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NIFT Drawing Questions 2027: Past Year CAT Questions + Solutions PDF
September 9, 2026
NIFT drawing questions are the sketching and design related problems asked in the Creative Ability Test (CAT) - the offline, pen-and-paper test of the NIFT entrance exam (NIFTEE) Stage-1. They test five things- idea generation, observation, visualization, composition, and creative use of color.
B.Des and M.Des applicants must attempt CAT. It typically carries the highest individual weightage in the B.Des merit list. The CAT paper is a 3 hour exam and usually contains around 3 drawing questions, at least one paired with a short written explanation.
Key Highlights - NIFT Drawing Questions 2027
- Who takes it: B.Des and M.Des applicants (CAT is compulsory for both; B.FTech/MFM appear for GAT only).
- Format: Offline, pen & paper. Duration 3 hours. Usually ~3 questions.
- What it tests: Idea generation, observation, visualization, composition, color sense - not drawing polish alone.
- Stage 2: B.Des → Situation Test (3D model). M.Des → Personal Interview.
- NIFT 2027 timeline (tentative - confirm on NTA): Registration ~December 2026; Stage 1 ~February 2027.
- Best prep resource: Solve real past-year CAT questions (2013–2024) in timed conditions - full set with solutions below.
The drawing questions in NIFT may be related to object transformation, scene creation, storyboarding, perspective drawing, or designing a product with a purpose. If you plan to get good overall NIFT score, it is important that you crack the CAT section very well.
This article aims to take you through the drawing/sketching questions that NIFT has been asking over the years, so that you understand the pattern, frequently asked topics, their difficulty level, and plan your prep accordingly.
Table of Contents
What Are NIFT Drawing Questions 2027?
NIFT has 2 stages in the entrance exam. Stage-1 is GAT (computer based aptitude test) + CAT (offline, pen & paper test). Drawing questions are asked in the CAT paper. There are usually 3 questions for a total of 100 marks.
Instead of multiple-choice objective questions, you're given creative briefs like design a product, illustrate a scene, build a storyboard, express an emotion or theme in color, and asked to solve/illustrate them through drawing within a fixed time.
Which Program Need the CAT (Drawing) Paper?
|
Program |
CAT (Drawing)? |
GAT? |
Stage 2 |
|
B.Des (Bachelor of Design) |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
Situation Test |
|
M.Des (Master of Design) |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
Personal Interview |
|
B.FTech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology) |
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
- |
|
M.FTech (Master of Fashion Technology) |
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
Personal Interview |
|
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
Personal Interview |
Exam Structure: B.Des vs M.Des
Both B.Des and M.Des applicants sit the same two written papers (CAT + GAT) on Stage 1, but their second stage - and the weightage split - differs.
| Component |
B.Des |
M.Des |
|
Stage 1 papers |
CAT + GAT |
CAT + GAT |
|
CAT format |
Offline, pen & paper, ~3 hours, usually ~3 drawing questions |
Offline, pen & paper, ~3 hours, usually ~3 drawing questions |
|
Stage 2 |
Situation Test (make a 3D model from given materials) |
Personal Interview (PI) |
|
What Stage 2 tests |
Material handling, space visualization, creativity |
Design maturity, portfolio, communication |
Please note that: CAT and GAT papers take place on the same day and only those who crack both of them, are deemed eligible for the Situation Test.
Remember CAT is only half the written stage - pair this practice with NIFT GK questions for the GAT paper.
CAT Weightage: How Much Do Drawing Questions Count?
|
Component |
B.Des Weightage |
M.Des Weightage |
|
CAT (Drawing) |
50% |
40% |
|
GAT |
30% |
30% |
|
Situation Test / PI |
20% (Situation Test) |
30% (Personal Interview) |
Note: The weightage figures above follow NIFT's most recently published pattern. NIFT confirms the exact split in its official Information Bulletin each cycle, so verify the current weightage for NIFT 2027 on nift.ac.in or the NTA NIFTEE portal before finalizing your strategy.
NIFT Drawing Questions (B.Des)
For B.Des program, the weightage of CAT drawing paper in overall result is 50%, for GAT paper is 30% and 20% for the Situation Test.
