Similarities and Differences Between NID and NIFT - Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus

Many prospective aspirants get confused about whether they should apply to NID, NIFT, or both.

NIFT and NID may look identical to many but they are different. 

The National Institute of Design (NID) is solely focused on the field of design. Only a few fashion-related courses are available.

People work on many aspects of design like-  fashion, autos, lifestyle, architecture, cinema, cartoons, filmmaking, communication, etc. They don't limit themselves to the realm of fashion.

Whereas, NIFT is solely for the fashion world.

Basic Things to Know - NIFT vs NID

Also read: NID Entrance Exam Syllabus 2023

Download Free Study Material for NIFT Exam 2023 by Creative Edge

Now that we've grasped the broad differences between both exams, let's take a closer look at NID and NIFT one by one:

The National Institute of Design (NID)

NID, which was founded in 1961, is also recognized for being India's most challenging design school to get into. 

NID is the premier Indian institute for product design for product designing, product concept development, and design innovation, acclaimed globally for design excellence. NID teaches about design and art, aesthetic sense and extracts of design engineering. It is primarily concerned with art, aesthetics, and product design.

NID also include Ceramic and glass design, Furniture design, Textile design, Film and video communication, Animation film design, Product design, Graphic design, and Exhibition design. 

The National Institute of Design (NID) is a famous design school with campuses in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bangalore (R&D), Kurukshetra (Design Graduate Programs), and Vijaywada (Graduate Diploma Programs in Design).

It has also recently unveiled launched campuses in Andhra Pradesh (Graduate Diploma Programs in Design), Haryana (Graduate Diploma Programs in Design), Madhya Pradesh (Graduate Diploma Programs in Design), and Assam (Graduate Diploma Programs in Design) (Graduate Diploma Programs in Design).

• Age Limit:

For Indian Nationals in General Category and General EWS Category:  Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 2002 are eligible to apply for admission.

For Indian Nationals in Reserved Category (Other Backward Class-Non Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST): Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 1999 are eligible to apply for admission.

For Indian Nationals in PwD Reserved Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 1997 are eligible to apply for admission.

For Foreign Nationals in Overseas (Supernumerary) Category: Only those candidates born on or after 1 July 2002 are eligible to apply for admission.

Also read: Points to Remember before Appearing for NID Exam 2023

• Educational Qualification for NID 2023:

Applications for the academic year 2023 are open to candidates who have passed or will appear for higher secondary (10+2) qualifying examinations in the academic year 2021–22 in any stream (Science, Arts, Commerce, Humanities, etc.) from any recognized board of education such as CBSE, IB, ICSE or equivalent.

• Exam Pattern for NID 2023:

NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) comprises three phases which include a written exam (Prelims and Mains), a studio test, and a personal interview. Check out the detailed NID Exam Pattern 2023

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)

NIFT is India's foremost fashion design institute, and it consistently produces the greatest stylists and fashion designers.

NIFT Focuses on fabrics, illustration, aesthetic sensibility, garment manufacturing, style, and the technology that surrounds it.

At present, NIFT has 16 professionally managed campuses across the length and breadth of India. There are campuses in Bhopal, Bengaluru, Bhuvneshwar, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Kannur, Kangra, Mumbai, New Delhi, Patna, Raebareli, Srinagar, and Shillong.

Also read: How To Prepare For NIFT in 6 Months?

• NIFT EXAM Pattern

The design entrance test for admission to NIFT campuses consists of three parts - Creative Ability Test (CAT), General Ability Test (GAT), and Situation Test.

However, students seeking admission to Bachelor of Fashion Technology will have to appear for the GAT exam only.

No. of sections- Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Analytical Ability, General Knowledge, and Current Affairs

Also read: NIFT Syllabus 2023 PDF