NIFT Exam 2026: Registration (Closing Soon), Correction Window, Exam (Feb 8), Syllabus, Pattern, Seat Matrix

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 – National Testing Agency (NTA) closed the regular application form of NIFTEE 2026 on January 16. With a late fee of INR 5000, applications will be accepted till January 19, 2025. The NIFT 2026 application fee is INR 2000.

Corrections in particulars of the application form can be done from January 20-21, 2026.

Candidates who meet NIFT 2026 eligibility criteria must apply before the last date; application link is provided below. NIFT 2026 applications opened on December 8.

The NIFTEE 2026 written exam will be held on Feb 8, 2026. The exam will be conducted in 102 cities across India. The name of the exam center allotted to the candidate will be mentioned on the NIFT 2026 admit card.

The written exams includes CAT and GAT papers.

GAT paper is mandatory for all courses, whereas only B.Des and M.Des applicants must take the CAT paper. GAT paper will be computer-based, whereas CAT paper will be offline based. Consult the NIFTEE 2026 syllabus and exam pattern to prepare for the exam.

Latest Updates:

• NIFT 2026 Application Form (Late fee window closes on Jan 19) – Apply Here
• NIFT 2026 Exam-day Guidelines – Reporting Time, What to and not to Carry, Attempting the Exam

NIFTEE Exam 2026 – Important Dates

The admission schedule for NIFT 2026 is given in the information brochure. You can also check the dates in the table below. 

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 – Key Highlights

NIFT Application Form 2026

The application form of NIFTEE 2026 opened on December 8; the last date for submission of applications is January 13, 2026.

Eligible candidates may apply following the link provided on this page.

Note that the NIFT application form must be filled online.

You can select your academic program when filling out the form. NIFT entrance exam is conducted for admission to the following courses- B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M.

How to fill out NIFT Application Form 2026

The NIFT 2025 application form had to be filled online. Follow the steps given below to register for the exam:

1. Go to the NIFT exam portal – exams.nta.ac.in/NIFT
2. If the application form is open, the “Registration” link will be activated
3. Click on the link to open the registration form.
4. You will have to enter details like your name, email ID, and phone number in the form.
5. On registration, your applicant account will be created.
6. Log in to fill in academic, personal, and contact details.
7. Select an exam center from the drop-down menu.
8. Next, upload documents per the given format.
9. Finally, complete the application process by paying the application fee.

NIFT 2026 Application Form – Document Checklist

NIFT 2026 Application Fees

The applicant will have to pay the NIFT application fee 2026 online using credit card, debit card, or net banking.

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NIFT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026

The program-wise NIFT 2026 eligibility criteria is given in the tables below.

NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026 –  UG Courses

NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026 –  PG Courses

Also Read:

• How to Prepare for NIFT Personal Interview – Dress Code, Skill Tested, Questions Asked
• How to Prepare for NIFT Situation Test – TEN Easy Tips, Model Making, Material Handling

NIFT Admit Card 2026

NTA will release the admit card for NIFTEE 2026 (Stage 1) around the 1st week of February 2026. The link to download the admit card will be given here.

The NIFT admit card 2026 will carry details like exam date and timings, roll number, name and address of the allotted NIFT 2026 exam center, and exam-day guidelines.

The candidate needs to bring the NIFT 2026 admit card and photo ID proof on the day of the exam.

How to download the NIFT admit card 2026

• Go to the NIFT 2026 admission portal
• Click on the admit card download link
• Enter your application number and date of birth in the log-in window
• Download the admit card

Documents required for appearing in NIFT 2026

The candidate will need the following documents for appearing in the NIFT 2026 exam.

1. NIFT 2026 admit card
2. A valid photo ID proof.

NIFT 2026 City Intimation Slip

NTA will release the NIFT 2026 city intimation slip around the last week of January 2026. The city intimation slip is typically released a few days before the release of the NIFT admit card.

The city intimation slip is released to notify the candidate about the exam city they have been allocated.

Requests for a change in the NIF 2026 exam city is not entertained. However, if the candidate has been allocated a wrong exam city, they must contact exam officials and get it rectified.

Will the NIFT 2026 exam city be accepted as entry document?

The city intimation slip will not be considered as an alternative to the NIFT 2026 admit card. This means, if you bring the NIFT City Intimation Slip, you can’t take the NIFT 2026 exam. You need the admit card for appearing in the exam.

NIFT Exam Center 2026

NTA will conduct the NIFTEE 2026 written exams in 102 cities across India. The list of exam centers will be intimated through the NIFTEE 2026 Information Bulletin. The candidate can select their choice of exam city when filling out the NIFT 2026 application form. Note that you can’t directly select an exam center.

The allotment of NIFTEE 2026 exam centers will be based on the city option selected by the candidate and their address.

An exam city can have one or more exam centers.

The details pertaining to the allocated exam center will be mentioned on the NIFT admit card 2026.

NOTE that separate admit cards will be released for the NIFTEE 2026 (Stage 2) exam, which comprises the Situation Test /Personal Interview (PI). The Situation Test/ PI will be conducted in various NIFT campuses. The candidate will have to select their choice of campuses once the choice-filling window opens.

NIFT 2026 Exam City

NIFT Exam Syllabus 2026

The NIFT exam is conducted in TWO stages.

The candidate has to 1st appear in the written exams – General Ability Test  (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT).

