What is the right time to solve sample papers for the NIFT entrance exam?

It is recommended that the candidate make NIFT sample papers a part of their exam preparation strategy from the very beginning. For one, it will help the candidate evaluate their progress, hone their problem solving skills, and get a taste of the types of questions that will be asked in the entrance exam. Since at the start, most of the NIFT syllabus will be untouched, the candidate may focus on the topic they are preparing at that moment. In addition to the sample papers, the candidate must also keep solving the problem Sets given at the end of the chapter or end of the book. It is also important that the candidate keeps a close tab on the exam pattern and syllabus when solving the sample papers.

Do I need to create an applicant account to download NIFT sample papers?

National Institute of Design releases sample papers of NIFT on its admission portal. These sample papers are available for all the UG and PG courses offered by NIFT participating institutes. To download sample papers, candidate simply needs to click on the sample paper they want to download. There is no need to create an applicant account or provide any other applicant details to download the sample papers. However, if the candidate wishes to download sample papers published by coaching institutes, he or she may be required to create an account. Further, the candidate, in most cases, has to pay a fee to use the sample papers.

How many sample papers do I need to prepare for NIFT?

For NIFT Preparation, candidates need to solve 30-40 sample papers in 6 months. When the exams are very near, one sample paper should be solved daily.

When will NTA release NIFT 2026 Question Paper for Stage 1?

NTA will be releasing the NIFT 2026 Question Paper for Stage 1 along with the provisional Answer Key. Candidates will be able to download the question paper by logging into NIFT portal.

How many questions are asked in NIFT GAT?

The exam pattern for NIFT GAT varies from one course to another. The total number of questions asked in NIFT GAT is mentioned below: BDes: 100 questions, BFTech: 150 questions, MDes: 120 questions, MFTech: 150 questions, MFM: 150 questions. Note that the GAT or the General Ability Test will be conducted in a computer-based mode. Questions will be objective-type. The GAT paper for the B. Des and M.Des programs will be of 120 minutes. However, the GAT paper for the B.FTech, M.FTech, and MFM courses will be for 180 minutes.

What is the exam pattern for the NIFT CAT paper?

Candidates seeking admission to the B. Des and M.Des course also need to take the Creative Ability Test CAT written exam, in addition to the GAT. The CAT exam will be conducted in an offline, pen-pencil mode. CAT will be a drawing-based exam of 3 hours duration. The CAT will evaluate various skills of the candidate including Intuition skill, power of observation, innovation in the development of a concept as well as design ability. Further, it will examine the creative as well as innovative use of color and illustration skills of aspirants. It is mandatory for B. Des and M.Des candidates to appear in the CAT paper, or else they will not be invited for the Situation Test.

What is NIFT exam pattern for the B.FTech program?

The participating institutes of NIFTs offer a 4-year B.FTech programme. Admission to the programme is based on GAT scores. The NIFT GAT question paper for the programme will be approximately 180 minutes and will be bilingual. Candidates will have the option to take the exam either in English or Hindi. The question type will be multiple-choice. The question paper will have a total of 150 questions. Questions will be asked from the following FIVE sections - Communication Ability and Comprehension, Case Study, Quantitative Ability, Analytical & Logical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. The mode of NIFT exam for the GAT paper will be a computer-based test (or CBT).

Which is more difficult, NIFT or UCEED?

NIFT and UCEED are equally tough. NIFT has more levels or stage where as UCEED has only one level. UCEED focuses more on Graphic design, Product Design, etc., whereas NIFT focuses on Fashion design, Textile design, etc. The difficulty level of the exam depends on the preparation of the candidates.

Which level of NIFT is the hardest?

NIFT Entrance Exam consists of NIFT Written exam: GAT and CAT. After this, the second stage is NIFT Situation Test and Personal Interview. NIFT CAT is said to be the hardest and most time taking in the first stage. In the second stage, NIFT Situation test is considered to be hard. But all these can be cleared with practice.

What if candidate is deemed ineligible by the NTA/ NIFT?

In the event of any ineligibility being detected by NIFT /NTA at any stage of the NIFT admission process, the candidature of the candidate will be cancelled. Further, legal action also may be initiated. NTA will not verify the information provided by the candidates during online registration and hence candidature will be purely provisional subject to the fulfillment of eligibility criteria.

What details do I need to check on my NIFT admit card?

NIFT Admit card will carry information given below. Name, photograph and signature, NIFT roll number, name and address of NIFT exam centre, Exam timings, Exam date, Exam centre code, Reporting time, Exam-day guidelines. Candidates must carefully check details mentioned in admit card and ensure that they are correct and legible. If there are any discrepancies, candidate must contact exam and get them rectified.

What should I do if there are any discrepancies in the NIFT 2026 admit card?

Candidate must check all the details carefully after downloading the NIFT admit card 2026. This includes checking the spelling of your name, date and timings of the exam, name and address of the allotted exam centre, etc. In case there are any discrepancies, like your name's spelling is wrong , you must contact exam officials immediately. NIFT officials in most cases also issues a helpline for students to tackle such cases. You can call NIFT officials at this number or email them to get things sorted. Given the sensitivity of the matter, it is important that you don't wait for until too late to get the admit card issue resolved.

When and where will officials verify original documents for NIFT admission?

The information provided by the candidate when filling out the NIFT 2026 application form are verified by NIFT officials before any candidate is considered for admission in the first week of June. The verification of original documents is conducted online. Note that at the time of counseling registration, the candidate is required to upload documents. Also, if the certificates are in any other language than Hindi/ English, then a certified translation in Hindi/ English produced duly verified by the issuing institution/ gazetted officer. If the candidate fails to produce the translation, the candidate may be denied admission.

What are the parameters that will be tested during NIFT 2026 Personal Interview (PI)?

PG candidates will 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, aptitude, creative and lateral thinking Candidates will be shortlisted for the PI based on their performance in the written exam - GAT (and CAT in case of M.Des program). Please note that NIFT reserves the right to modify the entrance examination scheme. This includes non-conduct of any stage (s) due to unforeseen circumstances.

What is the weightage for preparing NIFT results?

The NIFT exam includes two stages - The candidate first appears in the written exams, and if shortlisted has to next appear in a Situation Test/ Personal Interview (PI). Note that the written exams for the B.Des and M.Des program includes the GAT and CAT, whereas for the other programs the written exam includes only the GAT. The final score for the B. Des programme will be prepared by considering the performance of the candidate in CAT, GAT and the Situation Test. In case of the B.FTech programme, the merit list will be prepared based on GAT scores. NIFT Final Result: Weightage Programme Test Weightage Bachelor of Design (BDes) CAT 50% GAT 30% Situation Test 20% Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech) GAT 100% Master of Design (MDes) CAT 40% GAT 30% GD/PI 30% Master of Fashion Technology (MFTech) GAT 70% GD/PI 30% Master of Fashion Management (MFM) GAT 70% GD/PI 30%

Will NTA alter information entered by the candidate in NIFT application form?

The NTA will not edit/ modify/ alter any information entered by the candidate under any circumstances. It will also not entertain requests for change in information. So, you must exercise utmost caution when filling up the form. Request for corrections made by any candidates through Post/Fax/ WhatsApp/ Email/ by hand will not be entertained by NTA.

What is the expected cutoff for NIFT 2026 for B.Des?

