Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

The Master of Design [M.Des] at NIFT New Delhi is a prestigious 2-year postgraduate programme that prepares design professionals for leadership roles in the fashion, lifestyle, and creative industries. Established in 1986 under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, NIFT Delhi is India's premier fashion institution. The M.Des programme is multi-disciplinary in nature, offering specialisations in Fashion Design, Textile Design, Accessory Design, Leather Design, Knitwear Design, and Fashion Communication. The total course fee is approximately Rs. 6.84 lakhs, with a seat intake of 38 seats at the New Delhi campus. Admission is through the NIFTEE (NIFT Entrance Examination) conducted by NTA, comprising GAT, CAT, and a Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD/PI). The programme is highly popular among design graduates seeking advanced specialisation, research exposure, and access to NIFT's strong industry network.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are currently in progress. The NIFTEE 2026 examination was held on February 8, 2026, and results are expected tentatively in April 2026. GD/PI rounds are expected in April/May 2026, with seat allocation in May-June 2026 and the new batch commencing in July 2026. The regular registration window (December 8, 2025 to January 6, 2026) has closed; the NRI/Foreign National category registration remains open until April 30, 2026.

Key Points

The M.Des programme at NIFT Delhi is multi-disciplinary, allowing students from any undergraduate discipline to apply, not just design graduates.
Specialisations offered at NIFT Delhi include Fashion Design, Textile Design, Accessory Design, Leather Design, Knitwear Design, and Fashion Communication.
The programme builds on design thinking and research practice, preparing graduates for roles in design research, academia, corporate design, and entrepreneurship.
M.Des graduates from NIFT Delhi are recruited by leading companies including Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Godrej, TCS, Wipro, Nykaa, and Goldman Sachs.
The revised 2025 curriculum introduces Interdisciplinary Minors (IDMs) for PG students, enabling cross-domain specialisation.
NIFT Delhi offers 38 regular seats plus 5 supernumerary NRI seats for M.Des.

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NIFT Delhi M.Des Fees

The total course fee for M.Des at NIFT New Delhi is approximately Rs. 6.84 lakhs for the entire 2-year programme (excluding hostel). The tuition fee component totals Rs. 6.16 lakhs across 4 semesters, with a slight increment in the second year. Other charges include library fees, exam fees, mediclaim and student development fees, a one-time registration fee of Rs. 9,300, and a refundable security deposit of Rs. 12,600. The Alumni Association Membership Fee of Rs. 5,900 is payable in Semester 3. Hostel accommodation (girls only) is available separately at Rs. 1.22 to 1.62 lakhs per year and is not mandatory.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Total for 2 Years)
Tuition Fee (Non-Refundable)	Rs. 6,16,000
Library Fee (Non-Refundable)	Rs. 20,500
Mediclaim and Student Development Fee (Non-Refundable)	Rs. 10,000
Exam Fee (Non-Refundable)	Rs. 10,000
Alumni Association Membership Fee (One-Time, Non-Refundable)	Rs. 5,900
Registration Fee (One-Time)	Rs. 9,300
Security Deposit (One-Time, Refundable)	Rs. 12,600
Total Fees (Excluding Hostel)	Rs. 6,84,300
Hostel Fees (Girls, Optional)	Rs. 1,22,000 - Rs. 1,62,000 per year

The security deposit of Rs. 12,600 is fully refundable upon course completion.
The registration fee of Rs. 9,300 is a one-time, non-refundable payment made at the time of admission.
The Alumni Association Membership Fee of Rs. 5,900 is payable in Semester 3 (second year).
Hostel is available for girls only; boys must arrange private accommodation.
Fee payment is semester-wise.
Late fee of Rs. 100 per day is applicable after the due date.
No EMI option is officially offered; however, education loans are available through banks.
NRI students at NIFT Delhi (major campuses) pay approximately Rs. 10.53 lakhs per year.

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NIFT Delhi M.Des Admission 2026

Admissions to M.Des at NIFT New Delhi are conducted centrally through the NIFTEE (NIFT Entrance Examination) administered by NTA. The M.Des selection process involves three stages: GAT (General Ability Test), CAT (Creative Ability Test), and GD/PI (Group Discussion and Personal Interview). The 2026 admission cycle is currently underway, with the entrance exam already conducted on February 8, 2026. GD/PI rounds are expected in April/May 2026, followed by seat allocation in May-June 2026. The new batch is scheduled to commence in July 2026.

