NIFT Lateral Entry Admission 2025: Process, Seats, Fees, Eligibility

NIFT Lateral Entry Admission 2025: Process, Seats, Fees, Eligibility

Edited By Rajyalaxmi Venkatapuram | Updated on Feb 04, 2025 02:35 PM IST | #NIFT Entrance Exam

The National Institute of Fashion Technology offers a 'Lateral Entry Admission' scheme (NLEA) that allows candidates to get admitted to the third semester of UG programmes. The NTA released the NIFT admit card 2025 on February 4 at exams.nta.ac.in/NIFT. Also the NIFT City Intimation Slip was released online on January 31, 2025. Candidates to use their application number and date of birth to download the NIFT admit card and the NIFT city intimation slip 2025. The candidates applying for NLEA need to appear for the NIFT entrance exam on February 9, 2025. Scroll down and read the full article to know more about NIFT NLEA admission dates, eligibility and more.

This Story also Contains
  1. What is NIFT lateral entry admission 2025?
  2. NIFT lateral entry admission: Overview
  3. NIFT lateral entry admission eligibility
  4. NIFT lateral entry admission process
  5. How to apply for lateral entry admission
  6. Admit card for lateral entry admission - NIFT
  7. NIFT NLEA Test Weightage
  8. Results for lateral entry admission NIFT
  9. NIFT lateral entry admission seat allotment
  10. NIFT lateral entry seat matrix 2025
  11. NIFT NLEA fee structure 2025
NIFT Lateral Entry Admission 2025: Process, Seats, Fees, Eligibility
NIFT Lateral Entry Admission 2025: Process, Seats, Fees, Eligibility

What is NIFT lateral entry admission 2025?

NIFT lateral entry admission (NLEA) is the opportunity for the candidates provided by NIFT, who have completed their diploma in relevant fields of design and technology. Candidates will get direct admission to the third semester (second year) of UG programmes at any of the NIFT campuses.

Eligible candidates have to take the All India entrance examination to get admission into NIFT campuses for lateral entry. NIFT lateral entry entrance examination includes a written examination, studio test/technology aptitude test, and a personal interview. The lateral entry NIFT admission scheme is strictly based on the merit achieved by the candidates.

NIFT lateral entry admission: Overview

Particulars

Details

Conducting Authority

National Testing Agency (NTA)

Online registration start date

November 22, 2024

Online registration end date

January 6, 2025

Release date of NIFT city intimation slip

January 31, 2025

Date for issuing NIFT admit card for the lateral entry exam

February 4, 2025

Lateral entry 2025 exam date (GAT)

February 9, 2025

Mode of exam

Online

Results of the entrance examination

March 2025

Studio test/technology aptitude test and personal interview along with document verification and eligibility

April 2025

Result declaration of eligible and shortlisted candidates

Last week of April 2025

Seat allotment (will be based on candidate merit)

May - June 2025

To get admission as lateral entry into NIFT, candidates must follow the admission procedure given by the NIFT. This procedure includes the eligibility criteria, submission of certificates, entrance exam, and merit score. The final dates as per the schedule will be updated accordingly.

NIFT lateral entry admission eligibility

The eligibility for NIFT admission - lateral entry is that the candidate must be 24 years of age as of August 1 of the year of admission. For Scheduled Castes/Schedule Tribe/Persons with Disabilities (PWD) candidates, the relaxation of 5 years is given for the upper age limit.

The eligibility criteria for BDes and B.FTech have a slight difference. Candidates are required to fulfill the eligible criteria. Hence, the NIFT NLEA eligibility criteria for each course are as follows.

NIFT lateral entry admission requirements for BDes Course

The requirements for eligibility for the BDes course are as follows.

  • The candidate must have passed the 10th/secondary school examination (OR) must have passed the 12th/senior secondary examination recognized by the AIU (AND)

  • Must have passed 3 or 4 years of diploma course recognized by the AICTE/AIU/UGC or a state board of technical education in courses related to Fashion / Apparel / Textile and Accessories / Home Science/ Handloom Technology / Products / Visual Communication / Graphic Design / Industrial Design / Interior Design / Multimedia Design / Apparel Technology / Leather/ Fine arts. (OR)

  • Candidates must have passed their 12th/senior secondary examination NIFT recognized by AIU. (AND)

  • Students who have completed 2 year regular UG Diploma Programme at NIFT after passing Senior Secondary Examination/ 12th standard.

