NIFT Marks vs Rank: What Your Score Means, How to Calculate Score and Expected NIFT Ranks 2025
National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam 2025 ( NIFT Entrance Exam )
Counselling - 18 Jul '25 - 21 Jul '25
After appearing for both stages of the NIFT Entrance Exam, the next big question in every aspirant’s mind is – what do my marks mean and what rank can I expect?" This article breaks down how NIFT calculates your final score, how it converts into a rank, and what rank range may get you into your preferred campus. Read in detail to know more.
NIFT Marks Vs Rank
Getting admission to NIFT is a dream for all design aspirants. As the dates are near for the NIFT Final Result 2025, most of the candidates are getting confused between the NIFT Rank and the NIFT Score. The common question that pops up each time is, 'What does my score mean?', Will I get my desired campus at this rank and marks, etc? So, we should understand the relationship between marks/scores and rank. Understanding these concepts will help in getting a clear picture of the NIFT 2025 Counselling Process.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.- What do NIFT Marks, NIFT Score and NIFT Rank Mean?
- How is the NIFT Score Calculated?
- NIFT Exam Structure (B.Des, B.Des NLEA, and other UG programmes)
- NIFT 2024 Opening and Closing Rank for NIFT UG Programmes for All India Quota
- NIFT Opening and Closing Rank for NIFT PG Programmes for All India Quota
- NIFT 2025 Estimated Marks vs Rank Analysis
- Can we improve our Rank in NIFT?
- Tips to Maximize Your Score and Rank Before the NIFT Final Result
What do NIFT Marks, NIFT Score and NIFT Rank Mean?
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) conducted NIFT 2024 seat allotment for SPOT Round on July 27, 2024.
The seat allotment for the fourth round was announced on July 17, 2024.
Candidates who were not happy with the allotted seat or simply wanted to withdraw their seats could withdraw their seats by July 19 (midnight).
To withdraw their seats, the candidate had to follow these steps:
- Go to the NIFT admission portal
- Log in to the portal
- If will see an option for seat withdrawal.
- Click on the option and confirm the withdrawal process
- Once the withdrawal is confirmed, the allotted seat will get cancelled.
- Note that if you withdraw from the admission process, you will not be considered for seat allotment in subsequent rounds. Also, once the withdrawal process is complete, the seat acceptance fee will be refunded to you.
The written tests for the NIFT 2025 exam will be held on February 9, 2025. The detailed schedule has also been released.
The written tests will comprise a General Ability Test (GAT) and a Creative Ability Test (CAT). GAT is mandatory for all candidates, but CAT is only required for B. Des and M. Des candidates.
The GAT test will be considered in a computer-based mode, whereas the CAT will be offline based. Note that scores of the written exams will be used to shortlist candidates for a Situation Test/ Personal Interview.
The difference between NIFT Marks, NIFT Score and NIFT Rank is that Marks refer to the raw numerical value obtained by a candidate in each section of the exam (CAT, GAT, Situation Test or Interview), Score generally means the combined or weighted total after applying the respective weightage assigned to each test component (e.g., 50% CAT + GAT + 20% Situation Test/Studio Test and/or Personal Interview) and NIFT Rank is the position of the candidate in the national merit list based on final score.
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The higher your score, the better (lower) your rank.
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Rank determines your chances of getting into the top NIFT campuses and preferred courses.
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Example: If you have a score of 83.5 and you're ranked 127, your NIFT Rank is 127.
In other words, we can say that:
- Marks = What you got in the paper
- Score = What counts towards your final rank after applying weightage
- Rank = What is your position
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How is the NIFT Score Calculated?
The NIFT 2025 final merit list is based on performance in the Creative Ability Test (CAT), General Ability Test (GAT), Situation Test, and/or Personal Interview, depending on the program. The weightage of different stages in the NIFT 2025 selection process is:
NIFT Exam Structure (B.Des, B.Des NLEA, and other UG programmes)
The exam structure of NIFTEE UG and PG is:
| Programme | Written Test | Stage 2 |
|---|---|---|
| NIFT UG | CAT+GAT (50%) | Situation Test (20%) |
| NIFT PG | CAT+GAT (40%) | PI (30%) + Other (30%) |
The Stage 2 examination for Master's includes a Personal Interview instead of a Situation Test/Studio Test.
