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To be eligible for the NIFT 2025 entrance exam, candidates must meet specific criteria established by NIFT’s governing body. This national-level entrance test is conducted annually. NIFT uses this exam to provide admission into undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the fields of Fashion and Technology at NIFT and its affiliated campuses.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will publish the NIFT eligibility criteria for 2025 on the official website: exams.nta.ac.in/NIFT. Candidates intending to take the NIFT entrance exam must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the brochure provided by NTA. Based on last year’s criteria, candidates who have completed or are currently completing their 10+2 exams are eligible to apply for the BDes and BFTech programs. Additionally, the maximum age limit for NIFT is set at 24 years as of August 1 of the admission year.
The eligibility criteria will specify requirements such as age limits, academic qualifications, and the number of attempts allowed for admission. Candidates must meet these criteria to avoid disqualification at any point during the admission process.
NIFT 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Before starting the NIFT 2025 application process, candidates should thoroughly review the eligibility criteria to ensure they meet all requirements. The NTA will release the eligibility criteria and official brochure for NIFT 2025 on their website, nift.ac.in. The entrance exam will be held online, enabling candidates to seek admission into design courses at all NIFT campuses. Updated eligibility criteria will be provided, but in the meantime, candidates can refer to the criteria from the previous year for guidance.
The candidates will be able to know the eligibility criteria to get Admission to the NIFT through this article. The following are the eligibility criteria of NIFT for admissions to undergraduate programs given below.
NIFT Eligibility Criteria – Age Limit for NIFT Entrance Exam
The NIFT entrance exam has specific age limits for each course. The age requirements for eligibility are outlined below based on the course.
- BDes and BFTech: To qualify for NIFT undergraduate courses, candidates must be 24 years old or younger as of August 1st of the admission year. This age limit applies to OBC and General category candidates. For candidates from the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, or Persons with Disabilities (PWD) categories, the age limit may be extended by 5 years.
- M.Des., M.F.M, and M.F.Tech: There is no age limit for candidates applying for postgraduate courses at NIFT.
- NIFT Lateral Entry: For the NIFT lateral entry scheme, the age limit for OBC and General candidates is also 24 years as of August 1st of the admission year. Candidates from the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, or PWD categories may have the age limit extended by 5 years.
NIFT Eligibility Criteria – Educational Qualification
A key factor in securing admission to NIFT is meeting the required educational qualifications. Applicants must carefully review the eligibility criteria to ensure they fulfil the academic requirements before moving forward. This section addresses queries such as whether one can join NIFT after completing 12th grade or after graduation. Below, you’ll find the eligibility criteria for NIFT courses based on specific requirements.
NIFT Exam Eligibility for BDes and BFTech
- 10+2 Examination: Candidates must have passed the 10+2 exam from a recognized Central or State Board of Secondary Education, such as CBSE, State Boards, or the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations.
- Senior Secondary School Examination: A pass grade in the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Open School, with at least 5 subjects, is acceptable.
- Equivalent Exams: Any public school/board/university examination in India or abroad recognized by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to the 10+2 system.
- General Certificate Education (GCE): Candidates must have completed the GCE Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level or the International Baccalaureate (IB).
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NIFT Eligibility Criteria for Postgraduate Students
Many students inquire if they can join NIFT after completing their graduation. The answer is yes; you can pursue postgraduate courses at NIFT after graduation. The eligibility and age requirements for the NIFT entrance exam vary for postgraduate courses. Below are the specific criteria for each of the three postgraduate programs offered.
| Course | Eligibility Criteria |
| MDes | – Minimum three-year diploma from NIFT or NID. – OR – Graduation in any discipline from a recognized institute or university in India. |
| MFTech | – Completion of B.FTech course from NIFT. – OR – B.E/B.Tech degree from a recognized institute or university in India. |
| M.Des. (2 years) | – Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized institute or university. – OR – UG Diploma in Design of at least 3 years duration from NIFT or NID. |
NIFT Eligibility 2025 for Foreign Nationals/ NRI/ OCI/ SAARC
Foreign Nationals and Non-Resident Indians who are Indian citizens holding an Indian passport and have been living abroad for six months or more due to work, residence, or other reasons are also eligible to apply for NIFT 2025.
Age Limit for NIFT 2025
- Undergraduate Programs: Candidates must be under 24 years of age as of August 1, 2025. Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Person with Disability (PWD) candidates are eligible for a five-year age relaxation.
- Postgraduate Programs: Candidates must be at least 20 years old. There is no upper age limit for applying.
Educational Qualification
- If you hold a degree from a foreign university or board, you must obtain an equivalent certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, before admission.
- You may take multiple SAT/GMAT/GRE tests before April 30, 2025, but only the highest score will be considered for admission.
- GRE/GMAT/SAT scores must be declared after January 1, 2023, and submitted to NIFT by April 30, 2025.
Your program and campus at NIFT will be assigned based on the merit list derived from your scores in the following exams:
| Program | Considered Scores |
| Bachelor’s Programme (B.Des & B.FTech) | SAT Score |
| Master’s Programme (MFM) | GMAT Score |
| Master’s Programme (M.Des & M.FTech) | GRE Score |
General Eligibility for NIFT 2025
General eligibility for the NIFT entrance exam includes meeting specific age and educational qualifications set for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Candidates must review these criteria carefully to ensure they qualify for admission.
Who Can Join NIFT After Completing 12th?
Undergraduate Courses:
- Candidates who have passed their 12th class are eligible to take the NIFT entrance exam.
For Candidates Currently in 12th/Final Year of College/Final Year of Diploma:
- Affidavit Requirement: Candidates under 18 years old must submit an affidavit on a Rs. 10 non-judicial stamp paper, signed by a parent or guardian. Providing false documents is a punishable offence.
- Submission of Certificates: Candidates must submit their qualifying degree certificate to the campus or joint director by the prescribed date.
- Admission Status: Failure to submit required certificates will result in void or null admission.
- Provisional Admission: Candidates must present proof of examination clearance (e.g., date sheet, Principal’s certificate, admit card) if results are not yet declared.
- Compartment/Supplementary Exam: The above conditions apply to candidates who took compartmental or supplementary exams in the 12th class or final year of graduation/diploma.
- Provisional Admission Consideration: Candidates can seek provisional admission if their results are pending. If results are declared and do not meet the criteria, their provisional admission will be cancelled.
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Is Maths required for NIFT Admission?
Frequently, candidates ask about the compulsory subjects for NIFT. For the BFTech course, the eligibility criteria specify that candidates must have completed their 12th class from recognized Central or State Boards, such as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) or the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations, with Mathematics and Physics as mandatory subjects. Thus, Mathematics is essential for admission to the BFTech course.
NIFT Eligibility Criteria – Key Points
In addition to the eligibility criteria outlined in the table above, there are several additional norms that candidates must meet to qualify for the NIFT entrance exam under specific conditions.
- Final Exam Candidates: Students currently appearing for their final qualifying exam can apply for NIFT 2025.
- Provisional Admission: If the result of Class 12/final year/final semester exam is not announced by the time of NIFT counselling, admission will be provisional with the following conditions:
- Final Result Submission: Students must submit their final results by September 2024.
- Affidavit Requirement: Candidates under 18 years old must provide an affidavit on a Rs. 10 non-judicial stamp paper, signed by their parent or guardian.
- Proof of Completion: Students awaiting final results must provide proof of passing all previous years/semesters.
- Compartment Exams: Candidates taking compartment exams in 10+2 will be considered for provisional admission only. They must pass the compartment exams from the same board, or their provisional admission will be cancelled, and fees forfeited.
NIFT 2025 Seat Reservation
Seats at NIFT are allocated based on specific reservation criteria for various categories. The following table outlines the percentage of seats reserved for each category, including ST, SC, OBC-NCL, PHP, NRI/Foreign Nationals, and state domiciles.
| Category | Reservation of Seats |
| ST (Scheduled Tribes) | 7.50% |
| SC (Scheduled Castes) | 15% |
| OBC-NCL (Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% |
| PHP (Persons with Disabilities) | 3% (for disabilities of 40% or more) |
| NRI/Foreign Nationals/SAARC | 15% |
| State Domicile | 20% |
| Jammu & Kashmir State Domiciled | 35% within a total of 30 seats |
NIFT Eligibility 2025 for State Domicile
- You must have a certificate from the school or college in the concerned state.
