What is a good score in NID DAT 2026?

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Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 13 Feb 2026, 02:22 PM IST

The NID conducts the NID DAT design entrance exam. The NID DAT 2026 is one of the challenging design entrance exams through which a student gets admission to BDes and MDes courses at the prestigious design institute. As per the previous year qualifying marks, the score between 60-66 was considered good for NID DAT general category BDes aspirants. As per the revised NID selection process, the NID prelims is only a qualifying exam and will not have any weightage in the final selection. Only those candidates who qualify for the NID DAT prelims will be evaluated for NID DAT mains. The final NID admissions will be done based on the marks in only the mains. Candidates can check the category-wise cutoffs for a better idea of what is a good score.

This Story also Contains

What is a Good Score in NID DAT Exam?
What’s NID DAT Qualifying Marks?
NID DAT Institute-Wise Good Score
How to get a good score in the NID DAT exam?

What is a good score in NID?

A good score in NID varies based on various factors such as the difficulty levels of the exam, the number of candidates, and the institute chosen. Candidates who aspire to get NID admission need to secure good marks in the NID DAT examination. Candidates can refer to the complete article to know what is a good score in the NID DAT exam as per the categories of each NID participating institute.

What is a Good Score in NID DAT Exam?

As per last year's trends, a good score in NID DAT 2026 is expected to be as follows. However, it must also be noted that a good score is expected to change as the marks in prelims will not be considered for final admission.

General: 60-66
OBC: 55 -60
SC: 50 - 58
ST: 45 - 52

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What’s NID DAT Qualifying Marks?

It is necessary for the candidates to understand what the qualifying marks are. The qualifying marks of the NID DAT are the score and rank secured by the last candidates admitted for the B.Des programme. Based on the candidate's discipline and category, the score and rank of the candidate will change accordingly. As per the NID 2026 selection process, the NID prelims is only a qualifying exam, and the marks will not be carried forward into the mains.

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The NID authorities will allot the seats to the candidates based on their NID total marks secured, rank, category, preferences, and seat availability. Candidates can look at the NID qualifying marks for B.Des admissions who are shortlisted for Mains 2025 mentioned in the below table:

NID DAT B.Des Qualifying Marks 2025

Category	Score of last candidate shortlisted NID Mains 2025
GENERAL	59
GEN-EWS	46
OBC - NCL	51
SC	46
ST	38
Overseas	22.5
PwD	19

NID DAT B.Des Qualifying Marks 2024

Category	Rank of last shortlisted for NID Mains/ NID prelims cut off 2024	Score of last candidate shortlisted
OPEN	253	58.50
OBC - NCL	153	43.00
EWS	257	50.00
ST	181	43.75
SC	120	29.00
PwD	62	9.75
Overseas	96	24.25

NID DAT Institute-Wise Good Score

For each category the candidates must know ‘what is a good score for NID DAT' as per each NID institute. The table below specifies the NID topper marks/good score attained in the previous year in each category of each institute is listed below:

NID aspirants frequently ask 'what is a good score for NID DAT?'. NID Cutoff 2025 will play a crucial role in determining the score. The NID Cutoff is the minimum mark that aspirants need to achieve to qualify for admission.

NID Ahmedabad 2025 Cut Off

Category	Rank of last shortlisted for NID Admission	Score of Last Candidate for NID Admission
OPEN	48	59.60
GEN-EWS	16	50.90
OBC-NCL	40	53.70
SC	24	51.70
ST	11	47.80
PwD	7	40.60

NID Andhra Pradesh 2025 Cut Off

Category	Rank of last shortlisted for NID Admission	Score of Last Candidate for NID Admission
OPEN	200	54.10
GEN-EWS	20	50.40
OBC-NCL	119	48.50
SC	66	45.60
ST	27	42.50
PwD	NE	NE

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NID Assam 2025 Cut Off

Category	Rank of last shortlisted for NID Admission	Score of Last Candidate for NID Admission
OPEN	247	53.00
GEN-EWS	NE	NE
OBC-NCL	130	47.90
SC	74	44.80
ST	39	40.20
PwD	NE	NE

