NIFT Entrance Exam MDes, MFM Cut off 2026: Check Category wise Cut off Marks

NIFT cutoff for a participating NIFT is the last rank for which admission is offered in for a particular programme and category. This means, if a candidate fails to score a rank equal to or higher than the cutoff rank, they don't get admission. Typically, a higher ranked institute will invite: More applications Higher ranked candidates This in turn pushes up the cutoff in higher ranked (or popular) institutes. Likewise, a lower-ranked institute will receive comparatively fewer number of applications, and mostly from lower-ranked candidates. This means, cut-off in these institutes are lower making it much easier to get admission.

No, you cannot get into NIFT colleges that you have not listed in your counselling application.

1. The NIFT counseling process is done after the exam to allot colleges to qualified students in participating institutes.
2. Once the NIFT exam results are announced by the NTA,   NIFT will declare its counseling schedule.
3. You will be required to participate in the counseling process at your preferred institute. The university will assign you to a NIFT Institute based on your score, rank and preferences.
4. If you have not listed any college, you will not get a seat allocation in that college even if you meet the qualifying cutoff. 

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.

The cut-off of NIFT for the various academic courses is not fixed. This is because the cut-off depends on variables like seat intake, the performance of applicants in the NIFT exam, total number of applications received for admission, etc. Now these variables may change from year to year. For instance, the number of candidates appearing in NIFT and qualifying the exam may be different across the years. And when that happens, the cut-off also changes. Typically, if the seat intake increases, the cut-off goes down and vice versa. Likewise, if the number of applicants increases, expect a higher cut-off.

NIFT Delhi is frequently ranked among the top design colleges in the country. So, the admission cut-off for the institute is pretty high, especially when compared to the lower ranked colleges. This is because being a higher ranked college, NIFT Delhi receives a higher number of applicants. Another factor is more number of higher ranked candidates want to get admission in the institute, which also pushes up the cut-off. On the other hand, lower ranked colleges are not a priority for the top ranked candidates; meaning a higher number of lower ranked candidates applies to these institutes. This keeps the cut-off low in these institutes.

Yes, you can check NIFT cutoff of previous year to get an idea of seat allotment and counselling. When checking cutoff table, you should check programme and respective category. After checking cut-off and analyzing trends, you need to prepare accordingly.

The Cut off for NIFT Gandhinagar 2025 will be out soon on the official website. The Cut off for NIFT Gandhinagar 2024 can give a fair idea for this year.

The following table shows the NIFT Gandhinagar 2024 Round 1 Cutoff for Fashion Design:

Category	Opening Rank	Closing Rank
OBC	725	1485
Gen-EWS	1105	2770
Open	208	466
Open (PwD)	8824	8824
SC	876	2586
ST	3004	3306

NIFT 2026 cut off list will include opening and closing ranks of candidates for each participating institute and category. Among the various categories for which the cut-off would be released are General, SC, ST, OBC-NCl, Domicile, and PwD categories. The candidate needs to consult the cut-off for their respective categories for the programme they are seeking admission to.

Opening rank is the highest rank for which the seat has been allocated. Closing rank is the minimum rank for which admission is allocated. Only such candidates who secure a rank equal to or higher than the closing rank will get admission.

There are 18 participating institutes of NIFT that offer the B. Des programme. Currently, the B. Des programme offers specializations in the following programs: Fashion Design (FD) Leather Design (LD) Accessory Design (AD) Textile Design (TD) Knitwear Design (KD) Fashion Communication (FC) Note that the National Institute of Fashion Technology will release the NIFT 2023 cut-off for each of these programs. To get admission, it is mandatory for candidates to meet the cut-off criteria in their respective categories.

The Cutoff for B.des Fashion Design at NIFT Bangalore 2025 will be out soon. Meanwhile we can have an idea of the 2025 cutoff from the 2024 Cutoff Round 1 at NIFT Bengaluru :

Category	Opening Rank	Closing Rank
OBC	295	846
Gen-EWS	508	1887
Open	29	234
Open (PwD)	3582	3582
SC	1298	1612
ST	575	2225

The Cut off for NIFT Mumbai 2025 for B.Des in Textile Design will be out soon. In the meanwhile, we can have a look at the Cutoff 2024 to get a rough idea.