- If your degree was obtained through distance learning, your domicile status will be determined based on the address of the school you attended regularly.
- State domicile preferential seats are available for candidates from the following nine states.
State Domicile Preferential Seats for NIFT Campuses
| NIFT Campus | State(s) |
| Patna | Bihar |
| Kangra | Himachal Pradesh |
| Kannur | Kerala |
| Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh |
| Shillong | Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, Tripura |
| Bhubaneswar | Odisha |
| Jodhpur | Rajasthan |
| Srinagar | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Panchkula | Haryana |
| Daman | Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep |
Category-Specific Requirements for NIFT 2025 Application
| Category | Requirements |
| SC/ST Category | – Provide a Caste/Tribe certificate from the Competent Authority of the respective State/Union Territory/National Commission of Tribes. |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | – Provide a caste certificate from the Competent Authority certifying non-creamy layer status. – The certificate must confirm inclusion in the central list of OBCs. – If applying as a married woman, the certificate must be in her name, not her husband’s or parents. – Creamy layer candidates are not eligible for this category. |
| General (Economically Weaker Section) | – Reservation benefits apply to candidates meeting conditions set by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. – Submit an Income & Asset Certificate from a Competent Authority or other specified officials. |
| Persons with Disability (PWD) | – Provide a Disability certificate issued by a designated medical authority. – Produce the original Disability certificate during counselling and admission. – Mandatory attendance at counselling for evaluation of capabilities. |
NIFT Application Form 2025
For NIFT 2025, candidates will need to complete the application form online. The registration process will start in the first week of December 2024, and the application form will be available until the first week of January 2025.
Candidates can pay the application fee online using debit/credit cards or net banking.
Courses Offered In NIFTs
NIFT offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate design programmes. The eligibility criteria for the entrance exam differ between undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with M.Des and M.F.M programmes sharing similar criteria with the B.Des programme.
| Programme Level | Courses | Eligibility |
| Undergraduate | B.Des Programme | Varies from other programmes |
| B.F.Tech Programme | ||
| Postgraduate | M.Des Programme | Same as B.Des eligibility |
| M.F.M Programme | ||
| M.F.Tech Programme |
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NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2025 FAQs
What is the eligibility age for NIFT 2025 undergraduate programs?
For NIFT 2025 undergraduate programs, the candidate’s age should be less than 24 years as of August 1, 2025. Candidates from SC/ST/PWD categories are eligible for a 5-year age relaxation.
Can candidates with a degree from a foreign university apply for NIFT 2025?
Yes, candidates with a degree from a foreign university can apply, but they must obtain an equivalent certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi.
Is there an age limit for postgraduate programs at NIFT 2025?
For postgraduate programs at NIFT 2025, the minimum age is 20 years, and there is no upper age limit.
What are the educational qualifications required for the B.Des program?
Candidates must have passed the 10+2 examination from any recognized board or an equivalent exam such as GCE A-levels or International Baccalaureate.
Can students who are currently in their final year apply for NIFT 2025?
Yes, students appearing for their final year exams can apply, but they must submit their final results before September 2024. Provisional admission is subject to verification of their qualifying exam results.
What documents are needed for the SC/ST category during the NIFT application?
SC/ST candidates need to produce a Caste/Tribe certificate from the Competent Authority of their respective States/Union Territories/National Commission of Tribes.
What is the reservation policy for the OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) category?
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates must provide a certificate confirming non-creamy layer status and inclusion in the central list of OBCs. The certificate must be issued by a Competent Authority.
How can candidates with a disability apply for NIFT 2025?
PwD candidates must provide a Disability certificate issued by a designated medical authority. They must produce this certificate during counselling and admission and attend mandatory counselling for evaluation.
When does the NIFT 2025 application process start and end?
The registration process for NIFT 2025 will begin in the first week of December 2024 and will be available until the first week of January 2025.
What is the application fee payment method for NIFT 2025?
The application fee for NIFT 2025 can be paid online using debit/credit cards or net banking.
If you have any queries regarding NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2025, you can ask your query and leave comments below.
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