The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is India’s national fashion institute. It has 20 campuses in cities across India.
At a glance
| Founded | 1986 |
| Status | Statutory institute since 2006, by an Act of the Indian Parliament |
| Run under | Ministry of Textiles, Government of India |
| Campuses | 20, from New Delhi to Daman |
| Degrees | B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, M.F.M., M.F.Tech and Ph.D. |
| Entrance exam | NIFTEE, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) |
What is it?
NIFT was set up in 1986. In 2006 an Act of the Indian Parliament made it a statutory institute, and the President of India is its “Visitor”.
It teaches fashion design, textiles, accessories, leather, knitwear, fashion interiors, fashion communication, fashion management and the technology of making clothes.
Students study at one of its 20 campuses. The same entrance exam is used for all of them.
Campuses
New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Srinagar, Varanasi, Shillong, Raebareli, Patna, Panchkula, Kannur, Kangra, Jodhpur, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bhopal, Raipur, Kolkata, Gandhinagar and Daman.
Fashion courses you can study
These are NIFT’s degree programmes, with their official names:
Bachelor of Design (B.Des.), 4 years
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Communication
- Accessory Design
- Knitwear Design
- Leather Design
- Textile Design
- Fashion Interiors
Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech.), 4 years
- Apparel Production
Master’s programmes, 2 years
- Master of Design (M.Des.)
- Master of Fashion Management (M.F.M.)
- Master of Fashion Technology (M.F.Tech.)
Doctoral
- Ph.D.
How to apply
- Admission is through the NIFT Entrance Examination (NIFTEE), which the National Testing Agency (NTA) runs for NIFT.
- Bachelor’s and master’s applicants take the General Ability Test (GAT). Design applicants also take the Creative Ability Test (CAT).
- Shortlisted B.Des. applicants then take a Situation Test, a hands-on model-making test. Master’s applicants have a personal interview.
- Applications are made on the NTA’s NIFTEE website, exams.nta.nic.in/niftee.
Entry requirements, fees and deadlines change every year. Always check the official website before you apply.
Sources
All facts on this page come from the official website of NIFT. Last checked: 31 October 2026.