NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026 (Released): Category-wise Age Limit, Qualification, Marks, Documents List
National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam 2026 ( NIFT Entrance Exam )
Candidates seeking admission to the various courses offered by the NIFTs must meet the program-specific eligibility criteria before applying for admission. These criteria may relate to age, qualifying exam passed, marks obtained, etc. If the candidate fails to meet the criteria, his or her candidature can be canceled. Read detailed NIFT 2026 eligibility criteria here.
The application form for NIFT 2026 is closed now with regular and late fees on the website of NIFT. The application was out for all the UG and PG programmes.
Candidates seeking admission to the design courses needs to meet the program-specific NIFT 2026 eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for NIFT will be outlined in the NIFT 2026 exam prospectus. You can download the prospectus from the NIFT admission portal - nift.ac.in/admission. It will outline age limit, academic qualification, number of attempts, etc. that the candidate needs to meet for admission. If the candidate doesn't meet the requirements, he or she could be disqualified at any stage of the admission process. So, before filling out the NIFT application form, it is wise to go through the eligibility requirements. NIFT 2026 entrance exam will be conducted on February 08, 2026.
- NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria - Why is it important?
- NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Bachelor Programs
- NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Master's Programs
NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria - Why is it important?
NIFT institutes offer the following design courses - B.Des, M.Des, M.F.M, B.F.Tech, and M.F.Tech. NIFT eligibility criteria for admission to each of these courses are different. This means if you are applying for admission to the B.Des program, you need to meet the eligibility criteria specific to that program. This goes for all the other courses.
So, when applying for admission at NIFT, you must carefully check that you meet the eligibility conditions for your chosen program. If not, the candidate may not be considered for admission.
Candidates are urged against using counterfeit documents to fake one's eligibility because it could lead to disqualification; further, legal action may also be taken against candidates adopting such practices.
Note that all originals will be cross-checked during the NIFT counseling process. Any candidate found to be using fake information in the NIFT application form will be disqualified.
The program-wise eligibility criteria for the design courses are given below.
Yes, the National Institute of Fashion Technology will allow candidates with late fees. The late fee application window will open once the deadline to fill out the NIFT 2026 application form with regular fee closes. The start and last date to fill out the NIFT 2026 application form with late fee will be notified by the institute before the regular application form closes or sometime thereabout. The late fee for NIFT 2026 will be INR 5,000. The late fee has to be paid in addition to the application fee, which is INR 3000 for open category candidates.
No, you should not fill out NIFT 2026 application form if you do not meet the eligibility criteria because all documents and information provided by you in application form will be cross checked. And if any discrepancy is found, you can be disqualified at any stage of application process.
NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Bachelor Programs
The National Institute of Fashion Technology offers a B.Des and a B.F.Tech program at the undergraduate level.
NIFT Eligibility Criteria for B.Des is given below.
| Programme |
Educational Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
|
Bachelor of Design (B. Des.) |
Passed the plus 2 level examination in the 10+2 pattern of examination from any recognized Central/State Board of Secondary Examination, such as the Central Board of Secondary Education/State Board New Delhi/Council for Indian School Certificate Examination, New Delhi. OR A pass grade in the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Open School with a minimum of five subjects. OR 3 or 4 years diploma recognized by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education after secondary examination/10th standard. OR Any Public School/Board/University Examination in India or in foreign countries recognized by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to the 10+2 system. OR General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level/International Baccalaureate (IB). |
| Parameter |
Other Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Age Limit |
The candidate should be less than 24 years on August 1, 2026. Relaxation in the upper age limit of FIVE years is applicable for candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories. |
| Number of Attempts |
There is no limit on the number of attempts |
Also Read:
NIFT Eligibility Criteria for B.F Tech is given below.
| Parameter |
Eligibility Criteria (expected) |
|---|---|
| Age Limit |
The candidate should be less than 24 years as on August 1, 2026. Relaxation in the upper age limit of FIVE years is applicable for candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories. |
| Qualifying exam |
The candidate must have completed ANY of the following.
Candidates appearing in board exams in the admission year may also apply, provided they fulfill the eligibility conditions at the time of counseling/admission. |
| Number of attempts |
There is no limit on the number of attempts |
Explore more Design exams with upcoming dates
22 Feb '26
27 Feb '26
17 Oct '25 - 28 Feb '26
3 Dec '25 - 28 Feb '26
28 Feb '26
6 Mar '26
12 Jan '26 - 12 Mar '26
15 Dec '25 - 15 Mar '26
10 Oct '25 - 28 Feb '26
NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Master's Programs
The National Institute of Fashion Technology currently offers three programs at the master’s level.
