NIFT Expands PhD Programme with Major Seat and Fee Benefits
The National Institute of Fashion Technology has announced substantial changes to its PhD admissions for the 2026 academic session. NIFT revealed these updates through an official notice, focusing on expanding opportunities for aspiring scholars.
Teaching Fellow Seats See Fourfold Increase
NIFT has dramatically raised the number of seats available under the NIFT Teaching Fellow category. The institute will now offer twenty NTF positions each year. This marks a significant jump from the previous allocation of just five seats annually.
Officials stated that this fourfold increase aims to strengthen the institute's academic and research capabilities. By bringing more teaching fellows into the programme, NIFT hopes to enhance its scholarly environment.
Generous Fee Waivers for Eligible Candidates
Alongside the seat expansion, NIFT introduced attractive tuition fee waivers. The institute will provide a complete 100% fee waiver to five selected candidates. These candidates must belong to Economically Weaker Sections, Scheduled Castes, or Scheduled Tribes categories.
To qualify for this full waiver, candidates must successfully clear the full-time PhD admission process under the NTF criteria. The remaining fifteen NTF candidates will receive a 50% tuition fee waiver.
Age Limit Specifications and Application Notes
NIFT has set a maximum age limit of thirty years for applicants under the NTF category. However, this restriction does not apply to candidates seeking admission to other full-time or part-time PhD programmes at the institute.
The announcement advised both existing and prospective applicants to carefully note these revisions. Candidates should consider these changes while preparing their applications for the 2026 admissions cycle.
Clarifications for Overseas Citizen of India Candidates
In a separate notification, NIFT clarified eligibility criteria for OCI cardholders. The institute explained that OCI candidates fall into two distinct groups based on their card issuance dates.
For OCI cards issued before March 4, 2021:
- Candidates retain rights under earlier 2005 and 2009 notifications
- They may apply as Indian Nationals under the Open (General) Category
- Alternatively, they may apply as OCI candidates under the NRI/Foreign National category
- All applicants must meet prescribed eligibility conditions
For OCI cards issued on or after March 4, 2021:
- Candidates will follow the Ministry of Home Affairs notification dated April 4, 2021
- They may apply only under the NRI/Foreign National category
- These applicants must submit SAT, GMAT, or GRE scores as applicable
Document Verification and Final Provisions
NIFT emphasized that all admissions remain subject to thorough verification of original documents. The institute will check OCI card issuance dates, nationality, academic qualifications, age, and other conditions specified in the NIFT Admissions Prospectus 2026.
This clarification forms an integral part of the prospectus. In case of any inconsistency with earlier admission-related instructions, these new guidelines will prevail.
The revised framework represents NIFT's commitment to making PhD education more accessible. By increasing seats and offering financial support, the institute aims to attract talented researchers to its fashion technology programmes.
