Important Topics for NIFT 2026 for CAT & GAT Syllabus

National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam 2026 ( NIFT Entrance Exam )

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Sayeba
Sayeba Naushad
Assistant Manager
Updated on Feb 6, 2026 16:37 IST
NIFT GAT will have English, GK, Design Aptitude, and Logical questions. It will be conducted in CBT mode for all the UG and PG candidates. There will be negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. 1 marks will be for correct answer. There will be no negative marking in NIFT CAT.

NIFT Stage 1 exam will be conducted on February 08, 2026. The exam will be conducted in two shifts, separately for NIFT GAT and CAT. Read on some of the important topics, which you must study and revise for the NIFTEE Stage 1 Exam.

Topics for NIFT GAT and CAT

Topics for NIFT GAT and CAT

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 will be conducted on February 08, 2026 for B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.M, M.F.Tech and M.Des in 102 cities. NIFT Stage 1 Exam will be conducted in two shifts: NIFT GAT from 10 AM in Computer-Based Mode and NIFT CAT from 3 PM in Paper-Based Mode.

Latest Update:

Table of contents
  • What is the Exam Structure for NIFT UG Programs?
  • What is the Exam Structure for NIFT PG Programs (MFM and M. Des)?
  • What is the Exam Structure for NIFT PG Programs ( M.F.Tech.)?
  • Sections in NIFT GAT for all Programmes
  • Important Topics for NIFT GAT (General Ability Test)

What is the Exam Structure for NIFT UG Programs?

 Check out the number of questions, duration and programme.

Program

Paper Name

Duration (minutes)

No. of Questions

B. Des

GAT (CBT)

CAT (PBT)

120 + 180

100 + 3

B.F. Tech

GAT - Section A (CBT)

120

100

GAT - Section B (CBT)

60

50

B.F. Tech &

B. Des.

Section A (2 hrs) (CBT)

Section B (1 hr) (CBT) CAT (3 hrs) (PBT)

180 + 180

150 + 3

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the syllabus for NIFT entrance exam?
A: 
For B. Des and M.Des course admissions, candidates need to appear for CAT and GAT. NIFT Syllabus for CAT is such that candidates need to attempt drawing questions in the paper. Some topics that candidates should practice while preparing for the exam are design theory, creative thinking, and writing, elements and principles of design, principles of composition, etc. For GAT. Candidates should study topics such as quantitative ability, English comprehension, logical reasoning, etc.
Q:   What is the syllabus for NIFT CAT?
A: 
The CAT test will evaluate the intuitive ability, power of observation concept development and design ability of the candidate. The CAT syllabus will include topics like Design Theory, Colour Terminology, Inspiration & Design Development, Colour Psychology & Optical Illusions, Elements & Principles Of Design, Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship, Natural & Geometrical Form, etc. An important aspect of CAT paper is its thrust on the creative and innovative use of color and illustration. Note that during the course of the exam, the candidate cannot reveal their identity.
Q:   What is the syllabus for NIFT situation test?
A: 

Situation Test carries 20 percent weightage. It will be a hands-on test and will check candidate's material handling and innovative ability. Candidate will be asked to make a model or design using a given set of materials. Expert panel with check the model on parameters like space visualization, innovative and creative use of given material, composition of elements, color scheme, construction skill, finesse of the model and overall presentation, etc. Candidate will also have to submit a write up explaining the model. 

The dates for NIFT stage 2 have not been announced yet.

What is the Exam Structure for NIFT PG Programs (MFM and M. Des)?

Check out the number of questions, duration and programme.

Program

Paper Name

Test Duration (minutes)

No. of Questions

MFM

GAT (CBT)

180 (3 hours)

150

M. Des

GAT (CBT) + CAT (3 hrs.)

120 (2 hours)

120

MFM &

M. Des

Section-A (2 hrs.) + Section-B (1

hr.) + CAT (3 hrs.)

180 (3 hours) +

180

150 + 3

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What is the Exam Structure for NIFT PG Programs ( M.F.Tech.)?

Check out the number of questions, duration and programme.

Paper Name

Language of Written Test

Test Duration (minutes)

No. of Questions

GAT

English/Hindi

180

150

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the syllabus for the NIFT Personal Interview?
A: 

Candidates seeking admission to the Master's courses at NIFT participating need to appear in a Personal Interview after qualifying in NIFT written exam. Personal Interview is conducted in an offline mode. The interview will evaluate the candidate on the parameters like Career orientation, Aptness for the course, Overall personal achievements in academics and co-curricular activities, Communication, General awareness and aptitude, creative and lateral thinking.

Note that the Personal Interview carries 30% weightage.

Q:   What is the NIFT syllabus for GAT paper for the design courses?
A: 

Topics for NIFTEE GAT paper are given below.

