NIFT 2026 - Complete Entrance Exam Guide
NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) entrance exam 2026 was conducted by NTA on February 8, 2026 across 102 cities. Over 5,076 seats across 20 campuses are available in B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech and MFM programmes. This guide covers everything from eligibility and CAT/GAT pattern to Situation Test, campus list and fee structure - all sourced from nift.ac.in and NTA.
NIFT 2026 at a Glance
| Exam Name | NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 (NIFTEE-2026) |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of NIFT |
| Official Website | nift.ac.in |
| Exam Date | February 8, 2026 |
| Mode | CAT - Offline (pen & paper) · GAT - Online (CBT) |
| Programmes | B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, M.F.Tech, MFM |
| Total Campuses | 20 NIFT campuses across India |
| Total Seats (All) | 5,076 (UG + PG) |
| B.Des Seats | 3,423 (3,088 All-India + 335 State Domicile) |
| Application Fee | ₹2,000 General · ₹500 SC/ST/PwD |
Source: nift.ac.in/admission · NTA NIFTEE-2026 Information Bulletin · Verified March 2026
NIFT Exam Pattern 2026 - CAT, GAT & Situation Test
NIFT admission for B.Des has three stages: CAT (Creative Ability Test), GAT (General Ability Test), and the Situation Test. You must clear all three for final merit.
Creative Ability Test (CAT)
- 📝 Mode: Offline - Pen & Paper
- ⏱️ Duration: 3 hours
- 🎨 Tests: Drawing, visualisation, colour sense, design thinking
- 🖊️ Topics: Colour theory, sketching, spatial reasoning, creative expression
- ⚠️ No negative marking in CAT
General Ability Test (GAT)
- 💻 Mode: Online - Computer Based Test (CBT)
- ⏱️ Duration: 2 hours
- 📊 Sections: English, Quantitative, Analytical, GK & Current Affairs
- ➕ Marking: +1 per correct answer
- ➖ Negative marking: −0.25 per wrong answer
Situation Test (B.Des Only)
Shortlisted B.Des candidates appear for the Situation Test - a hands-on 3-hour exercise where you create a 3D model from provided materials based on a given design brief. It evaluates spatial thinking, material handling, and creative problem-solving. Final merit = CAT score + GAT score + Situation Test score combined in prescribed weightage.
NIFT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Exam Notification Released | December 8, 2025 |
| Application Opens | December 8, 2025 |
| Application Closes (no late fee) | January 6, 2026 |
| Extended Last Date (no late fee) | January 16, 2026 |
| Late Fee Registration Window | January 17–19, 2026 (₹5,000 late fee) |
| Application Correction Window | January 20–21, 2026 |
| NIFT Entrance Exam Date | February 8, 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Released | February 17, 2026 |
| Answer Key Challenge Window | Till February 19, 2026 |
| Result + Merit Lists | May–June 2026 (expected) |
| Situation Test (B.Des) | June 2026 (expected) |
| Counselling + Seat Allotment | June–July 2026 (expected) |
| Orientation (Session 2026–27) | July 29, 2026 |
Source: NTA Information Bulletin NIFTEE-2026 · exams.nta.nic.in/niftee
NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
UG Programmes (B.Des & B.F.Tech)
- ✅ Passed or appearing in Class 10+2 from any recognised board
- ✅ Any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts/Humanities)
- ✅ B.F.Tech requires 10+2 with Mathematics
- ✅ Age limit: Maximum 24 years as of August 1, 2026
- ✅ PwD candidates get 5-year age relaxation
PG Programmes (M.Des, MFM, M.F.Tech)
- ✅ Bachelor's degree in any discipline
- ✅ OR 3-year Diploma from NIFT/NID
- ✅ No upper age limit for PG programmes
- ✅ GD + PI round for all PG shortlisted candidates
NIFT UG Programmes - B.Des (Bachelor of Design)
4-year undergraduate design degree. Read the complete B.Des guide →
| B.Des Specialisation | Duration | Approx. Seats |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des - Fashion Design | 4 years | 801 |
| B.Des - Fashion Communication | 4 years | 719 |
| B.Des - Textile Design | 4 years | 400 |
| B.Des - Accessory Design | 4 years | 350 |
| B.Des - Knitwear Design | 4 years | 250 |
| B.Des - Leather Design | 4 years | 180 |
| B.Des - Fashion Interior | 4 years | 150 |
NIFT UG Programmes - B.F.Tech (Fashion Technology)
4-year undergraduate technology degree. Requires 10+2 with Mathematics. More production and technology-focused than B.Des.
| Programme | Duration | Approx. Seats |
|---|---|---|
| B.F.Tech - Apparel Production | 4 years | 200 |
NIFT PG Programmes
2-year postgraduate programmes. Requires a bachelor's degree. No age limit.
| Programme | Duration | Approx. Seats |
|---|---|---|
| M.Des - Master of Design | 2 years | 450 |
| MFM - Master of Fashion Management | 2 years | 300 |
| M.F.Tech - Master of Fashion Technology | 2 years | 284 |
All 20 NIFT Campuses - 2026
NIFT Nava Raipur (Chhattisgarh) is the newest campus added for 2026 admissions. Click any campus for full details.
Source: nift.ac.in · Seat counts are approximate. Verify at official NIFT portal before applying.
NIFT 2026 Fee Structure
Fee varies by campus. Delhi and Mumbai are at the higher end. Verify at nift.ac.in/admission.
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NIFT 2026 - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NIFT 2026 exam date? +
What is the difference between NIFT CAT and GAT? +
What is the NIFT Situation Test? +
What is the age limit for NIFT 2026? +
How many NIFT campuses are there in India? +
What is the NIFT B.Des fee? +
Is NIFT better than NID? +
Preparing for NIFT 2027?
NIFT 2027 registration typically opens in November 2026. Track dates, download past papers, and attempt free mock tests on ShapeVerse.