Overview
The National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad is an autonomous design institution located in Paldi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Established in 1961 on the recommendations of the India Report by Charles and Ray Eames, NID has been at the forefront of design education, research, and practice in India for over six decades. It functions as an autonomous institution under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. NID was declared an Institution of National Importance by the National Institute of Design Act, 2014, empowering it to award its own degrees. The institute offers undergraduate (Bachelor of Design) and postgraduate (Master of Design) programmes across multiple design disciplines spanning Industrial Design, Communication Design, Textile & Apparel Design, and IT Integrated Design. Admission is highly competitive through the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims and Mains, followed by Studio Tests and Interviews. The Paldi campus features design studios, workshops, a renowned Knowledge Management Centre (library), a Resource Centre, and on-campus hostel accommodation. NID is consistently ranked as one of Asia's top design schools and has produced many of India's leading designers, with extensive industry collaborations, design consultancy projects, and international partnerships with design schools across the globe.
Courses Offered
Courses, Fees & Rankings at a Glance
This section answers the practical question: what can you study at NID Ahmedabad, how much does it cost, and how does the institute rank? The table summarises the flagship programmes with their total indicative fee, duration and the entrance route, alongside the institute's headline #1 design ranking. Treat these as starting figures and check the detailed Courses, Fees and Rankings tabs for specialisation-wise breakdowns and the latest cutoffs.
The clear takeaway is that NID Ahmedabad's flagship B.Des carries a total indicative fee of ₹14,40,000 over four years, while the M.Des is ₹9,80,000 over 2.5 years, both gated by the highly competitive NID DAT. The PhD route, aimed at Master's holders in design, rounds out the academic ladder. Given the institute's #1 design ranking in 2025, these fees buy access to India's most sought-after design education.
| Programme | Duration | Total Fee (Indicative) | Eligibility | Entrance Exam | Top Rank |
|---|
| B.Des | 4.0 years | ₹14,40,000 | Passed 10+2 (any stream) or equivalent | NID DAT | #1 India Today Design 2025 |
| M.Des | 2.5 years | ₹9,80,000 | Bachelor's degree in any discipline or 3-year diploma | NID DAT | #1 India Today Design 2025 |
| PhD (Design) | Varies | Not applicable | Master's degree in Design or a relevant discipline | NID PhD Entrance | #1 Outlook Design 2024 |
What courses does National Institute of Design Ahmedabad offer?
NID Ahmedabad offers a 4-year B.Des, a 2.5-year M.Des and a PhD in Design. These span disciplines including Industrial Design, Communication Design, Textile & Apparel Design, IT Integrated Design and Interdisciplinary Design Studies. The B.Des is open to 10+2 pass students from any stream, the M.Des requires a Bachelor's degree or 3-year diploma, and the PhD needs a Master's in design or a relevant field. Admission is through the NID DAT.
NID Courses & Fees 2026
Passed 10+2 (any stream) or equivalent
Bachelor's degree in any discipline or 3-year diploma
Master's degree in Design or relevant discipline
| Course | Duration | Total Fees | Eligibility |
|---|
| B.Des Full Time | 4 Years | ₹1,440,000 | Passed 10+2 (any stream) or equivalent |
| M.Des Full Time | 2 Years | ₹980,000 | Bachelor's degree in any discipline or 3-year diploma |
| PhD Full Time | 5 Years | - | Master's degree in Design or relevant discipline |
Fees
What is the total fee at National Institute of Design Ahmedabad?
The total indicative fee for the B.Des programme at NID Ahmedabad is ₹14,40,000 for the full 4-year course, while the M.Des programme costs ₹9,80,000 over 2.5 years. These figures cover the complete programme duration rather than a single year. PhD fees vary by scholar category and are not listed as a fixed figure. Applicants should verify the latest year-wise fee structure in the official admissions handbook before applying.
NID Scholarships 2026
Needy and meritorious NID students whose annual family income is less than Rs 5,00,000 per annum and who maintain a minimum SGPA of 5. Awarded from NID's own resources subject to availability of funds.
Needy and deserving NID students whose annual family income is less than Rs 5,00,000 per year, supported by the Ford Foundation and NID's own resources. A minimum SGPA (around 5) and income certificate are required, and distribution depends on available funds.
Awarded to top-ranking newly admitted students (high rank in the NID admission/DAT examination) at the start of the programme.
Second-year students with the highest AGPA who have passed the maximum number of courses in the first or second attempt receive the top two awards.
Students in the top 25% of their batch by AGPA who also meet economic criteria (typically EWS/low family income). Available to second-year and senior students.