The expected cutoff for NIFT 2026 for B.Des is: Category Expected Cutoff for B.Des Open 30-80 EWS 26-29 OBC 26-29 SC 22 ST 19

Can I appear in Situation Test/PI if I don't qualify the NIFT 2026 written exams?

Candidates will be shortlisted for NIFT 2026 Studio Test/ Interview based on performance in NIFTEE Stage 1. NIFT 2026 written exams comprise the GAT and CAT exams. If the candidate fails to be included in the shortlist, he or she is not eligible to appear in the Situation Test/ Interview.

What is the material list for NIFT Situation Test 2026?

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 Muslin Cloth piece Butter paper Newspaper Rubber band

What are the important topics for NIFT Situation Test 2026?

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

What is the eligibility criteria for NIFT 2026?

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.

What are various items that candidates need to carry with them to the NIFT exam centre?

On the day of the NIFT exam, candidates must bring the following items with them NIFT 2026 admit card, a valid photo id proof, HB Pencil, eraser, sharpener, and dry colours. Items that are not allowed inside the exam venue are water bottle, papers, notes, Books, calculator, electronic gadgets, mobile phone, bag, handbagand correction marker/ white fluid.

What are the exam timings for the NIFT 2026 exam?

The exam timings for NIFT 2026 exam are given in table below. Programmes Test Examination Time Bachelor of Design GAT 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon CAT 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM Bachelor of Design (NLEA) GAT 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Bachelor of Fashion Technology GAT 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM Bachelor of Fashion Technology (NLEA) GAT 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM Bachelor of Fashion Technology and Bachelor of Design GAT 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM CAT 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM Master of Design GAT 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon CAT 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM Master of Fashion Management GAT 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM Master of Fashion Management and Master of Design GAT 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM CAT 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM Master of Fashion Technology GAT 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM

Is 40 a good score for NIFT 2026 B.Des?

Yes, 40 is a good marks for NIFT B.Des 2026 this year (expected). For NIFT B.Des, General Category, 40 - 50 is the goodscore for the general category, for OBC, it will be around 30, for SC/ST, it will be around 30.

Can I challenge the final NIFT 2026 answer key?

NTA will release the FINAL answer key of NIFT 2026 in April 2026. Final key will be released after considering complaints filed by candidates against the provisional key. No further objections against the final key will be entertained. This means the keys given in the final key will be considered to be the correct keys to all the questions asked in the NIFT exam. The candidate can use the keys given in the final answer key to precisely calculate their expected scores.

Will NTA release the carbon copy of the OMR answer sheet for NIFT 2026?

Yes, the NTA will upload the carbon copy of the OMR answer sheet along with the answer key. The candidate could download their OMR sheets by logging into the portal using their candidate log-in details. The carbon copy of the OMR answer sheet as the name indicates is a record of the candidates responses in the entrance exam. The OMR sheet can be used by the candidate in conjunction with the GAT answer key to check the status of the answers (correct or incorrect). Next the candidate can use the official marking scheme to calculate probable score.

When will NTA release NIFT 2026 Provisional Answer Key?

NTA released the NIFT 2026 Provisional Answer Key on February 17, 2026. The objection window was open from February 17, 2026 to February 19, 2026. Last year, the Answer Key was released on February 15, 2025. The answer key is released on the NTA NIFT Website.

What are the dos and don'ts for the NIFT CAT exam?

The NIFT CAT exam will be administered in an offline mode and will be a drawing-based exam. During the course of the exam, the candidate is not allowed to write any personal details and place identification marks. The CAT exam will evaluate the candidate on parameters like intuitive ability, power of observation in concept development, and design ability. To prepare for the CAT the candidate needs to work on geometrical shapes, product drawing, line quality, shading, human figures, principles of composition, etc. To improve ones figure drawing skills, one may stick drawing, before moving on to block drawing, and then evolving to add clothes and other items.

What is the NIFT GAT exam pattern for the M.Des program?

NIFT GAT paper for the M.Des programme include 120 multiple choice questions. The time given for GAT will be 120 minutes. The questions will be set in English and Hindi. Questions will be asked from Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Analytical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. The Communication Ability, English Comprehension, and Quantitative Ability sections will each include 30 questions, whereas Analytical Ability will have 20 questions, and GK and Current Affairs will have 15 questions. The candidate must strictly follow the official exam pattern only, as questions will be asked from the given syllabus.

What are some quick tips to prepare for the NIFT exam?

Tips for NIFT exam preparation are given below. Check NIFT exam pattern and syllabus. Check the topics and plan accordingly Make sure you follow only the updated syllabus. Stay updated with trends, fashion shows, exhibitions, etc. Make a timetable taking into account the difficulty level of each topic. Solve sample papers and previous years' question papers. Practice mock tests.

What is the expected cutoff for NIFT 2026 M.Des?

The expected cutoff for NIFT M.Des is given below: Category Expected Cutoff M.Des Open 26-70 EWS 22 OBC 22 SC 16 ST 16-18

What are the B.Des programs offered through NIFT 2026 exam?

The NIFTs currently offers the following specializations at the B.Des level - Fashion Design, Leather Design, Accessory Design, Textile Design, Knitwear Design, and Fashion Communication. Admission to the above courses will be on the basis of NIFT 2025 scores. Currently, there are 18 participating institutes that offer a combined intake of 5,289 seats (including domestic and NRI/Foreign national seats). Note that NRI/Foreign national don’t need to appear in the NIFT entrance exam. The program-wise total seat intake for the B.Des programme is given below: Program Seat Intake Fashion Design 742 Leather Design 172 Accessory Design 654 Textile Design 743 Knitwear Design 346 Fashion Communication 742 Total 3,399

Can I submit objections against NIFT 2026 final key?

NTA doesn't allow any objection window against the final key. This means, the keys included in the final key are final and officially the correct answers to questions asked in the GAT exam. The FINAL answer key of NIFT 2026 will be released tentatively in the last week of June 2026. The candidate can use the answers given in the final key to calculate the number of correct attempts and consequently the probable score. Note, the NTA will release the recorded responses and NIFT 2026 QP around the 3rd week of February 2026.

What is the syllabus for NIFT entrance exam?

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.

What is the fee structure for regular admission through NIFT 2026?

The fee structure for the design courses offered by the NIFTs is published in the information brochure. The NIFT fee structure includes components like tuition fees, library fees, exam fees, mediclaim, etc. Additional, the fee may also be divided into refundable and non-refundable types. We can have a look at 2025 fee structure and understand the NIFT fee structure (Regular): Academic Fee Semester Wise For Non-NRI Category (In INR) 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Semester 5 Semester 6 Semester 7 Semester 8 Tuition Fee (Non-Refundable) 143000 143000 150000 150000 158000 158000 166000 166000 Library Fee (Non-Refundable Per Year Payment) 9500 0 10000 0 10500 0 11000 0 Mediclaim & Student Development Fee (Non-Refundable Per Year Payment) 4700 0 4900 0 5100 0 5400 0 Exam Fee (Per Year) 4700 0 4900 0 5100 0 5400 0 Total 161900 143000 169800 150000 178700 158000 187800 166000 One Time Payments Security Deposit (Refundable) 12000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Alumni Association Membership Fee (Non-Refundable) 0 0 0 0 0 0 5900 0 Registration Fee (One Time) 9300 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 21300 0 0 0 0 0 5600 0 Total 183200 143000 169800 150000 178700 158000 193700 166000

Can I carry my own material for the NIFT Situation Test?

