NIFT 2026 Admission Guide: Dates, Eligibility, Seats & Process

What is NIFT?

NIFT is the most respected institute in India for teaching fashion courses. It administers national undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) entrance exams at nineteen of its campuses in India every year.

📅 NIFT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule (Tentative)

The Application Form Season will open in November 2025.

Last Date to Apply: January 2026

January 2026 is the period for correcting your online application.

From February 2026, students can download their admit cards.

The CAT exam for NIFT will be held in February 2026, as well as the GAT exam.

February 2026 will see the release of the answer key.

In March 2026, we should be seeing the election results.

Students can expect to take their situation tests, GDs and PIs during April 2026.

The results will be publicly stated in April 2026.

Counselling & Seat Allocation will be held between May and June 2026.

These dates are planned and might eventually change. Candidates must keep checking the official NIFT website for any new updates.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

The Departments offers Undergraduate Courses (Bachelors Degree in Design & Bachelor Degree in Fashion Technology).

All candidates for this year’s competition must be under 24 years of age on August 1, 2026. People from SC, ST or PwD categories can apply for a relaxation of 5 years.

Educational Qualification:

B.Des: The applicant passed their 10+2 from a recognized school board.

Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subjects are what I passed in my 10+2 examination for B.F.Tech.

Master of Design (M.Des), Master of Film Technology (M.F.Tech) and Master of Fine Arts Management (MFM)

No age limit is required.

Educational Qualification:

M.Des: You need a recognized university’s bachelor’s in design or a UG design qualification that takes 3 years.

Candidates need a B.F.Tech from NIFT or a BE/B.Tech from an recognized institute.

MFM: You can apply with a bachelor’s degree or with a 3-year diploma.

📝 Application Process

Before you can access the online assessment, visit the official INFIT website, enter your valid email and mobile number and complete the registration process.

Personal Information Form: Fill the required details for your sake, your education and contact info.

Scan and upload the required image of the photograph and signature.

Application Fee:

General/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/GEN -EWS: The fee for one program is ₹3000 and for two programs it is ₹4500.

SC/ST/PwD: Participants pay ₹1500 for one course and ₹2250 for two courses.

Submit the form online and save a printed copy of the application for yourself.

Candidates can use the correction window, opening in January 2026, to correct their applications.

📝Exam Pattern

For the courses of B.Des and M.Des

CAT examines creative skills, attention to details, imagination in problem-solving and ability to design.

GAT checks a person’s skills in numbers, communication, English, analyzing and general knowledge.

Anyone who passes the written examination will be invited for a Situation Test (for B.Des) or a Group Discussion and Personal Interview (for M.Des).

For B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and MFM

General Ability Test (GAT): The sole written test for these programs.

🎯 Selection Process & Weightage

B.Des: CAT (50%) and GAT (30%) each and Situation Test (20%)

M.Des Cat- 40 Percent GAT- 30 percent GD/PI – 30 Percent

B.F.Tech: GAT (Cumlaude)

M.F.Tech & MFM: GAT (70%)+GD/PI (30%)

🎓 Seat Matrix & Reservation

Overall, NIFT offers more than 4,000 seats on its 19 campuses. Reservations must be made according to this policy:

SC: 15%

ST: 7.5%

There is a 27% reservation for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer).

GEN-EWS: 10%

5% of reserved places are allocated to PwD in individual transfers (horizontal reservation).

Note: Your documents will be checked during the admission process when reserving a seat.

📌 Admission Process

Applying candidates are required to take the CAT as well as GAT if needed.

Shortlisted candidates are invited for the following round due to their scores on the written test.

All the available scores will be added to decide the placement of each student on the final merit list.

Candidates who are selected can take part in counselling to secure seats to their desired courses.

📚 Preparation Tips

Learn about the Syllabus: Study the described test content for CAT and GAT.

Solve question papers from earlier exam years to see the format the exam will follow.

To make your schedule, ensure you give each subject the required time.

Take practice tests from time to time to see how well you’re prepared.

Follow the official NIFT website for all announcements about changes or updates.