Let’s compare all NID campuses in India with their fee structure, seat availability, and courses offered and make a strategic decision.
The National Institute of Design (NID) is India’s premier design education institute, knownknowing for nurturing the finest creative minds in the country. With 7 NID campuses spread across India—Ahemdabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Assam—aspiring designers often faced this critical question: which NID campus should they choose and why?
The NID offers promising opportunities with modern infrastructure and affordable education. The fee structure of NID colleges varies between Rs. 2.5 to 4.8 lakhs per year for B.Des programs and Rs. 3.5 to 4.5 lakhs per year for M.Des programs depending upon the campuses and the programs. When it comes to placements, NID colleges maintains a strong record. The average placements package for NID graduates ranges between Rs. 10-16 lakhs per annum for top recruiters. With multiple NID campuses across India, it can be challenging to determine which one is best for you.
This blog will offer a comprehensive overview of the best NID campuses in India in 2025, focusing on fee structure, seat availability, courses, and overall campus vibe.
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Overview of NID Campuses in India
There are a total of 7 NID campuses located across India. These are categorized as:
- NID Ahmedabad (Main Campus)
- NID Gandhinagar (PG Campus)
- NID Bengaluru (R&D Campus)
- NID Andhra Pradesh
- NID Madhya Pradesh
- NID Haryana
- NID Assam
NID Colleges Overview
| NID Campus | Courses Offered | Seats (Approx.) | Placement Support | Infrastructure Quality |
| Ahmedabad | B.Des, M.Des | 125 (B.Des) | Excellent | World-class |
| Gandhinagar | M.Des | 100+ | Excellent | Modern & Tech-driven |
| Bengaluru | M.Des, Research | 50+ | Strong | R&D Labs & Tech Space |
| Andhra Pradesh | B.Des | 75 | Growing | Good |
| Madhya Pradesh | B.Des | 75 | Growing | Developing |
| Haryana | B.Des | 75 | Moderate | Developing |
| Assam | B.Des | 75 | Moderate | Developing |
Courses Offered at NID Campuses in India
NID campuses offer different courses at both UG and PG levels. Courses provided at NID campuses are Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs that typically last for 4 years and Master of Design (M.Des) programs with a duration of 2 years. Certain NID campuses provide doctoral programs in design.
- Bachelor of Design (B.Des) at NID Campuses:
Bachelor of Design (B.Des) is a four-year undergraduate program with a solid foundation in design thinking, creative problem-solving, and technical knowledge. Students study design concepts in-depth, experiment with various mediums, and acquire hands-on experience through industry collaborations and internships.
- Master of Design (M.Des) at NID Campuses:
Master of Design (M.Des) is a two-and-a-half-year postgraduate program focusing on specialisation and advanced design principles. Students conduct extensive study, conceptualisation, and prototyping to understand their chosen profession better. The M.Des program trains students to be design industry leaders with a unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking.
- Ph.D. in Design Programs at NID Campuses
The National Institute of Design initiated a doctoral program in Design in 2017 that aims to advance beyond the practical application of Design, which is thoroughly covered in its bachelor’s and master’s programs. NID’s Ph.D. in Design aims to develop design scholars who can contribute to academic, industrial, and policy-level research in design innovation, theory, and interdisciplinary practice.
Courses Offered by NID Colleges Along With its Seat Intake
- NID B.Des Courses
Explore the comprehensive Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program and specializations along with seat intake offered at the NID Ahmedabad campus:
| Faculty | Discipline | Seat Intake |
Faculty of Communication Design | Animation Film Design | 19 |
| Exhibition Design | 13 | |
| Film & Video Communication | 13 | |
| Graphic Design | 19 | |
Faculty of Industrial Design | Ceramic & Glass Design | 13 |
| Furniture & Interior Design | 13 | |
| Product Design | 19 | |
| Faculty of Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle, and Accessory Design | Textile Design | 19 |
Now, explore the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program and specializations offered at NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Haryana, NID Madhya Pradesh, and NID Assam campuses:
| Discipline | Seat Intake in each NID |
| Communication Design | 25 |
| Industrial Design | 25 |
