The National Institute of Design (NID) released the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) 2026 admit cards for the prelims exam on December 11 . Candidates can download their admit cards from the official NID admissions website, admissions.nid.edu . The NID DAT 2026 prelims exam is scheduled for December 21 .
The NID DAT serves as the entrance examination for admission to various undergraduate and postgraduate design programs across NID campuses in India. Successful candidates gain entry into Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) courses. The selection process involves two main stages: a preliminary exam (Prelims) and a main exam (Mains). Candidates must perform well in both stages to secure admission.
Accessing Your Admit Card
To download the NID DAT 2026 admit card, candidates must log in using their registered email address and date of birth . The admit card contains essential details for the examination day. These include the candidate’s full name, unique application number, and passport-sized photograph. It also displays the candidate’s signature.
Furthermore, the admit card specifies the exact exam date, allocated time slot, and the designated exam venue. Critical instructions regarding items allowed inside the examination centre and the mandatory reporting time are also printed on the card. Candidates must review all information carefully to ensure accuracy and readiness for the exam day.
NID DAT 2026 Prelims Exam Details
The NID DAT 2026 Prelims exam on December 21 assesses several key aptitudes. It evaluates candidates’ design skills, creative thinking abilities, observation power, and communication proficiency. The examination is structured into two distinct sections: Part A and Part B .
Part A consists of 19 objective-type questions. This section carries a total weightage of 25 marks. Part B includes 5 subjective-type questions. This section is worth 75 marks. The admit card provides specific information regarding the exact duration of the exam and any other instructions relevant to the studio test components.
Step-by-Step Download Instructions
Candidates must follow these steps to download the NID DAT Prelims admit card:
- Visit the official NID admissions website: admissions.nid.edu .
- Locate and click the link titled “ NID DAT 2026 Admit Card – Prelims .”
- Enter the registered email address in the designated login field.
- Provide the candidate’s date of birth in the required format.
- Click the ‘Submit’ button to access the admit card.
- Download the admit card to a local device.
- Print a clear copy of the admit card. Candidates must carry this printout to the exam centre.
- Prepare a valid photo identification (ID) . This ID must be presented alongside the admit card on the examination day.
Candidates are advised to download and print their admit cards promptly. They should also verify all details on the card to avoid any discrepancies on the exam day. Any issues should be reported to NID authorities immediately.