Understanding NIFT cutoff ranks
NIFT uses a Combined Merit Rank (CMR) system to rank all applicants nationally. This single rank determines your eligibility across all 20 campuses and all programmes. The CMR for B.Des candidates combines three scores: GAT (General Ability Test) weighted at 30%, CAT (Creative Ability Test) weighted at 50%, and the Situation Test weighted at 20%. For B.FTech (Apparel Production), the CMR is based solely on GAT scores (100%).
The lower your CMR number, the better your rank. A CMR of 1 is the top-ranked candidate nationally. A CMR of 200 means you are the 200th-ranked candidate among all NIFT applicants in that cycle.
During counselling, NIFT publishes an Opening Rank (OR) and Closing Rank (CR) for each programme at each campus. The opening rank is the rank of the first candidate allotted that programme-campus combination. The closing rank is the rank of the last candidate allotted. If your CMR falls at or better than (lower than) the closing rank, you have a realistic chance of getting that seat during that counselling round.
NIFT conducts multiple counselling rounds (typically Round 1, Round 2, and sometimes Round 3). After Round 1, some candidates decline seats, creating vacancies. These vacancies are filled in Round 2. The Round 2 closing ranks are often slightly more accessible (higher numbers) than Round 1 because there are more total candidates competing and fewer total seats left. Participating in all rounds is essential to maximise your chances.
All cutoff data is published officially by NIFT on the admissions portal at nift.admissions.nic.in after each round closes. ShapeVerse presents this data in a structured, readable format for easy comparison. Always cross-check this page against the official portal before making your counselling choices.
NIFT Delhi 2025 (Round 2, General category)
NIFT Delhi is the most competitive and largest NIFT campus. It offers the widest range of programmes across all design disciplines. The closing ranks shown below are for General category applicants in the final (Round 2) counselling round.
| Programme | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des - Fashion Communication | 4 | 49 |
| B.Des - Accessory Design | 56 | 98 |
| B.Des - Fashion Design | 88 | 92 |
| B.Des - Textile Design | 183 | 304 |
| B.Des - Knitwear Design | 448 | 476 |
| B.Des - Leather Design | 431 | 722 |
| B.FTech - Apparel Production | 42 | 60 |
Source: nift.admissions.nic.in (Round 2, 2025 counselling data)
NIFT Mumbai 2025 (Round 2, General category)
NIFT Mumbai is the second-most competitive NIFT campus and is well-regarded for its Fashion Design and Fashion Communication programmes. The city's proximity to the garment industry and major retail brands makes it highly sought after. Closing ranks below reflect General category placements in Round 2.
| Programme | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des - Fashion Communication | 80 | 97 |
| B.Des - Fashion Design | 133 | 133 |
| B.Des - Accessory Design | 191 | 191 |
| B.Des - Knitwear Design | 578 | 609 |
| B.FTech - Apparel Production | 100 | 122 |
Source: nift.admissions.nic.in (Round 2, 2025 counselling data)
NIFT Bangalore 2025 (Round 2, General category)
NIFT Bangalore attracts strong candidates interested in fashion technology and retail brand management. The city's IT industry presence and design culture make it a preferred destination.
| Programme | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des - Fashion Communication | 128 | 135 |
| B.Des - Fashion Design | 172 | 242 |
| B.Des - Accessory Design | 222 | 338 |
| B.Des - Textile Design | 692 | 692 |
| B.Des - Knitwear Design | 559 | 908 |
| B.FTech - Apparel Production | 128 | 177 |
Source: nift.admissions.nic.in (Round 2, 2025 counselling data)
NIFT Gandhinagar 2025 (Round 2, General category)
NIFT Gandhinagar is one of the major campuses and uniquely offers B.FTech (Apparel Production Management) alongside B.Des programmes. It is located in the textile-rich region of Gujarat.
| Programme | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des - Fashion Communication | 213 | 224 |
| B.Des - Fashion Design | 298 | 355 |
| B.Des - Accessory Design | 284 | 458 |
| B.Des - Textile Design | 595 | 599 |
| B.FTech - Apparel Production | 200 | 294 |
Source: nift.admissions.nic.in (Round 2, 2025 counselling data)
NIFT Hyderabad 2025 (Round 2, General category)
NIFT Hyderabad offers a comprehensive range of B.Des programmes and is increasingly popular among students seeking opportunities in India's growing fashion and design market.
| Programme | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des - Fashion Communication | 235 | 264 |
| B.Des - Fashion Design | 372 | 426 |
| B.Des - Accessory Design | 474 | 576 |
| B.Des - Textile Design | 752 | 962 |
| B.Des - Knitwear Design | 1154 | 1199 |
| B.FTech - Apparel Production | 218 | 291 |
Source: nift.admissions.nic.in (Round 2, 2025 counselling data)
NIFT Chennai 2025 (Round 2, General category)
NIFT Chennai is one of the original NIFT campuses and specialises in textile and accessory design. The city has a strong textile manufacturing base and textile heritage.
| Programme | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des - Fashion Communication | 302 | 371 |
| B.Des - Fashion Design | 434 | 515 |
| B.Des - Accessory Design | 563 | 607 |
| B.Des - Knitwear Design | 718 | 1370 |
| B.Des - Textile Design | 1013 | 1112 |
| B.Des - Leather Design | 1300 | 1504 |
| B.FTech - Apparel Production | 171 | 333 |
Source: nift.admissions.nic.in (Round 2, 2025 counselling data)
NIFT Kolkata 2025 (Round 2, General category)
NIFT Kolkata is another foundational NIFT campus with a strong heritage in textile arts and crafts. The campus is known for its focus on traditional Indian textiles and contemporary design synthesis.
