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

Q: 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.

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

There is no fixed number of sample papers that the candidate needs to solve for the NIFT exam. That being said, the candidate must solve as many sample papers as possible to improve their problem-solving and time-management skills. To get the most out of the sample papers, it is recommended that the candidate start solving sample papers as early as possible. For instance, the candidate may solve sample questions after completing a chapter. Along with solving the sample papers, it is also important for the candidate to analyze their performance. This exercise will help the candidate identify weak areas or pain points and fix them.

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

The National Institute of Design releases the official sample papers of NIFT on its admission portal. These sample papers are available for all the UG and PG courses offered by the NIFT participating institutes. To download the sample papers, the 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 have to pay a fee to use the sample papers.

Q: What is the exam pattern for the NIFT CAT paper?

Candidates seeking admission to the B. Des and M.Des course also need to take the Creative Ability Test CAT written exam, in addition to the GAT. The CAT exam will be conducted in an offline, pen-pencil mode. CAT will be a drawing-based exam of 3 hours duration. The CAT will evaluate various skills of the candidate including Intuition skill, power of observation, innovation in the development of a concept as well as design ability. Further, it will examine the creative as well as innovative use of color and illustration skills of aspirants. It is mandatory for B. Des and M.Des candidates to appear in the CAT paper, or else they will not be invited for the Situation Test.

Q: How many questions are asked in NIFT GAT?

The exam pattern for NIFT GAT varies from one course to another. The total number of questions asked in NIFT GAT is mentioned below: BDes: 100 questions, BFTech: 150 questions, MDes: 120 questions, MFTech: 150 questions, MFM: 150 questions. Note that the GAT or the General Ability Test will be conducted in a computer-based mode. Questions will be objective-type. The GAT paper for the B. Des and M.Des programs will be of 120 minutes. However, the GAT paper for the B.FTech, M.FTech, and MFM courses will be for 180 minutes.

Q: What is NIFT exam pattern for the B.FTech program?

The participating institutes of NIFTs offer a 4-year B.FTech programme. Admission to the programme is based on GAT scores. The NIFT GAT question paper for the programme will be approximately 180 minutes and will be bilingual. Candidates will have the option to take the exam either in English or Hindi. The question type will be multiple-choice. The question paper will have a total of 150 questions. Questions will be asked from the following FIVE sections - Communication Ability and Comprehension, Case Study, Quantitative Ability, Analytical & Logical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. The mode of NIFT exam for the GAT paper will be a computer-based test (or CBT).

Q: 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 2025 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.

Q: What should I do if there are any discrepancies in the NIFT 2025 admit card?

The candidate must check all the details carefully after downloading the NIFT admit card 2025. This includes checking the spelling of your name, the date and timings of the exam, name and address of the allotted exam centre, etc. In case there are any discrepancies, like your name is wrongly spelled, 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.

Q: What details do I need to check on my NIFT 2025 admit card?

The admit card of NIFT 2025 will carry the following information: The name, photography and signature of the candidate NIFT 2025 roll number The name and address of the NIFT 2024 exam centre Exam timings, including exam date Exam centre code Reporting time Exam-day guidelines The candidate must carefully check the details mentioned in the admin card and ensure that they are correct and legible. If there are any discrepancies, the candidate must contact exam officials and get them rectified.

Q: When and where will officials verify original documents for NIFT 2024 admission?

The information provided by the candidate when filling out the NIFT 2024 application form are verified by NIFT officials before any candidate is considered for admission from June 5-12 (6 pm). 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.

629 Students Q&A

This exam is conducted for courses given below:

B.Des BFTech MDes, MFM MFTech

Updated on Sep 23, 2025 14:25 IST

By Sayeba Naushad, Assistant Manager

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026: National Institute of Design Entrance Exam 2026 is tentatively scheduled to be held in the second week of February 2026 for UG and PG programmes. Candidates seeking admission to Design undergraduate and postgraduate programs, like B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.M, M.F.Tech and M.Des at NIFT must apply and appear for the NIFT Entrance Exam 2026.

