NIFT 2025 – Counselling, Cutoff, Result, Scorecard,Trend & Top colleges

The National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam (NIFT Entrance Exam) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) for admission into its highly coveted Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs across its various campuses in India. Held annually, the exam tests candidates in areas such as General Ability and Creative Ability and serves as a gateway to top-ranked fashion, design, and technology colleges in India. Appearing for the NIFT Entrance Exam is often the first major step for students aspiring to pursue Fashion Design, Fashion Technology, or Fashion Management at India’s most reputed fashion institutions. With a single exam score, aspirants can apply to multiple colleges across the country — making it a centralised, merit-based selection tool. The NIFT Entrance Exam is a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate candidates' aptitude and creative potential. It primarily comprises two written components: the General Ability Test (GAT) and the Creative Ability Test (CAT). While the GAT is a crucial component for all programs, assessing quantitative ability, communication skills, English comprehension, analytical aptitude, and general knowledge, the CAT is specifically designed for Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) aspirants, testing their intuitive ability, observation power, concept development, and design skills through descriptive and drawing-based questions. For Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech), Master of Fashion Management (M.F.M), and Master of Fashion Technology (M.F.Tech) programs, the General Ability Test forms the sole basis of the written examination. The examination is conducted in an offline, pen-and-paper mode across various cities nationwide, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of candidates. Typically, the application period for the NIFT Entrance Exam commences in October and extends through January of the following year, with the examination itself usually held in February. Results for the written tests are generally declared in March, followed by subsequent rounds such as the Situation Test for B.Des, and Group Discussion/Personal Interview for M.Des, M.F.M, and M.F.Tech programs, leading to final results in April or May. The syllabus for the NIFT Entrance Exam is not strictly confined to specific academic board curricula but rather focuses on a candidate's inherent abilities and a general understanding expected at the 10+2 level for undergraduate courses. The Creative Ability Test, in particular, requires candidates to demonstrate their innovative thinking and illustrative skills. Over the years, the NIFT Entrance Exam has witnessed high competition, reflecting the growing aspirations of students towards a career in the fashion industry. While specific numbers of applicants and successful candidates are not always officially released, it is widely recognized that thousands of aspirants apply each year for a limited number of seats across NIFT campuses, making the admission process highly competitive. Cut-off scores for admission vary annually based on factors such as the difficulty level of the exam, the number of applicants, and the availability of seats across different categories and NIFT campuses. Aspirants often monitor previous years' cut-off trends to gauge the required performance level. Successfully navigating this multi-stage examination process opens doors to world-class education and thriving careers in the dynamic fashion and textile sectors.

Comprehensive evaluation including Creative Ability Test, General Ability Test, and Situation Test/Group Discussion/Personal Interview; specific focus on fashion and textile education across various disciplines.

Centralized online counselling based on merit rank, choice filling, document verification, and seat allotment.

Qualifying the NIFT National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam (NIFT Entrance Exam) opens up admission opportunities at India’s most prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology campuses – known for their academic excellence, robust industry connections, and stellar placement records. The NIFT Entrance Exam is the unified gateway to all 18 NIFT campuses spread across various cities in India, including prominent locations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. Each campus maintains a consistent standard of quality, offering specialized programs in design, technology, and management within the fashion domain. Admission to these highly sought-after campuses is based on merit obtained in the NIFT Entrance Exam, with candidates typically getting preferred campus choices based on their All India Rank. NIFT Delhi often sees the highest competition, followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru, reflecting their long-standing reputations and strategic industry presence. These institutions are equipped with state-of-the-art design studios, textile labs, computer-aided design facilities, and comprehensive libraries, fostering a conducive environment for learning and innovation. Graduates from these elite NIFT campuses are highly valued across the fashion and retail sectors. They often land roles in leading firms like Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, Lifestyle International, Arvind Lifestyle Brands, Raymond, Myntra, Shahi Exports, and various independent design houses, with average salary packages ranging from ₹4–₹7 LPA. The strong industry interface, including mandatory internships and live projects, ensures students gain practical experience and network with top professionals. This robust placement support and the brand value associated with a NIFT degree highlight the powerful return on investment of qualifying the NIFT Entrance Exam and securing a seat at one of its esteemed campuses.

