NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria - Check Age Limit, Marks Required, No of Attempts, Important Factor

NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026 Overview

The NIFT 2026 eligibility criteria contain important details like the minimum educational qualification, age limit etc. that you need to satisfy to take the design entrance exam. There are some basic eligibility standards that you need to clear before filling out the NIFT registration 2026. You need to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 before registering yourself, as ineligible applicants will not be offered admission to any NIFT campuses. Read on to get an idea of the detailed NIFT eligibility criteria 2026.

Detailed NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Course wise

The course-wise eligibility criteria for NIFT 2026 are given below:

1. NIFT Eligibility for B.Des:

Check out the NIFT Eligibility Criteria for B.Des courses below:

• Candidates should have completed the class 12th examination from a recognised State/ Central Board of Secondary board of education, such as Central Board of Secondary Education/ State Board New Delhi, Council for Indian School of  Certificate Examination, New Delhi etc.
• The upper age limit to apply for NIFT should be less than 24 years as on 1st August of the year of admission.
• The Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe/ and Person with Disability (PWD) categories get an age relaxation of 5 years.

                                                                    OR

• Candidates should have a General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (Cambridge/London/Sri-Lanka) at the International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced (A) level.

                                                                    OR

• Candidates should have qualified any Public Board/School/University Examination in India or in foreign countries recognised by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to the 10+2 system.

                                                                    OR

• Candidates should at least have a passing grade with a minimum of five subjects in the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Open School.

                                                                      OR

• Candidates should have a 3 or 4-years long diploma recognised by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education.

2. NIFT Eligibility for B.F.Tech:

Provided below is the NIFT Eligibility for B.F.Tech:

• The upper age limit to apply for NIFT should be less than 24 years as on 1st August of the admission year. The Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe/ and Person with Disability (PWD) categories get an age relaxation of 5 years.
• Candidates should have completed class 12th examination with PCM subjects- Physics, Chemistry & Maths from a recognised State/Central Board of Secondary board of education, such as Central Board of Secondary Education/State Board New Delhi, and Council for Indian School of Certificate Examination, New Delhi.

                                                                     OR

• Candidates should have a 3 or 4-years long diploma in the branch of Engineering recognised by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education.

                                                                      OR

• Candidates should at least have a passing grade with a minimum of five subjects (Physics, Maths and Chemistry are mandatory) in the Senior Secondary School  Examination conducted by the National Open School.

                                                                       OR

• Candidates should have qualified for any Public Board/School/University Examination in India or in foreign countries recognised by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to a 10+2 system with Physics, Chemistry & Maths.

                                                                       OR

• Candidates should have a General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (Cambridge/London/Sri-Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level with Physics, Chemistry & Maths/ International Baccalaureate (IB).

3. NIFT Eligibility for M.Des /M.F.M Courses:

Check out the NIFT eligibility for M.Des/ MFM her:

• There is no upper or lower age limit for Master's Programmes.

• Candidates should have a Bachelor’s Degree in any subject from a recognised University/Institute in India.

                                                                 OR

• Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree or Diploma from NIFT/ NID of a minimum 3 years duration.

4. Eligibility for M.F.Tech Course:

Here is the M.F.Tech eligibility for NIFT 2026:

• Candidates should have B.F.Tech. degree from NIFT or a B.E/B.Tech. degree from a recognised Institute/University in India.

• Candidates who are appearing in the qualifying exam can also apply with proof of the minimum specified qualifications at the time of admission/counselling.
• Candidates who have not appeared for the qualifying exam prior to the date of counselling/admission will not be considered eligible for M.F.Tech admission.
• Provisional admission will be given only if the result of the 12th class/final semester exam has not been declared by the concerned university/Board till the date of admission/counselling. In cases where the result has not been declared due to other reasons, then provisional admission will not be given.

Detailed NIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Category wise

The category-wise eligibility criteria for NIFT 2026 are given below:

1. For SC/ST Candidates

Candidates applying under SC/ ST reserved quota will have to produce a Tribe certificate or Caste certificate at the time of admission from the Competent Authorities of the respective Union Territories/ States/ National Commission of Tribes.

2. For OBC (Non-Creamy) Candidates

• Aspirants applying under this quota have to substantiate the creamy layer and caste requirement.
• The candidate should have an OBC category certificate issued in the name of the aspirant and not in favour of their parents or guardian.
• The OBC certificate should not be older than a year old.
• The certificate should clearly mention that the aspirant belongs to the non-creamy layer. 
• The caste mentioned in the OBC certificate should have a mention in the Central list of OBCs that is available @http://ncbc.nic.in/ backward-classes/index.html
• If a married woman is applying to any course under the reserved category, she has to produce the caste certificate in her own name. A caste certificate in the name of a husband/ father/ mother will not be acceptable.
• The certificate must be issued by the Competent Authority.

3. For PHP (Differently Abled Candidates) Candidates

• PHP candidates are required to produce the original Medical Certificate at the time of admission as well as at the time of counselling at the Institute.
• At the time of submission of the application, Physically Handicapped candidates shall be required to attach a copy of the Disability Certificate mandatorily.
• It is necessary for the Differently Abled candidates to participate in the Counselling for evaluation. The course will be allotted to the candidates after evaluating and assessing their capabilities of the candidates.
• NIFT may consider applications presented by PHP students for providing external assistance during assessments, with the condition that the expenses for the same will be borne fully by the student/ applicant.
• It is recommended that the applicant arrange their own external assistant for this purpose as this will ensure a better fit for individual needs.
• Candidates are advised to come mentally prepared for such assessments during counselling. 

4. For Foreign Nationals/SAARC/NRI Candidates

The NIFT admission for foreign nationals and NRI candidates will be as per the following examination:

Note: General Certificate Education also known as GCE Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri-Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level/ International Baccalaureate (IB). Any Public School/ Board/ University Exam in India or any other foreign country recognized by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to a 10+2 level system with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) will be considered.

5. NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Children and Wards of NRI

• NRI seats being redundant will not be converted to any other category.
• Nevertheless, seats that remained vacant in the NRI category after the process described above is over will be offered to the children or wards of NRI as per merit during the counselling process.
• All the candidates with a Common Merit Rank (CMR) in the NIFT entrance exam and who fall under the category 'Children/ Wards of NRI' will be allowed to opt for NRI seats provided they fulfil the NIFT eligibility criteria 2026, submission of fee and necessary documents during regular counselling.
• NIFT may re-allot seats between the programs to meet the demand of the candidates within the overall limit prescribed for this category.

NIFT 2026 Reservation Policy

The following table captures the reservation policy for NIFT 2026: