NIFT 2026 Shortlisting Criteria & Marks Distribution for All Courses By NTA, Check Details Here

NIFT 2026 Shortlisting Criteria & Marks Distribution for All Courses By NTA, Check Details Here

Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 09 Dec 2025, 12:47 PM IST

The National Testing Agency and the National Institute of Fashion Technology have published the NIFT 2026 exam pattern for all NIFT courses on their official website. The pattern provides the NIFT entrance exam components and the shortlisting criteria for NIFT 2026 admission. For UG programmes, the NIFT General Ability Test (GAT) has two parts - Section A and Section B, carrying 100 and 50 questions respectively. The total number of questions for NIFT PG 2026 GAT is 150 for both M.FTech and MFM, and 120 for M.Des. Candidates applying for B.Des must also appear for the Creative Ability Test (CAT) in addition to the GAT. As per the marking scheme, each question carries 1 mark with a negative marking of -0.25 for every wrong answer. In this article, check out the NIFT 2026 selection criteria components for all the programmes.

NIFT 2026 Shortlisting Criteria & Marks Distribution for All Courses By NTA, Check Details Here
NIFT 2026 Shorlisting Criteria

The NIFT 2026 registrations opened on December 8, 2025. Candidates can apply for one or two programes. The NIFT 2026 subjects they have to appear for will change as per the programme for which they have registered. NIFT 2026 is scheduled to be held on February 8, 2026, in online (GAT) and offline mode (CAT). Candidates will be offered admission into NIFT courses that include B.Des, M.Des, B.FTech, M.FTech, and MFM programmes of 19 NIFT campuses across India.

NIFT 2026 Pattern for All Courses

The table below provides the NIFT exam pattern 2026 and the components that candidates have to appear for each of the courses available in the NIFT 2026 admission process.

NIFT 2026 Subjects and Shortlisting Criteria

Programme

Entrance Exam Components

Shortlisting Criteria

B.Des

GAT, CAT

Shortlisted based on the entrance examination, followed by a Situation Test

B.FTech

GAT

Shortlisted based on the GAT

B.FTech and B.Des

GAT, CAT

Separate Common Merit Ranks (CMRs) will be

generated for:

B.Des.: Based on entrance exam results + Situation Test

B.F.Tech: Based on GAT


Candidates applying for B.F.Tech. With Mathematics can also enroll for B.Des. by taking the CAT along with GAT (not applicable for NLEA)

M.Des

GAT, CAT


Shortlisted based on GAT + CAT, followed by a

Personal Interview (PI)

MFM

GAT

Shortlisted based on the GAT, followed by a

Personal Interview (PI)

MFM and M.Des

GAT, CAT

Separate Common Merit Ranks (CMRs) will be

generated for:

M.F.M: Based on GAT (Sections A & B) + PI

M.Des: Based on GAT (Section A) + CAT + PI

M.FTech

GAT

Shortlisted based on the GAT, followed by a

Personal Interview (PI)

PhD

Written Test

Research Proposal Presentation and Interview

NIFT 2026 GAT Marks Distribution for Various Programmes

The table below shows the total marks for GAT for different UG and PG programmes in NIFT 2026. Each right answer carries +1 mark with a negative marking of -0.25 marks for every wrong answer.

NIFT 2026 GAT Marks Distribution for B.Des and B.FTech

Particulars

B.Des

B.FTech

Section A

Section B

Time

120 minutes

120 minutes

60 minutes

Communication Ability

and English

Comprehension

40

40

NA

Quantitative Ability

20

20

15

Analytical & Logical

Ability

15

15

15

General Knowledge

and Current Affairs

25

25

NA

Case Study

NA

NA

20


100

100

60

NIFT 2026 GAT Marks Distribution for M.FTech, MFM & M.Des

Particulars

MFTech

MFM

M.Des

Time

180 minutes

180 minutes

120 minutes

Communication Ability

and English

Comprehension

45

50

50

Quantitative Ability

30

20

20

Analytical & Logical

Ability

25

25

25

General Knowledge

and Current Affairs

25

25

25

Case Study

25

30

NA

Total

150

150

120

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the total number of questions in NIFT B.Des GAT?
A:

The total number of questions in NIFT B.Des GAT is 100.

Q: What is the NIFT 2026 marking scheme?
A:

In NIFT 2026, each question carries 1 mark, and there is a negative marking of -.25 for every wrong answer.

Q: What are the components in the NIFT 2026 selection criteria?
A:

The components in the NIFT selection criteria include GAT, CAT, situation test and interview that vary for different courses.

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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,

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 approved by AICTE or the State Technical Board.

The age limit is usually 24 years for the general category.

So yes, you are eligible, as Computer Engineering is an engineering diploma.

Hope it helps !

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