The NIFT Situation Test is a hands-on test that B. Des candidates need to appear in after qualifying the written exam. During the Situation Test the candidate has to make a model. Note that the material for making the model will be provided to the candidate inside the exam hall; no other material expect that provided to the candidate is allowed. So, candidates appearing in the Situation Test must not bring any additional materials for the Situation Test. The Situation Test will be evaluated on the spot. It is mandatory for the candidate to draft a write-up explaining the model.

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026: Stage 1 Result (OUT), Stage 2 Exam Date, Admit Card & Expected Cutoff

636 Students Q&A

Admit Card - To be notified

This exam is conducted for courses given below:

B.Des BFTech MDes, MFM MFTech

Updated on Mar 20, 2026 15:48 IST

By Sayeba Naushad, Assistant Manager

NIFT Result for Stage 1 has been announced today. The score for NIFTEE Stage 1 can be accesses at NTA-NIFT website. Candidates can view the result by using their Application ID and Password. This result will shortlist candidates for the second round of NTA NIFT, which is Situation Test and Interview. Dates for NIFT 2026 Stage 2 will be announced later.

NIFT Entrance Exam Stage 1 Answer Key was released on February 17, 2026 for GAT. It was released on the NTA NIFT website. NIFT Exam was conducted on February 08, 2026, for B.Des and B.F.Tech, M.F.M, M.F.Tech and M.Des in 102 cities. NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 was conducted in two shifts: NIFT GAT in Computer-Based Mode and NIFT CAT in Paper-Based Mode.

Table of contents

What is NIFT Entrance Exam?
NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 Exam Dates
NIFT Entrance Exam Result 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Admit Card 2026
NIFT Exam Centre for Stage 2
NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 - Preparation Tips for Situation Test and Interview
NIFT Entrance Exam Syllabus 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Pattern 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Sample Papers 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Cut-off 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Answer Key 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Counselling 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Application Form 2026 & Correction window
NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 - FAQs

What is NIFT Entrance Exam?

NIFT is a national-level design entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). The NIFTEE exam includes written exams comprising the NIFT GAT (General Ability Test) and NIFT CAT (Creative Ability Test). The GAT paper is mandatory for all programs, while only B.Des and M.Des candidates need to take the CAT. NIFT Situation Test/ Personal Interview is for B.Des candidates. Shortlisted candidates have to appear in the Situation Test, whereas PG candidates need to appear in a Personal Interview. Admission to the B.F.Tech program will be based on GAT scores.

Latest Update:

NIFT Test for UG programmes

NIFT UG comprises B.Des and B.F. Tech

Programme	GAT	CAT	Situation Test
B.Des	Yes	Yes	Yes
B.F.Tech	Yes	No	No
B.F.Tech candidates opting for B.Des	Yes	Yes	Yes

NIFT Test for PG programmes

NIFT PG comprises M.F.M, M.Des and M.F.Tech:

Programme	GAT	CAT	Personal Interview
M.F.M	Yes	No	Yes
M.Des	Yes	Yes	Yes
M.F.M candidates opting for M.Des	Yes	Yes	Yes
M.F.Tech	Yes	No	Yes

The final score of NIFT 2026 for the other programs will be prepared by giving weightage to the written exams and Situation Test/ Personal Interview. The scores or merit rank of NIFT will be considered for admission to design courses offered by the NIFT participating institutes. Currently, there are 19 participating institutes. The institutes offer the following courses - B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M. Admission to these courses will be based on NIFT merit rank.

National Institute of Fashion Technology also allows candidates the option of direct admission to the 3rd semester of a UG program. Interested candidates may apply for NIFT Lateral Entry Admission 2026.

Highlights of NIFT Entrance Exam 2026

The important points related to the NIFT 2026 exam are in the table below.

Particulars	Description
Exam Name	NIFT Entrance Exam
Conducting Body (Stage 1)	The National Testing Agency (NTA)
Conducting Body: Situation Test/ PI + Counseling (Stage 2)	The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
Frequency of exam	Once every year
Number of Attempts	There is no limit on the number of attempts. However, the age limit applies to the UG programs.
Mode of exam	The NIFT exam has two papers: GAT and CAT. The GAT will be an online, computer-based exam. CAT will be conducted offline. Situation Test and PI are conducted offline.
Courses offered	B.Des, M.Des, M.F.M, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech
Application fee (Expected)	INR 2,000 for Open/OBC(Non-Creamy Layer)/Open EWS; INR 500 for SC/ST/PwD Category
Mode of application	Online
NIFT 2026 application form	December 08, 2025 to January 06, 2026
Release of exam Notification	December 08, 2025
Exam Date	February 08, 2026
Result Date	Last week of April 2026 (Stage 1) Last week of June 2026 (Stage 2)
Participating NIFTs	19
Important Resources	Best books to prepare for NIFT 2026 Sample papers for NIFT
Admission to PG Courses	NIFTs offer M.Des, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M courses.

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 Exam Dates

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 exam

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
To Be Notified	NIFT Stage 2: M.Des and M.F.M Interview
To Be Notified	NIFT Stage 2 Admit Card
To Be Notified	NIFT Stage 2: M.F.Tech Personal Interview
To Be Notified	NIFT Situation Test Stage 2: B.Des
To Be Notified	NIFT Final Result
To Be Notified	NIFT Registration for e-Counselling / Seat Allotment

Dates	Past Exam Dates
20 Mar ' 26	NIFT Stage 1 Result 2026
17 Feb ' 26 - 19 Feb ' 26	NIFT Answer Key and Objection Window
08 Feb ' 26	NIFT 2026 (Stage 1: Written Exam)
View More Past Events (4)

NIFT Entrance Exam Result 2026

DeskCalendar Result: To be notified

The scorecard of the NIFT 2026 includes information like the section and overall scores, and the qualifying status. To check your NIFT 2026 results, follow these steps.

Visit NTA-NIFT website
Click on the result link
In the log-in window that opens, enter your application number and date of birth
On log-in, the result of NIFT 2026 will be displayed on the screen
Download and take a printout of the result

FINAL Results of NIFT 2026

Candidates who qualify in the written exams will have to appear in a Situation Test/ Personal Interview. The final result will be prepared by giving weightage to CAT, GAT, and Situation Test/ Personal Interview.

NIFT Toppers and Exam Statistics

NTA may also release the list of NIFT 2026 Toppers and NIFT Statistics alongside the results. The NIFT topper list, if and when released, will include details like the name of the toppers, application number, and state of eligibility (domicile). That is not all, as NTA will also most likely release the detailed exam statistics, including the gender-wise and total number of candidates registered, who appeared, and who qualified in NIFT 2026.

Also read:

NIFT Entrance Exam Admit Card 2026

DeskCalendar Admit Card: To be notified

NIFT 2026 admit card for Stage 1 was released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on February 04, 2026. Candidates who have successfully completed the application process can download their admit cards from the official NIFT website by entering their application number and password.

NTA will release the NIFT Admit Card for Stage 2 on the official website in the first week of June 2026. The exam is expected to be held at 26 centres in 18 cities in the country. NIFTEE Stage 2 Situation test is likely to be held in the second week of June 2026.

The centre details are mentioned in the Admit card. NTA will also release the call letter for PG programmes for the NIFT Personal Interview on the official website. Students will be able to download it using their date of birth and Application Number. The Personal Interviews for the shortlisted candidates will be conducted in Delhi in the last week of May 2026.

