Complete Guide to NIFT Entrance Exam & Preparation
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is India's premier fashion education institute established in 1986. NIFT conducts an annual entrance examination for admission to its undergraduate and postgraduate programs across 18 campuses nationwide. The NIFT entrance exam is one of the most competitive exams in the fashion and design domain, attracting thousands of aspirants every year who dream of building successful careers in fashion design, textile design, fashion management, and related fields.
The NIFT entrance examination is a national-level test conducted annually for admission to Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Fashion Technology, Design, and Management. The exam assesses candidates on creative ability, general knowledge, communication skills, analytical ability, and case study understanding.
Registration Start: October 2025 (Expected)
Last Date to Apply: December 2025 (Expected)
Application Correction: January 2026 (Expected)
Download Available: January 2026 (Expected)
NIFT 2026 Exam: February 2026 (Expected)
Result Declaration: March 2026 (Expected)
Counselling Process: April-May 2026 (Expected)
Bachelor of Fashion Technology Exam Paper
Master of Fashion Technology Exam Paper
Bachelor of Design General Ability Test
Bachelor of Design Creative Ability Test
Master of Design Creative Ability Test
Master of Design General Ability Test
Master of Fashion Management Exam Paper
| Program | Eligibility Requirements |
|---|---|
| B.Des / B.FTech | Passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board. Candidates appearing in qualifying examination can also apply. |
| M.Des | Bachelor's degree (minimum 3 years) in any discipline from a recognized university. Candidates in final year can also apply. |
| M.FTech | Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology or equivalent in relevant field with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). |
| MFM | Bachelor's degree (minimum 3 years) in any discipline with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit for NIFT entrance examination. |
Duration: 2 Hours
Questions: 100 MCQs
Sections:
Duration: 3 Hours
Type: Descriptive/Drawing
Components:
Duration: 2-3 Hours
Type: Hands-on Test
Evaluation:
Visit the official NIFT website (nift.ac.in) and register with basic details like name, email, and mobile number. You will receive registration credentials.
Log in using credentials, complete the application form with personal, educational, and contact details. Choose your preferred NIFT centers and programs.
Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, and required certificates as per specifications mentioned.
Pay the application fee through online modes (Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI). Fee structure varies by category.
Review all details, submit the form, and download confirmation page for future reference.
| Category | Application Fee (Per Programme) |
|---|---|
| General/OBC Candidates | ₹2,000 |
| SC/ST/PwD Candidates | ₹1,000 |
Students passionate about fashion design, textile design, accessory design, and creative arts can pursue NIFT to build a career in the design industry.
Those interested in the technical aspects of fashion production, garment manufacturing, quality control, and fashion technology can opt for B.FTech and M.FTech programs.
Students looking to merge business acumen with fashion industry knowledge can pursue MFM (Master of Fashion Management) for careers in fashion marketing, retail management, and brand management.
Professionals from other fields who wish to transition into the fashion industry can appear for NIFT postgraduate programs and build a new career path.
🎨 Design Careers: Fashion Designer, Textile Designer, Accessory Designer, Costume Designer, Knitwear Designer, Print Designer
👔 Management Roles: Fashion Manager, Retail Manager, Brand Manager, Visual Merchandiser, Fashion Buyer, Fashion Consultant
🏭 Technical Roles: Fashion Technologist, Production Manager, Quality Controller, Garment Technologist, CAD Designer
💼 Business Opportunities: Fashion Entrepreneur, Boutique Owner, Styling Consultant, Fashion Blogger/Influencer
🎓 Academic Roles: Fashion Educator, Researcher, Curriculum Developer in fashion institutes
Pahal Design has been a pioneer in design entrance coaching since its inception, helping thousands of students achieve their dreams of getting into NIFT and other premier design institutes. With a proven track record spanning over two and a half decades, Pahal Design stands as a trusted name in fashion and design education.
Pahal Design has established coaching centers across major cities in India, making quality NIFT preparation accessible to students nationwide:
"Pahal Design's structured approach and expert guidance helped me crack NIFT on my first attempt. The mock tests and personal attention from faculty made all the difference. I secured admission in B.Des Fashion Design at NIFT Delhi!"
"The creative ability test preparation at Pahal Design was exceptional. The mentors helped me develop my sketching skills and creative thinking. I'm now pursuing M.Des at NIFT Mumbai, thanks to Pahal's comprehensive coaching."
"Being from a non-design background, I was worried about CAT preparation. Pahal Design's faculty patiently guided me through basics to advanced concepts. Their situation test practice sessions were incredibly helpful in building confidence."
Begin your preparation at least 8-12 months before the exam. This gives adequate time to cover syllabus, practice, and refine skills.
Dedicate at least 2-3 hours daily to sketching and drawing. CAT requires strong creative visualization and drawing skills that develop with consistent practice.
Read fashion magazines, follow fashion trends, and stay updated with current affairs. GK section is crucial for GAT performance.
Regular mock tests help identify weak areas, improve time management, and build exam temperament. Analyze your performance after each test.
Maintain a portfolio of your creative work. Practice material handling and model-making for situation test preparation.