| Programme | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des - Fashion Communication | 367 | 596 |
| B.Des - Fashion Design | 543 | 678 |
| B.Des - Accessory Design | 700 | 880 |
| B.Des - Knitwear Design | 1254 | 1654 |
| B.Des - Textile Design | 1167 | 1446 |
| B.Des - Leather Design | 1523 | 2072 |
| B.FTech - Apparel Production | 405 | 596 |
Source: nift.admissions.nic.in (Round 2, 2025 counselling data)
Fashion Design: 2024 vs 2025 year-on-year trend
The table below shows how Fashion Design closing ranks have shifted between 2024 and 2025 across major NIFT campuses. This data helps you understand if demand for specific campuses is increasing or decreasing over time.
| Campus | 2024 Closing Rank | 2025 Closing Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIFT Delhi | 160 | 92 | More competitive |
| NIFT Mumbai | 208 | 133 | More competitive |
| NIFT Bangalore | 242 | 242 | Stable |
| NIFT Hyderabad | 474 | 426 | More competitive |
| NIFT Chennai | 547 | 515 | More competitive |
| NIFT Kolkata | 678 | 678 | Stable |
The data suggests that demand for top campuses (Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai) is increasing year on year. Closing ranks have improved (become lower, more competitive) at these campuses. This is consistent with rising competition in the design entrance exam space and growing prestige of NIFT's top campuses. If you have a competitive rank (under 200), prioritise top campuses. If your rank is between 300-600, focus on campuses like Bangalore, Gandhinagar, and Hyderabad. For ranks above 800, smaller campuses offer more realistic options.
Smaller NIFT campuses: accessibility and data
NIFT operates 10 additional campuses beyond the major 7 listed above: NIFT Jodhpur, NIFT Bhopal, NIFT Kannur, NIFT Raebareli, NIFT Patna, NIFT Bhubaneswar, NIFT Shillong, NIFT Kangra, NIFT Srinagar, NIFT Panchkula, NIFT Coimbatore, NIFT Jorhat, NIFT Nava Raipur, NIFT Varanasi, and NIFT Daman.
Detailed round-by-round Opening Rank and Closing Rank (OR-CR) data for these campuses is published by NIFT on the official admissions portal (nift.admissions.nic.in) after each counselling round closes. ShapeVerse recommends checking the official portal directly for these campus-specific cutoffs, as they vary considerably year to year and depend on local demand.
As a general guide for students planning their choices: Fashion Design closing ranks at smaller campuses typically fall in the 800-3,000 range depending on the specific campus and the year. This wide range reflects the diversity of these campuses' seat intakes and student demand. Students with CMR ranks above 700 should specifically target these campuses in their counselling preferences. These campuses offer valuable educational programmes and strong placement outcomes, often in their regional markets. Smaller campuses also tend to have tighter-knit communities and more individualised mentoring.
How to use NIFT cutoff data for your counselling strategy
Step 1: Understand your CMR. After NIFT releases the result and merit lists, you will know your exact Combined Merit Rank. Write this number down. This is the only number that matters for counselling across all 20 campuses and all programmes.
Step 2: Find your rank on this page. Look across the tables above and identify which programmes and campuses have closing ranks equal to or higher (worse) than your CMR. These are your realistic options.
Step 3: Make a shortlist. Create a list of 4-6 programme-campus combinations where your rank falls within the closing rank. Aim for a mix: 1-2 stretch options (closing rank slightly better than your rank), 2-3 target options (closing rank close to your rank), and 1-2 safety options (closing rank significantly better/higher than your rank).
Step 4: Prioritise by programme and campus preference. Among your realistic options, rank them by your genuine interest. What programme appeals to you most? Do you have a city or campus preference? Factoring in your interests prevents you from accepting a seat you do not truly want.
Step 5: Participate in all rounds. If you do not get a seat in Round 1, you remain in the merit list for Round 2. Round 2 often has slightly more accessible cutoffs as vacancies are filled. Never skip any counselling round.
Category-wise cutoff guidance
The cutoff data presented on this page is for General/Open category candidates only. NIFT also reserves seats for SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), OBC (Other Backward Class), EWS (Economically Weaker Section), and PwD (Persons with Disability) categories.
Cutoffs for reserved categories are numerically higher (worse) than General category because more candidates in those categories need to be accommodated within the reserved seat pool. As an approximate reference:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) closing ranks are typically 1.5 to 2 times the General closing rank for the same programme and campus.
- SC closing ranks are typically 2.5 to 3.5 times the General figure.
- ST closing ranks are often 3 to 5 times the General figure.
- EWS cutoffs are typically close to or slightly higher than General cutoffs.
For exact category-wise Opening Rank and Closing Rank data, refer to the official NIFT admissions portal at nift.admissions.nic.in after each round. This data is essential if you are applying under a reserved category.
Final notes and data disclaimer
The cutoff data presented on this page is compiled from official NIFT publications and the NIFT admissions portal (nift.admissions.nic.in). ShapeVerse presents this data in a structured format for convenience and comparison. However, ShapeVerse is not affiliated with NIFT and does not guarantee the accuracy of this data beyond our sourcing date.
Always verify these cutoff figures with the official NIFT admissions portal before making final counselling decisions. NIFT publishes updated OR-CR data after every round concludes. Counselling rules, seat allotment algorithms, and cutoff values can change from year to year. Never rely solely on historical data; always cross-check with the latest official announcements.
Your counselling choice is one of the most important decisions in your design education journey. Spend time thoughtfully mapping your options, reading about campuses, and understanding programme-specific strengths. Good luck with your NIFT counselling.
Related pages: NIFT Syllabus 2027 | NIFT colleges and campuses | NIFT previous year papers | How to prepare for NIFT 2027