List of Best NID Colleges in India: Fees, Eligibility, Courses

List of Best NID Colleges: Established in 1961 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's DPIIT, the National Institute of Design (NID) holds an esteemed status deeming it an 'Institution of National Importance' according to the 2014 NID Act. Recognized by the International Council of Design (ICD) and registered as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation by the Government of India, NID is a standout choice for those aspiring to a career in design. NID Ahmedabad, NID Bengaluru, and NID Gandhinagar are among the top NID colleges in India.

A wide range of courses are offered at NID colleges and each campus has skilled staff members who help students develop their creative skills. Furthermore, the list of best NID colleges features cutting-edge facilities and an engaging academic atmosphere. Students studying here can work on real-world projects, gain practical experience, and demonstrate their skills. Read on to learn more about NID course fees, courses offered at NID colleges, eligibility criteria, and more.

List of Best NID Colleges in India

With a robust alumni network and promising placements, NID College is a top-tier destination for design enthusiasts which has seven campuses all over India. Here is a list of the best NID colleges in India:

Courses Offered at Top NID Colleges in India 

NID colleges provide different courses at both the bachelor and graduate levels. They offer Bachelor of Design (BDes) programs that typically last for four years and Master of Design (MDes) programs with a duration of two years. Additionally, certain NID colleges provide a doctoral program in Design.

Bachelor of Design (B.Des) at NID Colleges in India

Explore the comprehensive Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program and specialisations offered at NID colleges in India.

Master of Design (M.Des) at NID Colleges in India

The National Institute of Design comprises five faculties: Communication Design, Industrial Design, Information Technology-Integrated Programmes, Interdisciplinary Design Studies, and Textile, Apparel, and Lifestyle Accessory Design. Check out the specialisations offered at NIDs at the masters-level:

PhD in Design at Best NID Colleges in India

Among the list of best NID colleges in India, some NID colleges offer a PhD programme in Design for students who are interested in advancing their design knowledge through research and academics. This course includes research work while exploring design theories and an in-depth study of the design field. PhD aspirants get to learn from experienced faculty members, collaborate with them, and get involved in cross-disciplinary research.

Institute-wise Seat Intake at Top NID Colleges in India

The NIDs offer B.Des and M.Des programs across various specializations. Here's the seat intake for each institute:

Institute-wise Seat Intake for B.Des

Institute-wise Seat Intake for M.Des

Note: NIDs adhere to the reservation policies set by the Government of India for different categories, including General-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, and ST. 

Eligibility Criteria at the Best NID Colleges in India

To be a part of one of the best colleges on the list of best NID colleges in India, a student has to make sure that all the eligibility criteria for NID are being met. Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria according to the courses offered at NID colleges that a candidate needs to keep in mind before applying to any of the top NID colleges in India.

NID BDes Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates who have qualified for the higher secondary (10+2) examination in any stream from any recognised board can apply for the undergraduate course.
• If any candidate has not appeared for the 10+2 examination before the date of admission, he/she is not eligible for admission and can not apply for it. The upper age limit is 20 years as of 30 June 2024 for the general category and 23 years for OBC, SC and ST. Also, for PWD the upper age limit goes to 25th years.
• The lower age limit for the general candidate is that a candidate should be born on or after 1st July 2001. For OBC, SC and ST, the candidates need to be born on or before 1st July 1999. A PWD candidate born on or after 1st July 1997 is also eligible for the application.

NID MDes Eligibility Criteria

• The minimum eligibility criteria for applying for M.Des. is a 4-year or 3-year degree from any specialisation after qualifying for the higher secondary (10+2) examination.
• A candidate with a full-time diploma of a minimum 4-year duration in the field of fine arts/design/applied arts/architecture after qualifying for the class 12 examination is also eligible to apply for the M.Des course. Either a bachelor’s degree or a diploma is required before applying for the postgraduate programme from NID College.
• The upper age limit for a general candidate is 30 years as of 30th June 2023. Also, he should have been born on or after 1st July 1992. For OBC, SC, and ST candidates the upper limit is 33 years as of 30th June 2023 and for PWD the upper limit is 35 years as of 30th June 2023.