Process to download the NIFT 2026 Admit Card

The steps to download the NIFT Admit Card are

Go to the NIFT admission portal.
Click on the admit card link
A log-in window will open.
Enter the NIFT 2026 application number and date of birth/password.
On successful login, you can download the admit card.

NIFT 2026 City Intimation Slip

The NTA released the NIFT city intimation slip 2026 on January 29, 2026 for Stage 1. To download the intimation slip, use your application number and date of birth/password. The intimation slip contains the name of the city allocated to the candidate, along with other details like the application number and exam date. Note that once a city has been allocated, there is no provision to change it. The intimation slip is not required on exam day.

City Intimation Slip for the Stage 2 Examination of NIFTEE 2026 will be released in the last week of May (tentative). Students should keep in mind that this is not the Admit Card. The City Intimation Slip only informs candidates about the city where their examination will be conducted to help them plan travel in advance.

NIFT Exam Centres 2026

The list of exam cities for the NIFT 2026 written exams is out. The NIFT written exam is to be conducted across 102 cities in the country. The candidates are advised to check the exam center allocated to them immediately after downloading the admit card.

NIFT 2026 admit card is released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on February 04, 2026. Candidates who have successfully completed the application process could download their NIFT admit cards from the official NIFT website by entering their application number and date of birth. The admit card must be produced on exam day when the invigilator asks for it.

Candidates can select their preferred city when filling out the NIFT 2026 application form. Candidates are required to reach the exam center before the exam starts. The name and address of the exam center allocated to the candidates are mentioned on the admit card. The allotment of NIFT 2026 exam centers is based on details entered by the candidate at the time of filling the application form.

NIFT Stage 2 Entrance Examination will be held at 26 test centres in 18 cities across the country. Admit card contains the exact details of the test centres.

NIFT Exam Centre for Stage 2

NIFT Stage 2 is expected to be conducted in 18 cities across India for B.Des Studio Test. The exact centres will be released soon. The studio Test and Interview for B.Des NLEA will be held at the designated test centres. For PG programmes, Stage 2 Exam will be in Delhi (tentative).

NIFT 2026 Stage 2 Examinations Centres

The components of NIFT Stage 2 exams and dates are:

Programme	Stage 2 Components	Date (Tentative)	Location (expected)
B.Des (Bachelor of Design)	Situation Test – Model-making, material handling, creativity, innovation	June 6- 10, 2026	18 Cities Across India
B.Des (NLEA)	Studio Test + Personal Interview	June 6- 10, 2026	Designated Test Centres
B.Des (Artisans)	Artisan Skill Test + Personal Interview	June 6- 10, 2026	Designated Test Centres
B.F.Tech (NLEA)	Technical Ability Test (OMR-based) + Personal Interview	June 6- 10, 2026	As per Schedule at Test Centres
PG Programmes (M.Des, M.F.M., M.F.Tech)	Personal Interview	Last week of May 2026	Only in Delhi (Exact Venue in Call Letter)

Candidates must bring the following documents on the day of the NIFTEE Examination. Candidates who do not bring these will not be allowed to appear in the Examination.

Print copy of NIFT 2026 Admit Card
Two passport-size photographs (same as uploaded on the Online Application Form) for pasting on the attendance sheet at the Centre during the Examination.
Any one of the authorized Govt. photo IDs (must be original, valid and non- expired), viz. School Identity Card/ PAN card/ Driving License/ Voter ID/Passport/ Aadhar Card (With photograph)/ Aadhaar Enrolment No/ Ration Card
PwD certificate / UDID issued by the Competent Authority, if claiming the relaxation under PwD category.

NIFT Stage 1 Centres 2026

S. No.	State	City	City Code
1	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	Port Blair	AN01
2	Andhra Pradesh	Kurnool	AP10
3	Andhra Pradesh	Rajahmundry	AP13
4	Andhra Pradesh	Tirupathi	AP16
5	Andhra Pradesh	Vijayawada	AP17
6	Andhra Pradesh	Visakhapatnam	AP18
7	Arunachal Pradesh	Itanagar	AL01
8	Assam	Guwahati	AM02
9	Bihar	Bhagalpur	BR02
10	Bihar	Gaya	BR05
11	Bihar	Muzaffarpur	BR06
12	Bihar	Patna	BR07
13	Chandigarh	Chandigarh/Panchkula/Mohali	CH01
14	Chhattisgarh	Durg/Bhilai	CG01
15	Chhattisgarh	Bilaspur (CG)	CG02
16	Chhattisgarh	Raipur	CG03
17	Delhi	Delhi NCR	DL01
18	Goa	Panaji	GO01
19	Gujarat	Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar	GJ01
20	Gujarat	Rajkot	GJ10
21	Gujarat	Surat	GJ11
22	Gujarat	Vadodara	GJ12
23	Haryana	Hisar	HR05
24	Himachal Pradesh	Shimla	HP06
25	Himachal Pradesh	Hamirpur	HP03
26	Jammu and Kashmir	Jammu	JK02
27	Jammu and Kashmir	Srinagar	JK04
28	Jharkhand	Dhanbad	JH02
29	Jharkhand	Jamshedpur	JH03
30	Jharkhand	Ranchi	JH04
31	Karnataka	Bengaluru	KK20
32	Karnataka	Mangaluru (Mangalore)	KK12
33	Karnataka	Mysuru (Mysore)	KK14
34	Kerala	Kochi	KL23
35	Kerala	Ernakulam/Alappuzha	KL04
36	Kerala	Kannur	KL07
37	Kerala	Kollam	KL09
38	Kerala	Kottayam	KL11
39	Kerala	Kozhikode	KL12
40	Kerala	Thiruvananthapuram	KL17
41	Kerala	Thrissur	KL18
42	Ladakh	Leh	LL01
43	Madhya Pradesh	Bhopal	MP03
44	Madhya Pradesh	Gwalior	MP06
45	Madhya Pradesh	Indore/Ujjain	MP07
46	Madhya Pradesh	Jabalpur	MP08
47	Madhya Pradesh	Sagar	MP12
48	Madhya Pradesh	Satna	MP13
49	Maharashtra	Amravati	MR03
50	Maharashtra	Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar	MR04
51	Maharashtra	Kolhapur	MR14
52	Maharashtra	Mumbai/Navi Mumbai/Thane	MR16
53	Maharashtra	Nagpur	MR17

