Top NIFT Campuses in India 2026 - Seat Matrix, Ranking, Admissions, Courses, Fees, Cut-off

Summary: NIFT colleges stands as India's leading institutions for design degrees, boasting world-class faculty and resources. Explore the top NIFT campuses in India in 2026-27, their rankings, the variety of courses they offer, and more.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is synonymous with design excellence in India. NIFT has a total of 20 campuses spread across the country with a total intake capacity of 5076 seats, each offering design education and industry exposure in a range of fashion fields. Candidates who qualify the NIFT entrance exam in 2026 can choose their preferred campus based on their interests and career goals. 

For choosing the right NIFT colleges, you'll need information about each NIFT campus like their courses offered, seat availability, fees, placement records, etc. Follow along to uncover detailed info on all this and more that'll help you find the perfect NIFT college to ignite your design journey!

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Best NIFT Colleges in India 2026

NIFT colleges are widely regarded as the best design schools in the country. The first NIFT was established in New Delhi in 1986, and the country now has 20 operational NIFT colleges. Out of these the top 5 NIFT colleges in India are NIFT Delhi, NIFT Mumbai, NIFT Bengaluru, NIFT Chennai & NIFT Hyderabad. NIFT Daman is the most recent addition to the list of NIFT Campuses in India. NIFT Daman also started accepting the scores of  NIFT entrance exam for enrolment beginning in 2022.  

Rank Wise Top NIFT Campuses in India 2026 - Full Comparison

Rank	NIFT Campus	Location	Year Established	Key Strength
1	NIFT Delhi	New Delhi	1986	Flagship campus, highest industry exposure, strong alumni network
2	NIFT Mumbai	Mumbai, Maharashtra	1995	Proximity to fashion industry, strong internships and NIFT placements
3	NIFT Bengaluru	Bengaluru, Karnataka	1997	Design innovation, startup ecosystem exposure
4	NIFT Chennai	Chennai, Tamil Nadu	1995	Strong academic culture, regional textile focus
5	NIFT Hyderabad	Hyderabad, Telangana	1995	Balanced academics and placements
6	NIFT Gandhinagar	Gandhinagar, Gujarat	2004	Infrastructure development, industry collaborations
7	NIFT Kolkata	Kolkata, West Bengal	1995	Creative heritage, strong design culture
8	NIFT Patna	Patna, Bihar	2008	Growing campus with improving facilities
9	NIFT Kannur	Kannur, Kerala	2008	Textile craftsmanship exposure
10	NIFT Shillong	Shillong, Meghalaya	2008	Regional design exposure, emerging campus

This NIFT college ranking India, reflects reputation, alumni outcomes, industry exposure, infrastructure maturity, and historical placement performance.

Also Read: Job Opportunities after NIFT

Why These NIFT Campuses Are Considered Among the Top in India

1. Strong placement performance, supported by national rankings such as India Today’s placement survey published on the official NIFT website.

2. Established academic reputation with experienced faculty, mature curriculum frameworks, and consistent academic governance.

3. Modern infrastructure including advanced design studios, laboratories, hostels, and technology-enabled classrooms.

4. Strategic location advantages providing direct access to fashion industry hubs, export houses, design events, startups, and manufacturing ecosystems.

5. Large and influential alumni networks that contribute to industry credibility, mentoring, and placement opportunities.

6. Official institutional recognition under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, ensuring standardized academic quality and governance.

Resource: Top NIFT Campuses in India Comparison Guide free PDF

Attempt FREE Mock Tests to Boost Your NIFT 2026 Chances

NIFT Campuses Ranking Based on Placement Record (India Today - Official NIFT Source)

India Today and Outlook both publish rankings for top design colleges in India. According to India Today's ranking, seven NIFTs will be among India's top ten fashion design colleges.

NIFT Delhi has been securing Rank 1 among fashion institutes in India since past 2 years, reflecting strong placement performance, infrastructure, and industry engagement. Check the following list of best NIFT Colleges in India:

Rank 2025	Rank 2024	Institute Name	Campus Location
1	1	National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	New Delhi
2	3	National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	Bengaluru
3	2	National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	Mumbai (Navi Mumbai)
4	4	National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	Hyderabad
5	5	National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	Chennai
6	8	National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	Patna
7	6	National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	Gandhinagar
8	7	National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	Kolkata
9	10	National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	Jodhpur
11	11	National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	Kannur
13	14	National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	Rae Bareli

Source: NIFT official website referencing India Today rankings of 2025 for 'Top Fashion Design Colleges in India 2025'.