The following are some important questions curated from the Previous Years' NIFT Question Papers. Practicing these questions will help enhance your preparation levels.
NIFT Drawing Questions for B.Des- 2024
Q.1. Illustrate any 4 creative ideas/uses for any 1 of the following:
- A leaking tea cup
- A set of 4 disc
- A non-repairable wall clock
Solution:
Q.2. Imagine and illustrate any one of the following if artificially created in future. Give a suitable name and mention any 3 unique properties.
- Insect
- Bird
- Fruit
Solution:
NIFT Drawing Questions for B.Des- 2023
Q.1. You are given:
- Circle/ bracket
- S shaped curved line
- U shaped line/ arch
- Straight line
- Triangle/ slant line/ square bracket
Using these, design any one of the following:
- Automobile
- Piece of utility
- Weighing Scale
Solution:
Q.2. Make a black and white comic strip with a plot set in covid times using characters of any one of the following:
- Tenali Rama
- Vikram Betal
- Akbar Birbal
Solution:
Still deciding between design entrances? Our NID vs NIFT comparison breaks down which suits your goals.
NIFT Drawing Questions for B.Des- 2022
Q.1. Design a poster on gifting clean air to a friend and explain the concept in 50-70 words.
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.2. Design a memento to honour the efforts of health workers fighting pandemic.
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
NIFT Drawing Questions for B.Des- 2021
Q.1. Create a new emoji on the following expressions:
- Don't know
- See you
- Good morning
- Good night
- Shhhh....
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.2. Select a musical instrument of your choice and depict four different festivals in the given 4 boxes. You can change the shape, color, etc. of the instrument according to your choice. Mention the instrument choice and festivals in the space given below the boxes.
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
NIFT Drawing Questions for B.Des- 2020
Q.1. Create a comic strip and sketch it in the four given frames on the following topics. Also give suitable title or caption to your comic strip.
- Your journey to mars
- Me as a fish
- Your visit to a dentist
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
NIFT Drawing Questions for B.Des- 2019
1. Visualize in your mind any one of the options given below, how it will be in 2050 then draw and color it with the help of dry color.
(A.) Lunch box
(B.) Umbrella
(C.) Door lock
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
2. Using any of these shapes, rectangle, teardrop, circle, triangle, or hexagon draw any one of the things given below. Also, demonstrate your drawing with up to 100 words
(A.) Wind Chime
(B.) letterbox
(C.) personal computer
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
3. Explain the process of any one of the following things effectively in four frames without using words. (You do not have to use words, only have to explain the process in any four frames with the help of drawing, which can be understood.)
(A.) Birth (budding) and blooming and flowering of Rose flower
(B.) Shirt hung on a clothing rope that is getting dry from wet.
(C.) A bird that is flying from ground level to the sky
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Include all these questions into a structured plan to crack NIFT in six months.
NIFT Drawing Questions for B.Des in NIFT CAT 2018
Q.1. Clarify the steps or phases of any of the following work in four frames or drawings. ( do not use words or sentences to explain the steps or procedure)
(A.) The process of putting a bulb in the holder
(B.) The process of converting paper into a boat
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.2. With maximum detailing, make a design of a bag with you for any of the following tasks and highlight it by colors only.
(A.) Bag of wedding
(B.) Picnic bag
(C.) Post-shopping bag
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.3. Display your full personality in Geometric Shape with the help of a drawing that can be easily estimated your personality. You are free to use any kind of color in drawing for explaining your personality.
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
For a full breakdown of the paper these questions belong to, see what the CAT section in NIFT involves.
NIFT Drawing Questions for NIFT CAT 2017
Q.1. Using your imagination and drawing power, draw any one of the different scenes given below as per your wish. The drawing should be relevant and correct.
(A.) The scene of a traffic signal that is being viewed from inside a car.
(B.) Organization of street sports events
(C.) Celebrating festival by a particular community.
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.2. Describe any of the following themes printed on a T-shirt with the help of color and drawing.
(A.) Dignity for aged
(B.) Music is the soul of human existence
(C.) Save the future of the wildlife
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.3. Given below are pairs of three different words. Explain the difference by showing any one pair of these in two different pictures. Keep in mind that only one pair has to be differentiated and not all.