- M.Des (Master of Design)
- M.F.M (Master of Fashion Management)
- M.F.Tech. (Master of Fashion Technology)
The eligibility criteria for each of these programs are given below.
NIFT 2026 Eligibility - M.Des (Master of Design)
| Parameter |
Eligibility Criteria (expected) |
|---|---|
| Age Limit |
There is no upper or lower age bar for admission. |
| Qualifying exam |
|
| Understanding of fundamentals in design |
M.Des being an advanced course, demands an understanding of the fundamentals of design. Consequently, the candidate should be familiar with the basic skills and theories for the successful completion of the program. Further, the course will not provide any basic knowledge and skill development in design as part of the program. |
| Number of attempts |
No limit on the number of attempts |
NIFT 2026 Eligibility - M.F.M (Master of Fashion Management)
| Parameter |
Eligibility Criteria (expected) |
|---|---|
| Age Limit |
There is no upper or lower age bar for admission. |
| Qualifying exam |
|
| Number of attempts |
No limit |
NIFT 2026 Eligibility - M.F.Tech. (Master of Fashion Technology)
| Parameter |
Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Age Limit |
There is no upper or lower age bar for admission. |
| Qualifying exam |
The candidate needs to meet any of the following criteria.
|
| Number of attempts |
No limit |
Candidates appearing in board exams in the admission year may also apply, provided they fulfill the eligibility conditions at the time of counseling/admission.
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
Read Full BioNews & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Feb '26 | NID DAT 2026 (Mains) - Issue o... |
24 Feb '26 | NID Mains Exam: M.Des Admit ca... |
6 Mar '26 | UCEED 2026 Result Date |
10 Mar '26 - 31 Jul '26 | UCEED 2026 Score Card |
11 Jan '26 | UID DAT 2026 exam date |
Nov '25 | UID DAT 2026 Application |
8 Sep '25 - 22 Apr '26 | Pearl Academy Application Form... |
25 Apr '26 - 26 Apr '26 | Pearl Academy 2026 Exam |
6 Apr '26 - 18 Apr '26 | AIEED Examination (Situation T... |
15 Jun '26 | AIEED 2026 Batch Starts |
27 Jan '26 | ISDI Challenge 2026: Result |
15 Dec '25 | ISDI Challenge 2026: Last date... |
12 Jan '26 - 12 Mar '26 | SEED B.Des Round 2 |
6 Jan '26 - 25 Apr '26 | SEED 2026 M.Des Registration |
Jan '26 | PESSAT DAT 2026 Exam START Dat... |
Oct '25 | PESSAT DAT 2026 Application ST... |
1 Jan '26 - 20 Apr '26 | FDDI AIST 2026 application wit... |
21 Apr '26 - 30 Apr '26 | FDDI AIST 2026 application win... |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
No, there is no negative marking in NIFT Situation Test. Negative marking is only there in NIFT GAT part in stage 1.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
A Technical Ability Test (TAT) and Personal Interview will be conducted for NIFT Stage 2 examination of B.F.Tech. (NLEA). The format of the exam will be in paper-based (OMR) format.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
NIFT Situation Test will be of 2 hours. In this time, candidates have to draw the given 3D model and write about it.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
There is no dress code for the NTA NIFT 2026 Situation Test. But it is advisable to dress up neatly and smartly. Students should avoid chunky jewellry flashy logos for the exam.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
After NIFT Situation Test, NIFT prepares a final merit list based on the weighted average of GAT, CAT, and Situation Test and Interview scores. Qualified candidates are then invited for counselling.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
NIFT Stage 2 will have Situation Test and Personal Interview.
| Programme | Stage 2 Components |
|---|---|
| B.Des (Bachelor of Design) | Situation Test – Model-making, material handling, creativity, innovation |
| B.Des (NLEA) | Studio Test + Personal Interview |
| B.Des (Artisans) | Artisan Skill Test + Personal Interview |
| B.F.Tech (NLEA) | Technical Ability Test (OMR-based) + Personal Interview |
| PG Programmes (M.Des, M.F.M., M.F.Tech) | Personal Interview |
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
NIFT 2026 Situation Test will be conducted, tentatively in second week of June 2026. It is expected to be conducted on June 08, 2026 based on last year date.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Candidates applying for B. Des course need to have passed 10+2 exam from a recognised institute and should be less than 24 years as of August 1, 2026. Relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit applies for candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwD categories.