NIFT 2026 Application form will be available on the official website of NTA NIFT and NIFT. NIFT is expected to open the NIFT 2026 Registration in the last week of November 2025. The application fees will be around INR 3,000. Students who have passed Class 12th and have a maximum age of less than 24 years are eligible to apply for the B.Des Programme, and for M.Des, candidates must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university. Interested candidates must fill out the online application form and pay the registration fee.

Read on for detailed information.

Table of content

What is NIFT Entrance Exam?
NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 Exam Dates
NIFT Application Form 2026
NIFT Counselling 2026
NIFT Cut-off 2026
NIFT Result 2026
NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026
NIFT Answer Key 2026
NIFT Admit Card 2026
NIFT Sample Papers 2026
NIFT Syllabus 2026
NIFT Exam Pattern 2026
NIFT 2026 - Exam Preparation Tips
NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 - FAQs

What is NIFT Entrance Exam?

NIFT is a national-level design entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). The NIFTEE exam includes written exams comprising the GAT (General Ability Test) and 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. Situation Test/ Personal Interview is for B.Des candidates. Shortlisted candidates have to appear in the 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.

NIFT Test for UG programmes

NIFT UG comprises B.Des and B.F. Tech:

Programme	GAT	CAT	Situation Test
B.Des	Yes	Yes	Yes
B.F.Tech	Yes	No	No
B.F.Tech candidates opting for B.Des	Yes	Yes	Yes

NIFT Test for PG programmes

NIFT PG comprises M.F.M, M.Des and M.F.Tech:

Programme	GAT	CAT	Personal Interview
M.F.M	Yes	No	Yes
M.Des	Yes	Yes	Yes
M.F.M candidates opting for M.Des	Yes	Yes	Yes
M.F.Tech	Yes	No	Yes

The final score of NIFT 2026 for the other programs will be prepared by giving weightage to the written exams and Situation Test/ Personal Interview. The scores or merit rank of NIFT will be considered for admission to design courses offered by the NIFT participating institutes. Currently, there are 19 participating institutes. The institutes offer the following courses - B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M. Admission to these courses will be based on NIFT merit rank.

National Institute of Fashion Technology also allows candidates the option of direct admission to the 3rd semester of a UG program. Interested candidates may apply for NIFT Lateral Entry Admission 2026.

Highlights of NIFT Entrance Exam 2026

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

Particulars	Description
Exam Name	NIFT Entrance Exam
Conducting Body (Stage 1)	The National Testing Agency (NTA)
Conducting Body: Situation Test/ PI + Counseling (Stage 2)	The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
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	The NIFT exam has two papers: GAT and CAT. The GAT will be an online, computer-based exam. CAT will be conducted offline. Situation Test and PI are conducted offline.
Courses offered	B.Des, M.Des, M.F.M, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech
Application fee (Expected)	INR 3,000 for Open/OBC(Non-Creamy Layer)/Open EWS; INR 1500 for SC/ST/PwD Category
Mode of application	Online
NIFT 2026 application form	Last week of November 2025 to first week of January 2026
Release of exam Notification	Last week of November 2025
Exam Date	Second week of February 2026 (Tentative)
Result Date	Last week of April 2026 (Stage 1) Last week of June 2026 (Stage 2)
Participating NIFTs	19
Important Resources	Best books to prepare for NIFT 2026 Sample papers for NIFT
Admission to PG Courses	NIFTs offer M.Des, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M courses.

Also Read:

NIFT Lateral Entry Admission 2026

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is the eligibility criteria for NIFT 2025?

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

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

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
Nov ' 25 - Jan ' 26	NIFT 2026 application form OPEN (Regular fees) TENTATIVE
Jan ' 26	NIFT 2026 application form (Late fees) TENTATIVE
Jan ' 26	NIFT 2026 application form Edit Window TENTATIVE
Feb ' 26	NIFT 2026 Issue of Admit Cards TENTATIVE
Feb ' 26	NIFT 2026 (Stage 1: Written Exam) TENTATIVE
May ' 26 - Jun ' 26	NIFT Stage 2: M.Des and M.F.M Interview TENTATIVE
Jun ' 26	NIFT Stage 2 Admit Card TENTATIVE
View more Future Events (4)

NIFT Application Form 2026

DeskCalendar Registration: Nov ' 25 - Jan ' 26

The application form for NIFT 2026 is expected to be out in the last week of November 2025. The application is common for the NIFT B.Des, NIFT M.Des, and NIFT B.F.Tech, NIFT M.F.Tech, and NIFT M.F.M courses. The candidate can select their program of study when filling out the form.

