NIFT Cut Off 2026: Check Expected & Previous Cut Offs [Course-Wise]

Summary: The NIFT 2026 cut off scores are the minimum marks to secure a seat in various undergraduate and postgraduate fashion technology and design courses. You must secure the minimum cut-off score to get admission to any of the 17 NIFT campuses. So, what are the NIFT cut off marks for this academic year? Keep reading.

Download Free Study Material for NIFT Exam 2026 by Creative Edge

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance exam is highly competitive, with over 30,000 candidates competing each year for seats in top NIFTs across India. Clearing the NIFT cut off marks assures you a higher chance of obtaining a seat in this prestigious university.

This year NIFT 2026 exam is scheduled to take place on 8th February 2026. Important NIFT dates are as follows:

UG / PG Programmes - Regular & NLEA
Event	Tentative Date
Last Date to Apply	16 January 2026
Submission of Application Form with late fee (in addition to application fee) - (After extension)	17 - 19 January 2026
Application Correction Window	20 to 21 January 2026 (OPEN NOW)
NIFT 2026 Exam (GAT + CAT)	8 February 2026
Result Declaration	March - April 2026
Situation Test / Studio Test / Interview	April - May 2026
Final Result Declaration	May 2026
Seat Allocation & Counselling	May - June 2026

NIFT will release the cut-off before the counselling rounds. As per the NIFT analysis, many students found the paper easy, indicating the chances of high cut-off scores this year. Continue reading to understand the expected NIFT cut-off for 2026 and trends through the past few years.

NIFT 2026 Exam Overview - How to Understand NIFT Cut Off Marks Better

Before analyzing NIFT cut-off marks, it’s important to understand how the NIFT entrance exam is structured and how marks are distributed across different sections. Knowing the total marks and section-wise weightage helps students interpret whether a cut-off score is high, moderate, or competitive - instead of looking at the number in isolation.

NIFT 2026 Exam Structure & Marks Distribution

Component	Mode	What It Tests (NIFT Syllabus)	Marks Weightage
GAT (General Ability Test)	Computer-Based Test	Quantitative ability, logical reasoning, English comprehension, general knowledge, case studies	Varies by programme
CAT (Creative Ability Test)	Offline Drawing Test	Creativity, sketching, visualization, design thinking, composition	Varies by programme
Situation Test / Interview	Offline / Personal	Material handling, problem-solving, communication (for final selection)	Programme-specific

Note: The exact marks distribution differs for B.Des, B.FTech, M.Des, M.FTech, and MFM programs. Cut-offs are calculated based on the weighted score as prescribed by NIFT for each programme.

NIFT 2026 Marks Distribution by Programme

Programme	CAT Weightage	GAT Weightage	Situation Test / Interview	Final Score Basis
B.Des (Bachelor of Design)	50%	30%	20% (Situation Test)	CAT + GAT + Situation Test
B.FTech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology)	–	100% [GAT Sec A - 30% GAT Sec B - 70%]	–	GAT only
M.Des (Master of Design)	40%	30%	30% (Personal Interview)	CAT + GAT + Interview
M.FTech (Master of Fashion Technology)	–	70%	30% (Personal Interview)	GAT + Interview
MFM (Master of Fashion Management)	–	70%	30% (Personal Interview)	GAT + Interview

Important:

• Design programmes (B.Des /M.Des) prioritize creative performance heavily.
• Technology and management programmes (B.FTech / M.FTech / MFM) depend mostly on GAT performance.
• Cut-off ranks reflect the final weighted score, not just raw CAT or GAT marks.

Download High-scoring NIFT Drawing Questions + Solutions

NIFT Cut Off 2026: Expected (Based on Previous Year NIFT Exam Cutoffs)

If the number of aspirants appearing for the NIFT entrance exam is high, the NIFT 2026 cut-off will also increase and vice versa. The NIFT cut off will be released after the exam is concluded in February 2026. However, you can refer to the data of 2025, to get an approximate idea of the range.

For 2025, since the paper was overall comparatively easier, the cut-off was somewhat higher.

