National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Test Syllabus 2026
National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Test Syllabus
NIFT 2025 Exam Structure
The NIFT 2025 entrance exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency in two stages. The first stage consists of written exams, and the second stage is a Situation Test or Personal Interview for shortlisted candidates.
The detailed syllabus is released through the information brochure. The General Ability Test (GAT) is an online proctored exam, while the Creative Ability Test (CAT) is an offline-based exam.
GAT is mandatory for all courses. Only B.Des and M.Des candidates need to take the CAT.
Written Exams
| Test | Description | Mandatory for |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Ability Test (CAT) | Assesses creativity and innovation skills through design exercises. | B.Des and M.Des candidates |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | Evaluates general knowledge, quantitative ability, communication skills, and analytical ability. | All courses |
Shortlisting Process
| Course | Shortlisting Method |
|---|---|
| B.Des | Shortlisted based on written exams (CAT and GAT) for the Situation Test. |
| M.Des | Shortlisted based on written exams (CAT and GAT) for the Personal Interview. |
| B.FTech | Shortlisted based only on the GAT paper. |
Situation Test for B.Des
B.Des applicants who are shortlisted must appear for the Situation Test. It is a practical, hands-on assessment.
The test evaluates a candidate's ability to handle materials and their innovative thinking when working with a given set of materials to solve a design problem.
Group Discussion and Personal Interview for PG
PG applicants undergo a Case Study-based Group Discussion (GD) followed by a Personal Interview (PI). The total duration for the GD and PI is between 15-20 minutes.
Final Result Preparation
Final scores are prepared by considering the written exams and the Situation Test or Personal Interview. Weightage is given as per the exam guidelines.
For the B.F.Tech program, only the GAT paper is required. The GAT score alone is used to prepare the merit list.
GAT Syllabus for B.Des and M.Des
The General Ability Test (GAT) for B.Des and M.Des consists of the following sections:
- Quantitative Ability
- Communication Ability
- English Comprehension
- Analytical Ability
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs
NIFT 2024 GAT Syllabus
The General Ability Test (GAT) for NIFT 2024 is divided into six sections. The table below lists the sections and the topics covered in each.
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability | Addition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentage, Rate of Interest, Work and Task, Ratio and Proportion, and Distance. |
| Communicative Ability | Language skills for day-to-day communication in English. Questions cover Synonyms, Antonyms, Words with corresponding meanings, Singular, Plural, One-word Substitutes, Idioms and Phrases, and Spelling correction. |
| English Comprehension | Reading and comprehension abilities based on an unseen passage. Questions test basic English language skills. |
| Analytical Ability | Capacity for inference and logic from given information. Questions are from logical reasoning and require drawing logical conclusions. |
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs | General awareness and current affairs. Questions are taken from current affairs and general knowledge sections. |
| Case Study | Based on an industrial environmental situation. Tests the managerial evaluation ability of the candidate. |
NIFT Syllabus 2024: GAT for MFM, B.F Tech and M.F Tech
The GAT for B. F. Tech., MFM, and M. F. Tech. has mostly the same sub-sections as the GAT for B. Des. and M. Des., with one change. The sections of this GAT are listed below.
- Quantitative Ability
- Communication Ability and English Comprehension
- Analytical and Logical Ability
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs
- Case Study
The common sub-sections have a similar syllabus as per the NIFT Syllabus 2024 discussed above. The Case Study sub-section is a new addition to this GAT.
The Case Study is based on a situation in an industry environment. The candidate must analyze the situation and provide solutions to the questions. This test is designed to test the managerial skills of the candidate.
In addition to the generic questions, the GAT syllabus for M. F. Tech. includes some questions from the Engineering field.
NIFT 2025 Syllabus for CAT
The Creative Ability Test (CAT) is a crucial component of the NIFT entrance exam. Candidates applying for B.Des or M.Des must take this exam.
Here are some key aspects of the CAT exam:
- The CAT is designed to assess the candidate's intuitive ability, power of observation, concept development, and design ability.
- A significant focus of the test is on the creative and innovative use of color and illustration skills.
- During the exam, candidates are not allowed to reveal their identity on the answer sheet. Any attempt to do so will result in disqualification.
Topics Included in the NIFT CAT Syllabus 2025
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Creative Ability | Tests the candidate’s creative thinking and originality in design. |
| Power of Observation | Assesses the ability to observe and analyze things from a design perspective. |
| Intuitive Abilities | Measures the candidate's ability to think quickly and intuitively in a given design context. |
| Concept Development Ability | Evaluates how well candidates can conceptualize a design idea from scratch. |
| Design Prowess | Tests the overall design skills and understanding of design principles. |
| Ability to Use Colors | Assesses the innovative and effective use of colors in design. |
| Illustration Skills | Tests the ability to illustrate ideas clearly and effectively. |
NIFT 2025 Syllabus for Situation Test
Candidates applying for B.Des programs and shortlisted through the CAT and GAT written tests must appear for the Situation Test. The key details and evaluation parameters for the Situation Test are provided below.
