Therefore, students who are planning to fill the NIFT 2026 application form must follow this NIFT Syllabus 2026 PDF: Latest CAT, GAT, and Situation Test Syllabus to start their preparation.
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is responsible for conducting the NIFT entrance examination for all those who are willing to be in the fashion industry and wish to make a career in it. NIFT is one of the premier institutes that offer 4-years undergraduate (B.Des) and 2-years post-graduate programs (M.Des) in several categories including design, management, and technology for the international fashion business.
Also Read: Fashion Designing Courses after 12th in India 2026
NIFT 2026 Syllabus
The NIFT 2026 Examination is going to be conducted soon; therefore, students who are eager to secure a competitive rank in the upcoming examination can start their preparation with the NIFT 2026 syllabus. The syllabus encompasses a comprehensive range of topics for the NIFT entrance exam. Just follow the NIFT syllabus 2026 below, where candidates will be able to get the important topics so that they can prepare for the design entrance exam effectively.
NIFT Entrance Exam Weightage
Here in this section, we have covered NIFT Entrance Exam Weightage including:
|
Weightage for NIFT Admissions 2026 |
||
| Program | Test | Weightage |
| Bachelor of Design (B.Des) | CAT | 50% |
| GAT | 30% | |
| Situation Test | 20% | |
| Master of Design (M.Des) | CAT | 40% |
| GAT | 30% | |
| GD/PI | 30% | |
| Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech) | GAT | 100% |
| Master of Fashion Technology | GAT | 70% |
| GD/PI | 30% | |
| Master of Fashion Management | GAT | 70% |
| GD/PI | 30% | |
NIFT Syllabus 2026 – GAT (General Ability Test)
Have you applied for the B.Des or B.F.Tech program and are confused about how you can start your preparation? Then do not worry about it. The detailed NIFT 2026 syllabus for GAT in this section plays a crucial role to kickstart your preparation and help you secure a competitive rank. Just read the syllabus of NIFT 2026 for GAT details in this section.
- Effective Communication
- Communication ability and English comprehension
- General knowledge and current affairs
- Case Study
- Quantitative Ability
- Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability
NIFT 2026 Syllabus – GAT Breakdown
Keep in mind that while the official syllabus is broad, we have covered the key topics based on previous years’ trends. Here we have compiled an entire list of topics with the nature of questions asked in the NIFT Entrance Exam.
| Section | Objective | Topics |
| Quantitative Ability | To test the quantitative ability of candidates | Rate of Interest, Work and Task, Ratio and Proportion, Addition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentage, Distance, Speed & Time, etc. |
| Communication Ability and English Comprehension | To test the English language ability of candidates in day-to-day communication. | Singular, Plural, One-word substitutes, Idioms, Phrases, Synonyms, Correct spellings, Antonyms, Words with corresponding meanings, Comprehending a situation from a given passage, etc. |
| Analytical Ability and Logical Ability | To test a candidate’s capacity for inference and logic from the given information. | Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Directions, Syllogisms, Ranking, etc. |
| To evaluate a candidate’s ability to identify the given problem and apply reasoning in solving the core issues of the problem. | ||
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs | To test the general awareness and current affairs of candidates. | Fashion Industry updates, Sports, Economy, Awards, History, Geography, etc. |
Detailed Question Breakdown (Expected)
Based on previous year trends, here is the section-wise breakdown of questions for the B.Des GAT paper:
| Section | No. of Questions |
| English Comprehension | 25 |
| Communication Ability | 25 |
| Quantitative Ability | 20 |
| Analytical & Logical Ability | 15 |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 15 |
| Total | 100 Questions |
Specific Syllabus for B.F.Tech (GAT)
Note: Students appearing for Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech) have a slightly different GAT syllabus. Their exam includes the standard Aptitude sections (Quant, English, Reasoning) PLUS a specific Technical Section:
- Physics (Class 12 level): Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Thermodynamics.
- Chemistry (Class 12 level): Chemical Kinetics, States of Matter, Polymers.
- Mathematics (Higher Level): Calculus, Vectors, Matrices, Probability.
B.Des vs B.F.Tech Syllabus Comparison
It is important to understand the core differences before applying:
| Feature | B.Des (Design) | B.F.Tech (Technology) |
| CAT (Drawing) | Yes (50% Weightage) | No |
| GAT (Aptitude) | Yes (30% Weightage) | Yes (100% Weightage) |
| Math Level | Basic (Class 10) | Advanced (Class 12) |
NIFT Syllabus 2026 – Situation Test
In this section, we have compiled a detailed NIFT Situation Test 2026 guide where we have covered entire eligible topics that come under the situation test. Let’s follow the entire situation test syllabus for NIFT Syllabus 2026.