NIFT 2024 Opening and Closing Rank for NIFT UG Programmes for All India Quota
The following table shows the opening and closing ranks and NIFT Cutoff of NIFT UG for All India Quota at NIFT Bengaluru:
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| OBC | 295 | 846 |
| Gen-EWS | 508 | 1887 |
| Open | 29 | 234 |
| Open (PwD) | 3582 | 3582 |
| SC | 1298 | 1612 |
| ST | 575 | 2225 |
| Open | 1872 | 2269 |
| OBC | 1020 | 2260 |
| Gen-EWS | 2905 | 3995 |
| Open | 274 | 675 |
NIFT Opening and Closing Rank for NIFT PG Programmes for All India Quota
The NIFT exam is among the competitive and is also considered among the toughest. So, it is recommended that the candidate starts their exam preparation early. NIFT exam has various components like written exam and Situation Test /Personal Interview. Candidates seeking admission to the B. Des and M.Des courses need to prepare for both the CAT and GAT. The CAT is a drawing-based exam. Now unless the candidate is already well-versed, the exam will be very difficult. So, start early. The same goes for the GAT.
The written tests for the NIFT 2024 exam was held on February 5, 2024. The written tests comprised a General Ability Test (GAT) and a Creative Ability Test (CAT). GAT is mandatory for all candidates, but CAT is only required for B. Des and M. Des candidates.
The GAT test will be considered in a computer-based mode, whereas the CAT will be offline based. Note that scores of the written exams will be used to shortlist candidates for a Situation Test/ Personal Interview.
In the scenario two or more candidates score the same marks in NIFT, then tie-breaker policy will be applied.
- The marks scored by the candidate in tests with higher weightage will be considered to break the tie. For example, for the B. Des programme, marks obtained in the CAT exam will be compared to break the tie.
- If the marks obtained in the CAT are equal, then marks obtained in GAT will be considered.
- If tie is undecided, then subject-wise marks in the following order will be considered: Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Analytical Ability &General Knowledge and Current Affairs.
No, the NTA will not conduct the counseling for NIFT 2025. Its role is limited only to the conduct of the NIFT 2025 written exam and declaration of results.
The NIFT 2025 counseling process is being conducted by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
Candidates who qualify in the NIFT 2025 exam have to register for counseling through the NIFT admission portal - nift.ac.in/admission. The counseling registration link is currently being activated.
Visiting the page to register for NIFT 2025 counseling.
Note that as part of the counseling registration process, you need to fill in and lock choices. The seat allotment will be done post document verification after considering factors like merit rank and choices opted.
The NIFT 2025 exam will be conducted in 82 cities.
The list of exam cities is published on the NIFT 2025 admission brochure. The name and adress of the exam centre allocated to the candidate will be mentioned in the NIFT 2025 admit card.
The exam city will be allocated basis information provided at the time of filling out the NIFT 2025 application form. Once an exam centre has been allocated, requests for a change will not be entertained.
The following table shows the Opening and Closing Ranks for NIFT Bangalore and NIFT Gandhinagar:
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| OBC | 80 | 333 |
| Gen-EWS | 422 | 575 |
| Open | 1 | 63 |
| SC | 113 | 388 |
| ST | 239 | 352 |
| OBC | 318 | 379 |
| Gen-EWS | 568 | 594 |
| Open | 64 | 89 |
| SC | 392 | 454 |
| ST | 367 | 567 |
NIFT 2025 Estimated Marks vs Rank Analysis
The following table takes the estimated marks and ranks and NIFT Campuses to make the concept of marks and ranks more understandable:
| Marks Range | Expected Rank Range | Chances of Top NIFT Campus |
|---|---|---|
| 125+ | Top 50 | Very High (Delhi, Mumbai) |
| 110–124 | 51–200 | High (Bengaluru, Hyderabad) |
| 95–109 | 201–500 | Good (Kolkata, Chennai, etc.) |
| 80–94 | 501–1000 | Possible (Raebareli, Shillong) |
| Below 80 | 1001+ | May get lower-preference campuses or waitlist |
Can we improve our Rank in NIFT?