Quantitative AbilityAddition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentage, Rate of Interest, Work and Task, Ratio and Proportion, and Distance. 
Communication Ability and EnglishComprehension, synonyms, antonyms, words with corresponding meanings, singular, plural, one-word substitutes, idioms and phrases, correct spellings, comprehend a situation from a given passage, etc. 
Analytical Ability and Logical AbilityConcepts and practices of creative and lateral thinking 
GKGeneral knowledge and Current Affairs

 

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Sections in NIFT GAT for all Programmes

Check out the sections from which GAT questions come.

  • Communication Ability and English Comprehension
  • Case Study
  • Quantitative Ability
  • Analytical and Logical Ability
  • General Knowledge and Current Affairs

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Important Topics for NIFT GAT (General Ability Test)

GAT will be taken in computer-based mode for all the UG and PG Programmes. Some of the most important topics are given below.

1. Quantitative Ability
Percentage
Ration and Proportion
Simple Interest and Compound Interest
Profit and Loss
Time and Work
Averages
Number System:  LCM and HCF
Algebra: Basics
Tables, Bar graphs, Pie charts
2. Communication Ability & English 
Vocabulary: synonyms and antonyms
Tenses, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement
One-word substitutions
Comprehension Passage
Spellings
3. Analytical & Logical Ability
Series
Seating Arrangement
Blood relation
Upstream and Downstream Question: Formula-based
Puzzles
Venn Diagram 
Statement and Conclusion
4. General Knowledge & Current Affairs
Awards
Fashion events
Fashion Designers
Indian Art and Architecture
Indian Textile and Art Forms: Dance
Current Affairs: Last 6 months

Important Topics for NIFT CAT 2026

1. Drawing & Illustration
Human figures (proportion, posture, movement)
Objects and still life
Faces & expressions
Perspective (1-point, 2-point)
Composition & framing
2. Design Ability
Visual storytelling
Creative use of shapes & forms
Theme-based composition
Design thinking
Innovation & originality

 

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About the Author
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Sayeba Naushad
Assistant Manager

Sayeba Naushad is a commerce postgraduate from Banaras Hindu University. She has over five years of experience in content writing and editing. She has a nose for current events in design field. At Shiksha.com, she s

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Answered a week ago

There are 20 participating institutes of NIFT that offer the B. Des and B.F.Tech programmes. B. Des programme offers specializations in the following programs: Fashion Design (FD), Leather Design (LD), Accessory Design (AD), Textile Design (TD), Knitwear Design (KD), Fashion Communication (FC).

For B

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

NIFT cutoff for a participating NIFT is the last rank for which admission is offered in for a particular programme and category. This means, if a candidate fails to score a rank equal to or higher than the cutoff rank, they don't get admission. Typically, a higher ranked institute will invite: More

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

NIFT Delhi is frequently ranked among the top design colleges in the country. So, the admission cut-off for the institute is pretty high, especially when compared to the lower-ranked colleges. This is because being a higher-ranked college, NIFT Delhi receives a higher number of applicants. Another f

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, Pearl Academy, Mumbai BBA students who wish to avail the NIFT Rank scholarship are required to appear for the NIFT entrance exam separately. This can be done either before or after securing the BBA admission at Pearl Academy, Mumbai.

There are also other BBA scholarships that do not require cand

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

The material kit of NIFT Situation Test 2026 can include the following:

  • Corrugated sheets: 2
  • Cardboard: 1
  • OHP Sheets: 1
  • Translucents Sheet: 1
  • Coloured sheets: 4
  • Ice cream sticks: 8-10
  • Toothpicks: 6-7
  • All pinks
  • Jute Thread: 2m
  • Needle
  • Balloon
  • Clay: 2 colors
  • Chopsticks: 2
  • Quilling strips
  • Paper plate: 2
  • Bubble wrap: 1
  • M

...Read more

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

Some of the important topics for NIFT Situation Test are:

  • Momentoes
  • Badges
  • product Design
  • Set Design
  • Book Cover/Diaries
  • Window Display: For Shoes, Clothes, etc.
  • Accessories
  • Character Design

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

NIFT Situation Test is a hands on test. It evaluates a candidate skills for material handling and innovative ability with a given set of materials. Candidates are required to make a 3D model.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

No, there is no negative marking in NIFT Situation Test. Negative marking is only there in NIFT GAT part in stage 1.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

NIFT exam is among the most competitive and the toughest. So, it is recommended that candidate start their exam preparation in advance, around 1 year before.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

After completing NIFT 3D model in Situation Test, candidates are required to write a brief explanation of model. This is known as Write Up. It should be clear, concise and structured. It should explain process, inspiration, theme and materials.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10