NIFT Exam 2026 LIVE Updates: Expected cutoff, answer key and result release date prediction
NIFT Exam 2026 is scheduled for Feb 8, 2026. The provisional answer key is expected within one week, and Stage 1 results by late April 2026. Expected cutoffs for B.Des at Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru campuses are provided for all categories.
NIFT Exam 2026: The National Testing Agency has scheduled NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 for February 8, 2026, covering all undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The examination will be conducted in multiple shifts throughout the day, featuring the General Ability Test as a computer-based exam and the Creative Ability Test as a paper-based exam. Following the completion of the test, the provisional answer key and candidate response sheets are anticipated to be released within one week, aligning with the timelines established in previous years. Once the objection window for the provisional key closes and the final answer key is processed, the Stage 1 written results are expected to be announced by the last week of April 2026.
Candidates seeking information on expected cutoffs for various programs and campuses can find the data provided below. While these figures are not exact, they are projected based on previous years' common merit rank trends to assist students in identifying which NIFT campuses align best with their merit ranks and personal preferences. These cutoff predictions are broken down by all categories, including General, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and EWS.
NIFT Exam 2026 Expected Cutoff
For B.Des programme, NIFT Expected Cutoff 2026 has been provided in the table below for Open Category, and Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru campus.
Category | Expected Closing Rank (Delhi) | Expected Closing Rank (Mumbai) | Expected Closing Rank (Bengaluru) |
General | 80 – 110 | 130 – 150 | 230 – 250 |
OBC-NCL | 400 – 550 | 600 – 800 | 800 – 950 |
SC | 900 – 1400 | 1100 – 1400 | 1300 – 1600 |
ST | 1500 – 2500 | 1800 – 2800 | 2000 – 3000 |
EWS | 1000 – 1300 | 1100 – 1500 | 1300 – 1600 |
The cutoff has been mentioned in the range format as it can vary this year based on the difficulty level of the examination, performance of the candidates, topper score, and other factors. The General category cutoff is expected to be highest, and ST cutoff is likely to be lowest for all NIFT campuses.
Stay tuned to live blog for more updates on NIFT Exam 2026 expected cutoff for all NIFT campuses, categories, and programmes, answer key and result release date prediction.
NIFT Exam 2026 LIVE Updates
Feb 10, 2026 08:00 AM IST
NTA NIFT 2026 Entrance Exam: Will there be a Spot Round in 2026?
Yes. After 3 regular rounds of counseling, NIFT typically holds a Spot Round in August 2026 to fill any remaining vacancies, where cutoffs often drop by 200–500 ranks.
Feb 10, 2026 06:00 AM IST
NTA NIFT 2026 Entrance Exam: What is a "Good Score" for B.FTech in 2026?
Since B.FTech is 100% GAT-based, experts predict that a score of 100+ out of 150 will be necessary to secure a seat in top campuses like Bengaluru or New Delhi.
Feb 10, 2026 05:00 AM IST
NTA NIFT Entrance Exam 2026: How do "Domicile Seats" impact the cutoff?
Campuses like Patna, Srinagar, and Kangra have state domicile quotas. For local residents, the closing ranks can be significantly more relaxed (e.g., a rank of 3,500+ may still secure a seat compared to 1,800 for All India candidates).
Feb 10, 2026 04:00 AM IST
NTA NIFT Entrance Exam 2026: Is the "Percentile" different from my "Rank"?
Yes. Your Percentile shows how many students you outperformed (e.g., 95 percentile means you are in the top 5%), but Admissions are strictly Rank-based (CMR).
Feb 10, 2026 03:00 AM IST
NTA NIFT 2026 Exam: Will "Wrong Questions" in GAT affect my result?
NTA has clarified that if a question is found to be technically incorrect after the challenge window, bonus marks will be awarded only to those candidates who attempted that specific question.
Feb 10, 2026 02:00 AM IST
NIFTEE Exam 2026: What happens if two students have the same CMR?
NIFT uses a strict tie-breaker rule. For B.Des, the candidate with higher marks in CAT gets the better rank. If the tie persists, GAT scores are compared. Finally, subject-wise marks in Communication Ability and English are evaluated.
Feb 10, 2026 01:00 AM IST
NTA NIFTEE 2026: When will the official Opening and Closing Ranks (OR-CR) be released?
NIFT releases official OR-CR data only after each round of counseling is completed, starting from late June 2026.
Feb 10, 2026 12:00 AM IST
NIFT 2026 Entrance Exam: Will the B.FTech cutoff be higher this year?
Since B.FTech is 100% GAT-based, if the math/logic section is perceived as "easy," the cutoff scores (raw marks) may rise, keeping closing ranks very competitive at Rank 40–100 for Bengaluru and Delhi.
