Table of Contents
- NIFT Exam Pattern 2026
- Exam Phases for NIFT 2026
- NIFT Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights
- NIFT 2026 Program-Wise Weightage
- NIFT CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
- NIFT GAT 2026 Paper Pattern
- NIFT B.F.Tech Exam Pattern
- NIFT Exam Pattern 2026 for Situation Test
- NIFT 2026 Exam Pattern for Artisans Category
- NIFT Exam Pattern 2026 for Lateral Entry Admission 2026
- NIFT 2026 Detailed Questions for Bachelor's Program
- NIFT 2026 Important Instructions
NIFT Exam Pattern 2026 will be released on the website at nift.ac.in. by National Institute of Fashion Technology. The exam pattern is detailed in the NIFT 2026 Admission Prospectus. The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is likely to revise your B.Des and B.F.Tech courses for the upcoming NIFT Entrance Examination 2026. However, no changes were expected in the PG courses.
The NIFT 2026 test will be administered in two stages. Stage 1 consists of two written exams: GAT and CAT. All courses need the GAT, and B.Des and M.Des candidates must additionally take the CAT. The GAT paper will be administered via computer-based testing (CBT), whilst the CAT paper will be administered offline.
NIFT Exam Pattern 2026
NIFT 2026 will be conducted offline as a pen and paper-based test. This exam is divided into two parts: General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT). Applicants will also have to pass Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). The examination duration for NIFT 2026 will be for 2 hours.
There will be 150 questions with no negative marking in NIFT exam for wrong answers except B.F. Tech in which 0.25 marks is deducted for every wrong response. The paper will be conducted in English Language only.Before appearing for the entrance exam, candidates must check NIFT exam pattern 2026 for all the programs to prepare accordingly for the test.
By referring to the exam pattern, candidates will get an idea about the paper structure, marking scheme, sectional timing of NIFT test pattern. For detailed information regarding NIFT exam pattern 2026, candidates can read the section below.
NIFT 2026 Exam Guidelines for Remote Online Test
NIFT has announced the following guidelines for the conduction of the remote online test on #from_date.
- All candidates must have access to a desktop/laptop at their homes along with an android phone which will be used for monitoring the candidates from the rear.
- The exam can be taken only through the Google Chrome Browser.
- Candidates must ensure that their microphones and webcams are working fine for this test.
- To log in, candidates will need to enter their roll numbers and password which will be mentioned on the admit card.
- Once logged in, all candidates must complete the camera verification on their desktops/laptops.
- The room where the candidate is taking the exam must have proper lighting, and others must not be entering that particular room for the duration of the test.
- If the candidate is found involved in any type of unfair means of taking the exam, the AI-enabled system or the online proctor will immediately intervene and cancel the exam.
- No toilet breaks will be allowed during this test. Candidates are only allowed to keep a bottle of water with them during the test.
Exam Phases for NIFT 2026
There are two phases in NIFT exam 2026. The exam is conducted in the following two phases.
- Phase 1: Paper Based Test (PBT) – All undergraduate and postgraduate programs (CAT and GAT exam).
- Phase 2: Paper Based Test (PBT) – B.Des and M.Des programs (CAT and GAT exam).
- Phase 2: Computer Based Test (CBT) – B.F.Tech, MFM & M.F.Tech programs (GAT exam).
NIFT Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights
Candidates who are willing to appear for the exam can check NIFT exam pattern 2026 below for the preparation of the entrance exam.
| Particulars | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Language | English & Hindi |
| Number of Papers | 2 |
| Number of Sections | 5 |
| Sections |
Quantitative Ability |
| Type of Questions | MCQ Based |
| Total Number of Questions |
B.Des: 100 M.Des: 120 |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours for B.Des & M.Des 3 Hours for B.F.Tech, MFM & M.F.Tech |
Note: NIFT B.Des exam pattern comprises Creative Ability Test (CAT) and General Ability Test (GAT). Candidates who qualify for the written test will have to appear for the situation test.
NIFT 2026 Program-Wise Weightage
The table below represents the sectional weightage of different programs that comes under NIFT exam pattern 2026. The authority takes the weightage into account while preparing the final merit list of the candidates.
| Programs | Test | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des | CAT | 50% |
| GAT | 30% | |
| Situation Test | 20% | |
| B.F.Tech | GAT | 100% |
| M.Des | CAT | 40% |
| GAT | 30% | |
| GD/ PI | 30% | |
| M.F.M | GAT | 70% |
| GD/ PI | 30% | |
| M.F.Tech | GAT | 70% |
| GD/ PI | 30% |
NIFT CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
NIFT exam pattern 2026 for CAT is based on the candidate's intuition skill, their power of observation, innovation in the development of the concept as well as design ability of the candidates.
This exam is conducted to test the creative as well as innovative use of colours and illustration skills of aspirants. NIFT CAT exam pattern is a paper-pencil based exam and the total time allotted for this exam is for 3 hours.
Must Read: How to Prepare for NIFT Entrance Exam?
NIFT GAT 2026 Paper Pattern
Candidates who are willing to secure admission in the B.Des programs which are offered at NIFT will have to appear for the GAT exam. NIFT exam pattern 2026 for GAT comprises the sections given below.
- Quantitative Ability
- Communication Ability
- English Comprehension
- Analytical Ability
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs
The time allotted for NIFT exam pattern 2026 for GAT is 2 hours. Also, while formulating the merit list of NIFT for the B.Des course admissions, the authority gives 30% weightage to the GAT section.
