What materials can be used for making the model during NIFT Situation Test?

Candidates will be provided with the items for making the model during the NIFT Situation Test. Materials that students may be provided with are Glaze Papers, Plasticine Clay, Copper Wire, Ivory Sheets, Cardboard, Thermocol (thick And Thin), Kite Papers, Handmade Sheet, Coloured Clay, Cellophane, Fabric, Thread, Ribbon, Straw, Aluminum Foil, etc. The candidate can not use any other items except the ones provided in the exam hall.

What details will be evaluated during the NIFT Situation Test?

NIFT situation test will test candidate on Colour scheme, Space visualization, Construction skill, Finesse of the model, Composition of elements, Overall presentation, Innovative and creative use of given material, etc. Situation Test will be evaluated on the spot. Model made by candidate will not be kept for future reference. Candidate must make sure that their model is unique and stands out from the crowd. After making model, candidate must write about the model- write-up explaining the model.

What happens if an answer key is found to be incorrect in NIFT 2026 answer key?

NIFT answer key is released for the GAT paper and the candidate is also given the option to file objections. Objections have to be filed online through the candidate portal. The candidate had to furnish proper proof supporting their claims. If the challenge filed by the candidate is found to be correct and the answer key is incorrect, the admission committee will delete the key. Also, the correct key (s) are released in the final key. Note that the scores of the candidate will be calculated using the revised key only. The fee paid by the candidate will not be refunded.

Is there any dress code to appear for NIFT Situation Test?

There is no dress code for the NTA NIFT Situation Test. But it is advisable to dress up neatly and smartly. Students should avoid chunky jewellery and flashy logos for the exam.

Do I need to create an applicant account to download NIFT sample papers?

National Institute of Design releases sample papers of NIFT on its admission portal. These sample papers are available for all the UG and PG courses offered by NIFT participating institutes. To download sample papers, candidate simply needs to click on the sample paper they want to download. There is no need to create an applicant account or provide any other applicant details to download the sample papers. However, if the candidate wishes to download sample papers published by coaching institutes, he or she may be required to create an account. Further, the candidate, in most cases, has to pay a fee to use the sample papers.

What is the right time to solve sample papers for the NIFT entrance exam?

It is recommended that the candidate make NIFT sample papers a part of their exam preparation strategy from the very beginning. For one, it will help the candidate evaluate their progress, hone their problem solving skills, and get a taste of the types of questions that will be asked in the entrance exam. Since at the start, most of the NIFT syllabus will be untouched, the candidate may focus on the topic they are preparing at that moment. In addition to the sample papers, the candidate must also keep solving the problem Sets given at the end of the chapter or end of the book. It is also important that the candidate keeps a close tab on the exam pattern and syllabus when solving the sample papers.

How many sample papers do I need to prepare for NIFT?

For NIFT Preparation, candidates need to solve 30-40 sample papers in 6 months. When the exams are very near, one sample paper should be solved daily.

When will NTA release NIFT 2026 Question Paper for Stage 1?

NTA released the NIFT 2026 Question Paper for Stage 1 along with the provisional Answer Key. Candidates were able to download the question paper by logging into NIFT portal.

What details do I need to check on my NIFT admit card?

NIFT Admit card will carry information given below. Name, photograph and signature, NIFT roll number, name and address of NIFT exam centre, Exam timings, Exam date, Exam centre code, Reporting time, Exam-day guidelines. Candidates must carefully check details mentioned in admit card and ensure that they are correct and legible. If there are any discrepancies, candidate must contact exam and get them rectified.

What if candidate is deemed ineligible by the NTA/ NIFT?

In the event of any ineligibility being detected by NIFT /NTA at any stage of the NIFT admission process, the candidature of the candidate will be cancelled. Further, legal action also may be initiated. NTA will not verify the information provided by the candidates during online registration and hence candidature will be purely provisional subject to the fulfillment of eligibility criteria.

Which level of NIFT is the hardest?

NIFT Entrance Exam consists of NIFT Written exam: GAT and CAT. After this, the second stage is NIFT Situation Test and Personal Interview. NIFT CAT is said to be the hardest and most time taking in the first stage. In the second stage, NIFT Situation test is considered to be hard. But all these can be cleared with practice.