(A.) crispy and soggy
(B.) Balanced and unbalanced
(C.) Cluttered and uncluttered
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
NIFT Drawing Questions for NIFT CAT 2016
Q.1. In the series of 10 blocks color the progression of following things from own to another. You need to strive only for options.
(A.) From cocoon to butterfly
(B.) From Dawn to Night
(C.) From spring to autumn
(D.) From shiny metallic to Rust
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.2. Describe and express the human emotions given below with the help of only colors without using words.
(A.) Happiness
(B.) Rebellious
(C.) Astonishment
(D.) Sorrow
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.3. Design the following things in an attractive and stunning way.
(A.) Table utility product
(B.) Footwear product
(C.) Textile design
(D.) Clothing product
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Strong CAT scores also improve your chances of a NIFT scholarship, which is accessible for students on merit after admission.
NIFT Drawing Questions for NIFT CAT 2015
Q.1. Change any one of the quotes and words are given below as a poster and drawing.
(A.) There is will there is a way
(B.) "On every cloud, there is a silver lining"
(C.) "Better late than never"
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.2. On any one of the following, depict the mascot in the poster.
(A.) Make in India
(B.) Swach Bharat Abhiyaan
(C.) Food security
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.3. Write any one letter of Hindi or English and then add or remove something in it and make a product or picture.
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
NIFT Drawing Questions for NIFT CAT 2014
Q.1. Explain and describe the clothes of the tourist guide of your state by drawing with the details of the accessories and fabrics attached to them.
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.2. Describe the beginning to end of a trip in four steps and frames expressing feeling and emotion.
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.3. To increase the awareness of voting, make a creative poster and also write the concept and idea behind the poster.
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
NIFT Drawing Questions for NIFT CAT 2013
Q.1. Assume that you are a lizard, then draw the whole room from your point of view, in which you are in the form of a lizard on the wall.
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
Q.2. Briefly explain all the words given below.
(A.) Tsunami
(B.) Summer
(C.) Speed
(D.) Love
(E.) Tornado
Solution: Click below to get the NIFT PYP Book for Solutions
NIFT Drawing Questions (M.Des)
NIFT Drawing Questions for M.Des in NIFT CAT 2019
Practicing the questions given below will help enhance your NIFT Exam Preparation and score well in the upcoming exam.
Q.1. Write an essay of comparison between writing through paper and pen and writing on computers, laptops, or other devices. give the preferences which you prefer in your day-to-day life
Q.2. Write and share your experience of going blind for a day. Also, tell about five such difficulties which seem to be the biggest in your life. Explain and illustrate well which one seems to be the biggest among them.
Q.3. Every person uses a different kind of spectacles in their life. There are some personal names given below. Draw the right kind of spectacles for each one of them.
(A.) School students (kids)
(B.) Passenger of public transport
(C.) Traffic police
(D.) Players or sportsperson
NIFT Drawing Questions for M.Des in NIFT CAT 2018
To help get an idea about the type of questions asked in the CAT exam, we have provided dew important NIFT CAT Questions with Solutions here.
Q.1. Explain any of the processes completely given below in just 10 steps
(A.) Making tea or coffee in the kitchen
(B.) Playing on the ground at the time of raining
Q.2. Design a chair that can completely reflect their self and personality. Also, explain their concept or idea and support and make realistic your design under up to 250 words
Q.3. Draw a picture in your mind about any one of the following and draw the picture which is in your mind on paper. If needed, you can make your drawing more effective by using dry painting.
(A.) A tea stole opened in the morning when people have come to drink tea.
(B.) A chef who is busy with his work or doing his work diligently.
(C.) A gardener who is busy with his garden work or watering the garden.
What the NIFT Drawing Questions of Last 10 Years Tell You?
Read the questions above end to end and a pattern emerges. Since 2020, NIFT has leaned heavily on social-awareness and real-world problem-solving themes (pandemic mementos, clean-air posters, EV charging stations, senior-citizen support) rather than pure still-life.
The takeaway for NIFT 2027- practice translating current issues and everyday problems into a single clear visual idea. Students who only practise decorative drawing are preparing for a paper NIFT stopped setting years ago.
