NIFT Entrance Exam: Eligibility, Syllabus, Dates, Books & Prep Tips

If you are a fashion enthusiast, designing is your passion, vibrant color attracts you, then explore your creative mind with the pioneer of fashion education. Start preparing for the NIFT entrance exam to give wings to your dream.

In this era of globalized lifestyle, fashion designing is one of the most exciting and talked about career options. There has been a great revolution in this field. The demand for youths in the fashion industry is increasing rapidly, who possess a good sense of creativity. In such a situation, the National Institue of Fashion Technology (NIFT) offers an exciting career opportunity.

In this article, we will provide all the useful information about the NIFT entrance exam, if you want to adopt fashion designing as a career.

What is NIFT and Who Conducts NIFT Entrance Exam

NIFT or National Institute of Fashion Technology is an autonomous institute established in 1986 under the Ministry of Textiles. This pioneer fashion institute provides an excellent education to produce the designers, managers, manufacturing technology experts in the fashion industry.

NIFT entrance exam is a pen and paper-based exam conducted by the National Institute of Fashion Technology. This national level competitive exam is conducted once every year.

NIFT At a Glance
3590
Number of Seats
10
Courses
17
Campuses

NIFT Courses

NIFT courses include 4 years of Bachelor Programs and 2 years of Masters Programs. Based on the eligibility, students have the option of 10 different NIFT courses to choose from. 

4 Years UG Programs
  • B.Des. (Fashion Design)
  • B.Des. (Leather Design)
  • B.Des. (Accessory Design)
  • B.Des. (Textile Design)
  • B.Des. (Knitwear Design)
  • B.Des. (Fashion Communication)
  • B.FTech. (Apparel Production)
2 Years PG Programs
  • M.Des. (Master of Design)
  • M.F.M. (Master of Fashion Management)
  • M.FTech. (Master of Fashion Technology)

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NIFT Eligibility

While registering for the NIFT entrance exam, it is important to check your eligibility carefully as per the checklist provided. Non fulfilling the eligibility may result in canceling the application.

Age Limit for NIFT Entrance Exam

NIFT Courses

Maximum Age Limit

Bachelor's Programmes (B.Des, B.FTech)

For General Category- 23 years on 1st October of that year

For Reserved Category Candidates- 28 years on 1st October of that year

Masters Programmes (M.Des,M.F.M and M.FTech)

No Age Limit

Educational Qualification for NIFT Entrance Exam

NIFT Courses 

Educational Qualification

Bachelor's Programmes (B.Des)
(Fashion Design / Leather Design / Accessory Design / Textile Design / Knitwear Design / Fashion Communication)





10+2 examination of any recognized central or state board,
or 
A passing grade in the Senior Secondary School Exam from the National Open School with a minimum of five subjects,
or
3 or 4-years diploma recognized by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education.
or
Any Public School/Board/University  exam in India or in foreign countries recognized by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to 10+2 system.
or
General Certificate Education (GCE) exam (London/Cambridge/Sri-Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level/ International
Baccalaureate (IB)

Master’s Programme in Design- M.Des

and

Master’s Programme in Fashion Management- M.F.M

Undergraduate degree in any discipline from an educational institute recognized by law in India

or

Three years of undergraduate diploma from NIFT or NID

 Master’s Programme in Fashion Technology- M.FTech

B.E / B.Tech. from any recognised Institute / University 
or
B.FTech. from NIFT

Appearing Candidates

Candidates who are appearing in the qualifying examination are also
eligible to apply for the NIFT entrance test provided they produce the qualification certificate at the time of admission.

NIFT Selection Process

As per the NIFT selection process, all eligible candidates have to go through an examination. The examination process for each course is different as described below.

NIFT Entrance Test Marking Weightages

The below table shows the weightage assigned to each test against the associated NIFT courses. This should be helpful for the students preparing for the NIFT entrance test.

Programmes

Test

Weightage

Bachelor of Design

CAT

50%

GAT

30%

Situation Test

20%

Master of Design

CAT

40%

GAT

30%

GD/PI

30%

Bachelor of Fashion 
Technology

GAT

100%

Master of Fashion Technology

GAT

70%

GD/PI

30%

Master of Fashion Management

GAT

70%

GD/PI

Text

GAT and CAT in NIFT

By now we have understood that candidates will have to qualify the CAT (Creative Ability Test) & GAT (General Ability Test) to get admission in various courses of NIFT.

What is GAT in NIFT?

GAT is a written test for all the 5 courses offered by NIFT. This 2 hours test is the first step towards the selection for B. Des and M. Des courses.

GAT test covers the question on below areas-

  • Quantitative Ability
  • Communication Ability
  • English Comprehension
  • Analytical Ability
  • General Knowledge and Current Affairs

What is CAT in NIFT?

