NIFT 2026 Final Answer Key: NTA to Release GAT Solutions Soon
The National Testing Agency is expected to release the NIFT 2026 final answer key by the end of February on its official portal. This final key follows the objection window which closed on February 19, and it will be the basis for the Stage 1 results due in April.
Candidates who appeared for the National Institute of Fashion Technology entrance exam are eagerly waiting for the next big update. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is likely to publish the final answer key for the NIFT 2026 General Ability Test (GAT) in the last few days of February. This follows the successful completion of the "objection window," where students were allowed to challenge any wrong answers in the first draft of the key until February 19.
According to the official schedule on the NTA NIFTEE portal, the entrance exam was conducted on February 8 across 97 cities. After the exam, a provisional key was released to give students an idea of their performance. Now, expert teachers and subject specialists are reviewing the complaints sent in by students. Once they decide which challenges are correct, they will upload the final answer key. Students should know that they cannot challenge this final version, as it is used to calculate the official scores for the NIFT results.
What Happens After the Final Key?
The release of the final key is a very important step because it leads directly to the results. The NTA will use these confirmed answers to check the computer-based GAT papers of thousands of students. While the final key comes out in February, the actual NIFT results for Stage 1 are expected to be announced in the third or fourth week of April 2026. Students can check these updates on the official NIFT website.
| Important Event | Date |
| NIFT Entrance Exam Date | February 8, 2026 |
| Provisional Key Release | February 17, 2026 |
| Last Date for Objections | February 19, 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Release | Late February 2026 (Expected) |
Next Steps for Shortlisted Candidates
Passing the written exam is only the first part of the journey. Students who score well in the GAT and CAT (Creative Ability Test) will be invited for Stage 2. For those applying for the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) course, the next step is the Situation Test. In this test, students are given a set of materials like cardboard, wire, and cloth to build a 3D model. This helps teachers see how creative and handy the student is.
| Selection Stage | What is it? |
| Stage 1 | Written Exam (GAT and CAT) |
| Stage 2 | Situation Test (for B.Des) |
| Stage 3 | Personal Interview (for PG courses) |
Conclusion
As we approach the end of February, students should keep their login details—like their application number and password—ready. The National Testing Agency will not send individual emails, so checking the portal daily is a good habit. Once the final answer key is out, you can calculate your final score more accurately. Remember, the marks from the written exam carry a lot of weight, but the Situation Test in April or May will ultimately decide if you get a seat in top campuses like NIFT Delhi or NIFT Mumbai.