NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Notification Out: NIFTEE Apply Online for B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des Admission by 16 November
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 (NIFTEE 2027) notification and Information Bulletin. The exam is for admission to the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) for the 2027–28 academic session. Online registration for NIFTEE 2027 started on 16 October 2026. The last date to apply with the normal fee is 16 November 2026, and with a late fee is 21 November 2026. The written entrance exam will be held on 10 January 2027, in about 100 cities across India.
NIFTEE 2027 covers admission to the B.Des. and B.F.Tech. undergraduate programmes and the M.Des., M.F.M. and M.F.Tech. postgraduate programmes. It also covers NIFT Lateral Entry Admission (NLEA), the Artisan category for B.Des. and Ph.D. admission across NIFT's 20 campuses. The General Ability Test (GAT) is computer based (CBT), and the Creative Ability Test (CAT) is a pen-and-paper test (PBT). West Bengal candidates can choose exam centres in Kolkata, Durgapur, Asansol and Siliguri. If you are also applying for other NTA exams this season, read our UGC NET December 2026 apply online guide. This article covers the NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 dates, application fee, eligibility, age limit, exam pattern, weightage, exam cities and how to apply, all taken from the official Information Bulletin.
Quick summary:
➤ Exam: NIFT Entrance Examination (NIFTEE) 2027
➤ Conducting body: National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of NIFT
➤ Programmes: B.Des., B.F.Tech., M.Des., M.F.M., M.F.Tech., NLEA, Artisan (B.Des.) and Ph.D.
➤ Apply online: 16 October to 16 November 2026
➤ Late fee window: up to 21 November 2026 (₹5,000 extra)
➤ Correction window: 22 to 25 November 2026
➤ Admit card: 4 January 2027
➤ Exam date: 10 January 2027 (GAT in CBT mode, CAT in pen-and-paper mode)
➤ Fee: ₹2,000 (General/EWS/OBC-NCL), ₹500 (SC/ST/PwD)
➤ Age limit (UG): below 24 years as on 1 August 2027; no age limit for PG
➤ Negative marking: 0.25 mark per wrong answer
➤ Exam cities in West Bengal: Kolkata, Durgapur, Asansol, Siliguri
➤ Official website: exams.nta.nic.in/niftee
Table of Contents
- NIFTEE 2027 Important Dates
- Dates for Artisan, NRI and Ph.D. Candidates
- NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Overview
- Programmes and Specialisations
- Application Fee
- Age Limit
- Educational Qualification
- Exam Pattern and Selection Process
- Test Weightage
- Marking Scheme
- Exam Timing
- Exam Cities
- How to Apply
- Exam Day Instructions
- FAQs
- Important Links
NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Important Dates
NTA has published the NIFTEE 2027 schedule for UG and PG programmes (regular and NLEA) in the Information Bulletin and the public notice dated 16 October 2026. The NIFT 2027 application form can be filled until 16 November 2026, and the NIFT entrance exam will be held on 10 January 2027. NTA calls all these dates tentative. The complete NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 schedule is given below.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online registration starts | 16 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply (normal fee) | 16 November 2026 |
| Last date to apply with late fee of ₹5,000 | 21 November 2026 |
| Correction window (online only) | 22 to 25 November 2026 |
| Advance city intimation slip | 21 December 2026 |
| Admit card download | 4 January 2027 |
| NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 (GAT and CAT) | 10 January 2027 |
| Recorded responses and answer key | To be announced |
| Stage 1 result | February / March 2027 |
| Situation Test (regular) / Studio Test, Personal Interview and document verification (NLEA) | March / April 2027 |
| Final result on NTA and NIFT websites | First week of May 2027 |
| Seat allocation (by NIFT) | May / June 2027 |
NIFTEE 2027 Dates for Artisan, NRI and Ph.D. Candidates
Artisan category, NRI/foreign national and Ph.D. candidates for NIFT admission 2027 have a separate schedule. Registration for all three opened on 16 October 2026, but they have later last dates than regular UG and PG candidates. The NIFT Artisan, NRI and Ph.D. 2027 dates are given in the table below.