Check: Expected NIFT 2026 Cutoff

Official Ranking Sources for Top NIFT Campuses in India 2026

The ranking and campus information presented on this page is aligned with verified official sources and nationally recognized education publications. Referencing authoritative sources ensures accuracy, transparency, and trust for students evaluating the top NIFT campuses in India.

1. India Today Placement Rankings (Official Reference)

India Today publishes annual rankings of higher education institutions in India based on placement performance, academic quality, infrastructure, reputation, and industry engagement.

According to the India Today “Top 10 Colleges with Best Placement Record” report dated June 24, 2023, NIFT Gandhinagar secured Rank 1 among fashion institutes in India. This ranking was officially published on the National Institute of Fashion Technology’s website, validating the credibility of the placement data.

India Today rankings are widely accepted by academic institutions and policymakers and serve as a reliable benchmark for evaluating campus performance.

2. Official NIFT Campus Directory

The National Institute of Fashion Technology operates multiple campuses across India, each governed by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The official list of campuses, institutional details, and academic infrastructure information is published on NIFT’s official website.

Official NIFT website: https://www.nift.ac.in

The official campus directory confirms the existence, location, and accreditation status of all NIFT campuses, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, Patna, Shillong, and others. Using the official NIFT campus directory ensures that campus listings are accurate and up to date.

Why Official Sources Matter for Campus Rankings

Using verified sources such as NIFT’s official publications and India Today rankings ensures:

• Authentic institutional data
• Reliable placement performance benchmarks
• Reduced misinformation risk
• Strong credibility for aspirants and parents
• Higher trust signals for search engines

Students researching the top NIFT campuses in India should always cross-check rankings and campus information with official institutional sources rather than third-party aggregators.

Check: How to Get Scholarship in NIFT 2026

Top NIFT Campuses in India 2026 – Which One Should You Choose?

NIFT Gandhinagar

Parameter	Details
Campus Type	Fully residential modern campus
Location Advantage	Gujarat industrial corridor, strong textile ecosystem
Infrastructure	Advanced design studios, laboratories, hostels, digital classrooms
Academic Strength	Structured curriculum, strong technical training
Industry Exposure	Regular industry projects and internships
Placement Performance	Consistently strong placement outcomes
Best Suited For	Students seeking strong academics and placement focus

NIFT New Delhi

Parameter	Details
Campus Type	Flagship and oldest NIFT campus
Location Advantage	National capital with access to export houses, fashion events, policy bodies
Infrastructure	Large campus, research centers, advanced studios
Academic Strength	Strong faculty depth, innovation and research culture
Industry Exposure	High frequency of live projects and collaborations
Alumni Network	Largest and most influential NIFT alumni base
Best Suited For	Students seeking maximum exposure and networking

Must Read: Fashion Designing Courses After 10th

NIFT Mumbai

Parameter	Details
Campus Type	Metropolitan industry-linked campus
Location Advantage	India’s fashion and commercial capital
Infrastructure	Design labs, garment units, industry-linked facilities
Academic Strength	Strong fashion business and merchandising focus
Industry Exposure	Internships with brands, manufacturers, retail companies
Placement Performance	Strong industry-driven placement ecosystem
Best Suited For	Students targeting fashion industry roles

NIFT Bengaluru

Parameter	Details
Campus Type	Innovation-driven academic campus
Location Advantage	Technology and startup ecosystem
Infrastructure	Modern studios, digital labs, innovation facilities
Academic Strength	Emphasis on technology integration and sustainability
Industry Exposure	Collaboration with startups and tech-driven firms
Learning Environment	Cross-disciplinary innovation culture
Best Suited For	Students interested in future-focused design careers

Which Top NIFT Campus in India Should You Choose?

• Choose NIFT Delhi if you want maximum industry exposure, national-level networking, fashion events, and strong alumni connections.
• Choose NIFT Gandhinagar if you prefer a modern residential campus, structured academic environment, and strong placement focus.
• Choose NIFT Mumbai if your goal is direct exposure to fashion brands, retail headquarters, merchandising roles, and commercial fashion ecosystems.
• Choose NIFT Bengaluru if you are interested in innovation, technology integration, sustainability, startups, and future-focused design careers.
• Consider your NIFT rank and campus cut-offs during counselling, as higher-ranked campuses close faster.
• Factor in personal preferences such as city comfort, living costs, hostel availability, and distance from home.
• Review placement trends, course availability, and infrastructure before finalizing your preference list.

Read: How to Create an Effective Fashion Portfolio as a NIFT Student

Top NIFT Campuses in India Admission Process 2026- How to get Admission in NIFT Colleges?

