How Many Students Appeared for NIFT - Exam Statistics (2025-2020) & Selection Ratio

Summary: Wondering how many students appeared for NIFT this year? This guide breaks down NIFT exam statistics, including how many students appeared for NIFT 2025, year-wise applicant trends, acceptance rate, seats vs applicants, and what rising competition means for your preparation. Essential insights for every NIFT 2026 aspirant.

The question ‘How many students appeared for NIFT?’ is one of the most commonly searched queries by NIFT aspirants every year. Whether you are preparing for B.Des, B.F.Tech, or M.Des, understanding the number of students who appear for NIFT, the actual attendance, and selection ratio gives you a clear idea of the competition level.

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This article provides a complete, data-backed, and detailed breakdown of:

1. How many students appeared for NIFT 2025

2. Attendance numbers for NIFT CAT, GAT, and course-wise exams

3. How many students appear for NIFT every year

4. How many students are selected for NIFT every year

5. How many students are selected for the NIFT Situation Test

6. Statistics for B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, MFM, and MF.Tech

7. NIFT acceptance rate 

8. Trends over recent years and what this competition means for your NIFT preparation strategy.

The data has been sourced from the official NTA NIFT 2025 press release by the institute.

Why Understanding How Many Students Appeared for NIFT 2025 Matters for 2026 Prep?

Knowing how many students appeared for NIFT 2025 can help NIFT 2026 aspirants to:

1. Understand the level of competition

2. Estimate the cut-off trends

3. Plan realistic preparation strategies

4. Decide how many mocks to attempt

5. Understand their chances for Stage 2 and admission

This data-driven approach gives clarity and confidence during preparation.

Check: NIFT Admit Card 2026 (Out Soon)

How Many Students Appeared for NIFT 2025?

According to the official NTA press release for NIFTEE 2025, a total of 17,974 unique candidates registered for the NIFT Entrance Examination 2025 Stage 1.

However, because many candidates had to appear for both GAT and CAT, the total number of test entries was 33,877 across both shifts. Out of these, 31,061 test entries actually appeared, resulting in an overall attendance of 91.69%.

Shift-wise NIFT Exam Attendance 2025:

Shift	Examination	Registered	Appeared
Shift 1	General Ability Test (GAT)	17,974	16,475
Shift 2	Creative Ability Test (CAT)	15,903	14,586
NIFT Total Students 2025		33,877	31,061
Note: The total number of test entries includes both GAT and CAT components for applicable programmes.

Check: NIFT Verbal Ability Previous Questions

How Many Students Appeared for NIFT B.Des 2025?

The B.Des programme continues to be the most popular NIFT course. According to the official data:

• B.Des (GAT Shift 1): 11,944 registered, 11,071 appeared
• B.Des (CAT Shift 2): 11,944 registered, 11,044 appeared

This means over 11,000 students appeared for NIFT B.Des 2025 in each stage.

How Many Students Appeared for NIFT B.F.Tech 2025?

NIFT B.F.Tech has much lower competition compared to B.Des, but the cut-offs remain competitive due to higher technical skill requirements. Number of students that appeared for NIFT B.Ftech in 2025 were:

• B.FTech (Shift 1): 2200+
• CAT B.FTech and B.Des (Shift 2) : 2245

How Many Students Appeared for NIFT PG 2025 (Shift 1)?

Compared to UG, PG programmes have significantly fewer applicants, making them more skill-driven than volume-driven in terms of competition.

• A total of around ~2200 students appeared for NIFT 2025 across all PG programs (MFM, M.FTech, M.Des) in Shift 1.
• Around 1250-1300 students appeared for NIFT 2025 PG, Shift 2.

Read More: NIFT MFM Eligibility Criteria 2026

Download High-scoring NIFT Drawing Questions + Solutions

How Many Students Appeared for NIFT - Gender-wise Statistics for NIFT 2025

Gender	Registered	Appeared
Female	28,080	25,783
Male	5,797	5,278

Female candidates accounted for the majority of NIFT aspirants, maintaining the trend from previous years.

How Many Students Appeared for NIFT - PwD (Persons with Disabilities) Participation in NIFT 2025

PwD	Registered	Appeared
Yes	227	210

Also Check: NIFT Exam Pattern 2026

Overall Insights on How Many Students Appeared for NIFT 2025:

Compared to UG, PG programmes have significantly fewer applicants, making them more skill-driven than volume-driven in terms of competition.