Feb 09, 2026 11:00 PM IST
NIFT 2026 Entrance Exam: What rank range is predicted for newer NIFT campuses like Daman or Srinagar?
For newer campuses, the closing ranks for the General category can extend to 3,000–3,800, depending on the popularity of the specific design program.
Feb 09, 2026 10:00 PM IST
NIFTEE 2026: How do OBC-NCL ranks compare to General ranks?
OBC-NCL candidates often see a relaxation in closing ranks; a rank between 400 and 600 may still be competitive for mid-tier campuses like Kolkata or Hyderabad.
Feb 09, 2026 09:00 PM IST
NIFT Entrance Exam 2026: What is a "safe" CMR for NIFT Delhi B.Des?
While specific scores vary, historical data suggests a CMR under 100 is typically required for General category students to secure a seat in Fashion Design at the Delhi campus.
Feb 09, 2026 08:00 PM IST
NIFT Entrance Exam 2026: When can we expect the final NIFT 2026 Merit List?
The final combined result (Stage 1 + Stage 2) is predicted to be announced in the fourth week of June 2026.
Feb 09, 2026 07:00 PM IST
NIFTEE 2026 Exam: Will the result show a Common Merit Rank (CMR)?
Yes, the written exam result will provide a Common Merit Rank (CMR) and a Category Merit Rank (CMR). However, final seat allotment ranks are only issued after the Stage 2 tests.
Feb 09, 2026 06:00 PM IST
NTA NIFT Exam 2026: What is the weightage for M.Des result calculation?
The M.Des merit is predicted based on 40% CAT, 30% GAT, and 30% Personal Interview (PI) performance.
Feb 09, 2026 05:00 PM IST
NIFT Exam 2026: When will the Final Merit List (Stage 2) be released?
After the Stage 2 tests (Situation Test/PI) in June, the final combined results are predicted for the last week of June 2026.
Feb 09, 2026 04:00 PM IST
NTA NIFTEE Exam 2026: What are the expected cutoff trends for top campuses?
While official cutoffs are only released after counseling, top campuses like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are expected to close within the Top 100 ranks for General category B.Des applicants.
Feb 09, 2026 03:00 PM IST
NTA NIFT 2026 Entrance Exam: How is the Stage 1 merit list calculated?
For B.Des, the merit list considers a weightage of 30% GAT and 50% CAT. For B.FTech and MFM, the Stage 1 result is the final determinant (100% GAT).
Feb 09, 2026 02:00 PM IST
NIFT 2026 Exam: What is the predicted date for the NIFT 2026 Stage 1 results?
The written exam results (GAT + CAT scores) are expected to be announced in the fourth week of April 2026.
Feb 09, 2026 01:00 PM IST
NTA NIFTEE 2026 Exam: What are the expected ranks for NIFT Kangra and NIFT Shillong?
For these scenic campuses, the 2026 Open category cutoffs for Fashion Design are predicted to close between 1,600 and 1,900, while specialized courses may extend up to 2,500.
Feb 09, 2026 12:00 PM IST
NTA NIFTEE 2026: Is NIFT Patna a realistic option for ranks near 2000?
Absolutely. For programs like Accessory Design or Fashion Design at NIFT Patna, the 2026 Open category closing ranks are expected to range from 1,800 to 2,100.
Feb 09, 2026 11:00 AM IST
NIFT Exam 2026: What is the expected cutoff for B.Des Accessory Design at NIFT Hyderabad?
For Accessory Design in Hyderabad, the 2026 General category closing rank is predicted to be between 580 and 650, offering a strong opportunity for mid-rank holders.
Feb 09, 2026 10:00 AM IST
NIFT 2026 Entrance Exam: Can I get NIFT Kolkata with a rank above 1000 in the General category?
Yes, while top programs like Fashion Design close earlier, specialized courses like Textile Design at NIFT Kolkata are expected to have a 2026 closing rank between 1,200 and 1,350 for Open category candidates.
Feb 09, 2026 09:00 AM IST
NIFT 2026: What is the expected 2026 cutoff for B.Des Textile Design at NIFT Chennai?
Chennai is renowned for its Textile Design department. For 2026, the Open category closing rank is anticipated to settle between 1,100 and 1,200.
Feb 09, 2026 08:00 AM IST
NTA NIFT Entrance Exam 2026: What is the predicted rank for B.Des Accessory Design at NIFT Gandhinagar?
The Accessory Design program at the Gandhinagar campus is a popular alternative to core FD, with an expected General category cutoff of 450–500.
Feb 09, 2026 07:00 AM IST
NTA NIFT 2026: Will the MFM cutoff at NIFT Hyderabad remain highly competitive?
Yes, for the Master of Fashion Management at Hyderabad, the Open category closing rank is projected to be very narrow, likely closing between 105 and 125.
Feb 09, 2026 06:00 AM IST
NIFT 2026: What is the expected cutoff for B.Des Fashion Communication at NIFT Kolkata?
Kolkata’s Fashion Communication course is gaining traction; the predicted 2026 General category closing rank is expected to be around 650–700.
Feb 09, 2026 05:00 AM IST
NIFTEE 2026 Exam: What rank is needed for B.FTech (Apparel Production) at NIFT Chennai?
The Bachelor of Fashion Technology at the Chennai campus is expected to have a tight cutoff in 2026, with the Open category closing rank likely falling between 330 and 385.
Feb 09, 2026 04:00 AM IST
NTA NIFT 2026: What is the predicted closing rank for B.Des Fashion Design at NIFT Hyderabad?
Hyderabad remains a top-tier choice for Fashion Design. Candidates in the General category should aim for a CMR under 430 to secure a seat by the final rounds.
Feb 09, 2026 03:00 AM IST
NTA NIFT 2026 Exam: What is the expected 2026 cutoff for B.Des Fashion Communication at NIFT Gandhinagar?
As a major hub for design, the Fashion Communication program in Gandhinagar is highly competitive. For the Open category, the closing rank is expected to stay between 200 and 230.
Feb 09, 2026 02:00 AM IST
NTA NIFT Exam 2026: How will the Chennai campus cutoff look for MFM in 2026?
The Master of Fashion Management (MFM) at NIFT Chennai is projected to have a closing rank between 150 and 320 for the General category, depending on the counseling round.
Feb 09, 2026 01:00 AM IST
NIFT 2026 Exam: What is the predicted NIFT Bengaluru M.Des closing rank?
Based on 2025 trends where the last round closed at rank 49, the 2026 M.Des General category closing rank for Bengaluru is expected to be extremely competitive, likely staying under rank 60.
Feb 09, 2026 12:00 AM IST
NTA NIFTEE Exam 2026: What are the expected 2026 opening and closing ranks for NIFT Mumbai?
For B.FTech (Apparel Production), the closing rank for the General category is anticipated to be between 90 and 110. In the B.Des program, Fashion Design is expected to close around the 130–150 rank range for open-category students.
Feb 08, 2026 11:00 PM IST
NIFTEE 2026: What is the expected NIFT Delhi B.Des cutoff for 2026?
Historically, the most competitive campus, NIFT Delhi is expected to see a closing rank of 85–110 for B.Des (Fashion Design) in the General category. For Fashion Communication, the cutoff is often even tighter, likely staying within the top 50–60 ranks.
Feb 08, 2026 10:00 PM IST
Category-wise NIFTEE 2026 Expected Cutoff for Master of Design and Master of Fashion Management
Category
Course
Delhi (Closing CMR)
Mumbai (Closing CMR)
Bengaluru (Closing CMR)
General
M.Des
25 – 45
60 – 95
55 – 85
MFM
25 – 60
50 – 95
80 – 140
OBC-NCL
M.Des
150 – 300
250 – 480
220 – 450
MFM
220 – 350
310 – 450
380 – 550
SC
M.Des
190 – 280
440 – 560
450 – 600
MFM
230 – 450
430 – 550
500 – 750
ST
M.Des
280 – 350
320 – 580
350 – 650
MFM
230 – 500
440 – 650
600 – 850
EWS
M.Des
300 – 420
430 – 500
450 – 550
MFM
360 – 450
530 – 620
550 – 700
Feb 08, 2026 09:00 PM IST
Category-wise NTA NIFTEE 2026 Exam Expected Cutoff for Bachelor of Fashion Technology (NLEA)
Category
Expected Closing Rank (Delhi)
Expected Closing Rank (Mumbai)
Expected Closing Rank (Bengaluru)
General
1 – 5
1 – 8
1 – 12
OBC-NCL
3 – 12
5 – 18
6 – 22
SC
2 – 10
4 – 15
5 – 20
ST
5 – 25
8 – 30
10 – 35
EWS
4 – 15
6 – 20
8 – 25
Feb 08, 2026 08:00 PM IST
Category-wise NIFTEE Exam 2026 Expected Cutoff for Bachelor of Design (NLEA)
Category
Expected Closing Rank (Delhi)
Expected Closing Rank (Mumbai)
Expected Closing Rank (Bengaluru)
General
1 – 15
3 – 22
5 – 28
OBC-NCL
10 – 25
15 – 35
12 – 40
SC
8 – 20
14 – 30
15 – 35
ST
15 – 45
20 – 55
25 – 60
EWS
12 – 30
20 – 45
22 – 50
Feb 08, 2026 07:00 PM IST
Category-wise NTA NIFTEE 2026 Expected Cutoff for Master of Fashion Management
Category
Expected Closing Rank (Delhi)
Expected Closing Rank (Mumbai)
Expected Closing Rank (Bengaluru)
General
25 – 60
50 – 95
80 – 140
OBC-NCL
220 – 350
310 – 450
380 – 550
SC
230 – 450
430 – 550
500 – 750
ST
230 – 500
440 – 650
600 – 850
EWS
360 – 450
530 – 620
550 – 700
Feb 08, 2026 06:00 PM IST
Category-wise NTA NIFTEE 2026 Exam Expected Cutoff for Master of Fashion Technology
Category
Expected Closing Rank (Delhi)
Expected Closing Rank (Bengaluru)
Expected Closing Rank (Gandhinagar)
General
10 – 40
35 – 75
50 – 90
OBC-NCL
50 – 120
80 – 160
110 – 210
SC
80 – 180
140 – 250
180 – 320
ST
120 – 250
200 – 380
250 – 450
EWS
70 – 140
100 – 190
130 – 230
Feb 08, 2026 05:00 PM IST
Category-wise NTA NIFTEE Exam 2026 Expected Cutoff for Master of Design
Category
Expected Closing Rank (Delhi)
Expected Closing Rank (Mumbai)
Expected Closing Rank (Bengaluru)
General
25 – 45
60 – 95
55 – 85
OBC-NCL
150 – 300
250 – 480
220 – 450
SC
190 – 280
440 – 560
450 – 600
ST
280 – 350
320 – 580
350 – 650
EWS
300 – 420
430 – 500
450 – 550
Feb 08, 2026 04:00 PM IST
Category-wise NIFTEE 2026 Exam Expected Cutoff for Bachelor of Fashion Technology and Bachelor of Design
Category
Course
Delhi (Closing CMR)
Mumbai (Closing CMR)
Bengaluru (Closing CMR)
General
B.Des
90 – 350
140 – 650
250 – 850
B.FTech
40 – 75
90 – 175
120 – 195
OBC-NCL
B.Des
500 – 1500
800 – 2800
950 – 3200
B.FTech
350 – 850
750 – 1800
750 – 1300
SC
B.Des
900 – 2600
1400 – 4800
1600 – 5500
B.FTech
380 – 1000
1500 – 2100
1800 – 2500
ST
B.Des
1500 – 4000
2500 – 7500
2800 – 8800
B.FTech
1300 – 2900
2100 – 3100
3000 – 4000
EWS
B.Des
1100 – 2800
1300 – 3600
1600 – 4500
B.FTech
300 – 1700
630 – 1800
1300 – 2200
Feb 08, 2026 03:00 PM IST
Category-wise NIFTEE 2026 Expected Cutoff for Bachelor of Fashion Technology
Category
Expected Closing Rank (Delhi)
Expected Closing Rank (Mumbai)
Expected Closing Rank (Bengaluru)
General
40 – 65
90 – 130
120 – 195
OBC-NCL
350 – 550
450 – 970
410 – 1300
SC
380 – 1000
750 – 1800
900 – 2500
ST
360 – 2000
600 – 3100
1300 – 4000
EWS
300 – 1100
630 – 1800
1300 – 2200
Feb 08, 2026 02:00 PM IST
NIFTEE Exam 2026: 2026 Exam vs Answer Key vs Result Release Expected Date
- Exam Date: February 8, 2026
- Expected Answer Key Release Date: Feb 15–20, 2026
- Expected Result Release Date: By April 30, 2026
Feb 08, 2026 01:00 PM IST
NTA NIFT 2026: 2023 Exam vs Result Release Date
- Exam Date: February 5, 2023
- Result Release Date: March 10, 2023
Feb 08, 2026 12:00 PM IST
NTA NIFT 2026 Exam: 2024 Exam vs Result Release Date
- Exam Date: February 5, 2024
- Result Release Date: March 20, 2024
Feb 08, 2026 11:00 AM IST
NTA NIFT Exam 2026: 2025 Exam vs Result Release Date
- Exam Date: February 9, 2025
- Result Release Date: April 24, 2025
Feb 08, 2026 10:00 AM IST
NIFT 2026 Exam: 2023 Exam vs Answer Key Release Date
- Exam Date: February 5, 2023
- Answer Key Release Date: February 22, 2023
Feb 08, 2026 09:00 AM IST
NIFT 2026: 2024 Exam vs Answer Key Release Date
- Exam Date: February 5, 2024
- Answer Key Release Date: February 18, 2024
Feb 08, 2026 08:00 AM IST
NIFT Exam 2026: 2025 Exam vs Answer Key Release Date
- Exam Date: February 9, 2025
- Answer Key Release Date: February 15, 2025