Should I take a year drop after 12th for NIFT Delhi (or NID) or take admission in an average college?

The decision is personal, but here are the key factors: Argument for a Drop: If you are determined to get into a top-tier campus like NIFT Delhi or NID Ahmedabad, and you believe a dedicated year of focused preparation will significantly improve your rank. Argument Against a Drop: To have a solid backup, join a suitable related course. This allows you to study for the entrance exams concurrently with your regular college work. Doing so is a practical way to avoid an academic gap and lower the pressure if you need to try again. Institutions like NID and NIFT equip students with advanced training, a powerful industry network, and direct pathways to careers in leading global companies.

When will the forms of NID and NIFT be out?

The official application forms are usually released late in the calendar year preceding the exam: NID DAT 2026: Applications are open now until December 1st 2025. NIFT Entrance Exam 2026: Applications are usually released in November 2025. Always monitor the official NID and NIFT admission websites from September onwards.

NID vs NIFT - Which one should you choose

Your choice should align with your specific career interests: NID if your passion is focused on Product Design, Automobile, Animation, UX/UI, or Graphic Design. NID excels in broad-scope, innovation-driven industrial design fields. NIFT if your passion is geared toward Fashion Design, Styling, Merchandising, Leather Design, or Apparel Production. NIFT is the premier authority in the fashion and textile industry ecosystem. If you are unsure, prepare for both, as the creative skill set is transferable between the two exams.

Will my board result affect my admission in NID or NIFT?

No, your Class 12th board percentage generally does not significantly affect your admission. Eligibility: Both institutes primarily require you to have simply passed Class 12th from a recognised board. There is typically no high minimum percentage requirement. Admission Basis: Admission is strictly based on your performance in the multi-stage entrance examination (NID DAT Prelims/Mains or NIFT CAT/GAT/Situation Test). Common Merit Rank (CMR) is the decisive factor for NIFT entrance.

Home > Blog > NIFT vs NID Admission 2026-27 | Eligibility, Dates & Guide

NIFT vs NID Admission 2026-27 | Eligibility, Dates & Guide

Choosing between the National Institute of Design (NID) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is the first big step for any aspiring designer in India. Both are top institutions, but they cater to very different career paths.

NID vs NIFT: Choosing Your Path

The core difference lies in their specialization:

NID (National Institute of Design): Focuses on Industrial Design, Communication Design (Graphic, Film, Animation), Product Design, and UI/UX. It offers a broad, holistic design education.
NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology): Is the undisputed leader in Fashion and Apparel. It specializes in Fashion Design, Textile Design, Accessory Design, and Fashion Technology/Management.

Comparison Point	NID (DAT Exam)	NIFT (CAT & GAT Exam)
Primary Focus	Product, Communication, Industrial Design	Fashion, Apparel, Textile Design, Technology
Campuses	7 Campuses (Main campus at Ahmedabad)	19 Campuses (Main Campus at New Delhi)

NID DAT B.Des Admission 2026-27

Admission to NID’s B.Des program is through the Design Aptitude Test (DAT), conducted in two stages.

Eligibility Criteria (B.Des)

Educational Qualification: You must have passed or be appearing for the 10+2 (HSC) examination or an equivalent from any recognised board. All streams (Science, Commerce, Arts/Humanities) are eligible.
Age Limit: The maximum age is generally 20 years as of June 30th of the admission year (with a 3-year relaxation for reserved categories).

NID DAT 2026 Tentative Admission Timeline

The admission cycle for both B.Des and M.Des programs begins simultaneously and shares the initial stages. (All mentioned times are in IST).

Shared Dates (B.Des & M.Des)

Accepting Application Forms Online Begins: Thursday, 11 September 2025
Last Date for Submitting Online Applications: 11:59 pm (midnight) Monday, 01 December 2025
Window to Edit the Application Forms: 4 pm Tuesday, 02 December 2025 to 11:59 pm (midnight) Thursday, 04 December 2025
Download Admit Cards for DAT Prelims: 4 pm Thursday, 11 December 2025
DAT Prelims Exam: Sunday, 21 December 2025

B.Des Specific Dates

DAT Prelims Exam Result: 4 pm Tuesday, 07 April 2026
Rechecking Request for DAT Prelims Exam: 4 pm Tuesday, 07 April 2026 to 11:59 pm (midnight) Wednesday, 08 April 2026
Download Admit Card for DAT Mains: To be announced later
DAT Mains Exam: To be announced later
DAT Mains Exam Result: To be announced later
Rechecking Request for DAT Mains Exam: To be announced later
Admission Counselling, Payment of Fees & Physical Verification of Documents: Tentatively in the second/third week of June 2026

M.Des Specific Dates

DAT Prelims Exam Result: 4 pm Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Rechecking Request for DAT Prelims Exam: 6 pm Tuesday, 17 February 2026 to 11:59 pm (midnight) Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Download Admit Card for DAT Mains: To be announced later
DAT Mains Exam: To be announced later
DAT Mains Exam Result: To be announced later
Rechecking Request for DAT Mains Exam: To be announced later
Seat Allotment, Payment of Token Fees & Uploading of Documents: 4 pm Tuesday, 05 May 2026 to 11:59 pm (midnight) Thursday, 07 May 2026
Provisional Offer Letter: 4 pm Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Payment of Remaining Semester Fees: Between Tuesday, 26 May 2026 to Monday, 01 June 2026
Subsequent Round of Seat Allotment: To be announced later

NIFT Admission 2026-27

NIFT’s admission process is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and involves multiple tests tailored to the course.

Eligibility Criteria (UG Programs)

Program	Educational Qualification	Key Requirement	Age Limit
B.Des	Passed or appearing for 10+2 from any recognized board.	Any Stream	Max 24 years as of August 1, 2026
B.FTech	Passed or appeared for 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.	PCM mandatory	Max 24 years as of August 1, 2026

(Age limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST/PwD candidates).

