Want to make your mark in fashion as a designer, technologist, or manager? Clear your way to top fashion institutes in India by clearing the NIFT Entrance Exam. Here you’ll find all the crucial information about the NIFT exam for 2026, including when to start preparing and how to do it.
What is NIFT?
NIFT organizes a single examination that is used to select candidates for admission to both its undergraduate and postgraduate courses. NIFT operates on multiple campuses nationwide and provides a variety of programs, such as Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs:
- B.Des (Bachelor of Design)
- B.F.Tech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology)
- M.Des (Master of Design)
- Fashion Management Programs
NIFT 2026 Important Dates
Preliminary dates for NIFT 2026 are being released, and the detailed schedule will be available soon on the official website.
- Notification Release: October 2025
- Application Start: November 2025
- Last Date to Apply: January 2026
- Admit Card Release: February 2026
- Exam Date: February 2026
- Result Declaration: April 2026
NIFT 2026 Exam Pattern
The assessment will cover two distinct parts.
Creative Ability Test (CAT)
Format: Drawing/sketching-based
Duration: 3 hours
Marks: 100
Topics: The CAT is used to evaluate your drawing aptitude as well as your imagination.
While working within an assigned subject matter and formulating your answer in accordance with the chosen theme.
General Ability Test (GAT)
Format: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
Duration: 2 hours
Marks: 100
Topics:
- Quantitative Ability (Maths)
- English Comprehension
- Knowledge of Sector Relevant News and Trending Fashion Items
- Logical Reasoning
Note: If you are interested in these courses, you will have to take the GAT.
NIFT 2026 Syllabus Breakdown
GAT Syllabus (Common for All Courses)
- Quantitative Ability: Profit & Loss, Ratios, Algebra
- English Comprehension: Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Passages
- General Knowledge: Current Affairs, Fashion Industry Updates
- Logical Reasoning: Puzzles, Analogies, Sequences
CAT Syllabus (For B.Des & M.Des)
- Freehand Drawing: Objects, Human Figures, Patterns
- Theme-Based Creativity: Poster Making, Story Illustration
- Innovation & Design Thinking
How to Prepare for NIFT 2026?
- Study Plan
- Months 1–3: Both prior year questions and modern study concepts should be studied thoroughly.
- Months 4–5: Select different images daily and work on creating unique sketches based on them.
- Month 6: Complete the full set of previous year question papers and take some practice tests as well.
- Best Books for NIFT Preparation
- NIFT Entrance Exam Guide by Verma (Arihant)
- Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
- General Knowledge & Current Affairs (Pratiyogita Darpan)
- Online Resources
- YouTube: NIFT BYTES (Sketching Tutorials)
- Mock Tests: Oliveboard, Unacademy
NIFT Cutoff & Counselling Process
Top Campuses (Highest Cutoffs): Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore
Expected Cutoffs (2026):
- B.Des (General Category): 75–85/200
- B.F.Tech: 55–65/200
Counselling Steps:
- Result Declaration
- Online Choice Filling (Campus & Course Selection)
- Seat Allotment & Document Verification
FAQs About NIFT 2026
Q1. You can easily clear the entrance exam after dedicated preparation.
Yes! Putting in dedicated effort and working on your drawing skills regularly improves your probability of passing NIFT.
Q2. Students from other backgrounds can as well pursue courses such as Apparel Production and Fashion Management.
No! Apparel Production and Fashion Management attract lots of students without graphic design backgrounds.
Q3. You can expect to pay anywhere from ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 as the fee for your NIFT exam in 2026.
Around ₹3,000–₹5,000 (varies by category).
Final Tips for Success
- Begin early and make a disciplined routine.
- Regular sketching helps you improve your creativity and gets you ready for the CAT exam.
- Stay updated with all the information released by the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
