Summary: NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2025 defines prerequisites for prospective fashion students at the National Institute of Fashion Technology. It's a crucial read to meet NIFT entrance eligibility and embark on a rewarding fashion career through NIFT!

Whether you dream of designing cutting-edge couture or envision yourself shaping the future of fashion management, NIFT can help you transform these dreams into reality. 

The National Institute of Fashion Technology has yet to release the brochure for the academic year 2025 with the latest NIFT updates. The first step towards the admission process is to comprehend the NIFT Eligibility 2025 and the prerequisites set forth by the authorities. 

This post will help you understand the NIFT exam eligibility matrix for every fashion course offered through the NIFT entrance exam 2025.

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NIFT Courses and Eligibility Criteria

NIFT Eligibility 2025 for UG Programs

B.Des and B.FTech are the undergraduate degrees available after passing the NIFT admission exams. The NIFT exam eligibility age restrictions may remain pretty consistent for all programs. The eligibility for NIFT UG outlines the requirements for taking the NIFT admission exam. 

Know more: NIFT Exam Day Instructions

The list of Programs at the UG level are - 

• B.Des
• BF.Tech

Age Limit

The maximum age should be less than 24 years as of August 1 of the admission year. The upper age limit may be relaxed by five years for candidates of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Person with Disability (PWD) categories. 

NIFT Eligibility 2025: Education Qualification for UG

The eligibility criteria for the NIFT entrance exam for B.Des are as follows: 

• Passed the Plus 2 level examination in the 10+2 pattern of examination from any recognized Central/State Board of Secondary Examination, such as Central Board of Secondary Education / State Board New Delhi / Council for Indian School of Certificate Examination, New Delhi. 
• A pass grade in the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Open School with a minimum of five subjects. 
• Any Public School/Board/University Examination in India or foreign countries recognized by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to the 10+2 system. 
• General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri-Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level/International Baccalaureate (IB).

The eligibility criteria for the NIFT entrance exam for BF.Tech is as follows:

• Passed the Plus 2 level examination in the 10+2 pattern of examination from any recognized Central/State Board of Secondary Examination, such as Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi / Council for Indian School of Certificate Examination, New Delhi with Physics and Mathematics. 
• Or a passing grade in the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Open School, with a minimum of five subjects, including Physics and Mathematics.
• Or Any Public School/Board/University Examination in India or foreign countries recognized by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to a 10+2 system with Physics and Mathematics. 
• Or General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri-Lanka) at the advanced (A) level with Physics and Mathematics / International Baccalaureate (IB). 

Note: Candidates appearing for their Board examinations in the year of Admission can also apply, subject to fulfilling necessary eligibility conditions at the time of seat allotment /admission, as mentioned in the Admission Prospectus.

If you have registered for the NIFT entrance exam for the coming academic year, you might also want to check out the NIFT Exam Pattern 2025

Download PYPs with Solutions to Boost Your NIFT 2025 Preparations

NIFT Eligibility 2025 for PG Programs

If you want to apply for PG courses through NIFT, you can choose from the following courses.

• Master of Design (M.Des)
• Master of Fashion Management (MFM)
• Master in Fashion Technology (MF.Tech)

Check: NIFT Syllabus

Go through the detailed eligibility for the NIFT entrance exam for the Master of Design program from the post below.

Age Limit

Per the NIFT notification, there is no upper age limit for applying to the Master of Design Program.

Educational Qualification for Master's Programmes (M.Des., M.F.M and M.F.Tech)

1. NIFT Admission Eligibility Criteria 2025 for Master of Design (M.Des): Undergraduate Degree in any discipline from any Institute / University recognized by law in India or Undergraduate Diploma of a minimum of three years duration from NIFT / NID.
2. NIFT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025 for Master of Fashion Management (M.F.M): Undergraduate Degree in any discipline from any Institute / University recognized by law in India or Undergraduate Diploma of a minimum of three years from NIFT / NID.
3. NIFT Entrance Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025 for Master of Fashion Technology (M.F.Tech.): B.F.Tech. from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) or B.E / B.Tech. from any Institute / University recognized by law in India.

Know more: Life at NIFT 

NIFT Eligibility 2025 for Foreign Nationals/ NRI/ OCI/ SAARC

Foreign Nationals and Non-Resident Indians who are citizens of India holding an Indian passport and have temporarily immigrated to another country for six months or more for work, residence, or any other purpose can also apply for NIFT 2025.

Age Limit

• NIFT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025 for UG Program: Your age should be less than 24 years of 01 August 2025. However, per the NIFT age eligibility, you will be given five years of age relaxation if you belong to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/ Person with Disability (PWD) categories.
• NIFT Eligibility 2025 for PG Program: The minimum age should be 20 years, and there are no upper age limit criteria to apply for PG programs.

