NID DAT · Cutoff
NID DAT Cutoff 2026 — expected score & rank bands
What does your score in NID Design Aptitude Test actually get you? These bands map a mock/exam percentage to the rank window and outcomes that score range has typically achieved.
AI-curated from historic cutoff patterns — indicative, not official. Always verify with the latest official notification.
Category-wise expected cutoff (indicative)
| Category | Expected Cutoff (indicative) |
|---|---|
| General | 68-78% (68-78 marks) |
| EWS | 63-73% (63-73 marks) |
| OBC-NCL | 61-71% (61-71 marks) |
| SC | 55-65% (55-65 marks) |
| ST | 52-62% (52-62 marks) |
| PwD | 48-58% (48-58 marks) |
- Category differential: General-to-OBC gap typically 7-10%, General-to-SC gap around 13-15%, and General-to-ST gap approximately 16-18%. EWS cutoffs track 5-7% below General.
- Year-on-year shifts: Cutoffs fluctuate based on seat availability across NIDs (Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, newer campuses), difficulty of spatial/design problems, and applicant pool quality. Premium programs at flagship NIDs may require 10-15% above baseline category cutoffs.
- Studio Test importance: Crossing DAT cutoff (even at lower ranges 55-68%) grants Studio Test access where portfolio and hands-on tasks carry substantial weightage—final selection depends heavily on Stage 2 performance, not DAT alone.
Not sure if your score is safe for your category?
🎓 Now you know the score to beat. Get the free day-by-day plan that gets you there. Rebuilt every morning around what you actually did — miss a day, nothing is lost.Build my plan →Score → rank → outcome bands
Top 200 — flagship programmes
92–100%rank ~1–200
- NID Ahmedabad — Industrial Design, Transportation & Automobile Design (General category typical rank <200)
- NID Ahmedabad — Communication Design (top-tier programme, highly selective)
- First preference specialisation likely across any NID campus
- Excellent position for merit scholarships and awards
- Among India's top design talent pool; comparable to international design school admits
Top 600 — premium specialisations
82–92%rank ~200–600
- NID Ahmedabad — Product Design, Graphic Design (General category approximate rank 300-600)
- NID Ahmedabad — Animation Film Design (highly competitive stream)
- NID Bangalore — Product Design, User Experience Design
- Multiple campus and specialisation options available
- Strong position for final selection with decent Studio Test and interview
Strong contender — established campuses
70–82%rank ~600–1,500
- NID Ahmedabad — Furniture & Interior Design, Textile Design (approximate rank 800-1500 depending on category)
- NID Bangalore — IT Integrated Design, Film & Video Communication
- NID Gandhinagar — Industrial Design, Strategic Design Management
- Solid chance across multiple campuses with good Mains performance
- Shortlist likely for most preferred specialisations
Moderate shortlist probability
55–70%rank ~1,500–3,000
- NID Gandhinagar — Textile Design, Ceramic & Glass Design (approximate rank range 2000-3000)
- NID Haryana — Exhibition Design, New Media Design
- NID Madhya Pradesh — selected design streams (newer campus)
- Good chance for Mains shortlist; Studio Test preparation crucial
- May need to be flexible with campus and specialisation preferences
Borderline qualifying range
35–55%rank ~3,000–8,000
- May qualify for Mains (Studio Test) in some NID campuses
- NID Vijayawada — Industrial Design, Communication Design (approximate cut-off range)
- NID Jorhat — Foundation programmes (newer campus, relatively accessible)
- Strong portfolio and interview performance critical for final selection
- Consider parallel applications to NIFT, Pearl Academy, or Srishti
Below typical cut-off range
0–35%
- Unlikely to qualify for Studio Test/Personal Interview round
- Consider retaking next cycle with stronger portfolio preparation
- Explore state-level design institutes or diploma programs
- Focus on fundamentals: observation skills, sketching, visual reasoning
Where would YOUR score land?
Take a free NID DAT mock — instant score, this exact rank mapping, and your weak topics identified. No coaching fees.