Last Updated on December 3, 2025 by amay mathur

The National Institute of Design (NID) conducts the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) every year for admissions to its B.Des, M.Des, and GDPD programs.

The first and most crucial step toward appearing for the exam is completing the NID registration accurately and on time. A mistake during the registration stage may lead to application rejection or disqualification later.

This detailed guide covers everything you need to know about the NID registration process—eligibility, timelines, fees, documents, corrections, and expert tips.

National Institute of Design (NID): Overview

Aspect	Details
Full Name	National Institute of Design (NID)
Established	1961
Type	Autonomous Design School under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India
Campuses	Ahmedabad (Main), Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Vijayawada
Courses Offered	Undergraduate (B.Des), Postgraduate (M.Des, GDPD), PhD, Short-term Design Programs
Entrance Exams	NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test) Prelims & Mains, GAT (for PG programs)
Specializations	Product Design, Communication Design, Textile & Apparel Design, Industrial Design, IT Integrated Design, and more
Duration of Courses	Undergraduate: 4 years, Postgraduate: 2 years (varies for some programs)
Recognition	Recognized globally for design education, part of international collaborations and partnerships
Career Opportunities	Industrial designer, UX/UI designer, Graphic designer, Design consultant, Entrepreneur, Researcher
Official Website	www.nid.edu

What is NID Registration?

NID registration is the official online process through which candidates apply for the NID DAT Prelims exam. The registration involves:

• Creating a new applicant account

• Filling in personal and academic details

• Uploading required documents

• Selecting preferred programs

• Paying the application fee

• Submitting the final application

Successful registration enables candidates to download the admit card and appear for the NID DAT Prelims.

NID Registration 2025 Important Dates

Tracking the registration schedule is crucial to avoid missing deadlines.

NID 2025 Registration Schedule

Note: These dates are approximate and help candidates estimate the regular pattern of the exam cycle.

NID Registration Eligibility Criteria

Before registering, candidates must check whether they meet the eligibility norms for the NID DAT exam.

Age Limit Criteria

For B.Des / GDPD

• General Category: Born on or after July 1, 2006

• Reserved Category (OBC-NCL, SC, ST): Born on or after July 1, 2003

• PwD Category: Born on or after July 1, 2001

For M.Des

• General Category: Born on or after July 1, 1995

• Reserved Category: Born on or after July 1, 1992

• PwD Category: Born on or after July 1, 1990

Educational Qualifications

B.Des / GDPD

• Must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 in any stream from a recognized board.

M.Des

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 or 4 years in any discipline.

• Final-year students may also apply.

Documents Required for NID Registration 2025

Candidates must keep certain documents ready before starting the online form.

List of Mandatory Documents

• Recent passport-size photograph (JPEG/JPG)

• Signature (JPEG/JPG)

• Class 10 marksheet

• Class 12 marksheet (if available for B.Des)

• Graduation certificate/marksheet (for M.Des)

• ID proof: Aadhaar card / Passport / Driving Licence

• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/PwD), if applicable

• Disability certificate (for PwD applicants)

• Valid mobile number & email ID

Document Specifications Table

How to Complete NID Registration 2025? (Step-by-Step Process)

Below is a complete step-by-step guide to registering for NID DAT Prelims.

H3: Step 1 – Visit the Official Registration Portal

Candidates must go to the NID’s online application system and click on “New Registration”.

Step 2 – Create a New Account

You will need to provide:

• Name

• Date of birth

• Email ID

• Mobile number

• Program preference

Once registered, candidates receive login credentials via email.

Step 3 – Fill the Online Application Form

Enter the following information carefully:

Personal Details

• Candidate’s name

• Gender

• Nationality

• Father’s and mother’s name

• Permanent and correspondence address

Academic Details

• Class 10 and Class 12 information

• Graduation details (for M.Des)

• Board/university name

• Year of passing

Exam Details

• Program selection (B.Des / M.Des / GDPD)

• Exam center preference

• Category selection

Step 4 – Upload Required Documents

Ensure that the documents meet the exact size and format requirements.

Common Upload Errors:

• Incorrect image resolution

• Blurry photographs

• Oversized files

• Missing signature

Avoid these issues to ensure successful submission.

Step 5 – Pay the Registration Fees

Fees vary according to category and program.

NID Registration Fees 2025

NID B.Des / GDPD Fee Structure

NID M.Des Fee Structure

Payment Modes

• Net banking
• Credit card
• Debit card
• UPI
• Wallets

NID Registration Form Correction Window

After completing the registration, NID allows a short window to make corrections.

Editable Fields

You can modify:

• Personal details (limited)

• Academic information

• Uploaded documents

• Category certificate

• Address details

Non-Editable Fields

You cannot change:

• Registered email ID

• Candidate name

• Program applied for

• Date of birth

NID Registration Mistakes to Avoid

Many candidates face rejection due to common errors. Avoid these to ensure a smooth registration experience.

