Exam

Under the NIFT lateral entry admission (NLEA) scheme, the candidate can get admission directly to the 3rd semester of the B. Des programme. Candidates opting for the NLEA scheme need to first appear in the General Ability Test (GAT). Candidates who get shortlisted has to next appear in a Studio Test, and finally in a Personal Interview. The GAT test will carry 40% weightage, Studio Test carries 40% weightage, while the Interview carries 20% weightage. It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in all the stages of the exam. If not, he or she will not be included in the admission merit list.

Admission to the design courses at NIFTs is based on performance of the candidate in the Studio Test, Interview round, and verification of documents/ eligibility criteria. The Studio Test carries a weightage of 40%, while the Interview carries 20% weightage. During the Studio Test, the candidate will be asked to make a 3D-model. The material to make the model will be provided to the candidate inside the exam hall; note that no other material is allowed. Candidates who get shortlisted for admission need to get their documents verified and also meet the prescribed eligibility criteria.

As per the official exam pattern released by NIFT, the question paper for GAT M.FTech will be of 180 minutes. The exam will be conducted in a LAN-based, CBT mode. The GAT paper will have 150 multiple-choice questions. These questions will be asked from - Communication Ability and Comprehension, Case Study, Quantitative Ability, Analytical & Logical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. Also, the GAT paper will be bilingual, meaning the candidate can appear in the GAT paper either in English or Hindi language. The choice of language has to be made when filling out the NIFT 2024 online application form.