National Institute of Fashion Technology: Admission 2026, Courses, Fees, Ranking & Delhi Campus Life

About National Institute of Fashion Technology - [NIFT] New Delhi

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), established in 1986, is located in New Delhi, Delhi. It is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and was declared a statutory institute by an Act of Parliament in 2006. NIFT functions independently with the President of India as its Visitor and operates multiple campuses across India.

NIFT New Delhi holds the top rank among fashion institutes in India, recognized for its excellence in design education. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in fashion design, technology, and management. The institute has a strong faculty base and a large student community, with notable achievements including contributions to national projects like the Indian Army’s camouflage uniform design and active engagement in preserving Indian handicrafts through its Craft Cluster Initiative.

Key Highlights

Parameter	Details
Full Name	National Institute of Fashion Technology
Established	1986
Type	Autonomous (Central Government Institute)
Affiliation	Autonomous under Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
Approved By	UGC
NAAC Grade	A (Valid till 2027)
NIRF 2025	#1 in Design Category
Campus	15 acres, New Delhi, Delhi
Courses	7 UG + 3 PG + PhD programs
Popular Programmes	B.Des. Fashion Design, B.FTech, M.Des, M.FTech, MFM
Students	Approx. 3,000
Faculty	150+
Website	www.nift.ac.in

Admission Dates 2026

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi admission cycle for 2026 includes a common entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for undergraduate and postgraduate programs such as B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M. The application process starts in December 2025, followed by the entrance exam in February 2026, with subsequent stages including situation tests, interviews, and counselling.

Programme	Event	Date
All UG/PG Programmes	Application Start (Regular Fee)	08 December 2025
All UG/PG Programmes	Application Deadline (Regular Fee)	06 January 2026
All UG/PG Programmes	Application Deadline (With Late Fee)	07 January 2026 - 10 January 2026
All UG/PG Programmes	Application Edit Window	12 January 2026 - 14 January 2026
All UG/PG Programmes	Admit Card Release	Third week of January 2026
All UG/PG Programmes	Entrance Exam (CAT & GAT)	08 February 2026
B.Des	Situation Test	April - May 2026
M.Des / M.F.M	Interview / Personal Interaction	May - June 2026
All UG/PG Programmes	Result of Entrance Examination	March - April 2026
All UG/PG Programmes	Final Result Declaration	May 2026
All UG/PG Programmes	Seat Allocation / Counselling Start	May - June 2026
Artisan Category (B.Des)	Application Deadline	28 February 2026
Artisan Category (B.Des)	Admit Card Release	March 2026
Artisan Category (B.Des)	Skill Test, Interview & Document Verification	April - May 2026
Artisan Category (B.Des)	Final Result Declaration	May - June 2026
NRI/Foreign National/OCI/PIO/SAARC	Application Start	08 December 2025
NRI/Foreign National/OCI/PIO/SAARC	Application Deadline	30 April 2026
NRI/Foreign National/OCI/PIO/SAARC	Last Date to Receive SAT/GMAT/GRE Scores	30 April 2026
NRI/Foreign National/OCI/PIO/SAARC	Seat Allotment and Payment of Fee	June - July 2026

Admission Process

Admission to National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi is primarily through the NIFT Entrance Examination for undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including lateral entry options. PhD admissions involve a separate application, written test, and interview process.

Undergraduate & Postgraduate Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Visit the official NIFT website and create a login ID by providing personal details.
2. Complete the online application form for the desired program and upload required documents.
3. Download and print the confirmation page after successful submission.
4. Appear for the NIFT Entrance Exam (GAT and CAT) conducted in February 2025.
5. Participate in the counselling process after results, including document verification and choice filling for campuses and programs.
6. Pay the admission fee to confirm the seat and report to the allotted campus by the specified date.

PhD Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Submit the completed application form along with a detailed research proposal and consent from a NIFT supervisor.
2. Appear for the written test and personal interview assessing research aptitude and communication skills.
3. Wait for the merit list and attend the research proposal presentation and final interview.
4. Admission is offered based on merit and seat availability.

Eligibility Criteria & Fees

Programme	Qualification	Entrance Exam	Min %
Bachelor of Design (BDes) / Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech)	10+2 in any stream	NIFT Entrance Exam (GAT + CAT)	Minimum 50%
Master of Design (MDes) / Master of Fashion Management (MFM) / Master of Fashion Technology (MFTech)	Bachelor’s degree in relevant field	NIFT Entrance Exam (GAT + CAT)	Minimum 50%
PhD	Master’s degree in Design, Management or Technology	Written test & Interview	Minimum 55%

Documents Required

• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and certificates
• Graduation mark sheets and degree certificate (for PG and PhD)
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• Passport size photograph and signature scan
• Admit card and scorecard of NIFT Entrance Exam
• Research proposal and supervisor consent (for PhD applicants)
• Transfer certificate and migration certificate

Cutoff 2025

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Delhi cutoff ranks for 2025 indicate highly competitive admission, especially for UG design courses like B.Des and B.FTech. General category closing ranks for popular courses range mostly within the top 1000 ranks, reflecting strong demand and limited seats. Reserved categories have wider rank ranges but remain competitive. Cutoffs vary by course and category, with Fashion Communication and Textile Design among the sought-after specializations.

