NIFT Mumbai Admissions Process: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, and Important Dates
Published by Shikha Kumari on Jan 24, 2025
NIFT Mumbai is a statutory institution under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. NIFT Mumbai has secured the second position in all fashion design courses in India for the last four years, as per India Today rankings. Here, B.Des is offered in five core subjects: Fashion Design (FD), Accessory Design, Textile Design, Knitwear Design, and Fashion Communication. This blog will address your queries regarding the admission process, eligibility, exam pattern of NIFT, preparation, counseling schedule, fees for various branches of design, and seat availability at NIFT.
NIFT Mumbai Admission Process
NIFT campuses follow the same process for admission, which begins with the Design Aptitude Test (DAT). The test is divided into two sections: the Creative Assessment Test and the General Assessment Test. To register for the exam, candidates can apply online but must have the required documents in PDF or JPG format during the registration process. Follow the steps given below to register for the admission process.
Step 1: Use your personal email ID and mobile number to register. Keep note of system-generated application number.
Step 2: Complete the online application form and note the system-generated application number. Upload the following scanned documents:
- Candidate’s photograph (JPG, size: 10 kb–200 kb)
- Candidate’s signature (JPG, size: 4 kb–30 kb)
- Verified Result Awaited Attestation Form (PDF, size: 50 kb–500 kb)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS, if applicable) (PDF, size: 50 kb–300 kb)
- PwD/UDID certificate (if applicable) (PDF, size: 50 kb–300 kb)
Step 3: Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI can be used to pay the prescribed fee. Keep proof of payment for future reference.
NIFT Mumbai Admission Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for Bachelor of Design can vary. A candidate can be passed from 12th grade by any board as well as have a pass grade in the secondary school examination. Likewise, candidates can have G.C.E. examination at the advanced level for students coming from London, Cambridge, or Sri Lanka. If the candidate is fulfilling any of the criteria given below in the table, they are eligible for the course.
However, if Bachelor of Design is pursued with artisans, they have specific requirements such as a valid Artisan Card issued to themselves or their father/mother by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts or Handlooms).
| Eligibility Criteria for B.Des |
| Passed the 10+2 level examination from any recognized Central/State Board of Secondary Examination (e.g., CBSE, State Board, or Council for Indian School Certificate Examination, New Delhi). |
| A pass grade in the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Open School with a minimum of five subjects. |
| 3 or 4 years diploma recognized by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education after the secondary examination/10th standard. |
| Any Public School/Board/University Examination in India or foreign countries recognized by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to the 10+2 system. |
| GCE Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level or International Baccalaureate (IB). |
How to prepare for NIFT Exam Pattern
The NIFT exam is known as the Design Aptitude Test or DAT, broadly divided into Creative and General Aptitude Test, which assesses the candidate’s ability in logical reasoning, spatial reasoning, and integration of arts. Students from any stream can apply for the exam regardless. We have prepared a 14-day challenge for the Design Aptitude Test, which the candidates can use to prepare for the exam pattern.
| 14 Day Challenge for Design Aptitude PDF | |||
| Day | Focus Area | Day | Focus Area |
| Day 1 | Analytical Reasoning | Day 8 | 3D Visualization |
| Day 2 | Logical Reasoning | Day 9 | Creative Problem Solving |
| Day 3 | Visual Reasoning | Day 10 | Pattern Making |
| Day 4 | Spatial Visualization | Day 11 | Time Management & Strategy |
| Day 5 | Conceptual Thinking | Day 12 | Data Interpretation |
| Day 6 | Color Theory & Application | Day 13 | Mock Test – Design Aptitude |
| Day 7 | General Knowledge (Design) | Day 14 | Review & Refinement |
NIFT Exam & Counselling Schedule
| Activity | Tentative Date(2026) |
| Online Application Start | October 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply (Without Late Fee) | December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply (With Late Fee) | Early January 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | January 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | January 2026 |
| NIFT Entrance Exam (Written Test) | February 2026 |
| Written Test Result Declaration | March 2026 |
| Situation Test / GD / PI | April 2026 |
| Final Result Declaration | April–May 2026 |
| Counselling & Seat Allotment | May–June 2026 |
| Commencement of Academic Session | July 2026 |
The timings for the NIFT GAT and CAT tests for various courses are as follows:
| Program | Test | Test Timings |
| Bachelor of Design | GAT | 9 am – 11 am |
| CAT | 2.30 pm – 5.30 pm |
NIFT Mumbai Fee Structure for B. Des
Every year in NIFT, there is an increment in fees. In the first year, candidates can expect to pay around INR 3,40,000, while in the second year, it may drop to INR 3,20,000. These are the basic fees paid by everyone; however, hostel fees are additional.
| Semesters | NIFT Fees 2025 | NIFT Fees 2026 |
| Semester 1 | 1,83,200 | Rs. 1,91,700 |
| Semester 2 | 1,43,000 | Rs. 1,50,000 |
| Semester 3 | 1,69,800 | Rs. 1,78,700 |
| Semester 4 | 1,50,000 | Rs. 1,58,000 |
NIFT Mumbai hostel fees can range from Rs 60,500 to Rs 1,33,500 based on the dormitory type to AC availability.
NIFT Mumbai Placements
NIFT Mumbai is renowned for its placement records. The highest package offered has been INR 18 LPA, while the average placement package ranges between INR 3 LPA – INR 5 LPA, with a placement rate of 70%.
NIFT Mumbai Seat Availability
The seat matrix of NIFT Mumbai can be understood from the following table. However, NIFT reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of seats offered at its discretion. The seat availability and conversion for candidates can be decided based on the following factors:
- The total number of applicants
- The category-wise seat intake
- The total number of application
- Previous years’ cut-off criteria
| UG Programmes | Open, SC, ST, OBC(NCL), GEN- EWS, PwD (Open, SC, ST, OBC (NCL) | NRI/OCI/Foreign Nationals/SAARC |
| B.Des Fashion Design (FD) | 38 | 5 |
| B.Des (Accessory Design) | 38 | 5 |
| B.Des(Textile Design) | 38 | 5 |
| B.Des (Knitwear Design) | 38 | 5 |
| B.Des (Fashion Communication) | 38 | 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How to get admission in NIFT Mumbai?
A. To get admission into NIFT Mumbai, candidates must appear for the NIFT Entrance Exam conducted by National Institute of Fashion Technology. The process includes a written test (CAT + GAT), followed by a Situation Test / GD / PI depending on the course. Final admission is based on merit rank and counselling.
Q2. What is the admission process for NIFT?
A. The NIFT admission process involves online application → written exam (CAT & GAT) → result declaration → Situation Test/GD/PI → counselling and seat allotment. Candidates must clear all stages to secure admission.
Q3. How much rank is required to get into NIFT Mumbai?
A. For popular courses like B.Des, a rank within 500–1200 (General category) is usually required for NIFT Mumbai. Cut-offs vary by specialization, category, and yearly competition.
Q4. Is 7000 a good rank in NIFT?
A. A 7000 rank is generally not sufficient for NIFT Mumbai, but it may fetch admission in newer or less competitive NIFT campuses, depending on the course and category.
Q5. What is the fee of NIFT Mumbai?
A. The total fee for B.Des at NIFT Mumbai is approximately INR 12–13 lakhs for the full course. Hostel, mess, and material costs are additional.
Q6. Is NIFT Mumbai worth it?
A. Yes, NIFT Mumbai is considered one of the top NIFT campuses due to strong industry exposure, experienced faculty, excellent internships, and good placement opportunities in fashion, design, and lifestyle sectors.
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