NIFT Application will be open till the first week of January 2026. Applications can also be filled with the late fees, which are around INR. 5,000. The application with late fees opens in the first week of January 2026.

How to apply for NIFT 2026?

The NIFT application form is open online. To fill out the form, follow these steps.

Go to the NIFT admission portal and click on the "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.

The NIFT 2026 application fee for the OPEN category is approximately INR 3,000. However, SC, ST, and PwD candidates will have to pay around INR 1,500.

NIFT 2026 Application Form - Document Checklist

The candidate must upload their signature and photograph in the prescribed format when applying for NIFT 2026.

Document	Description
Photograph	Upload a recent, scanned passport-size color photograph File size - 100KB (maximum). Format - jpeg only
Signature	The scanned signature should be in Blue/Black ink on a white background. File size - 100KB (maximum). Format - jpeg only

NIFT 2026 Application Form Correction Window

The correction window will open in the second week of January 2026. Using the NIFT 2026 application correction window, the candidate can make corrections to all the particulars in the form except for the mobile number and email ID. Once the correction window closes, no further modifications to the application form will be allowed.

Commonly asked questions

Q: What are the documents needed and prescribed format to apply for NIFT 2025?

Q: Will there be an option to edit the NIFT 2025 application form?

Q: Will my candidature for NIFT 2025 be cancelled if I select the wrong admission category?

NIFT Counselling 2026

DeskCalendar Counselling: Jun ' 26 - Jul ' 26

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will start counselling for NIFT 2026 after the declaration of the NIFTEE 2026 Final results. NIFT 2026 is expected to have three seat allotment rounds and one Spot Counselling round. Seat allocation and e-counselling for Undergraduate and Postgraduate admissions for 2026 will be announced by NIFT in the last week of June 2026. Candidates who have secured a valid Common Merit Rank (CMR) in the final result will be asked to register in the last week of June 2026 on the official NIFT counselling portal.

NIFT 2026 Counselling Process

The counselling process for NIFT 2026 will be conducted in a centralized manner for admission to the 19 NIFT colleges. Candidates who have qualified in the NIFT 2026 entrance exam will be eligible to participate in the counseling process. NIFT 2026 counselling is expected to have three seat allotment rounds followed by a SPOT round. Vacant seats that are left after the regular rounds of counseling will be offered in the SPOT round.

Shortlisted candidates will have to register for counseling and fill in and lock in their choices. Here, choices mean the combination of an academic program and a college. The choices entered by the candidate must be in order of priority. NIFT Round 1 Registration and Uploading of documents is expected to start from the last week of June 2026. Choice Filling and Seat Locking Round 1 will also start in the last week of June 2026.

Check NIFT Counselling Guidelines for detailed information: Final_Guidelines_for_Seat_Allocation

NIFT 2026 Seat Allotment

Based on the choices opted by the candidates and their merit ranks in NIFT 2026, the allotments of seats will be done. To confirm their seats, the candidates will have to pay the seat-acceptance fee within the given deadline. If the fee is not paid within the given deadline, then the allotment will be canceled and offered to the candidate next in the order of merit. Once the regular counseling rounds conclude, FRESH registrations will be opened for the SPOT round. During the SPOT round, seats will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

NIFT Score Accepting Colleges

In addition to the participating NIFTs, scores of the NIFT 2026 will also be used by other NIFT Score Accepting Institutes for admission purposes. For instance, the World University of Design (WUD) will fill some of its UG and PG seats based on NIFT 2026 merit ranks.

The role of the NTA is limited to the conduct of the NIFT 2026 exam and declaration of results. The scores of the NIFT 2026 final results will be used to shortlist candidates for the counselling process.

Also Read:

NIFT 2024 Toppers - All India Rank, Scores, Interviews

NIFT Marks vs NIFT Rank: What Your Score Means

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

Commonly asked questions

Q: When and where will officials verify original documents for NIFT 2024 admission?