| Scholarship | Type | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|
| NID Freeship cum Scholarship | Need_based | Tuition fee waiver (value equal to yearly tuition fee payable) | Needy and meritorious NID students whose annual family income is less than Rs 5,00,000 per annum and who maintain a minimum SGPA of 5. Awarded from NID's own resources subject to availability of funds. |
| NID Ford Foundation Freeship cum Scholarship | Need_based | Tuition fee waiver (50% to 100%) | Needy and deserving NID students whose annual family income is less than Rs 5,00,000 per year, supported by the Ford Foundation and NID's own resources. A minimum SGPA (around 5) and income certificate are required, and distribution depends on available funds. |
| NID New Admission Merit Scholarship | Merit | Rs 50,000 | Awarded to top-ranking newly admitted students (high rank in the NID admission/DAT examination) at the start of the programme. |
| NID Second Year Merit Scholarship | Merit | Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 | Second-year students with the highest AGPA who have passed the maximum number of courses in the first or second attempt receive the top two awards. |
| NID Merit-cum-Means Scholarship | Need_based | Rs 30,000 | Students in the top 25% of their batch by AGPA who also meet economic criteria (typically EWS/low family income). Available to second-year and senior students. |
Admission Process
Placement & Admission Snapshot
NID Ahmedabad reported an average package of around ₹21.3 LPA and a highest package of around ₹30 LPA in its 2025 placements, with roughly 620 offers made across disciplines; the 2024 season had earlier touched a ₹34 LPA high across about 476 offers. Admission to its B.Des and M.Des programmes is strictly entrance-based through the two-stage NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT), comprising the DAT Prelims (a pen-and-paper aptitude test) followed by the DAT Mains (an in-studio test and interview). Top recruiters in recent seasons include Microsoft, Samsung, Adobe, IBM, TCS, Deloitte, Cognizant and Hindustan Unilever, hiring for UX design, product design, graphic design and design strategy roles. With acceptance rates near 1%, NID Ahmedabad admission is purely merit-and-aptitude driven, not management or merit-list based on board marks alone.
Is admission to National Institute of Design Ahmedabad merit or entrance based?
Admission to NID Ahmedabad is entrance-based, conducted through the two-stage NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT). Candidates first clear the DAT Prelims, a pen-and-paper aptitude test, and then qualify the DAT Mains, an in-studio design test with an interview. With an acceptance rate near 1%, selection depends on design aptitude and performance in the DAT rather than board exam marks alone or any management quota.
Cutoffs
NID Cutoff 2025
Top cutoff closing ranks and scores.
| Exam | Year | Closing Rank | Cutoff Score |
|---|
| NID DAT | 2025 | 158 | 38.00 |
| NID DAT | 2025 | 105 | 42.00 |
| NID DAT | 2025 | 95 | 35.00 |
| NID DAT | 2025 | 62 | 38.00 |
| NID DAT | 2024 | 60 | 37.00 |
Rankings & Accreditation
What is the NIRF or ranking status of National Institute of Design Ahmedabad?
NID Ahmedabad is ranked #1 in Design in India by India Today in both 2025 and 2024, and #1 by Outlook in 2024. As a design specialist it is most prominently recognised in dedicated design rankings rather than general university tables. This consistent top position across multiple reputable frameworks confirms its status as the country's leading design institution in 2026.
NID Rankings 2025
| Ranking Body | Category | Rank | Score | Year |
|---|
| India Today | Design | #1 | - | 2025 |
| Outlook | Design | #1 | - | 2024 |
Location & Campus Details
Contact NID
Address
National Institute of Design, Paldi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Email
Website
This page is published for informational purposes only. Always verify final details on the official institution website before making academic or financial decisions.
National Institute of Design Ahmedabad Key Facts (2026)
The table below summarises the essential profile of NID Ahmedabad at a glance, answering the most common question aspirants ask: what type of institute is it, when was it founded, and how is it governed and approved? Read each row as a single verified data point about this specific institution. These facts give you the foundation before you dive into courses, fees, and placements in the sections that follow.
The takeaway is that NID Ahmedabad is not a conventional university-affiliated college but a self-governing, degree-granting national institute with a 1961 pedigree. Its near-1% acceptance rate signals just how selective admission is, while its consistent #1 design ranking confirms its standing as the country's most prestigious design school in 2026.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|
| Established | 1961 |
| Type | Autonomous Institute of National Importance |
| Affiliation / Approvals | Statutory body under the NID Act, 2014; functions under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry; degree-granting authority |
| Location / Campus | Paldi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat (heritage main campus) |
| Total Courses | B.Des, M.Des and PhD across Industrial, Communication and Textile & Apparel Design disciplines |
| Ranking Status | Ranked #1 in Design by India Today 2025 and 2024, and Outlook 2024 |
| Student Intake (B.Des) | Approximately 144 seats for an intensely competitive applicant pool (acceptance rate near 1%) |
About NID
The National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad is an autonomous design institution located in Paldi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Established in 1961 on the recommendations of the India Report by Charles and Ray Eames, NID has been at the forefront of design education, research, and practice in India for over six decades. It functions as an autonomous institution under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. NID was declared an Institution of National Importance by the National Institute of Design Act, 2014, empowering it to award its own degrees. The institute offers undergraduate (Bachelor of Design) and postgraduate (Master of Design) programmes across multiple design disciplines spanning Industrial Design, Communication Design, Textile & Apparel Design, and IT Integrated Design. Admission is highly competitive through the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims and Mains, followed by Studio Tests and Interviews. The Paldi campus features design studios, workshops, a renowned Knowledge Management Centre (library), a Resource Centre, and on-campus hostel accommodation. NID is consistently ranked as one of Asia's top design schools and has produced many of India's leading designers, with extensive industry collaborations, design consultancy projects, and international partnerships with design schools across the globe.
Sources and Verification
Information last reviewed on 25 Jun 2026.
Fees, cutoffs, admission steps, placements, and programme details can change. Always cross-check the latest institutional or authority notice before acting.