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Updated By Intajur Rahaman on 19 Sep, 2025 13:01
The performance of the candidates in NID DAT Prelims, as well as NID DAT Mains, will be the basis for selection. Candidates who perform well will be listed on the NID DAT Merit List 2026. The merit list will carry ample importance in selecting candidates for counselling and seat allocation.
Predict your Percentile based on your NID DAT performance
Predict RankThe NID DAT merit list 2026 will be published by the National Institute of Design soon, after the final NID DAT results 2026 for B.Des and M.Des are out. The NID DAT Prelims results for 2026 for B.Des admissions will be released in April 2026, and for M.Des, it will be released in February 2026. Only those candidates who get shortlisted in the merit list will be considered for further admission and the NID DAT 2026 counselling process. A candidate must meet the minimum requirements for getting qualified in both exams, NID DAT Prelims, as well as NID DAT Mains. The merit list will be prepared category-wise in the order of rank. The NID DAT 2026 Prelims exam will be held in January 2026.
There will be two merit lists for NID DAT 2026.
Note: Both merit lists will be categorized as General, General-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, and Overseas.
Also Read:
| NID DAT 2026 Answer Key |
Check the important dates of the upcoming NID DAT 2026 exam below:
Events | B.Des Dates | M.Des Dates |
|---|---|---|
NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) Exam Date | TBA | TBA |
NID DAT 2026 Prelims Result | TBA | TBA |
Rechecking Request for DAT Prelims | 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 |
The NID DAT merit list for 2026 will be released once the NID DAT results 2026 for both prelims and mains exams are announced. This list will show the overall scores of candidates from both exams. It will also show the cutoff marks for each category and course. Those who make it to the list will qualify for the counselling process. To check the NID DAT 2026 merit list, follow these steps:
The NID DAT merit list 2026 will consider both DAT Prelims and DAT Mains, with the specific weightage for each being shared around the time of result declaration. The importance assigned to Prelims and Mains will be announced during or near the results announcement.
Programme | Exam | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
B.Des | NID DAT Prelims | 40% |
NID DAT Mains | 60% | |
M.Des | NID DAT Prelims | 30% |
NID DAT Mains
| 70% |
The preliminary cut-offs for the first and second NID DAT Merit List 2026 are listed below.
The National Institute of Design will announce a merit list for all qualified candidates by the end of June 2026, including the number of seats per branch and category, as well as the subsequent cutoff score for all categories. The following is the expected Merit list for NID DAT 2026:
Programs/Category | General Category | OBC-NCL Category | SC Category | ST Category | PH (Horizontal - All Categories) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masters of Design (MDes) | Cut off score (excl. PH) | Cut off score (excl. PH) | Cut off score (excl. PH) | Cut off score (excl. PH) | Cut off score |
Animation Film Design | 47.32 | 42.59 | 37.86 | 37.86 | 33.12 |
Apparel Design | 51.04 | 45.94 | 40.83 | 40.83 | 35.73 |
Ceramic & Glass Design | 55.84 | 50.26 | 44.67 | 44.67 | 39.09 |
Design for Retail Experience | 59.69 | 53.72 | 47.75 | 47.75 | 41.78 |
Digital Game Design | 57.94 | 52.15 | 46.35 | 46.35 | 40.56 |
Film & Video Communication | 58.30 | 52.47 | 46.64 | 46.64 | 40.81 |
Furniture Design | 57.18 | 51.46 | 45.74 | 45.74 | 40.03 |
Graphic Design | 60.61 | 54.55 | 48.49 | 48.49 | 42.43 |
Information Design | 66.43 | 59.79 | 53.14 | 53.14 | 46.50 |
Interaction Design | 57.14 | 52.24 | 45.71 | 45.71 | 40.00 |