NIFT Delhi M.Des Admission Dates

Event	Date
Online Registration Opens	December 8, 2025
Last Date for Online Registration (Regular)	January 6, 2026
Registration with Late Fee (Rs. 500 extra)	January 7-10, 2026
Application Form Correction Window	January 12-14, 2026
Admit Card Release	First week of February 2026
NIFTEE 2026 Entrance Examination (GAT + CAT)	February 8, 2026
Provisional Answer Key Release	February 2026
Result of Entrance Examination	April 2026 (Tentative)
Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD/PI)	April/May 2026 (Tentative)
Declaration of Final Result	May 2026 (Tentative)
Seat Allocation	May-June 2026 (Tentative)
Last Date for NRI/Foreign National Registration	April 30, 2026
Orientation of New Batch	July 2026 (Tentative)

NIFTEE 2026 Exam Dates

Event	Date
Registration Start	December 8, 2025
Registration End	January 6, 2026 (extended to January 16, 2026)
Admit Card	February 4, 2026
Exam Date	February 8, 2026
Result (Tentative)	April 1, 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree (minimum 3 years) in any discipline from a recognised university, with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
There is no upper age limit for M.Des admission.
Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, subject to submission of proof of passing at the time of admission.

Admission Process:

Register online at https://exams.nta.nic.in/niftee/ and pay the application fee (Rs. 3,000 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 1,500 for SC/ST/PwD).
Appear for the NIFTEE comprising GAT (General Ability Test, CBT, 2 hours) and CAT (Creative Ability Test, Paper-Based, 3 hours).
Shortlisted candidates (based on GAT + CAT scores) appear for GD/PI at designated NIFT campuses.
Final merit is calculated as: GAT 30% + CAT 40% + GD/PI 30%.
Seat allocation is done online based on merit rank and candidate preferences for specialisation and campus.
Pay admission fee online to confirm the allotted seat.
Report to NIFT Delhi campus on the designated date with original documents.

NIFT Delhi: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 4 Reviews

The NIFT entrance exam for the M.Des program was conducted in January 2019, featuring GAT and CAT phases, followed by a GDPI round. There were 117 seats available nationwide, and admissions were based on merit ranks. The results for PG courses were announced on March 13, 2020. The M.Des program has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1, with a focus on jury-based and continuous internal evaluation. The program's fees are about 1,50,000 INR per semester, excluding additional costs for materials and living expenses, leading some students to seek loans.

Placement opportunities are robust, with 25-30 companies participating annually, offering roles like design strategist and UX researcher. The average salary package is around 7 lakhs, with the highest at 22 lakhs. Internships, required between the second and third semesters, are supported by faculty networking. Notable internship partners include ONDC, TVS, and Tata. Scholarships are offered, including a merit-based one and the Sarthak scholarship for students with lower incomes. Fees vary by course, with graphic design at 127,000 INR and bachelor courses ranging from 20 to 25 lakhs.

For the 2024-25 year, the total fee for the first two semesters is 326,200 INR. Detailed fee structures are on the NIFT website.

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NIFT Delhi M.Des Scholarships 2026

NIFT offers two primary scholarship/financial assistance schemes for M.Des students at New Delhi. The SARTHAK scheme provides tuition fee waivers of up to 75% for economically weaker postgraduate students, while the UDAAN scheme supports meritorious students for foreign studies/exchange programmes. These schemes are available to all regular students (excluding NRI/NRI-sponsored) and are determined by parental income. Students from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) are additionally encouraged to apply on the National Scholarship Portal.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship	Eligibility (Annual Family Income)	Benefit
SARTHAK - Category A (PG)	Up to Rs. 2 lakhs	75% tuition fee waiver
SARTHAK - Category B (PG)	Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 4 lakhs	50% tuition fee waiver
SARTHAK - Category C (PG)	Rs. 4 lakhs to Rs. 8 lakhs	25% tuition fee waiver
UDAAN (Means-cum-Merit for Foreign Studies)	Economically weaker students with merit	Financial assistance for foreign studies/exchange
National Scholarship Portal (SC/ST/OBC)	As per government norms	As per government scheme

SARTHAK for PG students provides up to 75% tuition fee waiver (lower than UG's 100%), as PG students are expected to have greater financial independence.
Continuation of SARTHAK requires a minimum SGPA of 6.00 in the last two consecutive semesters with no carry-forward subjects.
Students receiving any other government/PSU/trust scholarship are not eligible for SARTHAK simultaneously.
Application for SARTHAK is done online through NIFT's CMS portal within the prescribed timeline.

NIFT Delhi M.Des Placement 2024

NIFT Delhi's M.Des programme has strong placement outcomes, with graduates being recruited by leading design firms, technology companies, fashion houses, and research organisations. M.Des graduates are valued for their advanced design thinking, research capabilities, and multi-disciplinary expertise. The programme's industry connections and NIFT's 45,000+ alumni network provide excellent placement support. Employers include global technology companies (Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Bosch), fashion and lifestyle brands (Nykaa, Godrej, Freedom Tree Design), and consulting firms (TCS, Wipro, Goldman Sachs).