- Colour scheme
- Innovative and creative use of given material
- The finesse of the model and overall presentation
- Construction Skill
- Space visualization
- Composition of elements
Common Materials Provided in Situation Test
Candidates are typically provided with a “Material Kit” in the exam hall containing a mix of the following items:
- Structural Materials: Cardboard, Thermocol, Mount Board.
- Binding Agents: Glue, Tape, Pins, Thread, Wire.
- Creative Materials: Glaze paper, Kite paper, Straws, Ice-cream sticks, Clay, Sequins.
The institute conducts the NIFT Situation Test to evaluate the candidate’s material handling ability. Students will be evaluated based on the following parameters:
| Conceptualisation Skills | Aesthetic appeal |
| Colour scheme | Working methodology |
| Innovative ideas | Overall presentation |
| Composition of elements | Neatness |
| Creative use of materials provided | |
NIFT Syllabus 2026 – CAT (Creative Ability Test)
To get admission in B.Des, candidates are required to appear in both CAT and GAT written tests. The entire NIFT 2026 syllabus for CAT for B.Des admission is provided in the below section, so candidates must review the syllabus topics thoroughly.
- Observation power
- Discernment ability
- Design ability
- Creativity in thought development
NIFT 2026 Syllabus – CAT Topics
Following is the list of the topics in which candidates can expect questions in NIFT CAT:
| Design Theory | Colour Terminology | Inspiration & Design Development |
| Colour Psychology & Optical Illusions | Elements & Principles Of Design | Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship |
| Natural & Geometrical Form | Innovation in Design | Principles of Composition |
| Creative thinking & writing | Optical Illusion | Understanding Light & Shade |
| Visual Logic | Form & Function | Colour, Pattern & Texture |
| Theme Development | Drawing Fundamentals | Picture Analysis |
| Memory Drawing | Inspiration & Creativity | Ornaments & motifs |
| Use of Measurements, Scale & proportions | Perspective Drawing | Foreshortening & Perspective |
| Developing Themes & Colour Associations | Usage of Colour in Compositions | Imagination & Doodling |
| 3D Visualisation | Presentation Techniques | Expression & Emotion |
| Exercises on imagination | Lateral Thinking | Story Pictures |
| Graphics & Pictograms | Innovation & Creation | Design Awareness |
NIFT Exam Pattern 2026
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) releases the NIFT 2026 exam pattern. The pattern includes all the details regarding the exam including the number of questions, the time allowed for each answer, and so on.
The exam pattern applies to all candidates appearing for the NIFT 2026 exam. The institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the following areas: fashion retailing and management, fashion design, textile technology, home textiles, garment technology, and dyeing and finishing.
The candidates must check the NIFT exam pattern to know the format of the questions asked in the exam. One needs to follow the NIFT exam pattern to crack the exam.
NIFT Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Duration | B.Des: CAT (3 Hours) + GAT (2 Hours) B.F.Tech: GAT (3 Hours) |
| Mode of the exam | Pen and Paper Mode (Offline) |
| Medium of the Language | English & Hindi |
| Negative Marking | Yes (0.25 marks deducted for GAT) |
NIFT Cut-off / Safe Score
While the syllabus covers what to study, candidates should also know the target score. To secure a seat in top campuses like NIFT Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore:
- GAT Score Target: 60-70% accuracy is typically required.
- CAT Percentile: A high percentile in the drawing section is crucial as it carries 50% weightage for B.Des.
Best Books for NIFT 2026 Preparation
To prepare effectively for the NIFT syllabus, we recommend the following books:
- NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide by R. Gupta
- NIFT Entrance Exam Self Study Guide by Arihant Experts
- McGraw Hill Education’s NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide
Final Remark!
We hope that the detailed NIFT 2026 Syllabus information in this blog surely helps you, and with this, one can easily able to start their preparation in a good manner. Do comment in the below section if you have any questions or want to ask anything related to this blog.
FAQs!
What is the syllabus of NIFT for 2026?
The NIFT 2026 syllabus is divided into two parts: GAT (General Ability Test) which covers Quantitative Ability, English, and Reasoning, and CAT (Creative Ability Test) which focuses on Design Theory, Drawing Fundamentals, and Creative Imagination.
Will there be negative markings in NIFT 2026?
Yes. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in the GAT section. There is no negative marking for the CAT section.
What is the syllabus for NIFT entrance?
The syllabus covers a wide range of topics including Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Analytical Ability, General Knowledge, and Current affairs.
Is NIFT easy to clear?
NIFT is highly competitive. With thousands of applicants for limited seats, it requires consistent preparation in both creative and logical domains to crack it.
Watch: NIFT 2026 Preparation Strategy & Syllabus Breakdown
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