The opening and closing rank usually vary for different NIFT Colleges. Check the table below for the NIFT cut off marks after the results of 2nd round of seat allotment (on July 18, 2025) for B.Des in Fashion Communication at top NIFT colleges -

Campus	Expected NIFT Closing Rank 2026 for B.Des (Open Category)
NIFT Gandhinagar	224
NIFT Kolkata	596
NIFT Delhi	92
NIFT Hyderabad	426
NIFT Mumbai	133
NIFT Jodhpur	724
NIFT Bengaluru	135
NIFT Chennai	371
NIFT Bhubaneswar	1002
NIFT Patna	1196
NIFT Kannur	814

How should I understand NIFT 2026 cut off marks?

NIFT cut-off marks should be interpreted based on the programme’s section weightage, total marks, campus demand, and rank trends. Design programmes prioritize CAT performance, while technology and management programmes depend mainly on GAT scores. Always compare cut-offs using ranks rather than raw marks alone.

Check | NIFT Previous Year Question Paper with Solutions

How are NIFT 2026 Cutoffs Calculated?

NIFT cut-offs are not based on raw marks of a single test. Instead they are calculated based on a candidate’s total weighted score out of 100, derived from CAT, GAT, and interview or situation test marks as per programme-specific weightage. Ranks are generated using these weighted scores, and admissions are offered based on rank and seat availability.

Step 1: Each Section Has a Fixed Weightage

Every programme has its own scoring formula. For example:

• M.Des:
  • CAT → 40%
  • GAT → 30%
  • Personal Interview → 30%
• B.Des:
  • CAT → 50%
  • GAT → 30%
  • Situation Test → 20%
• B.FTech:
  • GAT → 100%

This means your final score is not your raw marks, but your marks multiplied by their respective weightages.

Step 2: Section Scores Are Converted into Weighted Marks

Let’s understand this with a practical example similar to the scorecard shown:

Component	Weighted Contribution
GAT (General Ability Test)	13.75
CAT (Creative ability Test)	28.80
Personal Interview	13.80
Total Weighted Marks (Out of 100)	56.35

Each section’s marks are already scaled based on its assigned percentage weightage. When all weighted scores are added together, they form the final score out of 100. This Total Weighted Marks is what NIFT uses to prepare the merit list and calculate cut-offs.

Step 3: NIFT 2026 Cutoff Ranks Are Generated From Weighted Scores

Once all candidates’ weighted scores are calculated:

• Candidates are ranked from highest to lowest score.
• This creates the Common Merit Rank (CMR).
• Category-wise ranks are generated separately.
• Campuses declare cut-offs based on the closing rank and availability of seats.

So even a small difference in weighted marks can result in a significant rank shift when competition is high.

Why This Matters When Reading NIFT Cut Offs?

Understanding this process helps you:

✔ Avoid comparing raw CAT or GAT marks directly
✔ Interpret cut-off numbers realistically
✔ Understand why two students with similar raw scores may have different ranks
✔ Predict which section impacts your programme the most
✔ Make smarter campus preference choices during counselling

Cut-offs reflect the final weighted score and rank, not just individual test performance.

Must Read | Is NIFT Worth It?

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

How to Check NIFT Cut Off 2026?

Only those who score above the cut-off marks are eligible for NIFT Counselling 2026. You can check the cut-off marks from the official website, once they are released after the exam.

Follow the instructions mentioned below to check the cut-off marks for NIFT 2026. 

• Visit the official website of NIFT - nift.admissions.nic.in.
• On the Home page, click on the "Admissions" tab
• Click on the "Last Merit Rank Admitted in Admissions 2026" 
• The NIFT cut off PDF will be displayed on the screen 
• Download the PDF and save it for future reference 

Know more: NIFT Exam Centres

What are the Factors Determining the NIFT Cut Off 2026?

The following factors will be considered while determining the NIFT cut off 2026.

• The number of aspirants who appeared in the NIFT entrance exam.
• The difficulty level of the paper
• Total Number of Seats available 
• The total number of aspirants who qualified for NIFT 2026
• Performance of applicants in the NIFT exam
• The NIFT previous year cut off

What is NIFT 2026 Marks vs Rank?