| Category | Last date to register | Correction window | Next stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Des. Artisan category | 31 January 2027 | 1 to 4 February 2027 | Admit card March 2027; Artisan Skill Test and interview April 2027; final result first week of May 2027 |
| NRI / Foreign National / OCI / SAARC (UG and PG) | 31 March 2027 | 1 to 4 April 2027 | SAT/GMAT/GRE scores by 31 March 2027; seat allotment May 2027 (through NIFT) |
| Ph.D. | 31 January 2027 | 1 to 4 February 2027 | Written test (by NIFT) March/April 2027; Research Proposal Presentation and Interview May/June 2027; final result July 2027 |
NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Overview
NTA conducts the NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 on behalf of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, set up in 1986 and made a statutory institute by an Act of Parliament in 2006. NIFTEE 2027 is the single entrance test for admission to NIFT's design, fashion technology and fashion management courses. The main details of the NIFT 2027 notification are given in the table below.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam name | NIFT Entrance Examination (NIFTEE) 2027 |
| Conducting body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Institute | National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), 20 campuses |
| Academic session | 2027–28 |
| Programmes | B.Des., B.F.Tech., M.Des., M.F.M., M.F.Tech., NLEA, Artisan, Ph.D. |
| Exam mode | GAT: Computer Based Test (CBT); CAT: Pen and Paper Based Test (PBT) |
| Exam date | 10 January 2027 |
| Medium | Hindi and English (English version final in case of doubt) |
| Exam cities | 100 cities across India |
| Application mode | Online only |
| Helpline | 011-40759000 / 011-69227700, nift@nta.ac.in |
| Official websites | exams.nta.nic.in/niftee, nift.ac.in |
NIFT 2027 Programmes and Specialisations
Through the NIFT Entrance Exam 2027, students can apply for the 4-year B.Des. in seven design specialisations, the 4-year B.F.Tech. (Apparel Production), and the 2-year master's programmes M.Des., M.F.M. and M.F.Tech. The NIFT 2027 courses and specialisations are listed below.
| Programme | Duration | Specialisation |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) | 4 years | Fashion Design, Fashion Communication, Accessory Design, Knitwear Design, Leather Design, Textile Design, Fashion Interiors |
| Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech.) | 4 years | Apparel Production |
| Master of Design (M.Des.) | 2 years | — |
| Master of Fashion Management (M.F.M.) | 2 years | — |
| Master of Fashion Technology (M.F.Tech.) | 2 years | — |
| Ph.D. | — | Full-time and part-time |
NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Application Fee
The NIFTEE 2027 application fee depends on your category and on whether you apply for one programme or two. A candidate can apply for B.F.Tech. and B.Des. together, or M.F.M. and M.Des. together, in a single form at a higher fee. The fee is paid online by debit card, credit card, UPI or net banking through the Canara Bank or Union Bank payment gateway. The category-wise NIFT 2027 application fee is shown below.
| Category | One programme | Two programmes (B.F.Tech. + B.Des. or M.F.M. + M.Des.) |
|---|---|---|
| General (Open) / Gen-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹2,000 | ₹3,000 |
| SC / ST / PwD / PwBD | ₹500 | ₹750 |
| NRI / Foreign National / OCI / PIO / SAARC (UG and PG) | ₹11,100 | — |
| Late fee (17 to 21 November 2026) | ₹5,000 extra, in addition to the applicable fee | |
Bank or gateway service charges and GST are extra. UPI payments have no service charge with either bank. The fee is not refundable once paid successfully. Only duplicate or multiple payments made from the same application are refunded automatically after reconciliation.
NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Age Limit
The NIFTEE 2027 age limit applies only to the bachelor's programmes. For B.Des. and B.F.Tech., candidates must be below 24 years of age on 1 August 2027. There is no upper age limit for the master's programmes. The NIFT 2027 age limit is summarised below.
| Programme | Age limit | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des. and B.F.Tech. | Less than 24 years as on 1 August 2027 | 5 years for SC/ST/PwD/PwBD |
| M.Des., M.F.M. and M.F.Tech. | No age limit | — |
| Ph.D. | No age limit (maximum 30 years as on 1 August 2027 under the NTF criteria only) | — |
| NRI / Foreign National / OCI / SAARC (UG) | Less than 24 years as on 1 August 2027 | 5 years for SC/ST/PwD/PwBD |
NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Educational Qualification
The NIFTEE 2027 eligibility depends on the programme. For B.Des., Class 12 in any stream is enough, but B.F.Tech. needs Mathematics. For the NIFT master's programmes, a bachelor's degree is needed; M.F.Tech. requires a B.E./B.Tech. or B.F.Tech. The detailed NIFT 2027 eligibility criteria are given below.
| Programme | Educational qualification |
|---|---|
| B.Des. | 10+2 from a recognised Central/State Board, or Senior Secondary from the National Open School with at least 5 subjects, or a 3/4-year diploma recognised by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education after Class 10, or an AIU-recognised equivalent, GCE A level or IB |
| B.F.Tech. | Same as B.Des., but with Mathematics. A 3/4-year engineering diploma (any branch) recognised by AICTE or a State Board after Class 10 is also accepted |
| M.Des. | Bachelor's degree in any discipline, or a minimum 3-year UG diploma from NIFT/NID. M.Des. assumes basic design knowledge and does not teach design fundamentals |
| M.F.M. | Bachelor's degree in any discipline, or a minimum 3-year UG diploma from NIFT/NID |
| M.F.Tech. | B.F.Tech. from NIFT, or B.E./B.Tech. from a recognised institute, or a 4-year B.F.Tech. from any recognised institute |
| B.Des. (Artisan category) | B.Des. qualification and a valid Artisan Card issued to self, father or mother by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts or Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, or proof of applying for the card before the 2027 prospectus was launched |
NIFT Lateral Entry (NLEA) 2027 eligibility
NIFT Lateral Entry Admission (NLEA) 2027 is for diploma holders who want to join the B.Des. or B.F.Tech. programme. The main NLEA eligibility routes are:
- B.Des. (NLEA):
- Class 10 plus a 3/4-year diploma (AICTE/AIU/UGC/State Board) in a related field: fashion, apparel, textile, accessories, home science, handloom, visual communication, graphic, industrial, interior or multimedia design, apparel technology, leather or fine arts.
- Or a 2-year diploma in such a field after Class 10, plus one year of full-time industry experience.
- Or a 1-year diploma in such a field after Class 12, plus one year of full-time industry experience.
- Or a 2-year regular UG diploma from NIFT after Class 12.
- B.F.Tech. (NLEA):
- Class 10 plus a 3/4-year diploma in a related field: fashion, apparel, textile, home science, handloom technology, mechanical, mechatronics, automation and robotics, tool and die making, production, manufacturing automation, instrumentation and control, or industrial engineering.
- Or a 2-year diploma in such a field after Class 10 with Mathematics, plus one year of industry experience.
- Or a 1-year diploma in such a field after Class 12 with Mathematics, plus one year of industry experience.
- Or a 2-year UG diploma from NIFT after Class 12 with Mathematics.
