List of Best NID Colleges in India: Fees, Eligibility, Courses
NID campuses happen to be one of the best design schools in India for B.Des and M.Des courses. Let us dig into the list of the best NID colleges in India along with course prospects, fees, and much more.
List of Best NID Colleges in India: The National Institute of Design was established in the year 1961. It falls under the DPIIT of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. For such a long time, it has carried a prestige tag. In 2014, it was identified as an 'Institution of National Importance' under the NID Act. The institution is much-respected at both the national and international levels, registered with the International Council of Design, and holds registration as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation of the Government of India.
For design aspirants, NID is among the top design colleges in India. The top NID campuses include NID Ahmedabad, NID Bengaluru, NID Gandhinagar and more. All of the NID campuses follow top-class educative systems that lead to optimum learning for students. These campuses offer a wide range of courses supported by their faculty who can provide time and help students hone their creative talents. One of the outstanding features of NID is the state-of-the-art facilities and the vibrant learning atmosphere. In that aspect, every student will gain real-life projects to realize hands-on experience that will be vital in their future careers. If you are interested in learning about the list of best NID colleges in India and what it has in store for its courses, fees, and admission criteria, then read along for further information.
Also Read:What is a Good Score in NID DAT 2025?
List of Best NID Colleges in India
With a robust alumni network and promising placements, NID College is a top-tier destination for design enthusiasts which has seven campuses all over India. Here is a list of the best NID colleges in India:
S.No | Best NID Colleges in India | Year Established |
|---|---|---|
1. | 1961 | |
2. | National Institute of Design, Gandhinagar | 2004 |
3. | 2006 | |
4. | 2015 | |
5. | 2019 | |
6. | 2016 | |
7. | 2019 |
Courses Offered at Top NID Colleges in India
NID colleges provide different courses at both the bachelor and graduate levels. They offer Bachelor of Design (BDes) programs that typically last for four years and Master of Design (MDes) programs with a duration of two years. Additionally, certain NID colleges provide a doctoral program in Design.
Bachelor of Design (BDes) at NID Colleges in India
Explore the comprehensive Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program and specialisations offered at NID colleges in India.
Faculty | Discipline |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Communication Design |
|
| Faculty of Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle, and Accessory Design |
|
| Faculty of Industrial Design |
|
Master of Design (MDes) at NID Colleges in India
The National Institute of Design comprises five faculties: Communication Design, Industrial Design, Information Technology-Integrated Programmes, Interdisciplinary Design Studies, and Textile, Apparel, and Lifestyle Accessory Design. Check out the specialisations offered at NIDs at the masters-level:
Faculty | Discipline |
|---|---|
Faculty of Communication Design |
|
| Faculty of Information Technology-Integrated Programmes |
|
| Faculty of Industrial Design |
|
| Faculty of Interdisciplinary Design Studies |
|
| Faculty of Textile, Apparel, and Lifestyle Accessory Design |
|
PhD in Design at Best NID Colleges in India
Among the best NID colleges in India, some NID colleges offer a PhD programme in Design for students who are interested in advancing their design knowledge through research and academics. This course includes research work while exploring design theories and an in-depth study of the design field. PhD aspirants get to learn from experienced faculty members, collaborate with them, and get involved in cross-disciplinary research.
Institute-wise Seat Intake at Top NID Colleges in India
The NIDs offer B.Des and M.Des programs across various specializations. Here's the seat intake for each institute:
Institute-wise Seat Intake for BDes
The table below outlines the institute-wise BDes seat intake at various NID campuses which students can use for reference.
| Best NID Colleges in India | Seat Intake |
|---|---|
NID Ahmedabad | 125 |
NID Andhra Pradesh | 75 |
NID Haryana | 75 |
NID Madhya Pradesh | 75 |
NID Assam | 75 |
Total | 425 |
Institute-wise Seat Intake for MDes
The table below outlines the institute-wise MDes seat intake at various NID campuses which students can use for reference.
| Best NID Colleges in India | Seat Intake |
|---|---|
NID Ahmedabad | 126 |
NID Gandhinagar | 126 |
NID Bengaluru | 95 |
Total Intake | 347 |
Note: NIDs adhere to the reservation policies set by the Government of India for different categories, including General-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, and ST.
Eligibility Criteria at the Best NID Colleges in India
To be a part of one of the best colleges on the list of best NID colleges in India, a student has to make sure that all the eligibility criteria for NID are met. Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria according to the courses offered at NID colleges that a candidate needs to keep in mind before applying to any of the top NID colleges in India.
NID BDes Eligibility Criteria
Candidates who have qualified for the higher secondary (10+2) examination in any stream from any recognised board can apply for the undergraduate course.
If any candidate has not appeared for the 10+2 examination before the date of admission, he/she is not eligible for admission and can not apply for it. The upper age limit is 20 years as of 30 June 2025 for the general category and 23 years for OBC, SC and ST. Also, for PWD the upper age limit goes to 25th years.
