NIFT Fashion Designing Course 2026: Fees, Syllabus, Admissions, Scope, & Salary

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

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 8 Dec '25 - 13 Jan '26

Anshul
Anshul Jindal
Associate Senior Executive
Updated on Nov 20, 2025 12:02 IST
The NIFT Fashion Designing Course (B.Des Fashion Design) is India’s most reputed undergraduate fashion program. This 4-year degree blends creativity, technical training, and real-world exposure. This guide covers syllabus, fees, entrance exam pattern, career opportunities, placements, salary trends, and admission process for stude

If fashion excites you and creativity drives you, NIFT’s Fashion Designing Course can turn your passion into a profession. This 2026 guide explains everything: entry requirements, syllabus, fees, jobs, and placement trends, so you can take the right step toward becoming a designer.

NIFT Fashion Designing Course

NIFT Fashion Designing Course

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is the leading institution for fashion education in India. Its flagship programs are BDes, BFTech, MFTech, MFM, and MFTech. The Fashion Design program is designed for students who aspire to a career in apparel, textiles, luxury fashion, or creative direction. The latest 2026 Syllabus emphasizes digital design, sustainability, craft integration, and industry-driven projects. 

Explore colleges based on NIFT Entrance Exam

Delhi
₹12.96 L
Bangalore
₹5.63 L
Navi Mumbai
₹5.63 L
Chennai
₹9.02 L

Want better recommendations?

There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
Hyderabad
₹6.07 L
Gandhinagar
₹6.07 L
Kolkata
₹5.45 L
Patna
₹90.20 K
Shillong
₹8.58 L
Uttar Pradesh - Other
₹6.07 L
Confused about which college or exam to opt for?assitentRcpRhsImage
  • Chat with our counselor
  • Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
View allCollections
Table of contents
  • NIFT Fashion Designing Course: Highlights
  • Eligibility Criteria for NIFT Fashion Design
  • NIFT Entrance Exam Pattern
  • NIFT Admission 2026: Weightage of CAT & GAT
  • NIFT Fashion Designing Fees
  • Career Opportunities After NIFT Fashion Design
  • Salary After NIFT Fashion Designing
  • NIFT Placement Overview
  • Why Choose NIFT?
View More

NIFT Fashion Designing Course: Highlights

We have provided major highlights covering the fundamentals of the Fashion Design program.

Parameters Details
Course Name BDes (Bachelor of Design), BFTech(Bachelor of Fashion Technology), MFTech(Master of Fashion Technology), MFM(Master of Fashion Management), and MDes (Master of Design)
Duration 4 Years
Level

Undergraduate and Postgraduate

Eligibility

10+2 (any recognized board)

Admission Method

For UG: NIFT Entrance Exam → Shortlisting → Situation Test

For PG: NIFT Entrance Exam → Shortlisting → Group Discussion/Personal Interview

Application Fees
  • ₹3,000 (Gen/OBC/EWS)
  • ₹1,500 (SC/ST/PwD)
Total Course Fees ₹12–15 lakh (approx)
Major Subjects

Draping, Textile Science, Garment Construction, CAD, Illustration

Internship Mandatory industry internship + Graduation Project
Careers Fashion Designer, Stylist, Merchandiser, Illustrator, Entrepreneur
Top Recruiters Zara, H&M, Myntra, Reliance Brands, Raymond
Campuses Offering this Course

Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata & others

Eligibility Criteria for NIFT Fashion Design

Candidates who are interested in this course must fulfil some requirements.

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 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 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.

Courses Eligibility Age Limit
BDes (Bachelor of Design) must have passed/appearing 10+2 from any recognized board less than 24 years of age as of August 1 of the admission year (relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/PWD candidates).
BFTech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology) must have passed/appearing 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, & Maths from any recognized board
MDes (Master of Design) bachelors degree None
MFTech (Master of Fashion Technology) BFTech degree from NIFT or any other recognised college
MFM (Master of Design) bachelors degree

Also Check: NIFT MFM Syllabus 2026- Complete Course Structure & Subjects

NIFT Entrance Exam Pattern

To get admission in any of the listed courses, you must clear the NIFT Entrance Test. The number of questions may vary in each section and for each course year to year. The level of difficulty in questions for different courses may vary. It includes the listed rounds

