NIFT Entrance Exam 2026: Previous Year Question Papers PDF (2010 to 2019), Sample Questions

National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam 2025 ( NIFT Entrance Exam )

Sayeba
Sayeba Naushad
Assistant Manager
Updated on Jun 11, 2025 16:54 IST

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.

NIFT Entrance Exam Questions Asked in NIFT CAT Previous Years Papers

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:

Q:   How to take admission at NIFT Delhi?
A:
The National Institute of Fashion Technology Delhi, is one of the top fashion institutes. 1. To get admission to NIFT Delhi, you will need to appear for the NIFT Entrance Exam 2. To apply for NIFT Delhi, you must have completed your 12th grade. 3. Then, you will have to register online for the entrance test on the official website of NIFT Delhi. 4. The NIFT Entrance Exam consists of a General Ability Test. 5. If you want to take admission to NIFT Delhi, then you will have to qualify for the cutoff. 6. Then, you will have to register for NIFT Delhi counseling. 7. Thereafter, you will be allotted NIFT Delhi depending on your rank. 8. As per previous years' trends, you need to be ranked under 100 to get an allotted seat at NIFT Delhi. Similarly, for a master's, you need to be ranked under 25 and have completed graduation.
Q:   How to take admission at NIFT Kangra?
A:

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. 

Q:   How can I get admission to NIFT Gandhinagar?
A:

The college offers UG and PG courses in the Business and Management Studies and Design stream. To get admitted to NIFT Gandhinagar, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set by the college. Students can check the table below to know course-wise eligibility and selection criteria:

Course NameEligibilitySelection Criteria
BDes

Class 12

NIFT + PI + Counselling
MDes

Graduate

NIFT + PI + Counselling
BFTech

Class 12

NIFT + PI + Counselling

MFTech

Graduate

NIFT + PI + Counselling

MFM

Graduate

NIFT + PI + Counselling

NIFT 2026: Test Components and Weightage 

Program

Test

Weightage

BDes

CAT

50%

GAT

30%

Situation Test

20%

MDes

CAT

40%

GAT

30%

GD/PI

30%

BFTech

GAT

100%

MFTech

GAT

70%

GD/PI

30%

MFM

GAT

70%

GD/PI

30%

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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 Predictor

NIFT 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.

Table of content
  • 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
View More

NIFT CAT 2019 Question Paper for BDes

Q:   Can I get direct admission for BDes at NIFT Hyderabad?
A:

No, NIFT Hyderabad don’t take admission directly, for admission in NIFT Hyderabad the candidate should appear for NIFT Exam. The applicants will be shortlisted for the further proceeding of admission on the basis of marks secured in NIFT Exam i.e., CAT and GAT. The application process of NIFT Exam is listed below:

  1. Apply online through official website of the NIFT, fill the required details and submit the application form.
  2. After that the applicant should pay the application fee of INR 3000 and INR 1500 as per the category.
  3. The date and other information will be communicated to the candidates via email.
  4. Download Admit Card, appear for NIFT Exam, and check for results and appear for counselling process and seat allocation for successful candidates.
Q:   Are admissions open in NIFT, Bengaluru?
A:

Yes, admissions are open at NIFT Bangalore. Here is some information about the admission process at NIFT Bangalore:

  • Admissions to UG and PG courses at NIFT Bangalore are based on candidates' performance in the NIFT entrance exam
  • The NIFT entrance exam consists of the General Ability Test (GAT), Creative Ability Test (CAT), Situation Test or Group Discussion, and Personal Interview.
  • Candidates must ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria before applying to NIFT Bangalore.
  • After applying, candidates must participate in the counseling procedure, and admission is granted following the verification of documents and payment of fees.
Q:   How can I join NIFT Hyderabad?
A:

For getting admission in NIFT Hyderabad the candidate should appear for NIFT examination and selection will be held on the basis of NIFT score/rank of the candidate. The eligibility for admission is class 12 and selection will be entrance based. The application process for NIFT is mentioned for your reference-

  • Apply online through official website of the NIFT, fill the required details and submit the application form.
  • After that the applicant should pay the application fee of INR 3000 and INR 1500 as per the category.
  • The date and other information will be communicated to the candidates via email.
  • Download Admit Card, appear for NIFT Exam, and check for results and appear for counselling process and seat allocation for successful candidates.

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 2013 Question 3

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
About the Author
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Sayeba Naushad
Assistant Manager

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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Write here...

Answered 2 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.

88447108
RISHAV Kumar

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 6 days ago

There are no marks required for mfm admission. You have to give the college exam for admission.

A

Adiba Ansari

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

...Read more

S

Surendra Bijarniya

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

Sayeba Naushad

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

Sayeba Naushad

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

Sayeba Naushad

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

Sayeba Naushad

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

Sayeba Naushad

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 AdmissionINR 12.34 lakh1
NIFT Bangalore AdmissionINR 12.34 lakh3
NIFT Hyderabad AdmissionINR 12.34 lakh4
NIFT Gandhinagar AdmissionINR 12.34 lakh6
NIFT Kolkata AdmissionINR 12.34 lakh7
NIFT Patna AdmissionINR 12.34 lakh8
NIFT Bhubaneswar AdmissionINR 9.26 lakh13

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website/ counselling body and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

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

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10