NIFT Exam 2026: Exam Dates, Eligibility, Application Form, Exam Pattern, Admit Card, Syllabus, Result, Counselling

NIFT 2026 Latest Updates

• The online application process for NIFT 2026 is expected to start around November-December 2025 and conclude in January 2026.
• The NIFT 2026 results for the written exams are expected to be announced in March-April 2026.
• Candidates shortlisted from the written exams will then be called for a Situation Test (for B.Des and M.Des) or a Personal Interview (for Master's programs) in April-May 2026.
• The final results, including merit lists, are usually announced in May-June 2026, followed by counselling and seat allocation in June-July 2026.

NIFT 2026 Overview

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Entrance Exam is a national-level test conducted every year for admission into undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Design, Fashion Technology, and Fashion Management. In 2024, over 24,000 candidates appeared for the exam, competing for around 5,200 seats across 18 NIFT campuses in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata. 

The entrance exam comprises tests for UG and PG courses, including the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and General Ability Test (GAT), Situation Test, and GD/PI. The overall difficulty level is considered moderate to high, as it assesses a candidate’s creativity, logical reasoning, communication skills, and time management. The NIFT score is accepted only by the 18 official NIFT campuses, making the competition intense. The cutoff for top campuses like NIFT Delhi and Mumbai often lies within the top 100 ranks, while others may go up to 2000+, depending on category and program.

NIFT 2026: Quick Highlights

Here is all the relevant information available related to the NIFT 2026 exam.

NIFT Application/Registration 2026

The NIFT 2026 registration process begins with Aadhaar verification and account creation, followed by the completion of the application form, document upload, and fee payment. Applicants are required to provide accurate personal and academic details and upload their photograph and signature as per the specified format and size guidelines. Below are the step-by-step stages of the NIFT 2026 application process:

Step 1: Aadhar Number & Login Creation

• Visit the official NIFT website and click on the “Application” tab
• Enter your Aadhar number to initiate registration
• After verification, fill in the below:
• Parent’s Name
• Email ID
• Mobile Number

Step 2: Fill in the Application Form

• Log in to the account and provide:
• Test Centre (select from dropdown)
• Personal Details (parents’ names, gender, nationality, domicile)
• Correspondence Address
• Academic Qualifications

Step 3: Upload Documents

• Upload the scanned Passport-size Photograph
• Format: JPEG | Max Size: 100KB
• Should occupy 80% of the face, no glare/spectacles
• Upload Signature
• On a plain background, in Blue or Black ink
• ID & Email
• Photos
• Academic Documents

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

• Pay via Credit Card/Debit Card/Net Banking or Demand Draft.

NIFT Admit Card 2026

The NIFT 2026 admit card is expected to be released in January 2026 on the official website under the "Admissions" section. To access it, candidates must log in using their application number, date of birth, or registered email ID. It is essential to verify all details printed on the admit card, as it is to be carried to the examination centre without fail.

The NIFT 2026 syllabus includes quantitative, verbal, logical reasoning, and current affairs. B.Des candidates undergo further tests of CAT for creativity and a Situation Test for 3D modelling. The PG courses perform a Group Discussion and Personal Interview for the assessment of communication, creativity, and career orientation. The table below highlights the syllabus for NIFT 2026.

Eligibility Criteria for NIFT 2026

Eligibility criteria for NIFT 2026 vary depending on the program. Key parameters such as age limit, entry qualification, and mode of admission differ across undergraduate, postgraduate, and lateral entry courses. For example, age restrictions are applicable to UG programs like B.Des and B.F.Tech, whereas PG and lateral entry programs have no upper age limit. The table below presents a clear overview of the eligibility requirements for NIFT 2026.

NIFT Exam Pattern 2026

The NIFT 2026 exam pattern differs based on the course applied, like for undergraduate and postgraduate programs, various combinations of tests, such as GAT, CAT, Situation Test, Group Discussion, and Personal Interview, are conducted. The table below outlines the specific test components for each program.

NIFT Preparation Tips 2026

Besides studying, candidates should also stay organised by following exam-day tips like arriving on time, keeping necessary documents ready, and dressing comfortably. Some key preparation tips are given below:

• Understand the Exam Pattern
  Familiarise yourself with the structure of GAT, CAT, Situation Test, and GD/PI, along with the marking scheme.
• Follow the Syllabus
  Focus on topics like quantitative ability, design fundamentals, creativity, communication skills, and general knowledge.
• Practice Regularly
  Solve previous years' papers, take mock tests, and work on drawing exercises—especially for the CAT.
• Manage Time Effectively
  Allocate specific time for each section and practice under timed conditions to build speed and accuracy.
• Stay Updated
  Keep up with current affairs, design trends, and official updates from NIFT.
• Boost Creativity
  Sketch daily and experiment with colours, textures, patterns, and 3D concepts.
• Take Care of Health
  Ensure proper sleep, nutrition, and mental focus to perform well during preparation and on exam day.