Programme	Registered	Appeared
BDES (Shift 1)	11,944	11,071
BDES Lateral (Shift 1)	44	37
BFTECH (Shift 1)	1,015	888
BFTECH and BDES (Shift 1)	2,492	2,264
BFTECH Lateral (Shift 1)	09	09
MDES (Shift 1)	1,078	977
MFM (Shift 1)	950	845
MFM and MDES (Shift 1)	389	338
MFTECH (Shift 1)	53	46
CAT BDES (Shift 2)	11,944	11,044
CAT BFTECH and BDES (Shift 2)	2,492	2,245
CAT MDES (Shift 2)	1,078	962
CAT MFM and MDES (Shift 2)	389	335
Grand Total	33,877	31,061

Key takeaway:

NIFT 2025 saw one of the highest NIFT attendance rates in recent years, with nearly 18,000 students competing for a limited number of NIFT seats across India.

NOTE: Around 20,000-34,000 students are expected to fill NIFT Application Form in the coming year as well. For accurate data on how many students appeared for NIFT in 2026 exam, we'll have to wait for the official information release by NIFT.

How Many Students Appeared for NIFT [2021-2025] – Observational Analysis

Here is a realistic trend based on past NIFT exam cycles:

Year	Registered Applicants	Observation
2025	33,877	Higher number of aspiring designers + continued popularity of fashion and design careers
2024	~24,000	Post-pandemic rise
2023	~18,000+	Consistent volume
2022	~18,000+	Post-pandemic dip
2021	~20,000	Hybrid mode

These numbers show that NIFT sees an average of 18,000-23,000 aspirants every year, depending on academic conditions and other trends based on national/international forces.

Also Read:  How to Get a Scholarship in NIFT

How Many Students Are Selected for the NIFT Situation Test?

For NIFT Stage 1 (GAT + CAT), students are shortlisted for Stage 2 (Situation Test / Studio Test / Interviews) in a 1:4 ratio, programme-wise and category-wise. Meaning, for every 1 final NIFT seat, around 4 students are shortlisted for Stage 2.

Example for B.Des:

If ~11,000 students appeared → approx. 2,750 candidates are shortlisted for Stage 2.

For UG applicants, here’s a list of program-wise NIFT registered students 2025 for situation test:

1. B.Des.: Situation Test (Model Making)

2. B.Des. (Lateral Entry): Studio Test + Personal Interview

3. B.FTech. (Lateral Entry): Technical Ability Test (TAT, OMR-based) + Personal Interview

4. B.Des. (Artisan): Artisan Skill Test + Personal Interview

A total of 10,869 candidates had registered for the examination, out of which 8,859 candidates appeared, marking an overall attendance of 81.51%. The course-wise attendance is as follows:

Programme	Registered	Appeared
B.Des (Artisans)	19	15
B.Des Lateral Entry	30	22
B.F. Tech Lateral Entry	09	04
Bachelor of Design (B.Des Lateral Entry)	07	07
Bachelor of Design (B.Des)	10804	8811
Grand Total	10869	8859

Evaluation was based on criteria such as form visualization, creative use of material, presentation, and explanation, with invigilators instructed to ensure anonymity of responses and models.

This shows around 8,800+ students took the creative hands-on test in 2025.

Also Check: NIFT Exam Centres 2026 List (Out Soon)

How Many Students Appeared for Personal Interview 2025? [NIFT M.Des, MFM & MF.Tech]

Programmes	Registered	Appeared
Master of Design (M.DES.)	1083	805
Master of Fashion Management (M.F.M.)	844	684
Master of Fashion Technology (M.F.Tech.)	46	30
Grand Total	1973	1519

How Many Students Are Selected for NIFT Every Year? (Year-wise Trend & Shortlisting Ratio)

Here’s a historical trend chart of NIFT Acceptance Rate over past few years. Basically, an overview of changes in the number of applicants and the number of available seats across NIFT campuses and it’s effect on how many students are selected for NIFT every year.

Year	Registered	Total Seats	Acceptance Rate
2025	33,877	4837	~13-15%
2024	~24,000	5289	~20-22%
2023	18353	5215	Around 25%
2022	18244+	5023	~20-25%
2021	20242	3777	18.7%
2020	26604	3810	14.3%
2019	29195	3692	12.6%
2018	31862	3305	10.4%
2017	29000	3319	11.4%
2016	26160	3279	12.5%
2015	27537	3006	10.9%
2014	26391	2742	10.4%
2013	19436	2680	13.8%

NIFT Acceptance Rate 2026:

Acceptance Rate = (Total NIFT Seats ÷ Total Applicants) × 100

NIFT has approximately 4,000+ seats across UG & PG (depending on category & campus).

