NIFT 2026 Late-Fee Application Window Nears Closure

The NIFT 2026 late-fee application window is approaching its final deadline. Candidates can complete their registration on exams.nta.nic.in/niftee until January 16.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is nearing the end of its extended registration cycle for the 2026-27 academic session. In a recent move to broaden access, the Ministry of Textiles and the National Testing Agency (NTA) pushed the regular registration deadline to January 13, 2026. This extension was specifically implemented to ensure that a larger volume of students could benefit from the institute's newly reduced application fee structure. Following the close of the regular window, the portal will immediately transition into its final phase for those who miss the primary cutoff.

• The regular application window, which now concludes on January 13, allows candidates to apply under the revised lower fee structure.
• For the upcoming batch, NIFT has significantly decreased costs: General/OBC-NCL candidates now pay ₹2,000, while SC/ST/PwD candidates pay just ₹500.
• High volume of traffic is expected on the official portal as students from 102 cities across India finalize their submissions.
• The National Testing Agency is overseeing the process to maintain transparency and technical stability during these final days.
• Successful applicants will be eligible for the Stage 1 entrance examination, scheduled to take place across the country on February 8, 2026.

Late Fee Structure and Technical Deadlines

For candidates who are unable to complete their forms by the January 13 deadline, a secondary window is available, albeit at a higher cost. This late-fee period serves as the absolute final opportunity for entrance into the 2026 selection process. The NTA has clarified that while the base application fee remains reduced, the penalty for late submission remains substantial to encourage timely compliance with the academic calendar.

• The late-fee window opens on January 14 and remains active only until January 16, 2026.
• During this period, candidates must pay a late fee of ₹5,000 in addition to their applicable base registration charges.
• This final opportunity is available only through online payment modes, including credit cards, debit cards, and net banking.
• Following the late registration phase, a brief two-day correction window will open on January 18 for students to rectify minor errors in their submitted profiles.
• No new applications will be entertained under any circumstances after the portal closes on the evening of January 16.

Examination Pattern and Candidate Requirements

The NIFT entrance exam remains one of the most comprehensive evaluations in the design field, consisting of multiple components tailored to different courses. Candidates are currently preparing for the General Ability Test (GAT) and the Creative Ability Test (CAT), depending on whether they are applying for design, technology, or management streams. The NTA has also introduced two new exam centers in Vapi and Daman to better accommodate students from the western region of the country.

• The written examination on February 8 will be conducted through both computer-based and pen-and-paper modes.
• Candidates applying for B.Des and M.Des programs must appear for both CAT and GAT, whereas B.F.Tech and MFM aspirants only take the GAT.
• With the addition of new exam centers, the total number of testing locations has reached 102, ensuring wide geographical coverage.
• Aspirants must ensure that their uploaded photographs and signatures meet the NTA’s specific pixel and file-size requirements to avoid rejection.
• Once the late-fee window closes, the administrative staff will begin finalizing the allotment of these test centers for the admit card generation phase.
• The staff has also highlighted that the age limit for undergraduate regular programs is 24 years as of August 1, 2026, with relevant relaxations for reserved categories.

Conclusion

The 2026 NIFT admission process is entering its final stretch with the late-fee window set to close on January 16. This follows a significant effort by the Ministry of Textiles to lower the financial barriers for design education by reducing the base application fees. Aspirants are urged to complete their formalities before the January 13 regular deadline to avoid the heavy ₹5,000 late penalty. As the National Testing Agency prepares for the February 8 examination, these final days represent the last chance for prospective designers and fashion managers to join the 19 campuses of India's premier fashion institute.