I am a NID DAT 2026 aspirant. For months, I prepared diligently, pouring countless hours into my studies, only to be met with an exam format that was entirely drawing-based. Without any prior notice, the examination shifted focus, transforming years of established precedent. This abrupt change left candidates like me grappling with an exam that did not reflect the broad range of skills we had been led to believe were crucial.

This year, the NID DAT B.Des Prelims 2026 shortlisted only about 600 candidates for the Mains examination, a drastic reduction from the usual ~2000. According to NID's own policy, 4.5 times the available seats should be shortlisted for the next stage. However, this year's figure fell alarmingly below 1.5 times the usual number. This discrepancy highlights a significant breach in NID's commitment to its aspirants.

The exam was unprecedentedly centered around drawing, a deviation from previous formats, resulting in score clusters between 30 and 40. These scores are not reflective of individual underperformance but are indicative of a broader systemic failure. Even the General category cutoff plummeted to 49, hardly above the minimum threshold, substantiating that the issue lies in the examination framework and not in the aptitude of the candidates.

This systemic failure has crushed the aspirations and dreams of deserving candidates. Many candidates, like myself, devoted a substantial part of our lives preparing for this examination. We were blindsided by these unexpected changes, leading to outcomes that do not accurately represent our potential.

We demand that the National Institute of Design (NID) reassess and revise the current year's cutoff to do justice to the affected candidates. Such reevaluation is essential not only to uphold the credibility and fairness of the selection process but also to restore faith among future aspirants in NID's examination system.

By aligning the cutoff with previous norms and ensuring that the number of candidates shortlisted is consistent with policy guidelines, NID can rectify this year's procedural mishap. We urge NID to take immediate action, adjusting the cutoff to reflect a fair assessment of candidates' capabilities and ensure a just selection process.

Please lend your voice to this cause and sign the petition to demand fairness and transparency in the NID DAT B.Des Prelims 2026 examination process. Together, we can push for the necessary changes to help realign the process with its founding principles of equity and opportunity for all aspirants.