The lower age limit for the general candidate is that a candidate should be born on or after 1st July 2001. For OBC, SC and ST, the candidates need to be born on or before 1st July 1999. A PWD candidate born on or after 1st July 1997 is also eligible for the application.
NID MDes Eligibility Criteria
The minimum eligibility criteria for applying for M.Des. is a 4-year or 3-year degree from any specialisation after qualifying for the higher secondary (10+2) examination.
A candidate with a full-time diploma of a minimum 4-year duration in the field of fine arts/design/applied arts/architecture after qualifying for the class 12 examination is also eligible to apply for the M.Des course. Either a bachelor’s degree or a diploma is required before applying for the postgraduate programme from NID College.
The upper age limit for a general candidate is 30 years as of 30th June 2023. Also, he should have been born on or after 1st July 1992. For OBC, SC, and ST candidates the upper limit is 33 years as of 30th June 2023 and for PWD the upper limit is 35 years as of 30th June 2023.
Admission Process at the Best NID Colleges in India
Admission into the list of best NID colleges in India is made based on a good performance or good score in the NID DAT 2025 exam. The admission into the NIDs in India happens mainly in two phases: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains. The Prelims is a written test for BDes and MDes. You would be eligible only for Mains, consisting of a studio test and personal interview if you clear the Prelims.
The final score for NID DAT 2025 is the average of 30% Prelims and 70% Mains score. A candidate can seek admission to the NID DAT exam on its official website that is www.admissions.nid.edu. Before applying, one must gather all the documents so that it will be easy to manage during the process. While filling up the NID DAT 2025 application form, you will get a chance to select an NID DAT 2025 exam centre from the choices available at NID DAT 2025.
Here's a simple step-wise procedure to apply for the NID DAT exam:
- NID DAT Registration: Apply through the application form. This procedure comprises filling in details, uploading documents, and payment of application fees.
- Filling the Application Form: You will have to fill in basic information such as your name, date of birth, contact information, educational qualification, etc.
- Upload Documents: Upload all the documents such as photograph, signature, passport, and caste certificate in case required.
- Pay Application Fee: Complete the application process by paying the needful amount as the NID DAT application fee.
- Download/Print: After successful submission of the application form, download and print a copy for further use.
Course Fees at the Top NID Colleges in India
The list of best NID colleges in India comes with the best education and very significant placement opportunities. Though the institutes for NID courses seem to be quite more costly than other institutes, the learning quality over there is well worth it. Tuition fee structures differ according to the citizenship of the student; the fee for Indian citizens will differ from the applicant from SAARC or African nations, whereas from international countries, it differs from the former two.
Fee for B.Des Programs
Particulars | (2025-26) | (2026-27) | (2027-28) | (2028-29) | ||||
Sem-1 | Sem-2 | Sem-3 | Sem-4 | Sem-5 | Sem-6 | Sem-7 | Sem-8 | |
A: Tuition Fees | 1,96,500 | 1,96,500 | 1,96,500 | 1,96,500 | 1,96,500 | 1,96,500 | 1,96,500 | 1,96,500 |
B: Other Charges | ||||||||
i) Insurance (Personal Accident) | 200 | - | 200 | - | 200 | - | 200 | - |
ii) Student Activity Fund | 1,000 | - | 1,000 | - | 1,000 | - | 1,000 | - |
iii) Film Club | 200 | - | 200 | - | 200 | - | 200 | - |
iv) Alumni Fee | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5,000 |
TOTAL - B | 1,400 | - | 1,400 | - | 1,400 | - | 1,400 | 5,000 |
Fees Without Hostel Charges (A+B) | 1,97,900 | 1,96,500 | 1,97,900 | 1,96,500 | 1,97,900 | 1,96,500 | 1,97,900 | 2,01,500 |
C: Hostel Charges | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | - |
Fees With Hostel Charges (A+B+C) | 2,12,900 | 2,11,500 | 2,12,900 | 2,11,500 | 2,12,900 | 2,11,500 | 2,12,900 | 2,01,500 |
D: Mess Charges | Will be informed at the beginning of each Academic Year | |||||||
E: Students Refundable Deposit | INR 10,000/- to be paid once at the beginning of the first semester | |||||||
Fee for M.Des Programs
Particulars | (2023-24) | (2024-25) | (2025-26) | ||
Sem-1 | Sem-2 | Sem-3 | Sem-4 | Sem-5 | |
A. Tuition Fees | 2,13,500 | 2,13,500 | 2,13,500 | 2,13,500 | 2,13,500 |
B.Other Charges | |||||
i. Insurance (Personal Accident) | 200 | - | 200 | - | - |
ii. Student Activity Fund | 1,000 | - | 1,000 | - | - |
iii. Film Club | 200 | - | 200 | - | - |
iv. Alumni Fee | - | - | - | - | 5,000 |
Total B | 1,400 | - | 1,400 | - | 5,000 |
Fees without Hostel Charges (A B) | 2, 14,900 | 2,13,500 | 2,14,900 | 2,13,500 | 2,18,500 |
C. Hostel Charges | INR 17,500 per semester for Gandhinagar campus. Ahmedabad and Bengaluru are non-residential campuses. | ||||
Mess Charges | Will be informed at the beginning of each Academic Year | ||||
Security Deposit | INR 10,000 to be paid once at the beginning of the 1st semester | ||||
Placements at Top NID Colleges in India
Candidates who intend to get into top NID colleges in India must know that the placement across this best college is record-breaking. Also, NID graduates are regarded as one of the most sought-after candidates by the top companies in the country. Well, this is because of their strong design core knowledge and creativity knack for learning new skills.
