NIFT Entrance Exam BFTech Colleges 2026: Admissions, Fees, Ranking, Placements

Joining a coaching for NIFT preparation is not really needed. Coaching is for those who want to learn how to draw things. But, if someone has this talent, which most students passionate about sketching and painting do possess, there is no need for coaching. One can prepare through self-study. For your understanding, I would like to give an example. In coaching, students are made to learn how to draw the 3D image by various techniques using measuring instruments but one who is natural at art can imagine what 3D image would look like if it has to be drawn on a paper and would draw the same. In both cases, the outcome is the same. Regarding theory, that is, GAT, if you are confident to solve Maths, History, Geography, General science up till class 10th level, then there is definitely no need for coaching. Though the level of English is a bit high you can improve it yourself.

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.

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

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.

There are 19 NIFT colleges that offer admission for 2026 academic session. The list below gives the names of all NIFT Institutes in India.

S.No	NIFT Campus
1	NIFT New Delhi
2	NIFT Chennai
3	NIFT Gandhinagar
4	NIFT Hyderabad
5	NIFT Kolkata
6	NIFT Mumbai
7	NIFT Bengaluru
8	NIFT Raebareli
9	NIFT Bhopal
10	NIFT Kannur
11	NIFT Shillong
12	NIFT Patna
13	NIFT Kangra
14	NIFT Bhubaneswar
15	NIFT Jodhpur
16	NIFT Srinagar
17	NIFT Panchkula
18	NIFT Daman
19	NIFT Varanasi

The B. Des programme has an intake capacity of 2,884 seats for All-India candidates.

In addition, there are 300 state-domicile.

Admission to the B. Des programme at NIFTs will be based on performance of the candidate in GAT CAT and Situation Test. Candidates are shortlisted for the Situation Test based on their performance in the written exams. The B. Des programme offers specialisation in Fashion Design (FD), Leather Design (LD), Accessory Design (AD), Textile Design (TD), Knitwear Design (KD), and Fashion Communication (FC). The candidate will be able to select their programme of study at the time of counseling and seat allotment.

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.

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

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

You will not be offered any direct admission to NIFT Delhi even if you are a class 12th topper. Candidates must fill the NIFT Entrance Application and appear for the exam. If they clear the cutoff, admission is offered.

NIFT and NID are equally tough. NIFT has two stages: NIFT Written exam and NIFT Situation Test and Personal Interview, whereas NID DAT also has two stages: NID DAT Prelims and NID Mains, which include Studio test and Personal Interview. 

Candidate who is preparing for NIFT can give NID DAT entrance exam with the same preparation. Practice and consistency in required for both exams.

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.

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): 

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.

Candidates will be able to check the cutoff for NIFT Delhi on the website of NIFT: nift.admissions.nic.in. The opening and closing rank of all the programmes is given on this page. This year, NIFT 2026 cutoff is expected to be on the lower side.