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

About National Institute of Fashion Technology - [NIFT] Kangra

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Kangra is a government fashion and design institution established in 2009 in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Located at Chheb in the Kangra Valley, it is one of the newer campuses of the National Institute of Fashion Technology network. The campus functions under the NIFT statutory body of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, with academic and administrative autonomy within the NIFT system.

NIFT Kangra forms part of the nationally recognised NIFT group, which operates under an Act of Parliament and is recognised by the Ministry of Textiles. The campus offers full-time Bachelor of Design programmes in Fashion Design, Accessory Design, Textile Design and Fashion Communication, along with a Bachelor of Fashion Technology programme. It focuses on industry-oriented design education, supported by central NIFT initiatives in curriculum, internships and placements.

Key Highlights

Admission Dates 2026

NIFT Kangra admissions for all UG (B.Des, B.F.Tech) and PG (M.Des, MFM) programmes run through the central NIFT Admissions 2026 cycle, conducted by NIFT headquarters via a common online application, NIFT Entrance Exam (GAT/CAT), followed by Situation Test/PI and central counselling. The primary gateway exam for all programmes at NIFT Kangra is the NIFT Entrance Exam conducted by NIFT.

Admission Process

NIFT Kangra admits students to its B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des and MFM programmes through the national NIFT Entrance Examination (GAT/CAT), followed by Situation Test/Personal Interview and centralised NIFT counselling conducted online. Applications are submitted only through the NIFT admission portal.

B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, MFM Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Visit the NIFT admissions portal (nift.ac.in / nift.admissions.nic.in) and complete new registration with a valid email and mobile number.
2. Fill the online application form, select NIFT Kangra and desired programme(s), and choose exam centre.
3. Upload photograph, signature and required certificates in the prescribed format.
4. Pay the online application fee (₹2,000 General / ₹1,000 SC/ST/PwD) and submit the form.
5. Download admit card, appear for NIFT written exam (GAT and CAT for design programmes, GAT for B.F.Tech/MFM).
6. For shortlisted candidates, attend Situation Test (UG Design) or Personal Interview (PG/M.Des/MFM) as scheduled.
7. Register for NIFT counselling, fill and lock choices for campuses/programmes.
8. Check seat allotment, upload/verify documents, pay first-year fee and confirm admission to NIFT Kangra.

Eligibility Criteria & Fees

Documents Required

• Class 10 mark sheet and certificate
• Class 12 mark sheet and certificate
• Graduation mark sheets and degree certificate (for M.Des/MFM)
• Transfer Certificate and Migration Certificate
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), if applicable
• PwD certificate, if applicable
• Government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar/Passport/Driving Licence)
• Recent passport-size photographs
• NIFT Entrance Exam scorecard and counselling allotment letter
• Fee payment proof/receipt

Placements 2025

NIFT Kangra placements in 2025 run through NIFT’s central placement process, with recruiters shared across campuses. Publicly available campus-wise numbers for 2025 are not yet released; the latest verified, institute-level data for Kangra is for the 2023-24 cycle, which shows moderate packages and improving recruiter diversity.

Placement Statistics

Top Recruiters

IT: Infosys

Consulting: Aditya Birla Group

Core: Globus, H&M, Kmart Australia, Manyavar, Monte Carlo, Nykaa, Raymond, Reliance Brands, The Man Company, Vardhman Textiles, Emerald Jewel Industry India Ltd, Gaurav Gupta

Branch-wise Placement

Rankings & Accreditations

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Kangra is consistently ranked among the leading fashion design institutes in India, featuring in national surveys focused on design and fashion education. In the India Today 2025 Fashion Design rankings, NIFT Kangra holds a mid-teen national position among top fashion colleges.

Other Rankings

Accreditations

• NAAC: National Institute of Fashion Technology (parent institution) accredited with Grade A+ ( NIFT status on official NIFT documents)
• NBA: Not accredited specifically for NIFT Kangra programmes

Scholarships & Financial Aid

NIFT Kangra offers institute-level fee waivers under the SARTHAK and Means-cum-Merit schemes based on parental income and academic performance. Students can also apply for central and state government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and state-specific schemes for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and meritorious students.

Institute Scholarships

Government Scholarships

Comparison

NIFT Kangra is typically compared with NIFT Kannur and NIFT Shillong because all three are government NIFT campuses started in the 2000s, offer similar undergraduate design and fashion programmes, charge comparable fee levels, and attract students with All India NIFT Entrance ranks in a similar band.

Key Strengths

• National Institute of Fashion Technology - [NIFT] Kangra: Strong value-for-money NIFT campus with consistent India Today fashion design ranking in the mid-teens and good industry exposure in outdoor and sportswear, supported by its Himachal location.
• National Institute of Fashion Technology - [NIFT] Kannur: Established NIFT in Kerala with strong knitwear and apparel industry linkages in the Kannur–Kochi belt and slightly better placement statistics among the newer NIFTs.
• National Institute of Fashion Technology - [NIFT] Shillong: Strategic gateway to the North-East fashion and craft ecosystem, with intensive craft-based projects and niche opportunities in sustainable and ethnic fashion.

Campus & Infrastructure

NIFT Kangra has a 26-acre hill campus at Talpura in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, about 20 km by road from Dharamshala, with views of the Dhauladhar range and a compact built-up area of 23,171 sq ft supporting academic blocks and student amenities. The campus includes a resource centre, laboratories and studios, IT facilities, recreation spaces and eco-friendly features like rainwater harvesting and solar-heated water.

Campus Details

Academic Facilities

• Library: Resource Centre with print and digital collections, e-Granthalaya library software, Web OPAC, advanced search and barcode-based circulation
• Labs: Multiple departmental labs including computer labs, photography lab, textile weaving lab, dyeing and printing lab, garment and IT labs, AD lab, weaving lab
• Classrooms: 40 classrooms, of which 25 have audio-visual facilities (2024)

Hostel

Other Facilities

• Full-fledged gymnasium with modern equipment
• Indoor and outdoor sports facilities including international-standard polypropylene badminton, basketball and volleyball courts, table tennis and snooker tables
• Two recreation rooms
• Canteen and mess facility on campus
• Campus-wide Wi‑Fi with up to 100 Mbps / 1 Gbps backbone via National Knowledge Network
• Campus stationery store
• Campus radio
• One auditorium and amphitheatre for events and performances
• On-campus infirmary with doctor, nurse and psychologist
• Rainwater harvesting, solar water heating and composting of food and other wet waste

Frequently Asked Questions

What entrance exam do I need to clear for admission to NIFT Kangra B.Des and B.FTech?

Admission to B.Des and B.FTech at NIFT Kangra is through the national NIFT Entrance Exam (GAT + CAT), followed by Situation Test and counselling conducted centrally by NIFT. Selection is based on all-India rank and course-wise, category-wise cut-offs.

What were the recent closing ranks for NIFT Kangra in NIFT Entrance (B.Des/B.FTech)?

For 2024–2025, general category closing ranks for B.Des at NIFT Kangra were roughly in the 1300–3200 range depending on specialisation, while B.FTech closing rank was around 2900. Fashion Communication and Fashion Design usually close at lower (more competitive) ranks than Textile or Accessory Design.

What is the basic eligibility for B.Des at NIFT Kangra?

Candidates must have passed 10+2 from a recognised board, or equivalent examinations like GCE (A-level) or International Baccalaureate, in any stream. There is an upper age limit of 24 years for UG, with five-year relaxation for SC, ST and PwD candidates.

How much is the approximate total fee for the NIFT Kangra B.Des programme?

For B.Des at NIFT campuses, the academic fee (tuition, campus and other charges) is typically around ₹2.5–₹3 lakh per year, excluding hostel and mess. Over four years, students usually spend about ₹10–₹12 lakh on institute fees, plus additional expenses on materials and projects.

Does NIFT Kangra provide hostel facility and what are the hostel charges like?

NIFT Kangra has an on-campus girls’ hostel spread over 12 acres with 238 rooms and capacity for about 476 students, with an additional 180 beds planned. Hostel and mess charges are paid semester-wise and are broadly in the ₹70,000–₹1,00,000 per year range across NIFT campuses.

Are scholarships or fee concessions available for NIFT Kangra students?