Q: What are the parameters that will be tested during NIFT 2024 Personal Interview (PI)?

Q: What is the weightage for preparing NIFT results?

NIFT 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. Candidates who qualify for the written exams have to next appear in the NIFT Situation Test/ Personal Interview. It may be noted that the qualifying score or cut-off of NIFT 2026 is different from the admission cut-off.

The admission cut-off of NIFT will be prepared based on the final merit after considering the following points:

The total number of applicants
The category-wise seat intake
The total number of applications
The category under which admission is sought.
Previous years’ cut-off criteria.

Also Read:

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

Commonly asked questions

Q: Is the NIFT cut-off fixed?

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

Q: When will NIFT cutoff be released?

NIFT Result 2026

DeskCalendar Result: Jun ' 26

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) 2026 entrance exam results are expected to be announced for NIFT Stage 1 in the last week of April 2026. NTA declares the results of the NIFT online at the NTA NIFT admission portal. Hard copies of the results will not be sent to candidates. Also, the scores of the written exams (Stage 1) will not be used for admission purposes. It is merely used to shortlist candidates for the next admission round.

NIFTEE Final Results (Stage 2) for UG and PG Programmes are expected to be out in the last week of June 2026 on the official websites. NTA NIFT Final Results will be followed by NIFT Counselling registration and schedule.

How to check the NIFT 2026 Result?

To check your results, follow these steps.

Click on the result link.
In the log-in window that opens, enter your application number and date of birth.
On log-in, the result of NIFT 2026 will be displayed on the screen.
Download and take a printout of the result.

The scorecard of the NIFT 2026 will include information like the section and overall score, and the qualifying status. Such candidates who qualify in the exam are eligible to appear in a Situation Test/ Personal Interview.

FINAL Results of NIFT 2026

Candidates who qualify in the written exams will have to appear in a Situation Test/ Personal Interview. The final result will be prepared by giving weightage to CAT, GAT, and Situation Test/ Personal Interview.

NIFT Toppers and Exam Statistics

NTA may also release the list of NIFT 2026 Toppers and NIFT Statistics alongside the results. The NIFT topper list, if and when released, will include details like the name of the toppers, application number, and state of eligibility (domicile). That is not all, as NTA will also most likely release the detailed exam statistics, including the gender-wise and total number of candidates registered, who appeared, and who qualified in NIFT 2026.

Commonly asked questions

Q: What are the B.Des programs offered through NIFT 2025 exam?

Q: Can I complete the NIFT syllabus in 4 months?

Q: Can I submit objections against NIFT 2025 final key?

NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026

The National Institute of Fashion Technology offers the following design courses: B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M. The NIFT 2026 eligibility criteria are specific to each of these courses. This means if you want to apply to the B.Des program, you need to meet the eligibility criteria specific to the program. The eligibility STATUS of the candidate will be checked at the time of NIFT 2026 counseling and seat allotment. So, if you use incorrect details to fake your eligibility, you may be disqualified if caught.

The program-specific eligibility criteria for NIFT 2026 are given in the table below.

NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria - B.Des

The eligibility criteria for NIFT B.Des are:

NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Program

B.Des

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

Passed 10+2 exam from any recognized institute Or

Cleared Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Open School with a minimum of five subjects Or

Obtained a 3 or 4-year diploma recognized by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education Or

Passed any Public School/ Board/ University Examination in India or in foreign countries recognized by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to a 10+2 system Or

General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (London/ Cambridge/ Sri-Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level/ International Baccalaureate

NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria - B.F.Tech

Candidates seeking admission to the B.F.Tech programs need to meet the following eligibility conditions.

Parameter

Eligibility Criteria

Program

B.F.Tech

Age Limit

Maximum age should be less than 24 years as of 1st August of the year of admission.

The upper age limit may be relaxed by a period of 5 (five) years for SC/ST/ PWD categories

Academic qualification

The candidate must have passed the 10+2 exam with Mathematics, Or

A passing grade in the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Open School with a minimum of five subjects with Mathematics, 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 with Mathematics, Or

General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri-Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level/ International Baccalaureate (IB) with Mathematics.

NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Master's Courses

Candidates seeking admission to the Master's Programmes in NIFT need to meet the following program-specific eligibility criteria.

Parameter

M.Des and M.F.M courses

M.F.Tech. course

Age limit

There is no age limit.

Academic Qualification

Undergraduate Degree in any discipline from any Institute / University recognized by law in India or

Undergraduate Diploma of a minimum three-year duration from NIFT / NID.

B.F.Tech. from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) or

B.E / B.Tech. from any Institute / University recognized by law in India.

Note: Candidates appearing in the qualifying examination in the year of admission can also apply, subject to fulfilling the necessary eligibility conditions at the time of seat allotment /admission.

Also Read:

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is the reservation process for the NIFT entrance exam?

Q: How will the NIFT 2025 answer key be prepared?

Q: Will unfilled seats in OBC, EWS, categories during NIFT counseling be converted to open category?

NIFT Answer Key 2026

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is expected to release the draft answer key of NIFT 2026. It will be uploaded on the NIFT NTA admission portal. Candidates can calculate the number of correct attempts using the answer key and then the probable score. Challenges against the draft key will also be allowed.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will have an objection window for the NIFT 2026 entrance exam. Candidates will be allowed to challenge the provisional answer key in the third week of February 2026. Objections can be raised by paying a non-refundable fee of ₹200 approx per objection. The final answer key of NIFT 2026 will be released after considering the feedback of the candidates.

How to download the NIFT 2026 Answer Key?

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

Go to the NTA NIFT admission portal: https://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.

Recorded Responses and Question Paper of NIFT 2026

Along with the answer key, NTA has also released the recorded responses and the NIFT 2026 question paper. The candidate can download the documents from the NIFT admission portal.

Commonly asked questions

Q: How can I raise objections against NIFT 2025 answer key?

Q: Will NTA release the carbon copy of the OMR answer sheet for NIFT 2025?

Q: Can I challenge the final NIFT 2025 answer key?

View answer key

NIFT Admit Card 2026

DeskCalendar Admit Card: Feb ' 26

NIFT 2026 admit card for Stage 1 will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the first week of February 2026. Candidates who have successfully completed the application process can download their admit cards from the official NIFT website by entering their application number and date of birth.

NTA will release the NIFT Admit Card for Stage 2 on the official website in the first week of June 2026. The exam is expected to be held at 26 centres in 18 cities in the country. NIFTEE Stage 2 Situation test is likely to be held in the second week of June 2026.

The centre details are mentioned in the Admit card. NTA will also release the call letter for PG programmes for the Personal Interview on the official website. Students will be able to download it using their date of birth and Application Number. The Personal Interviews for the shortlisted candidates will be conducted in Delhi in the last week of May 2026.

Step-wise process to download the NIFT 2026 Admit Card

The steps to download the NIFT Admit Card are:

Go to the NIFT admission portal.
Click on the admit card link
A log-in window will open.
Enter the NIFT 2026 application number and date of birth.
On successful login, you can download the admit card.

NIFT 2026 City Intimation Slip

The NTA will release the NIFT city intimation slip 2026 in the last week of January 2026 for Stage 1. To download the intimation slip, use your application number and date of birth. The intimation slip contains the name of the city allocated to the candidate, along with other details like the application number and exam date. Note that once a city has been allocated, there is no provision to change it. The intimation slip is not required on exam day.

City Intimation Slip for the Stage 2 Examination of NIFTEE 2026 will be released in the last week of May (tentative). Students should keep in mind that this is not the Admit Card. The City Intimation Slip only informs candidates about the city where their examination will be conducted to help them plan travel in advance.

NIFT Exam Centres 2026

The list of exam cities for the NIFT 2026 written exams is expected to be out in the third week of January 2026. The NIFT written exam is expected to be conducted across 82 cities in the country. The candidates are advised to check the exam center allocated to them immediately after downloading the admit card.

The NIFT 2026 admit card will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the first week of February 2026. Candidates who had successfully completed the application process could download their NIFT admit cards from the official NIFT website by entering their application number and date of birth. The admit card must be produced on exam day when the invigilator asks for it.

