NID Prelims Cut-off 2026: Expected Category-Wise Marks, Previous Year Trends
Muskan Verma14 Nov, 2025
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NID Prelims Cutoff is the minimum score that students must get to qualify for the next stage of the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT). Every year, the NID Prelims Cutoff 2026 changes based on the exam’s difficulty and competition. Knowing the NID Prelims Cutoff helps students to understand how much students need to score to move to the Mains exam in NID.
The NID Prelims Cutoff 2026 is expected to be slightly higher than last year, as more students are applying and preparing seriously for the exam.
NID Prelims Overview
NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is held in two stages, Prelims and Mains. The Prelims stage tests drawing skills, creativity, and general knowledge, while the Mains includes studio tests and interviews. Students must clear the NID Prelims Cutoff to appear for the Mains stage.
| NID Prelims Overview | ||
| Stage | Description | Purpose |
| NID DAT Prelims | Written test (objective + subjective) | Tests creativity, design sense, and aptitude |
| NID DAT Mains | Studio test + interview | Tests practical and communication skills |
| Final Selection | Based on the Mains performance | Admission into B.Des and M.Des programs |
NID Prelims Cut-Off 2026 Expected
NID Prelims Cutoff 2026 will be announced after the exam results. It will depend on the exam difficulty, the number of applicants, and seat availability. Below, we’ve mentioned the expected NID prelims cutoff 2026 based on previous trends.
| NID Prelims Cutoff 2026 | |
| Category | Expected NID Prelims Cutoff 2026 (Out of 100) |
| Open | 56 – 60 |
| EWS | 48 – 52 |
| OBC-NCL | 40 – 44 |
| SC | 27 – 30 |
| ST | 42 – 44 |
| PwD | 8 – 10 |
| Overseas | 22-25 |
NID Prelims Previous Year Cut Off
The cut-off for NID Prelims changes every year. By checking past year data, students can get an idea about the NID Prelims Cutoff 2026.
NID Prelims Cut-Off 2025
Below, we’ve mentioned the NID DAT prelims cutoff for the 2025 session.
| NID Prelims Cutoff 2025 | |
| Category | NID Prelims Cutoff 2025 (B.Des) |
| General | 59 |
| GEN-EWS | 46 |
| OBC-NCL | 51 |
| SC | 46 |
| ST | 38 |
| Overseas | 22.5 |
| PwD | 19 |
The NID cutoff 2026 may increase slightly due to rising competition.
NID Prelims Cut-Off 2024
Below, we’ve mentioned the NID Prelims Cutoff scores for 2024.
| NID Prelims Cutoff 2024 | |
| Category | NID Prelims Cutoff 2024 (Approx.) |
| Open | 58.50 |
| OBC-NCL | 43.00 |
| EWS | 50.00 |
| ST | 43.75 |
| SC | 29.00 |
| PwD | 9.75 |
| Overseas | 24.25 |
These scores show that NID prelims passing marks vary depending on the exam's difficulty and the number of seats.
Factors Affecting NID Prelims Cut-Off
There are many factors that affect the NID Prelims Cutoff 2026 every year. Below, we’ve mentioned the factors that will affect the NID Prelims Cutoff
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Number of Applicants: More candidates mean higher competition and possibly a higher cutoff.
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Exam Difficulty Level: If the exam is tough, the NID DAT prelims cutoff may be slightly lower.
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Seat Availability: Fewer seats can raise the cutoff marks.
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Category of Candidates: Each category (General, OBC, SC, ST, PwD) has its own NID prelims qualifying marks.
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Overall Performance: The average score of all candidates also impacts the NID prelims passing marks.
These points help understand how the NID prelims minimum marks are decided for different groups.
How to Check NID Prelims CutOff 2026?
The NID Prelims Cutoff 2026 will be available on the official NID website once the results are released. Below, we’ve mentioned some simple steps to check it:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the National Institute of Design: admissions.nid.edu
Step 2: Click on the “NID DAT Prelims Cutoff 2026” link.
Step 3: Log in using your registered email ID and password.
Step 4: Select your program – B.Des or M.Des.
Step 5: The NID DAT prelims cutoff will appear on your screen.
Step 6: Download and save it for future reference.
Students must compare their scores with the NID prelims passing marks 2026 to know their eligibility for the next stage.
The NID Prelims Cutoff 2026 plays an important role in deciding who moves forward to the Mains round. It helps students set clear score targets while preparing for the exam. The NID DAT prelims cutoff depends on several factors, such as exam difficulty and seat count.
By analyzing the previous year’s trends and expected ranges, candidates can plan their preparation more effectively. Scoring above the NID prelims qualifying marks will open the door to the Mains test and bring them one step closer to studying at the National Institute of Design.
The NID cutoff 2026 will soon be released officially, so keep checking the website regularly to stay updated. Remember, meeting the NID DAT prelims passing marks 2026 is your first milestone toward achieving your dream of becoming a designer.