NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) is India’s top fashion institute offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fashion design, technology, and management. Every year, thousands of students appear for the NIFT Entrance Exam to get admission into prestigious NIFT campuses across the country. NIFT 2026, including eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation tips.
What is NIFT?
NIFT conducts a national-level entrance exam for admission into:
- B.Des (Bachelor of Design)
- B.FTech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology)
- M.Des
- M.FTech
- M.F.M (Master of Fashion Management)
The exam tests creativity, design aptitude, logical thinking, drawing ability, and communication skills.
NIFT 2026 Highlights
- Exam Name: NIFT Entrance Exam
- Conducting Body: National Institute of Fashion Technology
- Programs Offered: UG & PG courses in Design, Fashion, and Technology
- Exam Mode: Written test + Situation test/Interview
- Application Release: Expected in November 2025
- Exam Date: Likely in February 2026
NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
For B.Des
- Passed Class 12 in any stream
- No minimum percentage required
- Maximum age limit: 24 years (relaxation for reserved categories)
For B.FTech
- Must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics in Class 12
- Same age limit as B.Des
For PG Courses (M.Des, MFM, M.FTech)
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (for M.Des & MFM)
- B.FTech or B.E/B.Tech (for M.FTech)
- No age limit
NIFT 2026 Exam Pattern
NIFT has different tests for different courses:
1. Creative Ability Test (CAT) – For B.Des & M.Des
- Tests creativity, drawing skills, and imagination
- Subjective questions
- Duration: 3 hours
2. General Ability Test (GAT)
For all courses
- Quantitative ability
- Communication ability
- English comprehension
- Analytical ability
- General knowledge
- Duration: 2 hours
3. Situation Test – For B.Des
- Hands-on model making
- Material handling
- Creativity and innovation
4. Group Discussion & Personal Interview – For PG Courses
- Portfolio review
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving ability
NIFT 2026 Syllabus Overview
For CAT (Drawing & Creativity)
- Sketching
- Story representation
- Creative problem-solving
- Visual presentation
- Colour theory
For GAT
- Reasoning ability
- English grammar & vocabulary
- Quantitative maths
- Design awareness
- General knowledge
Situation Test
- Model making
- Craft skills
- Practical design solutions
- Time management
NIFT 2026 Application Process
- Visit the official NIFT admissions portal
- Register using email and mobile number
- Fill out the online application form
- Upload photograph & signature
- Pay the application fee
- Download the confirmation page
NIFT 2026 Counselling Process
- Register online
- Upload documents
- Seat allotment based on rank
- Choose preferred NIFT campus
- Pay admission fee
- Report to the allotted institute
NIFT 2026 Preparation Tips
- Practice sketching and creative drawing daily
- Improve imagination and idea-generation skills
- Solve previous NIFT CAT & GAT papers
- Read fashion magazines for design inspiration
- Develop a strong portfolio (important for PG admissions)
- Take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy
Why Choose NIFT?
- India’s top fashion and design institute
- Strong industry connections and placements
- Modern labs, workshops, and studios
- International exposure & exchange programs
- Highly experienced faculty
Conclusion
NIFT 2026 is a great opportunity for creative students who want to build a career in fashion design, textile design, fashion communication, and fashion technology. With the right preparation and creative thinking, students can score well and secure admission into top NIFT campuses.







