The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has announced a significant extension for online applications for its 2026-27 academic batch. Aspiring students now have until January 13, 2026, to submit their forms, as confirmed by the Ministry of Textiles. This move is coupled with a substantial reduction in application fees, making the prestigious entrance process more accessible to candidates from all backgrounds.
Major Fee Reduction for All Categories
In a welcome relief for applicants, NIFT has implemented a sweeping cut in application charges. For candidates belonging to the General, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and Open-EWS categories, the fee has been reduced from Rs 3,000 to Rs 2,000. The benefit is even more pronounced for students from SC, ST, and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories, where the charges have been slashed from Rs 1,500 to a mere Rs 500.
The institute explicitly stated that the deadline extension was implemented "in order to extend the benefit of reduced fee to maximum candidates." The official portal for submissions remains nift.ac.in. While the standard deadline is now January 13, provisions for late submission with an additional fee will be available from January 14 to 16, 2026.
Exam Details and National Reach
The entrance examination for NIFT 2026 admissions is scheduled for February 8, 2026. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the test in a hybrid format, offering both Computer-Based Testing (CBT) and traditional pen-paper modes. To ensure wide accessibility, the exam will be held across 102 cities in India.
This admission cycle is for a wide array of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the domains of fashion design, management, and technology. Established in 1986, NIFT is India's premier institute for fashion education and has been instrumental in supplying skilled professionals to the nation's textile and apparel industry.
Pan-India Presence of NIFT
NIFT boasts an extensive network of 19 campuses spread across the length and breadth of the country. This includes locations in major metropolitan cities and key regional hubs: Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Kangra, Kannur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Panchkula, Patna, Raebareli, Shillong, Srinagar, Daman, and Varanasi.
The combination of a deadline extension, reduced financial barrier, and a nationally accessible exam underscores NIFT's commitment to attracting a diverse and talented pool of students for the upcoming academic year.
