NID introduces integrated 5.5-year MDes programme from 2027-28

Ahmedabad: Students aspiring to pursue a career in design after Class 12 will have a new integrated academic pathway at the National Institute of Design (NID) from the 2027-28 academic year.

NID has announced a 5.5-year Professional Education Master of Design (Integrated Pathway) comprising 11 semesters, allowing students to pursue an integrated master’s programme after completing their higher secondary education. The programme will be offered across 15 sector-specific design disciplines under five design streams at NID campuses in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Bengaluru.

According to the admission handbook, the three campuses will together offer 135 seats across 15 disciplines, with nine seats allocated to each discipline. Officials said the number of specialisations is expected to increase from around eight at present.

Ahmedabad will account for the largest share, with 72 seats across eight disciplines, followed by Bengaluru with 36 seats across four disciplines and Gandhinagar with 27 seats across three disciplines.

The integrated programme has been structured into five broad design streams. Under Industrial Design, Ahmedabad will offer Ceramic & Glass and Product Design, while Gandhinagar will offer Transportation & Automobile Design. Communication Design at Ahmedabad will include Animation Film, Film & Video Communication and Graphic Design.

A new Spatial Experience Design stream will comprise Exhibition and Furniture & Interior Design at Ahmedabad, along with Design for Retail Experience at Bengaluru. Textile and Apparel Design will include Textile Design at Ahmedabad and Apparel and Lifestyle Accessory Design at Gandhinagar.

Bengaluru will offer all three specialisations under Digital Design Futures – Digital Game Design, Interaction Design and Information Design, giving the integrated programme a strong technology-focused component.

The admission process will also undergo changes. After appearing for the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Mains, candidates will have to submit a separate online admission application to participate in the seat-allotment process.

For the 2027-28 admission cycle, online applications opened on September 10, 2026, and candidates can submit their forms until 11.59 pm on November 30, 2026. The DAT Prelims is scheduled for December 20, 2026, while its result is scheduled to be announced on March 16, 2027. Dates for DAT Mains and subsequent admission procedures will be announced later.

The new integrated MDes programme will remain separate from NID’s existing 2.5-year MDes programme for graduates, which will continue to be offered from the 2027-28 academic year. DeshGujarat