NIFT 2026 counselling cutoff for SC and ST categories is expected to range from approximately rank 280 to 1,000 for SC and rank 120 to 550 for ST across B.Des programs and campuses, based on 2024–25 closing rank trends.
NIFT reserves 15% seats for Scheduled Caste (SC) and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students across all its 16 campuses and programs. During counselling, the authority prepares separate category-wise merit lists using your combined CAT, GAT, and GDPI score. Seats are allotted in order of merit within each category. Knowing how past closing ranks moved helps you shortlist campuses and programs before NIFT 2026 counselling begins around June–July 2026.
- NIFT 2026 counselling is expected around June–July 2026 after results and merit lists are declared.
- SC category (15% reservation) closing ranks are typically 2–3 times higher than General category at the same campus.
- ST category (7.5% reservation) closing ranks are numerically lower than SC due to fewer seats and a smaller applicant pool.
- NIFT Delhi and Mumbai B.Des programs are the most competitive even within SC and ST categories.
- Final rank is based on CAT 50% + GAT 30% + GDPI 20% for B.Des, and GAT 70% + GDPI 30% for B.FTech.
- Unfilled SC and ST seats after all rounds may be transferred to the general pool per government norms.
| Direct Link to NIFT 2026 Official Admissions Portal (Official) — nift.admissions.nic.in |
NIFT 2026 SC and ST Reservation Policy
NIFT follows the Government of India’s reservation framework. The table below shows how seats are distributed across reservation categories:
| Category | Reservation (%) | Proof Required |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% | Valid SC certificate from competent authority |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% | Valid ST certificate from competent authority |
| Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) | 27% | OBC-NCL certificate (non-creamy layer, current year) |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% | Annual family income below ?8 lakh |
| PwD (horizontal, within each category) | 5% | Disability certificate with ?40% disability |
SC and ST students also receive relaxation in minimum qualifying marks for the entrance test. Seats left unfilled in the SC or ST quota after all counselling rounds are transferred to the general pool as per government norms.
How NIFT Calculates Final Merit Score
Your NIFT 2026 merit rank within the SC or ST category is determined by the weighted composite score across test components and GDPI. The weightage by program is as follows:
| Program | CAT Weight | GAT Weight | GDPI Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Des (Bachelor of Design) | 50% | 30% | 20% |
| B.FTech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology) | — | 70% | 30% |
| M.Des (Master of Design) | 50% | 30% | 20% |
| MFM (Master of Fashion Management) | — | 60% | 40% |
| MFTech (Master of Fashion Technology) | — | 70% | 30% |
SC and ST students are ranked separately within their category using the same formula. A single strong GDPI performance can meaningfully improve your rank, especially in programs where GDPI carries 30–40% weight.
Previous Year SC and ST Cutoff Ranks (2024–25)
The closing ranks below are based on 2024–25 NIFT counselling data and serve as the primary benchmark for 2026 planning. A lower rank number indicates a stronger position on the merit list.
B.Des — SC Category Closing Ranks (2024–25, indicative)
| Campus | SC Closing Rank (2024–25) |
|---|---|
| NIFT New Delhi | Around 280–320 |
| NIFT Mumbai | Around 380–430 |
| NIFT Kolkata | Around 500–560 |
| NIFT Bengaluru | Around 520–600 |
| NIFT Chennai | Around 580–650 |
| NIFT Hyderabad | Around 640–720 |
| NIFT Gandhinagar | Around 700–780 |
| NIFT Bhopal / Patna / Raebareli | Around 800–1,000 |
B.Des — ST Category Closing Ranks (2024–25, indicative)
| Campus | ST Closing Rank (2024–25) |
|---|---|
| NIFT New Delhi | Around 120–160 |
| NIFT Mumbai | Around 160–210 |
| NIFT Kolkata | Around 230–280 |
| NIFT Bengaluru | Around 240–290 |
| NIFT Chennai | Around 270–320 |
| NIFT Hyderabad | Around 290–360 |
| NIFT Gandhinagar | Around 330–400 |
| NIFT Bhopal / Patna / Raebareli | Around 400–550 |
Program-wise Expected SC and ST Cutoff Ranks 2026
Expected NIFT 2026 cutoff ranks across programs are projected below based on 2024–25 trends. These are estimates and actual ranks will be confirmed after each counselling round:
| Program | Expected SC Closing Rank 2026 | Expected ST Closing Rank 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des (all campuses combined range) | 280 – 1,000 | 120 – 550 |
| B.FTech (all campuses combined range) | 200 – 700 | 80 – 350 |
| M.Des | 150 – 400 | 60 – 200 |
| MFM | 100 – 300 | 50 – 150 |
| MFTech | 80 – 250 | 40 – 120 |
Postgraduate programs (M.Des, MFM, MFTech) have lower applicant volumes and fewer total seats, so their cutoff rank numbers are lower even within SC and ST categories. B.FTech programs tend to have tighter SC/ST cutoffs at Tier 1 campuses because the seat intake is small relative to demand from engineering-stream students.
