The list of top colleges accepting NID DAT 2026 scores includes National Institute of Design, IILM School of Design, World University of Design, Pearl Academy, Shiv Nagar University, etc.
Exploring the list of top colleges accepting NID DAT scores in 2026 is important for design students and aspirants. Some of the top design institutions like NID, Pearl Academy, Shiv Nadar University, and more. This exam is an important step for students hoping to secure admission into BDes and MDes programs at NID campuses and other participating institutions. Many students dream of getting into an NID college, as it opens doors to some of the most respected design schools in India. Learning how to score well in NID DAT 2026 allows students to pursue their design education and career at these top design colleges. Students eager to know more about the NID DAT 2026 scores can go through the list of colleges, NID DAT eligibility criteria, etc.
List of Colleges Accepting NID DAT Score for Design Admission
Multiple colleges accept the NID DAT 2026 scores for design admissions. Check out the list of colleges accepting NID DAT scores for design admission in India:
Colleges | Location |
|---|---|
National Institute of Design | Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Bhopal, Kurukshetra, & Jorhat |
Gurugram, Haryana | |
Sonepat, Haryana | |
Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh | |
Delhi, Noida, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Jaipur |
National Institute of Design
One of the most premium design colleges, NID accepts NID DAT scores for BDes & MDes admission. The National Institute of Design has campuses spread over India in major cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Bhopal, Kurukshetra, & Jorhat, and all of them consider the performance of candidates in NID DAT before offering them admission to the desired college.
IILM School of Design (IILM)
Considered one of the best design colleges in Gurugram, IILM School of Design is located in Haryana. Established in 2004, the institute accepts the scores obtained in the NID DAT and allows students to apply for design admission in numerous undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the college.
World University of Design
The World University of Design , also known as WUD, is a private institute that offers various specialisations in B.Des such as product design, fashion design, game design and others. The college considers the valid scores in the NID DAT and shortlists students for design admission. Located in Sonepat, Haryana, the World University of Design also accepts the scores obtained in the UCEED 2026 exam and NIFT 2026 entrance exam for B.Des admissions.
Shiv Nadar University
Founded in the year 2011, Shiv Nadar University is situated in Uttar Pradesh. It is a renowned private interdisciplinary research university that accepts NID DAT scores for design admission. The college offers multiple courses in streams such as design, engineering, humanities, management, etc. Along with the NID DAT exam, the institute also considers CEED 2026 exam scores for admission to postgraduate design courses at Shiv Nadar University.
Pearl Academy
One of the most popular colleges, Pearl Academy, also accepts NID DAT scores for admission. The institute offers multiple design courses at diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels and has several campuses located in India. Pearl Academy also conducts a Pearl Academy Entrance Exam to shortlist the deserving candidates, but students can also get a valid score on the NID DAT to be considered for design admission.
NID DAT Eligibility Criteria
Candidates seeking admission into the B.Des and M.Des programmes offered at the NIDs must meet the following eligibility criteria.
Parameters | B.Des | M.Des |
|---|---|---|
Age Limit | The candidate must be born on or after July 1, 2004.
|
The candidate must be born on or after July 1, 1993.
|
Educational Qualification | 10+2 in any discipline | Bachelor's degree of minimum four years duration OR its equivalent. |
Courses and Programmes Offered at NID
The National Institute of Design (NID) provides various undergraduate and postgraduate courses and programs in various design disciplines. These programmes are intended to foster and develop students' creative potential while preparing them for successful jobs in the design profession.
B.Des | M.Des |
|---|---|
|
|
NID DAT 2026 Seat Availability for B.Des & M.Des Courses
Explore the seat availability for B.Des and M.Des courses at the top NID campuses based on good scores in NID DAT 2026 :
NID DAT 2026 Institute-Wise Seat Intake - B.Des Program
Below is the seat intake for the B.Des program across various NID DAT 2026 participating institutes:
Name of the Participating Institute | GEN-EWS (10%) | OBC-NCL (27%) | Scheduled Caste (15%) | Scheduled Tribe (7.5%) | Total Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
13 | 34 | 19 | 9 | 125 | |
8 | 20 | 11 | 6 | 75 | |
8 | 20 | 11 | 6 | 75 | |
8 | 20 | 11 | 6 | 75 | |
8 | 20 | 11 | 6 | 75 | |
Total | 45 | 114 | 63 | 33 | 425 |
BDes Seat Intake at NID Ahmedabad
Faculty of Communication Design
Discipline | Seat Intake |
|---|---|
Animation Film Design | 19 |
Exhibition Design | 13 |
Film & Video Communication | 13 |
Graphic Design | 19 |
Faculty of Industrial Design
Discipline | Seat Intake |
|---|---|
Ceramic & Glass Design | 13 |
Furniture & Interior Design | 13 |
Product Design | 19 |
Faculty of Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle, and Accessory Design
Discipline | Seat Intake |
|---|---|
Textile Design | 19 |
BDes at NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Haryana, NID Madhya Pradesh, NID Assam
Discipline | Seat Intake in each NID |
|---|---|
Communication Design | 25 |
Industrial Design | 25 |
Textile and Apparel Design | 25 |
Note: There are 125 seats available to the Indian nationals. The students admitted to NID Ahmedabad have to take two semesters of compulsory Design Foundation studies.
NID DAT 2026 Seat Intake - M.Des program
Below is the seat intake for the M.Des program across various NID DAT 2026 participating institutes:
NID Campus | Seat Intake |
|---|---|
NID Ahmedabad | 126 |
NID Gandhinagar | 126 |
95 | |
Total Intake | 347 |
NID DAT 2026 - M.Des Program-Wise Seat Intake
The National Institute of Design offers a variety of programs across five main faculties:
- Communication Design
- Industrial Design
- Information Technology-Integrated Programs
- Interdisciplinary Design Studies
- Textile, Apparel, and Lifestyle Accessory Design
Faculty of Communication Design
Discipline | NID Campus | Seat Intake |
|---|---|---|
Animation Film Design | Ahmedabad | 19 |
Film & Video Communication | Ahmedabad | 19 |
Graphic Design | Ahmedabad | 19 |
Photography Design | Gandhinagar | 19 |
Faculty of Industrial Design
Discipline | NID Campus | Seat Intake |
|---|---|---|
Ceramic & Glass Design | Ahmedabad | 12 |
Furniture & Interior Design | Ahmedabad | 19 |
Product Design | Ahmedabad | 19 |
Toy & Game Design | Gandhinagar | 12 |
Transportation & Automobile Design | Gandhinagar | 19 |
Universal Design | Bengaluru | 19 |
Faculty of Information Technology-Integrated Programmes
Discipline | NID Campus | Seat Intake |
|---|---|---|
Digital Game Design | Bengaluru | 19 |
Information Design | Bengaluru | 19 |
Interaction Design | Bengaluru | 19 |
New Media Design | Gandhinagar | 19 |
Faculty of Interdisciplinary Design Studies
Discipline | NID Campus | Seat Intake |
|---|---|---|
Design for Retail Experience | Bengaluru | 19 |
Strategic Design Management | Gandhinagar | 19 |
Faculty of Textile, Apparel, and Lifestyle Accessory Design
Discipline | NID Campus | Seat Intake |
|---|---|---|
Apparel Design | Gandhinagar | 19 |
Lifestyle Accessory Design | Gandhinagar | 19 |
Textile Design | Ahmedabad | 19 |
Documents Required for NID Admission
The candidate will need the following documents during the NID Admission process.
- Birth Certificate
- Mark Sheet of Class 10
- Mark Sheet of Class 12
- Marksheet of Graduation (in case of M.Des Admission)
- Graduation Mark Sheet and Certificates
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- Passport (for overseas candidates)
- A fide certificate from the Principal of the college last attended (to be submitted by candidates awaiting their results)
Also Read:
So, before picking up any colleges for design admission, students must find out everything about the institute, including awards, history, faculty, facilities, infrastructure, curriculum, placement opportunities, courses offered, quality of education, teaching techniques, course fees, location, etc. They must apply for admission only if the desired college meets all their requirements. Furthermore, any queries regarding Top Colleges Accepting NID DAT 2026 Score, log on to our CollegeDekho Q&A Zone or contact our toll-free helpline number 18005729877.
FAQs
The required score to do well on the NID DAT exam varies depending on the category of the candidate. For those in the general category aiming for a B.Des degree, a good score ranges from 60 to 66. Candidates in the OBC category should aim for 55 to 60. For the SC category, a score between 50 and 58 is considered good, while candidates in the ST category should target a score between 45 and 52.
If you have passed both the NID DAT prelims and mains exams, you can apply to colleges that accept NID scores by completing an online application form on the college’s official website. Make sure to upload all necessary documents, pay the application fee, and submit your form before the deadline. Depending on the college’s admission process, you might need to attend a personal interview or a portfolio review. Your final selection will depend on your NID DAT score, academic history, and your performance in the interview or portfolio review.
Graduates in design typically enjoy promising career prospects with various options based on their specialization. Top colleges accepting NID DAT scores, in particular, tend to have robust connections with industries and offer substantial placement support.
Though NID DAT scores are crucial, assigning a specific minimum for "top colleges" is imprecise. Admission is based on a holistic evaluation where scores above the 70th percentile are promising. However, portfolios, studio tests, and interviews are equally important. Concentrate on program-specific criteria and create a compelling application, as it is the combination of these factors that opens the gateway to desired design colleges, rather than scores alone.
Students can pursue Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs in various specializations like Design Communication, Industrial Design, Product Design, Textile Design, etc. They can also pursue Master of Design (M.Des) programs in specific areas.
No, MIT Pune does not accept NID DAT 2026 scores. MIT Pune accepts scores from UCEED, NATA, NIFT Entrance Exam, PERA CET, and its own entrance exam, MITID DAT. The NID-based admissions procedure is solely for MIT World Peace University, not for MIT Institute of Design.
The National Institute of Design (NID) is India's foremost design institute, with campuses across the country providing high-quality design education. The perfect college for you will be determined by your unique needs and interests. Consider variables such as the campus's location, the specific design programmes offered, and the institute's general reputation.
Here are some of the factors that determine the NID DAT 2026 cutoff:
- Number of applicants
- Difficulty level of the exam
- Performance of candidates in previous years
- Availability of seats in design institutes
- Reservation policies
Top design colleges that accept NID DAT scores in 2026 include the National Institute of Design (NID) campuses in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Bengaluru. Other notable institutions like IIT Bombay, IIT Guwahati, and IITDM Jabalpur also consider NID DAT scores for admission to their design programs.
The NID DAT 2026 selection process is divided into two stages:
- NID DAT Prelims: Prelims is a written exam that evaluates candidates' general knowledge, aptitude, and design sensibility.
- NID DAT Mains: Candidates who pass the Prelims are invited to the Mains, which comprises studio testing, portfolio review, and an interview.
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