NIFT B.F.Tech Exam Pattern
Candidates who are willing to appear for B.F.Tech exam can check NIFT exam pattern 2026 below.
| Particulars | NIFT 2024 Exam Pattern |
|---|---|
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Language | English |
| Exam Mode | Pen and Paper |
| Maximum Mark | 150 |
| NIFT Marking scheme 2026 | 0.25 will be deducted for each wrong answer. |
| Number of Questions per Section | Quantitative ability- 30 Communication Ability and English Comprehension- 45 Analytical and Logical Ability- 25 General Knowledge and Current Affairs- 25 Case Study- 25 |
NIFT Exam Pattern 2026 for Situation Test
Candidates who get selected in the GAT and CAT exam are required to appear for the situation test. Through this, the candidate's abilities will be tested in particular sets of materials as well as their creativity in a specific situation.
Students who are participating in the test must not carry any type of additional materials with them. The model evaluation will be conducted based on the space visualization, creativity, uniqueness, finishing, element composition, construction, colour scheme etc.
NIFT 2026 Exam Pattern for Artisans Category
As per the official notice, NIFT also offers admission to Artisans/ Children of Artisans based on their performance in the studio tests, interview round, and verification of documents/ eligibility criteria.
The admission for Artisans will be conducted offline at the campus of NIFT. Candidates can check the admission criteria for Artisans in B.Des courses which are offered at the design colleges in the table below.
| NIFT Admission Test | Weightage | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Test | 40 | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Interview | 20 | 2:00 PM |
| Verification of Documents/ Eligibility | - | 2:30 PM |
NIFT Exam Pattern 2026 for Lateral Entry Admission 2026
Through NIFT lateral entry admission (NLEA), candidates can secure admission directly in the third semester of UG courses which are offered at the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
Candidates can check the admission tests which they should appear for to get admission through NLEA.
| Name of Course | Test | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Design (B.Des) | GAT Timing: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM | 40 |
| Studio Test Timing: 11:30 AM to 01:00 PM | 40 | |
| Interview Timing: 2:00 PM | 20 | |
| Verification of Documents/ Eligibility Timing: 2:30 PM | ||
Also Read: NIFT Fee Structure & Courses List
NIFT 2026 Detailed Questions for Bachelor's Program
The table below represents the pattern for GAT including different sections and the number of questions that are asked from each section. Candidates can check the pattern and prepare for the exam accordingly.
| Paper Name | Sections | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| GAT | Quantitative Ability | 20 |
| Communication Ability | 25 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | |
| Analytical and Logical Ability | 15 | |
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 15 | |
| Total | 100 | |
NIFT 2026 Important Instructions
The important instructions for candidates who are appearing for NIFT exam 2026 are as given below.
- The candidates should solve previous year NIFT papers and mock tests.
- The candidates should reach the exam hall 30 minutes before NIFT 2026 exam.
- The students must carry a printout of NIFT 2026 admit card along with a valid photo ID proof such as college ID card, Passport, Voter ID Card, PAN card, etc.
FAQs on NIFT Exam Pattern
Q: How many questions are asked in NIFT GAT?
The NIFT GAT exam pattern changes depending on the course. The total number of questions asked in the NIFT GAT is given below: BDes: 100 Questions BFTech: 150 questions. MDes: 120 questions MFTech: 150 questions. MFM: 150 questions Note that the GAT or the General Ability Test will be conducted in a computer-based mode. Questions will be objective-type. The GAT paper for the B. Des and M.Des programs will be of 120 minutes. However, the GAT paper for the B.FTech M.FTech and MFM courses will be for 180 minutes.
Q: What is the exam pattern for the NIFT CAT paper?
In addition to the GAT, candidates seeking admission to the B. Des and M.Des courses must take the Creative Ability Test (CAT) written test. The CAT exam will be administered in an offline pen-and-paper format. The CAT exam will last three hours and will be based on drawings. The CAT will examine the candidate's intuition, power of observation, inventiveness in concept generation, and design abilities. It will also test aspirants' creative and original use of color, as well as their illustration talents. B.Des and M.Des applicants must take the CAT exam or they will not be invited to the Situation Test.
Q: Can I complete the NIFT syllabus in 4 months?
NIFT is not only one of the most competitive admission tests in the country, with a huge number of applicants, but also one of the most difficult. The material for the NIFT exam is fairly extensive, and the majority of the questions range from medium to challenging. To prepare for an exam like NIFT, you must have adequate time on your hands. If you are merely starting your NIFT 2025 now, you will have adequate time to complete the entire course.
Q: What is NIFT 2025 exam pattern for the B.FTech program?
The partnering NIFT institutes provide a four-year B.FTech curriculum. Admission to the curriculum is dependent on GAT scores. The NIFT 2024 GAT question paper for the programme will be 180 minutes long and bilingual. Candidates can take the exam in either English or Hindi. The questions will be multiple-choice. The question paper will contain a total of 150 questions. Questions will be asked from the following FIVE sections: Communication Ability and Comprehension, Case Study, Quantitative Ability, Analytical and Logical Ability, and General Knowledge and Current Affairs. The NIFT 2024 exam for the GAT paper will be administered by computer-based testing (CBT).
Q: What is the NIFT GAT exam pattern for the M.Des program?
The GAT paper for the M.Des programme will last 120 minutes and will consist of 120 multiple-choice questions. The questions will be set in both English and Hindi, and candidates will be able to select their language when filling out the NIFT 2025 application form. Questions will be asked on the following topics: communication ability, English comprehension, quantitative ability, analytical ability, and general knowledge and current events. The Communication Ability, English Comprehension, and Quantitative Ability portions will each have 30 questions, while Analytical Ability will have 20 and GK and Current Affairs will have 15 questions. The candidate must completely adhere to the official exam pattern, as questions will be asked based on the stated syllabus.