Qualifying the NIFT National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam (NIFT Entrance Exam) opens doors to some of the most prestigious institutions in India and unlocks access to high-growth career opportunities across sectors. The NIFT Entrance Exam is the gateway to 18 National Institute of Fashion Technology campuses located strategically across the country, each offering world-class infrastructure, cutting-edge labs, and an industry-aligned curriculum. These institutions are renowned for their academic rigor, innovative pedagogy, and strong emphasis on practical skills, nurturing future leaders in the fashion, textile, and lifestyle industries. Graduates from NIFT institutions are highly sought after in the job market, reflecting a strong return on investment. While exact figures can vary by course and campus, students often secure placements with average salary packages ranging from ₹4–₹7 LPA for entry-level roles, with significant potential for growth. Top recruiting companies often include major fashion houses, retail giants, export businesses, and design studios such as Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, Lifestyle International, Raymond, Shahi Exports, Future Group, and various e-commerce platforms. The programs offered by NIFT are highly relevant to in-demand career domains like fashion design, textile design, fashion communication, leather design, accessory design, knitwear design, and fashion technology/management, aligning seamlessly with emerging sectors and high-growth fields. NIFT provides exceptional opportunities for internships, research projects, and collaborations, giving students invaluable real-world experience. The institute’s global recognition and robust alumni network also provide better chances at scholarships, international programs, and future higher studies, facilitating entry into the global fashion arena. Ultimately, the NIFT Entrance Exam serves as a strategic launchpad for aspirants, opening up lifelong opportunities for academic excellence and professional success in a dynamic and creative industry.

NIFT, the National Institute of Fashion Technology, continues to evolve each year to stay aligned with modern academic frameworks and career readiness expectations. The 2024-25 edition of the NIFT Entrance Exam, and likely the upcoming 2025-26 edition, continues to uphold a rigorous and comprehensive assessment process designed to identify creative talent and analytical aptitude essential for the fashion and textile industries. While major structural changes to the examination pattern are infrequent, NIFT consistently refines its curriculum and pedagogical approach to incorporate the latest industry trends and technological advancements. For the 2024-25 admissions, the core examination pattern for B.Des and M.Des programs continued to feature the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and General Ability Test (GAT), emphasizing both design skills and analytical prowess. For B.FTech, M.FTech, and M.FM programs, the GAT remains the primary component. No significant changes were introduced regarding the mode of examination, which continues to be a combination of written tests. The application process and exam schedule generally follow established timelines, ensuring a predictable and well-organized admission cycle for aspirants. NIFT's continuous evolution is more prominently seen in its academic offerings and campus infrastructure, rather than drastic annual shifts in the entrance exam itself. The institution periodically updates course content to reflect advancements in sustainable fashion, digital design tools, and global supply chain management, ensuring graduates are industry-ready. These subtle yet impactful enhancements aim to improve the fairness and comprehensive coverage of the assessment, ultimately benefiting aspirants by preparing them for an increasingly complex and competitive professional landscape.

The NIFT Entrance Exam offers a structured pathway to premier fashion education, with its application process typically opening in October and closing in January of the subsequent year for the examination held in February. Prospective candidates must visit the official NIFT admissions portal to complete the online application. Eligibility criteria for undergraduate programs generally require candidates to have passed 10+2 from a recognized board, while postgraduate programs require a relevant bachelor's degree. Aspiring students are advised to meticulously review the official prospectus for detailed academic and age criteria relevant to their chosen program. Applicants must prepare essential documents such as academic mark sheets, caste certificates if applicable, and recent photographs in digital format for upload. The application fee, non-refundable, is 3000 INR for General, OBC (Non-Creamy), and EWS categories, and 1500 INR for SC, ST, and PwD candidates. A late fee of an additional 5000 INR is applicable for submissions made after the regular deadline. Payment is exclusively accepted through online modes. Candidates must ensure all details entered are accurate, as scope for correction is limited and errors can lead to disqualification. Common mistakes to avoid include incorrect personal details, uploading unclear documents, and missing deadlines. The NIFT Entrance Exam consists of the General Ability Test, with 100 to 120 multiple-choice questions depending on the program, and for design courses, the Creative Ability Test, which involves descriptive and drawing tasks. Following the written examination, successful candidates proceed to a Situation Test or Group Discussion and Personal Interview, which form crucial stages of the admission process. The scores from these components are combined as per specific weightages for final merit listing. NIFT scores are valid only for the academic year of application. The application timeline for the upcoming 2025-26 session is expected to follow a similar schedule, with registrations beginning around October 2024 for the February 2025 exam, ensuring timely preparation and application.