How to Apply for NIFT 2026 Lateral Entry Admission: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Apply for NIFT 2026 Lateral Entry Admission: Step-by-Step Guide

Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 08 Sep 2025, 03:27 PM IST

The NIFT Lateral Entry Admission (NLEA) is an important part of the NIFT admission process. Candidates can secure admission directly into the second year of the UG programmes at NIFT campuses through NIFT lateral entry admission. Candidates appearing for NIFT 2026 who hold a diploma can consider opting for NIFT 2026 lateral entry. The application process of NIFT 2026 lateral entry is fully online. In this article, let’s discuss how to apply for NIFT lateral entry admission through a step-by-step guide.

This Story also Contains

  1. How to Apply for NIFT 2026 Lateral Entry Admission?
  2. List of Documents Required for NIFT Lateral Entry Application Form
  3. NIFT Lateral Entry Admission Process
How to Apply for NIFT 2026 Lateral Entry Admission: Step-by-Step Guide
How to Apply for NIFT 2026 Lateral Entry Admission

Interested applicants must make sure they meet the NIFT eligibility criteria for lateral admissions before proceeding to submit the application form. Candidates can secure admission into the second year of the B.Des and B.FTech programmes of NIFT campuses.

How to Apply for NIFT 2026 Lateral Entry Admission?

The application process for NIFT lateral entry admission includes the following steps -

  • Registering on the official website

  • Filling up the application form

  • Application fee payment

  • Uploading the required documents

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for NIFT 2026 Lateral Entry Admission

Given below are the steps to submit the NIFT application form for lateral entry.

Step 1: Online Registration

Candidates must visit the official NTA website and click on the new registration link, and provide basic details to generate login credentials. Some of the basic details to be entered at this stage include-

  • Name

  • Mobile number

  • Email Id

  • Preferred programme

  • Date of birth

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Step 2: Filling Up the NIFT 2026 Lateral Entry Application Form

The second step in the application process of NIFT lateral entry is to log in and fill up the required details. Candidates have to provide the following details-

  • Parent’s details

  • Academic details

  • Address

  • Exam centre preferences

  • Uploading the required documents

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Step 3: Payment of the Application fee

The third and last step in the NIFT lateral entry application process is payment of the application fee. The NIFT lateral entry registration fee must be paid in online mode through Debit/Credit card or net banking. The application fee is non-refundable.

NIFT Lateral Entry Application Fee

CategoryApplication fee

Open/OBC-NCL

Rs 3000

SC/ST/PwD

Rs 1500

List of Documents Required for NIFT Lateral Entry Application Form

Candidates need the following documents to apply for NIFT lateral entry admission

Documents for NIFT Lateral Entry Admission

Sr. no

Documents

1

Self-attested copy of 10th class marksheet and certificate

2

Self-attested copy of 12th class marksheet and certificate

3

Self-attested copy of 3 or 4 years diploma marksheets and certificates

4

SC/ST/PwD/OBC caste certificate, if applicable

5

Self-attested copy of a 2-year diploma from NIFT

NIFT Lateral Entry Admission Process

The steps in the NIFT lateral entry admission process are given below

  • Candidates must appear for the NIFT entrance exam. For NIFT lateral entry, a valid score in NIFT GAT is required.

  • Shortlisted candidates have to appear for a studio test (in case of B.Des) and the Technical Aptitude Test (TAT) in case of B.FTech.

  • There will be a PI round as well for lateral entry admission into NIFT B.Des and NIFT B.FTech

  • Preparation of the merit list based on scores in the entrance exam and ST/TAT, and PI.

  • Payment of fees and confirmation of seat allotment

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Into which semester will candidates be admitted through the NIFT lateral entry admission?
A:

Candidates will be admitted into the third semester of the UG programme at NIFT through lateral entry admission.

Q: What are the courses available under the NIFT lateral entry admission?
A:

The courses available under NIFT 2026 lateral entry admission are B.Des and B.FTech.

Q: What is the official website to apply for NIFT lateral entry admission?
A:

The official website to apply for NIFT lateral entry is nift.ac.in or exams.nta.ac.in/nift

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Questions related to NIFT Entrance Exam

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NIFT Entrance Exam ?

Hello Neharika

These are the topics which are most important in the Current affairs section in respect to NIFT Entrance Exam:

1. National and International Awards and Honors
2. Government Schemes and Initiatives
3. Sports
4. Appointments and Newsmakers
5. Science and Technology
6. Indian and World Economy
7. International Relations
8. Fashion Industry Updates
9. Books and Authors
10. Art and Culture
11. Environmental and Social Issues

To know more about NIFT Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Exam by CAREERS360

Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!


Hello,

According to the sources, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance exam for 2026 will be held in February 2026. Also, the registration period may open from November 2025.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello,
It’s completely understandable to feel disheartened after not getting a seat in the first and second rounds, especially when you’ve filled all the colleges and have your hopes set on a particular course like Fashion Communication . With an OBC rank of 1910 and CMR 7192, your chances can improve in the upcoming counselling rounds as more students withdraw or shift to other colleges.
So make sure to check the further rounds of counselling and don’t lose hope. Many students get seats in the 3rd, 4th, and mop-up rounds. You can also consider updating your preference list or keeping a wider range of courses and campuses open in case you're okay with related fields.
Keep checking the official NIFT website for updates on seat allotment and further counselling instructions.
Thank you

Dear Candidate ,
Yes , you are eligible for NIFT - UG 2026 . Based on your birthdate , you will be 19 years old as of August 1 , 2026 , which is well within the age limit .
NIFT requires applicants to be under 24 years of age on August 1 of the admission year , with a 5 year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD candidates .

Hello

The syllabus of NIFT 2026 will be released on October 2025 by Nift officials on their official website nift.ac.in . The syllabus comprises of topics General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT). The syllabus is different for UG and PG programmes. The GAT syllabus consists of :

  • Communication ability and English comprehension
  • Quantitative ability
  • Analytical and Reasoning
  • Case study
  • General knowledge and current affairs

The CAT syllabus consists important topics like

  • Creative ability
  • Observation power
  • Discernment ability
  • Design ability
  • Colour combination ability

To download the complete syllabus kindly refer this

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-syllabus

Good luck !