The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has officially opened its application forms for the 2026 entrance exam. This is a big opportunity for students who wish to build a career in fashion design, technology, and management. The forms are available for both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programmes.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts important exams across India, released the NIFT 2026 application forms today, December 08, 2025 . Students who meet the eligibility criteria can start applying online right away. The deadline to submit applications without a late fee is January 06, 2026 . If you miss this date, there will be an option to apply with late fees in January 2026.
The NIFT entrance exam is for admission to various popular courses. These include Bachelor of Design (B.Des), Master of Design (M.Des), Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech), Master of Fashion Technology (M.F.Tech), and Master of Fashion Management (M.F.M.).
Understanding the application fee is important for all students. For those in the General, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and GEN-EWS categories, the application fee is INR 2,000 . Students belonging to the SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), and PwD (Persons with Disability) categories need to pay a reduced fee of INR 500 .
The written exams for NIFT 2026 are scheduled to take place on February 08, 2026 . These exams include two main parts: the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT). The CAT checks a student's creativity and drawing skills, while the GAT assesses their general knowledge, reasoning, and communication abilities.
Important Dates for NIFT 2026 Entrance Exam
Here are the key dates for the NIFT 2026 exam cycle:
| Event | Dates |
| Application Form Starts | December 08, 2025 |
| Last Date to Submit Applications | January 06, 2026 |
| Apply with Late Fees | January 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Third week of January 2026 |
| NIFT 2026 Entrance Exam | February 08, 2026 |
| Draft Answer Key Release | February 2026 |
| Result Declaration | March 2026 |
How to Apply for NIFT Entrance Exam 2026
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will make the application form available online on the official NIFT admission website. Candidates who meet all the necessary requirements can apply by following these simple steps:
- Step 1: Register for the Exam: Visit the official NIFT admission portal. First, you need to register. You will need to enter your Aadhaar number, along with your personal details like your name, a valid email ID, and your mobile number. Once registered, a personal applicant account will be created for you.
- Step 2: Fill in the Application Form: Log in to your newly created account using your registration details. Carefully fill in all required information, including your personal background, academic history, and contact details. You will also need to select your preferred exam center for the NIFT exam during this step.
- Step 3: Upload Required Documents: In this step, you must upload scanned copies of your recent photograph and signature. Make sure these documents are in the correct format and size as specified in the instructions. This is crucial for a successful application.
- Step 4: Pay the Application Fee: The final step in the application process is to pay the application fee. You can pay this online using various digital payment methods. Once the payment is successfully completed, your NIFT 2026 application will be submitted.
Students are advised to keep a copy of their submitted application form and payment receipt for future reference. This will help them track their application status and for other admission-related processes.
