NIFT 2026 Registration Begins; Exam on February 8 as NTA Cuts Fees and Adds New Test Cities

The National Testing Agency will hold the NIFTEE 2026 exam for BDes and MDesign programs in a mixed format, using both computer-based and paper-based tests, across 100 cities. The application form is on exams.nta.nic.in/niftee.

Registration is now open for the National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Examination (NIFTEE 2026), managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This exam is for those wanting to enter undergraduate, postgraduate, lateral entry, artisan programs, and PhD programs. The NIFT 2026 exam is planned for February 8 and will use a combination of computer-based and paper-based methods.

The NIFT exam will occur in 100 cities nationwide, an increase from the prior 82 cities. The NTA will handle the exam using both computer-based testing (CBT) and the traditional pen-and-paper testing (PBT).

The NIFT application form for 2026 can be found on the official website, exams.nta.nic.in/niftee/. Candidates need to apply by January 6. Those who don't apply in time can still apply between January 7 and 10, but they'll have to pay a late fee of Rs 5,000 on top of the normal application fee.

How are candidates chosen for NIFT 2026?

To get into the Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech) programs, applicants will be evaluated on their scores from the General Ability Test (GAT) and the Creative Ability Test (CAT). A situation test will then follow.

For postgraduate programs, the final selection involves a personal interview instead of a situation test.

Those applying for PhD programs must take a written test, and then present a research proposal, after which they will do an interview (RPPI) managed by NIFT.

NIFTEE scores determine admission to the 19 NIFT campuses nationwide. The campuses in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi typically have the highest NIFT cut-off scores for admission to BDesign programs, according to historical data. 

NIFT 2026 Application Fee (Revised by NTA)