NID Madhya Pradesh 2025 Cut Off

Category	Rank of last shortlisted for NID Admission	Score of Last Candidate for NID Admission
OPEN	166	55.00
GEN-EWS	17	50.80
OBC-NCL	102	49.30
SC	44	48.20
ST	22	43.50
PwD	NE	NE

NID Haryana 2025 Cut Off

Category	Rank of last shortlisted for NID Admission	Score of Last Candidate for NID Admission
OPEN	193	54.30
GEN-EWS	21	50.30
OBC-NCL	100	49.40
SC	56	46.60
ST	29	42.20
PwD	9	40.00

Also Check:

NID M.Des 2025 Cut Off for Open and General Category

Discipline	OPEN		GEN-EWS
Discipline	Open Rank	Score	Category Rank	Score
Animation Film Design	12	55.10	NE	NE
Cearmic & Glass Design	6	58.10	NA	NA
Furniture & Interior Design	10	55.90	2	50.25
Film & Video Communication	10	67.35	2	54.20
Graphic Design	8	62.25	NE	NE
Product Design	10	59.30	NE	NE
Textile Design	8	59.25	NE	NE
Apparel Design	9	54.15	NE	NE
Lifestyle Accessory Design	10	59.30	NE	NE
New Media Design	8	57.70	NE	NE
Photography Design	16	50.15	NE	NE
Strategic Design Management	11	61.40	1	50.50
Transportation and Automobile Design	10	55.60	NE	NE
Toy & Game Design	6	72.95	NA	NA
Digital Game Design	7	66.65	2	60.00
Design for Retail Experience	7	59.30	NE	NE
Information Design	8	67.70	3	52.10
Interaction Design	11	57.50	NE	NE
Universal Design	14	60.55	2	57.00

NID M.Des 2025 Cut Off for OBC-NCL and SC Category

Discipline	OBC-NCL		SC
Discipline	Category Rank	Score	Category Rank	Score
Animation Film Design	6	46.65	5	46.30
Cearmic & Glass Design	6	49.95	3	50.50
Furniture & Interior Design	7	47.45	4	44.85
Film & Video Communication	7	62.65	6	56.35
Graphic Design	9	53.90	4	55.65
Product Design	14	49.60	3	50.70
Textile Design	5	47.20	6	40.20
Apparel Design	6	47.95	3	40.65
Lifestyle Accessory Design	9	48.60	7	43.95
New Media Design	8	46.55	4	43.00
Photography Design	1	46.50	5	43.50
Strategic Design Management	5	47.35	4	43.90
Transportation and Automobile Design	5	47.25	4	45.35
Toy & Game Design	6	48.70	2	45.40
Digital Game Design	6	54.85	4	54.45
Design for Retail Experience	8	47.60	3	55.10
Information Design	8	49.95	3	53.45
Interaction Design	7	50.35	5	52.80
Universal Design	11	48.80	5	51.25

Also Read:

NID Result for BDes & MDes

NID M.Des 2025 Cut Off for ST and PwD Category

Discipline	ST		PwD
Discipline	Category Rank	Score	PwD Rank	Score
Animation Film Design	1	52.15	NE	NE
Cearmic & Glass Design	NE	NE	NA	NA
Furniture & Interior Design	2	50.40	NA	NA
Film & Video Communication	1	63.45	NA	NA
Graphic Design	1	59.80	1	51.20
Product Design	1	46.05	NE	NE
Textile Design	1	48.40	NA	NA
Apparel Design	1	43.35	NA	NA
Lifestyle Accessory Design	2	46.25	NA	NA
New Media Design	1	52.50	NA	NA
Photography Design	NA	NA	NA	NA
Strategic Design Management	2	55.25	NA	NA
Transportation and Automobile Design	NE	NE	NA	NA
Toy & Game Design	NE	NE	NA	NA
Digital Game Design	1	53.15	1	42.15
Design for Retail Experience	NA	NA	1	44.95
Information Design	NE	NE	NA	NA
Interaction Design	1	41.80	NE	NE
Universal Design	1	46.55	NE	NE

You may also check

How to get a good score in the NID DAT exam?

