Confused between NIFT vs NID? Get insights into NID’s design excellence and NIFT’s fashion innovation to shape your creative future. Keep reading to know more.
For aspiring designers in India, two prominent institutions often stand out: National Institute of Fashion Institute (NIFT) and the National Institute of Design (NID). Each institute is prestigious in its own right, offering unique opportunities, programs and career paths. Most of the students wonder which entrance exam suits them better between NIFT vs NID DAT. The NIFT exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and offers admission in B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M courses, on the other hand, the National Institute of Design (NID) conducts NID DAT exam for admission in B.Des and M.Des programs.
NIFT operates with a wide network of 19 campuses across India in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and others, making it accessible to students from all regions. In contrast, NID had a focused presence with 7 campuses in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh, offering more specialized design education environment.
In terms of placements, NIFT graduates are highly sought after by fashion houses, retail giants, and lifestyle brands like H&M, Myntra, Adidas, Titan, Raymond, and many more with the average salary ranges between Rs. 4-7 LPA, with top candidates receiving higher offers. On the other hand, NID graduates are recruited by global design consultancies, IT firms, automotive companies, and FMCG giants, with brands like Microsoft, TATA Motors, Infosys, Cognizant, and renowned design studio packages ranging between Rs. 6 LPA to Rs. 15 LPA, depending on the specialization and portfolio quality.
This blog will help you explore the key differences, similarities, and unique offerings of NIFT and NID so that you can decide which one aligns best with your aspirations.
NIFT vs NID Exam Highlights
Both NIFT and NID entrance exams test creative aptitude, but NID DAT exam leans more towards conceptual and observational skills, while NIFT entrance exam incorporates a broader evaluation including management aptitude for some its courses. Here’s a comparison os the key aspects between the NID DAT vs NIFT exams outlined in the table below:
| Exam Name | NIFT | NID DAT |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | National Institute of Design (NID) |
| Governing Body | Ministry of Textiles | Ministry of Commerce & Industry |
| Exam Structure | NIFT is conducted in 2 stages:Written exams- CAT & GATSituation Test + PI | NID is conducting in 2 stages:DAT PrelimsDAT Mains (Studio test + PI) |
| Exam Level | National Level | National Level |
| Duration of Exam | 3 Hours | 2 Hours |
| Mode of Exam | Pen-and-Paper-based | Pen-and-Paper-based |
| Courses Offered | B.Des, M.Des, Ph.D | B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, M.F.M |
| Campuses | 19 NIFT Colleges | 7 NID Colleges4 NID participating colleges for UG courses2 NID participating colleges for PG courses1 NID participating college offers both UG & PG courses |
| Industry Connect | Fashion Industry | Industrial & Digital Design Industry |
| Focus | Fashion, Textiles, Lifestyles, Communication | Product, Industrial, UX/UI, Visual, Communication |
NIFT vs NID Courses Offered
The basic difference between NIFT and NID is the courses offered to students. If you looking for a course to enrol in check the list below:
| Program | NIFT Courses | NID Courses |
| Undergraduate | B.Des (4 years)Fashion DesignTextile DesignKnitwear DesignLeather DesignAccessory DesignFashion Communication B.F.Tech (4 years)Apparel Production | B.Des (4 years)Product DesignFurniture & Interior DesignCeramic & Glass DesignFilm & Video CommunicationTextile & Apparel |
| Postgraduate | M.Des (2 years)M.F.M (2 years)M.F.Tech (2 years) | M.Des (2.5 years)Transportation & Automobile DesignToy & Game DesignInteraction DesignNew Media DesignUniversal DesignInformation designLifestyle Accessory DesignStrategic Design ManagementDigital Game DesignPhotography DesignTextile DesignProduct DesignFurniture & Interior DesignAnimation Film DesignGraphic DesignApparel Design |
| Doctoral Program | Ph.D in Design, Technology & Management |
NIFT vs NID Admission Process
The admission process of NIFT and NID are competitive and multi-staged but structured differently.
- For NIFT, aspirants appear for two-phase entrance exam. The Genral Ability Test (GAT) assesses quantitative ability, communication, English comprehension, analytical ability, and general knowledge. The Creative Ability Test (CAT) evaluates drawing, visualization, and design skills. The candidates who are applying for B.Des admissions need to appear for the Situation Test, where candidates work on model-making tasks to demonstrate 3D thinking and presentation skills. The postgraduate applicants faces Group Discussions and Personal Interview as well
Short summary of NIFT admission process:
- Exam Name: NIFT Entrance Exam
- Phases:
- General Ability Test (GAT)
- Creative Ability Tets (CAT)
- Situation Test (For B.Des programs)
- Group Discussions and Personal Interview (For PG programs)
- Eligibility: Appearing students must have passed 10+2 for undergraduate courses and for postgraduate courses, candidates must be a graduate from recongnized institutions.
- National Institude of Design (NID) conducts NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test), divide into DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. DAT Prelims evaluates drawing skills, creative thinking, and visual sense. Those students who got shortlisted will appear for DAT Mains, which includes the Studio Test and a Personal Interview. The final selection for NID DAT will be based on the combined scores of both stages, with specific weightage assigned to each stage.
Weightage of NID DAT Prelims and Mains:
- B.Des: 40% from Prelims, 60% from Mains
- M.Des: 30% from Prelims, 70% from Mains
Short summary of NID admission process:
- Exam Name: NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test)
- Phases:
- DAT Prelims
- DAT Mains (Includes Studio Test & PI)
- Eligibility: Appearing students must have passed 10+2 for undergraduate courses and for postgraduate courses, candidates must be a graduate from recongnized institutions.