Candidates will have to select their preferred city when filling out the NIFT 2026 application form. Candidates will be required to reach the exam center before the exam starts. The name and address of the exam center allocated to the candidates will be mentioned on the admit card. The allotment of NIFT 2026 exam centers will be based on details entered by the candidate at the time of filling out the application form.

NIFT Stage 2 Entrance Examination will be held at 26 test centres in 18 cities across the country. Admit card contains the exact details of the test centres.

Go through the city-wise list and details of the NIFT 2026 exam center here.

Commonly asked questions

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

Q: What should I do if there are any discrepancies in the NIFT 2025 admit card?

Q: What details do I need to check on my NIFT 2025 admit card?

NIFT Sample Papers 2026

Candidates appearing in NIFT 2026 must make sample papers a part of their exam preparation. Sample papers will help you develop problem-solving and time-management skills. Sample papers will contain similar questions to the ones asked in the NIFT exam. So, their difficulty level and range would match your requirements.

You can start solving NIFT sample papers very early on in your preparation. For instance, after completing a chapter, you may solve all the related problems given in the sample paper. Even if you want to improve time-management skills, there are few better tools than sample papers.

Along with sample papers, the candidate also needs to solve previous years' question papers of NIFT:

NIFT Previous year's question papers will give the candidate an idea of the types of questions asked in the design entrance exam.
The candidate can check the difficulty level, types of questions asked, marking scheme, and weightage by consulting these papers.
The candidate may also check if there is any change in the types of questions asked or any emerging trends by consulting the question papers.

Unlike sample papers, the previous years' papers will contain the specific questions asked in the previous editions of the NIFT exam. Consequently, the question papers will help the candidate identify the types of questions asked, how they are asked, the structure of the question paper, and the difficulty. Additionally, the candidate can also look for any emerging trends.

So, give your NIFT 2026 exam preparation that much-needed push by solving NIFT sample and question papers.

Commonly asked questions

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

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

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

NIFT Syllabus 2026

The NIFT exam is conducted in two stages.

Stage 1 - The first stage includes NIFTEE, which includes the General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT)
Stage 2- NIFT Situation Test/ NIFT Personal Interview.

Weightage of NIFT courses

The weightage of NIFT Courses are:

Programme	GAT	CAT	Situation Test	PI
B.Des	30%	50%	20%	–
M.Des	30%	40%	–	30%
B.F.Tech	30%	70%	–	–
M.F.M / M.F.Tech	70%	–	–	30%

NIFT Syllabus 2026 for GAT and CAT

The NIFT 2026 syllabus for the written exams is given below.

NIFT 2026 Syllabus for Written Exams

GAT Test

CAT Test

Quantitative Ability: Addition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentage, Rate of Interest, Work, and Task, Ratio and Proportion, and Distance.
English Comprehension: synonyms, antonyms, words with corresponding meanings, singular, plural, one-word substitutes, idioms and phrases, correct spellings, comprehending a situation from a given passage, etc.
Analytical and Logical Ability
General Knowledge and Current Affairs
Communication Ability

Note: Note that GAT is common for all programs. So, irrespective of the program you are seeking admission to, the GAT paper is mandatory.

The test is administered to evaluate the intuitive ability, power of observation, concept development, and design ability of the candidate.
An important aspect of the test is the creative and innovative use of color and illustration skills.
The candidate is not allowed to reveal his or her identity by marking the answer sheet.

Note: Only B.Des and M.Des candidates need to take the CAT written exam.

NIFT 2026 Syllabus for Situation Test

If shortlisted, B.Des candidates must appear in a Situation Test. Here are the key points about the Situation Test.

The situation test will be a hands-on test to evaluate the material handling and innovative ability in a given situation with a given set of materials.
The candidate must make a model/design using the given material.
The model will be evaluated on space visualization, innovative and creative use of given material, the composition of elements, color scheme, construction skill, the finesse of the model and overall presentation, etc.
The candidate will also have to prepare a write-up explaining the model. The write-up should be in English.
The candidate is not allowed to disclose their identity.
The situation test will be evaluated on the SPOT.

