NID 2026 Syllabus
🧠 Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Design Awareness | History of design, notable designers, design movements, and basic design principles |
| General Knowledge | Current affairs, Indian culture, art, architecture, and social/environmental issues |
| Quantitative Ability | Basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, ratios, percentages, and data interpretation |
| Logical Reasoning | Analytical puzzles, visual sequences, patterns, analogies, and problem-solving |
| English Comprehension | Grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, and reading comprehension |
✏️ Section B: Subjective (Descriptive)
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Drawing & Sketching | Perspective drawing, human figures, proportions, and object rendering |
| Creativity & Visualization | Storyboarding, visual storytelling, ideation, and concept development |
| Observation Skills | Noticing environmental details, product features, and real-life scenarios |
| Color Theory | Color schemes, contrasts, warm/cool tones, and psychological effects of colors |
🎨 NID 2026 Syllabus – DAT Mains
🧪 Studio Test
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Material Handling | Creating models using clay, paper, wire, fabric, and recycled materials |
| Design Problem-Solving | Addressing hypothetical or real-world design issues creatively |
| Group Activities | Tasks to assess team collaboration, communication, and leadership skills |
🗣️ Personal Interview (Especially for M.Des)
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Portfolio Review | Evaluation of creative work (mandatory for M.Des applicants) |
| Design Knowledge | Awareness of current trends, innovations, and design applications |
| Communication Skills | Clarity of thought, self-expression, and passion for design |
📖 NID 2026 Preparation Resources
| Resource Type | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Books | – NID DAT Guide by Arihant Experts – Design Drawing by Francis D.K. Ching |
| Past Papers | Practice previous years’ NID DAT papers for pattern familiarity |
| Online Platforms | – Coursera (design thinking, sketching) – YouTube: Channels like Design Coach, Faber Castell, and Draw with Jazza |
| Daily Practice | Regular sketching, model-making, observation journaling, and concept ideation exercises |