With ~18,000+ applicants:

Estimated NIFT 2026 Acceptance Rate would be ≈ 22-25%.

For B.Des, competition is higher and acceptance rate can drop to 15-18% depending on the category.

This makes NIFT one of the most competitive design entrance exams in India. 

FREE Resource: GK Questions for NIFT Exam With Answers 2026

Check NIFT colleges Comparison Guide - Fees, Placements & More!

How Many Students Appeared For NIFT in 2025 - What this Competition Means for your NIFT Preparation Strategy?

When you look at the official numbers from NIFT 2025, one thing becomes very clear: the competition is intense, structured, and rising in unpredictability. With 17,974 candidates registered for NIFTEE Stage 1 and over 31,061 test entries across GAT and CAT components, aspirants today are competing with a larger, more diverse, and more prepared pool of students than ever before.

This competition directly affects the way you should prepare. Here’s how:

1. You Can No Longer Rely on Average Preparation

In earlier years, many students could clear the exam with moderate preparation because fewer aspirants applied for fashion and design careers. That is no longer the case.

Now, with thousands of serious aspirants preparing through coaching, online test series, sample papers, and structured study plans, the baseline performance has risen significantly.

To stand out, your preparation must be sharper, faster, and more accurate than the average.

2. Every Mark Matters

With nearly 18,000 students competing for limited seats, even a 3-5 mark difference can shift your rank dramatically.

NIFT’s percentile-based ranking system means your performance is directly compared to the performance of thousands of others appearing on the same day. This makes it essential to:

• Avoid negative marking
• Prioritize accuracy over guesswork
• Maintain stable performance across both GAT and CAT

3. You Must Prepare for Both Stages Strategically

Stage 1 filters the majority of aspirants, and Stage 2 tests depth of creativity, material handling, and communication.

High competition means:

• You cannot ignore CAT (even if you think GAT is your strength)
• You cannot delay Situation Test preparation
• You must prepare a portfolio of ideas and concepts even before results

Stage 2 is not just elimination-driven but performance-driven. The jury looks for creativity, clarity, problem-solving ability, and presentation skills that go beyond surface-level practice.

4. Smart Preparation Beats Hard Preparation

The competition doesn’t just demand hard work; it demands efficient work.

With rising applicant numbers, your preparation must include:

• Solving previous year NIFT papers
• Analysing trend changes
• Practicing design problem-solving
• Improving speed in GAT logical reasoning
• Practicing time-bound CAT exercises

A well-structured plan now makes the difference between cracking NIFT and barely missing the cut-off.

5. Knowing the Competition Helps You Set Realistic Targets

Understanding how many students appeared for NIFT every year, the attendance rate, and the distribution across programs helps you:

• Set a practical score target
• Understand where you stand in the competition
• Benchmark your mock scores realistically
• Predict cut-off patterns logically
• This clarity prevents overconfidence and unnecessary panic.

In essence, the rising competition in the NIFT entrance exam should motivate aspirants to adopt a disciplined, structured, and strategy-driven approach rather than relying on talent or instinct alone.

Read more: Short tricks to prepare for the NIFT General Aptitude Test (GAT)

Attempt Exam-like NIFT Mock Tests from CreativEdge

How Change in Number of Students & Seats Affect NIFT Acceptance Rate 2026

One of the most misunderstood aspects of NIFT admissions is how changes in applicant volume and seat availability shape the actual acceptance rate. The NIFT 2026 entrance exam is competitive not only because of the number of students appearing but because seats are extremely limited across top campuses.

Here’s how yearly fluctuations affect your chances:

1. When Seats Increase but Applicants Increase Faster

NIFT occasionally increases seats across campuses or specializations, but if the number of students appearing increases at a faster rate, the acceptance rate still declines.

For example:

If seats increase by 5%

But applicants increase by 10%

Then competition becomes tougher despite the additional seats.

This is what happened in many recent years, where more students chose design as a career due to rising awareness and social media influence.

2. When Seats Remain Constant but Applicants Drop

If the number of seats remains stable but fewer students appear for NIFT in a particular year, the acceptance rate improves.

A lower applicant pool means:

• Lower NIFT cut off variation
• More stable rankings
• Better percentile outcomes
• Less fluctuation in CAT or GAT difficulty impact

This is why it is essential to track how many students appeared for NIFT every year and compare it against the total seats offered.

3. How Seat Distribution Across Campuses Affects Acceptance

Total seats don’t translate directly to equal chances. Some NIFT campuses (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai) are significantly more competitive due to:

• Industry exposure
• Placement reputation
• Alumni network
• Specialization availability

Even if NIFT increases total seats nationally, the competition for top campuses remains extremely high.

