Is Entrance Exam Compulsory for NIFT Lateral Entry 2026 Admissions?

Is Entrance Exam Compulsory for NIFT Lateral Entry 2026 Admissions?

Achyuth NambiarUpdated on 11 Sep 2025, 02:44 PM IST

An application through lateral entry for NIFT is open to candidates for the B.Des programme where they can enter the course in the third semester of the UG programme. The question remains as to who qualifies for NIFT NLEA. Looking into lateral entry requires candidates to examine the NIFT lateral entry admission. This leads to candidates to look into the NIFT lateral examination, or if there is one that they need to pass to enter the NIFT lateral entry programme. Candidates can verify if the NIFT entrance exam is mandatory in the article below.

This Story also Contains

  1. Is NIFT Lateral Exam Mandatory?
  2. Are there any Differences in NIFT NLEA Entrance Exam?
  3. Who Qualifies for Lateral Entry in NIFT?
Is Entrance Exam Compulsory for NIFT Lateral Entry 2026 Admissions?
NIFT Lateral Entry 2026 Admission

Is NIFT Lateral Exam Mandatory?

Yes, it is possible for candidates who are applying for the lateral entry process to gain admission by applying through the NIFT NLEA entrance exam process. The NIFTEE 2026 NLEA admission dates are as specified in the table below.

Particulars

NIFT NLEA Dates

NIFT Lateral Entry Registration Date

Last week of November 2025 to January 2026.

NIFT Entrance exam:

  • NIFT Lateral Entry Admission (NLEA) -BDes

  • NIFT Lateral Entry Admission (NLEA) -BFTech

February 2026

NIFT NLEA Situation Test/ Studio Test, Personal Interview and Document Verification

First week of June 2026


Seat Allocation

Fourth week of June 2026

While this answers, does NIFT allow lateral entry, candidates can obtain admission only by the NIFTEE NLEA exam process. Furthermore, we can also verify what the eligibility is for NIFT lateral entry 2026.

Also Read: List of Design Institutes Offering Lateral Entry Admissions

Are there any Differences in NIFT NLEA Entrance Exam?

According to the exam schedule for NIFT 2026, candidates appearing for NIFT NLEA will have to account for the differences in the BDes and BFTech courses as well.

  • In the case of BDes NLEA candidates will have a Studio Test and Personal Interview that will be held on the same day at the designated test centre

  • For the BFTech NLEA candidates there will be a Technical Ability Test (TAT) and Personal interview that will be conducted. The Technical Ability Test will be conducted in an OMR format.

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Who Qualifies for Lateral Entry in NIFT?

Candidates who wish to appear for the NIFT lateral entry entrance exam need to meet the following NIFT eligibility criteria that is mentioned below.

NIFT NLEA Educational Qualifications for B.Des

  • Passed Secondary School Examination/10th

  • Passed 3 or 4-years diploma recognized by AICTE/ AIU/ UGC or a State Board of Technical Education in courses related to Fashion / Apparel / Textile and Accessories / Home Science/ Handloom Technology / Products / Visual Communication / Graphic Design / Industrial Design / Interior Design / Multimedia Design / Apparel Technology / Leather/ Fine arts.

  • Passed Senior Secondary or 12th recognized by AIU.

  • Students who have completed 2 year regular UG Diploma Programme at NIFT after passing Senior Secondary Examination or 12th standard.

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NIFT NLEA Educational Qualifications for B.F.Tech

  • Passed Secondary School Examination/10th

  • Passed a 3 or 4-years diploma recognized by AICTE/ AIU/UGC or a State Board of Technical Education in courses related to Fashion / Apparel / Textile/ Home Science/ Handloom Technology.

  • Passed Senior Secondary /12th recognized by AIU with Physics and Mathematics.

  • Students who have completed 02 years UG Diploma Programme at NIFT after passing Senior Secondary Examination/ 12th Standard.

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NIFT NLEA Age Limit

  • Candidates must be 24 years of age as on 1st August during the year of admission.

  • The relaxation of the age limit has a limit of 5 years for candidates belonging to the categories of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribe/ Persons With Disabilities (PWD).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which is better, NIFT BDes or BFTech?
A:

BDes programs offer a broader range of design disciplines and creative opportunities, while BFTech programs are specialized and prepare students specifically for careers in the fashion and textile industry.

Q: Is NIFT lateral entry worth it?
A:

Students save one year compared to starting B.Des and B.F.Tech from the first year. Secondly, fewer years in college means lower tuition and living expenses. Furthermore, Diploma knowledge combines well with the degree syllabus, broadening skills.

Q: Can I join NIFT NLEA without an entrance exam?
A:

No you can’t join without an NIFT entrance exam. BDes courses require an entrance examination with a Creative Ability Test (CAT) and a General Ability Test (GAT) whereas only a GAT is required for the NIFT B.F.Tech programme.

Q: What is NIFT lateral entry eligibility?
A:

Candidates with a mathematics/engineering diploma or degree can apply for B.F.Tech and B.Des programs. Those with an aptitude for creativity, innovation, or fashion design may also apply for B.Des. The age limit is 24 years (relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST/PwD candidates).

Q: Does NIFT allow lateral entry?
A:

NIFT lateral entry admits candidates directly to the 3rd semester who meet the eligibility criteria and are through in the exams conducted by the National Institute of Fashion Technology. Candidates have to apply online to get admission for NIFT lateral entry.

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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
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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 !