Check: NIFT MFM Eligibility Criteria 2025

Educational Qualification

• Suppose you have a degree certificate from a university or board in another country. In that case, you must obtain an equivalent certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, before Admission. 
• You can take as many SAT/GMAT/GRE tests before April 30, 2025. However, the highest score on these tests will be considered for Admission.
• Note that the GRE/GMAT/SAT scores should have been declared after January 1, 2023, and received by the Institute (NIFT) no later than April 30, 2025. 

Learn more: How To Prepare For NIFT Entrance Exam 2024

Your program and campus will be allotted based on the merit list drawn based on your scores in the following examinations.

Program	Considered Scores
Bachelor's Programme (B.Des & B.FTech)	SAT Score
Master's Programme (MFM)	GMAT Score
Master's Programme (M.Des & M.FTech)	GRE Score

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Prepare with: NIFT Mock Test 2025

NIFT Eligibility 2025 for State Domicile

Check the Eligibility Criteria for NIFT 2025 below.

• You should have a certificate from the school/ college in the concerned state.
• If you have obtained the degree certificate through distance learning, the school address you attend regularly will determine your domicile status.
• State Domicile Preferential Seats will be offered to candidates from the following nine states.

NIFT Campus	State
Patna	Bihar
Kangra	Himachal Pradesh
Kannur	Kerala
Bhopal	Madhya Pradesh
Shillong	Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland and Tripura
Bhubaneswar	Odisha
Jodhpur	Rajasthan
Srinagar	Jammu and Kashmir
Panchkula	Haryana
Daman	Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep

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Refer: NIFT Preparation Books 2025

NIFT 2025 Eligibility Criteria: Reservation of Seats

In each program, a certain percentage of seats are reserved for candidates in the categories given below.

NIFT Exam Eligibility 2025 - Categories	NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Reservation of seats
ST	7.5%
SC	15%
OBC- NCL	27%
General-EWS	10%
People with Disability (PwD)	5%

Read more: Which NIFT campus is better?

The category you select when submitting the application form will be final, and the requirements will differ for each type. Check the requirements for each category from the post below.

SC/ST Category

You must produce a Caste/Tribe certificate from the Competent Authority of the respective States/Union Territories/ National Commission of Tribes if you belong to the SC/ ST category.

OBC (Non-Creamy) Category

You must substantiate the caste and non-creamy layer requirement under the NIFT eligibility if you belong to the OBC (non-creamy) category. Also, you must produce a caste certificate from the Competent Authority certifying that they belong to the non-creamy layer. 

• The OBC (Non-Creamy) certificate should mention that you belong to the non-creamy layer.
• The caste mentioned in the OBC (Non-Creamy) certificate should also be included in the central list of OBCs available.
• If you are a married woman applying under the reserved category, you must produce the caste certificate in your name.
• Note that the certificate in the husband/mother/father's name is unacceptable.
• If you belong to the Creamy Layer of OBC, you cannot apply under the OBC (NC) reserved category.

Check: NIFT Counselling process

General (Economically Weaker Section)

The benefit of reservation will be given only to those General category candidates who satisfy the conditions issued by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education, Government of India. 

• The benefit of reservation will be given to candidates who produce an Income & Asset Certificate issued by a Competent Authority (or) 
• Chief Presidency Magistrate/Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate/Presidency Magistrate (or) 
• District Magistrate/Additional District Magistrate/Collector/Deputy Commissioner/Additional Deputy Commissioner/1st Class Stipendiary Magistrate/Sub-Divisional Magistrate/Taluka Magistrate/Executive Magistrate/Extra Assistant Commissioner (or) 
• Sub-Divisional Officer of the area where the candidate and his family typically reside. 

Refer: GK Questions for the NIFT 2025 Exam

Persons with Disability (PWD)

You should have a certificate of Disability if you belong to the PwD category, and the certificate should be issued by a medical authority designated under sub-section (1) of section 57 of the act and rules 17 (a) and (b) of GSR 591(E) for you to clear the NIFT eligibility.

• You must produce the original Disability certificate when counselling and Admission to the Institute.
• It is mandatory to attend counselling for evaluation for the PwD candidates.
• The course will be allotted to you only after assessing your capabilities.

Sample Papers with Solutions for NIFT 2025 Preparation by CreativeEdge

Know more: NIFT Career

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the eligibility criteria for the NIFT exam is crucial for aspiring fashion designers and professionals seeking Admission to this prestigious institution. The NIFT eligibility for fashion design serve as the initial benchmark for candidates to meet, ensuring that only those with the necessary qualifications and potential are admitted.

By meeting these criteria and putting in the necessary effort, aspiring fashion enthusiasts can enhance their chances of securing Admission to NIFT and embarking on an exciting and rewarding path in fashion.

Know more: NIFT Exam Analysis

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding and meeting these eligibility criteria of NIFT 2025 are essential steps for candidates aspiring to pursue a career in fashion and design through this prestigious institution.
• By fulfilling these criteria and preparing diligently for the entrance examination, candidates can increase their chances of gaining Admission to NIFT and embarking on an exciting journey in the fashion industry.

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