NIFT 2027 Forms Are Out: Exam on January 10, Apply by Nov 16 to Skip the Rs 5,000 Late Fee
If you have been waiting to apply for NIFT, your wait is over. The National Testing Agency has opened registration for NIFT 2027, the entrance exam for the 2027-28 academic session at the National Institute of Fashion Technology. Forms are live now, the Stage 1 exam is fixed for January 10, 2027, and the regular deadline closes on November 16, 2026. Apply by that date, or be ready to pay an extra Rs 5,000 as late fee.
The notification was released on October 16, and applications started the same day on the official NIFT application portal. NTA is running the exam on behalf of NIFT, so this is the only place to apply.
The full NIFT 2027 schedule, date by date
Here is every date that matters, in one place:
- Registration opens: October 16, 2026
- Last date with normal fee: November 16, 2026
- Last date with late fee (extra Rs 5,000): November 21, 2026
- Application correction window: November 22 to 25, 2026
- City intimation slip: December 21, 2026
- Admit card download: January 4, 2027
- Stage 1 exam (GAT / CAT): January 10, 2027
The exam has two components. The General Ability Test (GAT) will be held as a computer-based test, while the Creative Ability Test (CAT) will be a pen-and-paper test. Which parts you take depends on the programme you are applying for, so read the programme-wise details in the official bulletin before you submit.
Who can apply, and for which courses
The NIFT 2027 cycle covers the institute’s flagship design programmes: B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, M.F.M and M.F.Tech, plus lateral entry admissions, the artisan category, and Ph.D. routes. In short, the route is open whether you are a Class 12 student dreaming of a design studio or a graduate looking at a master of fashion management.
“Miss the November 16 deadline and your application still gets in until November 21, but the late fee alone is Rs 5,000 on top of the regular fee. Early birds keep that money.”
Check the eligibility conditions for your chosen programme carefully. Requirements such as subject combinations and upper age limits differ between programmes, and getting the application right at the start saves you trouble during the correction window later.
How to fill the NIFT 2027 application form
Filling the form is a straightforward online process, but keep your documents ready before you start:
- Visit exams.nta.nic.in/niftee and open the NIFTEE 2027 application link.
- Register with your name, mobile number and email address to create login credentials.
- Log in and complete the application form with your personal and academic details.
- Upload your photograph, signature and required documents in the prescribed format. Aadhaar-based e-KYC and a live photograph are part of the upload process.
- Pay the application fee and submit the form. Download the confirmation page for your records.
One common mistake students make: uploading a photo or signature that does not match the prescribed size and format. Get those right in one go, and keep the confirmation PDF safe, since you will need the application number later.
Do not confuse the correction window with the late-fee window
The correction window from November 22 to 25 is only for editing details you have already submitted. It is not a second chance to apply. If you have not submitted a form by November 21, the correction window will not help you. That is why the November 16 date matters the most.
If NTA entrance exams are on your radar this season, note that UGC NET December 2026 applications also close around the same time, so plan your form-filling calendar carefully.
Students preparing for other big national exams can find our coverage of CAT 2026, whose exam falls on November 29 this year. And for a broader look at everything from entrance tests to admissions deadlines, keep checking this section regularly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for NIFT 2027 without a late fee?
The last date to submit the NIFT 2027 application with the normal fee is November 16, 2026. Applications are still accepted until November 21, 2026, but with an extra late fee of Rs 5,000.
When is the NIFT 2027 Stage 1 exam?
The NIFT 2027 Stage 1 written exam (GAT and CAT) is scheduled for January 10, 2027. Admit cards will be released on January 4, 2027.
Where do I fill the NIFT 2027 application form?
Applications are accepted only online through the official NTA portal at exams.nta.nic.in/niftee. NTA conducts the exam on behalf of the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
Which programmes are covered under NIFT 2027 admission?
The 2027 admission cycle covers B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, M.F.M and M.F.Tech programmes, along with lateral entry, artisan category and Ph.D. routes for the 2027-28 academic session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for NIFT 2027 without a late fee?
The last date to submit the NIFT 2027 application with the normal fee is November 16, 2026. Applications are still accepted until November 21, 2026, but with an extra late fee of Rs 5,000.
When is the NIFT 2027 Stage 1 exam?
The NIFT 2027 Stage 1 written exam (GAT and CAT) is scheduled for January 10, 2027. Admit cards will be released on January 4, 2027.
Where do I fill the NIFT 2027 application form?
Applications are accepted only online through the official NTA portal at exams.nta.nic.in/niftee. NTA conducts the exam on behalf of the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
Which programmes are covered under NIFT 2027 admission?
The 2027 admission cycle covers B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, M.F.M and M.F.Tech programmes, along with lateral entry, artisan category and Ph.D. routes for the 2027-28 academic session.