Campus-wise SC and ST Closing Rank Trends
NIFT’s 16 campuses can be grouped by competitiveness. Historical SC and ST closing rank ranges by campus tier are as follows:
| Campus Tier | Campuses | Typical SC Rank Range | Typical ST Rank Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (Most Competitive) | Delhi, Mumbai | 250 – 450 | 100 – 220 |
| Tier 2 | Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad | 450 – 750 | 200 – 380 |
| Tier 3 | Gandhinagar, Jodhpur, Kannur | 700 – 900 | 350 – 500 |
| Tier 4 (Newer Campuses) | Bhopal, Patna, Raebareli, Shillong, Srinagar, Kangra, Jorhat | 800 – 1,200+ | 400 – 700 |
Newer Tier 4 campuses often see higher cutoff rank numbers because seats fill later in subsequent counselling rounds. For SC and ST students with ranks beyond 500, these campuses are a reliable option to secure a NIFT seat. You can always upgrade to a better campus in a later round if a vacancy opens up.
Factors Affecting NIFT SC and ST Cutoff Ranks
Year-on-year shifts in NIFT SC and ST cutoff ranks are driven by several variables:
- Total SC/ST applicant count: A rise in the number of SC or ST applicants pushes the closing rank number higher, meaning competition increases within the category.
- Seat intake changes: If NIFT revises SC or ST seat allocation at a campus, cutoffs shift proportionally. Always check the official prospectus for seat intake.
- Exam difficulty: A tougher CAT or GAT paper compresses score distribution and can shift rank cutoffs by 50–150 places in either direction.
- GDPI performance trends: If the overall GDPI scores in a cycle are higher or lower than usual, composite merit rankings shift and cutoffs change accordingly.
- Vacancies after Round 1: Seats unfilled in the first round are re-offered in subsequent rounds, sometimes at relaxed effective cutoffs as competition narrows.
- Preference choices during counselling: High demand for a particular campus tightens its cutoff. Spreading your preferences across Tier 1 and Tier 2 campuses reduces risk.
Based on application growth patterns, NIFT 2026 SC and ST cutoff ranks are expected to remain broadly aligned with 2024–25, with a possible tightening of 5–10% at Tier 1 campuses.
NIFT 2026 SC ST Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected NIFT 2026 SC cutoff rank at NIFT Delhi for B.Des?
Ans. Based on 2024–25 trends, the expected SC closing rank at NIFT Delhi for B.Des is approximately 280–320. This is an estimate; official closing ranks will be published after each counselling round at nift.admissions.nic.in.
Ques. Is the NIFT ST cutoff rank lower than the SC cutoff rank?
Ans. Yes. ST closing ranks are numerically lower than SC closing ranks, meaning an ST student with a lower merit position can still secure admission. This is because ST seats (7.5%) are fewer than SC seats (15%) and the ST applicant pool is also smaller. A lower rank number always means a stronger merit position.
Ques. How many counselling rounds does NIFT conduct for SC and ST categories?
Ans. NIFT typically conducts two to three counselling rounds. Vacancies from the first round, including unfilled SC and ST seats, carry forward to subsequent rounds. Seats remaining unfilled in the SC or ST quota after all rounds may be converted to the general pool per government rules.
Ques. What documents do SC and ST students need for NIFT 2026 counselling?
Ans. You need a valid SC or ST caste certificate issued by a competent authority (District Magistrate or equivalent), Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, NIFT admit card and scorecard, a government-issued identity proof, passport-size photographs, and the counselling fee receipt. Carry both originals and self-attested photocopies.
Ques. Is GDPI mandatory for SC and ST students in NIFT 2026?
Ans. Yes. GDPI (Group Discussion and Personal Interview) is mandatory for all students in B.Des and postgraduate programs, including those under SC and ST categories. Your GDPI score forms 20–40% of the final merit score depending on the program, so preparation matters regardless of your test scores.
Ques. Can an SC or ST student get admission to NIFT with a rank above 500?
Ans. Yes. Based on previous year data, SC students with ranks up to 1,000 and ST students with ranks up to 550 have secured B.Des seats at Tier 3 and Tier 4 campuses such as Gandhinagar, Bhopal, Patna, and Raebareli. Tier 4 campuses fill in later rounds, so keep them in your preference list if your rank is in this range.
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