NIFT marks vs rank refers to the relationship between the score a candidate achieves in the NIFT entrance exam and the rank they receive in the final merit list. Higher marks generally result in a better (lower) rank, but the exact rank depends on factors like paper difficulty, number of candidates, normalization, and programme-wise weightage.

In NIFT, ranks are more important than raw marks because admission is offered based on rank, category, campus preference, and seat availability, not just score.

Simple Example

If:

• Candidate A scores slightly higher than Candidate B,
• Candidate A will receive a better rank (lower number).

However, the same marks can produce different ranks in different years depending on competition level and exam difficulty.

Why “Marks vs Rank” Matters for Students

Understanding NIFT marks vs rank helps you:
✔ Estimate which campus you may get
✔ Compare your performance realistically
✔ Interpret cut-off tables correctly
✔ Avoid relying only on raw marks

Check | NIFT 2026 Results

How to Interpret NIFT Cut Off - Marks vs Rank Logic

Many students misinterpret cut-off numbers because they look only at the score - not the competition density, programme weightage, and seat availability behind it.

Here’s how to read NIFT cut-offs correctly:

Step 1: Identify Your Programme Weightage

First, check which sections matter most for your programme:

• B.Des / M.Des: CAT has the highest impact on rank.
• B.FTech / MFM / M.FTech: GAT dominates rank calculation.

A student with a strong CAT but average GAT may still rank high in B.Des - but the same profile may struggle in B.FTech.

Step 2: Look at Cut-Off Rank (Not Just Marks)

Ranks reflect:

• Number of applicants
• Difficulty level of the paper
• Seat availability at each campus
• Reservation category

A campus cut-off of Rank 200 is far more competitive than Rank 1200, regardless of raw marks.

Step 3: Compare Campus Demand

Top campuses (NIFT Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru) always close at tighter ranks due to higher demand. Smaller campuses close at relatively higher ranks.

Step 4: Use Marks Only as a Reference Indicator

Marks fluctuate yearly due to paper difficulty and normalization. Always prioritize:
✔ Rank trends
✔ Campus demand
✔ Programme intake size

Example Interpretation

If:

• B.Des cut-off rank at NIFT Delhi = Rank 90
• Your expected rank = Rank 150

Your probability of getting NIFT Delhi is low, but you may still have strong chances at mid-tier campuses depending on category and counselling rounds.

NIFT Seat Matrix for 2026

For NIFT Entrance Exam, the institute offered a total of 4837 seats for admission.

Check out the table below for the seats available in B.Des and B.F.Tech for different specialisations.

Course	Specialisations	Total Number of Seats
Bachelor of Design (B.Des)	Textile Design	681
	Knitwear Design	351
	Leather Design	152
	Fashion Communication	719
	Fashion Design	801
	Fashion Interior	82
	Accessory Design	637
Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech)	Apparel Production	591

Here's the seat availability for NIFT Masters programs -

Course	Specialisations	Total Number of Seats
Masters Programme	M.Des	275
	M.F.M.	719
	M.F.Tech	68

Refer: NIFT CAT Question Paper with Solution

What Is a Good Score in NIFT?

A good score in NIFT depends on four major factors, the programme you’re applying for, the difficulty level of the exam, the number of candidates appearing that year, and the campus competition level. There is no fixed “safe score” that guarantees admission, because NIFT admissions are based on rank, not raw marks.

However, based on past admission trends, a good score is generally one that places you within the top 10–20% of candidates, giving you a realistic chance of securing a seat in your preferred programme and campus.

Programme-wise Benchmark: What Is Considered a Good Score?

Programme	What a “Good Score” Typically Means	What It Indicates
B.Des	Strong CAT performance + above-average GAT	Competitive rank for top and mid-tier campuses
B.FTech	High GAT accuracy and speed	Better chances for technical programmes
M.Des	Balanced CAT + GAT + strong interview	Shortlisting for top campuses
M.FTech / MFM	High GAT score + interview performance	Strong admission probability

Important: For design programmes, creativity and visual quality can significantly influence rank even if raw marks are similar.