What should I do if there are any discrepancies in the NIFT 2026 admit card?

Candidate must check all the details carefully after downloading the NIFT admit card 2026. This includes checking the spelling of your name, date and timings of the exam, name and address of the allotted exam centre, etc. In case there are any discrepancies, like your name's spelling is wrong , you must contact exam officials immediately. NIFT officials in most cases also issues a helpline for students to tackle such cases. You can call NIFT officials at this number or email them to get things sorted. Given the sensitivity of the matter, it is important that you don't wait for until too late to get the admit card issue resolved.

What is the weightage for preparing NIFT results?

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%

What are the parameters that will be tested during NIFT 2026 Personal Interview (PI)?

PG candidates will be evaluated on the various parameters as listed below by a panel, in the Personal Interview: Career orientation Aptness for the course Overall personal achievements in academics and co-curricular activities Communication General awareness, aptitude, creative and lateral thinking Candidates will be shortlisted for the PI based on their performance in the written exam - GAT (and CAT in case of M.Des program). Please note that NIFT reserves the right to modify the entrance examination scheme. This includes non-conduct of any stage (s) due to unforeseen circumstances.

When and where will officials verify original documents for NIFT admission?

The information provided by the candidate when filling out the NIFT 2026 application form are verified by NIFT officials before any candidate is considered for admission in the first week of June. The verification of original documents is conducted online. Note that at the time of counseling registration, the candidate is required to upload documents. Also, if the certificates are in any other language than Hindi/ English, then a certified translation in Hindi/ English produced duly verified by the issuing institution/ gazetted officer. If the candidate fails to produce the translation, the candidate may be denied admission.

Will NTA alter information entered by the candidate in NIFT application form?

The NTA will not edit/ modify/ alter any information entered by the candidate under any circumstances. It will also not entertain requests for change in information. So, you must exercise utmost caution when filling up the form. Request for corrections made by any candidates through Post/Fax/ WhatsApp/ Email/ by hand will not be entertained by NTA.

What is the expected cutoff for NIFT 2026 for B.Des?

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

What are the important topics for NIFT Situation Test 2026?

Some of the important topics for NIFT Situation Test are: Momentoes Badges product Design Set Design Book Cover/Diaries Window Display: For Shoes, Clothes, etc. Accessories Character Design

When is NIFT 2026 Final Result be released?

NIFT 2026 Final Result for UG and PG programmes was released on June 03, 2026.

What is the material list for NIFT Situation Test 2026?

The material kit of NIFT Situation Test 2026 can include the following: Corrugated sheets: 2 Cardboard: 1 OHP Sheets: 1 Translucents Sheet: 1 Coloured sheets: 4 Ice cream sticks: 8-10 Toothpicks: 6-7 All pinks Jute Thread: 2m Needle Balloon Clay: 2 colors Chopsticks: 2 Quilling strips Paper plate: 2 Bubble wrap: 1 Muslin Cloth piece Butter paper Newspaper Rubber band

Is 40 a good score for NIFT 2026 B.Des?

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.

Can I challenge the final NIFT 2026 answer key?

NTA released the FINAL answer key of NIFT 2026 on March 23, 2026. Final key is released after considering complaints filed by candidates against the provisional key. No further objections against the final key are entertained. This means the keys given in the final key is considered correct keys to all the questions asked in the NIFT exam. The candidate can use the keys given in the final answer key to precisely calculate their expected scores.

Will NTA release the carbon copy of the OMR answer sheet for NIFT 2026?

Yes, the NTA will upload the carbon copy of the OMR answer sheet along with the answer key. The candidate could download their OMR sheets by logging into the portal using their candidate log-in details. The carbon copy of the OMR answer sheet as the name indicates is a record of the candidates responses in the entrance exam. The OMR sheet can be used by the candidate in conjunction with the GAT answer key to check the status of the answers (correct or incorrect). Next the candidate can use the official marking scheme to calculate probable score.

