Why join NIFT – How is National Institute of Fashion Technology different from other design colleges

The NIFTs are easily the most in-demand colleges for pursuing a design course in India. One major reason for their popularity is, they frequently top the rankings of top colleges. Here we bring you the list of NIFTs in India and discuss why students should join this design school. Also, learn about the NIFT specialty areas, the admission process, and famous alumni.

The NIFTs are the premier design schools in India.

NIFT Delhi, NIFT Mumbai, and NIFT Bangalore, to name a few, are frequently ranked among the top design colleges in India.

So, it is no surprise seeing most students seek admission to an NIFT and START a successful career as a fashion design.

Set up in 1986 under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, of 1860. NIFT was given the status of a Statutory Institute as part of the NIFT Act 2006.

On its establishment, NIFT instructors were from Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, USA. Further, distinguished personalities from the field of fashion and design were recruited to form in-house faculty of NIFT. “Pupul Jaykar Hall at NIFT headquarters in New Delhi is a reminiscence of many educational thinkers and visionaries who have been instrumental to the institute's road map to success”, informs the official website.

Latest Updates:

• NIFT application form 2025 open - Apply Here

NIFT Accreditation

NIFT Act 2006 published in the Gazette of India on July 14, 2006 confers Statutory Status on the institute. This Act came into effect from April 1, 2007.

As per the act the President of India is the 'Visitor' of NIFT. Also, the act gives NIFT the power to award Degrees as well as other distinctions on completion of the course. NIFT is the first design institute in India that can award its own degrees.

The Degrees awarded by NIFT are recognised by academia worldwide. The design institute is known to confer Degrees to the graduates as part of the Convocation Ceremony which is conducted each year.

NIFT Admission Process

Admission to design courses at the NIFTs is conducted through the NIFT entrance exam.

The NIFT is a two-step exam. The candidate first appears in the GAT and CAT written exams. If shortlisted, the candidate will have to appear in a Situation Test/ Personal Interview.  

NIFT Speciality Areas & How it is different from other Design schools

There are many other popular design colleges in India. However, what sets National Institute of Fashion Technology apart from them is that it offers more in-depth and diverse courses related to the fashion industry.

At NIFT “they teach you about fabrics, illustration, aesthetic sense, garment construction, styling etc. The education system at NIFT is such that we are taught more about apparels. Also, NIFT teaches you in and out of everything related to fashion”, shares Shreya an alumni of NIFT Delhi.

Sharing the same thoughts Shiksha’s Design stream expert, Shipra Anand said, “NIFT focuses on Fashion and Apparel sector while NID and IDC focus on Industrial Design and Communication Design sector”.

Why Should Students Opt to Secure Admission at NIFTs

One of the aspects due to which aspirants should opt to secure admission at any of the NIFTs is their placement and Shipra even shared that the best placements in fashion industry take place at NIFT.

She further revealed other reasons to select NIFT as a college choice by saying, “NIFT has student exchange tie-ups with more than 32 countries in the world. Hence, best exposure and opportunities for higher education or design interventions happen through NIFT”. It’s not just this, even the Government of India considers NIFT to be the premier most fashion design college in the country. “Anything in textile and apparel industry that is undertaken by the GOI is entrusted with NIFT. For example: Metro uniforms were designed by NIFT, new blankets in railways were designed by NIFT, khadi innovations happen with NIFT, craft clusters under GOI also happen with NIFT”, informed Shipra.

List of NIFTs

NIFT has its headquarters at New Delhi. The list of NIFTs along with their year of establishment is mentioned below:

Also Read: List of NIFTs in India: Rankings, Admissions, Courses and Fees

NIFT Admissions

Aspirants can secure admission in the National Institute of Fashion Technology based on their rank/score in the NIFT Entrance Exam. Candidates can secure admission through NIFT entrance exam in design disciplines like:

• Fashion Design
• Textile Design
• Accessory Design
• Leather Design
• Knitwear Design
• Fashion Communication

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Famous Alumni

NIFT is known to be the alma mater of famous designers in India. Some eminent alumni of NIFT are listed below: