Every year, thousands of students dream of getting into the National Institute of Fashion Technology, some because fashion is truly their calling, and others because, well, NIFT is a prestigious brand name. If you’ve ever appeared for the entrance, you’d know how competitive it feels, with over 30,000 students chasing approximately 4,837 seats. But when we actually look at the data on the number of students appeared for the NIFT exam versus the number of aspirants admitted over the last few years, it’s quite surprising. Some categories, like NRI or state domicile, don’t always get filled fully, while the regular seats usually stay in demand.

Continue reading for more information on how many students appeared for NIFT in 2023, 2024, 2023, 2022 and more. Additionally, discover the number of students who have been admitted to NIFT campuses in India. Here’s how the admission numbers looked from 2020 to 2025. 

NIFT Entrance Exam Statistics For Past years: Number of Registrations

Getting admission into NIFT is never just about clearing an entrance exam, it’s about making it through one of the most competitive design tests in the country. Every year, tens of thousands of students register for the exam, but only a few thousand end up securing a seat. The gap between how many apply and how many actually make it is huge, which is why getting into NIFT feels like such an achievement.

Number of students registered for NIFT

How many students get admission in NIFT every year?

The story of NIFT admissions isn’t just about clearing a tough exam, it’s also about how the seats have grown and shifted over time. Back in 2015 there were barely around 3,200 seats, and now in 2025 it’s crossed 4500. Every year the institute tweaks the intake — adding new categories like EWS, keeping some seats for state domicile students, while NRI quotas don’t always fill up. What this trend shows is not only how the demand for design education has shot up, but also how NIFT has had to keep adjusting its admission structure to match that demand. The table below kind of sums up how many seats were offered, how many actually got filled, and how many just stayed vacant.

How many students appeared for NIFT 2025?

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) conducted its 2025 entrance examination (NIFTEE) for various UG and PG programmes, drawing thousands of aspiring designers from across India. This year, a total of 17,974 unique candidates registered for Stage 1 of the exam. Since some candidates appeared for both the General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT) depending on their chosen programs, there were 33,877 total test entries. The exams saw a strong turnout, with 31,061 entries recorded, resulting in an attendance rate of 91.69%. The final results for all programs were declared on 22 June 2025.

List of NIFT Campuses in India

One of the big reasons NIFT is so popular is its wide reach. The institute isn’t just in Delhi—it has 19 campuses spread across the country, from the metros to smaller cities. Each campus offers a mix of design programs, with its own strengths and specialisations. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai are often the most sought after, thanks to industry exposure and placement opportunities. But campuses like Kannur, Shillong, or Raebareli give students a different kind of edge—smaller batches, closer mentorship, and the chance to grow in quieter surroundings.

Where you land depends on your rank, your choice of program, and of course, the number of seats available. But no matter which campus you get, the NIFT tag carries weight in the design industry everywhere.

How do you actually get into NIFT?

If you’re aiming for NIFT, the journey can feel a bit overwhelming in the beginning. But honestly, once you break it down, it’s just a sequence of steps that you need to clear one after another. The institute isn’t just looking for students who can draw or memorise theory—it’s more about a mix of creativity, logic, and patience. Here’s how the path usually unfolds:

Step 1 – The Application Form

It all starts here. National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the exam, opens the application window a few months before the test. Missing this deadline basically means sitting out for a whole year, so this step is way more important than it looks. Fill in your details carefully, double-check them twice (seriously, mistakes are painful later), pay the fee, and hit submit on time.

Step 2 – NIFT Written Test – CAT & GAT Exams

Then comes the real challenge: the entrance exams. Those who register for the NIFT entrance exam before the deadline are eligible to appear for the first round. There are two of them—the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT). CAT is where you get to show your design flair. It tests your sketching, imagination, and how well you can translate ideas into visuals. GAT, on the other hand, is the more academic one: English, maths, reasoning, current affairs, all bundled in. It’s like two halves of your brain being tested at once—creative on one side, analytical on the other.

Step 3 – The Situation Test

If you pass the written exams, you move to the situation test, which is honestly the most nerve-wracking stage. You’re given a set of materials—thermocol, straws, paper, maybe some clay—and a design brief. Your job is to make a model within the time limit. It’s not about being the neatest or the prettiest, but about how unique and functional your idea is. Think of it as proving that your creativity isn’t just on paper, it can exist in 3D too.

Step 4 – Counselling & Seat Allotment

Clear all of this, and the last stage is counselling. Here, your rank and your preferences decide which campus and course you get. It’s a bit like matchmaking—you state your choices, and NIFT matches you to the available seats. Once you accept the allotment, pay the fees, and finish the paperwork, you’re officially in.

Getting into NIFT isn’t easy, but the process is fair. It’s designed to filter in students who can both dream up creative solutions and also handle the academic grind. If you’re serious about it, start preparing early. Practice sketching under time pressure for CAT, polish your basics for GAT, and keep your calm during the situation test. With consistency, it’s not impossible—thousands crack it every year, and you could be next.

FAQs

1. How tough is it to get into NIFT?
NIFT is one of the most difficult design entrance exams in India.

2. Which is harder: CAT or GAT?
In NIFT, CAT tests creativity and design thinking, while GAT is more about reasoning, maths, and English.

3. How many NIFT campuses are there?
There are 19 NIFT campuses across India, including the big ones in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai.