NIFT 2027 UG regular and lateral entry applications open: apply by 16 November

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has initiated the application process for its 2027 undergraduate (UG) regular and lateral entry admissions. Prospective candidates for regular UG/PG and NLEA programs could begin applying from October 16, 2026, with the initial deadline set for November 16, 2026. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has tentatively scheduled the NIFT 2027 entrance examination for January 10, 2027.

The application schedule, including the proposed exam date, is currently tentative. Candidates who miss the initial deadline have an extended opportunity to submit their applications until November 21, 2026, by incurring an additional late fee. A correction window for submitted applications will be available from November 22 to November 25, 2026, allowing applicants to rectify any errors.

Application Process and Fees for NIFT 2027

The application window for NIFT 2027 regular UG/PG and NLEA admissions commenced on October 16, 2026. The primary deadline for submitting applications without a late fee is November 16, 2026. For those who apply between November 17 and November 21, 2026, an additional late fee of ₹5,000 will be applicable. Following the application period, a correction window will be open from November 22 to November 25, 2026, for applicants to make necessary amendments to their forms. Advance city intimation for the examination is scheduled for December 21, 2026.

Separate application schedules are in place for Artisan and PhD routes, which run through January 31, 2027, with their correction window from February 1 to February 4, 2027. NRI, foreign, OCI, PIO, and SAARC UG/PG applicants must follow NIFT’s distinct 2027 admission route. The application fees vary based on the number of programs applied for and the candidate’s category.

Eligibility Criteria and Program Offerings

For regular undergraduate admission to NIFT 2027, candidates must be below 24 years of age as of August 1 of the admission year. A five-year age relaxation is provided for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates. There is no upper age limit for regular master’s programs. Lateral entry provisions are available for specific programs; for instance, diploma holders in Computer Engineering or those with a 3-year or 4-year engineering diploma from a recognized board are eligible to apply for B.F.Tech (Fashion Technology) through the lateral entry route.

NIFT offers a range of regular programs, including four-year B.Des and B.F.Tech degrees, and two-year M.Des, M.F.M, and M.F.Tech degrees. B.Des specializations encompass Fashion Design, Fashion Communication, Accessory Design, Textile Design, Knitwear Design, Leather Design, and Fashion Interiors, with specific availability varying by campus. Applicants considering lateral entry, artisan, or overseas routes are directed to separate admission provisions.

NIFTEE 2027 Examination Structure and Weightage

The NIFTEE-2027 Information Bulletin outlines distinct written test papers for each program. The General Ability Test (GAT) is computer-based, while the Creative Ability Test (CAT) is paper-based. Objective questions in the GAT carry +1 mark for a correct response and a negative marking of -0.25 for an incorrect response. The GAT assesses language, quantitative ability, reasoning, and general knowledge/current affairs, with program-specific case-study content. The CAT evaluates observation skills, design ideas, color perception, and illustration abilities. For B.Des candidates, a Situation Test is also conducted to assess material handling and model construction.

The weightage of different components for admission varies across programs. For B.Des, CAT holds 50% weightage, GAT 30%, and the Situation Test 20%. B.F.Tech admissions consider GAT Section A at 30% and Section B at 70%. M.Des applicants are evaluated based on CAT (40%), GAT (30%), and a Personal Interview (30%). For M.F.M and M.F.Tech programs, GAT accounts for 70% of the weightage, with the remaining 30% from a Personal Interview.

Further reading

• Design college entrance exams 2026: NIFT, UCEED, CEED registration to open October–December
• Apply for B.Des entrance exams NID DAT, UCEED, NIFT by April
• NIFT admit card: release date and how to download Next step
• GATE 2027 DigiLocker registration scrutiny ongoing, correction window closes October 31
• IICD Jaipur: Apply for 2027 B.Design & M.Design admissions now Applications open
• NIFT: complete exam guide

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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