NIFT CAT is designed to test the intuitive ability, power of observation in concept development, and design ability of the candidate. This test is for 3 hours. The idea behind this is to test is the creative and innovative use of colour and illustration skills.

Syllabus For NIFT Entrance Exam

NIFT Syllabus (GAT) : Entrance Test

NIFT Syllabus (CAT) : Entrance Test

Only those students who want to take admission in the design course ( B.Des or M.Dec) have to undergo the Creative Ability Test.

The syllabus or the skills required of this test include-

  • Power of observation
  • Designing skill
  • Creative and innovative use of colour
  • Illustration skills

Situation Based Test Guideline : NIFT Entrance Test

The situation test is applicable to the B.Des course applicants who have cleared their written round. The idea of this test is to see the innovative skill of a candidate in a given situation with the given set of material.

Here is the syllabus (skills) prescribed by NIFT for this test

  • Space visualization
  • Innovative and creative use of given material
  • Composition of elements
  • Colour scheme
  • Construction skill
  • Finesse of the model
  • Overall presentation

Group Discussion Guideline: Entrance Test

The shortlisted candidates in the written exam of the master’s course are required to undergo group-discussion and personal interview round.

A case study is assigned to a group of candidates to debate for 15 to 20 minutes. The panel of experts evaluate the candidate based on certain parameters listed below-

  • Conceptual clarity of the subject
  • Knowledge of the topic assigned
  • The contribution made to the topic
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Innovative ideas
  • Problem-solving approach
  • Leadership qualities
  • Effective communication

Personal Interview Guideline: NIFT Entrance Test

During the personal interview, candidates are evaluated on multiple parameters as per below-

  • Career orientation
  • Aptness for the course
  • Overall personal achievements in academics and co-curricular activities
  • Communication
  • General awareness and aptitude, creative and lateral thinking

NIFT Examination Centre

The pen and paper mode examination of the NIFT will be conducted across 32 examination centres across India. Students are required to opt for their choice centre at the time of filling up the application form.

Important Dates of NIFT Entrance Exam

Based on the previous year’s timeline, below are the expected dates for NIFT entrance exam

Important Dates: NIFT Entrance Exam

Online Registration Start

3rd Week of October

Online Registration Close

Last Week of December

Online registration with late fee of Rs.5000/

1st Week of January

Window to edit / update the Application Form

4 Days During 1st Week of January

Admit Card Release Online

2ND Week of January

NIFT Entrance Exam (for all courses)

3rd Week Of January

Window to receive observations / objection from the candidate for GAT exam

3 Days during 4th Week of January

Result of Written Entrance Examination

February-March

Situation Test / Group Discussion / Interview

April – May

Declaration of Final Result (Online)

End of May / June

Counselling Dates

End of May /June Onwards

Note: These are tentative timelines. The official notification will be issued in October 2020.

NIFT Colleges (Campuses)

NIFT has established its pan India presence through its 17 professionally managed campuses.

Below is the list of cities where NIFT has spread its network

List of Cities HavingNIFT Colleges (Campuses)

Delhi

Bengaluru

Patna

Chennai

Bhopal

Raebareli

Kolkata

Bhubaneshwar

Shillong

Gandhinagar 

Jodhpur

Srinagar

 Hyderabad

Kangra 

Panchkula 

Mumbai

Kannur

NIFT Entrance EXAM Preparation Tips

If you are planning to crack the NIFT entrance exam, then here are some of the preparation tips for you.

  • First of all, you should be aware that this pen and paper-based exam not only tests your general ability but also evaluates your creativity and situation based skill.
  • Make sure that you are fully aware of the syllabus, test pattern, and the marking weightage.
  • To perform well in the GAT section, you need to do a lot of practice of mathematics, English comprehension, communication ability, and analytical ability.
  • To score well in general knowledge and current affairs questions, read the newspaper regularly and refer some good book.
  • For the CAT section, there are few things you need to bring in your daily life- Be a good observer, Give shape and colour to your imagination, Follow some great designs and posters.
  • Be creative and innovative in your ideas
  • Create things getting inspired by your surroundings
  • You need to prepare well for each section of the entrance exam conducted for the NIFT entrance.
  • Take the guidance from experts
  • Sample papers play an important role in the preparation of the NIFT entrance exam. Make sure that you practice a lot and analyze your weak areas.

Best Books For NIFT Entrance Test

If You have made up your mind to write NIFT entrance exam, you need to have some books to prepare well.

Here are some of the best books for the NIFT entrance exam recommended by experts and successful candidates.

Best Books For NIFT Entrance Test Prepartion

NIFT Exam Full Package      

By LearnX

The Ultimate Guide for NIFT/NID/IIFT

By Arihant Experts

NIFT Situation Test Advance Coaching Kit

By Govind Kumar Singh

NIFT Mock Test Series - Self Study Material

By NIFT Alumni

NATA Self study kit

By Arkin

Popular Master Guide

By Surendra, Shabina Kavi

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