How to fill NIFT Application Form 2026 (Closed): Step-wise Process, Documents Required, Size & Format

NIFT Application 2026 is closed now. The registration started on December 08, 2025. NIFT 2026 Application forms and Notifications can be out anytime now for B.Des, M.Des, B.F. Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M programmes. The application form will be released at  @nift.ac.in. The NIFT entrance exam application form is the same for all courses. The application fee for NIFT is INR 2,000 (INR 500 for SC, ST, and PwD categories). NIFT Application forms can also be filled with late fees. The late fee is INR 5,000.

No, candidates are not allowed with an option to change their NIFT exam centre once the admit cards for the Situation Test have been released. So, it is recommended that the candidate takes care when booking a centre. Considering exam centres will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis, it is also advisable to book slots as soon as the slot booking window opens. The admit card for the NIFT Situation Test will be issued soon after the slot booking process is over. The admit card will be issued to all candidates who have qualified in the written exam.

NID DAT and NIFT are two of the most important design entrance exams in the country. Both exams have a design aptitude test and many topics that overlap.

So, you can safely solve NID DAT sample papers as well. That being said you first job will be to complete the NIFT sample papers.

The NIFTs are ranked among the top design colleges in India. As per India Today 2023 rankings for top fashion design colleges in India, the top 8 positions were occupied by NIFTs. In India Today 2022 rankings as well, the top eight positions were occupied by the NIFTs. NIFT Delhi was the number one ranked college, followed by NIFT Mumbai and NIFT Bangalore, in 2nd and 3rd positions. Speaking of placements at NIFT, candidates passing out of NIFT Delhi on average earns INR 5.5 LPA. Meanwhile, candidates passing out of NIFT Kolkata earns about INR 5.7 LPA. In comparison, NIFT Bengaluru pass outs can expect an average salary of INR 3 Lacs LPA.

Mock tests are not meant to be alternative to holistic exam preparation for NIFT. This means the candidate must first go through the text books, learn the concepts, solve the problem Sets given at the end of each chapter or from problem booklets, and take notes. Also, solve sample papers to develop ones problem-solving and time-management skills. The prime purpose of mock tests is to help the candidate get an exam-like experience and fix last minute gaps. So, mock tests are tools to improve ones chances of getting a few extra marks and thus improving ones chances of admission.

Yes, you can check NIFT cutoff of previous year to get an idea of seat allotment and counselling. When checking cutoff table, you should check programme and respective category. After checking cut-off and analyzing trends, you need to prepare accordingly.

NID DAT, along with NIFT and UCEED are among the most competitive national-level entrance exams in the country. The fact that there are only 425 seats for the B. Des and 347 seats for the M.Des programme makes it very competitive. But that being said, if the candidate prepares well and with the correct strategy, then the NID DAT exam can be cracked. Among the first things the candidate needs to do is prepare a efficient study timetable get familiar with the syllabus and pattern, and use good books as reference material. 

The NIFT CAT exam will be administered in an offline mode and will be a drawing-based exam. During the course of the exam, the candidate is not allowed to write any personal details and place identification marks. The CAT exam will evaluate the candidate on parameters like intuitive ability, power of observation in concept development, and design ability. To prepare for the CAT the candidate needs to work on geometrical shapes, product drawing, line quality, shading, human figures, principles of composition, etc. To improve ones figure drawing skills, one may stick drawing, before moving on to block drawing, and then evolving to add clothes and other items.

Good score for B.F.Tech is 95+ for General, 80 for OBC, 60 for SC/ST. The final result will be declared in May 2026.

The information provided by the candidate when filling out the NIFT 2026 application form are verified by NIFT officials before any candidate is considered for admission in the first week of June.

The verification of original documents is conducted online. 

Note that at the time of counseling registration, the candidate is required to upload documents. 

Also, if the certificates are in any other language than Hindi/ English, then a certified translation in Hindi/ English produced duly verified by the issuing institution/ gazetted officer. If the candidate fails to produce the translation, the candidate may be denied admission. 

To prepare for NIFT GAT

• Collect the best books available.
• Solve related problems to better understand concepts and develop problem-solving skills.
• Revise after completing a topic.
• Solve sample and previous years question papers.

Candidates were given the option to edit the NIFT 2026 application form for a limited time period.

Using NIFT application edit option, candidate will be able to edit or correct some of the information in registration form. Some of the details the candidate can edit include name, date of birth, category, state domicile, etc. However, the candidate is not allowed to edit the exam city. The schedule for the application correction will be notified by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) at its admission portal - niftadmissions.in.

When filling NIFT 2026 application form, you will have to upload your Live photo, photograph and signature. 

Check out details given below.

• Photograph - Upload only a recent scanned passport size color photograph.
• Accepted file size should be no more than 100KB. The accepted format is jpeg only. 
• Signature - Scanned signature should be in Blue/Black ink on white background.

The NTA has released the admission schedule for the NIFT 2026 entrance exam, including the application dates. The last date to fill application will be in the first week of January 2026.

Candidates applying a late fee will have to pay an additional INR 5,000.

Joining a coaching for NIFT preparation is not really needed. Coaching is for those who want to learn how to draw things. But, if someone has this talent, which most students passionate about sketching and painting do possess, there is no need for coaching. One can prepare through self-study. For your understanding, I would like to give an example. In coaching, students are made to learn how to draw the 3D image by various techniques using measuring instruments but one who is natural at art can imagine what 3D image would look like if it has to be drawn on a paper and would draw the same. In both cases, the outcome is the same. Regarding theory, that is, GAT, if you are confident to solve Maths, History, Geography, General science up till class 10th level, then there is definitely no need for coaching. Though the level of English is a bit high you can improve it yourself.

NIFT Creative Ability Test or NIFT CAT will evaluate the intuitive ability, power of observation in concept development, and design ability of the candidate. To prepare for CAT the candidate must develop their observation skills, learn the basics of geometrical shapes, understand conceptualization, learn product drawing and shading. Additionally, the candidate must also work on their line quality. For instance, the candidate needs to ensure there are no jittery or multiple lines. To improve one's drawing skills, one may start with simple drawings and then move on to complex shapes. Also, while shading is not so important for the exam, shading skills can definitely help the candidate get a positive nod from the evaluator.