When will NTA release NIFT 2026 Provisional Answer Key?

NTA released the NIFT 2026 Provisional Answer Key on February 17, 2026. The objection window was open from February 17, 2026 to February 19, 2026. Last year, the Answer Key was released on February 15, 2025. The answer key is released on the NTA NIFT Website.

What is the expected cutoff for NIFT 2026 M.Des?

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

Can I appear in Situation Test/PI if I don't qualify the NIFT 2026 written exams?

Candidates will be shortlisted for NIFT 2026 Studio Test/ Interview based on performance in NIFTEE Stage 1. NIFT 2026 written exams comprise the GAT and CAT exams. If the candidate fails to be included in the shortlist, he or she is not eligible to appear in the Situation Test/ Interview.

What are the B.Des programs offered through NIFT 2026 exam?

The NIFTs offers the following specializations for B.Des: Fashion Design Leather Design Accessory Design Textile Design Knitwear Design Fashion Communication.

Will my candidature for NIFT 2026 be cancelled if I select the wrong admission category?

The candidate has to select their admission category at the time of filling out the NIFT 2026 application form. The candidate must make sure that they have the requisite valid and verificable certificate supporting their category. Note that the category selected by a candidate at the time of submitting the application form will be considered as final. If a candidate selects a reserved category i.e. SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/EWS/PWD but fails to submitted a valid Category Certificate, he or she will be considered for open category seats provided any benefit of relaxed age or income or cut offs has not been availed by the candidate at any stage of the Admission Process. If any benefit has been availed, the candidate’s application will be rejected. Also, if a reserve category candidate is considered for open category, then he/she will have to pay the difference in amount of application fee as applicable for open category.

When and where will officials verify original documents for NIFT 2026 admission?

The information provided by the candidate when filling out the NIFT 2026 application form will be verified by NIFT officials before any candidate is considered for admission. The verification of original documents will be conducted at the campus when the candidate reports for the alloted regular programme. When reporting for verification, along with the original documents, the candidate must also bring with them self-attested photocopies. Also, if the certificates are in any other language than Hindi/ English, then a certified translation in Hindi/ English produced duly verified by the issuing institution/ gazetted officer. If the candidate fails to produce the translation, the candidate may be denied admission.

Will there be an option to edit the NIFT application form?

Candidates were given the option to edit the NIFT 2026 application form for a limited time period. Using NIFT application edit option, candidate will be able to edit or correct some of the information in registration form. Some of the details the candidate can edit include name, date of birth, category, state domicile, etc. However, the candidate is not allowed to edit the exam city. The schedule for the application correction will be notified by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) at its admission portal - niftadmissions.in.

What are the documents needed and prescribed format to apply for NIFT 2026?

When filling NIFT 2026 application form, you will have to upload your Live photo, photograph and signature. Check out details given below. Photograph - Upload only a recent scanned passport size color photograph. Accepted file size should be no more than 100KB. The accepted format is jpeg only. Signature - Scanned signature should be in Blue/Black ink on white background.

Which is more difficult, NIFT or NID DAT?

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.

Is the NIFT cut-off fixed?

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.

Is the NIFT cut-off higher for top institutes such as NIFT Delhi?

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.

How to calculate NIFT Score using the NIFT 2026 Answer Key?

Candidates can use NIFT Answer Key to calculate their score in the NIFT entrance exam. NTA will release the NIFT Question Paper and Answer Key. Candidates can count the number of correct answers based on the marking scheme.

What are the key points candidates need to remember regarding the NIFT 2026 answer key?

Candidates must remember the following points for NIFT. Answer key will only be released for the GAT paper No answer keys will be released for the CAT paper Answer key has to be downloaded online from the NID admission portal Candidate will be given the option to challenge the NIFT answer key To make a challenge, the candidate will have to pay INR 500 per challenge. The final answer key will be released after considering all challenges filed by candidates.