NIFT Ph.D. 2027 eligibility
NIFT Ph.D. 2027 admission has three eligibility routes, set out in the table below. The marks relaxation shown in brackets applies to SC/ST candidates.
| Qualification | Years of education after Class 10 | Minimum marks | Work experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's degree in Design, Management or Technology (relevant area) | 7 | CGPA 6.0/10 (5.5) or 55% (50%) | None (final year students can apply) |
| Master's degree in a discipline not relevant to NIFT's areas | 7 | CGPA 6.0/10 (5.5) or 55% (50%) | 10 years in the proposed research area |
| Bachelor's degree in Design, Management or Technology (relevant area) | 5 | CGPA 8.0/10 (7.5) or 75% (70%) | 10 years in the proposed research area |
NRI / foreign candidates: admission is based on SAT (UG) or GMAT/GRE (PG) scores, with a minimum score of 50%. Scores must not be declared before 1 January 2025 and must reach NIFT by 31 March 2027.
NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Exam Pattern and Selection Process
The NIFT 2027 selection process has two stages. In stage 1, candidates take the written entrance exam: the GAT (computer based) and, for design courses, the CAT (pen and paper). In stage 2, shortlisted candidates take a Situation Test (B.Des.) or a Personal Interview (master's programmes). B.F.Tech. admission is based on the GAT alone. The programme-wise NIFTEE 2027 exam pattern is given below.
| Programme | Written test | Duration | Questions | Stage 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Des. | GAT (Section A) + CAT | 120 + 180 minutes | 100 + 3 | Situation Test |
| B.F.Tech. | GAT (Section A + Section B) | 120 + 60 minutes | 100 + 50 | None (GAT only) |
| B.F.Tech. + B.Des. | GAT (Sections A and B) + CAT | 180 + 180 minutes | 150 + 3 | Situation Test (for B.Des.) |
| M.Des. | GAT (Section A) + CAT | 120 + 180 minutes | 120 + 3 | Personal Interview |
| M.F.M. | GAT (Sections A and B) | 180 minutes | 150 | Personal Interview |
| M.F.M. + M.Des. | GAT (Sections A and B) + CAT | 180 + 180 minutes | 150 + 3 | Personal Interview |
| M.F.Tech. | GAT | 180 minutes | 150 | Personal Interview |
| Ph.D. | Written test (by NIFT) | 45 minutes + 1 hour | — | Research Proposal Presentation and Interview |
NIFT GAT 2027 subject-wise questions
The NIFT GAT 2027 tests communication ability and English comprehension, quantitative ability, analytical and logical ability, and general knowledge and current affairs. B.F.Tech., M.F.M. and M.F.Tech. papers also include a case study section. The subject-wise question distribution from Annexure II of the bulletin is given below.
| Programme | English Comprehension | Quantitative (Sec A) | Analytical & Logical (Sec A) | GK & Current Affairs | Quantitative (Sec B) | Analytical & Logical (Sec B) | Case Study | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Des. / B.Des. (NLEA) | 40 | 20 | 15 | 25 | — | — | — | 100 |
| B.F.Tech. / B.F.Tech. (NLEA) | 40 | 20 | 15 | 25 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 150 |
| M.Des. | 50 | 20 | 25 | 25 | — | — | — | 120 |
| M.F.M. | 50 | 20 | 25 | 25 | — | — | 30 | 150 |
| M.F.Tech. | 45 | 30 | 25 | 25 | — | — | 25 | 150 |
M.F.Tech. will also have some questions from engineering. The CAT has 3 questions and tests observation, concept development, design ability, and creative use of colour and illustration. A scribe is not provided for the CAT.
Situation Test and Personal Interview marks
The NIFT Situation Test 2027 for B.Des. is a hands-on test in which candidates make a 3D model from the materials given at the centre. The write-up explaining the concept must be in English. Marks are distributed as follows:
| Test | Component | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Situation Test (B.Des.) | 3D model (form and space, creative use of material, composition, construction skill and finesse) | 50 |
| Write-up (explanation of concept and language) | 20 | |
| Overall presentation | 30 | |
| Artisan Skill Test (B.Des. Artisan) | 3D model, write-up and overall presentation | 70 |
| Personal interview | 30 | |
| Ph.D. written test | Set I: Research Aptitude, Communication Skills and Logical Reasoning (MCQ, 45 minutes) | 30 |
| Set II: Research Disposition (descriptive, 1 hour) | 20 |
The Personal Interview for master's programmes judges career orientation, aptness for the course, achievements in academics and co-curricular activities, communication, and general awareness, aptitude and creative thinking.
NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Test Weightage
The NIFT 2027 final merit list is prepared using fixed weightages for each test. For B.Des., the CAT carries the most weight at 50%. For B.F.Tech., the merit list is based entirely on the two sections of the GAT. The programme-wise NIFTEE 2027 weightage is given below.
| Programme | GAT | CAT | Situation Test / Studio Test / TAT | Personal Interview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Des. | 30% | 50% | 20% (Situation Test) | — |
| B.F.Tech. | 100% (Sec A 30% + Sec B 70%) | — | — | — |
| B.F.Tech. opting for B.Des. | 30% (Sec A) | 50% | 20% (Situation Test) | — |
| M.F.M. | 70% (Sections A and B) | — | — | 30% |
| M.Des. / M.F.M. opting for M.Des. | 30% (Sec A) | 40% | — | 30% |
| M.F.Tech. | 70% | — | — | 30% |
| B.Des. (NLEA) | 40% | — | 40% (Studio Test) | 20% |
| B.F.Tech. (NLEA) | 40% | — | 40% (Technical Ability Test) | 20% |
NIFTEE 2027 Marking Scheme
The NIFT GAT 2027 marking scheme includes negative marking, so candidates should avoid guessing. The rules are:
- Each question carries 1 mark.
- 0.25 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
- No marks for unanswered questions.
- If the answer key changes after challenges, only candidates who answered correctly as per the revised key get the mark.
- If a question is dropped because of a technical error, every candidate gets full marks for it.
- Ties for B.Des./M.Des. are broken by CAT marks first, then GAT marks. Ties for B.F.Tech./M.F.M./M.F.Tech. are broken by section marks in this order: English, Quantitative, Analytical, then GK.
NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Exam Timing
On 10 January 2027, the NIFT GAT will be held in the morning shift and the CAT in the afternoon shift. The programme-wise NIFTEE 2027 exam timing is given below.
| Programme | GAT (CBT) | CAT (PBT) |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des. / M.Des. | 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
| B.Des. (NLEA) | 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM | — |
| B.F.Tech. / B.F.Tech. (NLEA) / M.F.M. / M.F.Tech. | 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon | — |
| B.F.Tech. + B.Des. / M.F.M. + M.Des. | 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon | 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
For NLEA, the Studio Test (B.Des.) or Technical Ability Test (B.F.Tech.) and the Personal Interview will be held in April 2027. The exact dates will be announced later.
NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Exam Cities
The NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 will be held in 100 cities. Candidates choose four cities in order of preference, from the state of their permanent or present address only. West Bengal students can choose from the four NIFTEE 2027 exam centres in the state listed below.
| State | City | City code |
|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | Kolkata | WB10 |
| West Bengal | Durgapur | WB04 |
| West Bengal | Asansol | WB01 |
| West Bengal | Siliguri | WB11 |
Nearby centres in other states include Guwahati, Patna, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Gangtok and Agartala, and Balasore, Berhampur and Sambalpur in Odisha. However, a candidate can only choose cities in the state of their permanent or present address. The full list of 100 cities is in Annexure III of the bulletin.
How to Apply for NIFT Entrance Exam 2027
The NIFT 2027 application form is filled online only at exams.nta.nic.in/niftee. Registration is done through Meri Pehchaan, the government's single sign-on platform. Only one application is allowed per candidate.
- Visit exams.nta.nic.in/niftee. Download and read the Information Bulletin and the NIFT Admissions Guidelines 2027.
- Register with your own mobile number and email ID, create a password and note the Application Number.
- Fill in the application form: personal details, programme choice, four exam cities and educational qualifications.
- Capture a live photo with a webcam or by scanning the QR code with a phone (80% of the face, with ears, no mask).
