What is Category Rank in NIFT? Meaning, Calculation, Importance for NIFT Admission

What is Category Rank in NIFT? Meaning, Calculation, Importance for NIFT Admission

Rajyalaxmi VenkatapuramUpdated on 07 Nov 2025, 04:51 PM IST

There are thousands of students planning to obtain admission into the National Institute of Fashion Technology, which is India’s most prestigious fashion education institute. NIFT offers undergraduate and postgraduate design programmes. For a candidate to obtain NIFT admission, it is mandatory to appear for the NIFT entrance examination. Candidates planning to appear for NIFT 2026 want to know about “What is category rank in NIFT?”.

This Story also Contains

  1. Understanding Category Rank in NIFT
  2. NIFT Category Rank Vs Overall Rank
  3. Category Rank in NIFT Exam
  4. How Category Rank is calculated in NIFT?
  5. How to check NIFT Category Rank?
What is Category Rank in NIFT? Meaning, Calculation, Importance for NIFT Admission
What is Category Rank in NIFT?

Aspirants need to know that the NIFT results consist of two terms, namely, All India Rank (AIR) and Category Rank (CR). Most of the students have a doubt as to "What is category rank in NIFT?”. In this article, aspirants can know about the NIFT category rank explained, how category rank is calculated in NIFT and how it is used in NIFT seat allocation.

Understanding Category Rank in NIFT

Let us know the NIFT category rank meaning. The NIFT entrance exam category rank is the rank obtained by the candidate within their respective category. The NIFT category rank for General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS are different. The categories are listed as follows.

  • General

  • OBC-NCL (Other backward classes - Noncreamy layer)

  • SC (Scheduled Caste)

  • ST (Scheduled Tribe)

  • EWS (Economically Weaker Section)

  • PwD (Persons with disabilities)

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NIFT Category Rank Vs Overall Rank

The All India Rank (AIR) and Category Rank (CR) are different. Every year, the NIFT AIR and the Category Rank varies. Being clear on this, the AIR is the overall position of the candidate among the total candidates. Whereas the Category rank in NIFT exam is the rank of the candidate of the same reservation category. The AIR is used for general category seat allocation whereas the Category rank is used for reserved category seat allocation.

Category Rank in NIFT Exam

The category rank plays an important role in the NIFT admission process. The NIFT category rank is crucial for NIFT counselling and seat allotment. The total number of seats are distributed category-wise among all the NIFT campuses. The NIFT seats are reserved for the specific NIFT category rank for general, OBC, SC, ST, EWS. Hence, NIFT allots the category ranks according to the reservation system.

The NIFT category rank helps the counselling process to be conducted in a smooth manner. The category rank in NIFT ensures the clear representation of seats for reserved categories and a systematic NIFT seat allotment for the candidates into its campuses.

How Category Rank is calculated in NIFT?

NIFT category rank is calculated based on the performance of the candidates belonging to the same category, in the NIFT entrance examination. The NIFT category rank calculation process is as follows.

  • Marks obtained from the NIFT’s CAT & GAT exam and the Situation test or NIFT’s CAT & GAT exam and the Personal interview based on the course.

  • All the candidates are allotted AIR (All India Rank) based on their total score obtained.

  • Candidates are segregated category-wise from the NIFT merit list, and hence the NIFT rank lists are prepared.

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How to check NIFT Category Rank?

Candidates who appeared for the NIFT exam can check the NIFT results online. NTA will publish the NIFT results at its official website. The NIFT results will be declared in the form of a scorecard. The NIFT scorecard contains the category rank. Provided below are the steps to check the category rank.

  • Visit the NTA’s official website - exams.nta.ac.in/NIFT

  • Click on the link “NIFT results”.

  • Login using the allotted login credentials.

  • The NIFT results are displayed in the form of a scorecard.

  • The NIFT scorecard contains candidate’s name, roll number, total marks, All India Rank (AIR), and Category Rank (CR), as applicable.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do general category candidates are provided with NIFT category ranks?
A:

General category candidates are provided with All India Ranks (AIR).

Q: Can I get NIFT admission with category rank?
A:

Yes, category rank is very much important for the candidates during the NIFT counselling for the seat allotment process under the reserved category.

Q: What is meant by NIFT category rank?
A:

NIFT category rank means the rank obtained in the exam by the candidates belonging to the reserved categories, such as OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD.

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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 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

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!!

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 .