NIFT Entrance Exam MDes, MFM 2026: Exam Dates, Application Form, Eligibility, Syllabus, Results

NIFT Round 3: Willingness Submission and Admission Fee

15 Jul '26 - 17 Jul '26

Updated on Jul 13, 2026 13:53 IST

By Sayeba Naushad, Assistant Manager

NIFT has started the e-Counselling for NIFT UG and PG candidates at nift.admissions.nic.in. NIFT Counseling Round 3 is underway. Any candidate who does not fill the choices for NIFT Course and Campus will not be considered for Seat Allocation for regular Seat Allocation Rounds.

Latest Updates:

NIFT Round 3 Seat allotment will be on July 15, 2026.
Willingness Submission and Admission Fee Payment can be done till July 17, 2026.
Withdrawal can be done from July 15, 2026 to July 17, 2026.
NIFT Seat Allotment result for Round 2 has been released.

NIFT 2026 e-Counselling Guide

Download NIFT 2026 guidelines for Seat Allocation PDF along with schedule for e-Counselling for UG & PG Programmes.

🏫 College Predictor

📃 Admission Guide PDF

Table of contents

What is NIFT Entrance Exam?
NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 Exam Dates
NIFT Entrance Exam Counselling 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Cut-off 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Result 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Question Papers 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Answer Key 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Analysis 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam Admit Card 2026
NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Preparation
NIFT Entrance Exam Eligibility & Application Form
NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 - FAQs

What is NIFT Entrance Exam?

NIFT is a national-level design entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency. NIFTEE Stage 1 exam includes written exams comprising the NIFT GAT (General Ability Test) and NIFT CAT (Creative Ability Test). The GAT paper is mandatory for all programs, while only B.Des and M.Des candidates need to take the CAT.

NIFT Stage 2 includes Situation Test and Interview. Shortlisted UG candidates have to appear in the NIFT Situation Test, whereas PG candidates need to appear in a Personal Interview. Admission to the B.F.Tech program will be based on GAT scores.

Highlights of NIFT Entrance Exam 2026

The important points related to the NIFT 2026 exam are in the table below.

Particulars	Description
Frequency of exam	Once every year
Number of Attempts	There is no limit on the number of attempts. However, the age limit applies to the UG programs.
Mode of exam	NIFT Stage 1: NIFT GAT: Online in CBT Mode and NIFT CAT: Offline in PBT Mode NIFT Stage 2: Situation Test and PI: Offline.
Courses offered	B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, M.F.M, M.F.Tech
No. of Applicants	40,247
Language of the exam	English and Hindi
Participating NIFTs	20

Also Read:

NIFT Statistics 2026

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 Exam Dates

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 exam

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
15 Jul ' 26 - 17 Jul ' 26	NIFT Round 3: Willingness Submission and Admission Fee ONGOING

Dates	Past Exam Dates
15 Jul ' 26	NIFT Round 3: Seat Allotment
11 Jul ' 26	NIFT Round 3: Document Verification (who have made the corrections)
11 Jul ' 26	NIFT Round 3: Correction in Application Form
View More Past Events (19)

NIFT Entrance Exam Counselling 2026

DeskCalendar Counselling: 15 Jul ' 26 - 17 Jul ' 26

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) started the counselling for NIFT 2026. NIFT 2026 has three seat allotment rounds and one Spot Counselling round. Candidates who have secured a valid Common Merit Rank (CMR) in the final result were asked to register on the official NIFT counselling portal. Counselling process for NIFT 2026 is being conducted in a centralized manner for admission to the 20 NIFT colleges. Shortlisted candidates have to register for counselling and fill in and lock in their choices. The choices entered by the candidate must be in order of priority.

Check out the steps for Counselling.

Register for NIFT counselling at the official website of the institute
Pay the registration fee (non-refundable)
Fill in the choices of academic programs and campuses
Candidates who have been allocated seats will have to pay the seat-acceptance fees.
All the documents submitted by the candidate and the fee paid will be verified by the admission cell.
Allotment letters will be sent to selected candidates via email.

Check NIFT Counselling Guidelines for detailed information

NIFT_Guidelines_for_Seat_Allocation_2026

Also Read:

NIFT vs Other Design Colleges: Which one is right for you?