- Upload documents:
- Photograph: JPG/JPEG, 10 KB to 200 KB, in colour, white background.
- Signature: JPG/JPEG, 10 KB to 50 KB.
- Disability/UDID certificate (if applicable): PDF, 50 KB to 300 KB.
- ID proof (if you are not verifying through Aadhaar or DigiLocker): JPG/JPEG, 10 KB to 200 KB.
- Pay the fee through Canara Bank or Union Bank by card, UPI or net banking.
- Download and print the Confirmation Page.
Password rules: 8 to 13 characters, with at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one special character (! @ # $ % ^ & * -). Changes are allowed only in the fields NTA opens during the correction window (22 to 25 November 2026).
NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Exam Day Instructions
Candidates should reach the NIFT exam centre on 10 January 2027 two hours before the exam starts. Late arrivals will not be allowed in after the gate closes. Bring the following documents and items:
- A printout of the admit card on A4 paper with the self-declaration filled in.
- Two passport-size photographs, the same as the one uploaded.
- One original, valid photo ID: school ID card, PAN card, passport, Aadhaar/e-Aadhaar, Class 12 board admit card with photograph, ration card with photograph, or bank passbook with photograph.
- A PwD/PwBD certificate, if applicable, and a name-change document if your name has changed.
- Colouring and drawing material in a transparent pouch, for CAT candidates.
- A personal transparent water bottle. Diabetic candidates may also bring sugar tablets or fruits.
A ball point pen and rough sheets will be provided in the exam hall. Your own pen, geometry box, paper, mobile phone, watch, wallet, belt, cap, jewellery and any electronic device are not allowed.
NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 FAQs
Q1. What is the last date to apply for NIFT Entrance Exam 2027?
The last date with the normal fee is 16 November 2026. You can apply with a ₹5,000 late fee until 21 November 2026.
Q2. When is the NIFT Entrance Exam 2027?
The GAT and CAT will be held on 10 January 2027. The admit card will be released on 4 January 2027.
Q3. What is the NIFTEE 2027 application fee?
₹2,000 for General, EWS and OBC-NCL candidates and ₹500 for SC, ST and PwD candidates. Applying for two programmes costs ₹3,000 and ₹750 respectively.
Q4. What is the age limit for NIFT B.Des. 2027?
Candidates must be below 24 years of age on 1 August 2027, with 5 years' relaxation for SC, ST and PwD. There is no age limit for master's programmes.
Q5. Is Mathematics compulsory for NIFT B.Des.?
No. Mathematics is compulsory only for B.F.Tech. Class 12 in any stream is enough for B.Des.
Q6. Is there negative marking in the NIFT Entrance Exam 2027?
Yes. Each correct answer gets 1 mark, and 0.25 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
Q7. Where are the NIFT 2027 exam centres in West Bengal?
Kolkata, Durgapur, Asansol and Siliguri.
Q8. Can I apply for both B.Des. and B.F.Tech.?
Yes. You can apply for both in one form by paying ₹3,000 (₹750 for SC/ST/PwD). You will take GAT Sections A and B in the morning and the CAT in the afternoon.
Q9. What is the last date for the NIFT Artisan category and Ph.D. 2027?
The last date for both is 31 January 2027.
NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 Important Links
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| NIFTEE 2027 Information Bulletin | Download PDF |
| NIFTEE 2027 Public Notice (16 October 2026) | Download PDF |
| Apply Online for NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 | exams.nta.nic.in/niftee |
| NIFT Official Website (Admissions Guidelines 2027) | nift.ac.in |
| Join our WhatsApp Channel for updates | Join BongJobs WhatsApp Channel |
| Join our Telegram Channel for updates | Join BongJobs Telegram Channel |
You may also like:
Pradip Chakraborty is a Biology teacher with 6+ years in content writing, including 3.5+ years on government jobs and education. He checks every official notice and explains it in simple words for students and job seekers. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.