Lifestyle Accessory Design | 55.86 | 50.27 | 44.69 | 44.69 | 39.10 |
New Media Design | 50.51 | 45.46 | 40.41 | 40.41 | 35.36 |
Photography Design | 57.32 | 51.59 | 45.86 | 45.86 | 40.12 |
Product Design | 52.12 | 46.91 | 41.70 | 41.70 | 36.48 |
Strategic Design Management | 59.27 | 53.34 | 47.42 | 47.42 | 41.49 |
Textile Design | 56.55 | 50.90 | 45.24 | 45.24 | 39.59 |
Toy & Game Design | 57.42 | 51.68 | 45.94 | 45.94 | 40.19 |
Transportation & Auto. Design | 57.21 | 51.49 | 45.77 | 45.77 | 40.05 |
Universal Design | 62.03 | 55.83 | 49.62 | 49.62 | 43.42 |
Programmes/Category | General Category | OBC-NCL Category | SC Category | ST Category | PH (Horizontal - All Categories) |
- | Cut off score (excl. PH) | Cut off score (excl. PH) | Cut off score (excl. PH) | Cut off score (excl. PH) | Cut off score |
Bachelor of Design (BDes) | 55.76 | 50.18 | 44.61 | 44.61 | 39.03 |
The National Institute of Design may also release a second merit list based on the number of seats available. Students on the waiting list will be given priority in the second merit list for all postgraduate and undergraduate design programmes offered by the Institute. The following are the expected scores required for admission via the second merit list:
Programs/Category | General Category | OBC-NCL Category | SC Category | ST Category | PH (horizontal - all categories) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masters of Design (MDes) | (excluding PH) | (excluding PH) | (excluding PH) | (excluding PH) | Score |
Animation Film Design | 47.32 | 49.06 | 56.15 | 47.43 | NA* |
Apparel Design | 49.99 | 46.75 | 50.03 | NA* | 43.70 |
Ceramic & Glass Design | 51.14 | 63.52 | 58.66 | NA* | NA* |
Design for Retail Experience | 59.69 | 57.21 | 49.49 | NE* | NE* |
Digital Game Design | 57.94 | 52.38 | 57.45 | 46.59 | NA* |
Film & Video Communication | 58.30 | 55.13 | 59.74 | NE* | NA* |
Furniture Design | 57.13 | 61.13 | 48.44 | NE* | 42.99 |
Graphic Design | 60.61 | 64.36 | 53.92 | 51.69 | 51.25 |
Information Design | 64.12 | 62.62 | NE* | NE* | 62.29 |
Interaction Design | 56.34 | 55.74 | 51.65 | NE* | NE* |
Lifestyle Accessory Design | 55.86 | 56.99 | 50.56 | 51.92 | NE* |
New Media Design | 50.26 | 48.21 | 42.47 | NA* | NA* |
Photography Design | 56.81 | 64.92 | 59.41 | NE* | NE* |
Product Design | 52.12 | 50.33 | 62.86 | 57.23 | 56.13 |
Strategic Design Management | 59.27 | 54.09 | 52.68 | 51.95 | NA* |
Textile Design | 54.86 | 52.62 | NE* | DEC* | 42.47 |
Toy & Game Design | 57.42 | 54.06 | 54.28 | NE* | NA* |
Transportation & Auto. Design | 57.21 | 65.34 | 62.89 | 49.71 | NA* |
Universal Design | 61.83 | 59.83 | NE* | 51.35 | DEC* |
Programmes/Category | General Category | OBC-NCL Category | SC Category | ST Category | PH (horizontal - all categories) |
(excluding PH) | (excluding PH) | (excluding PH) | (excluding PH) | Score | |
Bachelor of Design (BDes) | 55.76 | 51.63 | 50.04 | 50.23 | 46.76 |
The announcement schedule of the NID DAT 2026 Prelims results varies between the B.Des and M.Des programs. For M.Des applicants, the results will be out on February 2026. Candidates applying for the B.Des program will have to wait for a little longer, as the results will be announced on April 2026. After clearing the DAT Prelims, students will have to appear for the DAT Mains. If you have any concerns or uncertainties about your results, you will have the option to request a result re-check to ensure everything is accurate.
Candidates listed in the final merit can join the NID DAT 2026 counselling process. B.Des candidates need to submit their campus preferences during counselling, while M.Des candidates do not need to select any campuses. Seat allocation will depend on a candidate's merit rank in NID DAT 2026. Once seats are assigned, candidates must pay token fees and upload the necessary documents to confirm their seats.
Find out the important points of the NID DAT merit list 2026 enlisted below.
