NID and UCEED Exam Details

Path to become a Designer (NID) & UCEED )

What is NID?

NID Design Aptitude Test is a means through which aspirants are shortlisted for admission in UG and PG design courses offered at the prestigious National Institute Design (NID) campuses. Candidates need to clear two NID admission tests in order to be eligible for admission in Bachelor of Design (BDes), Graduate Diploma Programme in Design (GDPD) and Master of Design (MDes) courses offered at its campuses.

Earlier, NID offered admission in its five campuses through NID entrance exam. However, from 2019 onwards two more NID campuses, that is, NID Bhopal and NID Jorhat were added to the list wherein admission was offered in GDPD course on the basis of NID admission test.

One can become a designer at an undergraduate level and a post graduate level. So if you miss the bus at an undergraduate level - all is not lost!

Candidates who want to apply for BDes or GDPD course at NID meet the eligibility criteria if they have cleared or are appearing for their higher secondary (10+2) qualifying examination from any stream (Science, Humanities, Commerce, etc.) from any recognised board such as CBSE, IB, ICSE or their equivalent in the year 2019-2020 can apply for the exam.

On the other hand, candidates are eligible to apply for MDes course if they have completed their bachelor’s degree from a recognised college/ university. Apart from this, aspirants applying for NID admission in MDes course should not be more than 30 years of age as on June 30, 2020

NID DAT Eligibility Criteria

NID (UG): To get into two campusses in India - NID Ahmedabad (B.Des) and NID Vijayawada (GDPD) and NID (PG): To get into three campusses in India for Masters in Design (M.Des) at - NID Ahmedabad, NID Gandhinagar and NID Bangalore

UCEED: This is for undergraduate Bachelor in Design (B.Des) programs in Design at IIT Mumbai and IIT Guwahati. You can download the UCEED brochure for more information.

CEED: This is for Post Graduate Masters in Design (M.Des) programes at 8 universities - 5 IIT's, IISc, IIITDM and UPES. You can get more information about CEED here.

Other Design Entrance Exams: There are other significant options of established and new universities which offer their own B.Des & M.Des programs. Each of these colleges have their own entrance exams and admission prerequisites. Some of the design colleges are liste below:

All colleges have a 3 stage admission process - Design Aptitude Test (DAT), Studio Test & Interview with Portfolio review. So applicants must have a holistic approach to their preparation.

Primary Departments in Design Colleges

Generally, the first year is common and students start to choose their specializations in subsequent academic years. The broad categories of specialization are listed below:
Industrial Design: Product Design, Transportation Design, Toy and Game Design, Glass and Ceramic Design, Furniture Design etc.
Communication Design: Animation Film Design, Exhibition Set Design, Film and Video Communication, Graphic Design, Photography Design etc.
IT Integrated Design: Instructional, Interface (UI Design), Interaction (UX Design), New Media Design, Universal Design etc.
Interdisciplinary Design: Strategic Design Management, Design for Retail Experience etc.
Textile Design: Textile Design, Apparel Design, Lifestyle Accessory Design etc.
Note: Fashion Design has its own classifications which is covered in detail on our Fashion Design Page

Sun Design Guru coaching For NID Exam

Sun Design Guru (Sun DG) We Provide Coaching for NID and other Indian and Global universities for Design Programs.
Sun Design Guru (Sun DG) takes pride in its unique Design Training Programs which successfully trains creative students to gain admission into their dream design university. Our previous students have got admission into leading design universities like NID (UG and PG), India; Carnegie Melon University, USA; Institute Europe di Design, Italy etc amongst others.
The students are mentored by professional designers from IIT, NID, and NIFT etc. who have also previously worked with globally renowned design studios. The training for NID is comprehensive which includes preparation for the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) and Situation Test, Portfolio and Interview. Similarly, students targeting other colleges in India and abroad can also be guided accordingly. To know more about SUN DESIGN GURU (SUN DG)
All the SUN DESIGN GURU (SUN DG) study material and the teaching methodology for Design entrance preparation is a result of years of experience we have gained through mentoring thousands of Design aspirants at our design studios in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Pune.

Nid sample paper

Nid Online mock test

How To Get in to NID?

The objective of the admission process is to seek evidence of the perception, attitude, aptitude, achievement and motivation essential in a potential design student.
NID has a 3 stage admission process -
Stage 1 is the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) and
Stage 2 is the Studio Test and
Stage 3 is Personal Interview with Portfolio Review.

Prospective students need to keep a track on the application deadlines and apply for the DAT. Those who clear DAT will have to prepare themselves for the Studio Test. They also get a chance to showcase their portfolio during a personal interview with a panel.

