Design Entrance Exam

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.

Yes, NID DAT results are accepted at all National Institute of Design campuses, including those in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam.

Applicants must be graduates of an accredited university with a bachelor's degree in any field. Applicants may also apply for admission if they have completed a full-time diploma program in design, fine arts, applied arts, or architecture for at least four years at an accredited university.

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.

The category-wise cut-off for the Accessory Design programme for NIFT Bangalore campus is given below:

Note that reserved category candidates will be considered for admission to both their reserved and open categories.

The digital portfolio should be a compilation of the best work of the candidate that showcases teh candidate’s skills, passion and interest in a variety of areas and techniques. 

It is recommended to take good quality pictures of this work and compile them in a Power Point Presentation. Note that a maximum 15 slides are allowed. 

You need to then convert this into PDF (max size 5 MB). Try to be different and include unique and interesting things. 

The exam timings for the NIFT 2026 exam is given in the table below:

Please note that entry to the NIFT 2025 exam centre will be closed 30 minutes before the commencement of the exam. 

Candidates must note that digital copies of the NIFT 2024 admit card will not be accepted. The candidate needs to mandatorily bring a printout of the admit card. Attach a photograph on the designated space.

You are also required to bring the Self Declaration (Undertaking) downloaded from the NTA Website (a clear printout on A4 size paper) duly filled in.

Note that candidates who don't bring the admit card, along with a valid photo ID proof, will not be allowed to sit in the NIFT 2024 exam.