How to get a seat in NIFT? For securing admission in your dream NIFT college and study fashion, you need to apply for the NIFTEE (National Institute of fashion Technology Entrance Exam). As per the NIFT exam pattern, the admission process for B.Des and M.Des courses offered at NIFT is three-tiered, comprising two written tests CAT (Creative ability Test), GAT (General Ability Test) and a Situation Test (Practical 3D Model Making & Material Handling) or a Personal Interview.

The difference between CAT & GAT for NIFT 2026 is: CAT tests the candidate's creative abilities, observation and design skills through questions on drawing/sketching objects, design thinking, pattern making/coloring etc. While GAT tests the candidate's proficiency in reasoning, language skills, GK and quant to evaluate the aspirants' overall competency for the fashion/design field.

However, note that the exam format might vary for the UG or PG course you want to enrol in. Here's the breakdown for each:

Course	Exam Phases + Weightage
B.Des	GAT- 30% NIFT CAT- 50% Situation test- 20%
M.Des	CAT: 40% GAT: 30% Personal Interview: 30%
B.FTech	GAT: 100%
M.FTech	GAT: 70% Personal Interview: 30%
M.F.M	GAT: 70% Personal Interview: 30%

The CAT exam duration is 3 hours and the GAT exam duration is 2 hours. Once you successfully crack the CAT & GAT tests, you'll be eligible to appear for the Situation Test/Personal Interview. Once you clear the final NIFT colleges cut-off, you will be invited for the counselling and seat allotment.

Also Read: NIFT Exam Day Instructions 2026

Courses offered by Top NIFT Colleges in India 2026

NIFT is a renowned design college in the country that offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs to aspirants. The most popular design program offered by NIFTs at the UG level is Bachelor of Design (B.Des), and at the PG level is Master of Design (M.Des). The list of courses offered at NIFT campuses in India is mentioned below.

List of UG courses offered at NIFTs
Bachelor of Design (BDes)	Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech)
List of PG courses offered at NIFTs
Master of Design (MDes)	Master of Fashion Technology (MFTech)
Master of Fashion Management (MFM)

Candidates are informed that the UG courses offered at NIFT are four years duration whereas the PG courses are of two years duration. B.Des course at NIFT campuses in India is offered in the following specializations:

List of NIFT B.Des Course Specialisations
Accessory Design (AD)	Knitwear Design (KD)
Fashion Design (FD)	Leather Design (LD)
Textile Design (TD)	Knitwear Design (KD)
Fashion Communication (FC)	Fashion Interior (FI)

Also Check: High Salaries After NIFT Exam

Top NIFT Campuses in India - Total Seats and Course-Wise Seat Intake 2026

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) offers admissions across 20 campuses in India for its Undergraduate (B.Des, B.FTech) and Postgraduate (M.Des, MFM, M.FTech) programs.
According to the official NIFT Admission Handbook 2026, the total seat intake across all programs and campuses combined is approximately 5000+ seats, including Home State and All India Category quotas

Total NIFT Seats 2026 (All Campuses Combined)

Program	Total Seats (Approx.)	Admission Basis
B.Des (Bachelor of Design)	3423	NIFT Entrance Exam (CAT + GAT + Situation Test)
B.FTech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology)	591	NIFT GAT only
M.Des (Master of Design)	275	NIFT CAT + GAT + PI
MFM (Master of Fashion Management)	719	NIFT GAT + GD/PI
M.FTech (Master of Fashion Technology)	68	NIFT GAT + PI
Total	5076 seats	Across 20 NIFT Campuses in India

Note: The exact number may vary slightly each year depending on seat revisions and category-wise allocations by NIFT.

Check: NIFT 2026 Exam Pattern

Download NIFT PYPs with Solutions for 2026 Exam Prep

Top NIFT Campuses in India - Course-Wise Seat Matrix for B.Des Specializations 

B.Des Specialization	Approx. Total Seats (Across Campuses)
Fashion Design	801
Textile Design	681
Accessory Design	637
Fashion Communication	719
Knitwear Design	351
Fashion Interiors	82
Leather Design	152
Total B.Des Seats	3423
Bachelor of Fashion Technology (Apparel Production)	591
Total	4014

Each NIFT campus offers a selection of these specializations based on available faculty and infrastructure. For example, NIFT Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru offer all six major B.Des specializations, while newer campuses may offer only 2–3 of them.

