NID DAT 2026 mains exam dates out: Check complete schedule and key details here

The National Institute of Design (NID) has officially announced the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Mains 2026 schedule for candidates shortlisted for admission to the Master of Design (M.Des) programme for the academic year 2026-27. The detailed dates for the Studio Test and Interview have now been released.

NID DAT Mains 2026: Studio Test date and centres

The M.Des DAT Mains Studio Test will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2026. This test will be conducted in different cities based on the discipline chosen by the candidate.

• Ahmedabad:
• Industrial Design (Ceramic and Glass Design, Furniture and Interior Design, Product Design, Toy and Game Design, Transportation and Automobile Design, Universal Design)
• Communication Design (Animation Film Design, Film and Video Communication, Graphic Design, Photography Design)

Bengaluru:

• Interdisciplinary Design Studies (Design for Retail Experience, Strategic Design Management)
• IT-Integrated Design (Digital Game Design, Information Design, Interaction Design, New Media Design)

• Gandhinagar:
• Textile, Apparel and Lifestyle Accessory Design (Apparel Design, Lifestyle Accessory Design, Textile Design)

NID has clearly stated that requests to change or reschedule the Studio Test date will not be accepted.

NID DAT Mains 2026: Interview schedule

The M.Des interviews will be conducted from March 21 to April 1, 2026, depending on the discipline. Interviews for different streams will take place in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Gandhinagar.

Candidates are advised to carefully check the interview dates for their specific discipline, as the dates vary across programmes. If a candidate’s university examination dates clash with the interview schedule, they must inform NID by emailing admissions@nid.edu on or before February 23, 2026, along with the required supporting documents. Requests received after this date will not be considered.

Admit card and important instructions

1. The NID DAT Mains 2026 admit card will be available for download from 4 pm on February 24, 2026.
2. The exact test centre address and reporting time will be mentioned on the admit card.
3. Candidates must appear for both the Studio Test and the Interview to remain eligible for the final admission stage.
4. A printed copy of the admit card and original photo identity proof must be carried to the test and interview venues.
5. Parents will not be allowed inside the examination centre.

Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official NID admissions website for updates and further announcements related to NID DAT Mains 2026.
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