NID Placement Drive (2022-23) | Package (CTC per annum) |
|---|---|
Lowest package | 8 LPA |
Average package | 21.30 LPA |
Highest package | 30 LPA |
Every year, over 120 leading companies, including giants like Microsoft, Google, and Wipro, visit all the campuses of NID to be a part of the annual placement drives. These big-known organizations very actively recruit NID graduates; in fact, around 90% of students get jobs during the placement season. The placement data for 2023 reflects some incredible statistics: it had the lowest salary package at INR 12 LPA, an average package at INR 30.5 LPA, and the highest ever at an impressive INR 50 LPA.
The graduates also preferred employment opportunities in graphic design, product design, and interior design. Its excellent alumni network and consistent placement success rate have enabled NID to claim one of the most elite design institutes in India.
Want to know more about the NID DAT exam, check out the links below:
To get any admission-related help to choose from the list of best NID colleges in India, either give a call at the toll-free number 1800-572-9877 (toll-free) or fill up the Common Application Form. In case of any queries, please write to us in the QnA zone. For more education-related information, stay tuned to CollegeDekho.
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FAQs
Is it worth studying at the best NID colleges in India?
Yes, it is worth studying at any NID college, just not only the ones considered the best NID colleges in India since each of its campuses are excellent in some way or the other. The best thing about taking a course at NID, a prestigious design college, is how knowledgeable and personable the instructor is. Aside from that, the fact candidates from diverse backgrounds come to study design adds to the enrichment of the educational process.
Do I need the portfolio to apply for admission at the best NID colleges in India?
Yes, students need the portfolio to apply for admission at the best NID colleges in India if they are applying for the MDes course. They will be required to present their creative abilities or portfolio of their best works in the interview round. However, the portfolio will not be required if candidates are applying for a BDes course.
What is the admission process at the best NID colleges in India?
The admission process at the best NID colleges in India mainly involves four stages: registration for the exam, NID DAT Prelims exam, NID DAT Mains exam, and final merit list. After this, the authority will begin the counselling rounds under which students will be allocated a seat at their preferred NID campus.
What is the placement record at the best NID colleges in India?
The placement record at the best NID colleges in India is excellent as top employers recruit students from all of its campuses owing to their strong design skills and creative ability. With an average compensation package of INR 21.30 LPA, the NID placement drive 2024 came to an end in March. Overall 90% of the students who attended the placement drive were placed by the 124 organisations that took part, including Microsoft, Google, VIP Industries, Trident Group, Wipro, etc.
What percentage of students receive fellowships and/or scholarships from NID?
The percentage of students who receive fellowships and/or scholarships from NID is not fixed since it differs based on the number of potential students who are deserving yet financially unstable. For exact information, students must contact the relevant authorities by visiting its official website.
How many NID colleges are there in India?
There are a total of seven NID colleges in India which are also termed NID centres. These are NID Ahmedabad, NID Gandhinagar, NID Bengaluru, NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Haryana, NID Madhya Pradesh, and NID Assam. All seven NID campuses in India provide excellent education and have decent academic standing.
Is NID better than NIFT?
Whether NID is better than NIFT depends on the type of programme a student is interested in pursuing. In India, NID and NIFT are both outstanding choices for schooling in design. While NIFT focuses on educating textile design, styling, and manufacturing, NID focuses on teaching innovation, invention, and design across all industries.
What is the duration of the courses/programs offered at NID colleges in India?
The duration of the courses/programs offered at NID colleges in India differs depending on the type of programme a student wishes to pursue. For example, if an aspirant wants to pursue a BDes degree, the course duration will be four years. Similarly, for MDes and PhD, the duration of the programme will be two years and five years, respectively.
Is NID affiliated with UGC?
Yes, NID is affiliated with UGC or the University Grants Commission (UGC) as well as AICTE or All India Council for Technical Education. Under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the NIDs operate independently. Nevertheless, in 2014, The Act of Parliament recognised NID Gandhinagar as an Institute of National Importance and the UGC approved it.
Which is the top NID in India?
There is no definite answer to which one is the top NID in India since all of its campuses have excellent academic standing and offer quality education. The list of the best NID colleges in India includes NID Ahmedabad, NID Gandhinagar, NID Bengaluru, NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Haryana, NID Madhya Pradesh, and NID Assam.