NID DAT 2026 Mains Exam Dates Announced for M.Des Programme

Published: Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 17:01 [IST]

The National Institute of Design (NID) has officially announced the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) 2026 Mains schedule for candidates shortlisted for admission to the Master of Design (M.Des) Programme for the academic year 2026-27.

NID DAT 2026 Mains Exam Dates Announced — PTI Images

NID DAT 2026 Mains Exam Dates Released

The detailed schedule for the Studio Test and Interview has now been released. Candidates who qualified in DAT Prelims can check their discipline-wise exam and interview dates on the official website.

NID DAT Mains (M.Des) 2026 - Key Highlights

Events	Details
Exam Name	NID DAT Mains 2026 (M.Des)
Conducting Body	National Institute of Design (NID)
Academic Session	2026-27
Studio Test Date	March 8, 2026 (Sunday)
Interview Dates	March 21 to April 01, 2026
Admit Card Release	February 24, 2026 (from 4 PM)
Mode	Offline (Studio Test & Interview)
Studio Test Date	March 8, 2026

Studio Test Date - March 8, 2026

The NID DAT Mains (M.Des) Studio Test will be conducted on March 8, 2026 (Sunday). The test will take place in different cities depending on the discipline selected by the candidate.

The Studio Test evaluates:

Creativity and visualization skills
Material handling ability
Problem-solving approach
Design thinking and innovation

Candidates must carefully check their allotted test city and reporting time mentioned on the admit card.

Interview Schedule - March 21 to April 01, 2026

The NID DAT Mains (M.Des) 2026 Interviews will be conducted from March 21 to April 01, 2026. The exact interview date will vary according to the discipline chosen by the candidate.

The interview round assesses:

Portfolio presentation
Subject knowledge
Design aptitude
Communication skills
Overall personality

Candidates are advised to verify their specific interview dates to avoid confusion.

NID DAT Mains 2026 Admit Card

The admit card for the M.Des Mains examination will be available for download from 4 PM on February 24, 2026.

Steps to Download Admit Card:

1. Visit the official NID admissions portal.

2. Log in using your registered email ID and password.

3. Click on the "Download Admit Card - DAT Mains 2026" link.

4. Download and print the admit card.

Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID to the examination venue.

Important Notice Regarding Date Clashes

If a candidate's university examination dates clash with the NID interview schedule, they must:

Inform NID via email at [email protected]
Submit the request on or before February 23, 2026
Attach valid supporting documents

Failure to inform within the deadline may result in loss of opportunity to reschedule.

Selection Process for NID M.Des 2026

The admission process includes:

DAT Prelims
DAT Mains (Studio Test)
Personal Interview

Final selection will be based on combined performance in the Mains Studio Test and Interview.

Important Instructions for Candidates

Download the admit card well in advance.
Carefully check discipline-specific dates and venues.
Carry required materials for the Studio Test (if specified).
Reach the venue before reporting time.
Keep original ID proof for verification.

Candidates should regularly visit the official NID website for updates.

Conclusion

The announcement of the NID DAT Mains (M.Des) 2026 schedule is a crucial update for design aspirants aiming for admission to the prestigious National Institute of Design. With the Studio Test scheduled for March 8, 2026, and interviews from March 21 to April 01, 2026, candidates must prepare thoroughly and adhere to deadlines.