Placement Statistics

Placement Statistic	Details (2024)
Placement Rate	85-90% (for eligible students)
Highest Package	Rs. 12-15 LPA (NIFT Delhi, all PG)
Average Package	Rs. 7-8 LPA
Top Recruiters	Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Bosch, TCS, Wipro, Goldman Sachs, Nykaa, Godrej, Lokus Design, Think Design, Onio Design, Freedom Tree Design, Archana Kochhar

Placement data is for NIFT Delhi PG overall; M.Des-specific breakdowns are not separately published by NIFT.

NIFT Delhi M.Des Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#4 out of 76 in India 2025

#1st in New Delhi

#1 in Delhi NCR

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NIFT Delhi M.Des FAQs

Ques. Can a non-design graduate apply for M.Des at NIFT Delhi?

Ans. Yes. The M.Des programme at NIFT is open to graduates from any discipline - engineering, science, arts, commerce, or design. The only requirement is a minimum 3-year undergraduate degree with at least 50% marks. The CAT (Creative Ability Test) assesses your creative aptitude, so even non-design graduates with strong creative skills can qualify. Many M.Des students at NIFT come from engineering, architecture, and humanities backgrounds.

Ques. What is the difference between M.Des and MFM at NIFT? Which should I choose?

Ans. M.Des (Master of Design) is a design-focused programme that involves both GAT and CAT, and is suited for those who want to pursue advanced design practice, research, or specialised design roles. MFM (Master of Fashion Management) is a management-focused programme that involves only GAT and GD/PI, and is suited for those interested in fashion business, retail management, and marketing. If you are creatively inclined and want to work as a designer or design researcher, choose M.Des. If you are interested in the business side of fashion, choose MFM.

Ques. Which specialisations are available in M.Des at NIFT Delhi?

Ans. NIFT Delhi offers M.Des specialisations in Fashion Design, Textile Design, Accessory Design, Leather Design, Knitwear Design, and Fashion Communication. The specialisation is allocated based on your merit rank and preference at the time of seat allocation. NIFT Delhi, being the flagship campus, typically offers all major specialisations.

Ques. What is the weightage of GD/PI in M.Des admission at NIFT?

Ans. The final merit for M.Des is calculated as: GAT 30% + CAT 40% + GD/PI 30%. The GD/PI round is conducted at designated NIFT campuses after the written test results are declared. The GD typically involves a group discussion on a design or current affairs topic, while the PI is a personal interview assessing your design portfolio, motivation, and subject knowledge.

Ques. Is work experience required for M.Des admission at NIFT?

Ans. No, work experience is not mandatory for M.Des admission at NIFT. Fresh graduates can apply directly. However, having relevant work experience or a strong design portfolio can be advantageous during the GD/PI round, as it demonstrates practical exposure and professional maturity.

Ques. What career options are available after M.Des from NIFT Delhi?

Ans. M.Des graduates from NIFT Delhi pursue careers as Visual Designers, Design Researchers, UX/UI Designers, Creative Directors, Design Managers, Trend Analysts, Exhibition Curators, and Design Academics. They are recruited by technology companies (Microsoft, Samsung, Google), fashion brands, design consultancies, and NGOs. Many graduates also pursue PhD programmes in India and abroad, or launch their own design studios and startups.

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College Ninja

4.9Helpful

M.Des

Reviewed on Jan 2, 2025(Enrolled 2024)

NIFT Delhi - A total walkthrough

Fees and Financial Aid:

The fee is different per semester and it keeps increasing year by year for year 2024-25 the total fee for 1st and 2nd sem is 326200 rupees. There is a scholarship program called sarthak it offers the scholarship according to the family income. Other than that scholarship for ST students are also there. There is a proper breakup of fees available on the website of NIFT for the academic year and they keep updating it.

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Prateek Sharma

5.0Helpful

M.Des

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2024(Enrolled 2022)

All points are relatable

Likes

Nift jury, it's like a exam but there you learn new things from examiner

Fees and Financial Aid:

There is many fee structure like I got (GDC) graphic design and communication I pay 127000 fo 150 classes And 5000 is refundable after the course and you will get certificate of nift There is 20 to 25 lakhs fees for batchelor course like master degree

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Bhawana Jain

4.3Helpful

M.Des

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2020

College of dreams

Fees and Financial Aid:

no, I did not opted for any, but college gives the scholarships as per ministry of textile guidelines for students who can not afford education by there own.

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Maitreyi Pande

3.3Helpful

M.Des

Reviewed on Dec 8, 2019

NIFT for Master's in Design

Fees and Financial Aid:

There are a few scholarship programs available. There is one merit-based scholarship program, for which they look at your first and second semester marks. Then there is another scholarship program called Sarthak, which is offered to the people who have lesser annual income (they have a specific higher limit).

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