NID Tie-Breaker Policy 2026

NID DAT 2026 tie-breaking policy states that in the case of two or more students acquiring the same marks, then NID has a certain method to break the tie that decides the merit list. The NID DAT prepares the Prelims and the Mains. Then, a merit list is created, using the tie-breaker rule to move all those who qualified ahead of others into the Mains round. Eventually, the final merit list is prepared considering scores obtained from both rounds and the set tie-breaking rule for NID DAT 2026 exam applies.

Initially, a four-step NID tie-breaking policy for B.Des admissions was introduced by NID in the year 2019. In 2020, it was extended to six criteria, and in 2023, more changes were made in the M.Des program, especially for the Prelims tie-breaker. Students eager to know more about the NID DAT 2026 tie-breaking policy can go through the selection criteria & exam-wise weightage, tie-breaking policy for mains, etc.

Also Read: Best Design Colleges Apart from NID & NIFT

NID 2026 Selection Criteria and Exam-Wise Weightage

The table below lists the NID DAT Prelims and Mains weightage from the previous year's results.

NID BDes Weightage

NID DAT Tie-Breaker Policy for Prelims

If students score similar marks in the prelims exam, then the NID DAT 2026 tie-breaking policy is used to decide the merit rank. Check below the tie-breaking policy for NID DAT 2026 (Prelims):

For BDes Admission 2026

• A higher rank will be offered to the candidate who has acquired higher marks in Part II of the DAT Prelims.
• If the tie does not break by the first statement, a better rank will be provided to the applicant who has scored more marks in Part I of the DAT Prelims.
• If the tie continues, both candidates will be awarded the same rank.

For MDes Admission 2026

• A higher rank will be awarded to the candidate who has secured higher marks in Part II/ Part III of the DAT Prelims.
• If the tie does not break by the above policy, a better rank will be provided to the Applicant who has obtained more marks in Part I of the DAT Prelims.
• If still, the tie continues, the conducting body will offer the same rank to the candidates.

NID DAT Tie-Breaker Policy for Mains

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Here's how NID DAT (Mains) 2026 handles ties in candidate ranks:

For BDes Admission 2026

• First, the candidate with higher marks in the NID DAT Mains exam gets a better rank.
• If the tie persists, priority goes to the candidate with higher marks in stage I of the DAT.
• If still tied, the candidate with better marks in Stage I of DAT Part B gets the higher rank.
• If the tie continues, the one with higher marks in Stage I of DAT Part A gets preference.
• If the tie persists further, the candidate with the highest marks in the question of DAT Mains with the maximum marks breaks the tie.

For MDes Admission 2026

• Initially, the candidate with higher marks in NID DAT 2026 (Mains) gets a higher rank.
• If the tie remains, priority is given to the candidate with higher marks in the studio test of the DAT 2026 Mains.
• If the tie persists, the one with higher marks in DAT Prelims gets a better rank.
• If the tie still is not resolved, preference is given to the candidate with better marks in Part II/III (subjective) of DAT Prelims.
• If the tie continues, the candidate with better marks in the maximum weightage question of NID DAT Mains gets a higher rank.
• If the tie persists even after this, the candidates receive the same rank.

Also Read: List of Best NID Colleges

NID Selection Process 2026 for BDes Admissions

The Bachelor of Design program is offered across several of NID's campuses, which include NID Ahmedabad, NID Andhra Pradesh , NID Haryana, NID Madhya Pradesh, and NID Assam. To get admitted to NID, candidates must clear the NID DAT 2026 exam.

NID DAT Prelims Exam

The Prelims exam is a pen-and-paper test that consists of textual as well as visual questions. It is conducted at the same time on the same date in all the NID DAT 2026 exam centres in India. Students who want to appear for the test would need to download their NID DAT 2026 admit card a few days before the date of the exam and bring a printed copy of the same with them to the exam hall.

Prelims Results and Merit List

Based on marks in Prelims, a merit list is prepared for every category: General, General EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and PwD. Candidates whose names appear in this list will be eligible to appear for the NID DAT Mains exam.

NID DAT Mains Exam

Only those students who clear the prelims will be eligible to sit for the DAT mains. The Mains exam includes a studio test with all details and the centre for the exam as printed on the admit card. The final score is determined based on the weightage of both the Prelims and Mains exams, which will be announced later.

Note: The selection procedure for MDes aspirants entails the main exam in the NID DAT, which also includes rounds of studio tests and interviews. Interviews will be held in the same auditorium where the studio test is going on. There will be multiple sessions for each discipline, depending on the design discipline. Studio test is carried out entirely in the English language only.

NID DAT Merit List 2026

Two separate NID DAT 2026 merit lists will be formulated for NID DAT 2026 Prelims and NID DAT 2026 Mains. The merit list of NID 2026 will be prepared according to the categories. Different merit lists are released for the candidates belonging to Open, OBC-NCL, GEN-EWS, SC, ST and PwD categories. Similarly, a separate merit list is curated for Overseas candidates. NID follows a set NID seat intake and reservation policy that determines the admission of an aspirant through the merit list. Also, while preparing the merit list of NID 2026, the tie-breaker policy issued by the National Institute of Design is kept as the major consideration point.

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NID is one of the most popular design institutes in the nation. Almost every aspirant dreams of securing admission to NID at one point. However, due to the limited number of seats, not everyone can cut! Check out some best private design colleges, such as Vogue Institute of Art and Design , Whistling Woods International, Maeer's MIT Institute of Design, etc., that have equal potential to offer high-quality education along with the assurance of a bright future. To participate in the admission process of any shortlisted institute or college, do not hesitate to place a call and talk to our admission expert at the toll-free number, 1800-572-9877. Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more information on NID DAT 2026.