| Textile and Apparel Design | 25 |
- NID M.Des Courses
Explore the a wide range of M.Des specializations along with seat intake offered at the NID colleges:
| Faculty | Discipline | NID Campus | Seat Intake |
Faculty of Communication Design | Animation Film Design | Ahemdabad | 19 |
| Film & Video Communication | Ahemdabad | 19 | |
| Photography Design | Gandhinagar | 19 | |
| Graphic Design | Ahemdabad | 19 | |
Faculty of Industrial Design | Ceramic & Glass Design | Ahemdabad | 12 |
| Furniture & Interior Design | Ahemdabad | 19 | |
| Product Design | Ahemdabad | 19 | |
| Toy & Game Design | Gandhinagar | 12 | |
| Transportation & Automobile Design | Gandhinagar | 19 | |
| Universal Design | Bengaluru | 19 | |
| Faculty of Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle, and Accessory Design | Textile Design | Ahemdabad | 19 |
| Apparel Design | Gandhinagar | 19 | |
| Lifestyle Accessory Design | Gandhinagar | 19 | |
Faculty of Information Technology Integrated Programs | Digital Game Design | Bengaluru | 19 |
| Information Design | Bengaluru | 19 | |
| Interaction Design | Bengaluru | 19 | |
| New Media Design | Gandhinagar | 19 | |
Faculty of InterdisciplinaryDesign Studies | Design for Retail Experience | Bengaluru | 19 |
| Strategic Design Management | Gandhinagar | 19 |
- NID Ph.D. Courses
Explore the Ph.D courses offered in design field along with the seat intake by NID colleges in India:
| Research Areas | Mode | NID Campus | Seat Intake in each NID |
| Design Thinking, UX Design, Social Innovation, Design History | Full-time & Part-time | NID Ahmedabad | 10-12 |
| Human-Centered Design, Interaction Design, Data Visualization | Part-time | NID Bengaluru (Majorly) | 6-8 |
| Apparel & Textile Design, Strategic Design, Lifestyle Design | Part-time | NID Gandhinagar (Selected areas) | 4-6 |
NID Campuses Fee Structure
When selecting among the various NID campuses, it’s essential to understand the full cost—which includes tuition fees, hostel fees, mess charges, and additional costs like studio material and medical insurance.
Below mentioned is the comprehensive fee structure for various NID campuses:
| NID Campus | Tuition Fee (Annual) | Hostel Fee (Annual) | Mess Charges (Annual) | Other Charges* (Annual) | Total Annual Cost (Approx.) |
| NID Ahmedabad | ₹3.6 – ₹4 Lakh | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 | ₹25,000 – ₹35,000 | ₹20,000 – ₹25,000 | ₹4.2 – ₹4.8 Lakh |
| NID Gandhinagar | ₹3.5 – ₹4 Lakh | ₹20,000 – ₹25,000 | ₹25,000 – ₹30,000 | ₹18,000 – ₹22,000 | ₹4 – ₹4.5 Lakh |
| NID Bengaluru | ₹3.5 – ₹4 Lakh | ₹20,000 – ₹25,000 | ₹25,000 – ₹30,000 | ₹18,000 – ₹22,000 | ₹4 – ₹4.5 Lakh |
| NID Andhra Pradesh | ₹2 – ₹2.5 Lakh | ₹15,000 – ₹20,000 | ₹20,000 – ₹25,000 | ₹15,000 – ₹18,000 | ₹2.5 – ₹3 Lakh |
| NID Madhya Pradesh | ₹2 – ₹2.5 Lakh | ₹15,000 – ₹20,000 | ₹20,000 – ₹25,000 | ₹15,000 – ₹18,000 | ₹2.5 – ₹3 Lakh |
| NID Haryana | ₹2 – ₹2.5 Lakh | ₹15,000 – ₹20,000 | ₹20,000 – ₹25,000 | ₹15,000 – ₹18,000 | ₹2.5 – ₹3 Lakh |
| NID Assam | ₹2 – ₹2.5 Lakh | ₹15,000 – ₹20,000 | ₹20,000 – ₹25,000 | ₹15,000 – ₹18,000 | ₹2.5 – ₹3 Lakh |
*Other charges include studio materials, medical insurance, student welfare, library, and infrastructure development funds.
Which NID Campus You Should Choose—And Why?
While selecting the best NID campus, one should align with:
- Program Level—UG or PG
- Specialization—UX, Product Design, Apparel, Communication, Textile, etc.
- Budget and preferred location
- Lastly, career goals—whether you are looking for design practice, entrepreneurship, or research.
If you want legacy, more exposure, and top placements—go for NID Ahmedabad. If you are more focused onyour postgraduate experience, NID Gandhinagar or NID Bengaluru is ideal. The newly constructed campuses like NID Andhra Pradesh, NID Madhya Pradesh, and NID Assam are budget-friendly and growing steadily, opening many opportunities for design aspirants.
Every NID campus holds the prestige of the NID brand, and each caters to different academic and professional goals under the National Institute of Design Act. What differs the NID campuses is the scale, the exposure, and the specializations—and here your choice should be strategic and calculative.
NID Campuses FAQs
Ans. Yes, all NID campuses are under NID status, but NID Ahmedabad, NID Gandhinagar, and NID Bengaluru are the most reputed due to their legacy.
Ans. The core curriculum is aligned, but faculty experience and facilities may vary across the campuses.
Ans. Placements at new NID campuses are improving steadily.
Ans. The competition is slightly lower at new campuses, but NID DAT remains equally rigorous.