NIFT Vs Pearl Academy: Which is Better?
Choosing a right college for fashion designing is an important step towards a good career. Aspirants seeking fashion design admission often get confused between two top institutions, National institute of Fashion Technology and Pearl academy. NIFT vs Pearl Academy, which is better, is a genuine query in the minds of most of the fashion design aspirants. To solve all the queries, we have compared NIFT vs Pearl Academy in most of the aspects. Through this article the students can know about NIFT vs Pearl Academy eligibility, fees, salary, campuses, placements and much more. Continue reading to know more about NIFT vs Pearl Academy and which is better.
This Story also Contains
- National Institute of Fashion Technology
- Pearl Academy
- NIFT Vs Pearl Academy: Overview
- NIFT vs Pearl Academy: Campuses
- NIFT Vs Pearl Academy: Courses Offered
- NIFT vs Pearl Academy: Fee Structure
- NIFT vs Pearl Academy: Placements
- NIFT Vs Pearl Academy: Selection Criteria
National Institute of Fashion Technology
The National Institute of Fashion Technology was established in 1986 by the government of India to ensure generation of professionals in the textile industry. It is a central government run institution that focuses on the fashion industry.
Pearl Academy
Pearl Academy is a renowned private design institution which is known for its world class teaching and reputed network of alumni. Both the institutions have a good reputation in the field of design teaching and have created tremendous impact especially in the fashion industry.
NIFT Vs Pearl Academy: Overview
Particulars | NIFT | Pearl Academy |
Ownership | Government | Private |
Courses | B.Des B.F.Tech M.Des M.F.M M.F.Tech | B.Des BBA M.Des MBA |
Eligibility | 10+2 OR equivalent | 10+2 OR equivalent |
Entrance Exam | NIFT entrance exam | Pearl Academy entrance exam |
Fees | RS. 13.42 lakhs for UG courses, Rs 6.46 lakhs for PG courses | Rs. 7,28,500 per annum for UG Rs. 5,52,500 per annum for PG |
Highest Package | Rs. 19.5 Lakhs per annum | Rs. 20.27 Lakhs per annum |
NIFT Vs Pearl Academy: Which is Better?
Both the National Institute of Fashion Technology and Pearl Academy are the two renowned fashion design colleges in India. The competition between these two prominent institutions is high as they both offer excellent career benefits. For the students to help make an informed decision we have compared both the institutions and we will let the readers decide their preference.
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NIFT vs Pearl Academy: Campuses
Both renowned institutions, NIFT and Pearl Academy have various campuses across India. The various campuses of NIFT and Pearl Academy offer excellent education with hi-Tech classrooms and expert faculties who provide industrial exposure as well as a good learning experience. NIFT was established in 1986 and since then it has spread across 18 campuses in India. The campuses are as listed below.
NIFT Campus list |
Pearl Academy was established in 1993 and it has 5 campuses in the entire country. The campuses are listed below.
NIFT Vs Pearl Academy: Courses Offered
The 18 campuses in NIFT offer various courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. At undergraduate level the courses include BDes and BFTech. The B.Des course has specialisations which are Fashion Design, Leather Design, Accessory Design, Textile Design, Fashion Communication, Knitwear Design and Fashion interiors. At postgraduate level NIFT offers three courses - MDes, MFM and MFTech.
In Pearl Academy there are several courses in undergraduate and postgraduate level that are in the field of designing and business. At undergraduate level the courses are B.Des for designing and BBA for business. In B.Des course the specialisation available are Fashion Design, Interior Design, Communication Design, Product Design. Similarly in postgraduate level the M.Des course has the same specialisations along with MBA being a postgraduate business degree. Both the institutions also offer short term courses for students/ aspirants to gain knowledge for the field.
NIFT vs Pearl Academy: Fee Structure
Fee is another important determinant in choosing the college most suitable for the student. NIFT is a central government institution and Pearl Academy is a private college. The fee structure of both the colleges are different and as discussed below.
NIFT Fees:
In NIFT the undergraduate and postgraduate fee structure differ from each other. The total fee for the whole duration of 4 years, required for undergraduate courses is approximately Rs 13.42 lakhs. For post graduate courses the fees required can go up to Rs 6.46 lakhs. This fee is dependent on the course and the campus the candidate has chosen. For the fee structure of NIFT the candidates can check out the various courses and campuses.
Pearl Academy Fees
Similarly the Pearl Academy fee structure is different for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The annual fee structure which is to be paid semester wise sums up to Rs. 7,28,500 in bachelor’s courses. And for the master's course the fee annually sums up to Rs. 5,52,500. This varies according to the course chosen and the campus the candidate has taken admission into.
NIFT vs Pearl Academy: Placements
NIFT vs Pearl Academy placements can be an alluring factor for confused students to select their choice. Placements of an institution is very important to consider before joining the institution as it determines the future of the candidate. Both the institutions have excellent placement opportunities for the students and each of the institutes is discussed below.