Also Read for Stage 2:

Preparation Tips for NIFT Situation Test 2026	NIFT Situation Test 2026: Sample Questions to practice, Weightage, Preparation Tips	NIFT Situation Test/ NIFT Studio Test 2025: Evaluation Criteria, Tips and Important Questions
10 tips to crack interview for design courses at NID, NIFT	How to Prepare For NIFT Situation Test 2026?	NIFT Personal Interview 2026: Key Tips, Important Questions and Topics

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is the syllabus for NIFT entrance exam?

Q: What is the fee structure for regular admission through NIFT 2025?

Q: Can I carry my own material for the NIFT Situation Test?

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NIFT Exam Pattern 2026

Candidates appearing in the NIFT 2026 exam are urged to refer the NIFT 2026 exam pattern to prepare for the exam. The exam pattern will contain insights into the exam, like the types of questions, how many questions are asked, total and sectional questions, weightage, etc.

Here we bring you the NIFT 2026 exam pattern for the written exams and Situation Test/ PI.

NIFT GAT Exam Pattern 2026 - B.Des and M.Des

The expected pattern for B.Des and M.Des are:

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

NIFT GAT 2026 Exam Pattern - B.F.Tech

The expected pattern for B.F Tech are:

Program	B.F.Tech
Paper Name	GAT - Section A (CBT)	GAT - Section B (CBT)
Language of written test	English/Hindi	English/Hindi
Test Duration	180 minutes
Sections	Number of questions	Number of questions
Communication Ability and English Comprehension	40	NIL
Quantitative Ability	20	15
Analytical & Logical Ability	15	15
General Knowledge and Current Affairs	25	NIL
Case Study	NIL	20
Total	100	50

NIFT GAT 2026 Exam Pattern - M.F.M & M.F.Tech

The expected pattern for M.F.M and M.F.Tech are:

Program	M.F.Tech	MFM
Paper	GAT	GAT
Language of written test	English/Hindi	English/Hindi
Duration	180 minutes	180 minutes
Sections	Number of questions	Number of questions
Communication Ability & English Comprehension	45	50
Case Study	25	40
Quantitative Ability	30	10
Analytical & Logical Ability	25	25
General Knowledge And Current Affairs	25	25
TOTAL	150	150

NIFT Exam Pattern 2026 - Situation Test

B.Des candidates must appear in a Situation Test. PG candidates must appear for a Personal Interview. The NIFT 2026 Situation Test will evaluate the “material handling and innovative ability” of applicants. Here, candidates will be examined in areas like “Space Visualization, Innovative and creative use of given material, the composition of elements, color scheme, construction skill, the finesse of the model, and overall presentation etc.

At the time of the Situation Test, the candidate must submit a write-up explaining the model. The write-up must be in the English language. No marks will be given for a write-up in any other language.

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is the exam pattern for the NIFT CAT paper?

Q: How many questions are asked in NIFT GAT?

Q: What is NIFT exam pattern for the B.FTech program?

NIFT 2026 - Exam Preparation Tips

The NIFT 2026 written exams are expected to be conducted in the second week of February 2026. Candidates appearing in the exam must note that the CAT paper carries maximum weightage. So, while preparing for the exam, candidates must thoroughly prepare for all the topics given in the exam syllabus.

Given below are tips for NIFT 2026 GAT and CAT preparation:

NIFT General Ability Test (GAT) Preparation Tips

Some of the tips for NIFT GAT are:

Carefully go through the exam pattern and syllabus. If there is any change in the pattern or syllabus, incorporate that in your preparation.
Make sure that you are following the best books for NIFT 2026.
Prepare an actionable study plan and stick to it. Start your NIFT 2026 preparation early. This will ensure you have enough time to complete the syllabus, solve sample papers, take mock tests, and do enough revision.
Take notes during your study. If the notes are good enough, you can use them for quick revision instead of reading large blocks of text. This can save a lot of time that can be used elsewhere.
Solve as many sample papers as you can. Also, solve previous years’ NIFT question papers.
In the last week, take mock tests to check your preparation.
It is also important that you stay positive and healthy.

