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Updated By Intajur Rahaman on 19 Sep, 2025 12:35
The NID DAT Prelims 2026 exam will be conducted in multiple cities/towns across India at different NID DAT 2026 exam centres. The exact list of cities/test cities was announced by NID during the application process. Candidates were able to select the preferred city during the application form submission.
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Predict RankThe National Institute of Design (NID) scheduled the NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) exam in January 2026. This exam will be held in 22 different cities across India for both B.Des and M.Des programs. Detailed information about the NID DAT 2026 exam centres is available in the NID DAT 2026 Admission Handbooks. When you fill out the NID DAT 2026 application form, you will have the option to choose your preferred exam centre.
Once your exam city is confirmed, the name and address will appear on your NID DAT 2026 admit card. Candidates were supposed to take this admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam centre on the day of the test. It will also carry the reporting time and important instructions to be followed on the day of the examination. Note that there will be separate admit cards issued for NID DAT Mains. For more details about the NID DAT 2026 exam centres, continue reading the full article.
The NID exam centres for the NID DAT 2026 exam will be officially released in the Admission Handbooks for both the B.Des and M.Des programs. For the NID DAT Prelims 2026, there are no updates or modifications to the exam centre list. Similar to the previous year, the exam will be conducted across 22 cities. No new cities have been added, nor have any been removed compared to last year's list.
However, it is important to note the changes made for the NID DAT exam. During that exam, Goa and Shimla were removed as exam centres, while Kochi was added. This adjustment brought the total number of cities down from 23 to 22.
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Please see the table below for the whole schedule of the NID DAT 2026 for B.Des and M.Des:
Events | B.Des Dates | M.Des Dates |
|---|---|---|
NID DAT 2026 Application Form Date | TBA | TBA |
NID 2026 Registration for DAT by Paying the Late Fees | TBA | TBA |
Correction of NID DAT 2026 Application Form | TBA | TBA |
NID DAT Admit Card 2026 | TBA | TBA |
NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) Exam Date | TBA | TBA |
NID DAT 2026 Prelims Result | TBA | TBA |
Rechecking Request for DAT Prelims | TBA | TBA |
Download Admit Card for NID DAT Mains | TBA | TBA |
NID DAT 2026 Exam Date (Mains) | TBA | TBA |
NID DAT 2026 Mains Result | TBA | TBA |
Rechecking Request for DAT Mains 2026 | TBA | TBA |
You must select your chosen exam centres when completing the NID DAT 2026 application form. It is necessary to select exam centres that are easily accessible and convenient for you. To prevent any last-minute rush, come to your exam centre at least one hour early. The following is a list of NID DAT exam centres 2026:
Ranchi | New Delhi | Guwahati |
|---|---|---|
Thiruvananthapuram | Kurukshetra | Patna |
Panjim (New) | Jaipur | Vijayawada (New) |
Dehradun | Kolkata | Mumbai |
Lucknow | Hyderabad | Jammu |
Nagpur | Chennai | Raipur |
Chandigarh | Bhopal | Ahmedabad |
Bhubaneswar | Bengaluru | Shimla (New) |
The exam centres for the NID DAT Mains exam are different from the exam centres for the Prelims exam. You must qualify for the Prelims exam to take the Mains exam. The NID DAT Mains 2026 exam will be held at one of the following NID campuses:
NID Ahmedabad | NID Bengaluru | NID Gandhinagar |
|---|---|---|
NID Andhra Pradesh | NID Haryana | NID Madhya Pradesh |
NID Assam | ||
The NID DAT 2026 Prelims exam will take place in January 2026. On the day of the exam, candidates are required to arrive at their designated exam centre by 8:00 AM. Here is a tentative timeline for the NID DAT 2026 Prelims.
Event | B.Des | M.Des |
|---|---|---|
Date of the DAT Prelims exam | TBA | TBA |
Reporting Time | 8 AM | 8 AM |
Gate closing time | 9.30 AM | 9.30 AM |
Time of the exam | 10 AM - 1 PM (Part I + Part II) | 10 AM - 12.30 PM (Part I + Part II) |
No, the exam centres for DAT Prelims and DAT Mains are not the same. The DAT Prelims exam is conducted in 22 cities across India, while the DAT Mains exam is conducted in only six cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Gandhinagar, Kolkata, and Kurukshetra.
