The National Institute of Design (NID) has finished conducting the NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) 2026. This important entrance exam helps students get admission into Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) courses at NID campuses across India. The exam took place on December 21, 2025 . Now, all students who appeared for the exam are waiting for their results.
NID has made it clear that it will not release any official answer key or question booklet for the NID DAT 2026 Prelims exam. This means students will not be able to check their answers against a standard key. The institute's rules, stated in the Admission Handbooks, confirm that answer keys will not be shared with candidates, even if requested.
NID DAT 2026 Results Soon
Students can expect their results to be announced soon. The NID DAT Prelims 2026 results for the M.Des program will be out on February 17, 2026 . For the B.Des program, the results will be declared on April 07, 2026 . Students should regularly check the official NID website for updates and the direct link to view their scores.
Rechecking Window for Prelims Exam
After the results are announced, NID will open a short window for rechecking. This is for students who believe there might be an error in the calculation of their marks for the Prelims exam. This rechecking option will be available for both B.Des and M.Des programs.
It is important to understand what rechecking means. NID's rechecking process is limited to verifying calculation errors. It checks if all answers were marked and if the total score was added correctly. Rechecking is not a re-evaluation of answers that require subjective judgment or creative assessment. This means that answers related to design problems or creative tasks will not be re-evaluated during this window.
Important Dates for Rechecking
Students must note these important dates for the rechecking process:
- For M.Des students, the rechecking window will open on February 17, 2026 , and close on February 18, 2026 .
- For B.Des students, the rechecking window will open on April 07, 2026 , and close on April 08, 2026 .
How to Apply for Rechecking
If a student wishes to apply for rechecking, they must do so online. They need to log in to their personal portal on the official NID website during the specified rechecking window. A small fee will likely be charged per paper for the rechecking service. Students should be ready to pay this fee online to complete their request.
Overview of NID DAT 2026 Dates
Here is a quick look at the important dates for NID DAT 2026:
| Event | Date |
| NID DAT 2026 Prelims Exam | December 21, 2025 |
| M.Des Prelims Result | February 17, 2026 |
| M.Des Rechecking Window | February 17 – February 18, 2026 |
| B.Des Prelims Result | April 07, 2026 |
| B.Des Rechecking Window | April 07 – April 08, 2026 |
What is NID DAT?
The National Institute of Design (NID) is one of India's top institutes for design education and research. The NID DAT is a highly competitive exam for students aspiring to pursue design as a career. The B.Des program is a four-year undergraduate course, while the M.Des program is a two-and-a-half-year postgraduate course. Both programs focus on various aspects of design, including industrial design, communication design, textile design, and more.
The NID DAT exam is usually conducted in two stages: Prelims and Mains. The Prelims exam tests a candidate's general design aptitude, creativity, observation skills, and basic knowledge. Students who pass the Prelims exam become eligible to appear for the Mains exam. The Mains exam typically involves a Studio Test and a Personal Interview, which further assess a student's design skills, portfolio, and communication abilities.
Next Steps for Students
Students who appeared for the NID DAT 2026 Prelims exam should now focus on the upcoming result dates. It is important to keep the official NID website saved and check it regularly for the latest announcements. Those who qualify in the Prelims exam will need to start preparing for the Mains exam, which includes the Studio Test and Interview. Understanding the rechecking process and its limitations is also key for students who may consider applying for it.
