Pearl Academy B.Des Admissions 2026
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The National Institute of Fashion Technology will release the NIFT exam pattern 2027 on its official website - nift.ac.in. As per the NIFT 2027 exam pattern, there are two components in the NIFT entrance exam, which are the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT). The GAT is a compulsory component of the NIFT entrance exam pattern for all programmes. In addition to the exam, candidates must also appear for the second stage of NIFT 2027, which consists of either a situation test for BDes or an interview for PG programmes.
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For a better understanding of the NIFT 2027 exam pattern, aspirants are advised to refer to the previous year NIFT question papers. Read the complete article to know detailed information about the NIFT exam pattern 2027, including sections, types of questions, marking scheme and more.
There are three main components to the NIFT exam pattern, which are given below

The NIFT UG courses include BDes and BFTech. The NIFT GAT will be held in a computer-based test mode (CBT-online). The candidates are also advised to refer to the NIFT 2027 syllabus, along with the NIFT exam pattern. The NIFT CAT will be held in offline mode for the BDes programme
A detailed description of the CAT and GAT exam pattern for all the courses is provided for your reference.
Particulars | B.Des admission |
Exam duration | 2 hours |
Mode of the exam | Computer-Based Mode |
Medium of the exam | English/Hindi |
The total number of questions | 100 |
Total NIFT GAT marks | 100 |
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NIFT BDes Entrance Exam Pattern | BDes (Section-wise number of Questions) |
Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 40 |
Quantitative Ability | 20 |
Analytical and Logical Ability | 15 |
Current Affairs and General Knowledge | 25 |
Total | 100 |
The BFTech course will consist of Sec-A and Sec-B in the GAT exam.
Particular | Details |
Exam duration | 3 hours |
Medium of the exam | English/Hindi |
Mode of the exam | Computer-Based Mode |
Total number of questions | 150 in Sec-A and 150 in Sec-B |
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Sections | Sec-A | Sec-B |
Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 40 | NIL |
Case Study | NIL | 20 |
Quantitative Ability | 20 | 15 |
Analytical & Logical Ability | 15 | 15 |
General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 25 | NIL |
Total number of questions | 100 | 50 |
The Creativity Ability Test (CAT) will be for 3 hours as per the NIFT 2027 exam pattern. The NIFT CAT marks in total will be 100. As per NIFT CAT syllabus, the paper evaluates the candidate’s intuitive and design abilities, observation power in developing a concept and its design, innovative use of colour, and illustration skills. The NIFT CAT exam question paper will have questions that require drawn answers based on which students will be evaluated.
Aspirants can check the NIFT exam pattern for MDes, MFTech, and MFM below.
Sections | GAT |
Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 50 |
Quantitative Ability | 20 |
Analytical and Logical Ability | 25 |
General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 25 |
Total | 120 |
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Sections | GAT |
Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 45 |
Case Study | 25 |
Quantitative Ability | 30 |
Analytical & Logical Ability | 25 |
General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 25 |
Total number of questions | 150 |
To get admitted to the NIFT MFM programme, the candidates must qualify for the NIFT entrance exam GAT test.
Sections | GAT |
Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 50 |
Case Study | 30 |
Quantitative Ability | 20 |
Analytical & Logical Ability | 25 |
General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 25 |
Total number of questions | 150 |
The negative marking in NIFT 2027 is for the objective-type test. The NIFT negative marking is -0.25 (25% of full marks) for each incorrect answer. Candidates can check the NIFT paper pattern to know the negative marking in NIFT.
The NIFT situation test is the second stage for candidates shortlisted for the BDes programme in the NIFT entrance exam. The situation test is a hands-on test conducted to evaluate the candidate’s skills to test the material handling and innovative ability with a provided set of materials in a given situation.
Here in the situation test, the candidates have to create a model and that model will be evaluated on these parameters:
The above-mentioned parameters will be checked along with the write-up, explaining the concept/idea behind the model constructed. The write-up must be in the English language. No marks will be given for write-ups in any other language.
Programmes | Weightage (As per last year) |
Bachelor of Design | CAT: 50% |
GAT: 30% | |
Situation Test: 20% | |
Master of Design | CAT: 40% |
GAT: 30% (Sec A) | |
Personal Interview: 30% | |
Bachelor of Fashion Technology | GAT: 100% (Sec A: 30% & Sec B: 70%) |
Master of Fashion Technology | GAT: 70% |
Personal Interview: 30% | |
Master of Fashion Management | GAT: 70% |
Personal Interview: 30% |
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The NIFT exam timings for each course will be scheduled and varied according to the test requirements of the programmes. Candidates will be advised to reach the examination centre at least an hour before the scheduled time to complete the pre-exam formalities, such as verification of the candidate and seat arrangements. Refer to the table below for NIFT exam timings as per last year.
Programme | Test | Timings |
Bachelor of Design | GAT CAT | 9:00 am to 11.00 am 02.30 pm to 05.30 pm |
Bachelor of Fashion Technology | GAT | 9:00 am to 12.00 pm |
Bachelor of Fashion Technology & Bachelor of Design | GAT CAT | 9:00 am to 12.00 pm 02.30 pm to 05.30 pm |
Master of Design | GAT CAT | 9:00 am to 11.00 am 02.30 pm to 05.30 pm |
Master of Fashion Technology | GAT | 9:00 am to 12.00 pm |
Master of Fashion Management | GAT | 9:00 am to 12.00 pm |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
NIFT entrance exam consists of two broad sections - General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT)
The NIFT 2027 entrance exam will be conducted in online mode for GAT and offline mode for CAT.
Yes, the NIFT entrance exam 2027 have negative markings. It is 25% of the full marks for the question (for each wrong answer).
The NIFT entrance exam is conducted once a year.
The NIFT GAT exam will consist of two parts, i.e. Sec-A and Sec-B.
Here are some of the preparation tips provided to prepare for the NIFT 2026 entrance exam.
Yes, there is NIFT exam negative marking in the GAT section. Total of 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer in NIFT GAT exam.
As per the NIFT 2026 exam pattern the Creativity Ability Test (CAT) is for 3 hours and the total marks for the NIFT CAT is 100.
NIFT entrance exam is conducted once in a year by NTA.
There is no certain limitation for NIFT attempts.
On Question asked by student community
Hello Student,
To attempt the mock test of BDes, click on the link given below
Link
https://design.careers360.com/download/ebooks/10-free-mock-tests-of-bdes-detailed-solutions
Please refer to the link - https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-sample-papers
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
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