Also Read: NIFT Counselling

Top NIFT Campuses in India - Seats Availability for Postgraduate Courses (All Campuses Combined)

Course	Duration	Approx. Total Seats	Admission Criteria
M.Des (Master of Design)	2 Years	275	GAT + CAT + PI
MFM (Master of Fashion Management)	2 Years	719	GAT + GD/PI
M.FTech (Master of Fashion Technology)	2 Years	68	GAT + PI
Total	-	1062	-

Category-Wise Reservation of NIFT College Seats 2026 (As per NIFT 2026 Guidelines)

Category	Reservation %
General-EWS	10%
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	27%
SC	15%
ST	7.5%
PwD (Person with Disability)	5% Horizontal Reservation
State Domicile	Upto 20% of total seats (varies by campus)
NRI / Foreign Nationals / SAARC / OCI	Supernumerary Seats (Separate Quota)

 A candidate can exercise choice for Domicile during registration only. This choice will be final and no change thereafter will be accepted.

Check: NIFT Syllabus 2026 

Watch Demo Class by NIFT Alumni for NIFT 2026 Preparation

Top NIFT Colleges in India - Campus-wise Seat Distribution 2026 

Campus	Approx. Total Seats (UG + PG)
NIFT New Delhi	376
NIFT Mumbai	304
NIFT Bengaluru	304
NIFT Hyderabad	266
NIFT Chennai	338
NIFT Gandhinagar	266
NIFT Kolkata	304
NIFT Patna	246
NIFT Bhubaneswar	246
NIFT Kannur	287
NIFT Jodhpur	246
NIFT Bhopal	287
NIFT Shillong	205
NIFT Raebareli	228
NIFT Kangra	287
NIFT Srinagar	230
NIFT Panchkula	287
NIFT Varanasi	123
NIFT Daman (New Campus)	123
NIFT Nava Raipur	123

Note: These numbers are derived from NIFT’s official 2026 admissions handbook. NIFT might revise or update the exact seat matrix yearly in its counselling brochure, released after results.

Check: Section-wise NIFT Preparation Tips

Supernumerary NIFT Seats 2026 (Additional Quotas)

NIFT also provides supernumerary seats beyond the regular intake for specific categories:

Quota Type	% / Fixed Number of Seats
Foreign Nationals / SAARC / OCI / NRI Candidates	Up to 15% of total seats per program
State Domicile Quota	Up to 20% per state (for campuses located within that state)
PwD Category	5% horizontal reservation

How NIFT Seats Are Allotted

1. Candidates qualify through the NIFT Entrance Exam 2026.
2. A final merit list is prepared after combining CAT, GAT, and Situation Test / GD / PI scores.
3. Candidates participate in centralised counselling, choosing campuses and courses based on rank and seat availability.
4. Seats in the top NIFT campuses in India are allotted based on merit + preferences + category.

For instance, a high-rank candidate may get NIFT Delhi (Fashion Design), while a mid-rank candidate might get NIFT Gandhinagar (Accessory Design) or NIFT Chennai (Textile Design).

Also Check: Most Important GK Questions for NIFT 2026 Exam

NIFT Campus Fee Structure 2026

Aspirants often ask, is studying in NIFT costly? It primarily depends on the course you want to enrol in. However, compared to other government funded colleges like IITs or NITs, NIFT colleges fees may be consideredcon the higher side, particularly because of the challenging requirements in fashion design education that demands skilled faculty and best-in-class infrastructure.

NIFT require the students to pay the NIFT fee every semester for the course they are admitted to. NIFT UG courses have eight semesters, and PG courses have four.

The NIFT fee to be paid by the candidates is given below.

Course	Category	Fee (in Rs)
UG course fee for all campuses	Non-NRI	13,10,400
PG course fee for all campuses	Non-NRI	6,01,600
UG course fee (for NIFT Bengaluru, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Raebareli, and Srinagar)	NRI	42,25,500
PG course fee (for NIFT Bengaluru, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Raebareli, and Srinagar)	NRI	19,20,600
UG course fee (for NIFT Panchkula, Patna, Kangra, Bhopal, Kannur, Shillong, Jodhpur, and Bhubaneswar)	NRI	29,71,700
PG course fee (for NIFT Panchkula, Patna, Kangra, Bhopal, Kannur, Shillong, Jodhpur, and Bhubaneswar.)	NRI	13,53,300

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Conclusion

With its exceptional faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and strong industry partnerships, a NIFT education equips you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the competitive field of fashion design.

By carefully considering your design interests, preferred campus location, and program offerings, you can select the top NIFT campuses in India that aligns with your aspirations. Good luck on your journey towards a career in fashion design! 

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