NIFT Entrance Exam 2026: Previous Year Question Papers PDF (2010 to 2019), Sample Questions
National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam 2026 ( NIFT Entrance Exam )
Candidates seeking admission to the B.Des and M.Des courses at the NIFTs must appear in a Creative Ability Test (CAT). The Creative Ability Test will evaluate the creative and drawing skills of the candidate. Importantly, CAT carries a hefty 50% weightage for B.Des. So, here we bring you a list of questions asked in the NIFT CAT exam in the previous editions for practice and to provide key insights.
The NTA is expected to conduct the written exams for NIFT 2026 in the second week of February 2026. NTA will release the detailed exam notification on its admission portal. NIFT 2026 written exams will comprise the CAT and GAT. While GAT is common for all courses, only B.Des and M.Des candidates must take the CAT. NIFT 2025 scores will be considered for admission to the undergraduate and postgraduate design programs offered at NIFT campuses. UG programs offered at NIFT include Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech), whereas PG courses on offer at NIFT include Master of Design (MDes), Master of Fashion Technology (MFTech), and Master of Fashion Management (MFM).
For the B.Des program, the NIFT CAT carries 50% weightage, whereas for the M.Des program, the CAT is worth 40% weightage. Given the importance of the CAT, the candidate must pay special attention to the written exam, including solving sample papers for the NIFT 2026 CAT.
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Candidates who clear the written tests for the BDes course need to next appear in a Situation Test. PG applicants have to instead appear in a GD/PI round. The weightage allotted to each test conducted for NIFT admissions is as per the table mentioned below:
The eligibility criteria for admissions to the MFM course at NIFT Hyderabad are candidates must complete their graduation. Additionally, students need to appear for the GAT exam conducted by the NIFT Entrance Exam, followed by the GD/PI round for final selection. Candidates must ensure that they have completed their bachelor's degree from a recognised law university or a three- to four-year Diploma from NIFT or NID.
NIFT Chennai cutoff 2025 has been released for different categories of students belonging to the General AI quota. Considering the Round 1 cutoff, the closing ranks for General AI category students varied between 130 and 1420. The most sought-after course for admission with the lowest cutoff rank of 130 was Master of Fashion Management (MFM). For other courses and specialisations, the cutoff ranks are tabulated below:
| Course | NIFT Round 1 Cutoff 2025 |
|---|---|
| B.Des. in Accessory Design | 551 |
| B.Des. in Textile Design | 972 |
| B.Des. in Knitwear Design | 1220 |
| B.FTech. in Apparel Production | 253 |
| Master of Fashion Management (MFM) | 130 |
| B.Des. in Fashion Design | 471 |
| B.Des. in Leather Design | 1420 |
| B.Des. in Fashion Communication | 299 |
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Previous years' NIFT CAT Questions 2010-2019
The Creative Ability Test (CAT) is conducted by NIFT to test “intuition skill, power of observation, innovation in the development of a concept and design ability of the candidate”, informs the official website of NIFT admissions.
NIFT College Predictor prepared by Shiksha.com helps students to predict the college in which they can get admission on the basis of their expected exam score.
NIFT Exam College PredictorNIFT CAT also evaluates candidates on the basis of innovative use of colours as well as illustration skills. Shiksha has compiled the list of questions asked in NIFT CAT exam over the last nine years. Candidates are advised to go through these questions for NIFT entrance exam preparation and ace this part of the admission process.
- NIFT CAT 2019 Question Paper for BDes
- NIFT CAT 2019 Question Paper for MDes
- NIFT CAT 2018 Question Paper for BDes
- NIFT CAT 2018 Question Paper for MDes
- NIFT CAT 2017 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2016 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2015 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2014 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2013 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2012 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2011 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2010 Question Paper
NIFT CAT 2019 Question Paper for BDes
One of the top universities for BDes and MFM programs is NIFT Kangra.
1. To be admitted to NIFT Kangra, candidates must take the NIFT Entrance Exam.
2. Applicants need to meet the requirements for the course to which they have applied.
3. Based on their performance in the entrance, candidates are invited to the interview rounds.
4. Following that, applicants need to register for counseling at NIFT Kangra.
National Institute of Fashion Technology Bhubaneswar accepts applications online. The institute releases the application form on the official website for the candidates. However, aspirants can contact the admission office to receive the application form offline. Aspirants have to pay an application fee to submit the form at the institute.
