NIFT 2026 Age Restrictions for UG & PG, Check Category-wise Relaxation

NIFT 2026 Age Restrictions for UG & PG, Check Category-wise Relaxation

Rajyalaxmi VenkatapuramUpdated on 04 Nov 2025, 06:32 PM IST

The NIFT offers UG & PG programmes in the design sector. Every year, there is an increase in the number of applicants for NIFT. Applicants should fulfill their NIFT eligibility criteria before applying. Most of the applicants raise a query about the age limit for the NIFT entrance exam. Understanding the NIFT 2026 age criteria is very important for the NIFT 2026 applicants. This article explains the NIFT age restrictions 2026 and the relaxation applicable category-wise.

This Story also Contains

  1. NIFT 2026 Age Limit
  2. Age Limit for NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 - Course-wise
  3. Is there any age relaxation for NIFT reserved categories?
  4. NIFT age limit for general category candidates
  5. Is there any NIFT 2026 age limit for the NIFT lateral entry & Artisan candidates?
NIFT 2026 Age Restrictions for UG & PG, Check Category-wise Relaxation
NIFT 2026 Age Restrictions

NIFT 2026 Age Limit

NIFT sets the age limit for its UG programmes. The NIFT 2026 admission age limit for the UG program is that the candidates should be under 24 years of age as of August 1 of the admission year, with a 5-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD candidates. For the PG programs, there are no NIFT 2026 age restrictions.

Age Limit for NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 - Course-wise

NIFT offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for the interested candidates. The NIFT 2026 eligibility age is applicable for bachelor programmes only, while there is no upper age limit for the NIFT PG programmes.

Is there any age relaxation for NIFT reserved categories?

Yes, there is a NIFT 2026 age relaxation limit for the UG programmes. Candidates appearing for the NIFT entrance exam need to meet the NIFT exam age restriction. Provided below is the NIFT age restriction category wise.

  • The NIFT age limit for BDes and BFTech programmes: Candidate’s maximum NIFT age criteria should be less than 24 years as on August 1 of the admission year.

  • The upper NIFT eligibility age restriction for SC/ST/PwD limit may be relaxed by a period of 5 (five) years for candidates.

  • For MDes programmes, the NIFT age limit for OBC or NIFT exam age limit for SC/ST is not applicable.

UPES B.Des Admissions 2026

Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings

IIAD Admissions 2026

EXAMS dates- 13-14 Dec | Leading Design College | Highest CTC: ₹12 LPA | Average CTC: ₹7.5 LPA | Scholarships for Deserving Students

NIFT age limit for general category candidates

Aspiring candidates planning to obtain NIFT admission have a query before filling the NIFT application form as “What is the age limit for NIFT entrance exam 2026?”. For this, the candidates should note that the NIFT 2026 age restrictions are applicable for all the candidates. Being clear, the NIFT age limit for general category candidates is that the applicants should be less than 24 years as on 1st August of the year of admission. However, for the candidates of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/ Person with Disability (PwD) categories, the upper age limit for NIFT 2026 age criteria may be relaxed by a period of 5 (five) years.

Is there any NIFT 2026 age limit for the NIFT lateral entry & Artisan candidates?

NIFT also offers admissions to the candidates under the NIFT’s Lateral entry scheme called NLEA. This means that the candidates are offered admission directly into the NIFT second year, i.e. the third semester of the NIFT UG programmes. For Artisans and the NLEA students, the NIFT 2026 age limit is 24 years as on August 1 of the year of admission. However, this differs for the SC/ST and also PWD candidates which may be relaxed by a period of 5 (five) years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the NIFT age relaxation for the reserved category candidates?
A:

Candidates of SC/ST/Person with Disability (PwD) categories are offered with the upper age limit relaxation of 5 (five) years.

Q: What is the NIFT age limit for general category candidates?
A:

Candidates must be of 24 years as on August 1 of the year of admission.

Q: Is the NIFT 2026 age criteria same for all the category candidates?
A:

No, the NIFT 2026 age restrictions are different for the general category and the reserve category candidates.

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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 aspirant,

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has determined the official date for NIFT 2026 applicant registrations, which is expected to open in November 2025. Online applications will be accepted through January 2026.

For complete information, you can visit our site through following link:

https://design.careers360.com/exams/nift-entrance-exam

Thank you

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 .