NIFT 2026 Tentative Admission Timeline

The NIFT entrance exam is usually held early in the calendar year.

Application Form Release: November – December 2025
Last Date to Apply: Early January 2026
Written Exam (CAT & GAT): February 2026
Written Exam Result: March – April 2026
Second Stage (Situation Test/PI): May – June 2026
Final Result & Counselling: June – July 2026

For NIFT 2027: The application window is expected to open in November 2026, with the entrance exam scheduled for February 2027.

Admission Process and Weightage

Both institutes use a tiered selection process, where the written test score determines your qualification for the second, more practical stage.

NID Selection (DAT)

DAT Prelims (Written Exam): Paper-based test (3 hours) covering creative ability, observation, and general aptitude.
DAT Mains (Studio Test & Interview): Candidates shortlisted from Prelims take a hands-on Studio Test (model making, material exploration) followed by a personal interview and portfolio review.

The final merit score is calculated entirely based on the performance in the DAT Mains.

Program	DAT Prelims	DAT Mains (Total Weightage)	DAT Mains Components Breakdown
B.Des	Qualifying Only	100%	Studio Sensitivity Test (60%) + In-Person Sensitivity Test (40%)
M.Des	Qualifying Only	100%	Studio Test (40%) + Interviews (60%)

NIFT Weightage

The weightage given to each stage varies by program:

Program	Creative Ability Test (CAT)	General Ability Test (GAT)	Situation Test / GD/PI
B.Des	50%	30%	20% (Situation Test)
B.FTech	–	100%	–
M.Des	40%	30%	30% (GD/PI)

The Stages:

CAT: Tests drawing, visualization, and creative problem-solving skills.
GAT: An objective-type test covering Quantitative Ability, English, Reasoning, and Current Affairs.
Situation Test (B.Des): A 2-hour practical test where candidates create a 3D model/prototype from provided materials and write a supporting note.
Group Discussion (GD) & Personal Interview (PI): Required for all Master’s programs.

Strategy for Dual Preparation

Since the entrance exams are close, preparing for both simultaneously is efficient.

Focus on the Foundation: Spend the initial months mastering creative drawing, perspective, color theory, and design conceptualization. This forms the CAT (NIFT) and the core drawing component of DAT Prelims (NID).
Master the Aptitude: Dedicate time to the GAT syllabus (NIFT), as its components (Maths, English, Reasoning, GK) overlap significantly with the logical and general aptitude sections of the NID DAT.
Practice the Practical:
- For NID: Practice quick model making and material handling for the DAT Mains Studio Test.
- For NIFT: Practice Situation Test prototypes, focusing on neatness, finishing, and the accompanying write-up.
Portfolio Ready: Start compiling a strong portfolio early. While not strictly required for NIFT B.Des, a well-curated portfolio is essential for the NID DAT Mains Interview.

Fee Structure Comparison (Tentative for 2026-27)

Below is a comparative, tentative breakdown of the total course fees for the B.Des program for Indian National Students based on current fee circulars. Fees are subject to revision by the respective institutes annually.

Institute	Program	Total Tuition Fee (4 Years/8 Semesters)	Approx. Total Course Fee (Including Mandatory Charges)
NID (Ahmedabad)	B.Des	∼ ₹ 18,04,000	∼ ₹ 18,13,200 (Excluding Hostel/Mess)
NID (Ahmedabad)	M.Des	∼ ₹ 13,10,000	∼ ₹ 13,17,800 (Excluding Hostel/Mess)
NIFT (All Campuses)	B.Des	∼ ₹ 12,96,000	∼ ₹ 14,09,400 (Based on 2025 fee, Excluding Hostel/Mess)

Important Links

FAQs

Should I take a year drop after 12th for NIFT Delhi (or NID) or take admission in an average college?
The decision is personal, but here are the key factors:
- Argument for a Drop: If you are determined to get into a top-tier campus like NIFT Delhi or NID Ahmedabad, and you believe a dedicated year of focused preparation will significantly improve your rank.
- Argument Against a Drop: To have a solid backup, join a suitable related course. This allows you to study for the entrance exams concurrently with your regular college work. Doing so is a practical way to avoid an academic gap and lower the pressure if you need to try again.
Institutions like NID and NIFT equip students with advanced training, a powerful industry network, and direct pathways to careers in leading global companies.
When will the forms of NID and NIFT be out?
The official application forms are usually released late in the calendar year preceding the exam:
- NID DAT 2026: Applications are open now until December 1st 2025.
- NIFT Entrance Exam 2026: Applications are usually released in November 2025.
Always monitor the official NID and NIFT admission websites from September onwards.
NID vs NIFT - Which one should you choose
Your choice should align with your specific career interests:
- NID if your passion is focused on Product Design, Automobile, Animation, UX/UI, or Graphic Design. NID excels in broad-scope, innovation-driven industrial design fields.
- NIFT if your passion is geared toward Fashion Design, Styling, Merchandising, Leather Design, or Apparel Production. NIFT is the premier authority in the fashion and textile industry ecosystem.
If you are unsure, prepare for both, as the creative skill set is transferable between the two exams.
Will my board result affect my admission in NID or NIFT?
No, your Class 12th board percentage generally does not significantly affect your admission.
- Eligibility: Both institutes primarily require you to have simply passed Class 12th from a recognised board. There is typically no high minimum percentage requirement.
Admission Basis: Admission is strictly based on your performance in the multi-stage entrance examination (NID DAT Prelims/Mains or NIFT CAT/GAT/Situation Test). Common Merit Rank (CMR) is the decisive factor for NIFT entrance.