NID Important Dates

Latest Updates
March 21: NID DAT Mains 2020 postponed for all MDes courses due to COVID-19 outbreak.
March 18: NID DAT Prelims result for BDes & GDPD course postponed.
March 16: NID DAT Mains postponed for MDes Course admissions 2020.
EVENTS
Counselling for NID Admissions
5 Jun '
6 Jun '
NID DAT Mains admit card released for MDes
3 Mar '
Rechecking window for NID DTA Prelims (MDes)
24 Feb '
26 Feb '
Declaration of NID DAT Prelims Result for MDes
21 Feb '20
NID DAT Prelims
29 Dec '
Download admit card for NID DAT Prelims for BDes
20 Dec '
Last date for receiving printed NID application forms accompanied with a Demand Draft (to be sent via speed post, registered post or courier)
21 Nov '
Window to edit NID application form
21 Nov ' -
23 Nov '
Window for submitting online application on payment of late fees (online payment through Credit/Debit Card only)
18 Nov ' -
21 Nov '
NID Entrance Exam Application Process for BDes Admissions 2020
1 Oct ' -
18 Nov '

NID Events Dates 2021 (Announced)

NID DAT 2021 Notification January 9, 2021

NID DAT 2021 Registration January 9, 2021 to February 7, 2021 (4 PM)

NID DAT 2021 Registration with late fees February 8, 2021 (4 PM) to February 12, 2021 (2 PM)

NID DAT 2021 Application Form Correction February 12, 2021 (6 PM) to February 15, 2021 (4pm)

Download of NID DAT 2021 Admit Card (Prelims) March 4, 2021 (4 PM)

NID DAT 2020 Exam Dates (Prelims) March 14, 2021

NID DAT 2021 Result To be Announced

UCEED 2021 Exam Dates

Events Dates

UCEED 2021 Registrations with regular fee endsNovember 10, 2020

Last date for Registrations with Late Fee of Rs 500November 17, 2020 (Extended)

UCEED 2021 Admit Card DateJanuary 1, 2021(Released)

UCEED 2021 Exam DatesJanuary 17, 2021 (9 AM-12 Noon)

UCEED 2021 Draft Answer KeyJanuary 21, 2021

Last date to challenge Draft Answer Key January 24, 2021

Final Answer Key January 31, 2021 (Out)

UCEED 2021 ResultMarch 10, 2021

NID offers 8 disciplines for the UG Program:

Note: Number of seats indicated are for

Communication Design

Animation Film Design (15 seats)
Film & Video Communication (10 seats)
Exhibition (Spatial) Design (10 seats)
Graphic Design (15 seats)

Industrial Design

Ceramic and Glass Design (10 seats)
Furniture Design (10 seats)
Product Design (15 seats)

Textile, Apparel & Lifestyle Accessory Design

Textile Design (15 seats)

The seats above are indicated for the NID Ahmedabad campus only. The total number of seats under all categories (including reservation) is 100 available to Indian Students. The college has an additional 15 seats for overseas applicants.

NID Vijayawada offers a total of 60 seats in Industrial Design, Communications Design and Textile & Apparel Design

Note: The first 2 semesters (1 year) is a foundation program. Allotment of a discipline of choice at the end of the foundation programe is based solely on the student’s performance and on the number of seats available in the desired discipline.

When we can start for NID - UCEED Preparation?

To get into NID, it is crucial that you prepare holistically for the NID Entrance exam. Since you get only one chance in a year, your preparation cannot be taken lightly.
At Sun Design Guru (Sun DG) , we always recommend that you start early. While your 12th Standard board results are not considered for admission into NID, you still need to do well! Your participation in extra curricular activities like sports, music etc. does help when you do go for your Stage 3 Personal Interview round.
If you are in the 10th Standard:
You could take the 2 year preparation course where you will experience Design Exploration, Foundation, Creative & Analytical Thinking, Communication of your thoughts through drawings, various required Software, portfolio development and all related skill sets required to crack the NID entrance exam. You will be given multiple levels of exercises of varying intensities.
You will be free to do this at your own pace and assimilate all the concepts being taught through 2 years.
The most significant advantage is that you can balance your studies, extra-curricular activities and preparation for the NID Exam
If you are in the 11th Standard:
You could take the 1 year preparation course where you will go through all the topics that are required to ace the NID Entrance Exam. Creative & Analytical Thinking, Development of Drawing Skills, Software, portfolio development and all related skill sets are some of what is covered in preparation for the NID entrance exam. Additionally, you will be and be given multiple assignments of varying difficulty levels.
In the 11th / 12th standard, your focus on your academics is extremely important. Your preparation for NID must be balanced along with your studies. With the 1 year preparation package, You will be able to prepare for the NID Test throughout the year. You will also have the time to absorb all the concepts being taught.
If you have started / already in your 12th Standard:
You have limited time to excel in your performance. Your effort along with guidance from Sun Design Guru (Sun DG) will ensure that you have the winning combination to crack all 3 stages of the NID Exam!
Our short term courses incorporate flexibility and range from 10 days to 6 month Course where you will go through all the topics that are required for the NID Entrance Exam within the time constraints that you have. Additionally, you will be and be given assignments based on the topics that you have covered.
Mock Tests: Sun Design Guru (Sun DG) provides various mock tests for all our students. Please contact our Expert Counselor for more details about our classroom program.