Strong foundation in quantitative ability, English, and reasoning is essential. Don't neglect GAT while focusing on CAT.
NIFT will announce results on the official website. Candidates can check their scores and ranks using login credentials.
Qualified candidates must register for counselling by paying the counselling fee and filling preference form for campus and program choices.
Based on rank, preferences, and seat availability, NIFT will allot seats to candidates. Multiple rounds of counselling may be conducted.
Candidates must report to allotted campus with original documents for verification within the specified timeline.
After document verification, pay the admission fee to confirm your seat. Failure to pay within deadline results in seat cancellation.
| NIFT Campus | Available Programs |
|---|---|
| NIFT Delhi | B.Des (All specializations), B.FTech, M.Des, M.FTech, MFM |
| NIFT Mumbai | B.Des (Fashion Design, Accessory Design, Textile Design), M.Des, MFM |
| NIFT Kolkata | B.Des (Fashion Design, Textile Design, Knitwear Design), B.FTech, M.Des |
| NIFT Bangalore | B.Des (Fashion Design, Fashion Communication), B.FTech, M.Des, M.FTech |
| NIFT Chennai | B.Des (Fashion Design, Knitwear Design), M.Des |
| NIFT Gandhinagar | B.Des (Fashion Design, Textile Design, Accessory Design), B.FTech, M.Des |
| Other Campuses | Hyderabad, Kangra, Kannur, Patna, Raebareli, Shillong, Srinagar, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Panchkula, Daman |
| Exam | Focus Area | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| NIFT | Fashion & Textile Design | Specialized in fashion domain, includes situation test, government institute |
| NID | Industrial & Product Design | Broader design spectrum, includes product, furniture, graphic design |
| UCEED | Industrial Design (IIT) | IIT-based program, focus on industrial and interaction design |
| CEED | Postgraduate Design | For M.Des programs at IITs and IISc, technical design orientation |
Yes, you can apply for multiple programs (B.Des, B.FTech, M.Des, etc.) but need to pay separate application fees for each program.
Yes, there is negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in the GAT (General Ability Test) paper.
Drawing skills are primarily required for B.Des and M.Des programs where CAT is mandatory. B.FTech and MFM have different exam patterns focusing on technical and management aptitude.
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for NIFT entrance exam. You can appear multiple times as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.
Annual tuition fee is approximately ₹2 lakh for B.Des/B.FTech programs and varies for M.Des/MFM programs. Additional costs include hostel, mess, and other expenses.
NIFT is a government institute with lower fees, excellent placement records, strong industry connections, and recognition. It offers better ROI compared to most private fashion institutes.
Yes, students from any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts) can apply for NIFT B.Des and M.Des programs. Only B.FTech and M.FTech require science/engineering background.
Basic materials like paper, fabric, threads, adhesive, colors, scissors, etc., are provided. You must create a 3D model based on given theme using these materials.
www.nift.ac.in
Visit for official notifications, application forms, admit cards, results, and counselling information.
For GAT: RS Aggarwal (Quantitative Aptitude), Wren & Martin (English)
For CAT: Fashion design books, drawing technique guides, portfolio references
Previous year question papers, sample papers, mock test series, and CAT practice sheets are essential for preparation.
Fashion magazines (Vogue, Elle), newspapers, fashion blogs, GK compilations, and monthly current affairs updates.
Join Pahal Design's comprehensive NIFT coaching program and get expert guidance from experienced faculty across 15+ centers nationwide. With 25+ years of proven excellence, structured curriculum, regular mock tests, and personalized attention, we ensure you're fully prepared to crack NIFT 2026.
Our NIFT coaching covers all exam papers: B.FTech, M.FTech, B.Des GAT, B.Des CAT, M.Des CAT, M.Des GAT, and MFM
PahalDesign Education Private Limited
Corporate Office:
G-13, Ground Floor, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Nearest Metro Station Hauz Khas Gate No-3, Mayfair Garden / RBI Colony
Landmark: Opposite Joups
Contact No: 8800-22-6864
Email: corporate@pahaldesign.com
Best NIFT Coaching in Delhi | Best NIFT Coaching in Bangalore | Best NIFT Coaching in Lucknow | Best NIFT Coaching in Ranchi | Best NIFT Coaching in Patna | Best NID Coaching in Delhi | Best NID Coaching in Bangalore | Best NID Coaching in Lucknow | Best NID Coaching in Ranchi | Best NID Coaching in Patna | Best NATA Coaching in Delhi | Best NATA Coaching in Bangalore | Best NATA Coaching in Lucknow | Best NATA Coaching in Ranchi | Best NATA Coaching in Patna | Best NATA Coaching in Pune | NIFT Coaching in Indore | NIFT Coaching in Indore | Best NATA Coaching in Bhopal | Best JEE B.Arch Coaching in Delhi | Best JEE B.Arch Coaching in Bangalore | Best JEE B.Arch Coaching in Lucknow | Best JEE B.Arch Coaching in Ranchi | Best JEE B.Arch Coaching in Patna NATA Coaching in Indore
© 2025 All right reserved by PahalDesign Education Pvt Ltd
