NIFT Books 2026: Subject Wise Best Books List to Crack NIFT Exam

Summary: Preparing for the NIFT entrance exam 2026? Choosing the right books for your NIFT preparation can help you gain an edge over the competition. Discover the best NIFT preparation books preferred by toppers and experts.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance exam is a highly competitive gateway into the world of design education. With a focus on creativity, aptitude, and subject knowledge, taking the NIFT exam requires a well-rounded preparation strategy.

Let's look at some of the best NIFT preparation books catering to different exam sections that are available to help you excel in the exam

Download Free Study Material for NIFT 2026 by CreativeEdge

Best NIFT Books 2026 for Preparation

The first stage in the preparation process is to buy suitable NIFT study material. We have sorted out the NIFT entrance exam preparation books from the vast material available offline and online, which covers all the essential topics of the NIFT Exam Syllabus per the revised examination pattern.

Here is a list of the best NIFT Preparation Books for 2026. 

NIFT Books for CAT and GAT

Book Name	Author
NIFT Previous Year Papers Book (10 years 100% original papers with solutions)	CreativEdge by Toprankers
NIFT Sample Papers Book (10 full-length practice papers)	CreativEdge by Toprankers
Arihant NIFT Entrance Exam Self Guide	By Arihant Experts
NIFT Entrance Exam	By Dharmendra Mittal

Check: NIFT Answer Key 2025

NIFT Books for Situation Test

Name of the book	Author (Publication)
Don’t make me think	Steve King
Universal Principles of Design	Tom Kelley and David Kelley
100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People (Voices That Matter)	Weinschenk Susan
The Design of Everyday Things	Don Norman
Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things	Don Norman

Free Resource: Download the FREE NIFT Drawing Questions PDF. It includes past year drawing questions with solutions that will help you understand the format/type/difficulty level of questions actually asked in the exam. Practicing these questions in timed conditions can help you optimize your performance as per the exam requirements.

Attempt Free Creative Edge NIFT Mock Test 2026

Check: List of NIFT Exam Centres

NIFT Preparation Books and their Features for 2026

Experts recommend the above-listed NIFT preparation books for clearing the NIFT Exam with a high score, and their specifications are as listed below: 

1. NIFT Previous Year Papers [10 years fully solved papers for CAT & GAT (2015-2025)]

CreativeEdge, trusted by design entrance toppers across India, bring it's 29+ years of industry expertise in paper study material that significantly improves the chances of success in NID, NIFT, UCEED entrance exams. 

• This highly rated NIFT PYQ book by CreativEdge offers 10 years worth of real exam practice- compiled, solved, and explained by NIFT Alumni and design experts. 
• Detailed solutions and tricks for solving GAT questions.
• QR-enabled video solution feature for CAT drawing questions. A step-by-step recorded solution process to guide you through approach, composition, and creativity for each question. 

Now available on Amazon and Flipkart.

2. NIFT Sample Papers [10 Full-length Practice Papers Updated as per Latest Exam Pattern]

A comprehensive NIFT sample papers book built for one goal- to prepare you exactly how the NIFT exam demands.

• One of the best NIFT books including 10 full-length practice papers that mirror the actual NIFT entrance exam pattern in both structure and difficulty. 
• 3 Exam-like Mock Tests with video solutions. Allow students to understand how to approach & draft high-scoring visual responses to creative questions. 

Whether you’re self-preparing or complementing classroom coaching, this book gives you the real feel of the NIFT exam. 

Also available on Amazon and Flipkart.

3. Arihant's Entrance Exam Self Guide for NIFT Preparation

One of other widely available NIFT Preparation Books is by Arihant Publications. It has seven parts; each further divided into different chapters according to the latest syllabus and test pattern.

• Many MCQs have been provided, and after each chapter, there are two section tests for the rapid revision of the concepts and 3 practice sets.
• A thorough analysis of the NIFT Sample Papers has been presented to indicate the level and types of questions.

4. NIFT Entrance Exam Book by Dharmendra Mittal

This NIFT Preparation Book has seven sections: Numerical Ability, English Language and Comprehension, Reasoning and Logical Deduction, General Awareness, Case Studies, Creative Ability, Group Discussion, and Personal Interview.

• Each topic is subdivided into several chapters per the syllabus and exam pattern of the NIFT, NID.
• The book contains a detailed description of each topic and many solved MCQ problems designed based on the NIFT previous years' questions.
• Unsolved practice exercises are provided at the end of each chapter to help aspirants practice the concepts covered in each chapter, with two-section tests after each section.
• The book also contains the last three years' solved Papers NIFT exam to help aspirants get an insight into the recent examination pattern and the types of questions asked.

Check: How to Prepare for NIFT Entrance?

How will NIFT Books 2026 help you in your preparation?

You can elevate your chances to crack the exam by referring to the right NIFT Preparation Books.

• The books prescribed give you a fair idea of the type of questions and their difficulty level you can expect in the NIFT 2026 exam.
• You can understand all the topics and concepts in depth.
• The books shall also include solutions to the drawing part of the exam.
• For best results, you should refer to the right NIFT books.

Check: NIFT Exam Analysis

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 - Overview

Before we can choose which are the best NIFT books for your exam preparation, let's first learn about the NIFT 2026 exam pattern.

The NIFT entrance exam 2026 is divided into two parts:

• Part 1: Consists of a combination of the CAT and GAT written exams. Candidates for B.Des and M.Des must take both the CAT and the GAT. On the other hand, candidates of BF.Tech, M.F.Tech, and MFM only need to take the GAT.
• Part 2: If you qualified in Phase I, you must participate in this round. B.Des candidates are administered a situation test. Candidates for PG programmes must participate in a Group Discussion / Personal Interview (GDPI).

Suppose you are looking for BF. Tech admission will be considered solely based on GAT scores; there will be no Round II.

The admissions merit list is created by assigning weightage to each test component (see table below).

NIFT Weightage of Test Components 2026

Each test component, CAT, GAT, and Situation Test (GDPI for PG courses), has a specific weightage (as shown in the table below).

Programme	Test	Weightage
Bachelor of Design	CAT	50%
	GAT	30%
	Situation Test	20%
Master of Design	CAT	40%
	GAT	30%
	GD/PI	30%
Bachelor of Fashion Technology	GAT	100%
Master of Fashion Technology	GAT	70%
	GD/PI	30%
Master of Fashion Management	GAT	70%
	GD/PI	30%

Check: NIFT Online Coaching

Download Previous Year NIFT Questions with Solutions here

Conclusion

While NIFT preparation books are powerful tools, remember they're just one piece of the puzzle. Success in the NIFT exam requires a multi-pronged approach. Practice drawing, hone your observation skills, and immerse yourself in fashion. Utilize online resources or printed NIFT books, solve sample questions, attend mock tests, and unleash your creative spirit.

With dedication, the right preparation tools, and a passion for design, you'll be well on your way to securing your seat at a prestigious NIFT campus.

Check: 6 months Preparation Strategy for the NIFT Exam