NIFT Bangalore grants admissions based on NIFT entrance exam scores. The below table presents the last three years' cutoff trend:
| Course | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Des. in Accessory Design | 482 | 357 | 313 |
| B.Des. in Textile Design | 721 | 586 | 652 |
| B.Des. in Knitwear Design | 1122 | 932 | 856 |
| B.Des. in Fashion Communication | 113 | 93 | 127 |
Q1. Visualise and draw any one of the following, as they would be in the year 2050. Colour the product using dry colours.
(i) Umbrella
(ii) Door Lock
(iii) Lunch box
Q2. Using the following shapes, that is, Circle, rectangle, Hexagon, Tear drop & Triangle, compose any one of the following: (a) Personal Computer (b) Wind Chime (c) Letter Box”. Accompany it with a write up of 100 words.
Q3. Depict the process on any one of the following in four frames.
(i) Budding & blooming of the Rose flower
(ii) A Shirt on a clothing line from wet to dry
(iii) A bird taking flight from ground to sky
NIFT CAT 2019 Question Paper for MDes
Q1. Write an essay on the process of writing with pen and paper as compared to typing on laptop in context of which one do you prefer.
Q2. Share your experience of being blind folded for a day and listing five difficulties you faced with greater details about the most uncomfortable difficulty.
Q3. Design spectacles for:
- Traffic police
- School kids
- Sports person and
- Public transport passenger
NIFT CAT 2018 Question Paper for BDes
Q1. Show one of the following procedures in four steps:
(a) Placing a bulb on a holder.
(b) A paper folding into a boat.
Q2. Design and illustrate in colour with details, a bag for yourself for any one of the given topics:
(a) Wedding
(b) Picnic
(c) Shopping
Q3. Depict your personality through a geometric shape, in colour.
NIFT CAT 2018 Question Paper for MDes
Q1. Write in 10 steps (any one):
(a) Preparation of tea
(b) Playing in rain
Q2. Design a chair reflecting their personality, supporting it with a write up of 250 words explaining their concept.
Q3. Draw a scene of any one:
(a) A teal stall
(b) The Chef at work
(c) The gardener at work
NIFT CAT 2017 Question Paper
Q1. Draw any one of the following scenes:
- The view of the traffic signal from inside the car.
- A street play being organised
- A community festival celebration
Q2. Illustrate in colour a print on a T-shirt based on any one of the following themes:
- Music is the soul of life
- Save future wild life
- Dignity to aged
Q3. Express the contrast between the given pair of words through two separate visuals in given boxes. Out of the given three, one was to be attempted:
- Balanced/ Unbalanced
- Crispy/ Soggy
- Cluttered/ Uncluttered
NIFT CAT 2016 Question Paper
Q1. Show progression from one to another only through colours which are to be filled in a series of 10 blocks. Attempt any two.
(a) Cocoon to butterfly
(b) Dawn to Night
(c) Spring to Autumn
(d) Shiny metallic to Rust
Q2. Express the below mentioned emotions through colours:
(a) Sorrow
(b) Happiness
(c) Rebellious
(d) Astonishment
Q3. Design the below mentioned products:
(a) A textile print
(b) A footwear product
(c) A table utility product
(d) A clothing utility product
NIFT CAT 2015 Question Paper
Q1. Draw a poster on any one:
- Where there is a will there is a way
- Better late than never
- On every cloud there is a silver lining
Q2. Draw a mascot in a poster on any one topic:
- Swach Bharat Abhiyaan
- Make in India
- Food Security
Q3. Draw a Hindi/English alphabet and then add or delete some lines to make a product or a picture in four steps.
NIFT CAT 2014 Question Paper
Q1. Illustrate the dress of a tourist guide of the state you belong to. Label the accessories and fabric details.
Q2. Illustrate an expedition/trip in four steps from start to end, depicting feelings and emotions.
Q3. Draw a poster for voting/creating awareness about voting. Briefly explain your concepts in a few lines.
NIFT CAT 2013 Question Paper
Q1. If you are a lizard on a wall. With your reference, draw the whole room in which you are.