NIFT Entrance Exam Cut-off 2026

The National Institute of Fashion Technology will release the cut-off marks for NIFT 2026 written tests at the time of the declaration of results. The cut-off will be category-specific and indicate the minimum marks (or rank) the candidate needs to secure for admission. The candidate thus needs to log in to the result portal to check their qualifying status.

NIFT 2026 Expected Cut-off for Categories

Category	Expected Cutoff for B.Des	Expected Cutoff M.Des
Open	30-80	26-70
EWS	26-29	22
OBC	26-29	22
SC	22	16
ST	19	16-18

Also Read:

NIFT Marks vs Rank: What Your Score Means, How to Calculate Score and Expected NIFT Ranks 2026

NIFT Entrance Exam Result 2026

NIFT declared the final result for NIFT on June 03, 2026. The final result was prepared by giving weightage to CAT, GAT, and Situation Test/ Personal Interview. The scorecard of the NIFT 2026 included information like sections and overall scores and qualifying status. To check your NIFT 2026 results, follow these steps.

Go to the NTA-NIFT website
Click on the NIFTEE Final 2026 result link
In the log-in window that opens, enter your application number and password
On log-in, the result of NTA NIFT 2026 Final Result will be displayed on the screen
Download and take a printout of the result

Also read:

NIFT Entrance Exam Question Papers 2026

Candidates can download the official NIFT question paper PDF below:

NIFT Question Paper	PDF
NIFT 2025 B.Des Question Paper PDF	Download Here
NIFT 2024 B.Des Question Paper PDF	Download Here
NIFT 2018 Situation Test Question Paper	Download Here
NIFT 2017 Situation Test Question Paper	Download Here
NIFT 2016 Situation Test Question Paper	Download Here

Also Read:

NIFTEE Question Papers (Stage 1 & 2)

NIFT Entrance Exam Answer Key 2026

NTA released the NIFT Final Answer Key for GAT on March 23, 2026. It could be downloaded directly from the NIFT website without a login ID or password. No Answer Key was released for CAT. Draft Answer Key was released on February 17, 2026. Candidates could raise objections against the answer key with the help of the response sheet by paying INR 200 per question.

The step-wise process to download the answer key is given below.

Go to the NTA NIFT admission portal: exams.nta.ac.in/NIFT/
Click on the answer key download link
In the log-in window that opens, enter your Roll Number, Program Name, Question Booklet No., and DOB
On successful login, you can download the answer key.

NIFT Entrance Exam Analysis 2026

NIFT Exam was of moderate to difficult for most of candidates. English was also easier than in previous years. Most of the questions in English were from grammar and synonyms. Overall, all candidates found the NIFT GAT 2026 paper to be moderate.

The NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 Analysis is given below.

NIFT GAT Sections	Difficulty Level	Topics
Reasoning	Easy to moderate	Order, Ranking, Venn diagram, Direction, Series
Quantitative Analytics	Easy to moderate	Average, Percentage, Pie chart, Time speed, Ration and proportion, Simple interest, Age, pipe based questions and Permutation and Combination
Communication Ability & English Comprehension	Easy to moderate	Synonyms, Vocabulary, Idioms and phrases, rearrange sentences, grammar, complete the paragraph
GK	Easy to moderate	Current Affairs on brands, logos and architecture

Also Read:

NIFT 2026 Exam Analysis: Section-wise Question Difficulty Level, Student Reviews & Expected Trends

NIFT Entrance Exam Admit Card 2026

NTA released NIFT Admit Card for Stage 2 on April 22, 2026.

NIFT 2026 admit card for Stage 1 was released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on February 04, 2026.

Admit card for NIFT 2026 can be downloaded by.

Click on hall ticket link on the NTA NIFT website.
Enter the following credentials
- application number
- password
- security pin
On a successful login, the admit card will be displayed on the screen.
Download and save the NIFT admit card.

