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📊 Result guide

NID DAT 2027 result

How to check your Prelims shortlist, what the Studio Test merit list means, and how NID campus allocation works in practice.

NID DAT has two result stages: the Prelims shortlist that invites you to the Studio Test, and the final Mains merit list from which campus allocation is made. Understanding how each stage works helps you plan your next steps and avoid misinformation from third-party sources.

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Official source: NID DAT results are published on admissions.nid.edu. NID does not send results via SMS or WhatsApp. Do not rely on third-party result checking websites.

NID DAT has two separate result stages

Unlike UCEED or CEED, which produce a single numeric result and merit rank, NID DAT produces two distinct results at two separate stages of the admission process. Understanding this distinction is important.

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Stage 1: Prelims shortlist

Published after the Prelims exam (January to February). Not a merit rank. Simply a pass or fail: shortlisted candidates receive a Studio Test invitation.

  • No score disclosed
  • No merit rank disclosed
  • Invitation to Studio Test (Mains)
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Stage 2: Mains merit list

Published after the Studio Test (April). A ranked merit list of all successful Mains candidates. This list drives campus allocation through counselling.

  • Ranked merit list (relative ranking, not raw score)
  • Category-wise lists (General, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD)
  • Drives counselling and campus allocation

Prelims result: what it means and what to do next

The Prelims result is published on admissions.nid.edu. You log in with your application number and password. Shortlisted candidates receive an email notification at the registered address.

Result announcement January to February (approximately 2 to 4 weeks after Prelims)
What is announced Shortlisted / Not shortlisted. No score or rank.
How to check Login at admissions.nid.edu with application number and password
If shortlisted Download Studio Test admit card. Attend Studio Test at assigned NID campus in March.
If not shortlisted You may re-apply in the next cycle without penalty. No attempt limit.
Approximate shortlisting rate ~10 to 20% of appeared candidates (based on historical patterns)
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NID does not disclose Prelims scores to candidates. Websites claiming to show your "NID DAT Prelims score" or "sectional marks" are not official. The only official result is on admissions.nid.edu.

Mains result: the Studio Test merit list

After the Studio Test, NID prepares a merit list of all candidates who performed at the required standard across the 2-day assessment. This is the definitive list for campus allocation.

What the merit list contains
Candidate names, application numbers, and a merit rank within each category (General, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD). The list is separated by B.Des and M.Des programmes.
What the merit list does not contain
Individual scores, section-wise marks, or feedback from the Studio Test panel. NID does not disclose evaluation details. The ranking reflects the panel's holistic assessment.
When it is published
The Mains result and merit list are typically published in April, approximately 3 to 5 weeks after the Studio Test. Check admissions.nid.edu for the exact date.
How many candidates make the merit list
The merit list includes candidates selected for at least one NID campus. Approximately 589 B.Des seats and 347 M.Des seats are available across all NID entities, so the merit list is typically in this size range plus waitlisted candidates.

How campus and specialisation allocation works

The allocation process follows a preference-and-merit model. Understanding the order of events matters because it affects your strategy.

  1. 1
    Merit list published
    NID publishes the Mains merit list with candidates ranked by category. All 5 autonomous NID institutes share one common merit list for B.Des. M.Des candidates have a separate merit list.
  2. 2
    Counselling invitation
    Candidates on the merit list receive a counselling invitation. During counselling, you declare preferences for campus and specialisation in order of priority.
  3. 3
    Allocation in merit order
    Starting from rank 1, each candidate is offered their highest available preference. If NID Ahmedabad Product Design is their first choice and seats are available, they receive it. If that specialisation at Ahmedabad is full, they are moved to their next declared preference.
  4. 4
    Seat acceptance and fee payment
    Allocated candidates must accept the offer and pay the seat acceptance fee within the specified deadline. Failure to accept within the deadline means the seat moves to the next candidate on the list.
  5. 5
    Waitlist movement
    If candidates at the top of the list do not accept or withdraw, seats open up and are offered to waitlisted candidates in merit order. Multiple counselling rounds may happen.
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NID Ahmedabad is the most in-demand campus and typically fills among the top merit list positions. Candidates lower on the merit list tend to receive the newer autonomous campuses (NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Haryana, NID Madhya Pradesh, NID Assam). Being on the merit list for any NID campus is a genuine achievement: you have cleared the same process and earned the same NID brand recognition at any autonomous NID campus.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check my NID DAT Prelims result? +
NID DAT Prelims results are published on admissions.nid.edu. You log in with your application credentials and check your result. Shortlisted candidates also receive an email notification at the registered email address. NID does not publish merit ranks or scores at the Prelims stage; the result is a pass or fail with Studio Test invitation.
Does NID publish a merit rank or score after Prelims? +
No. NID does not publish Prelims scores or merit ranks at any stage of the process. After Prelims, shortlisted candidates receive a Studio Test invitation. After Mains, a merit list is released, but NID does not disclose the individual scores or evaluation criteria from the Studio Test. This is different from UCEED and CEED, where score-based merit ranks are published.
When is the NID DAT Prelims result announced? +
The NID DAT Prelims result is typically announced in January or February, approximately 2 to 4 weeks after the Prelims exam (which is held in December or January). Shortlisted candidates then receive a Studio Test invitation for March. Check admissions.nid.edu for the exact result date for your cycle.
What percentage of Prelims candidates are shortlisted for the Studio Test? +
NID does not publish an official shortlisting percentage. Based on historical patterns, approximately 10 to 20% of candidates who appear for Prelims are shortlisted for the Studio Test. Given approximately 15,000 candidates appearing for Prelims annually, this translates to roughly 1,500 to 3,000 Studio Test invitations. Competition for Studio Test shortlisting is significant.
How is the Studio Test (Mains) evaluated? +
The Studio Test is a 2-day hands-on design assessment conducted at NID campuses. It is evaluated by a panel of NID faculty. Tasks typically include drawing, model-making, material exploration, verbal ability, and creative problem-solving. There is no objective marking scheme: evaluation is holistic and based on design thinking, creativity, observation, and communication. NID does not publish the evaluation rubric.
How does campus allocation work after the Studio Test? +
After Mains, NID releases a merit list. Candidates on this list are called for counselling where they declare campus and specialisation preferences in order of preference. Allocation proceeds in merit order: candidates higher on the list get their first-choice campus and specialisation, and so on. If NID Ahmedabad fills first (which it typically does), the remaining shortlisted candidates are allocated to the next-preference NID campus. There is one merit list for all 5 autonomous NID campuses.
What happens if I clear Prelims but cannot attend the Studio Test? +
If you are shortlisted for the Studio Test but cannot attend, you will not receive admission for that cycle. There is no provision for a substitute date or online alternative. The Studio Test is mandatory for B.Des and M.Des admission. You may apply fresh in the next cycle without any penalty.

Related guides

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NID seats and selectivity
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Prelims and Studio Test preparation: drawing practice, GK themes, and Studio Test habits
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NID DAT complete guide
Two-stage process, all 7 NID entities, specialisations, and seat breakdown
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