National Institute of Fashion Technology

What is National Institute of Fashion Technology?

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi is a government-run, statutory design institute established in 1986 under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and located on the NIFT campus at Hauz Khas near Gulmohar Park in South Delhi. It is the founding and flagship campus of the 18-centre NIFT network, set up as a Statutory Institute of National Importance by the NIFT Act, 2006. NIFT Delhi is best known for being India's premier fashion, design, management and technology institution, ranked Number 1 in Fashion Design by both India Today 2025 and Outlook 2025, and it is the largest NIFT campus, offering all seven bachelor's and three master's programmes with the highest student strength in the network.

National Institute of Fashion Technology Key Facts (2026)

The table below summarises the core identity of NIFT Delhi at a glance, answering the common question "what type of institute is NIFT Delhi and what does it offer?" Read the left column as the parameter and the right column as the specific detail for the Hauz Khas campus. These figures combine the institute's official profile with publicly reported data for 2026. Use this as your quick-reference snapshot before diving into courses, fees and placements below.

The takeaway for applicants is that NIFT Delhi is the oldest, largest and top-ranked campus in the NIFT system, which is why it attracts the most competitive applicant pool every year. Its status as a statutory institute under the Ministry of Textiles means its degrees carry national weight, and its full programme spread makes it the only campus where almost every NIFT discipline is available under one roof.

Why Choose National Institute of Fashion Technology?

NIFT Delhi stands apart from other design colleges for concrete, verifiable reasons rather than reputation alone. Here are the institute-specific differentiators that matter most to a 2026 aspirant:

• Number 1 in India for Fashion Design (2025): NIFT Delhi was ranked #1 in Fashion Design by India Today 2025 (its third consecutive year at the top) and #1 in Fashion Design (Government) by Outlook 2025, placing it ahead of every other fashion school in the country.
• The founding and largest NIFT campus: Established in 1986, the Hauz Khas campus is the original NIFT and the largest by student strength, offering all seven bachelor's and three master's programmes, so applicants can choose from the widest range of design and management specialisations.
• Flagship programmes: Its B.Des streams (Fashion Design, Accessory Design, Knitwear Design, Leather Design, Textile Design and Fashion Communication) plus B.F.Tech and PG programmes M.Des, M.F.M and M.F.Tech are anchored to the live Indian fashion and apparel industry.
• Strong, industry-linked placements: NIFT Delhi reported a 99.00% placement rate in 2024 and 95.00% in 2025, with a highest package of Rs 15,00,000 in 2025, backed by recruiters such as Aditya Birla Fashion, H&M, Zara, Myntra, Flipkart, Decathlon and Reliance.
• Location advantage: Sitting in the heart of Delhi near the National Capital Region's apparel and export hubs gives students direct access to internships, craft clusters and design houses.

Courses, Fees & Rankings at a Glance

This section answers "what courses does NIFT Delhi offer and how much do they cost?" with the institute's actual programme-level fees and its top rank. The table lists the flagship degrees, their duration, indicative total fee and the relevant entrance route, alongside the campus's leading 2025 ranking. Fees shown are the total programme fees for the Hauz Khas campus; for semester-wise breakups, hostel charges and seat counts, see the detailed Courses and Fees tabs. Read each row as one programme an applicant can target.

The clear takeaway is that NIFT Delhi's undergraduate B.Des is the most sought-after and the most expensive at around Rs 14,09,000 for four years, while the two-year M.Des at Rs 6,85,000 offers a faster postgraduate route into design. Every programme funnels through a NIFT-administered entrance test, and all of them carry the weight of the campus's #1 Fashion Design ranking. Applicants should match programme cost and duration to their career stage, then confirm exact seat and category-wise fees on the detailed tabs.

Placement & Admission Snapshot

NIFT Delhi's most recent reported placements show an average package of Rs 7,00,000 and a highest package of Rs 15,00,000 in 2025, with 95.00% of students placed; in 2024 the campus recorded a 99.00% placement rate with the same Rs 7,00,000 average, and 2026 data so far indicates an average of Rs 4,50,000 with a highest of Rs 14,00,000. The headline admission route for every programme is the NIFT Entrance Exam, conducted nationally, followed by Situation Test (for B.Des) or Group Discussion and Personal Interview (for PG programmes). The table below presents the year-wise placement figures so you can read the trend at a glance.

