NIFT 2027 registration opens: apply by 16 November for fashion design, management, technology courses

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has initiated the online registration process for admission to the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) academic programmes for the 2027-28 academic year. Aspiring candidates for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in fashion design, management, and technology can now submit their applications through the official portal, exams.nta.nic.in.

The registration window commenced on October 16, 2026, and will remain open until November 16, 2026, for applications submitted with the normal fee. This national-level admission test will support entry into 20 NIFT campuses across India.

NIFT 2027 Application Timeline and Fees

The NTA has outlined a specific schedule for the NIFT 2027 application process, including provisions for late submissions and an application correction window. Candidates are advised to adhere to these dates to ensure their eligibility for the entrance examination.

The application fee for candidates belonging to the Open, Open-EWS, and OBC (NCL) categories is INR 2,000. While the NTA revised the application fee for NIFT 2026, reducing charges for candidates appearing in single papers, the current fee structure for 2027 is as stated. For NIFT 2026, General category candidates paid ₹2,000, while SC, ST, and PwD candidates paid ₹500.

Eligibility Criteria and Required Documents

Specific eligibility requirements apply to different NIFT programmes. For Bachelor of Design (B.Des) courses, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 from a recognized board. For Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech), candidates need to have passed or be appearing in Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics as subjects. Postgraduate programmes such as Master of Design (M.Des) and Master of Fashion Management (M.F.M) generally require a recognized undergraduate degree in any discipline, while Master of Fashion Technology (M.F.Tech) typically requires a relevant technology or engineering qualification.

The baseline upper age limit for undergraduate admission is below 24 years as of August 1 of the admission year, with a five-year relaxation provided for SC, ST, and PwD candidates. There is no age limit for regular master’s programmes. During the application process, candidates are required to upload a recent photograph, signature, and other applicable documents in the prescribed format and size. Aadhaar-based e-KYC and a live photograph are mandatory. PwD/PwBD candidates must upload a valid UDID Card.

NIFT 2027 Entrance Examination Structure

The NIFT Entrance Examination is a multi-stage admission test. Stage 1, which includes the General Ability Test (GAT) and the Creative Ability Test (CAT), is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, January 10, 2027. The NTA has indicated that the NIFT 2027 exam date is tentative and may be revised. The GAT is expected to be conducted as a computer-based test (CBT) and may include negative marking, with objective questions carrying +1 for a correct response and -0.25 for a wrong response. The CAT is anticipated to remain a paper-based creative examination (PBT) for B.Des and M.Des aspirants.

Stage 2 of the examination comprises a Situation Test and a Personal Interview, both conducted offline. The language of the exam for both GAT and CAT will be English and Hindi. The weightage of these components varies by programme, influencing the final selection of candidates.

For B.Des, the selection components are CAT 50%, GAT 30%, and Situation Test 20%. B.F. Tech selection is based on GAT Section A 30% and Section B 70%. M.Des selection involves CAT 40%, GAT 30%, and Personal Interview 30%. For M.F.M and M.F. Tech, the selection components are GAT 70% and Personal Interview 30%.

Next Steps for Applicants

Upon completing the application form, candidates must ensure all required documents, including a recent photograph and signature, are uploaded in the prescribed format and size. PwD/PwBD candidates must upload a valid UDID Card. You can’t ignore for candidates to review every entry before final submission to avoid discrepancies. After successful submission, applicants must download the confirmation page and retain proof of payment. In addition, candidates are advised to keep a document folder ready with qualification records, date-of-birth proof, identification, and applicable category or disability certificates for future reference.

Further reading

• NIFT 2027 registration begins: apply by November 16 with normal fee
• NIFT Application Form 2027 registration open: apply by November 21
• National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam admit card: release date and how to download Next step
• GATE 2027 registration portal reopened by IIT Madras: apply with late fees by October 16
• CUET 2027: Register by November 25
• JAIN University: Apply for Design, Online, PhD, MA Journalism 2027 admissions now Applications open

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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