NID vs NIFT, Similarities and Differences Between NID and NIFT
Read the article to explore distinct paths of creativity with NID vs NIFT. While NID champions a broad spectrum of design disciplines for diverse industry impact, NIFT specializes in fashion and textiles, shaping the future of style and apparel.
Swati Kumar12 May, 2025
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NID vs NIFT: The National Institute of Design (NID) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) are prestigious Indian institutes that offer specialized design education but differ in focus. NID provides a broad range of design disciplines, including product, communication, and interaction design, preparing graduates for diverse career paths across various industries.
In contrast, NIFT is dedicated to fashion and textile design, with the curriculum centered on apparel, accessories, and fashion management, equipping students primarily for roles within the fashion industry. While NID emphasizes versatility and interdisciplinary design skills, NIFT focuses on industry-specific expertise and trends in focus.NID vs NIFT: Overview
NID and NIFT, both are national-level entrance exams for admission to various design courses offered by participating institutes. The maximum age to appear for the NID is 20 years while for NIFT, it is 24 years. The table below gives an overall comparison between NID and NIFT.| Exam Name | NID | NIFT |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | National Institute of Design (NID) | National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) |
| Exam structure | Conducted in TWO stages
|
Also, conducted in TWO stages:
|
| Exam Level | National level | National level |
| Maximum Questions | 26 | 100 |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours | 2 hours |
| Mode of Exam | Pen and Paper | Pen and Paper |
| Courses Offered | B.Des, M.Des, PhD | B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, M.F.Tech, M.F.M |
| Participating colleges |
|
There are 18 participating NIFTs |
NID vs NIFT Admission Process
For admission to B.Des and M.Des courses at NID participating institutes, candidates are required to appear for the NID DAT entrance exam 2025. The NID DAT exam is conducted in two stages.- DAT Prelims
- DAT Mains
- Written Exam: This is the initial phase of the selection process, which includes CAT (Creative Ability Test) and GAT (General Ability Test).
- Situation Test (B.Des)/Personal Interview (PG Courses): After qualifying the written test, candidates are then evaluated through a situation test or personal interview.
Note: B.F.Tech applicants only need to appear in the GAT written exam.
Read More: List of NIFT Colleges in India 2025NID vs NIFT Courses Offered
NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) will be conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID) for admission to B.Des and M.Des, and PhD design courses provided by the participating NID institutes. These design courses equip students with the required set of skills such as design thinking and innovation needed to excel in various fields of design. Similarly, for admission to NIFT participating colleges, candidates have to obtain valid results in the NIFT entrance exam. The exam is a gateway for admission into B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F. tech, and M.F.M programs. These courses are offered by 18 NIFT campuses, each known for its commitment to nurturing creative and technical prowess in the design field.NID vs NIFT B.Des Course Offered
While both the NID and NIFT offer B.Des courses, the course specifics and approach may vary. NID covers a broader interdisciplinary approach in design courses, while NIFT offers a more specialized approach toward fashion-related design disciplines.| NID | NIFT |
| Provides admission to B.Des programs in specializations such as Communication Design, Textile and Apparel Design, Industrial Design, and Interdisciplinary Design. | It offers admission to B.Des programs in disciplines such as Leather Design, Textile Design, Knitwear Design, Accessory Design, Fashion Communication, and many more. |
| Focuses on fostering creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills in students. | The courses offer industry exposure, internships, and practical projects that help to prepare students for the professional world. |
| The course is an amalgamation of hands-on projects, workshops, and real-world design challenges. | The students undergo rigorous training in design principles, market trends, textile technology, and other relevant subjects. |
| It emphasizes multidisciplinary aspects, encouraging students to learn various aspects of design fields. | The course provides both theoretical and practical aspects of the design world. |
NID vs NIFT Similarities in Career Opportunities
Both NID and NIFT provide graduates with opportunities in creative design roles, industry integration, entrepreneurship, global exposure, collaborative projects, and innovation.| Prospects | Similarities between NID and NIFT |
| Creative Roles | Both NIFT and NID graduates pursue careers that require strong creative skills. NID graduates in various design fields, while NIFT graduates mainly focus on fashion and textile design. |
| Design and Development | Both institutes prepare students for roles involving the design and development of products. |
| Industry Integration | Graduates from both NID and NIFT can find opportunities in established companies, startups, and consulting roles. They may work with industry leads and participate in large-scale projects. |
| Entrepreneurial Opportunities | Graduates from NID and NIFT often start their own design firms or fashion brands, leveraging their specialized skills to create and market products. |
| Global Exposure | Both NIFT and NID graduates have opportunities to work internationally. The courses equip them with a global perspective on design. |
NID vs NIFT Differences in Career Opportunities
NID graduates have diverse career opportunities across multiple industries with a broad design focus, while NIFT graduates specialize in fashion and textiles, with career paths mainly within the fashion industry.| Prospects | NID | NIFT |
| Specialization | Offers a broad range of design disciplines, including product design, communication design, and interaction design. | Specializes in fashion and textile design, focusing on areas within the fashion industry, such as apparel design, textile development, and fashion merchandising. |
| Industry Focus | Graduates can work in multiple industries beyond fashion, including technology, media, consumer products, and consulting. | Careers are primarily centered around the fashion industry, involving roles in fashion brands, retail chains, and fashion houses. |
| Job Roles | Potential roles include product designer, UX/UI designer, visual designer, design researcher, and design strategist. | Common roles include fashion designer, fashion buyer, textile designer, fashion marketer, and fashion consultant. |
| Product Focus | Focuses on a wide range of products, from consumer electronics to digital interfaces and communication materials. | Focuses especially on apparel, accessories, and textiles, and shaping the fashion industry. |
NID vs NIFT Placement Report
Before making a decision as to which exam students intend to take, they can consult the placement report of NID and NIFT. NID graduates specializing in the fields of Textile Design, Graphic Design, Furniture and Interior Design, Ceramic, and Glass Design, may earn a hefty amount between INR 17 lakhs to 18 lakhs.NID Placement Report
| NID Package level 2023 | Salary 2023 |
|---|---|
| Highest | INR 18 LPA |
| Average | INR 4.91 LPA |
| Lowest | INR 1.5 LPA |
NIFT Placement Report
| Name of the NIFT | Highest Salary Offered | Average salary offered |
|---|---|---|
| NIFT Bengaluru | Rs. 5 LPA | Rs. 3 LPA |
| NIFT Bhopal | NA | NA |
| NIFT Chennai | NA | NA |
| NIFT Gandhinagar | NA | NA |
| NIFT Hyderabad | Rs. 6 LPA | NA |
| NIFT Kannur | NA | NA |
| NIFT Kolkata | NA | Rs. 5.7 LPA |
| NIFT Mumbai | NA | NA |
| NIFT New Delhi | Rs. 11 LPA | Rs. 5.5 LPA |
| NIFT Patna | NA | NA |
| NIFT Panchkula | NA | NA |
| NIFT Raebareli | NA | NA |
| NIFT Shillong | NA | NA |
| NIFT Kangra | NA | NA |
| NIFT Jodhpur | NA | NA |
| NIFT Bhubaneswar | NA | NA |
| NIFT Srinagar | NA | NA |
NID vs NIFT, Similarities and Differences Between NID and NIFT FAQs
Are NID and NIFT exams the same?
For admission to B.Des and M.Des courses at NID participating institutes, candidates are required to appear for the NID DAT entrance exam 2025. Candidates seeking admission to design courses at NIFT participating colleges must appear for the NIFT 2025 entrance exam. NIFT and NID participating institutes offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various design disciplines, including fashion, textile, graphic, and product design.
What is the rank of NID in the world?
Business Week has ranked NID amongst the top 25 European and Asian programs in the world. The National Institute of Design (NID) in Bangalore is one of the top three NIDs in India.
What is the maximum age for NID?
The maximum age to appear for the NID is 20 years.
What is the fees of NID Bangalore?
The annual tuition for the B. Des program at NID Bangalore is INR 3,67,000, and this amount is set for each of the eight semesters. The NID Bangalore application fee is INR 2,000 for one discipline and INR 4,000 for two disciplines.
What is the maximum age limit for NIFT?
To appear for the NIFT entrance exam, the maximum age limit is 24 years.
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