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Admission Process at the Top NID Colleges in India

To get into any program at NID, you need to do well in the NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) which is an entrance exam for admission into all NIDs in India. The admission process has two parts: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains. NID DAT Prelims is a written test for BDes and MDes courses. If you pass the prelims written exam, then only you will be able to sit for the NID DAT Mains, which includes a studio test and a personal interview. Many students find the Prelims tougher than the Mains exam while some students believe that the Mains are a cakewalk as compared to Prelims. Check here which is tougher NID DAT Prelims or NID DAT Mains.

The final NID DAT result is a mix of 30% from the NID DAT Prelims score and 70% from the NID DAT Mains score. To apply for NID DAT, go to the official website www.admissions.nid.edu. It's a good idea to gather all the necessary documents beforehand to make the application process smooth. When filling out the form, you can choose your NID DAT exam centre, which is where the exam will happen. To apply for the NID DAT exam, follow the steps outlined in the infographic below and explained further:

• NID DAT Registration: Start by completing the NID registration, which includes filling out the application form, uploading necessary documents, and making the payment.

• Fill Out the NID DAT Application Form: Provide basic details such as name, date of birth, address, contact information, academic qualifications, and more.

• Upload Documents: Upload essential documents like your photograph, signature, passport, and caste certificate (if applicable).

• Pay the NID DAT Application Fee: Complete the process by paying the NID DAT application fee.

• Download and Print Application Form: Once done, download and print a copy of the NID DAT application form for your future reference.

Want to know more about the NID DAT exam, check out the links below:

Course Fees at the Top NID Colleges in India

Fees vary depending on the preference college and courses offered at NID colleges chosen by a student. Although most of the top NID colleges in India follow the same fee structure for some courses, a few colleges may charge higher fees. This entirely depends on the type of programme, specification, and campus a student selects. Being a premier design institute in India, NID colleges charge a relatively high fee as compared to other government design colleges. However, students also get the benefit of quality education, placement services, hostel services, and experienced faculty.

Students should note that course fees for NID colleges differ for Indian nationals, SAARC and African candidates, and other international students. NID fees are due every semester and it does not include hostel fees which are also charged in each semester. Around INR 15,000 is charged each semester for BDes and MDes candidates opting for hostel facilities at the NID campuses. Apart from this, students are expected to pay INR 10,00 as a security despite along with the first semester fees. Students can expect the BDes programme fees at NID to be approximately INR 1,00,000 to 2,00,000 per semester for Indian nationals. Similarly, the fee for MDes programmes is approximately INR 2,00,000 to INR 2,50,000 per semester. 

Placements at Top NID Colleges in India

Candidates who intend to get into top NID colleges in India must know that the placement across this best college is record-breaking. Also, NID graduates are regarded as one of the most sought-after candidates by the top companies in the country. Well, this is because of their strong design core knowledge and creativity knack for learning new skills. 

If we go on counting the list of top companies will surpass the count of 120 which includes Google, Wipro, Microsoft and various others. These top-notch companies are part of the placement drive held at NID every year. Also, 90% of graduates gain a job offer in this placement drive. As per the NID placement drive held in the year 2022, the graduate bagged the average salary package of INR 21.30 LPA. While the highest salary package stood at INR 30 LPA. 

The most favoured sectors by the graduates were interior design, product design and graphic design. So, if you are in doubt, NID has a notable alumni base with ground-breaking placement records. This makes NID one of the most anticipated design colleges in the country. So, check the tick box for NID and make the right choice for yourself today.

To get any admission-related help to choose from the list of best NID colleges, either give a call at the toll-free number 1800-572-9877 (toll-free) or fill up the Common Application Form. In case of any queries, please write to us in the QnA zone. For more education-related information, stay tuned to CollegeDekho.

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