Exam Day Guidelines & Dress Code

• Reach Early: Arrive 60 to 90 minutes prior to reporting time at the exam centre.
• Carry Documents Required for Exam:
• NIFT Admit Card
• Valid Photo ID Proof, e.g., Aadhar Card, Voter ID, etc.
• Other items, if specified on the admit card.
• Stationery for CAT: HB pencils, eraser, sharpener, dry colours (pastels, colour pencils), and black/blue pens.
• Follow the Dress Code:

1. Comfortable clothes should be worn that are preferably plain colours with no big pockets or any kind of accessories that can arouse suspicion.
2. For CAT, avoid wearing anything that restricts arm movement.

NIFT  Previous Years' Question Papers 

The NIFT Entrance Exam is a highly competitive test for admission into programs like B.Des, M.Des, and others. Previous years’ question papers are helpful study materials as they show the exam pattern, types of questions (like GAT, CAT, and Situation Test), difficulty level, and help improve time management. The table below gives year-wise NIFT Previous Years’ Question Papers to help you with your preparation:

NIFT Answer Key 2026

The NIFT Answer Key 2026 is released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) soon after the written exam is conducted. It helps candidates evaluate their performance and estimate scores before the final result is announced. The important dates and details related to the NIFT 2026 answer key are in the table below.

NIFT Result 2026

The NIFT 2025 exam pattern varies by program, with each course involving a specific set of tests such as GAT, CAT, Situation Test, or GD/PI. While design programs include creative and analytical assessments, technology and management programs primarily focus on aptitude-based evaluations. The table below outlines the detailed test components for each course.

NIFT 2026 Counselling

The NIFT 2026 counselling process is an admission procedure conducted to allocate seats to the candidates in design and fashion programs. It involves online registration, campus selection, document verification, seat allotment, and fee payment. Below is a step-by-step guide for the counselling process.

Step 1: Registration

• Visit the NIFT counselling portal. Enter into the portal using Form Number, Date of Birth, and Password.
• Participate in counselling either to register or to cancel registration.
• Keep the password safe for further use.

Step 2: Campus Choice

• Choose one campus out of the 16 NIFT campuses to appear for counselling.
• Choice must be given at the time of registration.

Step 3: Download Call Letter

• After registration, Step 5 will be activated, sending the system-generated Call Letter to SMS and email.
• Call Letter will include the following details: Reporting date, time, venue details, and contact details of the Nodal Officer.

 Step 4: Counselling

• The candidate must attend the counselling at the chosen campus in person.
• Reporting must be done at 09:30 AM on the prescribed date.
• All the original documents must be presented for verification.
• Document copies will be returned after verification. 

Step 5: Seat Allotment

• The seats are allotted in the presence of the Nodal Officer.
• The candidate selects the seat through a monitor interface.
• Soon after the candidate selects a seat, it is taken away from the pool of available seats.
• Candidates are called as per the common merit rank (CMR).

 Step 6: Fee Payment

• Pay the full admission fee immediately after seat allotment.
• If the candidate fails to pay, the seat is withdrawn and offered to the next rank holder.
• After fee payment, allotment letter is issued.
• The Admission Receipt is signed and handed over.
• The Course/Campus choice is final and cannot be changed.

Colleges accepting NIFT Scores

There are 17 major institutes of NIFT that serve as accepting colleges for the NIFT entrance test score. Each institution offers a variety of programs in design, fashion, and technology, with different seat capacities. The table below provides a quick overview of NIFT campuses and available seats.

The NIFT 2026 exam follows a timeline that covers key events such as registration, release of admit card, examination date, result declaration, and counselling. Below is the tentative schedule outlining each stage of the admission process. 

The NIFT 2024 cutoff indicates the opening and closing ranks at which candidates were admitted to various NIFT campuses across India. These cutoffs vary each year based on factors such as the exam difficulty level, number of applicants, and availability of seats. The table below provides a summary of the rank for admission in 2024.

NIFT Exam Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the NIFT entrance exam for?

A. It is conducted for admission into undergraduate and postgraduate design, fashion, and technology programs in NIFT campuses all over India.

2. Who conducts the NIFT exam?

A. The National Testing Agency(NTA) holds the exam on behalf of NIFT.

3. What are the important stages of the admission?

A. GAT, CAT (for B.Des/M.Des), Situation Test or PI, and Counselling.

4. Is there an age limit?

A. Yes, for B.Des/B.F.Tech: the upper age limit is 24 years.

5. Can I apply for multiple courses?

A. No, one program per application.