NID Gandhinagar Admission: The National Institute of Design (NID), Gandhinagar, was established in 2004 as an extension to NID Ahmedabad. The campus is recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India. The university offers a full-time Master of Design (M.Des) course across 19 specializations, namely, Apparel Design, Lifestyle Accessory Design, and Transportation & Automobile Design.
NID Gandhinagar admission to its flagship course is based on the candidates’ performance in NID DAT 2026 Prelims and Mains entrance examinations. NID Gandhinagar fees for the MDes program are around Rs 11.5 lakhs.
NID Gandhinagar admission 2026 for the MDes program starts with the online registration for NID DAT 2026. NID DAT 2026 registration is underway on the official website for admission to BDes and MDes courses at various NID campuses. The last date for NID DAT 2026 registration is 1 December 2025. Candidates who get shortlisted in the NID DAT 2026 are allotted seats after document verification and payment of fees. Here are some key aspects related to the NID Gandhinagar admission 2026 for candidates’ reference.
NID Gandhinagar Admission 2026 | |
Particulars | Details |
Institute Name | National Institute of Design (NID), Gandhinagar |
Type of Institute | Autonomous |
Application Mode | Online |
Courses Offered | Master of Design (M.Des) |
Total Specializations | 19, including Apparel, Lifestyle, Transportation, etc. |
Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university |
Entrance Exam | NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) |
DAT Prelims Exam Date | December 21, 2025 |
Final Selection Criteria | Combined performance in DAT Prelims, DAT Mains, and Personal Interview |
There is no separate NID Ahmedabad entrance exam for admission to MDes or BDes programs. It considers the scores of NID DAT for the final selection. The NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is conducted in two stages, namely, Prelims and Mains. NID DAT Prelims is a 3-hour-long test consisting of objective questions on general ability and subjective sketching questions to assess creativity and design aptitude. NID DAT Prelims 2026 for MDes is scheduled for 21 December 2025.
Candidates who clear the NID DAT Prelims proceed to the Mains exam. NID DAT Mains exam consists of a Studio test and a Personal interview. The NID Studio test requires candidates to make models using the material provided in the exam. Those who clear both stages are then invited to the counselling and seat allotment process.
NID Gandhinagar admission to the MDes program requires candidates to follow the given eligibility requirements. These are outlined by the institute on its official website. Final seat allotment and admission are based on the cumulative scores obtained in the NID DAT Prelims and Mains 2026.
NID Gandhinagar Eligibility Criteria | |
Particulars | Details |
Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree (3 or 4 years) or full-time diploma (4 years) in design/fine arts/architecture or equivalent |
Minimum Age Limit |
General Category: Candidates must be born on or after 1 July 1993 Reserved Categories (OBC-NCL, SC, ST): They must be born on or after 1 July 1990. |
Upper Age Limit | Not Applicable |
Final selection criteria |
Merit scores in NID DAT Premlims+Mains |
NID Gandhinagar offers its flagship MDes program across several specializations. These include Lifestyle Accessory Design, Apparel Design, New Media Design, Toy and Game Design, Photography Design, Strategic Design Management, and Transportation & Automobile Design. The curriculum is structured to equip students with the knowledge of 3D printing and other industry-relevant skills. The institute focuses on innovation and sustainability with initiatives such as the Innovation Centre for Natural Fibre.
NID Gandhinagar fees for the MDes course range from around Rs 9.97 L - 11.43 L, depending on the specialization you choose. The tuition fee is approximately Rs 2,44,500 per semester. NID Gandhinagar fees include tuition fees, hostel charges, registration fee, and other miscellaneous charges. Fee concessions and scholarships are available for reserved categories as per government norms. Here’s the breakdown of the NID Gandhinagar fees for the MDes program for your reference.
NID Gandhinagar Fees | |
MDes Fee components | Amount (for 30 months) |
Tuition | ₹ 9.97 L - 11.43 L |
Hostel | ₹ 87.5 K |
One-time Payment | ₹ 10 K |
Total fee | ₹ 10.95 L - 12.4 L |
For NID Gandhinagar admission, candidates must first register for the NID DAT 2026 on the official website before the last date. Meeting the eligibility criteria is a prerequisite for registering for the NID Gandhinagar MDes course. Here’s how you can apply for NID Gandhinagar admission.
NID Gandhinagar offers a total of 126 seats for its MDes program, distributed among 7 specializations. Seat allotment is based on merit achieved in the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT), followed by counselling and document verification. Reservation policies apply to seat distribution for reserved categories as per government policies. Here is the seat intake across various MDes specializations at NID Gandhinagar.
NID Gandhinagar Seat Intake | |
MDes Specializations | Seat Intake |
Transportation and Automobile Design | 19 |
Apparel Design | 19 |
Toy and Game Design | 12 |
Lifestyle Accessory Design | 19 |
Strategic Design Management | 19 |
New Media Design | 19 |
Photography Design | 19 |
NID Gandhinagar placements have been the talk of the town. The average salary of an MDes graduate is around Rs 21.3 lakh per annum. The highest package offered recently reached Rs 46 lakh, reflecting significant industry demand for skilled designers. Around 75% of students secure placements, supported by training and counselling sessions conducted on campus for their professional readiness.
Here are the top recruiters for the NID Gandhinagar MDes graduates.
Top recruiters for the NID Gandhinagar MDes Graduates | |
Wipro | Whirlpool |
TitanIndustries | Toshiba |
Philips India | Adidas |
Adobe | Ashok Leyland |
GODREJ | HONEYWELL |
Hindustan Unilever | Honda R&D |
Zomato | TCS |
Tata Motors | WELSPUN |
NID Gandhinagar MDes cutoff 2025 is determined based on the candidates’ performance, seat availability, and reservation policies. Given below are the NID Gandhinagar MDes cutoff 2025 across all categories for your reference.
NID Gandhinagar Cutoff | |
Category | NID Gandhinagar Cutoff 2025 |
Overseas | 57.8 |
EWS | 50.25 |
General | 50.15 |
OBC | 45.15 |
PwD | 42.15 |
ST | 41.8 |
SC | 40.2 |
NID Ahmedabad campus is spread over approximately 7 acres in the Paldi area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. NID Ahmedabad serves as the headquarters of the National Institute of Design with satellite campuses in Bangalore and Gandhinagar. The university offers workshops, laboratories, libraries, and campus hostels. The official NID Gandhinagar address is provided on the official website, and applicants seeking admission to the university must read the official website carefully.