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Nift lateral entry admission requirements for B. FTech Course

The eligibility requirements for the B.FTech course are mentioned below.

  • The candidate must have passed the 10th/secondary school examination (AND)

  • Must have passed 3 or 4 years diploma recognized by AICTE/ AIU/UGC or a State Board of Technical Education in courses related to Fashion/Apparel/Textile/ Home Science/Handloom Technology (OR)

  • Must have passed the senior secondary examination/12th recognized by the AIU with Mathematics. (AND)

  • Must have completed 2 years UG Diploma Programme at NIFT after passing Senior Secondary Examination/ 12th Standard.

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General eligibility for lateral entry admission to NIFT / Who should apply?

  • Candidates having mathematics background with a Diploma/ Degree in engineering may apply for Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech) programme as well as Bachelor of Design (BDes) Programme.

  • Candidates having aptitude for creativity/innovation/ fashion design may apply for Bachelor of Design programme.

  • Candidates who fulfill the age of 24 years as on August 1st of the year of Admission. The upper age limit may be relaxed by a period of 5 (five) years for the candidates of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribe/Persons With Disabilities (PWD).

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NIFT lateral entry admission process

NIFT offers lateral entry admissions to candidates who are willing to pursue their careers in this institute. The admission process for NIFT lateral entry includes the written examination online, a studio test or technology aptitude test, and a personal interview based on clearance of the first two rounds. The candidates must register themselves online and pay the registration fee as per the schedule. Candidates are required to go through the official website - nift.ac.in for regular updates and the NLEA admission process.

How to apply for lateral entry admission

NIFT lateral entry admission provides an opportunity to candidates directly to the 3rd semester who meet the eligibility criteria and are through in the exams conducted by the National Institute of Fashion Technology.

Candidates have to apply online to get admission for NIFT lateral entry. Here are the steps to apply for lateral entry admission into NIFT.

  1. Log on to the official website - nift.ac.in

  2. Check your eligibility criteria.

  3. Click on the registration link

  4. Enter your name, email ID, and date of birth

  5. Update the details of the DD/cheque paid for the registration fee

  6. Complete filling the NIFT application form

  7. Upload your scanned photo and signature

  8. Once you are done filling in all details, click submit.

Any further communication will be sent to your registered email ID. Candidates are required to use their registered email ID and password for future communication.

Admit card for lateral entry admission - NIFT

NIFT NTA will conduct the admission test for lateral entry. The candidates need to log in to the official website - nift.ac.in to download the NIFT lateral entry admission admit card. Registered candidates can download the NLEA NIFT 2025 admit cards from the official website - exams.nta.ac.in/NIFT. To download the admit card, the applicants must use their login credentials such as the application number and date of birth.

Note: The admit cards for the lateral entry examination of NIFT will not be sent by post.

NIFT NLEA Test Weightage

Candidates need to appear for GAT test for NIFT NLEA admission. The NIFT NLEA weightage for BDes and BFTech is as follows.

Course

Test

Weightage

BDes

GAT

40

Studio test

40

Personal interview

20

Verification of documents/ eligibility

BFTech

General Ability Test (GAT)

40

Technical Ability Test (TAT)

40

Personal interview

20

Verification of documents/ eligibility

Results for lateral entry admission NIFT

The NIFT NLEA results of the entrance examination will be published online on its official website - nift.ac.in. The NIFT NLEA merit list will be prepared based on the marks obtained by the candidates in Entrance Exam, Studio Test/Technical Aptitude Test & Personal Interview. Hence, the candidates are advised to check the website regularly for updated information. No communication will be sent through post.

NIFT lateral entry admission seat allotment

Seat allotment for the lateral entry admission into NIFT is based on the candidate's performance in the entrance examination. Seats are allocated based on the merit of the candidate. Also, the seat allotment for NIFT lateral entry admission depends on the vacant seats course-wise, category-wise, and campus-wise.

The candidates should download their provisional allotment letters using their login credentials in the admission portal.

Candidates can go through the official website - nift.ac.in for further information on NIFT lateral entry admissions for the respective year.

NIFT lateral entry seat matrix 2025

The seat availability for NIFT lateral entry 2025 according to category is listed below.

