The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has announced a significant extension for the application window of its highly anticipated 2026 entrance examination. This move is designed to provide aspiring fashion and design students across India with additional time to complete their registration process seamlessly.
Revised Application Timeline for NIFT 2026
In a bid to accommodate students from diverse regions, NIFT has pushed back its key dates. Candidates can now submit their online application forms without incurring any late fee until January 13, 2026. For those who need a little more time, a late submission window will also be available.
The institute has clarified the new schedule as follows:
- Final date for standard application submission: January 13, 2026 (Tuesday).
- Application with late fee of ₹5000: January 14 to January 16, 2026.
- Online correction window: January 18 to January 19, 2026.
Officials stated that the decision to extend the deadline was taken to ensure maximum participation, especially after the recent expansion of the list of examination cities, making the test more accessible.
Eligibility and Available Seats Across Campuses
Eligibility for the NIFT 2026 entrance exam remains consistent. Students who have passed or are appearing for their Class 12 board examinations in 2026 can apply. For undergraduate programmes, the upper age limit is set at 24 years as of August 1, 2026, with certain exemptions for specific courses.
The competition is for a limited number of seats spread across NIFT's prestigious campuses. The current seat matrix highlights the following top five campuses with the highest intake:
- NIFT Delhi: 376 seats
- NIFT Bengaluru: 304 seats
- NIFT Kannur: 287 seats
- NIFT Hyderabad: 266 seats
- NIFT Patna: 244 seats
These seats are distributed across various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Programmes and Exam Pattern for NIFT 2026
Successful candidates in the NIFT 2026 entrance exam will gain admission to a range of coveted programmes. These include the Bachelor of Design (B.Des.), Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech.), Master of Design (M.Des.), Master of Fashion Management (M.F.M.), and Master of Fashion Technology (M.F.Tech.).
The entrance examination is expected to follow a similar two-stage pattern as in previous years, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The test comprises:
The General Ability Test (GAT): A 100-question paper testing:
- Communication Ability & English Comprehension (40 questions)
- Quantitative Ability (20 questions)
- Analytical & Logical Ability (15 questions)
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge (25 questions)
The Creative Ability Test (CAT): This section evaluates a candidate's innate design sensibilities, including creativity, observation, illustration skills, and use of colour. Responses here are drawn and assessed for originality and presentation.
Prospective applicants are advised to utilise the extended deadline wisely and ensure their applications are accurate and complete before the final dates to avoid last-minute hassles.
