In a move to facilitate greater participation, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced a further extension for registrations to the National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Examination (NIFTEE) for the 2026 academic session. This decision comes directly in response to a request from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) itself, aiming to provide more aspiring candidates with an opportunity to apply.
Revised NIFTEE 2026 Schedule: Key Dates and Changes
The most significant update is the shift in the final date for application submission. Candidates can now submit the NIFTEE 2026 application form without incurring any late fee until January 16, 2026. This is a direct extension from the earlier deadline of January 13, 2026.
Consequently, the entire schedule for the subsequent stages has been adjusted. The window for application submission with a late fee of ₹5,000 will now be open from January 17 to January 19, 2026. Following this, the online application correction window is scheduled for January 20 and 21, 2026. The Stage 1 examination date remains fixed for February 8, 2026 (Sunday).
Another positive development for applicants is the increase in the number of examination cities. The NTA has expanded the list from 100 to 102 cities, making the test more accessible to students from various regions across India.
Exam Structure and Programmes Offered
The NIFTEE 2026 will be conducted for admissions to a wide range of programmes for the 2026–27 academic session. The examination will be held in English and Hindi across all centres.
The test pattern involves two key components: the General Ability Test (GAT) will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, while the Creative Ability Test (CAT) will be a Pen-and-Paper Test (PBT). The specific exam centre, date, and shift details will be available on the admit card, which will be released in due course.
Admissions through NIFTEE 2026 cover the following programmes:
- Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) – Requires GAT + CAT, followed by a Situation Test.
- Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech.) – Requires GAT only.
- Master of Design (M.Des.) – Requires GAT + CAT + Personal Interview.
- Master of Fashion Management (M.F.M.) – Requires GAT + Personal Interview.
- Master of Fashion Technology (M.F.Tech.) – Requires GAT + Personal Interview.
- Lateral Entry (NLEA), Artisans Category, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes.
It is important to note that applications under NRI, Foreign National, OCI, PIO, and SAARC categories will be processed directly by NIFT and not through the NTA portal.
What This Extension Means for Aspirants
This deadline extension is a crucial opportunity for students who may have missed the initial window or were finalising their decisions. The addition of two more exam cities further underscores the effort to make this prestigious entrance exam more inclusive and geographically accessible.
All other aspects of the examination, including the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and admission guidelines, remain completely unchanged. Candidates are advised to utilise the extended timeline wisely, ensure their application details are accurate, and begin their preparation in earnest for the examination scheduled for February 2026.
