question: NID will check whether the marks awarded for each question have been totalled correctly.

• Check Marks Transferred to the Cover Page: The marks will also be checked for correct transfer to the first cover page of the answer booklet.

• No Re-evaluation: Retotalling does not include re-evaluation of your answers or any other work completed during the examination.

• No Answer Script Inspection: Candidates cannot claim re-evaluation, disclosure, or inspection of answer scripts or copies of examination documents.

• Revised Marks: If an error is found during retotalling, your marks will be revised accordingly. The revised score will be considered final.

• Required Admit Card: Your retotalling request must include a scanned copy of the admit card signed by the invigilator and bearing the test-centre seal.

• Online Submission Only: Requests sent by email will not be accepted.

• Retotalling Fee: The fee for retotalling the DAT Prelims paper is ₹2,000.

• Retotalling Procedure: NID will provide details about how to submit the request on the official admissions website at a later stage.

If you choose to apply for retotalling, make sure you submit the request within the prescribed timeline and follow NID’s online procedure carefully. Keep the required signed and sealed admit card ready and check the official admissions website for the latest instructions. 

Shortlisting of Candidates for NID DAT Mains

NID shortlists candidates for DAT Mains based on their DAT Prelims merit and the applicable tie-break policy. The shortlisting process is category-wise and determines who can proceed to the second stage of the NID DAT admission process.

• Shortlisting Based on Merit: Candidates are shortlisted for DAT Mains based on their DAT Prelims merit, subject to the applicable tie-break policy.

• 2.5 Times the Available Seats: For each category, the number of candidates shortlisted will be 2.5 times the number of available seats.

• Prelims Score for Shortlisting: The DAT Prelims score is used to determine whether you qualify for the DAT Mains stage.

• No Prelims Weightage in Mains: The DAT Prelims score does not carry forward as weightage to the DAT Mains stage.

• DAT Mains Admit Card: Shortlisted candidates can download their DAT Mains admit card from the official NID admissions website.

Your DAT Prelims merit determines whether you move forward to DAT Mains, so check the official NID admissions website for the result, shortlisting details, and admit card updates.

NID DAT Final Merit List 2027

The NID DAT Final Merit List 2027 will be prepared based on the DAT Mains scores. NID Ahmedabad will publish category-wise merit lists, along with a separate merit list for Overseas candidates.

• Merit Based on DAT Mains: The final merit list for NID Ahmedabad will be prepared based on the scores obtained in the DAT Mains.

• Category-Wise Merit Lists: Separate merit lists will be prepared for Open, GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST and PwD categories.

• Overseas Merit List: A separate merit list will be prepared for Overseas candidates.

• Result Declaration: The final results for the 2027–28 academic year will be declared only on the official NID admissions website.

• Check Your Rank: You will need to log in to the official website to view your final score and rank.

• Download the Scorecard: NID advises you to download and preserve a copy of your scorecard after the result is declared.

• Scorecard Availability: The scorecard will remain available for download for only 20 days from the date of result declaration.

• Rank Does Not Guarantee Admission: Securing a rank in the final merit list does not guarantee admission to your preferred programme.

• Seat Allotment: Final seat allotment depends on your order of merit, category-wise seat availability, and preferences submitted by you.

The final merit list determines your position in the admission process, while actual admission depends on the subsequent seat-allotment procedure. Check the official NID admissions website for the result, scorecard, and seat-allotment updates.

NID DAT De-reservation Rules

NID follows specific rules for handling seats that remain vacant under reserved categories. The de-reservation provisions differ depending on the category and availability of eligible candidates.

• OBC-NCL Seats: If OBC-NCL seats remain vacant because eligible candidates are unavailable or candidates do not meet the minimum qualifying criteria, the seats will be de-reserved.

• Allotment to Open Category: De-reserved OBC-NCL seats will be allotted to candidates from the Open category in order of merit.

• GEN-EWS Seats: Vacant GEN-EWS seats will not be allotted to candidates from other categories.

• SC Seats: Vacant SC seats will not be allotted to candidates from other categories.

• ST Seats: Vacant ST seats will not be allotted to candidates from other categories.

• Overseas Seats: Vacant Overseas category seats will not be allotted to candidates belonging to other categories.

Therefore, only vacant OBC-NCL seats can be de-reserved and allotted to Open category candidates under the specified conditions. The GEN-EWS, SC, ST and Overseas categories have separate provisions for unfilled seats.

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NID DAT Seat Allotment

A candidate must complete the required online application for admission to the various NIDs after the declaration of DAT Mains results to participate in the seat allotment process.

Submitting this application within the prescribed timeline is mandatory. If you do not submit the application within the specified deadline, you will not be eligible for seat allotment and admission across the NIDs.

Seat allotment will be based on:

• Order of merit

• Availability of seats in the respective category

• Preferences submitted by you

The allotment process may be conducted online or offline at the discretion of NID. If it is conducted in person, you must report with the required original documents according to the announced schedule. Failure to appear with the required documents can result in forfeiture of the allotted seat, which may then be offered to the next eligible candidate in the respective category.

NID DAT Seat Allocation Categories

Candidates who have availed reservation benefits such as compensatory time, scribe facility, or age relaxation will be allotted seats in their applied category only.

Your candidature can be cancelled if you fail to attend in-person admission counselling when required, submit invalid or incomplete documents, provide an invalid category certificate, fail to pay the prescribed fees, submit false information or documents, fail to meet eligibility requirements, or fail to submit the final qualifying examination results.

What Documents Are Required for NID DAT Seat Allotment?

During in-person admission counselling, shortlisted candidates may need to produce copies along with the original documents, including:

• Valid photo identity proof

• Birth Certificate or School Leaving Certificate showing date of birth

• Class 10 mark sheet

• Class 12 mark sheet

• Required self-undertaking, where applicable

• Class XII first-attempt certificate, where applicable

• GEN-EWS/OBC-NCL/SC/ST certificate, where applicable

• Disability Certificate and/or UDID Card, where applicable

• Valid Passport and OCI/PIO Card, where applicable

• Applicable identity certificate for candidates applying under the Third Gender category

Candidates applying under the Overseas category must produce a valid passport. If you completed or will complete your qualifying examination outside India or from an institution not specified in the NID Admissions Handbook, you may also need to provide an equivalence certificate during physical verification.

The exact counselling schedule and document-submission procedure will be announced on the official NID admissions website.

The NID DAT 2027 admission process moves from DAT Prelims to DAT Mains and then to the final merit list and seat allotment. Since the DAT Prelims is scheduled for 20 December 2026 for the 2027–28 admission cycle, you should track the official NID admissions website for the Mains schedule, results, retotalling window, final merit list, and seat-allotment instructions.

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