54	Maharashtra	Nashik	MR19
55	Maharashtra	Pune	MR22
56	Manipur	Imphal	MN01
57	Meghalaya	Shillong	MG01
58	Mizoram	Aizawl	MZ01
59	Nagaland	Kohima	NL02
60	Odisha	Balasore	OR02
61	Odisha	Berhampur-Ganjam	OR03
62	Odisha	Bhubaneswar	OR04
63	Odisha	Sambhalpur	OR09
64	Punjab	Amritsar	PB01
65	Punjab	Jalandhar	PB04
66	Punjab	Ludhiana	PB05
67	Rajasthan	Jaipur	RJ06
68	Rajasthan	Jodhpur	RJ07
69	Rajasthan	Kota	RJ08
70	Rajasthan	Udaipur	RJ11
71	Rajasthan	Sikar	RJ09
72	Sikkim	Gangtok	SM01
73	Tamil Nadu	Chennai	TN01
74	Tamil Nadu	Coimbatore	TN02
75	Tamil Nadu	Cuddalore	TN03
76	Tamil Nadu	Madurai	TN08
77	Tamil Nadu	Nagercoil	TN06
78	Tamil Nadu	Puducherry	PO01
79	Tamil Nadu	Salem	TN11
80	Tamil Nadu	Thanjavur	TN12
81	Tamil Nadu	Tiruchirappalli	TN14
82	Tamil Nadu	Vellore	TN18
83	Telangana	Hyderabad	TL01
84	Telangana	Warangal	TL07
85	Tripura	Agartala	TA01
86	Uttar Pradesh	Agra	UP01
87	Uttar Pradesh	Gorakhpur	UP08
88	Uttar Pradesh	Kanpur	UP11
89	Uttar Pradesh	Lucknow	UP12
90	Uttar Pradesh	Meerut	UP14
91	Uttar Pradesh	Prayagraj (Allahabad)	UP03
92	Uttar Pradesh	Varanasi	UP18
93	Uttar Pradesh	Bareilly	UP04
94	Uttarakhand	Dehradun	UK01
93	Uttarakhand	Haldwani	UK02
96	Uttarakhand	Roorkee	UK06
97	West Bengal	Asansol	WB01
98	West Bengal	Durgapur	WB04
99	West Bengal	Kolkata	WB10
100	West Bengal	Siliguri	WB11
101	Daman& Diu	Daman
102	Gujarat	Vapi

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 - Preparation Tips for Situation Test and Interview

NIFT Stage 2 will have NIFT Situation Test and NIFT Interview. All the candidates who have cleared Stage 1 will be eligible to attend Stage 2.

NIFT Situation Test Tips

Some of the tips to prepare for the NIFT Situation Test are given below.

Observe all the things around you, like leaves, tables, chairs, cars, human faces, etc., and try to take inspiration from them
Try to think of a topic and what models you can make depicting the mood, look, and feel for that topic/product/item
Develop an idea of what to expect in the Situation test by going through NIFT Previous year questions
Read Interviews of Previous Year NIFT Toppers. You will get a lot of ideas from their interviews. They usually share their schedules, strategies, etc.
Think of a concept, first sketch what you have in mind, and thereafter try to create what you have in mind using different materials.
Try working with different materials to find out how to cut and combine them with other materials.

NIFT Interview Tips

Some of the tips for NIFT Interview are given below.

Wear decent clothes for the personal interview. Avoid wearing torn jeans and sleeveless shirts. Try to wear smart casuals or semi-formals.
Do not lie about anything that is asked in the interview. Be honest with the information you are providing. Lying in an interview can be very dangerous as it can make you fall into a loop.
In case you don’t know the answer, humbly accept it. You can say,’ Sorry, I’m not updated with this information or Sorry, I don’t know about it.
Never argue in an interview with the interviewer or the panel. You can put your points politely.
Maintain proper eye contact with the interviewer or the panel, greet everyone as you enter the room, and say good morning, everyone. Answer the questions asked by looking at everyone. Do not look at the walls or the shoes.

NIFT 2026 written exams were conducted on February 08, 2026. Candidates appearing in the exam must note that the CAT paper carries maximum weightage. So, while preparing for the exam, candidates must thoroughly prepare for all the topics given in the exam syllabus.

NIFT General Ability Test (GAT) Preparation Tips

Some of the tips for NIFT GAT are

Carefully go through the exam pattern and syllabus. If there is any change in the pattern or syllabus, incorporate that in your preparation.
Make sure that you are following the best books for NIFT 2026.
Prepare an actionable study plan and stick to it. Start your NIFT 2026 preparation early. This will ensure you have enough time to complete the syllabus, solve sample papers, practice mock tests, and do enough revision.
Take notes during your study. If the notes are good enough, you can use them for quick revision instead of reading large blocks of text. This can save a lot of time that can be used elsewhere.
Solve as many sample papers as you can. Also, solve previous years’ NIFT question papers.
In the last week, practice mock tests to check your preparation.
It is also important that you stay positive and healthy.

Also Read: NIFT 2026 Most Repeated Questions for CAT and GAT

Creative Ability Test (CAT) Preparation Tips

To prepare for the NIFT CAT 2026

Work on your observation and creative skills.
Learn the nuances of geometrical shapes.
Before you draw anything, learn to conceptualize
Jittery and unclear lines are a big no-no for getting a good score in CAT. So, improve your line drawing skills.
Shading is not a very important skill for CAT, but learning the basics is a must.
Learn various types of drawings - human, figure, cartoon, perspective, doodling, geometric, etc.

Will there be negative marking for NIFT GAT and CAT?

The unattempted questions in the NIFT GAT and CAT will be considered as zero marks in the evaluation.

Marking Scheme for NIFTEE 2026 Examinations

Check out the marking scheme for NIFT Stage 1.

Each question carries 01 (One) marks.
For each correct answer, the candidate will get 01 (One) mark.
For each incorrect response, -0.25 mark will be deducted from the total marks.
Un-answered/unattempted will be given no marks.
In case a Question is dropped due to some technical error, full marks shall be given to all the candidates irrespective of the fact who have attempted it or not.

Also Read:

NIFT Entrance Exam Syllabus 2026

The NIFT exam is conducted in two stages.

Stage 1 - The first stage includes NIFTEE, which includes the General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT)
Stage 2- NIFT Situation Test/ NIFT Personal Interview.

Weightage of NIFT courses

The weightage of NIFT Courses is

Programme	GAT	CAT	Situation Test	PI
B.Des	30%	50%	20%	–
M.Des	30%	40%	–	30%
B.F.Tech	30%	70%	–	–
M.F.M / M.F.Tech	70%	–	–	30%

NIFT Syllabus 2026 for GAT and CAT

The NIFT 2026 syllabus for the written exams is given below.

NIFT 2026 Syllabus for Written Exams

GAT Test

CAT Test

Quantitative Ability: Addition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentage, Rate of Interest, Work, and Task, Ratio and Proportion, and Distance.
English Comprehension: synonyms, antonyms, words with corresponding meanings, singular, plural, one-word substitutes, idioms and phrases, correct spellings, comprehending a situation from a given passage, etc.
Analytical and Logical Ability
General Knowledge and Current Affairs
Communication Ability

Note: Note that GAT is common for all programs. So, irrespective of the program you are seeking admission to, the GAT paper is mandatory.

The test is administered to evaluate the intuitive ability, power of observation, concept development, and design ability of the candidate.
An important aspect of the test is the creative and innovative use of color and illustration skills.
The candidate is not allowed to reveal his or her identity by marking the answer sheet.

Note: Only B.Des and M.Des candidates need to take the CAT written exam.

NIFT 2026 Syllabus for Situation Test

If shortlisted, B.Des candidates must appear in a NIFT Situation Test. Here are the key points about the Situation Test.

The situation test will be a hands-on test to evaluate the material handling and innovative ability in a given situation with a given set of materials.
The candidate must make a model/design using the given material.
The model will be evaluated on space visualization, innovative and creative use of given material, the composition of elements, color scheme, construction skill, the finesse of the model and overall presentation, etc.
The candidate will also have to prepare a write-up explaining the model. The write-up should be in English.
The candidate is not allowed to disclose their identity.
The situation test will be evaluated on the SPOT.

