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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 is the eligibility criteria for NIFT 2026?

Candidates applying for B. Des course need to have passed 10+2 exam from a recognised institute and should be less than 24 years as of August 1, 2026. Relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit applies for candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwD categories.

What are NIFT Score accepting colleges other than participating colleges?

There are 19 NIFTs that will accept NIFT 2026 Scores for admission purposes. These institutes are known as participating colleges. However, in addition to the participating colleges, there are other private colleges that will also consider NIFT 2026 scores for admission to their UG and PG design courses. The candidates are urged to go through the list of result-sharing institutes.

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.

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.

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.

Can I challenge the final NIFT 2026 answer key?

NTA will release the FINAL answer key of NIFT 2026 in April 2026. Final key will be released after considering complaints filed by candidates against the provisional key. No further objections against the final key will be entertained. This means the keys given in the final key will be considered to be the 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.

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

The NIFTs currently offers the following specializations at the B.Des level - Fashion Design, Leather Design, Accessory Design, Textile Design, Knitwear Design, and Fashion Communication. Admission to the above courses will be on the basis of NIFT 2025 scores. Currently, there are 18 participating institutes that offer a combined intake of 5,289 seats (including domestic and NRI/Foreign national seats). Note that NRI/Foreign national don’t need to appear in the NIFT entrance exam. The program-wise total seat intake for the B.Des programme is given below: Program Seat Intake Fashion Design 742 Leather Design 172 Accessory Design 654 Textile Design 743 Knitwear Design 346 Fashion Communication 742 Total 3,399

Can I complete the NIFT syllabus in 4 months?

NIFT is not only one of the most competitive entrance exams in the country, with a large number of applicants, but it is also among the toughest. The syllabus for the NIFT exam is quite vast, and most of the questions can range from medium to difficult. So, to prepare for an exam like NIFT, you need to have enough time in your hands. If you are only beginning your NIFT now, you will have enough time to go through the entire syllabus. However, if 4 months is all you have, you need to pace your preparation accordingly. For instance, it will be foolhardy to try to complete the entire syllabus from the get-go, because you will put unnecessary pressure on yourself and things can only get complicated. Instead, what you can do is make a list of high-scoring, easy-to-prepare topics. First, master these topics as fast as you can. Make a study plan if you need to. Once you are done with these topics, you can move to the next category of topics and continue this strategy until you complete the entire topic.

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 2025 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 2026QP around the 3rd week of February 2026.

When will the NIFT sample papers be released?

The sample papers for the NIFT exam are released on the official website of the institute - nift.ac.in. The sample papers are available for the GAT and CAT written exams. Also, the sample papers are available for all the programs offered by the participating colleges - B. Des, M.Des M.FTech B.FTech and M. F. M. No login is required to download the sample papers. Simply click on the relevant sample paper. The sample papers are available in downloadable pdf format. It may be noted that the sample papers don't contain any solutions. Note that sample papers for NIFT 2026 will be released once the exam notification is out or sometime thereabout.

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

The NIFT CAT exam will be administered in an offline mode and will be a drawing-based exam. During the course of the exam, the candidate is not allowed to write any personal details and place identification marks. The CAT exam will evaluate the candidate on parameters like intuitive ability, power of observation in concept development, and design ability. To prepare for the CAT the candidate needs to work on geometrical shapes, product drawing, line quality, shading, human figures, principles of composition, etc. To improve ones figure drawing skills, one may stick drawing, before moving on to block drawing, and then evolving to add clothes and other items.

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.

What is the NIFT GAT exam pattern for the M.Des program?

NIFT GAT paper for the M.Des programme include 120 multiple choice questions. The time given for GAT will be 120 minutes. The questions will be set in English and Hindi. Questions will be asked from Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Analytical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. The Communication Ability, English Comprehension, and Quantitative Ability sections will each include 30 questions, whereas Analytical Ability will have 20 questions, and GK and Current Affairs will have 15 questions. The candidate must strictly follow the official exam pattern only, as questions will be asked from the given syllabus.

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

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) may or may not conduct mock tests. So, the candidate can take mock tests conducted by elswhere. Typically, the more mock tests a candidate takes, you can prepare better. That being said, mock tests are usually taken closer to the exam. For instance, by taking mock tests, you learn management skills, along with improving problem-solving skills. Note that the candidate must solve sample papers and previous years NIFT question papers, along with taking mock tests, to effectively prepare for the exam.

