NID M.Des Admissions 2026–27: What Has Changed From Last Year?
Every year, the National Institute of Design (NID) makes small adjustments to its admission process. But this time, the changes for the M.Des (Master of Design) 2026–27 admissions are more significant and will directly affect how students prepare for the exam.
If you’re planning to appear, here’s a clear breakdown of the major differences between 2025–26 and 2026–27, and what they mean for you.
Key Changes at a Glance
| Component | 2025–26 | 2026–27 |
|---|---|---|
| Application Rules | Up to two disciplines across any streams. | Up to two disciplines within one chosen faculty stream; no mixing of streams allowed. |
| DAT Prelims – Common Paper & Role | Different papers per stream/discipline; carries 20% weightage in final result. | Single paper for all streams; used only for shortlisting, no weightage in final result. |
| DAT Mains – Weightage | Studio Test 40% + Interview 40% + Prelims 20% | Studio Test 40% + Interview 60%; interview now more critical. |
| Studio Test & Interview Structure | Studio Test at stream level; interview discipline-specific. | No change in structure; uniform Studio Test, differentiated Interviews. |
| Shortlisting Ratio | 3.5× seats shortlisted for DAT Mains. | Increased to 4.5× seats; more candidates reach Mains, competition tougher. |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | OPEN 50%, EWS 45%, OBC 45%, SC/ST/PwD 40%, Overseas 50% | OPEN 45%, EWS 45%, OBC 40%, SC/ST/PwD 35%, Overseas 45%; lower cutoffs, merit-based selection remains. |
| Reservation & Inclusivity | – | New Third Gender category introduced for fee relaxation; more inclusive process. |
| Transparency – Answer Sheets | No access to answer sheets. | Students can request answer sheets post-admission for ₹1000 per exam; process more transparent. |
What This Means for Students
- Prelims: Focus only on qualifying, since marks don’t count towards final merit.
- Mains: Prepare intensively for both Studio Tests and especially Interviews (60%).
- Choice of Stream: Be careful while selecting your faculty stream, as you’re restricted to one.
- Competition: With more candidates reaching Mains, strong performance is essential.
- Inclusivity & Transparency: Easier qualifying marks + access to answer sheets makes the process fairer.
Final Advice
If you’re appearing for NID M.Des 2026–27, shift your preparation strategy:
- Build strong fundamentals for the Prelims (common paper).
- Put major effort into Mains → hands-on practice for Studio Tests and mock interviews for your chosen discipline.
- Plan early which faculty stream and discipline(s) to apply for, since choices are now limited.
NID has made the process simpler in some ways, but more competitive in others. The real game begins at the Mains stage.