Creative Ability Test (CAT) Preparation Tips

Here is how you can prepare for the NIFT CAT 2026:

Work on your observation and creative skills.
Learn the nuances of geometrical shapes.
Before you draw anything, learn to conceptualize
Jittery and unclear lines are a big no-no for getting a good score in CAT. So, improve your line drawing skills.
Shading is not a very important skill for CAT, but learning the basics won’t do any harm.
Learn various types of drawings - human, figure, cartoon, perspective, doodling, geometric, etc.

Also Read:

Commonly asked questions

Q: What are the dos and don'ts for the NIFT CAT exam?

Q: What are some quick tips to prepare for the NIFT exam?

Q: How many mock tests do I need to take for the NIFT 2025 exam?

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 - FAQs

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

Commonly asked questions

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

Q: What are the documents needed for filling out the NIFT 2024 application form?

Q: What are the exam timings for the NIFT 2025 exam?

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

Q: How can I select exam centres for the NIFT 2025 written exam?

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

Q: When will the NIFT 2025 entrance exam be conducted?

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

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

Q: At what time do I need to report for the NIFT 2025 written exam?

Q: What are various items that candidates need to carry with them to the NIFT 2025 exam centre?

NIFT Entrance Exam Exam

Student Forum

Anything you would want to ask experts?

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What is the fee for M.Des programme offered at NIFT?

Answered a month ago

The fee for M.Des programme offered at NIFT is around INR 8 Lakhs.

Fee Components	Fee Amount (2 Years) (2025)
Tuition Fees	5.86 Lakhs
Hostel Fees*	2.21 Lakhs
One-time payment*	27,200
Total fees	8.35 Lakhs

* Hostel fee is calculated on the basis of 1st year. Actual amount may vary. The fees might include components other than hostel fees. Meal Plan is not included in the mentioned fee.

*One-time payment includes Refundable Security Depos

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

What is the fee for B.Des courses offered at NIFTs?

Answered a month ago

The fee of the B.Des programme at NIFT is around INR 14 lakhs.

Semester	NIFT Fees 2024 (INR)	NIFT Fees 2025 (INR)
Semester 1	1,83,200	1,91,700
Semester 2	1,43,000	1,50,000
Semester 3	1,69,800	1,78,700
Semester 4	1,50,000	1,58,000
Semester 5	1,78,700	1,87,800
Semester 6	1,58,000	1,66,000
Semester 7	1,93,700	2,03,200
Semester 8	1,66,000	1,74,000
Total (4 Years)	13,42,400	14,09,400

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Which NIFT is the best?

Answered a month ago

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, is the best based on the India Today ranking (2025).

NIFT Delhi is considered the best NIFT campus in India because of the following:

It consistently ranks No. 1 among all NIFTs (India Today Ranking: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021)
It has

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Is NIFT Entrance Exam easy?

Answered a month ago

The NIFT entrance exam is considered moderately difficult. The level of difficulty of the exam depends on a student's strengths and preparation. Since seats are limited and competition is high, even average questions feel tougher due to the pressure.

B.Des exam tests creativity, design aptitude, obse

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

What is the educational qualification required for NIFT admissions?

Answered a month ago

The educational qualification for NIFT admissions varies from course to course:

Programme	Educational Qualification Required
B.Des (Bachelor of Design)	Passed 10+2 (Class 12) in any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts, Humanities) from a recognised board
B.FTech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology)	Passed 10+2 (Class 12) in any stream, but Mathematics as a subject in 10+2 is compulsory
M.Des (Master of Design)	Undergraduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university
M.FTech (Master of Fashion Technology)	B.FTech from NIFT or B.E./B.Tech from a recognised university
MFM (Master of Fashion Management)	Undergraduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

How many NIFTs are there in India?

Answered a month ago

There are a total of 19 NIFTs in India that participate in the NIFT admission process. The participating institutes offer B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M courses. Admission to the participating institutes will be on the basis of NIFT scores.

NIFT Varanasi has been newly added to the list

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

I have passed H.S.C. vocational examination. Am I eligible for admission to the B.Des program?

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, candidates who have passed their H.S.C. vocational examination may apply for admission to the B.Des program.

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

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