NIFT: Know All About the UG And PG Programme In Fashion Education

NIFT: Know All About the UG And PG Programme In Fashion Education

Updated on 15 Dec 2022, 09:00 AM IST

Every year many students apply to the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) however, over the last few years, it is observed that many seats have remained vacant. In the academic year, 2015-16 on average 93.37 per cent seats were filled but in the following years this began to decrease and by 2019-20 it further decreased by 9.02 per cent. But the number of graduates has impressively increased in these five years.

NIFT: Know All About the UG And PG Programme In Fashion Education
NIFT: Peek Into Seat Availability And Different Courses At India’s Top Fashion College (Source: Shutterstock)

NIFT offers a total of 10 courses in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the fashion design sector. They are: Bachelor of Design (BDes) in Fashion Communication, BDes in Textile Design, BDes in Fashion Design, BDes in Accessory Design, BDes in Knitwear Design, BDes in Leather Design, Bachelor in Fashion Technology in Apparel Production, Master of Fashion Management, Master in Design, and Master of Fashion Technology.

NIFT established 16 campuses across India for building leadership in the design sector. The campus is located at New Delhi, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Kangra, Kannur, Patna, Raebareli, Shillong and Srinagar.

Through this article, Careers360 brings the seat availability and the changes in the seat allotment over the last five years at NIFT.

Overall Analysis Of The Latest Year

In the year 2019-20, more than 26,000 students applied for admission. Out of the total seats available in all the NIFTs together, only 84.35 per cent seats were filled and 707 seats have remained vacant.

Academic Year 2019-20 (Pie Chart)

Academic Year 2019-20


Also check - Cost Of Jewellery Designing Courses

Candidate Applied VS Admission Allotted

Although the number of seats increased over the last five years, the percentage of seats filled decreased in the same period. Every year many seats remain unfilled.

Number Of Candidates

Academic Year

Candidates Applied for Admission

Seats Offered

Admission Allotted

2020

26,604

4,517

3,810

2019

29,195

4,297

3,692

2018

31,862

3,565

3,305

2017

29,000

3,547

3,319

2016

26,160

3,547

3,319

Also Read | Aid Your Designing Career With An Online Course On AutoCAD

Category Wise Seats Distributed In 2019-20

In 2019-20, nearly 76 per cent students were from general or regular category, seven per cent each from state domicile and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and just about 10 per cent were Non-Resident Indian (NRI).

Category Wise Number Of Seats In 2019-20Number Of Seats

Category Wise Seats Allotted

Data acquired from the annual report available on the NIFT website tells us that general category students filled more than 91 per cent seats over the last three years, for the year 2015-16 and 016-17 the seats were filled only based on the Non-NRI with Domicile and NRI category. The EWS category was introduced from 2018-19.

Percentage Of Seats Filled Over The Last Five Years Against Seats Offered

Category

2019-20

2018-19

2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

Regular

91.81

94.99

97.39

-

-

State Domicile

48.56

62.95

72.22

94.76

94.27

EWS

96.54

71.03

-

-

-

NRI

43.02

44.99

65.89

81.62

84.18

Total

84.35

85.92

92.71

93.57

93.37

Also Read: How Much Does An Online Interior Design Course Cost?

Programme Wise Graduates

However the number of students admitted to the design programme varies from course to course, but the number of students admitted and graduated in each course has increased over the last five years.

Bachelor of Design in Fashion Design remained the most reputed and demanding course as compared to others, it has the highest number of graduates.

Programme-wise Number Of Graduates (In Numbers)

Academic Programme

2019-20

2018-19

2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

Bachelor of Design (Accessory Design)

427

403

364

374

225

Bachelor of Design (Fashion Communication)

436

381

331

283

166

Bachelor of Design (Fashion Design)

503

493

464

459

402

Bachelor of Design (Knitwear Design)

210

211

199

222

189

Bachelor of Design (Leather Design)

118

107

114

124

93

Bachelor of Design (Textile Design)

401

380

355

410

297

Bachelor of Fashion Technology (Apparel Production)

350

318

324

334

260

Master of Design

127

110

97

98

81

Master of Fashion Management

430

419

408

398

287

Master of Fashion Technology

83

91

81

79

63

Total

3,083

2,913

2,737

2,781

2,063

Also Read | Internship: What Does A Fashion Designing Intern Do?

NIFT Entrance Exam

Students willing to pursue the fashion course at NIFT should appear for the NIFT entrance exam. Candidates need to qualify the minimum cut off to get admission into the NIFT campus across the country.

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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 Neharika

These are the topics which are most important in the Current affairs section in respect to NIFT Entrance Exam:

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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

Dear Candidate ,
Yes , you are eligible for NIFT - UG 2026 . Based on your birthdate , you will be 19 years old as of August 1 , 2026 , which is well within the age limit .
NIFT requires applicants to be under 24 years of age on August 1 of the admission year , with a 5 year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD candidates .

Hello

The syllabus of NIFT 2026 will be released on October 2025 by Nift officials on their official website nift.ac.in . The syllabus comprises of topics General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT). The syllabus is different for UG and PG programmes. The GAT syllabus consists of :

  • Communication ability and English comprehension
  • Quantitative ability
  • Analytical and Reasoning
  • Case study
  • General knowledge and current affairs

The CAT syllabus consists important topics like

  • Creative ability
  • Observation power
  • Discernment ability
  • Design ability
  • Colour combination ability

To download the complete syllabus kindly refer this

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-syllabus

Good luck !