Explore more Design exams with upcoming dates

PU DAT Application 2026: Last date

7 Jan '26

SEED 2026 Mock Test (B.Des)

7 Jan '26

SOFT CET 2026 Exam for B.Des

9 Jan '26 - 10 Jan '26

Pearl Academy Application Form 2026

8 Sep '25 - 13 Jan '26

NICC 2026 Application

10 Nov '25 - 15 Jan '26

ISDI Cycle II: Interview

15 Dec '25 - 16 Jan '26

UCEED 2026 Exam DATE

18 Jan '26

IIAD 2026 - Application

1 Sep '25 - 23 Jan '26

GLS DAT 2026 Application Last Date

1 Sep '25 - 22 Jan '26

Creative Ability Test (GAT)

A written and descriptive test that evaluates creative and innovative use of colour and illustration skills. There is no negative marking for the CAT paper, which is a drawing-based exam. Conducted for BDes and MDes.

General Ability Test (GAT)

Objective-based (MCQs). In the GAT paper, for every wrong attempt, the candidate will be deducted 25% of the total marks (-0.25 per incorrect answer). So, when attempting the GAT paper, the candidate needs to be judicious before attempting a question if they are unsure about the answer.

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:

The topics for NIFT GAT paper are given below,

  • Quantitative Ability - Addition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentage, Rate of Interest, Work and Task, Ratio and Proportion, and Distance. 
  • Communication Ability and English- Comprehension, 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 Ability - Concepts and practices of creative and lateral thinking 
  • General Knowledge and Current Affairs: General knowledge and Current Affairs

(BDes & MDes)

Programme BDes MDes
Paper Name GAT GAT
Written Test Language English/Hindi English/Hindi
Duration 120 mins 120 mins
Sections No. of Questions No. of Questions
Communication Ability 25 30
English Comprehension 25 30
Quantitative Ability 20 20
Analytical Ability 15 25
General Knowledge and Current Affairs 15 15
Total 100 120

(BFTech, MFTech, & MFM)

Programme BFTech MFTech MFM
Paper Name GAT GAT GAT
Written Test Language English/Hindi English/Hindi English/Hindi
Duration 180 mins 180 mins 180 mins
Sections No. of Questions No. of Questions No. of Questions
Communication Ability 45 45 50
English Comprehension 25 25 40
Quantitative Ability 30 30 10
Analytical Ability 25 25 25
General Knowledge and Current Affairs 25 25 25
Total 150 150 150

Important: MFTech will also have some questions from the engineering field.

Situation Test

Shortlisted candidates for BDes and BFTech (opting for BDes) from the written entrance examination are required to take a NIFT Situation Test, which is a hands-on test to evaluate the candidate’s skills for material handling and innovative ability in a given situation with a given set of materials. No additional material will be provided/allowed. The evaluation of the test will be done by the Jury on the spot. The model will not be preserved for future reference.

Personal Interview

Shortlisted candidates for Master's Programmes from the written entrance examination are required to undergo a Personal Interview (PI). Candidates shall be evaluated on the various parameters as listed below by a panel in the Personal Interview:

  • Career orientation
  • Aptness for the course
  • Overall personal achievements in academics and co-curricular activities
  • Communication
  • General awareness and aptitude, creative and lateral thinking

The NIFT personal interview is conducted for Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Master of Design (MDes), Master of Fashion Management (MFM), and Master of Fashion Technology (MFTech)

Also Check: Scope of Fashion Technology through NIFT

Group Discussion

GD would comprise approximately 15 to 20 minutes of discussion on a case study assigned, on which a panel of experts will assess the candidates on various parameters, including:

  • Conceptual clarity
  • Knowledge of the topic assigned
  • Contribution made to the topic
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Ability to generate new ideas
  • Problem-solving approach
  • Leadership qualities
  • Effective communication

Group Discussion is conducted for MDes, MFM, and MFTech.

NIFT Admission 2026: Weightage of CAT & GAT

The weightage of the written test components, CAT and GAT, is given in the table below.

Exam BDes BFTech BFTech candidates opting for BDes
GAT 30% 30% (Sec – A) 30% (Sec – A)
CAT 50% 70% (Sec – B) 50%
Situation Test 20% -- 20%
Total 100% 100% 100%
Exam MFM MDes MFM candidates opting for MDes MFTech
GAT 70% 30% (Section-A) 30% (Section-A) 70%
CAT -- 40% 40% --
Personal Interview 30% 30% 30% 30%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100%

NIFT Fashion Designing Fees

The total cost depends on the campus and hostel facilities. Below is the approximate fee range per year.

