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    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 02 Feb 2026, 06:07 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 exam 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

    50

    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 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.

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

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

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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