Situation Test for B.Des and M.Des Programs
The Situation Test is a hands-on evaluation of material handling skills and innovative ability. Candidates must create a model or design using the materials provided at the venue.
Using materials other than those provided is prohibited. The model is assessed on several parameters, and the concept must be explained in a write-up in English.
| Evaluation Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Space Visualization | Creativity in utilizing and visualizing the given space. |
| Innovative Use of Materials | Originality in handling the provided materials. |
| Composition of Elements | Arrangement and structure of the design elements. |
| Color Scheme | Use of colors for aesthetic and effective communication. |
| Construction Skill | Ability to construct and assemble the design. |
| Finesse | Overall finishing and presentation quality. |
Disclosing identity in any form will result in disqualification. Models are evaluated on the spot and will not be preserved after evaluation.
Note: NIFT reserves the right to modify the exam scheme, including skipping any stage, due to unforeseen circumstances.
NIFT 2025 Syllabus for Personal Interview (PI)
Candidates shortlisted for Master's programs based on the written tests will undergo a Case Study-based Group Discussion (GD) and a Personal Interview (PI).
NIFT 2025 GD Syllabus
The Group Discussion (GD) will last approximately 15-20 minutes and involve a case study discussion. A panel of experts evaluates candidates on the following parameters.
| Evaluation Parameters for GD | Description |
|---|---|
| Conceptual Clarity | Depth of understanding and clarity of ideas on the assigned case study. |
| Knowledge of the Topic | Demonstration of knowledge and relevance to the discussion topic. |
| Contribution to the Topic | Value added to the discussion through meaningful contributions. |
| Interpersonal Skills | Ability to work collaboratively and interact effectively with peers. |
| New Ideas | Innovation and ability to think beyond conventional solutions. |
| Problem-Solving Approach | Analytical and solution-oriented mindset. |
| Leadership Qualities | Ability to lead, manage, and coordinate group activities effectively. |
| Effective Communication | Clear, concise, and impactful communication skills. |
NIFT 2025 PI Syllabus
The Personal Interview (PI) evaluates the candidate's suitability for the program based on the following criteria.
| Evaluation Parameters for PI | Description |
|---|---|
| Career Orientation | Understanding of career goals and alignment with the chosen course. |
| Aptness for the Course | Interest and aptitude for the course, including its future prospects. |
| Academic and Co-Curricular Achievements | Performance in academics, extracurricular activities, and overall accomplishments. |
| Communication Skills | Ability to articulate ideas effectively and confidently. |
| General Awareness | Awareness of current events and relevant industry trends. |
| Creative and Lateral Thinking | Ability to think outside the box and approach challenges creatively. |
Test Weightage
The weightage assigned to each test in the final merit list of the entrance examination is given below.
Test Weightage for UG Courses
Test Weightage for B.Des and B.F.Tech
The final merit for undergraduate programmes is calculated from different exam components. The weightage depends on the programme you apply for.
For B.Des, the General Ability Test (GAT) carries 30% weightage, the Creative Ability Test (CAT) carries 50%, and the Situational Test carries 20%. For B.F.Tech, GAT Section A carries 30% and GAT Section B carries 70%.
| B.Des | Weightage | B.F.Tech | Weightage | B.F.Tech candidates opting for B.Des | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAT | 30% | GAT (Sec –A) | 30% | GAT (Sec –A) | 30% |
| CAT | 50% | GAT (Sec –B) | 70% | GAT (Sec –B) | 50% |
| Situational Test | 20% | – | – | Situation Test | 20% |
| Total | 100% | Total | 100% | Total | 100% |
B.F.Tech candidates take Section 'A' and Section 'B' of the GAT. B.Des candidates take Section 'A', the CAT, and the Situation Test.
Test Weightage for PG Courses
Postgraduate programmes also use a combination of tests and interviews for final selection. The weightage differs for M.Des and M.F.Tech.
For M.Des, the GAT carries 30% weightage, the CAT carries 50%, and the Personal Interview carries 20%. For M.F.Tech, GAT Section A carries 30% and the Personal Interview carries 70%.
| M.Des | Weightage | M.F.Tech | Weightage | M.F.Tech candidates opting for M.Des | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAT | 30% | GAT (Sec –A) | 30% | GAT (Sec –A) | 30% |
| CAT | 50% | Personal Interview | 70% | Personal Interview | 50% |
| Personal Interview | 20% | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 100% | Total | 100% | Total | 100% |