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May 18, 2026
NIFT 2026 Counseling: First Round Seat Allotment Results Announced
K
Kavita Iyer
May 18, 2026
12
45
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has officially declared the results for the first round of seat allotment for the 2026 academic session. Candidates who participated in the entrance exam earlier this year and successfully cleared the Situation Test and Personal Interviews can now check their status on the NIFT admissions portal. The allotment is based on the Common Merit Rank (CMR), the preferences filled by the candidates, and the availability of seats across the 18 NIFT campuses, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Successful candidates are required to complete the seat acceptance process by paying the non-refundable admission fee and uploading the necessary documents for verification by May 22, 2026. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of the allotted seat, which will then be moved to the pool for the second round of counseling. NIFT offers various undergraduate programs, with Bachelor of Design (B.Des) in Fashion Communication and Fashion Design remaining the most sought-after choices among the top 500 rankers.
This year, NIFT has introduced a 'Float' and 'Freeze' option similar to the engineering JoSAA counseling. Students who are happy with their allotted campus and course can 'Freeze' their choice, while those who wish to be considered for a higher preference in subsequent rounds can opt for 'Float.' 'The digital counseling process has significantly reduced the need for students to travel for document verification,' said a spokesperson from the NIFT Admissions Cell. 'We have also seen a high interest in the newer campuses like NIFT Panchkula and NIFT Daman.'
The second round of seat allotment is scheduled to be announced on May 30, following the withdrawal window. Students are advised to be cautious about the 'Withdrawal' policy, as NIFT has strict deadlines for fee refunds. Additionally, the institute has reminded students that the final admission is subject to physical document verification, which will take place at the respective campuses in late July, just before the commencement of the new academic session.
For those who did not secure a seat in the first round, experts suggest not to lose heart. 'Ranks often slide significantly in the second and third rounds as many students also apply to other design schools like NID or private universities and may vacate their NIFT seats,' noted Meera Nair, a design education consultant. Candidates should keep their login credentials ready and check the portal regularly for any 'spot round' announcements that may occur in June if vacancies persist.
Successful candidates are required to complete the seat acceptance process by paying the non-refundable admission fee and uploading the necessary documents for verification by May 22, 2026. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of the allotted seat, which will then be moved to the pool for the second round of counseling. NIFT offers various undergraduate programs, with Bachelor of Design (B.Des) in Fashion Communication and Fashion Design remaining the most sought-after choices among the top 500 rankers.
This year, NIFT has introduced a 'Float' and 'Freeze' option similar to the engineering JoSAA counseling. Students who are happy with their allotted campus and course can 'Freeze' their choice, while those who wish to be considered for a higher preference in subsequent rounds can opt for 'Float.' 'The digital counseling process has significantly reduced the need for students to travel for document verification,' said a spokesperson from the NIFT Admissions Cell. 'We have also seen a high interest in the newer campuses like NIFT Panchkula and NIFT Daman.'
The second round of seat allotment is scheduled to be announced on May 30, following the withdrawal window. Students are advised to be cautious about the 'Withdrawal' policy, as NIFT has strict deadlines for fee refunds. Additionally, the institute has reminded students that the final admission is subject to physical document verification, which will take place at the respective campuses in late July, just before the commencement of the new academic session.
For those who did not secure a seat in the first round, experts suggest not to lose heart. 'Ranks often slide significantly in the second and third rounds as many students also apply to other design schools like NID or private universities and may vacate their NIFT seats,' noted Meera Nair, a design education consultant. Candidates should keep their login credentials ready and check the portal regularly for any 'spot round' announcements that may occur in June if vacancies persist.