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.

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.

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

On the day of the NIFT exam, candidates must bring the following items with them NIFT 2026 admit card, a valid photo id proof, HB Pencil, eraser, sharpener, and dry colours. Items that are not allowed inside the exam venue are water bottle, papers, notes, Books, calculator, electronic gadgets, mobile phone, bag, handbagand correction marker/ white fluid.

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 the final answer key. The provisional answer key will be released in February 2026; note that the NIFT written exam will be conducted around the 1st week of February 2026. The answer key contains the official keys to all the questions asked in the exam. Objections against the NIFT 2026 answer key has to filed online through the candidate portal. To file objections, the candidate had to pay a fee of INR 500 per objection.

What are the exam timings for the NIFT 2026 exam?

The exam timings for NIFT 2026 exam are given in table below. Programmes Test Examination Time Bachelor of Design GAT 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon CAT 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM Bachelor of Design (NLEA) GAT 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Bachelor of Fashion Technology GAT 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM Bachelor of Fashion Technology (NLEA) GAT 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM Bachelor of Fashion Technology and Bachelor of Design GAT 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM CAT 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM Master of Design GAT 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon CAT 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM Master of Fashion Management GAT 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM Master of Fashion Management and Master of Design GAT 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM CAT 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM Master of Fashion Technology GAT 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM

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.

What are the documents needed for filling out the NIFT 2026 application form?

The NIFT 2024 application form will open shortly. When filling out the form, the candidate will have to upload the following documents. Self-attested certificates of qualifying examination, i.e.10+2/degree (marks sheet and certificate) In case the candidate has appeared for qualifying exam/compartment (of final year/semester) and the result is due, the date sheet /admit card for examination has to be uploaded. Birth certificate (Secondary School Mark Sheet & Certificate) (Original and Photocopy). SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwD certificate that is issued in the name of candidate. Certificate of Medical Fitness to be signed by a Registered Medical Practitioner in the prescribed format. Self declaration for seeking provisional admission only in case, the result of qualifying examination is yet to be declared. Additionally, the candidate will also have to upload an undertaking regarding anti-ragging and refund of fees.

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.

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.

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 will be conducted from 9 am - 11 am (tentatively). Meanwhile, the GAT written exam for B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M. courses are expected to be conducted from 9 am - 12 noon. Candidates needed to report to the NIFT 2026 exam centre at least an hour in advance. Note that the CAT paper for the B. Des and M.Des courses will be held from 2.30 pm - 5.30 pm. The purpose of reporting early is to complete admission formalities, including registration, frisking, verifying the identity of the candidate, etc. Note that the exam timings and reporting time for the NIFT exam will be mentioned in the admit card.

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.

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/

How can I select exam centres for the NIFT written exam?

The candidate will have the option to select NIFT 2026 exam centres at the time of filling out the application form. The NIFT exam will be conducted across 82 cities in India. Note that each exam city may have one or more than one exam centre. So, the candidate will only be able to select an exam city, but not an exam centre. The exam centre will be allocated by the admission committee after considering factors like the address of the candidate, number of test centres in the city selected by the candidate, seat intake etc. The details of the exam centre allocated to the candidate will be mentioned in the admit card. The candidate can select a maximum of THREE exam cities; the entries must be in the order of pririty.

What is the syllabus for NIFT entrance exam?

For B. Des and M.Des course admissions, candidates need to appear for CAT and GAT. NIFT Syllabus for CAT is such that candidates need to attempt drawing questions in the paper. Some topics that candidates should practice while preparing for the exam are design theory, creative thinking, and writing, elements and principles of design, principles of composition, etc. For GAT. Candidates should study topics such as quantitative ability, English comprehension, logical reasoning, etc.

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

The NIFT Situation Test is a hands-on test that B. Des candidates need to appear in after qualifying the written exam. During the Situation Test the candidate has to make a model. Note that the material for making the model will be provided to the candidate inside the exam hall; no other material expect that provided to the candidate is allowed. So, candidates appearing in the Situation Test must not bring any additional materials for the Situation Test. The Situation Test will be evaluated on the spot. It is mandatory for the candidate to draft a write-up explaining the model.

What is the fee structure for regular admission through NIFT 2026?