Sl. No

Bachelor Programs - 2025

Total number of seats as per category

Grand Total

Open/OBC/EWS

SC

ST

NRI



Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program


1

Accessory Design (AD)

18

23

41

30

112

2

Fashion Communication (FC)

519411883

3

Fashion Design (FD)

1120261673

4

Fashion Interiors (FI)

444315

5

Knitwear Design (KD)

3514931

6

Leather Design (LD)

61091540
7

Textile Design (TD)

24304031125

Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech)


8

Apparel Production (AP)

69554758229

Total

140166222180708

NIFT NLEA fee structure 2025

The fee structure per semester for NIFT lateral entry selected candidates is as follows.

Academic Fee Semester Wise For Non-NRI Category (In Rupees)

2025-262026-272027-28

Sem 3Sem 4Sem 5Sem 6Sem 7Sem 8
Tuition fee
(Non-refundable)
150000
150000
158000
158000
166000
166000
Library fee (per year) (Non-refundable)10000
0105000110000
Mediclaim & student development Fee (per year) (non refundable)
4900
05100054000
Exam fee (per year)4900
05100054000
Total169800
150000
178700
158000
187800
166000
One time payments
Security deposit (one time) (refundable)1260000000
Alumni association membership fee (one time) (non-refundable)000062000
Registration fee (one time)930000000
Total21900
00062000
Grand total191700
150000
178700
158000
194000
166000

Note: NIFT reserves the right to revise the above-mentioned fees for any academic year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the meaning of lateral entry admission NIFT?

NIFT lateral entry admission means that the candidates will get direct admission to the third semester which is the 2nd year of the program or course that they have chosen to pursue in the campus of NIFT. For this, the candidate should have completed their diploma in the concerned field of fashion technology and fashion design.

2. Is lateral entry possible in NIFT?

Yes, the lateral entry scheme is applicable for NIFT.

3. How many attempts can a candidate make to get admission into NIFT entry?

Candidates can make several attempts until they reach the age of 24 years for NIFT admission.

4. What is the age eligibility to get into NIFT lateral entry admission?

The NIFT admission eligibility for lateral entry is the candidate’s age must be 24 years as of August 1st. There is a 5 years relaxation period for the candidates of Scheduled Castes/Schedule Tribe/Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

5. What is the seat allocation process for NIFT admission as lateral entry?

NIFT seat allocation for lateral entry admission depends on the candidate’s rank and merit achieved. Candidates are placed on the campuses according to seat availability.

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Questions related to NIFT Entrance Exam

Have a question related to NIFT Entrance Exam ?

Hello aspirant,

Solving previous year question paper can immensely help in preparing for any entrance exam as it gives you the fair idea of exam pattern, difficulty level and marking scheme.

So to get the previous year question paper of NIFT, you can visit our site through following link:

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-last-10-years-question-papers-with-solution-pdf-download-free

Thank you

Hello aspirant,

The nationwide Institute of Fashion Technology offers a nationwide entrance exam called NIFT for admission to its fashion design programmes.

Every course has specific requirements that must be met in order to apply. For NIFT, there is no minimum age requirement, however it is evident that passing the 10+2 exam is a requirement in order to be admitted to any undergraduate programme in fashion design.


You cannot be admitted because you are in class eleven. However, you can apply to NIFT for experience and practice, and if your application is accepted, you can take the entrance exam. If you pass, however, be aware that you will not be able to retain your results for admission.

Thank you

Hope this information helps you.

Yes, for the NIFT entrance exam in Fashion Designing, you are required to give both the GAT (General Aptitude Test) and the CAT (Creative Ability Test). The GAT assesses your general knowledge, quantitative ability, and reasoning skills, while the CAT evaluates your creative skills, including drawing and visualization. Both tests are essential for admission, as they help assess both your aptitude for fashion design and your creative capabilities.

For more details you can visit the link given below

https://design.careers360.com/articles/difference-between-cat-and-gat-in-nift


Yes, you can appear for the NIFT 2024 exam even if your 12th board exams are scheduled after the NIFT exam. NIFT allows students to take the exam as long as they are in their final year of school education. If you qualify for the exam, you can submit your 12th-grade results after your board exams. Just ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, and provide your 12th marks once the results are declared.

For more details you can visit the link given below

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-eligibility-criteria


Dear Aspirant,


Yes! If you want to pursue your under graduation from nift after 12th or even if you are appearing for12th exam then you are eligible to apply for the exam. There are several courses offered by nift which includes undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.


Age (Undergraduate degree programmes) -

  • General - the maximum age should be less than 24 years as on 1st august in the year of examination
  • Reserved category - 5 years relaxation


Hope this information helps :)

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