NIFT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines: Course-wise Test Timings, Reporting Time, Prohibited Items, Document To Carry

NTA is expected to conduct the NIFT 2026 exam in the second week of February. On exam day, you need to bring the admit card and a valid photo ID proof. Read here for detailed exam-day guidelines.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to conduct the NIFT 2026 entrance exam in the second week of February 2026. The NTA releases the admit card and city intimation slip before the NIFTEE Examination. The candidate needs to download from the NIFT 2026 admission portal using their candidate log-in. The candidate must download the admit card before the exam date. The admit card contains the name of the exam city allocated to the candidate, roll number, and exam date. The candidates must reach the NIFT 2025 exam center before the exam commences. Entry to the exam hall will be stopped once the exam starts.

The NIFT 2026 written exam has two papers - CAT and GAT. B.Des and M.Des candidates need to appear in both CAT and GAT. Other applicants only need to take the GAT. The GAT paper will likely commence at 9 am. In this article, we bring you the dos and don’ts for the NIFT exam 2026. Keep reading. 

NIFT 2026 Exam Timings

The program-wise expected exam timings for the GAT and CAT Paper are given below.

NIFT 2026 Exam-day Guidelines

On the day of the NIFT exam, the candidate must reach the exam center on time and follow the given instructions. Shiksha.com brings you the exam day guidelines that candidates need to follow on the day of the exam. Read the instructions given below so that you can have a nice exam day. The guidelines given below speak about the documents required for taking the NIFT 2026 exam, the reporting time, how to give the exam, and much more. So, keep reading to learn the full update on the NIFT 2026 exam-day experience.

• Correct format of Admit card - The NIFT 2026 admit card will have three pages. Page 1 will contain the exam center details and self-declaration (undertaking), Page 2 will have "important instructions for candidates", and Page 3 is "Declaration from non-AADHAAR Candidate". You need to take a printout of all three pages. Attach a photograph to the designated space provided on the admit card.
• Left-hand thumb impression must be put in the designated space on the admit card.
• Exam-day document checklist - Bring the following documents: 1) a valid photo ID proof, and 2) the admit card.
• The photo ID card must be original and non-expired. Photocopies will not be accepted.
• Photographs: Bring 2 photographs to be pasted on the attendance sheet inside the exam hall. The photographs must be the same as the ones uploaded on the online application form.
• Biometric information of all the candidates will be captured at the exam center. 
• City intimation slip - The NIFT 2026 advanced city intimation slip will not be accepted as an alternative to the admit card.   
• Reporting Time - The candidate must reach the exam center before the commencement of the exam.
• Gate closing Time - The candidate is recommended to reach the test centers on or before the reporting time. Note that entry into the center will be stopped 30 minutes before the start of the examination.
• Check allotted exam center - The name and address of the exam center will be mentioned in the NIFT 202 6admit card. The admit card will also contain the exam center reporting time. 
• Electronic gadgets, including mobile phones and other infotech gadgets, are not allowed inside the exam hall. Candidates found carrying such items will be disqualified.
• Negative markings - There is a negative marking for the GAT paper. For an incorrect answer, the candidate will be deducted 25% marks. However, there is no negative marking for the CAT paper.
• Follow the instructions given by the invigilator.
• Don’t indulge in cheating or other such activities. It can lead to disqualification. In some cases, criminal proceedings may also be brought against the candidate.
• The candidate is allowed to carry a personal transparent water bottle.
• If the candidate is diabetic, then he or she is also allowed to carry sugar tablets/fruits (like banana/apple/orange).
• Stationery: The candidate must bring with them a simple transparent ballpoint pen, pencils, erasers, and rulers (in a transparent pouch).
• Only candidates who are appearing for the CAT Exam (2nd shift) are allowed to carry coloring and drawing material in a transparent pencil box. 
• Also, for the CAT exam, a physical Question Booklet with space for responses will be provided to the candidate inside the exam hall. 
• Once you have identified your seat, take the seat immediately. Note that if a candidate is found to have changed the room/ hall or the seat on his/her own other than the one allotted, it would be considered a case of unfair means and the candidature will be disqualified and no plea will be accepted. 
• Once the GAT-CBT exam starts, ensure that the question paper displayed on the computer is as per the opted examination indicated in the admit card.
• Rough sheet - The candidate will have to do all rough work on the blank paper sheets provided inside the exam venue. The rough sheets will have to be dropped at the designated dropbox once the exam is over. Don't forget to write your name and roll number at the top of each sheet. If you don't drop the rough sheets in the designated box, your answer booklets may not be evaluated.
• The candidate is not allowed to leave their seats without the special permission of the Centre Superintendent or the Invigilator concerned until the full duration of the paper is over.
• Dress code - NTA hasn’t specified any particular dress code for the exam. However, it is recommended that the candidates dress comfortably and decently.
• Toilet breaks - If a candidate goes for a bio-break or toilet, the candidate will likely be frisked again. Also, biometric attendance will be taken again on entry from the bio-break/toilet break.

Note: Diabetic students are allowed to carry eatables like sugar tablets/fruits (like bananas/apples/oranges) and transparent water bottles inside the exam hall. However, they are not allowed to carry packed foods like chocolate, candy, sandwiches, etc.

Read what constitutes unfair practices during NIFT exam and penalties.

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Acceptable Photo ID Cards for NIFT 2026

The following documents in the original will be accepted as ID proof. 

NIFT 2026 Exam-day Guidelines - List of Barred Items

The detailed list of items barred inside the NIFT 2026 exam center is given below.

Further, smoking, chewing gutka, spitting, etc., inside the exam hall is strictly prohibited.

Dos and Don'ts for NIFT Exam 2026

Here are some general dos and don’ts for the NIFT exam.

1. Focus on revision - In these last few days leading up to the NIFT exam, you must do frequent revisions of the topics
2. Solve sample papers - Along with revision, also solve a few NIFT sample papers. Also, go through previous years’ question papers to get an idea about the question paper structure, marking scheme, weightage, and other useful inputs.
3. Don’t start a new topic - You might be tempted to start a new topic, thinking you can ensure some additional marks. But the point is, it is too late in the day to start a new topic. Because it will only eat into revision time. Also, as the topic will be new, you won’t be able to master it so fast, which again will only add to the stress.
4. Stay calm and relaxed - With D-day being here, it is normal to get anxious. But you can keep it to manageable proportions by staying in the present and focusing on the job at hand. So, stop daydreaming and do your daily tasks as normally you can.
5. Sleep and eat well - If you want to stay calm and composed, you'd better start sleeping and eating well. Don’t take a heavy dinner at night. Stay hydrated. 
6. Keep the documents and stationery ready - Make sure that the NIFT 2026 admit card, ID card, and stationery items are ready.

After the conduct of the NIFT 2026 exam, the NTA will release the recorded responses and draft answer key.

• Display of Recorded Responses - The NTA will display the recorded responses and the NIFT 2026 question paper on the NTA website exams.nta.ac.in/NIFT, before the declaration of the result. The recorded responses will be displayed for around two to three days. A public notice in this regard informing of the date/s when the window will open will be hosted on the NTA website. 
• Display of provisional answer key for challenges - The NTA will display the provisional answer key for NIFT 2026 on the NTA website; the candidate will be allowed to challenge the provisional key. The answer keys will also be displayed for around two to three days. Challenges against the provisional key have to be made online, on payment of Rs. 200 (non-refundable) per challenged question. The decision of the NTA on the challenges will be final, and the result will be declared based on the final answer keys.

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