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The NIFT 2026 Entrance Exam is a national-level test conducted by the for admission to its undergraduate and postgraduate design, technology, and management programs. The exam is structured in multiple stages to comprehensively assess a candidate’s creative aptitude, general ability, and practical skills relevant to the fashion and design industry.
For B.Des and M.Des programs, the exam consists of two written tests: the General Ability Test (GAT) and the Creative Ability Test (CAT). The GAT, held in computer-based mode, evaluates quantitative, communication, English comprehension, analytical, and general knowledge skills. The CAT, conducted offline, measures creativity, design thinking, and innovative problem-solving through drawing and design-based questions. Candidates who clear the written exams are shortlisted for the Situation Test (B.Des) or Group Discussion/Personal Interview (PG courses), which assess hands-on skills, material handling, and communication abilities.
For B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and MFM programs, only the GAT is required, focusing on aptitude and management skills. The exam is held in both English and Hindi, with objective-type questions and a negative marking scheme for incorrect answers. The NIFT 2026 exam is designed to identify candidates with strong creative, analytical, and communication abilities essential for success in the fashion and design sector.
Applicants must read this complete article for detailed knowledge about NIFT exam 2026.
Name of Exam
NIFT 2026
Exam Level
National Level
Conducted by
NTA
Courses offered
B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, MFM & MFT courses
Exam Mode
Offline /Online Mode
Application Mode
Online
Exam Frequency
Once in a year
The NIFT 2026 notification is expected to be officially released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in November 2025. This notification will announce the start of the application process for undergraduate and postgraduate design programs at NIFT campuses across India.
The NIFT Entrance Exam is anticipated to be administered by NTA during the second week of February. Tentative schedule is given here for candidates-
Events
Event Dates (Tentative)
Application form release
3rd week of November 2025
Application closes (with regular fee)
1st week of January 2026
Last date to apply (with late fee)
2nd week of January 2026
Application form correction
Admit card
3rd week of January or upto 10 days before the exam.
Written test (CAT And GAT)
2nd week of February 2026
Answer key
February 2026
Result
March-April 2026
Situation Test (B.Des)/GD-PI (PG)
April-June 2026
Final Result and Counseling
June -July 2026
Candidates must first fulfill the eligibility requirements unique to their program in order to be considered for admission to any of the courses provided by the NIFTs. These requirements could have to do with age, passing a qualifying exam, grades, etc. The candidate's candidacy may be withdrawn if they don't match the requirements. View the comprehensive eligibility requirements for NIFT 2026 here.
Undergraduate Programs
Bachelor of Design (B.Des)
Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech)
Postgraduate Programs
Master of Design (M.Des)
Master of Fashion Technology (M.F.Tech)
Master of Fashion Management (MFM)
The NIFT 2026 application process is conducted entirely online and is open to candidates seeking admission to B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and MFM programs. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
5.Submit and Print Confirmation
The NIFT 2026 admit card is a mandatory document for entry to the NIFT entrance exam for all programs (B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, MFM). The admit card will be expected to available for download in the 3rd week of January 2026 or Up To 10 days before the exam. Here are the key details:
Steps to download the NIFT Admit Card
The NIFT 2026 syllabus is divided into two main written exams—General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT)—followed by a Situation Test for B.Des or a Group Discussion/Personal Interview for PG courses.
General Ability Test (GAT) Syllabus
Creative Ability Test (CAT) Syllabus
Situation Test (B.Des only)
The applicants will have to go through the entire exam pattern. It informs the candidates about the format of the test. Candidates would also benefit from knowing the marking guidelines used for the admission exam. The GAT, CAT, GD, and PI interview rounds will be conducted by the authority. The B.Des and M.Des programs will be subject to a general ability test (GAT).
To assess the candidate's capacity for intuition, design, and observation in concept development, a creative ability exam (CAT) will be administered. This test's original and imaginative use of color and art skills is one of its key components.
Marking scheme for B.Des and M.Des Programs
Program
B.Des
M.Des
Communication Ability and English Comprehension
40
50
Quantitative Ability
20
Analytical & Logical Ability
15
25
General Knowledge and Current Affairs
Total
100
120
Marking scheme for MFM and M.F.Tech Programs
MFM
M.F.Tech
45
30
Case Study
150
Exam Mode: The CAT exam will be administered offline (PBT), whereas the GAT exam will be administered online (CBT).
Duration: The B.Des/M.Des course will last two hours, and the other courses will last three hours.
Number of Questions- The total number of questions will be 150 for other courses, 120 for M. Des., and 100 for B. Des.
Question Types: Multiple-choice questions will be asked in NIFT 2026.
Medium: The question paper will be bilingual, meaning it will be in both Hindi and English.
Marking: Students will receive one mark for each right response, and 25% of their points will be subtracted for each wrong response.
The NIFT 2026 result for the written exams (GAT and CAT) is expected to be announced in March or April 2026. Candidates who qualify in the written exams will be shortlisted for the next stage—Situation Test (for B.Des) or GD/PI (for PG programs)—which will be conducted in April–May 2026. The final result, which considers performance in both the written exams and the Situation Test/GD-PI, will be declared in the last week of June 2026. The results will be available online on the official NIFT portals: nift.ac.in and exams.nta.ac.in/NIFT
Steps to check NIFT 2026 Result-
The NIFT 2026 cut-off refers to the minimum marks or rank required to secure admission to various undergraduate and postgraduate programs across NIFT campuses. The cut-off varies by program, category, and campus, and is influenced by factors such as the number of applicants, exam difficulty, and seat availability.
Expected Cut-Off Range (Indicative)
Expected Cut-Off Marks (Out of 100)
70-85
Bachelor of Fashion Technology
65-80
75-90
Master of Fashion Technology
Master of Fashion Manangement
The NIFT 2026 counselling process is the final step for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the National Institute of Fashion Technology. It is conducted online and includes multiple rounds to ensure all seats are filled across NIFT’s 17 campuses.
Key Dates (Tentative)
Counseling Process Overview-
Eligibility for Counselling
Online Registration
Choice Filling
Seat Allotment
Document Verification & Fee Payment
Reporting to Campus