NIFTEE 2026: The NIFT Entrance Examination 2026 has officially been announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA), marking the beginning of the admission process for undergraduate, postgraduate, lateral entry and PhD programmes offered by the National Institute of Fashion Technology. This examination is one of India’s most prominent design admission tests, conducted across 100 cities in both computer-based and paper-based formats, depending on the programme.
The notification outlines the complete schedule, eligibility criteria, application process, exam structure and important instructions for candidates. With registrations opening in December 2025 and the entrance exam scheduled for February 2026, aspiring students now have a clearly defined timeline to prepare for admission into one of India’s premier institutes for fashion, design, management and technology. The official bulletin also includes detailed guidelines on age limits, document requirements, reservation rules, marking scheme, and evaluation procedures, making it essential for all applicants to understand these details before applying.
NIFTEE 2026 Important Dates
UG & PG (Regular and Lateral Entry)
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Starts | 08 December 2025 |
| Last Date | 06 January 2026 |
| Late Fee Window | 07 to 10 January 2026 |
| Correction Window | 12 to 14 January 2026 |
| Entrance Exam | 8 February 2026 |
| Admit Card & Result | To be announced |
Artisan Category (B.Des)
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration | 08 December 2025 to 28 February 2026 |
| Skill Test & Interview | April 2026 |
| Final Result | April 2026 |
NIFTEE 2026 Application Fees
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General, EWS, OBC | ₹2000 |
| SC, ST, PwD | ₹500 |
| General/EWS/OBC applying for two programmes | ₹3000 |
| SC/ST/PwD applying for two programmes | ₹750 |
| NRI, Foreign National, OCI, PIO, SAARC | ₹11,100 |
NIFTEE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit: Candidates applying for B.Des and B.F.Tech must be under 24 years of age as of 1 August 2026, with a five-year relaxation for SC, ST and PwD candidates. There is no age limit for Master’s and PhD programmes.
Educational Qualification Summary
| Programme | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|
| B.Des | 10+2 or NIOS or 3–4 year diploma or equivalent |
| B.F.Tech | 10+2 with Mathematics or Engineering diploma |
| M.Des | UG degree or 3-year NIFT/NID diploma |
| MFM | UG degree or 3-year NIFT/NID diploma |
| M.F.Tech | B.F.Tech or B.E./B.Tech |
| Artisan Category | B.Des qualification + valid Artisan Card |
NIFTEE 2026 Exam Structure
UG Programmes
B.Des applicants must appear in GAT, CAT and the Situation Test, while B.F.Tech applicants appear only for GAT. The weighting for B.Des is GAT 30 per cent, CAT 50 percent and Situation Test 20 percent.
PG Programmes
M.Des requires GAT, CAT and a Personal Interview. MFM requires GAT and a Personal Interview. M.F.Tech requires GAT and a Personal Interview.
Marking Scheme
Each correct answer carries one mark, each incorrect answer deducts 0.25 marks, and no marks are given for unattempted questions.
Important Links
| NIFTEE 2026 Notification PDF | Notification |
| NIFTEE 2026 Online Form | Apply Online |
| NIFTEE 2026 Official Website | NIFTEE |