NIFT vs NID Eligibility Criteria
For getting admission into the NIFTs or NIDs, candidates are required to fulfill the following eligibility criteria. There is not much difference between NIFT and NID eligibility criteria, however, it is important for students to know them.
| Parameter | NIFT | NID |
| Age | Students of any age can apply for the courses available in NIFT.Candidates below 18 years of age must submit an affidaviton non-judicial stamp paper of Rs. 10.SC/ST/PwD candidates will be given 5 years relaxation in age limit. | Students of any age can apply for the courses available in NID.SC/ST/PwD candidates will be given 5 years relaxation in age limit. |
| Educational Qualification | For NIFT UG courses, students must have passed 10+2 class from a recognized board.For NIFT PG courses, students must have 3 or 4 years of graduation degree with minimum 55%. | For NID UG courses, students must have passed 10+2 class from a recognized board.For NID PG courses, students must have 3 or 4 years of graduation degree with minimum of 55%. |
| Selection Criteria | NIFT Entrance Exam | Design Aptitude Test (Prelims & Mains) |
NIFT vs NID Fee Structure
When choosing between NIFT and NID, understanding the finances required for your design education is a crucial factor. On average, pursuing the NIFT B.Des courses costs between Rs. 12-15 lakhs for the entire 4-year program. The NIFT PG courses cost is around Rs. 6-8 lakhs. In contrast, NID B.Des program costs approximately Rs. 10-12 lakhs, while NID M.Des program costs Rs. 6-7 lakhs due to its extended 2.5 years duration.
NIFT vs NID fee structure comparison:
| Particulars | NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) | NID (National Institute of Design) |
| Undergraduate Program (B.Des / B.FTech) | Rs. 3–3.75 lakhs per year (4 years) | Rs. 2.5–3.0 lakhs per year (4 years) |
| Postgraduate Program (M.Des / M.F.M / M.FTech) | Rs. 3.0–4.0 lakhs per year (2 years) | Rs. 2.5–3.0 lakhs per year (2.5 years) |
| Hostel & Mess Charges (Annual Estimate) | Rs. 80,000–1,20,000 per year | Rs. 75,000–1,00,000 per year |
| One-time Admission Fee & Security Deposit | Rs. 25,000–30,000 (one-time) | Rs. 20,000–25,000 (one-time) |
| Total Estimated Cost (UG with Hostel) | Rs. 15–18 lakhs | Rs. 12–14 lakhs |
| Total Estimated Cost (PG with Hostel) | Rs. 7.5–9 lakhs | Rs. 7.5–9 lakhs |
NIFT vs NID Career & Growth Opportunities
Both NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) and NID (National Institute of Design) are leading design institutes in India, offer excellent career opportunities and growth prospects, but they cater to different sectors of design industry.
NIFT Career Opportunities
NIFT graduates are highly sought after inthe fashion, textile, lifestyle, luxury, retail, and media industries. The curriculum of NIFT blends creative design with business acumen, opening variety of roles across design, marketing, retail, and management sectors.
Popular career roles for NIFT graduates:
- Fashion Designer / Accessory Designer / Textile Designer
- Fashion Stylist / Visual Merchandiser / Fashion Illustrator
- Merchandising Manager / Fashion Buyer
- Retail Planner / Brand Manager / Fashion Marketer
- E-Commerce Fashion Analyst, and more
Growth prospects for NIFT graduates:
- NIFT alumni have successfully established themselves in top global brands like H&M, Zara, Myntra, Raymond, Tanishq, FabIndia, Puma, Levi’s.
- Some NIFT graduates have even launched their own fashion brand and label studios, entering the entrepreneurial space.
- With India’s booming fashion and lifestyle market, NIFT graduates often see a steady career growth path with leadership roles in 7-10 years.
- Additionally, roles in fashion forecasting, sustainable fashion, fashion technology (AI/3D fashion), and global supply chain management are emerging, providing new-age career opportunities for NIFT graduates.
NID Career Opportunities
NID offers career pathways in industrial design, product design, UX/UI design, visula communication, animation, transportation design, and strategic innovation. NID’s focus is on problem-solving and user-centric design, making its graduates highly valuable across industries.
Popular Career Roles for NID Graduates:
- Product Designer / Industrial Designer / Automotive Designer
- User Experience (UX) Designer / UI Designer / Service Designer
- Graphic Designer / Visual Communication Designer / Animator
- Game Designer / Furniture & Interior Designer
- Design Strategist / Innovation Consultant / Design Researcher
- Design Entrepreneur
Growth Prospects for NID Graduates:
- NID graduates are employed by top companies like Microsoft, Google, Samsung, TATA Motors, Infosys, IBM, and many global design consultancies. They play crucial roles in designing digital products, improving user experiences, automotive design innovations, and strategic business design.
- With increasing demand for UX/UI designers, human-centered product design, and sustainability-focused innovations, NID alumni find themselves leading projects in technology firms, consumer electronics , healthcare, automotive, and FMCG sectors.
- The career progression is rapid, with many NID graduates reaching to design lead, creative director, or CXO positions in 8-10 years.
NIFT vs NID Conclusion
Between the NIFT vs NID, your choice has to be based on your interests and the objectives in your career. If you are interested in design beyond just a fashion interest, then NID will be the better option because it has wide variety of design courses. If your interest is more focused towards fashion and textiles, then NIFT will be the best choice for you because of its primary attention to fashion and textiles.
Hence, instead of thinking which is better, ask yourself, which one suits your passion and career goals. Understanding your creative inclination—be it towards fashion, business, and visual styling (NIFT) or industrial innovation, digital products, and user experience design (NID). Both institutes offer excellent placement opportunities, vibrant alumni networks, and global exposure.
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