Best Strategy to Crack Design Aptitude Test

Learn how to prepare for Design Aptitude Test (DAT) with weekly study plan, exam strategy, key topics and expert tips by Shiksha.com

📃 DAT Preparation Guide PDF

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Preparation

NTA sets NIFT exam pattern. As per the paper pattern, questions and marks are distributed across the exam. Check NIFT 2026 exam pattern below:

Program	B.Des	M.Des
Paper	GAT	GAT
Mode of exam	Computer-based exam	Computer-based exam
Language	English/ Hindi	English/ Hindi
Test Duration	120 minutes	120 minutes
Sections	Number of Questions	Number of Questions
Communication Ability	40	30
English Comprehension	40	30
Quantitative Ability	20	20
Analytical Ability	15	25
General Knowledge and Current Affairs	25	15
TOTAL	100	120

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Design Awareness Test

Check Design Awareness Topics here for Design Entrance Exam.

✓ Important DAT Chapters
✓ Practice Design Awareness Topics

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NIFT Syllabus 2026

Check out some of the important topics for NIFT Syllabus.

Course-Wise NIFT Tests	NIFT Syllabus
B.Des program
CAT	Design Theory, Colour Terminology, Elements & Principles Of Design, Optical Illusion, Form & Function, Drawing Fundamentals, etc.
GAT	4 subjects – Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability & English Comprehension, Analytical & Logical Ability, General Knowledge & Current Affairs
Situation Test	Material handling test to evaluate candidates’ Conceptualisation Skills, Aesthetic Appeal, Colour Scheme, etc.
B.F.Tech program
GAT	5 subjects – Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability & English Comprehension, Analytical & Logical Ability, General Knowledge & Current Affairs, Case Study
M.Des program
CAT	Design questions to test Design Ability, Intuitive Ability, Observation Skills, Concept Development Skills, Illustration Skills
GAT	5 subjects – Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Analytical & Logical Ability, General Knowledge & Current Affairs
GD/PI	15 to 20 minutes discussion on an assigned case study followed by interview
M.F.Tech program
GAT	5 subjects – Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability & English Comprehension, Analytical & Logical Ability, General Knowledge & Current Affairs, Case Study
GD/PI	15 to 20 minutes discussion on an assigned case study followed by interview
M.F.M program
GAT	5 subjects – Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability & English Comprehension, Analytical & Logical Ability, General Knowledge & Current Affairs, Case Study
GD/PI	15 to 20 minutes discussion on an assigned case study, followed by an interview

NIFT Preparation 2026

For NIFT GAT: Get familiar with the NIFT 2026 syllabus and exam pattern. Prepare topics like design awareness, Design thinking, color theory. Also, solve basic maths questions and prepare for static GK and current affairs.
For NIFT CAT: Practice imaginative sketching, Geometrical Shapes, Concept Development, human figures, etc.
For NIFT Situation Test: candidates must practice with all the possible materials that come in the NIFT Situation Test. They should practice with the material given in the NIFT Common Material List. Some of the common items are cardboard, wire, clay, thermocol, fabric, straw, ice cream sticks and paper. Learn techniques like origami (folding), kirigami (cutting), etc.

NIFT Entrance Exam Eligibility & Application Form

The eligibility criteria for NIFT B.Des is given below.

NIFT UG Eligibility Criteria

Age

The candidate should be less than 24 years as of 1st August of the admission year.

Relaxation: 5-year relaxation in the upper age limit for SC, ST, and PwD candidates.

Academic Eligibility

Candidate should have passed the plus 2 level examination in the 10+2 pattern of examination from any recognized Central/State Board of Secondary Examination, such as the Central Board of Secondary Education/State Board New Delhi/Council for Indian School Certificate Examination, New Delhi. Or
A pass grade in the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Open School with a minimum of five subjects. OR
3 or 4 years diploma recognized by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education after secondary examination/10th standard. OR
Any Public School/Board/University Examination in India or in foreign countries recognized by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to the 10+2 system. OR
General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level/International Baccalaureate (IB).

Also Read: NIFT eligibility

NIFT Application 2026

The application form for NIFT 2026 is closed now. The candidate can select their program of study when filling out the form. NIFT Application was open from December 08, 2025. The NIFT application form is closed now. To fill out the form, follow these steps.