Want to know more about NID DAT
The National Institute of Design (NID) Madhya Pradesh is located in Bhopal. The institute has a four-year undergraduate program of Bachelor of Design (B. Des) and takes 75 students in total, which is split into categories:
- General (GEN): 30 seats
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 8 seats
- Other Backward Class - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL): 20 seats
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 11 seats
Additionally, NID Madhya Pradesh reserved 15% of the total seats for overseas (supernumerary) candidates, and this is a total of 11 seats. The B. Des at NID Madhya Pradesh also offers specializations in:
- Communication Design
- Industrial Design
- Textile and Apparel Design
The National Institute of Design (NID) Haryana in Kurukshetra offers a four-year Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) program to Indian students, with an annual intake of 75 seats. Additionally, 11 seats are designated for overseas (supernumerary) candidates, increasing the total to 86 seats. Communication Design, Industrial Design, and Textile & Apparel Design are among the specialisations offered in the B.Des. program.
The National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad provides a total of 125 seats for its Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) program, which are distributed throughout the following disciplines:
- Animation Film Design: 19 seats
- Exhibition Design: 13 seats
- Film & Video Communication: 13 seats
- Graphic Design: 19 seats
- Ceramic & Glass Design: 13 seats
- Furniture & Interior Design: 13 seats
- Product Design: 19 seats
- Textile Design: 19 seats
The number of general category seats reserved in NID varies annually. However, according to NID DAT Reservation 2026, around 30 seats in each campus are reserved for the general category.
The number of students selected in NID Prelims may vary each year, based on the difficulty level of the exam, the number of applicants, and the number of available seats. Still, a few thousand students qualify for NID Mains from lakhs of students appearing for NID Prelims.
If two or more applicants have the same NID DAT score, the following tie-breaking conditions will be used:
- Candidates from reserved categories such as OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and PH will be given preference.
- A team of specialists will evaluate each candidate's portfolio, and the individual with the highest portfolio score will be given precedence.
- Preference will be given to the candidate with the highest Personal Interview score.
- Preference will be given to the elder candidate.
Yes, there is a different merit list for abroad candidates for the NID DAT. The National Institute of Design (NID) publishes a separate merit list for international applicants to both the B.Des and M.Des courses. Overseas applicants go through the identical selection procedure as local candidates, with the exception that they do not have to take the NID DAT Prelims. Shortlisted overseas applicants are invited to a Studio Test and Personal Interview based on their portfolios.
The final admission of a candidate through the NID DAT is determined by the following factors:
- NID DAT Prelims Score
- NID DAT Mains Score
- Studio Test Score
- Personal Interview Score
- Category
- Portfolio
Yes, NID DAT merit lists have been issued per category. The National Institute of Design publishes merit lists separately for each category, which includes General, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and PH. This is done to guarantee that all categories have an equal probability of being admitted to NID. The merit lists are created based on the candidates' performance in the NID DAT exam as well as other admission factors such as portfolios. The final merit list is used to select which candidates will be admitted to NID.
No, if your name is not on the NID DAT Prelims merit list, you will not be permitted to take the NID DAT Mains. Candidates who have qualified in the NID DAT Prelims are only eligible for the NID DAT Mains. The NID DAT Prelims is a screening test that determines who is qualified to take the NID DAT Mains. The NID DAT Mains is a more demanding examination that evaluates applicants' design skills and inventiveness.
The NID DAT merit list is available on the National Institute of Design's official website. After the three-stage admission procedure is completed, the merit list is published on the website. To view the merit list, you must first log into your NID DAT account. You will be able to see your rank on the merit list once you have logged in.
The National Institute of Design releases the merit list for the NID DAT exam. The merit list is published on the official NID website after the completion of the three-stage admission process.
Every year, the National Institute of Design publishes two merit lists for the NID DAT exam:
- NID DAT Prelims Merit List: This list is based on the applicants' NID DAT Prelims exam scores.
- Final Merit List: The candidates' total performance in the NID DAT Prelims test, Studio Test, and Personal Interview is used to create this list.
The NID DAT merit list is a ranking of all applicants to the National Institute of Design (NID) based on their performance in the NID DAT test and other admission criteria such as category and portfolio. The merit list is used to decide which candidates would be admitted to NID.
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