NIFT Entrance Exam 2026: National Institute of Design Entrance Exam 2026 is tentatively scheduled to be held in the second week of February 2026 for UG and PG programmes. Candidates seeking admission to Design undergraduate and postgraduate programs like B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.M, M.F.Tech and M.Des at NIFT must apply and appear for the NIFT Entrance Exam 2026.

To appear for the NIFT Entrance Exam, candidates must apply through the official NTA NIFT website. NIFT is expected to commence NIFT 2026 Registration in the last week of November 2025. The NIFT Application fee will be around INR 3,000 for open categories and INR 1500 for ST/SC and PwD Categories. Students who have passed Class 12th and have a maximum age of less than 24 years are eligible to apply for the B.Des Programme, and for M.Des, candidates must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university. Interested candidates must fill out the online application form and pay the registration fee.

NIFTEE Detailed Breakdown

  • Conducting Authority: NTA NIFT
  • Exam Date: Second week of February
  • Registration: Expected to begin in last week of November 2025.
  • Eligibility: Candidates must meet age and qualifying exam requirements.
  • Participating Institutes: NIFT Institutes
  • Exam Structure: Stage 1(GAT+ CAT) and Stage 2 (Studio Test/PI)

Read on for detailed information.

Also read: 

25+ MSQs for Design Entrance ExamB.Des Admission Through CUET 2025M.Des Admission Through CUET 2025

What is NIFT Entrance Exam?

NIFT is a national-level design entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). The NIFTEE exam includes written exams comprising the GAT (General Ability Test) and CAT (Creative Ability Test). The GAT paper is mandatory for all programs, while only B.Des and M.Des candidates need to take the CAT. Situation Test/ Personal Interview is for B.Des candidates. Shortlisted candidates have to appear in the Situation Test, whereas PG candidates need to appear in a Personal Interview. Admission to the B.F.Tech program will be based on GAT scores.    

NIFT Test for UG programmes

NIFT UG comprises B.Des and B.F. Tech:

ProgrammeGATCATSituation Test
B.DesYesYesYes
B.F.TechYesNoNo
B.F.Tech candidates opting for B.DesYesYesYes

NIFT Test for PG programmes

NIFT PG comprises M.F.M, M.Des and M.F.Tech:

ProgrammeGATCATPersonal Interview
M.F.MYesNoYes
M.DesYesYesYes
M.F.M candidates opting for M.DesYesYesYes
M.F.TechYesNoYes