How to Judge If Your Score Is “Good”

Instead of focusing only on marks, ask:

• ✔ Is my rank within the closing rank range of my target campus?
• ✔ Is my programme’s high-weightage section my strength?
• ✔ Is the paper difficulty higher or lower than last year?
• ✔ How competitive was the applicant pool this year?

If your rank falls within or slightly above previous year closing ranks, your score can be considered strong.

Also Read | All About NIFT Hyderabad 2026

Download Original PYPs for Your NIFT 2026 Preparation

NIFT Counselling 2026

After the result declaration, the participating colleges will start the counselling procedure. If you score above the cut-off, you will be eligible for counselling.

The counselling process is organised offline. You will be called for counselling based on the merit list. To participate in NIFT Counselling 2026, you must follow the steps mentioned below.

• Firstly, you need to register on the official NIFT website.
• Get a NIFT system-generated letter.
• Participate in the counselling round.
• Make sure that your documents are verified at the counselling centre.
• Take part in the seat allocation process.
• Pay the admission fee for NIFT 2026.
• Receive allotment letter.

NIFT Cut Off Trends Over the Years

Generally, the cut-off marks are released after the declaration of NIFT Result 2025.  

Check out the trend of cut-off marks for NIFT in different colleges from the post below. 

NIFT Cut Off Merit Ranks

Check the table below for NIFT cut off Merit Ranks for the years 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

Years	Links
Cut off Merit Ranks-2023	Link
Cut off Merit Ranks-2022	Link
Cut off Merit Ranks-2021	Link
Cut off Merit Ranks-2020	Link

NIFT Previous Years' Cut-Off Marks

The NIFT cut off for previous years was released college-wise and course-wise. If you belong to the general category, you must have secured a low rank to get admission to any NIFT participating colleges.

We have provided the closing merit rank for different colleges to help you understand the NIFT cut off. 

NIFT 2024 Cut Off:

Program	Common Merit Rank (C.M.R.)		No. of aspirants
	From	To
B.Des	51	317	80
B.Des	319	619	90
B.Des	620	825	90
B.Des	828	1098	90
B.Des	1104	1328	80
B.Des	1331	1605	90
B.Des	1612	1874	90
B.Des	1882	2127	90
B.Des	2128	2440	80
B.Des	2443	2741	90
B.Des	2747	3132	90
B.Des	3133	3628	90
B.Des	3629	4100	80
B.Des	4110	4714	90
B.Des	4715	5443	90
B.Des	5448	6739	90
B.Des	6744	8150	100
B.Des	8161	9875	100
B.Des	9883	11605	100
B.Des	11658	14378	86

Learn more: NIFT 2026 Placements

NIFT Cut Off 2023

The National Institute of Fashion Technology published the NIFT cut off marks category-wise. If you belong to the general category, the cut-off was higher than the other categories. 

NIFT Kolkata Cut-Off 2023:

Course name	General	ST	SC	OBC	NRI
B.Des Fashion Design	632	4024	3061	1256	5406
B.Des Fashion Communication	467	6127	4406	1716	4872
B.Des Knitwear Design	1807	-	9026	4730	-
B.Des Leather Design	3180	-	6932	5428	-
B.Des Textile Design	2645	5348	9031	4385	-

NIFT Jodhpur Cut-Off 2023:

Course name	General	SC	ST	OBC	NRI
B.F. Tech Apparel Production	1218	2916	-	2342	-
Master of Fashion Management	714	1147	-	1105	-

NIFT Hyderabad Cut-Off 2023:

Course name	General	SC	ST	OBC	NRI
B. Des Accessory Design	4066	7852	6935	3742	6172
B. Des Knitwear Design	1351	8327	8936	3989	-
B. Des Textile Design	1090	8662	8302	3949	8475
B. Des Fashion Communication	472	4798	4060	3212	2331
B.Des in Fashion Design	452	2542	2918	1416	3546
B.F. Tech Apparel Production	570	1745	-	630	-
Master of Fashion Management	238	1086	1173	552	302

Learn more: How to Prepare for the NIFT Situation Test

NIFT Gandhinagar Cut Off 2023:

Course name	General	OBC	ST	SC	NRI
B. Des Fashion Communication	725	3919	3102	4534	3051
Bachelor of Accessory Design (Jewellery)	790	3515	4563	3591	2478
B. Des Textile Design	1166	3639	3791	3331	3076
B. Des in Fashion Design	362	3272	1255	1669	2946
B.F. Tech Apparel Production	262	1566	2217	1866	1184
M.F. Tech Apparel Production	513	508	-	80	-
Master of Fashion Management	162	481	546	498	395

NIFT Bengaluru Cut Off 2023

Course name	General	OBC	ST	SC	NRI
B.Des Accessory Design	482	133	7286	4214	7244
B.Des Fashion Communication	113	600	2017	2068	2715
B.Des Knitwear Design	1122	2667	6986	5437	5450
B.Des Textile Design	721	2705	7374	3990	5190
B.Des in Fashion Design	520	799	2570	2000	1843
B.F.Tech Apparel Production	689	372	-	2782	1002
Master of Fashion Management	187	370	958	724	429
M.F.Tech Apparel Production	33	-	-	45	-

Know more: Which NIFT Campus is better?

Top Online Coaching to Help You Clear NIFT Cut-Offs

NIFT Chennai Cut Off 2023

Course name	General	OBC	SC	ST	NRI
B.Des Accessory Design	890	2384	8238	8350	7601
B.Des in Fashion Design	484	1552	3417	3165	5349
B.Des Fashion Communication	276	990	4110	4951	9016
B.Des Leather Design	2334	3752	8704	-	-
B.Des Knitwear Design	1493	3263	7033	-	-
B.Des Textile Design	1507	2896	7104	-	7808
B.F.Tech Apparel Production	917	415	910	-	-
Master of Fashion Management	233	563	991	-	769

NIFT Cut Off 2022

The following tables show the course-wise cut-off marks for NIFT admissions 2022. 

NIFT Bangalore Cut-Off 2022

Course name	General	NRI	OBC	SC	ST
B.Des Accessory Design	553	4448	1955	4755	6509
B.Des Fashion Communication	225	1660	668	1635	2083
B.Des Knitwear Design	1051	6111	2973	7442	7656
B.Des Textile Design	701	6006	2432	7304	7622
B.Des in Fashion Design	169	1115	780	1419	2979
B.F.Tech Apparel Production	217	-	312	863	398
M.F.Tech Apparel Production	68	-	-	-	-
Master of Fashion Management	72	712	288	448	588

Check: NIFT Fee Structure 2026

NIFT Bhopal Cut Off 2022

Check out the table below for the closing merit rank for different courses in the NIFT Bhopal. 

Course name	General	NRI	OBC	SC	ST
B.Des Accessory Design	2551	6191	4825	7656	-
B.Des Textile Design	2571	4561	5714	7430	-
Master of Fashion Management	532	-	921	-	-

NIFT Bhubaneswar Cut Off 2022

The following table consists of last year's cut-off marks for various courses in the NIFT Bhubaneswar. 

Course name	General	OBC	SC	ST
B.Des Accessory Design	2566	5252	7605	-
B.Des Fashion Communication	1032	4089	6846	7664
B.Des Textile Design	2562	5355	7649	-
B.Des in Fashion Design	1675	3056	6981	7665
B.F.Tech Apparel Production	1094	1052	-	-
Master of Fashion Management	374	876	-	-

NIFT Chennai Cut Off 2022

The closing rank of NIFT Chennai is almost similar to that of the OBC/SC/ST category. The table below shows the NIFT Chennai Cut-off for different courses in 2022. 

Course name	General	NRI	OBC	SC	ST
B.Des Accessory Design	1173	5489	2588	6747	7450
B.Des Fashion Communication	543	4542	1470	4486	6172
B.Des Knitwear Design	1404	3815	3968	6986	-
B.Des Leather Design	1767	-	4164	7334	-
B.Des Textile Design	1027	-	3476	6577	-
B.Des in Fashion Design	538	3640	1193	3231	6446
B.F.Tech Apparel Production	439	-	299	1130	-
Master of Fashion Management	214	-	486	975	-

NIFT Gandhinagar Cut Off 2022

Check out the table below for the NIFT Gandhinagar Cut-off for different courses for the year 2022.