Exam	Branch/Course	General	OBC	SC	ST
NIFT Entrance Exam	B.Des Fashion Design	10 - 220	200 - 940	660 - 1600	3400 - 5000
NIFT Entrance Exam	B.Des Fashion Communication	114 - 974
NIFT Entrance Exam	B.Des Textile Design	183 - 304
NIFT Entrance Exam	B.FTech Apparel Production	42 - 60
NIFT Entrance Exam	M.FTech	30

Placements 2025

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi recorded a strong placement performance in 2025 with a placement rate close to 99% for B.Des students. Over 200 companies participated in the placement drive, offering diverse roles in fashion, retail, and design sectors.

Placement Statistics

Parameter	Value
Placement Rate	99%
Students Placed	Approx. 200/202
Companies Visited	200+

Top Recruiters

IT: Amazon, Info Edge, Incture Technologies

Consulting: Wipro, Scaler Academy

Core (Fashion, Retail, Design): Reliance Retail, Raymond, Aditya Birla Group, Myntra, Titan, Adidas, FabIndia, Nike, Landmark Group, Shahi Exports, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Tarun Tahiliani

Branch-wise Placement

Branch	%Placed
B.Des (Bachelor of Design)	99%
MFM (Master of Fashion Management)	Approx. 90%

Rankings & Accreditations

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi holds the top position among fashion design institutes in India, ranked #1 by India Today in 2025. It is also recognized for its academic reputation by QS World University Rankings and maintains a strong presence in national design education rankings.

NIRF 2025

Category	Rank
Design/Fashion	Not Ranked Separately

Other Rankings

Agency	Rank	Year
India Today	#1	2025
Outlook	#1	2025
QS World University Rankings (Academic Reputation in India)	#1	2025

Accreditations

• NAAC: Accredited
• NBA: Accredited for relevant design and technology programmes

Scholarships & Financial Aid

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi offers financial aid primarily through its Means-cum-Merit Financial Assistance schemes targeting economically weaker students based on parental income and academic performance. Key scholarships include the SARTHAK scheme providing tuition fee waivers up to 100%, and the UDAAN merit-cum-means scholarship. Additionally, students can access government scholarships via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and benefit from educational loans through partner banks.

Institute Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount
SARTHAK Financial Assistance Scheme	Regular students with parental income below ₹4 lakh/year; 100% waiver for income < ₹1.5 lakh, 75% for ₹1.5-2.5 lakh, 50% for ₹2.5-4 lakh	Up to ₹3.42 lakh/year (tuition fee waiver)
UDAAN Scholarship	Merit-cum-means for select students, including foreign students; academic merit and financial need	Full tuition fee waiver plus travel and subsistence allowance (varies)

Government Scholarships

Scheme	For	Portal
Post Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC	Reserved category students with income limits as per state/central norms	NSP
National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students	ST students pursuing higher education	NSP

External Scholarships

• ITC Scholarship: Awarded for academic excellence and creativity in fashion design students at NIFT
• HomeShop18 Scholarship: Recognizes outstanding academic performance with financial awards

Comparison

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi is compared with Pearl Academy New Delhi and National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad as these are premier government-affiliated design institutions in India known for their excellence in fashion and design education, attracting similar student profiles and industry recruiters.

Parameter	National Institute of Fashion Technology - [NIFT] New Delhi	Pearl Academy New Delhi	National Institute of Design - [NID] Ahmedabad
Type	Government	Private	Government
Established	1986	1993	1961
NIRF 2025	Not separately ranked in overall NIRF but ranked #1 in India Today design rankings	Not in top NIRF design rankings	#4 (Design category)
NAAC	Not applicable (autonomous institute under Ministry of Textiles)	Not accredited by NAAC	A Grade

Key Strengths

• National Institute of Fashion Technology - [NIFT] New Delhi: Premier government institute with strong industry linkages, national-level entrance exam, and comprehensive fashion education including design, technology, and management.
• Pearl Academy New Delhi: Private institute known for industry-oriented curriculum, international collaborations, and strong placement support in fashion and design sectors.
• National Institute of Design - [NID] Ahmedabad: Oldest and most prestigious design institute in India with a broad design focus, strong research orientation, and high academic reputation.

Campus & Infrastructure

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi campus is located in Hauz Khas, spread over approximately 3.5 to 4 acres. It features modern, award-winning architecture with well-equipped classrooms, design studios, and specialized labs, providing a creative and technology-driven environment for fashion education.

