The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced a further extension for the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) 2026 entrance examination registration. Prospective candidates can now submit their applications online until January 16, 2026 . The deadline for paying the application fee is January 17, 2026 .
This extension marks the second revision to the NIFT 2026 application schedule. The initial registration closing date was January 6, which was then moved to January 13 before this latest announcement. The NIFT entrance examination, officially known as NIFTEE, facilitates admissions into Bachelor of Design (BDes), Master of Design (MDes), Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech), and PhD programs across NIFT campuses.
Important Dates for NIFT 2026 Applicants
Candidates must adhere to the following revised timeline for the NIFT 2026 application cycle:
- New Registration Deadline: Applications close on January 16, 2026 .
- Application Fee Payment: The final date to pay the required fee is January 17, 2026 .
- Application Form Correction Window: Candidates can edit their submitted forms from January 20, 2026 , to January 21, 2026 .
All applications must be submitted via the official National Testing Agency NIFTEE website: exams.nta.nic.in/niftee.
Late Registration and Fees
A window for late applications is available for candidates who miss the primary deadline. This late registration period runs from January 17, 2026 , to January 19, 2026 . Applicants during this period will pay the standard application fee plus an additional late fee of Rs 5,000 .
NIFT 2026 Application Fee Structure
The NTA has specified different application fees based on candidate categories and program choices. The details are as follows:
| Category | Application Fee (for all programs except single-paper option) | Single-Paper Option Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC-NCL / EWS | Rs 3,000 | Rs 2,000 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) / Female Candidates | Rs 750 | Rs 500 |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | Rs 750 | Rs 500 |
The single-paper option is applicable for specific courses as outlined in the official NIFT 2026 information bulletin.
Expanded Examination Centre Network
The NTA has increased the number of examination cities for NIFT 2026. Two new cities have been added: Vapi in Gujarat and Daman in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. This expansion brings the total count of NIFT examination centers across India to 102 , offering more convenience for applicants.
NIFT 2026 Admission Process Overview
The selection process for various NIFT programs involves different stages designed to assess candidates’ abilities and suitability.
Bachelor of Design (BDes) & Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech) Admissions
Candidates for undergraduate design and fashion technology programs undergo three key stages:
- General Ability Test (GAT): Assesses general knowledge and aptitude.
- Creative Ability Test (CAT): Evaluates intuition, observation, design ability, and color sense.
- Situation Test: A hands-on test to assess material handling and innovative ability.
Postgraduate (PG) Programs (MDes, MFTech) Admissions
Admission to Master’s programs follows a similar initial structure but concludes with an interview:
- General Ability Test (GAT): Assesses general knowledge and aptitude.
- Creative Ability Test (CAT): Evaluates intuition, observation, design ability, and color sense.
- Personal Interview: Conducted for final selection instead of a Situation Test.
PhD Program Admissions
Candidates applying for doctoral research programs follow a distinct selection pathway:
- Written Test: Assesses research aptitude and subject knowledge.
- Research Proposal Presentation and Interview (RPPI): Candidates present their research proposal, followed by an interview.