NID DAT is one of the most sought-after exams, and the preparations must be done to get the best possible scores. The candidates who are planning to get admission to NIDs need to qualify for the DAT entrance exam at both the Prelims and Mains levels. After knowing what a good score in NID DAT is, the candidates need to plan and prepare their study strategies.

They must follow some tips and guidelines to achieve the desired result. Careers360 brings you some of the preparation tips for how to score well in NID DAT exam from the following list:

Start the preparation as early as possible before the NID DAT exam.
Analysis and understanding of the NID DAT syllabus and test pattern
Stay updated with current affairs.
Practice more sample papers and NID question papers.
Take the NID DAT mock test to understand the actual exam environment.
Practice drawing and sketching daily to manage the time in the exam.
Take care of your health, and be positive and confident.

By following the above tips, candidates can score high in NID DAT exam.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is a good score in NID DAT exam for OBC category?

A good score in NID DAT exam will change based on categories. As per past trends, a good score for a general category for B.Des is 60 -66, OBC is 55 -60, SC category is 50 - 58, and for ST category is 45 - 52.

Q: What is NID DAT selection process?

NID DAT exam is conducted in two sessions: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT mains. NID DAT prelims is a written exam and NID DAT Mains consists of studio test and personal interview. Candidates who pass the both Prelims and Mains exams will get admission to NID institute.

Q: what is a good rank in NID ?

For NID Ahmedabad campus, candidates are required to secure a decent rank between 50 to 200 (for General category), but cutoffs varies bu category (OBC, SC, EWS).

Q: What is the NID DAT exam ?

NID DAT exam is conducted by National Institute of Design (NID) and offers both B.Des and M.Des programmes.

Q: How to score well in the NID DAT exam?

To get good marks in NID DAT exam, candidates must understand the NID DAT exam pattern and syllabus, solve the sample papers and previous year NID DAT question papers, be creative, make a preparation strategy or study material to crack the NID DAT exam, stay positive and confident and eat Healthy diet.

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Questions related to NID DAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NID DAT ?

where should i start to prepare for nift

Hello,

Preparing for the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance exam involves focusing on several key areas. Here’s a structured approach to get you started:

1. Understand the Exam Structure

Familiarize yourself with the NIFT entrance exam format:

General Ability Test (GAT): Tests general knowledge, current affairs, and quantitative

Read Complete Answer

Prachi Kumari

11 Aug'24

Is diploma or polytechnic students can apply for NID DAT admission

No, diploma or polytechnic students are generally not eligible to apply for the NID DAT exam.
The eligibility criteria for NID DAT typically requires a 10+2 qualification or its equivalent. This means you must have completed your higher secondary education to be eligible for the exam.

I hope this information

Read Complete Answer

Kanishka kaushikii

29 Jul'24

what is the syllabus and exam paper pattern for PG NID Exam?

Stages of the Exam:

The PG NID entrance exam typically consists of two stages:

Prelims: This written test might include objective and subjective questions to assess your design aptitude, creativity, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of design principles.
Mains: Candidates who qualify in the prelims are called for the mains stage,

Read Complete Answer

Nitin Kumar

10 Jul'24

i forget to write the question paper code and date in omr sheet (NID dat prelims) which is for the common question paper and the invigilator already signed and sealed it and didn't notice what I forgot. what will happen? is it going to get rejected?

Hello,

If you forgot to write the question paper code and date on your NID DAT prelims OMR sheet, contact the exam authorities immediately. They may have procedures in place to handle such situations. According to me there should be no problem for you even if you have not filled

Read Complete Answer

Tanya Gupta

21 Feb'24

what is the syllabus for NID DAT

Hello aspirant,

The National Institute of Design (NID) has not yet made the NID DAT 2024 exam's official syllabus public. But you can check the important topics for this exam on our site by clicking on the link given below.

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nid-dat-syllabus

Thank you

Hope this information helps you.