The following table presents the Cutoff for Round 1 under All India Quota for NIFT Mumbai 2024:

Category	Opening Rank	Closing Rank
OBC	722	2044
Gen-EWS	581	2653
Open	301	570
Open (PwD)	5654	5654
SC	3522	4385
ST	5076	5499

After the release of the NIFT Stage 1 result, NTA will conduct NIFT stage 2 exam for candidates who have cleared the Stage 1 exam. NIFT Stage 2 will have Situation test and Personal Interview.

The Cutoff for NIFT Mumbai for B.Des in Fashion Design 2025 will be out soon once the Stage 2 Exams are over and the final results are declared. However, we can get a fair idea by looking at the Cut offs for NIFT Mumbai Fashion Design 2024.

The following table presents the Cutoff for Round 1 under All India Quota:

Category	Opening Rank	Closing Rank
OBC	517	870
OBC (PwD)	5828	5828
Gen-EWS	937	1498
Open	3	170
Open (PwD)	3193	3193
SC	816	1275
SC (PwD)	4848	4848
ST	1736	2094

The National Institite of Design (NID) will release the answer sheets of the candidate after the declaration of the FINAL results. Further, the answer sheets will only be available on request, only after the admission process is complete.

The answer sheet is not be issued during the admission process.

To request the answer sheet for the admission cycle 2026 the candidate has to make a payment of INR 1000 online/ per exam. The candidate will also have to furnish the NID DAT 2026 admit card duly signed by the invigilator and seal of the exam center with the request. 

The answer sheet will be sent to the candidate within 15-20 days after receiving the payment.

The National Institute of Design will, however, not release any answer keys for the DAT Prelims exam.

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.

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.

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.

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%

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.

NIFT Delhi is frequently ranked among the top design colleges in the country. So, the admission cut-off for the institute is pretty high, especially when compared to the lower ranked colleges. This is because being a higher ranked college, NIFT Delhi receives a higher number of applicants. Another factor is more number of higher ranked candidates want to get admission in the institute, which also pushes up the cut-off. On the other hand, lower ranked colleges are not a priority for the top ranked candidates; meaning a higher number of lower ranked candidates applies to these institutes. This keeps the cut-off low in these institutes.

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%

The cut-off for NIFT Panchkula is released category and programme-wise. So, candidates seeking admission to a particular programme need to consult the cut-off in their reserved or open category. For the year 2022, the opening CMR of Dom. OBC category for the Fashion communication was 6023; the closing CMR was 6414. The opening CMR for admission to the Fashion Design course was 5182, while the closing CMR was 5298. Meanwhile, for the M.Des programme, both the opening and closing CMR for the Dom. OBC category was 528. Note that CMR stands for common merit rank.

NIFT master's programme is offered in Master of Design (M. Des. ), Master of Fashion Management (M. F. M) and Master of Fashion Technology (M. F. Tech. ). 

The cut-off would be released separately for all these courses. This means, if the candidate meets the cut-off criteria for M. Des but fails to meet the cut-off for M. F. Tech, in that case the candidate will only be eligible for admission to the M. Des programme. So, the candidate needs to check out the cut-off or closing ranks for the programme they are seeking admission to. The cut-off would be determined by considering factors like total applicants, seat intake, merit ranks of the applicants, and also admission category.

Candidates can check NIFT cutoff 2026 online on the official website of the National Institute of Fashion Technology. NIFT cutoff is released as a PDF file containing the opening and closing ranks. The cut-off would be category-specific. So, the candidate needs to check the cut-off for the category they belong to. Also, note that candidates from reserved categories will be considered for admission under general category as well. However, candidates belonging to open category will not be considered for admission under reserved categories.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.