Campus Details

Parameter	Details
Area	3.52 - 4 acres
Location	Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi
Nearest Railway	Hauz Khas Metro Station (approx. 1 km)
Nearest Airport	Indira Gandhi International Airport (approx. 18 km)

Academic Facilities

• Library: Over 15,000 books and numerous e-journals
• Labs: 11 specialized labs including Computer, Photography, Pattern Making & Draping, Weaving, Dyeing & Printing, Technology, Garment Technology, Leather Design, Accessory Design, Knitwear, and Textile labs
• Classrooms: 44 to 55 smart classrooms with audio-visual facilities

Hostel

Type	Capacity
Boys	Not available on campus; students arrange nearby PGs or rented flats
Girls	200 beds (fully air-conditioned hostel)

Other Facilities

• 3 Auditoriums
• 3 Seminar/Conference Halls
• Amphitheatre
• High-speed Wi-Fi campus-wide
• Cafeteria and Canteen
• Medical room with Doctor on Call
• Firefighting system and 24x7 power backup in hostel

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cutoff rank required for admission to NIFT Delhi for B.Des courses in 2025?

The closing rank for B.Des admission at NIFT Delhi in 2025 ranged between 114 and 974 for the General category, with Fashion Communication being highly sought after. Scores above 75 marks generally secure admission to top campuses like Delhi.

What are the eligibility criteria for undergraduate programs at NIFT Delhi?

Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent and be under 24 years of age as of August 1 of the admission year, with a 5-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD categories. There is no restriction on the number of attempts.

What is the total hostel fee for female students at NIFT Delhi for the academic year 2025-26?

The hostel fee for female students at NIFT Delhi is approximately ₹99,000, with an additional refundable security deposit of ₹20,000. Hostel fees must be paid before joining.

Does NIFT Delhi provide hostel facilities for male students?

NIFT Delhi offers hostel facilities primarily for female students with a capacity of 200 beds. Separate hostel accommodation for male students is limited or not available on the main campus.

What is the placement scenario and average package at NIFT Delhi?

NIFT Delhi has a strong placement record with top recruiters from fashion, retail, and lifestyle sectors. Internships often lead to pre-placement offers.

Which companies are the major recruiters at NIFT Delhi placements?

Major recruiters include Raymond, Arvind, Titan, Adidas, H&M, and Fabindia, among others, offering roles in design, merchandising, marketing, and production.

What specializations are offered in the B.Des program at NIFT Delhi?

B.Des specializations include Fashion Design, Leather Design, Accessory Design, Textile Design, Knitwear Design, and Fashion Communication.

How is the faculty quality at NIFT Delhi?

NIFT Delhi has experienced faculty with industry backgrounds and academic expertise, many of whom stay late to assist students, supporting a practical and research-oriented curriculum.

What are the key facilities available in the NIFT Delhi campus?

The campus includes 44 classrooms, labs with 3D printers, laser cutting machines, computerized knitting machines, a fabric library, auditorium, and a well-stocked library with air conditioning.

Is there a dress code for students at NIFT Delhi?

NIFT Delhi does not enforce a strict dress code but encourages students to maintain a professional and creative appearance suitable for the fashion industry environment.

How is the food quality and mess facility in NIFT Delhi hostels?

The hostel mess offers food on a payment basis with a variety of options. While generally satisfactory, some students have noted cleanliness issues in the canteen area.

What is the commute like for students staying in NIFT Delhi hostels?

The hostel is located near Green Park and Hauz Khas metro stations, providing easy and convenient access to the campus and city.

Are part-time jobs or internships available for NIFT Delhi students during the course?

Students often secure internships with fashion houses and brands during their course, but part-time jobs on campus are limited due to the intensive curriculum.

How does NIFT Delhi compare with other NIFT campuses in terms of reputation and ROI?

NIFT Delhi is considered the premier campus with the highest cutoff and best industry connections, offering strong ROI due to excellent placements and brand value.

What is the application process for NIFT Delhi admission?

Applicants must register online, appear for the NIFT entrance exam, and participate in counseling based on their rank. Documents and eligibility are verified during counseling.

Are scholarships available for students at NIFT Delhi?

NIFT Delhi offers merit-based and category-based scholarships, including government scholarships for SC/ST/OBC and economically weaker sections.

What kind of research opportunities does NIFT Delhi provide?

NIFT Delhi encourages research in textile innovation, sustainable fashion, and technology integration, supported by labs and faculty guidance.

Is the campus safe for female students at NIFT Delhi?

The campus has 24/7 security, a strict anti-ragging policy, and medical facilities with a doctor on call, ensuring a safe environment for female students.

What are the hostel room amenities at NIFT Delhi?

Hostel rooms are air-conditioned with a single cot, study table, inbuilt cupboard; students must bring their own mattress, bedding, and personal items.

Can foreign nationals apply for admission to NIFT Delhi?

Yes, foreign nationals are eligible to apply and must submit SAT scores directly to NIFT before the deadline for admission consideration.