No, the final rank is allocated only at the time of declaration of NIFT Final Result. The NIFT Final Rank is based on performance in all the stages of the Entrance Exam: Stage 1 and Stage 2. Once the NIFTEE Final Result is declared:
- NIFT Ranks cannot be changed or improved
- There will be no option or opportunity for revaluation or rechecking.
- The NIFT rank will determine the course, specialisation, campus, and eligibility for counselling.
This is why it is crucial to perform your best in each component—CAT, GAT, and the Situation Test and Personal Interview, since they all contribute to your final score and rank.
Tips to Maximize Your Score and Rank Before the NIFT Final Result
NIFT Score and Rank go hand in hand. If your NIFT Score is good, you will likely get a good rank. The following steps will help you to improve your score and rank before and after giving the NIFTEE Stage 1 Entrance Examination:
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Practice creative thinking for CAT and speed for GAT.
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Focus on originality and finishing in the Situation Test.
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For M.Des, work on your portfolio, interview skills, and design thinking.
Understanding how your NIFT marks translate into a final rank can give you a clearer picture of your admission possibilities. The exact rank will depend on various factors like category, competition, and performance in each stage, but having an idea gives a rough idea.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Also Read:
| NIFT Statistics 2025: How Many Students Appeared for the Exam; Attendance and Participation | NIFT vs Other Design Colleges: Which one is right for you? |
Sayeba is an editorial professional with over 5 years of experience in content creation, editing and proofreading. She holds a master's degree in commerce, which has helped her develop a strong attention to detail a... Read Full Bio
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 6 days ago
With a rank of 1705, you can expect Fashion Design seats in NIFT Kannur, Patna, Raebareli, Shillong, or Kangra, mostly in later rounds. Popular campuses like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru may be out of reach for Fashion Design. Fill all choices during counselling to maximize your chances.
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
There are no marks required for mfm admission. You have to give the college exam for admission.
A
Beginner-Level 3
Answered a week ago
With an EWS category rank of 69, you have a very strong chance of getting into NIFT Delhi for most B.Des. courses, and even some Master's programs, especially compared to the closing ranks for the EWS category in previous years.
For example, for B.Des. Fashion Design, which is highly competitive, the
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 weeks ago
The NIFTEE written exam 2026 will be conducted in computer-based mode, while the sketching-based CAT paper will be held in offline mode.
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 weeks ago
The NIFT 2026 admit card will be available for download in the first week of February 2026. Candidates who have successfully registered for the exam can download the admit card from the NIFT admission portal.
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 weeks ago
Unless you have finished the NIFT 2026 syllabus and solved the sample papers, it is a safe bet not to start with any new chapters or topics, simply because there is not so much time left and revision needs to be the priority.
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, it is very important to solve NIFT sample papers to gauge one's exam readiness. In addition, sample papers will help the candidate rectify silly mistakes, learn time management, and learn how to use various concepts to solve problems.
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 weeks ago
The NIFT 2026 Entrance Exam Stage 1 is expected to be conducted in the second week of February 2026. The exact dates will be out on the NTA NIFT official website.
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 weeks ago
The table below shows the top government Fashion Design colleges in India accepting NIFT entrance exams along with their tuition fees and their India Today ranking 2024:
Public/Government Colleges | Tuition Fee | India Today 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| NIFT Delhi Admission | INR 12.34 lakh | 1 |
| NIFT Bangalore Admission | INR 12.34 lakh | 3 |
| NIFT Hyderabad Admission | INR 12.34 lakh | 4 |
| NIFT Gandhinagar Admission | INR 12.34 lakh | 6 |
| NIFT Kolkata Admission | INR 12.34 lakh | 7 |
| NIFT Patna Admission | INR 12.34 lakh | 8 |
| NIFT Bhubaneswar Admission | INR 9.26 lakh | 13 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website/ counselling body and may vary.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
According to India Today ranking 2024, NIFT Delhi emerged to be as the No. 1 ranked Fashion Design colleges in India accepting NIFT exam secured 1st position followed by other colleges like NIFT Mumbai and NIFT Bangalore.
T
Contributor-Level 10
The allotment of seats will be based on:
NIFT 2025 seat allotment process will be conducted in four regular and one spot rounds.
The 1st round of seat allotment will be declared around the 3rd week of June 2025. .
The counseling registration will be conducted in May 2025.