Tuition Fees  ₹2.7 – ₹3.5 lakh
Hostel Fees ₹55,000 – ₹1,20,000
Mess Charges  ₹40,000 – ₹60,000
Security Deposit (One-time)  ₹10,000 – ₹15,000
Estimated 4-Year Total  ₹12 – ₹15 lakh

NIFT Fashion Design Syllabus (Year-Wise)

The course builds from the basics in the first year to advanced specialization in the final year.

Year Subjects
1 Foundation Design basics, drawing, material study, textiles, basic pattern making
2

Core Fashion Design Draping, garment construction, fashion illustration, textile labs

3 Advanced Design CAD (digital design), apparel production, couture techniques, portfolio
4 Professional Practice Internship, graduation collection, branding, entrepreneurship

Also Check: NIFT Fee Structure 2026 (UG/PG): Components, Category/Semester-wise Fees Details & Important Points

Career Opportunities After NIFT Fashion Design

NIFT graduates work across multiple sectors, such as:

  • Fashion Designer (Apparel/Haute Couture)
  • Fashion Stylist
  • Fashion Illustrator
  • Textile Designer
  • Visual Merchandiser
  • Trend Forecaster
  • Merchandiser (Buying/Sourcing)
  • Fashion Blogger/Content Creator
  • Costume Designer (Film/TV)
  • Entrepreneur (Start your own label)

Salary After NIFT Fashion Designing

It depends on location and experience, also

Freshers

₹4–8 LPA

Mid-Level Designers

₹8–15 LPA

Senior Roles ₹20–40 LPA
Independent Designers / Entrepreneurs Income varies based on brand success

NIFT Placement Overview

Leading fashion companies recruit from NIFT every year.

  • Zara
  • H&M
  • Myntra
  • Reliance Brands
  • Arvind Mills
  • Raymond
  • Adidas
  • FabIndia
  • Marks & Spencer

Placement percentages vary by campus, but top centres like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru have strong placement records.

Why Choose NIFT?

  • India’s top-ranked fashion institute
  • Updated NIFT Syllabus aligned with global industry needs
  • Modern design labs and tools
  • Opportunities for international exchange
  • Strong alumni network across the fashion world
  • Excellent placement support

With modern design studios, expert faculty, and a strong placement network, NIFT prepares students not just to join the fashion world but to stand out in it.

Also Check:

Videos you may like
About the Author
author-image
Anshul Jindal
Associate Senior Executive

Anshul Jindal completed her Masters in Computer Applications from JIMS, Delhi, and has over 4 years of experience in content writing. Currently at Shiksa, creating content for exams like IGNOU BEd Entrance Exam, RIE

Read Full Bio
Download Important Dates for Design Exams

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News

Explore Other Exams

17 Feb '26

NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) - Resul...

17 Feb '26 -

18 Feb '26

NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) - Resul...

18 Jan '26

UCEED 2026 Exam DATE

20 Jan '26

UCEED 2026 Release of Draft An...

Nov '25

UID DAT 2026 Application

11 Jan '26

UID DAT 2026 exam date

8 Sep '25 -

13 Jan '26

Pearl Academy Application Form...

14 Jan '26

Pearl Academy 2026 Admit Card ...

1 Nov '25 -

31 Jan '26

AIEED 2026 Application START D...

6 Apr '26 -

18 Apr '26

AIEED Examination (Situation T...

15 Dec '25 -

16 Jan '26

ISDI Cycle II: Interview

1 Oct '25 -

31 Jan '26

ISDI Challenge 2026

7 Jan '26

SEED 2026 Mock Test (B.Des)

6 Jan '26 -

25 Apr '26

SEED 2026 M.Des Registration

Oct '25

PESSAT DAT 2026 Application ST...

Jan '26

PESSAT DAT 2026 Exam START Dat...

1 Jan '26 -

20 Apr '26

FDDI AIST 2026 application wit...

21 Apr '26 -

30 Apr '26

FDDI AIST 2026 application win...

The list of exams are recommended based on what other exams do the students in your area show interest in
qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...