Go to the NIFT admission portal and click on the "NIFT Registration" link.
A registration form will open. Enter your name, email ID, phone number, and other relevant details.
On registration, an applicant account will be created.
Log in to fill out the rest of the form and select an exam center.
Upload documents.
Finally, pay the application fee to complete the process.

NIFT 2026 Application Form Fees

Category	Application Fee (in ₹)
Open / Open-EWS/OBC(NCL)* (for either B.Des. or B.F. Tech. or MFM or M. Des. or M.F.Tech. or Ph.D.)	₹ 2000
SC / ST / PwD (for either B. Des. or B.F. Tech. or MFM or M. Des. or M.F.Tech. Ph.D.))	₹ 500
Open/Open-EWS/OBC (NCL) applying for two programmes i.e., B.F.Tech. and B.Des. or M.F.M. and M.Des.	₹ 3000
SC / ST / PwD applying for two programmes i.e., B.F. Tech. and B. Des. or MFM and M. Des.	₹ 750
NRI/Foreign National/OCI/PIO/SAARC (for UG / PG Programmes)	₹ 11100

Also Read:

How to fill NIFT Application Form 2026- Step-wise Process, Documents Required, Size & Format

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 - FAQs

To learn more about NIFT 2026, go through the FAQs given below.

Q: Can I appear in Situation Test/PI if I don't qualify the NIFT written exams?

The Situation Test/ Personal Interview (PI) are the 2nd stage of the NIFT 2026 entrance exam. Candidates were shortlisted for the Situation Test/ PI based on the NIFT 2026 written exam scores.

Note that if the candidate fails to qualify for the 2nd stage, he or she is not considered for admission to various design courses offered by the NIFTs.

The only exception is B.F.Tech program, where the merit list for admission will be prepared solely on the basis of GAT scores.

In the case of other courses, the merit list will be prepared by giving weightage to the written exams and Situation Test/ PI.

Q: When do I need to start my preparation for NIFT 2026 exam?

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.

Q: Can I challenge the NIFT 2026 answer key?

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.

Q: Will NTA share information entered by candidates during NIFT application submission with 3rd party?

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.

Q: What is NIFT lateral entry admission (NLEA) scheme?

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.

Q: How will NTA communicate important information about NIFT exam?

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.

Q: At what time do I need to report for the NIFT 2026 written exam?

The GAT paper for all the B.Des and M.Des courses was conducted from 9 am - 11 am. Meanwhile, the GAT written exam for B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M. courses were conducted from 9 am - 12 noon.

Q: Who can apply for NIFT 2026 under Persons with Disability (PwD) category?

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.

Q: When will NIFT cutoff be released?

The National Instituite of Fashion Technology will release the NIFT 2026 at the time of seat allotment and counseling.

The cut-offs will be available institute and category-wise for all the program at nift.admissions.nic.in.

The cut-offs will be prepared by considering factors like the seat intake, the merit rank of candidates, admission category, etc. Note that if the seat intake is increase the cut-off would likely go down and vice versa.

The cut-offs are available for the following titles:

Opening and Closing Rank Details for NIFT UG Counselling 2026
Opening and Closing Rank Details for NIFT UG (Lateral Entry) Counselling 2026
Opening and Closing Rank Details for NIFT PG Counselling 2026

To download the cut-offs, visit: https://nift.admissions.nic.in/or-cr/

Q: What is good score for NIFT 2026 B.F.Tech?

Good score for B.F.Tech is 95+ for General, 80 for OBC, 60 for SC/ST.

Q: What are NIFT Score accepting colleges other than participating colleges?

There are 20 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.

Q: How can I raise objections against NIFT answer key?

The NIFT answer key objection window will close once the draft key is released. To submit objections, you have to:

Go to the NTA NIFT admission portal
Click on the objection submission link
A log-in window will open
Log in using candidate credentials

Once you log in, you can access the objection form
Enter you roll number, date of birth, program, and question booklet series
Select the answer key you want to challengeSelect the Question number
Attach the supporting documents and describe your observation in concise and clear terms
Make the payment of INR 200 per objection (note, the fee is non-refundable)

Once you are done, submit the application.

Q: Can I submit objections against NIFT 2026 final key?

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.