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 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.
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
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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 |
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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).
Number 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 |
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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 |
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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.
On Question asked by student community
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!!
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 :
The CAT syllabus consists important topics like
To download the complete syllabus kindly refer this
https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-syllabus
Good luck !
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