Course name	General	NRI	OBC	SC	ST
B.Des Fashion Communication	409	3081	1813	4699	5980
B.Des Textile Design	824	5856	3447	6924	-
B.Des in Fashion Design	402	4140	1410	3057	4937
B.F.Tech Apparel Production	472	-	1566	684	-
Bachelor of Accessory Design (Jewellery)	869	4725	2735	7440	-
M.F.Tech Apparel Production	-	-	-	-	-
Master of Fashion Management	166	-	612	742	970

Check: Job Opportunities and Salary after NIFT

NIFT Hyderabad Cut Off 2022

The table below consists of the NIFT Hyderabad cut-off for the year 2022 for different categories. 

Course name	General	NRI	OBC	SC	ST
B.Des Accessory Design	789	6542	2664	6977	7483
B.Des Fashion Communication	395	5056	1315	2993	5886
B.Des Knitwear Design	1150	6290	3921	7595	6964
B.Des Textile Design	941	-	3571	5078	-
B.Des in Fashion Design	532	2394	519	5190	7306
B.F.Tech Apparel Production	323	-	1167	1037	-
Master of Fashion Management	130	495	476	920	544

Download Sample Papers for NIFT 2026 Preparations

NIFT Jodhpur Cut Off 2022

Here are last year's cut-off marks for different categories at NIFT Jodhpur. 

Course name	General	NRI	OBC	SC	ST
B.F.Tech Apparel Production	1075	-	1018	-	-
Master of Fashion Management	309	815	903	-	-

NIFT Kangra Cut Off 2022

The table below consists of the cut-off marks for different categories in the previous year to get admission to NIFT Kangra. 

Course name	General	NRI	OBC	SC	ST
B.Des Accessory Design	2472	-	5697	7202	-
B.Des Fashion Communication	1422	3893	4493	7072	-
B.Des Textile Design	2702	-	5893	7001	-
B.Des in Fashion Design	1814	-	4913	6562	-
B.F.Tech Apparel Production	1032	-	857	-	-

Know more: NIFT Exam Analysis 2026

NIFT Kannur Cut Off 2022

The table below shows the NIFT Kannur campuses closing merit rank for different categories, along with the NIFT cut off for the O.B.C. category from the previous year. 

Course name	General	NRI	OBC	SC	ST
B.Des Fashion Communication	1322	3642	2295	7010	7566
B.Des Knitwear Design	2490	-	4743	7682	-
B.Des Textile Design	2618	3091	4717	7581	-
B.Des in Fashion Design	1631	5633	2637	5382	6798
B.F.Tech Apparel Production	904	-	821	-	-
M.Des Design Space	-	-	-	-
Master of Fashion Management	425	-	678	-	-

NIFT Kolkata Cut Off 2022

Check out the table below to know the cut-off marks of NIFT Kolkata for the previous year. 

Course name	General	NRI	OBC	SC	ST
B.Des Accessory Design	1418	3894	3265	7589	7691
B.Des Fashion Communication	631	5307	1973	5005	7040
B.Des Knitwear Design	1479	-	4870	7676	-
B.Des Leather Design	2356	-	5612	7376	-
B.F. Textile Design	1269	-	4347	7363	-

Check: NIFT Answer Key 2026

Attempt FREE NIFT Mock Tests Here!

Conclusion

The NIFT 2026 cut off is a powerful indicator of competition level, campus demand, and programme-wise admission trends. 

By understanding how NIFT calculates weighted scores, how ranks are generated, and how previous year cut-off marks translate into admission chances, aspirants can make more informed decisions during counselling and preference filling.

Instead of focusing only on raw marks, always evaluate your position using NIFT marks vs rank trends, programme weightage, and campus-wise closing ranks. 

Whether you’re targeting B.Des, B.FTech, M.Des, M.FTech, or NIFT MFM, analyzing the NIFT 2026 cut off marks and ranks helps you realistically assess your chances and prioritize campuses strategically.

Use this cut-off data to benchmark your preparation level, identify safe and stretch options, and refine your exam strategy. Staying updated with official announcements and historical trends ensures that your admission planning remains accurate and confident.

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