Top NIFT Colleges in India 2026, Check NIFT Rankings, Fees, Admission Process

List of NIFT Colleges in India 2026: The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is amongst the best design colleges in India. Most of the NIFT colleges are ranked in the top echelons, like NIFT, Delhi topped the India Today Ranking. NIFT Mumbai and NIFT Bangalore stood at 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively. The NIFT colleges are the first preference for students aspiring to become designers. NIFT colleges in India offer undergraduate and postgraduate design courses. Admission to these institutes is strictly based on the NIFT entrance exam, and the combined seat intake across all campuses is approximately 4,837 for 2026. 

The NIFT 2026 application forms and notification were released on 8 December 2025 for admission to BDes, MDes, BFTech, MFTech, and MFM programmes. The application process was conducted online through the official website, nift.ac.in. A single application form was applicable for all courses. The application fee for NIFT 2026 was approximately INR 3,000 for General/OBC candidates and INR 1,500 for SC, ST, and PwD categories. Candidates were also allowed to submit the application with a late fee of around INR 5,000.

  Design Room 2026

NIFT Colleges in India

NIFT Entrance Exam

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) administers the NIFT entrance test, a national-level design entrance exam, to applicants for undergraduate and graduate enrollment. The GAT and CAT written examinations, as well as an actual test or personal interview, depending on the program, are used to evaluate applicants' creative and analytical abilities.

Top 10 NIFT Colleges in India

NIFT 16 Campuses List

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), which was founded to develop talent in the design and fashion industries, has 16 campuses around India.  Several undergraduate (UG) and graduate (PG) programs in fashion design, technology, and management are available at every college. Here are a NIFT 16 Campuses  List given below:

• Delhi
• Mumbai
• Kolkata
• Chennai
• Gandhinagar
• Hyderabad
• Bengaluru
• Bhopal
• Bhubaneswar
• Jodhpur
• Kangra
• Kannur
• Patna
• Raebareli
• Shillong
• Srinagar

NIFT Fee Structure 2026

NIFT College Ranking

NIFT college rankings serve as a benchmark for design aspirants to apply for UG and PG courses. These rankings reflect the academic reputation, infrastructure, placement records, and overall excellence of each campus. NIFTs consistently feature among the top design institutes, making them a preferred choice for students nationwide. The rankings help candidates make informed decisions when selecting the best campus for their career goals.

NIFT Campuses Ranking

NIFT is recognized as India’s leading institute in fashion education with multiple campuses ranked based on academic quality and placement success. The top campuses include New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, known for their strong industry connections and high placement packages. Other campuses like Chennai, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, and Kolkata are also well-regarded, offering specialized programs and consistent job opportunities. NIFT continues to maintain its reputation through quality education, innovative curriculum, and collaborations with leading fashion and lifestyle companies.

NIFT Campus Ranking: Factors Considered 

• Academic Excellence: Quality of education, faculty credentials, curriculum, and the effectiveness of teaching methodologies decide the academic excellence of an institution.
• Infrastructure: The campus facilities such as classrooms, labs, design studios, libraries, and other campus amenities are considered while ranking the NIFT campus.
• Location: It plays a major role in deciding the quality of a campus. The campus's geographic location can affect its ranking, with proximity to fashion hubs potentially providing more opportunities for students.
• Placement Opportunities: The students must gain internship and placement opportunities from the institution. Partnerships with fashion brands, placements, and industry exposure must be part of the placement curriculum.

NIFT Campus Placement

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) conducts a centralized campus placement process for its students. The placement season usually happens in two phases, starting from late April to mid-May across major campuses like New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Top companies from fashion, retail, FMCG, and lifestyle sectors participate to recruit skilled graduates and postgraduates. The average salary package for NIFT graduates is around Rs. 7 LPA, while the highest can go up to Rs. 12 LPA depending on the campus and course. Job roles offered include fashion designer, merchandiser, product manager, textile designer, and fashion consultant.

NIFT Exam Components and Weightage

NIFT Admission Process

The NIFT admission process for 2026 consists of Prelims, Mains, & PI rounds. Admission is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for entry into undergraduate and postgraduate programs across 19 NIFT campuses. Prospective candidates must first register online and meet the eligibility criteria, which include age and educational qualifications specific to each program. The selection process involves appearing for the General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT) for design courses, followed by a Situation Test for B.Des or a Personal Interview for PG courses.

Candidates are shortlisted based on their performance in these exams, with final admissions determined through counselling and seat allotment. Each stage of the process carries specific weightage, and only those who clear all rounds are offered admission. Candidates interested in pursuing B.F.Tech from NIFTs must have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks and Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects from any recognized board.