NIFT runs central schemes such as “NIFT Means–cum–Merit Financial Assistance,” providing graded tuition fee waivers (commonly 25–100%) based on family income slabs. SC, ST and OBC students can also use state and central government scholarship schemes routed through the institute.

What kind of placements does NIFT Kangra offer and what CTC can students expect?

NIFT conducts a centralised placement process where students from all campuses, including Kangra, sit for the same recruiter pool. Top recruiters in recent years have offered CTCs in the ₹8–₹12 lakh per annum range at NIFT, while average packages usually fall around ₹4–₹6 lakh per annum for design roles.

Which companies visit NIFT Kangra for placements and internships?

In the central NIFT placements, companies from fashion retail, apparel manufacturing and lifestyle sectors participate, including major brands, export houses and buying agencies. Students from Kangra typically get opportunities in design, merchandising, production, sourcing and retail management profiles.

Is there good internship exposure at NIFT Kangra?

All NIFT UG programmes have mandatory industry internships, usually 6–8 weeks, with students placed in export houses, fashion brands, buying offices, design studios and NGOs. Many students also undertake additional freelance or brand projects during later semesters to build strong portfolios.

What courses and specialisations are available at NIFT Kangra?

NIFT Kangra offers UG programmes like B.Des in specialisations such as Fashion Design, Textile Design, Fashion Communication and Accessory or related disciplines, along with B.FTech in Apparel Production. At PG level it offers programmes such as M.Des and MFM depending on the academic year’s approved intake.

How is the faculty and teaching approach at NIFT Kangra?

NIFT Kangra follows the standard NIFT curriculum with studio-based learning, labs, industry projects and juried evaluations. Faculty members include designers, technologists and managers with industry experience, and visiting professionals are regularly involved for workshops and expert sessions.

Does NIFT Kangra have good labs and infrastructure for design work?

The campus sits on about 26 acres with specialised labs like textile weaving, dyeing and printing, garment construction, photography, CAD and IT labs with Macintosh workstations, plotters and digitizers. There is a resource centre/library, amphitheatre, gym, sports facilities and Wi‑Fi-enabled academic blocks.

Is hostel available for boys at NIFT Kangra?

At present, the on-campus hostel at NIFT Kangra is only for girls. Boys generally live in private PGs or rented rooms in nearby areas around Kangra and Dharamshala and commute daily to the campus using local buses, autos or shared cabs.

How is the mess and food quality in NIFT Kangra hostel and canteen?

The girls’ hostel has mess facilities with two dining areas serving vegetarian and some non-vegetarian options on a rotational menu. Students mention decent quality and adequate variety, while the campus canteen offers snacks and meals at moderate prices for both day scholars and hostellers.

What is the campus life like at NIFT Kangra in terms of clubs and fests?

NIFT Kangra hosts cultural and fashion events, departmental shows and sports activities, and students participate in the inter‑campus NIFT fest “Converge.” There are student clubs focused on fashion, photography, culture and sports, providing platforms for competitions, showcases and collaborations.

Is the NIFT Kangra campus safe for students, especially girls?

The campus has 24×7 security, separate girls’ hostel within the campus, CCTV coverage in key areas and an internal complaints/anti‑ragging mechanism. Kangra is a relatively quiet hill town, and students generally consider the institute environment safe, with strict rules on outsiders and late entry.

Do NIFT Kangra students need to bring their own laptop and any specific software?

While campus computer and Mac labs are available, most students use personal laptops for design work, Adobe Creative Cloud, pattern-making software and portfolio preparation. A mid-range laptop with at least 8–16 GB RAM and good graphics support is recommended for smooth CAD and rendering tasks.

How does NIFT Kangra compare with bigger NIFT campuses like Delhi or Mumbai?

NIFT Kangra shares the same national curriculum, exam, degree and centralised placements as Delhi or Mumbai. Larger metros offer more direct industry interface and brand offices, while Kangra provides a quieter, lower-cost hill campus environment with smaller batches and close-knit peer interaction.

Is choosing NIFT Kangra a good decision in terms of ROI and career growth?

Since fee and national brand value are common across NIFTs, NIFT Kangra offers similar design education at a relatively lower living cost than metro campuses. With strong portfolios and internships, graduates build careers in design, merchandising and retail with starting CTCs that justify the total investment over a few years.