The fee structure for the design courses offered by the NIFTs is published in the information brochure. The NIFT fee structure includes components like tuition fees, library fees, exam fees, mediclaim, etc. Additional, the fee may also be divided into refundable and non-refundable types. We can have a look at 2025 fee structure and understand the NIFT fee structure (Regular): Academic Fee Semester Wise For Non-NRI Category (In INR) 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Semester 5 Semester 6 Semester 7 Semester 8 Tuition Fee (Non-Refundable) 143000 143000 150000 150000 158000 158000 166000 166000 Library Fee (Non-Refundable Per Year Payment) 9500 0 10000 0 10500 0 11000 0 Mediclaim & Student Development Fee (Non-Refundable Per Year Payment) 4700 0 4900 0 5100 0 5400 0 Exam Fee (Per Year) 4700 0 4900 0 5100 0 5400 0 Total 161900 143000 169800 150000 178700 158000 187800 166000 One Time Payments Security Deposit (Refundable) 12000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Alumni Association Membership Fee (Non-Refundable) 0 0 0 0 0 0 5900 0 Registration Fee (One Time) 9300 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 21300 0 0 0 0 0 5600 0 Total 183200 143000 169800 150000 178700 158000 193700 166000

Is Maths required for NIFT?

No, Maths is not required for NIFT. It is not compulsory to have studied Maths in Class 12 to appear for NIFT Entrance Exam. However, some questions from Mathematics are asked in the NIFT GAT section. Therefore, it is always beneficial to have some knowledge about the subject. The NIFT question paper for GAT will include questions from sections like logical and analytical reasoning, general awareness, verbal reasoning, and English.

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.

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

Candidate will be given the option to edit the NIFT 2026 application form from January 18, 2026 to January 19, 2026. 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.

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.

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.

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.

How will the NIFT 2026 answer key be prepared?

The role of the NTA is confined to registration of candidates and the conduct of the NIFT 2026 exam. The finalization of NIFT 2026 answer keys after inviting challenges, processing and declaration of results and preparation of the list of qualified candidates will be done by NTA in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology. Note that the NIFT answer key will only be released for the GAT paper. No key will be released for the offline-based GAT paper.

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

In case there unfilled seats in the OBC (NCL), EWS and domicile (Open) and domicile (OBC NCL) category, these seats will be converted to open category after a minimum of two rounds of seat allocation. The candidate has to select their category at the time of filling out the NIFT application form. Also, the candidate must ensure that they have the requisite valid and verificable certificate for the category chosen. If the candidate fails to submit proper documents, he or she will be considered under open category. Also

NIFT Exam 2026: Registration (Extended till Jan 16), Exam Date (OUT), Syllabus, Question Papers

Registration - 8 Dec '25 - 16 Jan '26

This exam is conducted for courses given below:

B.Des BFTech MDes, MFM MFTech

Updated on Jan 9, 2026 12:02 IST

By Sayeba Naushad, Assistant Manager

NTA extended the Application deadline again till January 16, 2026. NIFT 2026 Registration is open for all programmes from December 08, 2025, till January 16, 2026. The application fee for NIFT is INR 2,000 for General/OBC (Non-Creamy)/GEN-EWS Category and INR 500 for SC/ ST/ PwD Category. 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.

NIFTEE 2026 will be conducted on February 08, 2026 for B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.M, M.F.Tech and M.Des. Candidates who want to appear for the NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 must apply before the last date. The last date to fill the form with a regular fee is January 16, 2026 and with the late fee of ₹ 5000/- (in addition to the applicable application fee) is January 17, 2026 to January 18, 2026.

Latest Update:

Apply Here: exams.nta.nic.in/niftee/

Table of contents

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

What is NIFT Entrance Exam?

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
08 Dec ' 25 - 16 Jan ' 26	NIFT 2026 application form OPEN (Regular fees) ONGOING
17 Jan ' 26 - 18 Jan ' 26	NIFT 2026 application form (Late fees)
20 Jan ' 26 - 21 Jan ' 26	NIFT 2026 application form Edit Window
Feb ' 26	NIFT 2026 Issue of Admit Cards TENTATIVE
08 Feb ' 26	NIFT 2026 (Stage 1: Written Exam)
May ' 26 - Jun ' 26	NIFT Stage 2: M.Des and M.F.M Interview TENTATIVE
Jun ' 26	NIFT Stage 2 Admit Card TENTATIVE
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