NIFT Placements
The National Institute of Fashion Technology offers a centralised placement which includes all the campuses. The NIFT placement records show a tremendous growth in the field of fashion designing. Many top recruiting companies visit the campus every year to select the best candidates for jobs. NIFT conducts placement in three ways- Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs), On Campus Placements and Off Campus Placements. In the year 2022, 4330 vacancies were generated for the students in this field. Over 250 positions were offered by the various top companies who visited the campus to recruit students. Some of the top companies who recruit from NIFT are listed below.
Arvind Lifestyle Brands Limited | Fabric Monde | Manyavar |
Bata India Limited | FAB WORLD | Tejas Innovative Solutions Ltd etc. |
Pearl Academy Placements
The placement records of 2023 in Pearl Academy show 99% placement. Pearl Academy also provides the students with a lifetime alumni placement support and has over 15k successful alumni. Pearl Academy trains the students by preparing them with professional development sessions followed by mock interviews and improving the resume. The students when go for campus Pearl academy placements are completely prepared to showcase their talent. Some of the Pearl Academy top recruiters are listed below.
Aditya Birla | Amazon | Craftsvilla |
Gaurav Gupta | Masaba | Mango |
NIFT vs Pearl Academy: Salary
After discussing the exceptional placement opportunities offered by both the reputed Institutions under discussion, we must also shed some light on the salary offered. The salary offered in NIFT and Pearl Academy both are exceptionally good.
NIFT Salary
With an excellent placement percentage of about 80+% every year, NIFT has some of the top recruiters offering the best salary. In the year 2022 the highest package of NIFT students went up to Rs. 19.5 Lakhs per annum in Bangalore Campus. Another remarkable package was offered in NIFT Bhubaneswar in 2021 when a student got 9600 dollars per annum package.
Pearl Academy Salary:
With the wonderful placement percentage of 99% Pearl Academy also has a good salary to offer to the students. The top recruiters of 2023 offered a package of Rs. 20.27 Lakhs per annum to a student of Pearl Academy. The second highest package of 2023 was offered Rs. 17 lakhs per annum.
NIFT Vs Pearl Academy: Selection Criteria
Both the prominent Institutions conduct entrance exams in order to select the best students fit for their Institute. NTA conducts the NIFT entrance exam. While Pearl Academy conducts the Pearl Academy Entrance Exam. NIFT vs Pearl Academy selection criteria iis an important factor to understand which of the institutions under discussion is better.
NIFT Pattern of Exam
As per NIFT exam pattern, the entrance test will consist of 2 exams - General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT). Aspirants need to appear for the GAT exam which is compulsory for all courses. The GAT exam tests the candidates' design aptitude and general knowledge. The CAT exam is necessary for the B.Des and M.Des aspirants. This exam tests the candidate's drawing skills. If the students qualify the written tests that are CAT and GAT, they need to appear in the situation test at undergraduate level and PI round at postgraduate level. The weightage for all these examinations differs according to the course the candidate has chosen. The table below explains the weightage of each part of the exam for each course.
NIFT exam weightage for different courses
Programme | CAT | GAT | Situation Test | GD/PI |
Bachelor of Design (B.Des) | 50% | 30% | 20% | - |
Master of Design (M.Des) | 40% | 30% | - | 30% |
Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech) | - | 100% | - | - |
Master of Fashion Technology (M.F.Tech) | - | 70% | - | 30% |
Master of Fashion Management (MFM) | - | 70% | - | 30% |
Pearl Academy Pattern of Exam
For the students opting for design courses in Pearl Academy they need to appear the GPT + DAT round. According to Pearl Academy Exam Pattern, GPT stands for general proficiency test, which is required for testing the students’ quantitative abilities, basic math, logic reasoning etc. The DAT exam is more related to test the aptitude for designing, observation and imagination skills. If the candidate qualifies these exams, he or she will be called for a personal interview round and Portfolio evaluation. The students who are appearing for the business-related programs are required to only appear the GPT exam. If they qualify the GPT exam they will be called for a personal interview round.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which is best, Pearl Academy or NIFT?
A:
It depends on the student as both the Institutions are equally reputable and offer excellent placements and salary options, along with exceptionally good education. Factors like fees, location, courses available etc can help the students decide.
Q: Is the Pearl Academy degree valid?
A:
Yes pearl is a recognised institution in India for fashion designing and its degrees are recognised across India and world.
Q: Is per academy good for placement?
A:
Pearl Academy placement reports of 2023 shows 99% placements with excellent salary offers going as high as 20.27 lakhs per annum.
Q: What is the highest package of Pearl Academy?
A:
Pearl Academy has the highest package going up to Rs. 20.27 Lakhs per annum.
Q: Does NIFT provide placements?
A:
Yes NIFT provides placements to the students of final year. Along with good placement percentage it has good salary packages.
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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
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 !
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