Here is a table summarizing the exam centres for DAT Prelims and DAT Mains:
Exam | Cities |
|---|---|
DAT Prelims | Ahmedabad, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kurukshetra, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna, Ranchi, Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayawada |
DAT Mains | Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Gandhinagar, Kolkata, Kurukshetra |
No, requests to change the NID DAT exam centre will not be considered. However, the exam authorities may add or remove test centres and assign a centre that might not be the aspirant's preference. Candidates should be aware that a city can have more than one NID DAT exam centre.
The NID DAT 2026 application form is now available, and candidates have the option to select their preferred exam centre. However, it is crucial to be aware of some essential details before making your choice.
Selecting NID DAT 2026 exam centres for the B.Des. Prelims involves a straightforward process:
This uncomplicated procedure ensures clarity and convenience in the selection of B.Des. Prelims exam centres for NID DAT 2026.
To apply for NID DAT 2026 in a few easy steps:
No stationery will be provided to test-takers, so they must bring their supplies for the NID DAT exam. Here's a list of documents that aspirants should have with them when taking the NID DAT 2026.
The National Institute of Design releases the NID DAT 2026 admit card solely in online mode. Candidates can access and download their admit cards by entering their registered login credentials. Once downloaded, carefully review the details of the allotted NID DAT exam centre, including the complete address, examination venue, reporting time, and other relevant information.
Carrying your admit card is mandatory for entry into the examination venue. Failure to present the admit card will result in denial of entry. Additionally, any form of writing or scribbling on the NID DAT admit card 2026 is strictly prohibited as per the authority's instructions. Retain your admit card securely until the entire admission process is complete. This document serves as important proof of your eligibility during the exam and subsequent admission procedures.
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Captured below are a few essential guidelines related to the NID DAT exam centres 2026.
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Want to know more about NID DAT
Students will be able to select their NID DAT exam centre 2026 after the DAT Prelims exam results are released. The exam locations will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If students do not select an exam centre, the system will assign one to students based on seat availability. Students' exam location will be listed on students' NID DAT 2026 admit card. From April 2026 to May 2026, the NID DAT Mains 2026 Studio Test for B.Des will be held.
To choose NID DAT exam centres 2026 for DAT Prelims, log in to the student's account on the NID website. Students will be able to see a list of all accessible exam centres after students have logged in. After that, students may choose their chosen exam centres and submit their selections. Since exam centres are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, students must submit their preferences as soon as possible. If students do not submit their choices, students will be allocated a test centre at random.
Candidates will be able to select their preferred NID DAT 2026 exam centres shortly after the DAT Prelims exam results are announced. Exam centres will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Candidates who do not select an exam centre will be automatically assigned one based on the availability of seats. The details of the assigned exam centre will be mentioned on the NID DAT 2026 admit card.
Candidates are not allowed to carry mobile phones, calculators, or any other electronic devices inside the NID exam hall. Any candidate found carrying any such device will be disqualified and asked to leave the test centre without completing the exam.
The NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) exam is expected to be held in January 2026, in 22 cities such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, etc. When students fill out the NID DAT 2025 application form, they must select their preferred exam city. NID DAT Exam centres will be assigned based on the availability of seats in each centre and your preferred exam city.
The National Institute of Design (NID) may not provide a baggage counter at the NID DAT Prelims exam centre. Therefore, candidates are advised to pack light and bring only the essentials, such as their admit card, identification card, and pens. Any unnecessary items should be left at home or with a friend or family member.
The National Institute of Design (NID) will release different exam centres for the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains exams. The name and address of their assigned exam centre, reporting time, and other details will be mentioned on their admit card. Admit cards will also be released separately for the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains exams.
The NID DAT 2026 admit card will include information such as the exam schedule, exam centre and exam date. Make sure to get to the NID DAT 2026 exam centre by the reporting time given on the admission card. Students will not be permitted to enter the exam hall if they arrive late, especially after the exam has begun. The NID DAT Prelims test is likely to be in January 2026, for both B.Des and M.Des courses.
The National Institute of Design (NID) has released the admission handbooks for the B.Des and M.Des courses. The handbooks include a list of exam cities for the NID DAT Prelims exam for each course. According to the information in the M.Des Admission Handbook, the NID DAT Prelims exam will be held in the following cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kurukshetra, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayawada.
The places where the B.Des NID DAT 2026 Prelims test would be held have been announced by the National Institute of Design (NID). Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kurukshetra, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Vijayawada are among the cities where this exam will be held.
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