The National Institute of Design (NID) is one of India’s premier design institutions, renowned for nurturing creative minds and shaping the future of design professionals. Every year, thousands of aspirants aim to secure admission into NID through the Design Aptitude Test (DAT), which is conducted in two stages – Prelims and Mains. The NID Prelims is the first step, testing creativity, observation, visualization, and problem-solving skills.
Here’s a complete guide to the NID Prelims campuses and all essential details you need to know.
The NID Prelims exam is common across all campuses, but each campus offers specific design disciplines under the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) programs. Currently, India has seven NID campuses:
Located in Gujarat, NID Ahmedabad is the oldest and most prestigious NID campus. It serves as the institute’s headquarters and offers a wide range of design disciplines.
Programs: B.Des, M.Des, and PhD
Key Specializations: Product Design, Textile Design, Graphic Design, Animation Film Design, Furniture Design
Known for its heritage, innovation, and world-class learning environment, Ahmedabad sets the benchmark for design education in India.
Also in Gujarat, NID Gandhinagar focuses primarily on M.Des programs.
Specializations: Lifestyle Accessory Design, Apparel Design, Strategic Design Management
Highlights: Advanced design research, workshops, international exposure, and strong industry connections.
Located in Karnataka, NID Bengaluru emphasizes research-oriented design education.
Specializations: Design for Retail Experience, Digital Game Design, Information Design
Focus: Innovation, sustainability, and technology-integrated, user-centered design approaches.
A newer campus under NID’s expansion initiative, NID Haryana offers B.Des programs.
Focus: A balanced approach between theoretical and practical learning, with emphasis on local crafts and modern design technologies.
NID Madhya Pradesh provides undergraduate programs aimed at nurturing creative skills.
Highlights: Collaborative projects, design research, and community-based innovation, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
Designed to promote design education in North-East India, NID Assam focuses on B.Des programs.
Emphasis: Local culture, sustainability, and craft-based design, with hands-on learning experiences connecting design to regional art and environment.
Located in Amaravati, NID Andhra Pradesh offers B.Des programs with modern infrastructure.
Focus: Blending traditional Indian design wisdom with contemporary global trends, preparing students for both domestic and international opportunities.
The NID Prelims is the first stage of the admission process, evaluating creativity, imagination, visual sense, design thinking, and general awareness.
Focus Areas:
Candidates who qualify the Prelims advance to the Mains, which includes studio tests and interviews.
Once Prelims results are announced, shortlisted candidates are invited for DAT Mains. The final merit list is prepared by combining scores from both stages.
Counselling & Admission: Conducted centrally by NID Ahmedabad, allowing students to choose campuses based on merit, specialization, and availability.
Studying at NID gives students access to world-class design education, industry exposure, and a vast alumni network. The institute emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and real-world problem-solving, preparing graduates for diverse industries like fashion, product design, digital media, communication, and industrial design.
Each campus reflects India’s design diversity, connecting culture, craft, and creativity in unique ways. From the heritage of Ahmedabad to the modern infrastructure of Amaravati, every campus nurtures originality and imagination.
In conclusion, the NID Prelims campuses represent the starting point of a designer’s journey in India’s most reputed design ecosystem. They equip future designers with the skills to transform ideas into impact, making them leaders in innovation and design.
NID, short for the National Institute of Design, is one of the best educational and research institutions in Japan and abroad, offering integrated design courses in industry, media, textiles, and science. Computer learning for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students It provides. The National Institute of Design was India's first design institute, founded in Ahmedabad in 1961 by the Indian government, the Ford Foundation, and the Sarabhai family It is an all-India autonomous society. NID is ranked as the number 1 design institute in India NID Campus
India has a total of 7 His Holiness NID campuses 1961 The university is located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Pardi, opposite the Tagore Hall of Rajnagar Society The university offers a total of 17 courses at the UG, PG, and Ph.D. levels REMOVE program Cartoon design, graphic design, product design, textile design, exhibition design, ceramic and glass design, furniture design,
M. Program name Animation design, film and video communication, graphic design, product design, textile design, glass ceramic design Full-time and part-time Ph.D. Design programs are also available
GANDHINAGAR GROUP
This Gandhinagar National Institute of Design campus is a public or government institution established in 2014 Manages the strategic design, vehicle, and vehicle design, and toy and game design. . JNV Bangalore
This National Institute of Design Bangalore campus is a public or government institution established in 2007 in Karnataka NID Bangalore offers courses by Mr. Des as Retail Experience, Digital Game Design, Information Design, Interaction Design, and Universal Design
OTHER AREA-
NEST ANDHRA PRADESH
NID Andhra Pradesh National Institute of Design, also known as NID Vijaywada, was established in 2015 It is the second independent multidisciplinary design agency under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Located in Namburu, Andhra Pradesh 10th place in the design category NID Vijayawada offers UG courses like B.Des Communication Design, B.Des Industrial Design, and B.Des Textile Design
NID Madhya Pradesh Son NID Bhopal also known as
NID Madhya Pradesh was established in 2019 under the Department of Industry and Internal Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India The laboratory is located in Acharpura, Madhya Pradesh b NID Madhya Pradesh offers courses in Communication Design, Industrial Design, and Textile Design
HARYANA'S nest
NID Haryana, also known as NID Kurukshetra, was established in 2016 with the support of the Department of Industry and Trade Promotion Internal (DPI), the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Government of India It is an independent institution and offers training and research programs in design. The B Des degree program at NID Haryana offers, for example, communication design, industrial design, and textile design. HOME
NID ASSAM is based in Jorhat near Assam and was established in 2019 It is a public/government agency NID Assam offers B Des courses such as Apparel Design, Communication Design, and Industrial Design.