Common Errors

• Uploading unclear photographs

• Entering incorrect date of birth

• Using invalid certificates

• Submitting wrong category details

• Missing fee payment

• Using incorrect document formats

Tips to Avoid Mistakes

• Read the official instructions thoroughly

• Double-check entered details

• Use a stable internet connection

• Save each section before proceeding

NID Registration for B.Des vs M.Des: Key Differences

NID Registration for Overseas Candidates

The National Institute of Design (NID) allows overseas candidates to apply for its undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The registration process is slightly different from domestic applicants to accommodate international norms and documentation.

Eligibility Criteria for Overseas Candidates

1. Educational Qualification:

   • For B.Des: Must have completed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board/university.

   • For M.Des: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized institution.

2. Age Limit: No strict age limit, but candidates should meet program-specific criteria.

3. Nationality: Must hold a passport from a foreign country. Students of Indian origin may also apply under the OCI/PIO category.

Registration Process

1. Visit the Official NID Website:
   Go to www.nid.edu and navigate to the Admissions > Overseas Candidates section.

2. Create an Account:
   Provide basic details such as name, email, and passport number.

3. Fill the Application Form:

   • Personal details (name, date of birth, nationality)

   • Educational qualifications

   • Program preference (B.Des / M.Des / GDPD)

   • Upload scanned documents: passport, mark sheets, photographs

4. Application Fee Payment:

   • Payment is accepted online in USD or INR via international credit/debit cards or wire transfer.

   • Fees are higher for overseas candidates compared to domestic applicants.

5. Submission & Confirmation:

   • After submission, a confirmation email is sent with an application number.

   • Keep this number safe for future correspondence.

Entrance Exam for Overseas Candidates

• B.Des Programs: Candidates may be exempted from NID DAT Prelims but must appear for NID DAT Mains / Studio Test.
• M.Des Programs: Overseas applicants need to appear for the GAT and/or studio test as per program requirements.
• NID may provide alternative assessment modes for candidates unable to travel for exams due to visa or travel restrictions.

Required Documents

• Valid Passport
• Visa (if already obtained)
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Portfolio (for design programs)
• Passport-sized photographs

Tips for Overseas Applicants

• Apply well in advance to allow time for visa processing.
• Prepare a strong portfolio; it plays a crucial role in admissions.
• Keep scanned copies of all documents ready in PDF format.
• Check specific requirements for your preferred NID campus.

NID Registration Process for PwD Candidates

Candidates applying under the PwD category need to upload:

• Valid disability certificate

• Medical reports supporting the disability

• Percentage of disability (minimum 40% where applicable)

PwD candidates receive specific exam-day accommodations based on their certificate.

How to Recover NID Registration Password?

In case you forget login details:

1. Go to the login page

2. Click on “Forgot Password”

3. Enter registered email ID

4. Check email for password reset link

5. Set a new password

What After NID Registration?

Once registration is complete, candidates should focus on exam preparation.

• Download admit card when released

• Check exam center details

• Revise topics and past papers

• Prepare for the DAT Prelims exam

• Stay updated on announcements

NID Registration FAQs

1. Can I register for both B.Des and M.Des?

No, candidates can only apply for the program they are academically eligible for, based on prior qualifications and degree requirements.

2. What is the minimum age for B.Des registration?

Candidates must be born on or after July 1, 2006, to meet the eligibility criteria for the general category applicants.

3. Can I change my exam center later?

Once the registration form is submitted and confirmed, it is not possible to change the exam center for any reason.

4. Is Aadhaar card mandatory for registration?

No, Aadhaar is not mandatory; any valid government-issued photo ID, such as passport or voter ID, can be used for registration.

5. How many disciplines can M.Des candidates apply for?

M.Des candidates are allowed to apply for a maximum of two disciplines, depending on their interests and eligibility criteria.

6. Can I edit my NID registration form?

Yes, form corrections are allowed only during the official correction window announced by NID, after which edits are strictly not permitted.

7. Do overseas candidates have a different exam pattern?

No, overseas candidates must follow the same exam pattern as domestic applicants, including the written test, studio test, and portfolio evaluation.

8. Is the registration fee refundable?

The registration fee is strictly non-refundable under any circumstances, even if a candidate decides not to appear for the exam.

9. What if I face payment failure during registration?

If payment fails, candidates should retry using another payment method, or wait for status confirmation before contacting NID for assistance.

10. Can I apply through offline mode?

No, NID registration is available strictly online, and offline submissions or paper forms are not accepted for any program.

Conclusion

The NID registration process is simple yet detailed, requiring candidates to carefully fill out each section, upload correct documents, and make timely payments. With strict eligibility norms and a competitive entrance exam, aspirants must stay updated with registration timelines and prepare their documents beforehand. Completing the registration correctly is the first step toward securing a seat in one of India’s top design institutes.

If you follow the step-by-step process outlined in this guide, you can complete NID registration smoothly and begin your journey toward achieving your design career goals.