NIFT Entrance Exam MFTech Question Papers, Sample Papers PDF: Download Free

The NIFT 2026 entrance exam is conducted in TWO stages.

1. The NIFT First Stage includes the written exams - Creative Ability Test (CAT) and General Ability Test (GAT).  The GAT is mandatory for all courses; however, only B.Des and M.Des candidates need to take the CAT paper. This section of the NIFT entrance exam is a creative test, conducted to assess a candidate's creativity, imagination, observation, and ability to bring to life an idea. The CAT paper is conducted in an offline mode. Candidates seeking admission to the B.Des and M.Des courses may download the CAT paper below to prepare for the section.
2. The NIFT Second Stage includes the Situation Test/Studio Test and Personal Interview. The candidates who have cleared the NIFTEE- Round 1 will be eligible for the second Round. The material for the Situation Test/ Studio Test will be provided by the NIFT.

The weightage of different stages in the NIFT 2026 selection process is:

• B.Des: CAT (50%), GAT (30%), Situation Test (20%)
• M.Des: CAT (40%), GAT (30%), GD/PI (30%)
• MFM/MFTech: GAT (70%), GD/PI (30%)

Many candidates have this question: " From where can we download NIFT's previous years' question papers with solutions?"  

The question paper/sample paper and its solution are available when the Answer Key is released by the NIFT. Also, the answer keys will be released only for the GAT paper. The candidate can download the NIFT 2026 answer key online at niftadmissions. in.

How to download the NIFT Answer Keys?

1. Go to the NIFT admission portal.
2. Click on the answer key link
3. In the log-in window that opens, enter your roll number, program of study, and date of birth.
4. On log-in, you can download the answer key.

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 CAT 2019 Question Paper for B.Des

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 M.Des

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 a 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 anyone:

• 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

Aspirants should refer to previous years' NIFT question papers to get an insight into the types of questions asked, weightage, topics covered, and difficulty level. NIFT also releases sample papers for the NIFT entrance exam preparation. For effective exam preparation, candidates must solve sample papers along with previous years' NIFT question papers. This will help with NIFT 2026 exam preparation and improve your chances of doing well. The more sample papers you solve, the better you will understand how to attempt the paper. For example, after completing a topic given in the NIFT syllabus, you can start solving problems related to that topic from the sample papers. Typically, one may solve a dozen or so sample papers to prepare for the NIFT 2026 exam. 

Here are some of the advantages of solving NIFT sample papers for exam preparation.

1. Can be used for better understanding of the exam pattern and structure: Through vigorous solving of various types of sample questions, the student will be able to develop problem-solving skills and put their creativity to the test. Also, sample papers will help the candidate get an idea about the types of questions asked, the marking scheme, etc. Note that merely going through the NIFT 2026 exam pattern or syllabus is not enough to understand the dynamics of the exam.
2. Can help improve speed and accuracy: It is not enough to be able to solve a problem, but it is equally important to be able to do it in the given time duration and well. NIFT 2026 sample papers will help the candidate improve their ability to quickly find the correct solutions.
3. Suited for building confidence: If you practice enough sample papers, you are bound to get confident in your ability. This will help you keep a stable head on exam day and tackle each question to the best of your abilities. On the other hand, if you lack practice, you might panic at the slightest sign of trouble!
4. Will help you better understand underlying concepts: Theoretical knowledge has its limitations, as sometimes reality can be a bit different from how it is explained in the books. But if concepts explained in the books are put into practice, you will be better able to connect the dots and understand how different concepts are interlinked.
5. Access your progress: The sample papers will give you a fair idea of where you stand in your preparation. For instance, if you are only able to solve a few questions in the sample paper, it means you need some real improvement. 

• To get the best out of the NIFT sample and question papers, put a timer on. This way, you will be able to track how much time you are taking to solve a problem. Also, sample papers should be made a part of the NIFT 2026 preparation package from the start. This way, you will be able to test your learning and progress from very early on. 
• Another thing is, after you complete solving a sample paper, assess your performance. Like where you performed well, and where you are lacking. This analysis will help you plug holes and thus get better. 
• Also, solve as many sample papers as possible.
• Make sure that you solve different sample papers, and not the same simple paper over and over again.

Also Read:

• Timings for GAT & CAT
• General Knowledge (GK) Questions for NIFT Exam

The candidate has the option to prepare for the NIFT 2026 exam at home, or they may decide to take up coaching. While the second option may look tempting, one can easily get a good score and ranking by preparing for the NIFT 2026 exam at home.

If you are preparing for the exam at home, or in other words, on your own, focus on these few things:

• Carefully go through the exam syllabus and pattern
• Make a study timetable and stick to it, no matter what
• Solve sample papers and previous year's question papers
• Try to complete the entire syllabus, but don't waste prodigious time if you are unable to solve a problem. Either take help or move on to the next topic. If you have time, come back and tackle the problem later
• Work on your drawing and observation skills.
• Be judicious with your time. 

Here are some useful preparation tips shared by Sirigowri Kambalimath, the All India Rank 2 in NIFT 2018.

1. Get creative inspiration from platforms like Pinterest.
2. Practice at home using available materials and try to make something interesting and creative.
3. Get familiar with different types of materials, and learn how to use them.
4. Do a quick read-up on paper folding and origami.
5. Practice as much as you can.
6. Every day, take a common object and list its various uses. 
7. Improve your imagination and observation.

Read More:

• NIFT Situation Test: Past 10 Years Questions
• How to Prepare For NIFT Situation Test?
• NIFT Personal Interview 2026: Key Tips, Important Questions and Topics
• NIFT Situation Test 2026: Sample Questions to practice, Weightage, Preparation Tips
• 10 tips to crack interview for design courses at NID, NIFT