NIFT previous year question papers for 2023 to 2026 are free to download here: 16 actual NTA papers from 2024 and 2025 (GAT for every programme, plus the 2024 B.Des and M.Des CAT), a memory-based 2023 paper and NTA’s final Stage 1 answer key for 2026. The B.Des GAT runs 100 questions in 2 hours and the B.F.Tech and M.F.M GAT 150 questions in 3 hours, so the programme-wise 2024 and 2025 papers are the closest practice for Stage 1 on 10 January 2027.
NIFT Previous Year Question Papers
Pick a year, then open the paper for your programme; each paper is labelled B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, M.F.M, M.F.Tech or lateral entry (NLEA).
Newest papersNIFT 2026 Question Paper
View 2026 papersAnswer key only
NIFT Question Papers by Year
| Year | Papers | Answer key | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIFT 2026 | Answer key only | Yes | View papers |
| NIFT 2025 | 9 papers | Not available | View papers |
| NIFT 2024 | 7 papers | Not available | View papers |
| NIFT 2023 | 1 paper (memory-based) | Not available | View papers |
NIFT Paper at a Glance
| Stage 1 tests | GAT (General Ability Test) for every programme; CAT (Creative Ability Test) for B.Des and M.Des |
|---|---|
| GAT duration and marks | B.Des 2 hours, 100 marks; M.Des 2 hours, 120 marks; B.F.Tech, M.F.M and M.F.Tech 3 hours, 150 marks (2024 and 2025) |
| Marking | +1 for a correct GAT answer, 0.25 mark cut for a wrong one |
| Mode | GAT computer-based; CAT pen and paper; Stage 2 situation test or interview |
| Conducted by | National Testing Agency (NTA) for NIFT, Ministry of Textiles |
| Papers on this page | 2024: 5 GAT and 2 CAT papers; 2025: 9 GAT papers; 2023: 1 memory-based paper; 2026: final Stage 1 answer key |
| Next exam | NIFT 2027: 10 January 2027. Application open, 16 October to 16 November 2026 |
How the NIFT Papers Changed (2024–2025)
- 2024: all GAT papers were in Shift 1 on 5 February 2024 and the B.Des and M.Des CAT in Shift 2. The papers are NTA computer-based test records with question IDs.
- 2025: besides one GAT per programme, NTA set combined papers for candidates applying to two programmes (B.F.Tech with B.Des, M.F.M with M.Des) and separate lateral entry (NLEA) papers for B.Des and B.F.Tech. The combined papers run 3 hours for 150 marks.
How to Use NIFT Previous Year Papers?
- Pick the GAT for your programme. The B.Des GAT (100 questions, 2 hours) and the B.F.Tech or M.F.M GAT (150 questions, 3 hours) both give you 72 seconds a question. Time yourself on that pace from the first paper.
- Guess only after ruling something out. A right answer earns 1 mark and a wrong one costs 0.25. Once you can strike out one option, a guess is worth more than a blank.
- Draw the CAT in 3 hours. If you are taking B.Des or M.Des, sit the 2024 CAT paper with paper, colours and a clock. CAT is pen and paper, so practise it by hand.
- Use 2025 and 2024 first, 2023 last. 2024 and 2025 are actual NTA papers. The 2023 paper is rebuilt from candidates’ memory, so treat it as extra practice only.
- Plan for 10 January 2027. About ten weeks remain. Two GAT papers a week covers both years for your programme, with time left to redo the sections where you lost marks.
NIFT Previous Year Question Papers FAQs
How many questions are there in the NIFT GAT?
The B.Des GAT has 100 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours and the M.F.M GAT has 150 in 3 hours (2026 pattern). The B.F.Tech and M.F.Tech GAT papers of 2024 and 2025 were also 3 hours for 150 marks.
Is there negative marking in NIFT?
Yes, in GAT. A correct answer gets 1 mark and 0.25 mark is cut for each wrong answer.
Are these NIFT papers official?
The 2024 and 2025 papers are actual NTA papers with question IDs, labelled by programme and shift. The 2023 paper is memory-based, made from questions candidates recalled after the exam.
Is there a NIFT CAT question paper here?
Yes. The B.Des CAT and M.Des CAT papers from Shift 2 of 5 February 2024 are on the 2024 page. The 2025 page has GAT papers only.
Is the NIFT 2026 question paper available?
Not yet. The 2026 page has NTA’s final answer key for Stage 1.
Are there NIFT papers for lateral entry?
Yes. The 2025 page has the B.Des and B.F.Tech lateral entry (NLEA) GAT papers.
When is NIFT 2027?
NIFT 2027: 10 January 2027. Application open, 16 October to 16 November 2026. See the NIFT 2027 page for every date.