NIFT Drawing Question Types: What Each One Actually Tests
Recognizing the type of question is half the battle - each type rewards a specific skill.
|
Question Type |
Example Prompt Style |
What Examiners Reward |
How to Attempt |
|
Object transformation |
"Turn an alphabet into a product" |
Lateral thinking |
Brainstorm 3 ideas, pick the least obvious |
|
Scene creation |
"Traffic signal seen from inside a car" |
Perspective, point of view |
Fix your viewpoint first, then build depth |
|
Storyboard / comic |
"Your journey to Mars in 4 frames" |
Sequencing, clarity |
Plan all 4 frames before drawing frame 1 |
|
Product design/redesign |
"Design a pet-rescue device" |
Function + form logic |
Solve the problem first, style second |
|
Emotion / abstract |
"Express 'astonishment' in colour only" |
Colour psychology |
Commit to a palette and stay consistent |
|
Theme + write-up |
"Fabric for a festival, explain in 60–80 words" |
Concept-to-word link |
Draw the idea you can justify, not just the prettiest |
Many of these prompts map directly to the official NIFT CAT topics in the syllabus, so review them alongside these questions.
List of Important Topics Asked in NIFT Drawing Questions
- Form & Function
- Storyboarding and Comic Strips
- Colour Theory, Pattern & Texture
- Theme Development
- Picture Analysis
- Memory Drawing
- 3D Visualization
- Proportions and Perspectives
- Scene Creation
- Product Design/Redesign
- Imagination & Doodling
- Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship
How to visualize for NIFT Drawing Questions
How to visualize before you draw? Many students jump straight to sketching soon after reading the NIFT drawing questions and then run out of ideas midway. Instead follow the below steps:
Step 1: Pause and Think: Understand what the question is really asking. Who’s the user? What’s the message?
Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas: List 2–3 quick ideas in a corner before choosing one.
Step 3: Plan Composition: Mentally divide your frame. Where’s the main object? What fills the background? What will be the proportion of elements?
Step 4: Start Light and then Build: Begin with light strokes, blocking shapes before adding details.
Here's a Quick Formula: Visual Clarity = Thoughtful Concept + Balanced Composition + Storytelling Elements
Higher CAT marks will widen your admission options among the top NIFT campuses in India.
NIFT Drawing Questions: Tips for Beginners
1. Clear your basics first. Focus on getting proportions, perspectives, shading, and composition right in your drawings. Prepare a checklist and run it on every drawing/sketch you make as part of practice and even the exam itself. This will definitely enhance the overall quality of your drawings.
2. Don't jump on exam-level questions directly. They can be overwhelming, if you are just starting out. Practice with lines, circles, curves daily without mistakes to warm up your drawing skills.
3. Engage in imagination and visualization exercises. For example: Try giving personality to non-living things like fan, table, etc. or try sketching abstract concepts like 'Patience' or sketch a song you heard recently.
4. Make observations you biggest strong suit. Draw from real-world as much as possible. Try putting things you find around you on paper. Visit parks, museums, etc. and try to sketch real-life objects.
5. Time your sketches to keep a check on speed.
6. Experiment by using different tools like pencils, charcoal, digital tools etc. Each can help you learn different techniques to crack the NIFT drawing questions.7.
7. Practice sketching objects/scenarios around you and time them to assess speed.
8. Revisit design principles like perspectives, shading, etc., color theory, and other drawing fundamentals.
9. Give mocks to track the status of your preparation
10. Attempt sample papers in exam-like conditions to practice time management.
11. Create a timeframe for different type of questions asked usually in the exam. You may get an idea about those by solving past year question papers.
If your exam is close, this approach fits neatly into a focused six-month NIFT preparation plan.
Conclusion
The NIFT drawing questions (CAT) carry the highest weightage in for B.Des aspirants (50%), which makes it the most high impact part of your preparation.
Practice with the past-year questions above in timed conditions and get them reviewed by experts if possible, to understand the true scope for improvement and you'll walk into CAT naturally recognizing the type of problems instead of encountering last minute surprises.
You can also consider taking exam-targeted guidance from professionals like Creative Edge where NIFT Alumni help thousands of students prepare and crack exam with regular classes, mock tests and doubt solving sessions.
You can opt for NIFT online coaching, offline or hybrid classes as per your preference.
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Vineeta Agrawal
Communications Executive
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