Components NIFTEE Stage 2 Examinations

The components of NIFT Stage 2 exams and dates are given below.

Programme	Stage 2 Components	Location (expected)
B.Des (Bachelor of Design)	Situation Test – Model-making, material handling, creativity, innovation	18 Cities Across India
B.Des (NLEA)	Studio Test + Personal Interview	Designated Test Centres
B.Des (Artisans)	Artisan Skill Test + Personal Interview	Designated Test Centres
B.F.Tech (NLEA)	Technical Ability Test (OMR-based) + Personal Interview	As per Schedule at Test Centres
PG Programmes (M.Des, M.F.M., M.F.Tech)	Personal Interview	Only in Delhi (Exact Venue in Call Letter)

Also Read for Stage 2:

Preparation Tips for NIFT Situation Test 2026	NIFT Situation Test/ NIFT Studio Test 2026: Evaluation Criteria, Tips and Important Questions	NIFT Personal Interview 2026: Key Tips, Important Questions and Topics
10 tips to crack interview for design courses at NID, NIFT	How to Prepare For NIFT Situation Test 2026?

NIFT Entrance Exam Pattern 2026

Candidates appearing in the NIFT 2026 exam are urged to refer to the NIFT 2026 exam pattern to prepare for the exam. The exam pattern will contain important information about the exam, like the types of questions, how many questions are asked, total and sectional questions, weightage, etc.

Here we bring you the NIFT 2026 exam pattern for the written exams and Situation Test/ PI.

NIFT GAT Exam Pattern 2026 - B.Des and M.Des

The expected pattern for B.Des and M.Des are

Program	B.Des	M.Des
Paper	GAT	GAT
Mode of exam	Computer-based exam	Computer-based exam
Language	English/ Hindi	English/ Hindi
Test Duration	120 minutes	120 minutes
Sections	Number of Questions	Number of Questions
Communication Ability	40	30
English Comprehension	40	30
Quantitative Ability	20	20
Analytical Ability	15	25
General Knowledge and Current Affairs	25	15
TOTAL	100	120

Exam Structure for UG Programs

The exam structure for NIFT UG is given below.

Program	Paper Name	Language of Written Test	Test Duration (minutes)	No. of Questions
B. Des	GAT (CBT) CAT (PBT)	English/Hindi	120 + 180	100 + 3
B.F. Tech	GAT - Section A (CBT)	English/Hindi	120	100
B.F. Tech	GAT - Section B (CBT)	English/Hindi	60	50
B.F. Tech & B. Des.	Section A (2 hrs) (CBT) Section B (1 hr) (CBT) CAT (3 hrs) (PBT)	English/Hindi	180 + 180	150 + 3

NIFT GAT 2026 Exam Pattern - B.F.Tech

The expected pattern for B.F Tech is

Program	B.F.Tech
Paper Name	GAT - Section A (CBT)	GAT - Section B (CBT)
Language of written test	English/Hindi	English/Hindi
Test Duration	180 minutes
Sections	Number of questions	Number of questions
Communication Ability and English Comprehension	40	NIL
Quantitative Ability	20	15
Analytical & Logical Ability	15	15
General Knowledge and Current Affairs	25	NIL
Case Study	NIL	20
Total	100	50

NIFT GAT 2026 Exam Pattern - M.F.M & M.F.Tech

The pattern for M.F.M and M.F.Tech is

Program	M.F.Tech	MFM
Paper	GAT	GAT
Language of written test	English/Hindi	English/Hindi
Duration	180 minutes	180 minutes
Sections	Number of questions	Number of questions
Communication Ability & English Comprehension	45	50
Case Study	25	40
Quantitative Ability	30	10
Analytical & Logical Ability	25	25
General Knowledge And Current Affairs	25	25
TOTAL	150	150

Exam Structure for MFM and M. Des Programs

Exam structure for NIFT PG programmes.

Program

Paper Name

Language of

Written Test

Test Duration

(minutes)

No. of

Questions

MFM

GAT (CBT)

English/Hindi

180 (3 hours)

150

M. Des

GAT (CBT) + CAT (3 hrs.)

English/Hindi

120 (2 hours)

120

MFM &

M. Des

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

hr.) + CAT (3 hrs.)

English/Hindi

180 (3 hours) +

180

150 + 3

NIFT Exam Pattern 2026 - Situation Test

B.Des candidates must appear in a Situation Test. PG candidates must appear for a Personal Interview. The NIFT 2026 Situation Test will evaluate the “material handling and innovative ability” of applicants. Here, candidates will be examined in areas like “Space Visualization, Innovative and creative use of given material, the composition of elements, color scheme, construction skill, the finesse of the model, and overall presentation, etc.

At the time of the Situation Test, the candidate must submit a NIFT write-up explaining the model. The write-up must be in the English language. No marks will be given for a write-up in any other language.

Situation Test Evaluation Parameters

Candidates will be asked to make a model, which will be evaluated based on:

Space visualization
Innovative and creative use of the given material
Composition of elements
Colour scheme
Construction skill
Finesse of the model
Overall presentation

The model will be checked with a write-up explaining the concept behind the model. The write-up will be in English, as the medium of instruction in NIFT is English. No marks will be given for a write-up in any other language.

Additional Rules for Situation Test

No additional materials will be allowed or provided.

Candidates who try to disclose their identity by writing personal details or placing any identification mark on the model/design/write-up shall be disqualified, and the final result of such candidates shall not be declared.

The evaluation of the test will be done on the spot by the jury.
The model will not be preserved for future reference.

Also Read:

NIFT Personal Interview: Key Tips, Important Questions and Topics

NIFT Entrance Exam Sample Papers 2026

Candidates appearing in NIFT 2026 must make sample papers a part of their exam preparation. Sample papers will help you develop problem-solving and time-management skills. Sample papers will contain similar questions to the ones asked in the NIFT exam. So, their difficulty level and range would match your requirements.

You can start solving NIFT sample papers very early on in your preparation. For instance, after completing a chapter, you may solve all the related problems given in the sample paper. Even if you want to improve time-management skills, there are few better tools than sample papers.

Along with sample papers, the candidate also needs to solve previous years' question papers of NIFT:

NIFT Previous year's question papers will give the candidate an idea of the types of questions asked in the design entrance exam.
The candidate can check the difficulty level, types of questions asked, marking scheme, and weightage by consulting these papers.
The candidate may also check if there is any change in the types of questions asked or any emerging trends by consulting the question papers.

Unlike sample papers, the previous years' papers will contain the specific questions asked in the previous editions of the NIFT exam. Consequently, the question papers will help the candidate identify the types of questions asked, how they are asked, and the structure and difficulty level of the question paper. Additionally, the candidate can also look for any emerging trends.

So, give your NIFT 2026 exam preparation that much-needed push by solving NIFT sample and question papers.

NIFT Entrance Exam Cut-off 2026

The National Institute of Fashion Technology will release the cut-off marks for NIFT 2026 written tests at the time of the declaration of results. The cut-off will be category-specific and indicate the minimum marks (or rank) the candidate needs to secure for admission. The candidate thus needs to log in to the result portal to check their qualifying status. Candidates who qualify for the written exams have to next appear in the NIFT Situation Test/ Personal Interview. It may be noted that the qualifying score or cut-off of NIFT 2026 is different from the admission cut-off.