Q2. Illustrate and explain briefly the given words:
- Tsunami
- Summer
- Speed
- Love
- Tornado
Q3. Draw a pattern in the given grid using any 3 of the following motifs, and also explain the concept.
NIFT CAT 2012 Question Paper
Q1. Design a mascot for any one of the following topics:
- Keep city clean
- Pulse polio
- India against Corruption
Q2. Attempt any one of the options:
a) Within the frames show “Landing of an aircraft”
Or
b) Draw landscape of Spring, summer, autumn and winter. Colour suitably.
Q3. Design a creative poster on any one and write a suitable tagline
- Bookshop
- Cyber shop
- Fruit shop
NIFT CAT 2011 Question Paper
Q1. Depict the following words into the grid
- Trust
- Joy
- Fear
Q2. Draw the following scene, use only 3 colours
- Railway station
- Temple festival
- Republic day parade
Q3. Using a lead pencil, draw any one of the following scenes:
- Educating voters
- Corruption
- Right to education
NIFT CAT 2010 Question Paper
Q1. A grid of 10 by 10 inches is provided. Depict any one word in the grid.
- Enthusiasm
- Harmony
- Shock
Fill one colour in one box. You can even leave a few boxes vacant.
Q2. Design postal stamp for any one:
- Mother’s Day
- Commonwealth Games 2010
- Earth Hour
- World Health Day
Q3. Draw any one topic from the options given below (use only lead pencil)
- Magic show
- Obey traffic rules
- Go green
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
The fee for M.Des programme offered at NIFT is around INR 8 Lakhs.
| Fee Components | Fee Amount (2 Years) (2025) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | 5.86 Lakhs |
| Hostel Fees* | 2.21 Lakhs |
| One-time payment* | 27,200 |
| Total fees | 8.35 Lakhs |
* Hostel fee is calculated on the basis of 1st year. Actual amount may vary. The fees might include components other than hostel fees. Meal Plan is not included in the mentioned fee.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The fee of the B.Des programme at NIFT is around INR 14 lakhs.
| Semester | NIFT Fees 2024 (INR) | NIFT Fees 2025 (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 1,83,200 | 1,91,700 |
| Semester 2 | 1,43,000 | 1,50,000 |
| Semester 3 | 1,69,800 | 1,78,700 |
| Semester 4 | 1,50,000 | 1,58,000 |
| Semester 5 | 1,78,700 | 1,87,800 |
| Semester 6 | 1,58,000 | 1,66,000 |
| Semester 7 | 1,93,700 | 2,03,200 |
| Semester 8 | 1,66,000 | 1,74,000 |
| Total (4 Years) | 13,42,400 | 14,09,400 |
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, is the best based on the India Today ranking (2025).
NIFT Delhi is considered the best NIFT campus in India because of the following:
It consistently ranks No. 1 among all NIFTs (India Today Ranking: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021)
It has
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The NIFT entrance exam is considered moderately difficult. The level of difficulty of the exam depends on a student's strengths and preparation. Since seats are limited and competition is high, even average questions feel tougher due to the pressure.
B.Des exam tests creativity, design aptitude, obse
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The educational qualification for NIFT admissions varies from course to course:
| Programme | Educational Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| B.Des (Bachelor of Design) | Passed 10+2 (Class 12) in any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts, Humanities) from a recognised board |
| B.FTech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology) | Passed 10+2 (Class 12) in any stream, but Mathematics as a subject in 10+2 is compulsory |
| M.Des (Master of Design) | Undergraduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university |
| M.FTech (Master of Fashion Technology) | B.FTech from NIFT or B.E./B.Tech from a recognised university |
| MFM (Master of Fashion Management) | Undergraduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university |
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
There are a total of 19 NIFTs in India that participate in the NIFT admission process. The participating institutes offer B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M courses. Admission to the participating institutes will be on the basis of NIFT scores.
NIFT Varanasi has been newly added to the list
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, candidates who have passed their H.S.C. vocational examination may apply for admission to the B.Des program.
S
Contributor-Level 10
The candidate can download the official sample papers from the official NIFT website; the sample papers are available in the form of PDFs. Alternatively, they may download the sample papers from this page. The sample papers are available in downloadable PDF format and can be downloaded simply by clicking on the relevant paper; no login is required.