The trend tells applicants two things. First, NIFT Delhi consistently places the overwhelming majority of its students (95.00% to 99.00% in 2024 and 2025), which reflects deep industry demand for its graduates. Second, the average package has held steady around Rs 7,00,000 in 2024 and 2025 while top offers reached Rs 15,00,000, so strong portfolios and specialisations can command well above the mean. For admission, the single decisive factor is performance in the NIFT Entrance Exam followed by the relevant Situation Test or interview round.

Frequently Asked Questions: National Institute of Fashion Technology Overview 2026

Is National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi a good college?

Yes, NIFT Delhi is rated the best fashion design institute in India, ranked #1 in Fashion Design by both India Today 2025 and Outlook 2025. As the founding 1986 campus of the NIFT network and the largest by student strength, it combines top rankings, a 95.00% placement rate in 2025 and 99.00% in 2024, and strong industry links in the national capital. Its government, statutory status under the Ministry of Textiles makes its degrees nationally recognised, which is why it draws the most competitive applicants of all NIFT campuses each year.

What is NIFT Delhi known for?

NIFT Delhi is known for being India's number one fashion design institution, holding the #1 rank in Fashion Design from both India Today 2025 and Outlook 2025. Established in 1986 at Hauz Khas, it is the original and largest NIFT campus, offering all seven bachelor's and three master's programmes. It is especially recognised for its B.Des streams in Fashion, Accessory, Knitwear, Leather, Textile and Fashion Communication design, and for placements with leading recruiters such as Aditya Birla Fashion, H&M, Zara, Myntra and Flipkart.

What courses does NIFT Delhi offer?

NIFT Delhi offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes, including B.Des (4 years), B.F.Tech, M.Des (2 years), M.F.M, M.F.Tech and a 3-year PhD. It is the only NIFT campus to run all seven bachelor's and three master's programmes. The B.Des spans Fashion Design, Accessory Design, Knitwear Design, Leather Design, Textile Design and Fashion Communication, while postgraduate options cover design (M.Des), fashion management (M.F.M) and fashion technology (M.F.Tech). Admission to every programme is through the NIFT Entrance Exam.

What is the total fee at NIFT Delhi?

The total B.Des fee at NIFT Delhi is approximately Rs 14,09,000 for the full four-year programme, making it the institute's flagship and most expensive degree. The two-year M.Des costs around Rs 6,85,000 in total. These figures cover tuition for the entire course duration; hostel charges and one-time refundable deposits are additional. Because fees can vary by category and revision year, applicants should confirm the exact, current semester-wise and category-wise breakup on NIFT Delhi's official fee structure and the detailed Fees tab before applying.

What is the NIRF and ranking status of NIFT Delhi?

NIFT Delhi is ranked #1 in Fashion Design by India Today 2025 (its third year running at the top) and #1 in Fashion Design (Government) by Outlook 2025. These domain-specific rankings place it ahead of every other fashion school in India. As a statutory institute under the Ministry of Textiles rather than a conventional university, its standing is measured primarily through these specialised fashion and design rankings, where it consistently leads, reflecting strengths in teaching, graduation outcomes, research and inclusivity.

What is the average package at NIFT Delhi?

The average package at NIFT Delhi was Rs 7,00,000 in 2025, the same as in 2024, while the highest package reached Rs 15,00,000 in 2025. For 2026, early figures indicate an average of Rs 4,50,000 and a highest of Rs 14,00,000. The campus placed 95.00% of students in 2025 and 99.00% in 2024, with recruiters including Aditya Birla Fashion, H&M, Zara, Decathlon, Myntra and Flipkart. Strong portfolios and in-demand specialisations typically secure offers well above the average.

Is admission to NIFT Delhi merit or entrance based?

Admission to NIFT Delhi is entrance-based: every applicant must qualify the NIFT Entrance Exam. For B.Des, candidates need 10+2 in any stream from a recognised board (maximum age 24 years) and must clear the written exam followed by the Situation Test. For M.Des, a bachelor's degree in any discipline plus the NIFT Entrance Exam and a Group Discussion and Personal Interview round are required. PhD admission is through the NIFT PhD Entrance Test followed by a proposal presentation. Class 12 marks alone do not secure a seat.