So an increase in seats does not automatically mean an easier selection unless it's targeted for the specific program and campus you want.

4. How Program-Wise Seat Availability Changes Acceptance Rate

The number of students appearing for B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, MFM, and M.F.Tech varies widely each year.

For example:

• Des consistently has the highest number of applicants.
• F.Tech has far fewer applicants but also fewer seats.

So acceptance rates differ program to program, and understanding this helps aspirants target the right specialization more strategically.

Read more: Important topics for the NIFT exam

5. How Shortlisting Ratios Affect Stage 2 Competition

NIFT shortlists students for Stage 2 (Situation Test or Interviews) in approximately a 1:4 ratio, depending on category and course.

This ratio can change slightly if:

• Fewer students appear
• Higher attendance is recorded
• Difficulty level varies
• More candidates cross the qualifying threshold

If fewer students appear in Stage 1, the 1:4 ratio might be applied differently, improving chances for borderline candidates.

6. How NIFT Acceptance Rate is Actually Calculated

Acceptance rate = Number of seats ÷ Number of applicants

When fewer students appear but seats stay constant, acceptance improves.

When more students appear and seats stay constant, acceptance worsens.

This is why understanding how many students appeared in NIFT 2025, how many seats were offered, and how both numbers changed compared to previous years gives you a realistic idea of:

• Competitiveness
• Expected cutoffs
• Preparation intensity needed
• Campus/program probability

7. Why Tracking Yearly Trends Helps You Plan Better

If you notice that the number of students appearing for NIFT increases every year, you must adjust your preparation strategy by:

• Increasing mock test frequency
• Strengthening creative problem-solving
• Improving accuracy in GAT
• Practicing more CAT tasks under time pressure

If numbers decrease, you should focus more on securing a top 10 percentile rather than competing blindly.

Campus-wise NIFT Seat Matrix Analysis for Last 4 Years

Refer the following table to understand the NIFT seat matrix situation across top NIFT campuses for 2026. The number of seats mentioned are total seats across all programmes (B.Des, B.FTech, M.Des, M.FTech, MFM), excluding the seats reserved for foreign nationals. Understanding seat availability along with how many students appeared for NIFT in a year, will help inform your prep strategy for better overall performance.

Year	NIFT Delhi	NIFT Mumbai	NIFT Bengaluru	NIFT Chennai	NIFT Hyderabad	NIFT Kolkata	NIFT Gandhinagar
2022	376	304	338	338	266	304	300
2023	376	304	338	304	266	304	266
2024	376	304	338	338	266	304	300
2025	376	304	304	304	266	304	266

We can observe that the total number of seats have mostly been consistent across most of the top NIFT colleges for the past 4 years, except:

NIFT Bengaluru – Seats decreased by 34 in 2025

NIFT Gandhinagar – A difference of 34 seats can be seen across years

NIFT Chennai – A difference of 34 seats can be seen across years

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Conclusion: How Many Students Appeared for NIFT 2025?

Knowing how many students appeared for NIFT and how this number changes every year is far more than just a statistic. These figures reveal the level of competition, the trends in aspirant interest, the expected NIFT acceptance rate, and the strategic planning required to secure a top rank.

With thousands competing for limited seats across B.Des, B.F.Tech, and postgraduate programs, aspirants must understand what these numbers mean for cut-offs, competition intensity, and preparation strategy.

• 17,974 unique candidates registered for NIFT 2025 Stage 1
• 31,061 total test entries, because GAT and CAT are counted separately
• 16,475 appeared for GAT
• 14,586 appeared for CAT
• 11,044–11,071 students appeared for B.Des
• 888 appeared for B.F.Tech
• 8,859 appeared for Situation Test 2025
• NIFT acceptance rate ≈ 22–25%, lower for B.Des

[All data is sourced from the official NTA NIFTEE 2025 press release.]

Fluctuations in number of students and number of seats per campus together directly impact the NIFT acceptance rate, the shortlisting ratio for the NIFT Situation Test, and the level of preparation required to outperform thousands of aspirants.

For any serious aspirant, analysing how many students appeared for NIFT 2025, along with past years’ patterns and helps in setting realistic targets. The more clarity you have about applicant volume and seat distribution, the more accurately you can prepare for GAT, CAT, and the Situation/Studio Test.

In short, with the right strategy, consistent practice, and smart analysis of competition trends, you can turn these insights into a clear roadmap toward your dream design college.

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