The admission cut-off of NIFT will be prepared based on the final merit after considering the following points:

The total number of applicants
The category-wise seat intake
The total number of applications
The category under which admission is sought.
Previous years’ cut-off criteria.

Also Read:

NIFT Marks vs Rank: What Your Score Means, How to Calculate Score and Expected NIFT Ranks 2026

NIFT Entrance Exam Answer Key 2026

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) released the draft answer key of NIFT 2026. It has been uploaded to the NIFT NTA admission portal. Candidates could download the Answer Key with Application ID and password. NTA also released NIFT Question Paper and Response Sheet. Candidates can raise objections against the answer key with the help of the response sheet by paying INR 200 per question. No Answer Key will be released for NIFT CAT. NIFT Objection Window was open from February 17, 2026 to February 19, 2026. Candidates can calculate the number of correct attempts using the answer key and then the probable score.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will have an objection window for the NIFT 2026 entrance exam. Objections can be raised by paying a non-refundable fee of ₹200 approx per objection. The final answer key of NIFT 2026 will be released after considering the feedback of the candidates.

How to download the NIFT 2026 Answer Key?

The step-wise process to download the answer key is given below.

Go to the NTA NIFT admission portal: https://exams.nta.ac.in/NIFT/
Click on the answer key download link
In the log-in window that opens, enter your Roll Number, Program Name, Question Booklet No., and DOB
On successful login, you can download the answer key.

Recorded Responses and Question Paper of NIFT 2026

Along with the answer key, NTA has also released the recorded responses and the NIFT 2026 question paper. The candidate can download the documents from the NIFT admission portal.

Calculate NIFT Marks Using the Answer Key

After downloading the NIFT 2026 Answer Key, candidates can estimate their potential marks by following these steps.

Compare Your Responses: Cross-check your answers with the provided answer key.
Count Correct and Incorrect Answers: Tally the number of correct and incorrect responses.
Apply the NIFT Marking Scheme: Refer to the NIFT exam pattern for the marking details.

Correct answers will get +1 mark.
For Incorrect answers, a -0.25 mark is deducted
Unanswered questions score 0 marks.

NIFT Entrance Exam Counselling 2026

DeskCalendar Counselling: To be notified

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will start counselling for NIFT 2026 after the declaration of the NIFTEE 2026 Final results. NIFT 2026 is expected to have three seat allotment rounds and one Spot Counselling round. Seat allocation and e-counselling for Undergraduate and Postgraduate admissions for 2026 will be announced by NIFT in the last week of June 2026. Candidates who have secured a valid Common Merit Rank (CMR) in the final result will be asked to register in the last week of June 2026 on the official NIFT counselling portal.

NIFT 2026 Counselling Process

The counselling process for NIFT 2026 will be conducted in a centralized manner for admission to the 19 NIFT colleges. Candidates who have qualified in the NIFT 2026 entrance exam will be eligible to participate in the counseling process. NIFT 2026 counselling is expected to have three seat allotment rounds followed by a SPOT round. Vacant seats that are left after the regular rounds of counseling will be offered in the SPOT round.

Shortlisted candidates will have to register for counseling and fill in and lock in their choices. Here, choices mean the combination of an academic program and a college. The choices entered by the candidate must be in order of priority. NIFT Round 1 Registration and Uploading of documents is expected to start from the last week of June 2026. Choice Filling and Seat Locking Round 1 will also start in the last week of June 2026.

Check NIFT Counselling Guidelines for detailed information: Final_Guidelines_for_Seat_Allocation

NIFT 2026 Seat Allotment

Based on the choices opted by the candidates and their merit ranks in NIFT 2026, the allotments of seats will be done. To confirm their seats, the candidates will have to pay the seat-acceptance fee within the given deadline. If the fee is not paid within the given deadline, then the allotment will be canceled and offered to the candidate next in the order of merit. Once the regular counseling rounds conclude, FRESH registrations will be opened for the SPOT round. During the SPOT round, seats will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

NIFT Score Accepting Colleges

In addition to the participating NIFTs, scores of the NIFT 2026 will also be used by other NIFT Score Accepting Institutes for admission purposes. For instance, the World University of Design (WUD) will fill some of its UG and PG seats based on NIFT 2026 merit ranks.

The role of the NTA is limited to the conduct of the NIFT 2026 exam and declaration of results. The scores of the NIFT 2026 final results will be used to shortlist candidates for the counselling process.

Also Read:

NIFT 2024 Toppers - All India Rank, Scores, Interviews

NIFT vs Other Design Colleges: Which one is right for you?

NIFT Entrance Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026

The National Institute of Fashion Technology offers the following design courses: B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M. The NIFT 2026 eligibility criteria are specific to each of these courses. This means if you want to apply to the B.Des program, you need to meet the eligibility criteria specific to the program. The eligibility status of the candidate will be checked at the time of NIFT 2026 counselling and seat allotment. So, if you use incorrect details to fake your eligibility, you may be disqualified.

The program-specific eligibility criteria for NIFT 2026 are given in the table below.

NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria - B.Des

The eligibility criteria for NIFT B.Des are

NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Program

B.Des

Age

The candidate should be less than 24 years as of 1st August of the admission year.

Relaxation: 5-year relaxation in the upper age limit for SC, ST, and PwD candidates.

Academic Eligibility

Candidate should have 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.

A pass grade in the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Open School with a minimum of five subjects.

3 or 4 years diploma recognized by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education after secondary examination/10th standard.

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.

General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level/International Baccalaureate (IB).

NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria - B.F.Tech

Candidates seeking admission to the B.F.Tech programs need to meet the following eligibility conditions.

Parameter

Eligibility Criteria

Program

B.F.Tech

Age Limit

Maximum age should be less than 24 years as of 1st August of the year of admission.

The upper age limit may be relaxed by a period of 5 (five) years for SC/ST/ PWD categories

Academic qualification

The candidate must have passed the 10+2 exam with Mathematics, Or

A passing grade in the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Open School with a minimum of five subjects with Mathematics, 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 with Mathematics, Or

General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri-Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level/ International Baccalaureate (IB) with Mathematics.

NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Master's Courses

Candidates seeking admission to the Master's Programmes in NIFT need to meet the following program-specific eligibility criteria.

Parameter

M.Des and M.F.M courses

M.F.Tech. course

Age limit

There is no age limit.

Academic Qualification

Undergraduate Degree in any discipline from any Institute / University recognized by law in India or

Undergraduate Diploma of a minimum three-year duration from NIFT / NID.

B.F.Tech. from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) or

B.E / B.Tech. from any Institute / University recognized by law in India.

Note: Candidates appearing in the qualifying examination in the year of admission can also apply, subject to fulfilling the necessary eligibility conditions at the time of seat allotment /admission.

Also Read:

NIFT Entrance Exam Application Form 2026 & Correction window

The application form for NIFT 2026 is closed now. The application was common for the NIFT B.Des, NIFT M.Des, and NIFT B.F.Tech, NIFT M.F.Tech, and NIFT M.F.M courses. The candidate can select their program of study when filling out the form.

NIFT Application was open from December 08, 2025. The registration with regular fee is closed. It was open till January 16, 2026. Applications could also be filled with the late fees, which are INR. 5,000.

How to apply for NIFT 2026?

The NIFT application form is closed now. To fill out the form, follow these steps.

Go to the NIFT admission portal and click on the "Registration" link.
A registration form will open. Enter your name, email ID, phone number, and other relevant details.
On registration, an applicant account will be created.
Log in to fill out the rest of the form and select an exam center.
Upload documents.
Finally, pay the application fee to complete the process.

The NIFT 2026 application fee for the OPEN category is INR 2,000. However, SC, ST, and PwD candidates will have to pay around INR 500.

NIFT 2026 Application Form - Document Checklist

The candidate must upload their signature and photograph in the prescribed format when applying for NIFT 2026.

Document	Description
Photograph	Upload a recent, scanned passport-size color photograph File size - 100KB (maximum). Format - jpeg only
Signature	The scanned signature should be in Blue/Black ink on a white background. File size - 100KB (maximum). Format - jpeg only

NIFT 2026 Application Form Correction Window

The correction window is closed now. It was available from January 21, 2026 to January 22, 2026. Using the NIFT 2026 application correction window, the candidate could make corrections to all the particulars in the form except for the mobile number and email ID. Once the correction window closes, no further modifications to the application form will be allowed.

Action	Fields
Non-editable details Candidates shall NOT be allowed to change	Mobile Number E-Mail address Address (Permanent and Present) Signature - Image Upload
Any one field can be changed	Candidate Name Father Name Mother Name
All fields can be edited	Class 10/ equivalent details Class 12/ equivalent details Graduation Details (if applicable) Post Graduation Details (if applicable)
Candidates shall be allowed to change examination Cities based on their Permanent and Present address	Exam Centre City Selection (all 4 preferences) Medium
Candidate shall be allowed to change all the fields	Date of Birth Gender Category Sub-category /PwBD
Candidate shall be allowed to edit the fields	Programme Selection

Also Read:

How to fill NIFT Application Form 2026- Step-wise Process, Documents Required, Size & Format

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 - FAQs

To learn more about NIFT 2026, go through the FAQs given below.

Q: Can I appear in Situation Test/PI if I don't qualify the NIFT written exams?

The Situation Test/ Personal Interview (PI) are the 2nd stage of the NIFT 2026 entrance exam. Candidates were shortlisted for the Situation Test/ PI based on the NIFT 2026 written exam scores.

Note that if the candidate fails to qualify for the 2nd stage, he or she is not considered for admission to various design courses offered by the NIFTs.

The only exception is B.F.Tech program, where the merit list for admission will be prepared solely on the basis of GAT scores.

In the case of other courses, the merit list will be prepared by giving weightage to the written exams and Situation Test/ PI.

Q: When do I need to start my preparation for NIFT 2026 exam?

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.

Q: Can I challenge the NIFT 2026 answer key?

Yes, the candidate is allowed to challenge the draft version of the NIFT 2026 answer key.

Objections cannot be filed against the final answer key. The answer key contains the official keys to all the questions asked in the exam.

Objections against the NIFT 2026 answer key have to filed online through the candidate portal. To file objections, the candidate had to pay a fee of INR 200 per objection.

Q: Will NTA share information entered by candidates during NIFT application submission with 3rd party?

NTA/NIFT /Government of India can use the data provided by candidate for internal purpose(s) including training, research and development, analysis and other permissible purpose(s). However, this information will not be shared with any third party or private agency for any other use.

Q: What is NIFT lateral entry admission (NLEA) scheme?

NIFT Lateral Entry Admission (NLEA) provides an opportunity to candidates who have completed their Diploma in relevant or related fields of Design & Technology for direct admission to the third semester of UG programmes of NIFT.

Eligible candidates have to appear in the NIFT 2026 entrance exam to get lateral admission. Admission under lateral entry scheme will be strictly on merit of NIFT 2026 exam, which will include written examination, studio test/ technology aptitude test, and a personal interview.

Candidates selected through lateral entry will join the regular UG students of NIFT in their second year.

The seat intake under this scheme will be displayed on the website prior to seat allocation.

Q: How will NTA communicate important information about NIFT exam?

Important or relevant information about the NIFT 2026 exam will be sent by NTA through e-mail on the registered e-mail address and/or through SMS on registered mobile number only. Also, the NTA will not be responsible for any non-communication/ miscommunication with a candidate in the email address or mobile number given by him/her other than his/her own.

Q: At what time do I need to report for the NIFT 2026 written exam?

The GAT paper for all the B.Des and M.Des courses will be conducted from 9 am - 11 am (tentatively). Meanwhile, the GAT written exam for B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M. courses are expected to be conducted from 9 am - 12 noon.

Candidates needed to report to the NIFT 2026 exam centre at least an hour in advance.

Note that the CAT paper for the B. Des and M.Des courses will be held from 2.30 pm - 5.30 pm.

The purpose of reporting early is to complete admission formalities, including registration, frisking, verifying the identity of the candidate, etc. Note that the exam timings and reporting time for the NIFT exam will be mentioned in the admit card.

Q: Who can apply for NIFT 2026 under Persons with Disability (PwD) category?

As per Section 2(t) of the RPwD Act, “Persons with Disability (PwD)” means a person with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment which, in interaction with barriers, hinders his full and effective participation in society equally with others.

Q: When will NIFT cutoff be released?

The National Instituite of Fashion Technology will release the NIFT 2026 at the time of seat allotment and counseling.

The cut-offs will be available institute and category-wise for all the program at nift.admissions.nic.in.

The cut-offs will be prepared by considering factors like the seat intake, the merit rank of candidates, admission category, etc. Note that if the seat intake is increase the cut-off would likely go down and vice versa.

The cut-offs are available for the following titles:

Opening and Closing Rank Details for NIFT UG Counselling 2026
Opening and Closing Rank Details for NIFT UG (Lateral Entry) Counselling 2026
Opening and Closing Rank Details for NIFT PG Counselling 2026

To download the cut-offs, visit: https://nift.admissions.nic.in/or-cr/

Q: What is good score for NIFT 2026 B.F.Tech?

Good score for B.F.Tech is 95+ for General, 80 for OBC, 60 for SC/ST. The final result will be declared in April 2026.

Q: What are NIFT Score accepting colleges other than participating colleges?

There are 19 NIFTs that will accept NIFT 2026 Scores for admission purposes. These institutes are known as participating colleges.

However, in addition to the participating colleges, there are other private colleges that will also consider NIFT 2026 scores for admission to their UG and PG design courses. The candidates are urged to go through the list of result-sharing institutes.

Q: How can I raise objections against NIFT answer key?

The NIFT answer key objection window will close once the draft key is released. To submit objections, you have to:

Go to the NTA NIFT admission portal
Click on the objection submission link
A log-in window will open
Log in using candidate credentials

Once you log in, you can access the objection form
Enter you roll number, date of birth, program, and question booklet series
Select the answer key you want to challengeSelect the Question number
Attach the supporting documents and describe your observation in concise and clear terms
Make the payment of INR 200 per objection (note, the fee is non-refundable)

Once you are done, submit the application.

Q: When will the NIFT sample papers be released?

The sample papers for the NIFT exam are released on the official website of the institute - nift.ac.in. The sample papers are available for the GAT and CAT written exams.

Also, the sample papers are available for all the programs offered by the participating colleges - B. Des, M.Des M.FTech B.FTech and M. F. M.

No login is required to download the sample papers. Simply click on the relevant sample paper. The sample papers are available in downloadable pdf format. It may be noted that the sample papers don't contain any solutions.

Note that sample papers for NIFT 2026 will be released once the exam notification is out or sometime thereabout.