NIFT 2025 Eligibility Criteria – Age, Qualification, Attempts & Reservation

Before applying for NIFT National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam 2025, it’s important to check the age criteria set by the National Institute of Fashion Technology. For undergraduate programs, including Bachelor of Design and Bachelor of Fashion Technology, the maximum age of the applicant should be less than 24 years as of August 1, 2025. This age limit applies to general category candidates. Significant relaxations are provided for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Persons with Disability categories, for whom the upper age limit may be relaxed by a period of 5 years. This means eligible SC, ST, and PwD candidates can be up to 29 years of age as of August 1, 2025. Conversely, for all postgraduate programs, including Master of Design, Master of Fashion Management, and Master of Fashion Technology, there is no upper age limit, offering greater flexibility to a wider range of applicants irrespective of their age. Knowing the age rules in advance ensures you apply within the permitted criteria and make full use of any relaxation benefits.

NIFT National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam 2025 offers relaxations for candidates belonging to specific reserved categories as per the National Institute of Fashion Technology guidelines. These provisions ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. Benefits for reserved categories such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer), Economically Weaker Sections, and Persons with Disability primarily include reservations in the total seats available. For instance, 15% of seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes, 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes, 27% for Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer), 10% for Economically Weaker Sections, and 5% for Persons with Disability. Additionally, age relaxation of 5 years is extended to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Persons with Disability candidates for undergraduate programs. To avail these benefits, candidates must upload valid and up-to-date category certificates during the online registration process. For OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and Economically Weaker Section candidates, the certificate must have been issued on or after April 1, 2024, to be considered valid for the 2025 admissions. The verification process will follow the official protocol set by the authority, and failure to provide a valid certificate may result in the candidate being considered for the open category, provided no relaxed benefits were previously availed. By understanding and following the process, eligible candidates can make full use of the category-based benefits available for NIFT National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam.

NIFT National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam 2025 is open to Indian citizens and valid Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders as per National Institute of Fashion Technology rules. For candidates seeking admission under the state domicile category, preferential seats are available in the NIFT campuses located in their respective states. This applies to students who have completed their 12th standard examination from a school within that particular state, and a domicile certificate may be required as proof. International applicants, including Foreign Nationals, Non-Resident Indians (NRI), OCI, PIO, and citizens from SAARC countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka), are also eligible for admission. Importantly, these international candidates are not required to appear for the NIFT Entrance Examination. Their selection is instead based on their scores in standardized tests such as SAT, GMAT, or GRE, with a minimum score of 50% being required. Foreign nationals applying must also possess a working knowledge of the English language. If a degree or certificate has been obtained from a university or board outside India, an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) in New Delhi must be obtained prior to admission. Supernumerary seats are specifically allocated for this category, with 5 seats per academic program in major NIFT campuses and 3 seats per program in other campuses. Furthermore, NRI sponsored seats may be offered to eligible candidates based on their Common Merit Rank if regular NRI seats remain unfilled. By understanding these rules early, candidates can ensure they meet the required nationality or domicile conditions before applying.

Before preparing for NIFT National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam 2025, it’s essential to know if there’s a cap on the number of attempts. Most national-level examinations allow unlimited attempts, and this holds true for the NIFT Entrance Exam as well. There is no specified limit on how many times a candidate can appear for the NIFT Entrance Examination. This provides aspirants with ample opportunities to improve their scores and secure admission to their desired programs. However, it is crucial to remember that while the number of attempts is unlimited, the age limit criteria still apply, particularly for undergraduate programs. For instance, candidates for undergraduate courses must be less than 24 years of age as of August 1 of the admission year, with relaxations for reserved categories. Postgraduate programs, on the other hand, do not have any age restrictions. Being aware of attempt limits helps you plan your preparation strategy effectively and avoid exhausting your chances prematurely.

None