NIFT 2026 Stage-2 PI Round Scheduled in Delhi for MDes Admissions

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has scheduled the Stage-2 Personal Interview round in Delhi for MDes admissions. Check the reporting details and dates.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has moved into the second stage of its admission process for the Master of Design (MDes) program. Following the declaration of results from the written entrance examinations, the authority has announced the schedule for the Personal Interview (PI) round. This stage is a critical component of the selection process for postgraduate aspirants seeking admission to one of the premier design institutes in India.

The Stage-2 interviews for MDes are being centralized at the NIFT Delhi campus. Candidates who successfully cleared the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and General Ability Test (GAT) are required to appear for this offline interaction. The interview round is designed to evaluate a candidate’s professional aptitude, creative depth, and their vision for the design industry.

Evaluation Criteria for Stage-2 Interviews

The Personal Interview carries a significant weightage in the final merit calculation. Unlike the written tests that focus on logic and sketching, the PI round allows the jury to assess the candidate's personality and academic intent. Aspirants are often expected to discuss their portfolios, past projects, and their reasons for pursuing a master’s degree in design.

For the 2026 admission cycle, NIFT has emphasized that the interview will also gauge the candidate’s awareness of current global trends in sustainability and technology in fashion. Candidates must bring their original academic documents, including mark sheets and degrees, along with a physical copy of their portfolio for the jury’s review.

Schedule and Reporting Details

The interview process is scheduled to take place throughout the month of April. Candidates have been allotted specific dates and time slots based on their merit ranks from the written exam. It is mandatory for students to report to the Delhi campus at least 45 minutes before their scheduled slot to complete the document verification process.

Preparation for the Delhi Interview Round

As the interviews are conducted in person, candidates traveling to Delhi must plan their logistics in advance. The NIFT Delhi campus in Hauz Khas serves as the hub for these postgraduate interviews due to the availability of specialized jury members. Since the PI round is the final step before the merit list is prepared, the competition level is exceptionally high.

Experts suggest that MDes aspirants should focus on explaining the "why" behind their design choices. The jury often looks for individuals who can contribute to research and innovation within the design sector. Successful candidates from this round will see their names in the final merit list, which combines the scores of GAT, CAT, and PI.

Documentation and Final Merit List

Post-interview, the NIFT admission cell will begin the process of data entry and score normalization. The final merit list is expected to be released on the official NIFT portal by mid-May. This list will determine the order in which candidates can choose their preferred campus and specialization during the centralized counseling rounds.

Candidates must ensure that all category certificates, if applicable, are up to date and meet the government of India's specifications. Any failure to produce the required documents during the Delhi PI round can lead to the immediate cancellation of the candidate's application, regardless of their written test scores.

Conclusion

The NIFT 2026 admission cycle for MDes is currently focused on the Stage-2 Personal Interview round at the Delhi campus. This phase represents the final hurdle for design aspirants before the declaration of the permanent merit list in May. With the written tests now in the past, the emphasis has shifted to the qualitative assessment of creative talent and professional goals. Candidates should utilize the remaining days to refine their portfolios and prepare for the academic scrutiny of the NIFT jury. As the April interview window progresses, staying updated with official NIFT notifications remains the only way to ensure a smooth transition into postgraduate design education.