If shortlisted, the candidate can appear in a Situation Test/ Personal Interview.

Here we bring you NIFT 2026 exam syllabus for the written exams, Situation Test, and Personal Interview.

NIFT 2026 Written Exam Syllabus

NIFT Exam Pattern 2026

The candidate must refer to the updated exam pattern of NIFT 2026 when preparing for the exam. This is because exam officials may decide to change tweak some elements to make the exam more contemporary.

That being said the candidate can follow the current exam pattern. If and when the updated NIFT 2026 exam pattern is released, it will be updated here.

NIFT Exam Pattern 2026 – B.Des, B.F.Tech

NIFT Exam Components & Weightage 2026

The program-wise test components and weightage for the NIFT 2026 exam is given in the table below.

NIFT Answer Key 2026

The NTA will release the provisional answer key of NIFT 2026 within a few days of the exam. The candidate will also be allowed to submit objections against the provisional key.

Here are a few key points related to the NIFTEE 2026 Answer Key

1. The answers key is released ONLY for the GAT paper.
2. Also, the answer keys are released program-wise
3. The answer key contains the official keys (or answers) to questions asked in the NIFT 2026 GAT paper.
4. NTA also has released the NIFT 2026 question paper and the candidate’s recorded responses.
5. Using the answer key in tandem with the question paper and recorded responses, the candidate will be able to calculate probable scores.
6. This score will give the candidate a fair idea of them being shortlisted for the Situation Test/ Personal Interview.
7. Challenge the provisional key – The candidate can challenge a key (keys) through the given portal on payment of ₹ 200/- (Rupees Two Hundred Only) per question. 
8. FINAL answer key – The final answer key will be prepared after considering candidate feedback. Note that no individual candidate will be informed about the acceptance or non- acceptance of his/her challenge. The keys finalized by experts after the settlement of the challenge will be final.

Preparation of results – The final answer key will be consulted for evaluating the GAT answer sheets.

NIFT 2026 Result

NTA will declared the results of the NIFT 2026 written exams in April 2026. The results will be released online at exams.nta.ac.in/NIFT. Check NIFTEE 2026 results using your application number and date of birth.

Candidates will be shortlisted in the ratio of 1:4 (one seat: four candidates), category-wise for the next round, which comprises the Situation Test/ PI. NIFT 2026 Stage 1 result will include details like sectional and overall score, merit ranks, and the qualifying status.

NIFT 2026 (Stage 2) results will be declared in June 2026.

How to Check NIFT 2026 Results

1. Go to the NIFT 2026 admission portal – Click Here
2. Click on the result link
3. In the log-in window that opens, enter your application number and date of birth
4. On log-in, you can view NIFT 2026 results 

NIFT 2026 Situation Test and Interview

Candidates will be shortlisted for the Situation Test/ Interview based on NIFT 2026 written exam scores.

B.Des candidates who get shortlisted must appear in a Situation Test. Those opting for B.Des (NLEA) scheme must appear in a Studio Test and Personal Interview. Meanwhile, B.F.Tech. (NLEA) for candidates, a Technical Ability Test (TAT) and Personal Interview is conducted. The TAT will be in paper-based (OMR) format.

PG candidates had to appear in a Personal Interview.

Read here how to prepare for the NIFT 2026 Situation Test. Also, download sample papers to practice for the NIFT Situation Test.

Meanwhile, PG applicants may go through the preparation tips for the NIFT 2026 personal interview.

NIFT Exam Preparation

Along with the NID DAT 2026 exam, NIFT is probably the toughest design entrance exam in the country. So, to do well in the exam will take a massive effort, especially if you targeting one of the top colleges.

Here are a few quick tips to prepare for the NIFT 2026 exam:

1. Build a visual library: Ever seen a cool chair, a clever ad, or an odd-shaped bottle and thought, “That’s interesting”? Capture it — sketch it, snap it, or pin it. The more visuals you collect and recall, the faster your ideas will flow in the exam.
2. Practice quick ideation: When a design prompt drops, your brain freezes for a second — totally normal. The trick? Don’t chase one “perfect” idea. Jot or sketch 3–5 rough concepts fast, even messy ones. You’ll be amazed how your third idea often outshines the first.
3. Use real materials: Practice shading, textures, and rendering with pencil, pen, and color pencils (NIFT rarely tests digital art).
4. Solve past years in timed mocks — not just for accuracy but also layout planning on the answer sheet.
5. Note current affairs in design: Follow design awards, fashion weeks, sustainability trends, and Indian handloom innovations — they inspire GK and situation tests.
6. Expand vocabulary in design terms: Know terms like negative space, drape, weave, ergonomics, balance, silhouette, etc.
7. Observe daily life objects: Look around — that water bottle, your earphones, even a biscuit wrapper. Could it work better? Look cooler? Fold smaller? NIFT adores when you twist everyday things into smarter, more useful forms. That’s where creativity meets purpose.
8. Photograph inspirations: Keep a visual journal — colors, textures, shop fronts, people. It boosts composition instincts.
9. Train for Situation Test early: Learn model-making basics (paper, thermocol, wire, clay) and watch NIFT topper demos.
10. Simulate interview vibes: Discuss your portfolio and interests with friends; clarity of thought matters more than perfection.

NIFT Seat Matrix 2026

The seat matrix for the NIFTEE 2026 exam is given below.

The seat matrix for NIFTEE 2025 is given below for reference.

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