NIFT 2026 Exam Timings, Shift-wise Schedule for UG & PG Courses, Reporting Time

NIFT 2026 Exam Timings, Shift-wise Schedule for UG & PG Courses, Reporting Time

Himanshu ShekharUpdated on 31 Jan 2026, 12:47 PM IST

The National Testing Agency specifies the NIFT 2026 exam timing on the admit card. Also, NIFT exam timing and schedule can be checked at the official website- exams.nta.ac.in/NIFT/ or nift.ac.in. The NIFT exam is scheduled to be held on February 8, 2026. NIFT exam timings vary and depending on the programme. For B.Des, NIFT 2026 exam timings for GAT and CAT are 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM respectively.

This Story also Contains

  1. NIFT 2026 Exam Timings
  2. NIFT Exam Timing for UG Course
  3. NIFT 2026 Exam Timings for PG Courses
  4. NIFT 2026 Exam Duration
  5. NIFT Reporting Time 2026
  6. NIFT Situation Test Timings
NIFT 2026 Exam Timings, Shift-wise Schedule for UG & PG Courses, Reporting Time
NIFT 2026 Exam Timings

The NIFT 2026 will be conducted in two parts- CAT and GAT. The GAT exam includes reasoning and general knowledge questions, whereas the NIFT CAT part includes drawing and sketching. NTA announced the NIFT 2026 exam timings in the official brochure. Read this piece by Careers360 to know more about the NIFT 2026 exam shift timings.

NIFT 2026 Exam Timings

NTA has released the NIFT 2026 exam date on the official website. Candidates can check the detailed information about the NIFT 2026 exam timing for all the sections at exam.nta.ac.in/NIFT/. As per NIFT paper pattern, the entrance exam will be conducted in two parts, which are the General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT). The NIFT GAT exam will be conducted online and in Computer Based Test (CBT) more. Whereas, the NIFT CAT will be conducted offline (PBT) more. Here we have listed NIFT exam timing for both UG and PG programs.

UPES B.Des Admissions 2026

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Pearl Academy B.Des Admissions 2026

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NIFT Exam Timing for UG Course

Programmes for UG

Test and Timings

Bachelor of Design

  • General Ability Test (GAT) - 09:00 am - 11:00am

  • Creative Ability Test (CAT) - 2:30 pm - 05:30 pm

Bachelor of Fashion Technology

  • General Ability Test (GAT) - 09:00 am - 12:00 noon

Bachelor of Fashion Technology & Bachelor of Design

  • General Ability Test (GAT) - 09:00 am - 12:00 noon

  • Creative Ability Test (CAT) - 02:30 pm - 05:30

NIFT 2026 Exam Timings for PG Courses

Programmes for PG

Test and Timings

Master of Design

  • General Ability Test (GAT) - 09:00 am - 11:00 am

  • Creative Ability Test (CAT) - 02:30 pm - 5:30 pm


Master of Fashion Management

  • General Ability Test (GAT) - 09:00 am - 12:00 noon

Master of Fashion Management and Master of Design

  • General Ability Test (GAT) - 09:00 am - 12:00 noon

  • Creative Ability Test (CAT) - 02:30 pm - 05:30 pm

Master of Fashion Technology

  • General Ability Test (GAT) - 09:00 am - 12:00 noon

NIFT 2026 Exam Duration

The NIFT 2026 paper timing depends on the programs. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the NIFT exam in CBT (Computer Based Test) for the GAT exam and PBT (Paper Based Test) for the CAT exam. Candidates can check the NIFT exam duration for each course in the below provided table.

NIFT Exam Duration 2026 for UG and PG

Programs

Exam Duration

Bachelor of Design

  • GAT Exam - 2 hours

  • CAT Exam - 3 hours

Bachelor of Fashion Technology

  • GAT Exam - 3 hours

Bachelor of Fashion Technology & Bachelor of Design

  • GAT Exam - 3 hours

  • CAT Exam - 3 hours

Master of Design

  • GAT Exam - 2 hours

  • CAT Exam - 3 hours

Master of Fashion Management

  • GAT Exam - 3 hours

Master of Fashion Management and Master of Design

  • GAT Exam - 3 hours

  • CAT Exam - 3 hours

Master of Fashion Technology

  • GAT Exam - 3 hours

NIFT Reporting Time 2026

NTA will specify the NIFT 2026 reporting time on the NIFT admit card. The candidates must report at the exam centre on or before the NIFT reporting time. Entry of the candidates inside the examination centre will be stopped 60 minutes before the NIFT entrance exam. Candidates are advised to report to the allotted NIFT exam centre as per reporting time. Also, candidates must familiarize themselves with the exam location beforehand.

NIFT Situation Test Timings

Those candidates who will qualify in the NIFT 2026 entrance exam will be eligible for the situation test. The NIFT 2026 exam consists of two parts- CAT and GAT. NTA will announce the NIFT 2026 situation date and timings at exam.nta.ac.in/NIFT/ or nift.ac.in. Going by past year trends, NIFT situation test for B.Des the timing will be 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon.

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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,

I am providing you the link below through which you will be able to download the NIFT Question papers with solutions PDF

Here is the link :-

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-question-paper

In the above link , you will get the direct links to download the year vise question papers with solutions ,

Hello,

Yes, a diploma holder in Computer Engineering can apply for the NIFT entrance exam , but only through the lateral entry route.

NIFT allows candidates with a 3-year or 4-year engineering diploma from a recognized board to apply for B.F.Tech (Fashion Technology) through lateral entry. The diploma must be

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
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3. Sports
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7. International

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!!