NIFT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key; PDF Download (GAT & CAT)

NIFT 2026 question paper was conducted by NTA on 8 February 2026 for admission to B.Des, B.FTech, M.Des, M.FTech and MFM courses. The GAT answer key is out and the written result was declared on 20 March 2026. Download the NIFT 2026 GAT and CAT question paper and answer key PDF from the sections below to check your GAT score.

NIFT 2026 Key Exam Details

NIFT 2026 question paper had two parts, an online GAT for all courses and an offline CAT for B.Des and M.Des, held on the same day. The table below lists the conducting body, exam mode, medium and number of questions. Question count and duration changed by programme.

NIFT 2026 Marking Scheme

NIFT 2026 GAT had negative marking, so a wrong answer cost 0.25 marks. There was no penalty for unattempted questions, and any question dropped for a technical error gave full marks to all candidates. CAT is a drawing paper and had no negative marking. The GAT marking scheme is given below.

NIFT 2026 Answer Key and GAT Score Calculation

NIFT 2026 answer key helps you calculate your GAT score before the result is declared. NTA released the provisional GAT answer key and response sheet on 17 February 2026, and the objection window was open till 19 February 2026. Follow the steps below to check your NIFT 2026 GAT score.

● Download your response sheet and match each answer with the final NIFT 2026 GAT answer key.

● Add 1 mark for a correct answer, deduct 0.25 for a wrong answer, and give zero for an unattempted question.

● To raise an objection, pay Rs. 200 per question. If it is accepted, the answer key is updated for all candidates.

For example, in B.Des GAT, 78 correct, 16 wrong and 6 unattempted questions give a GAT score of 74 (78 minus 4). CAT has no answer key, so B.Des and M.Des candidates can check only the GAT score this way.

NIFT 2026 GAT Section-wise Weightage

NIFT 2026 GAT had a fixed set of sections, and the number of questions in each decides where you can score the most. Section counts change slightly every year, so the split below is indicative. Design courses got the first four sections, while the technology courses also got a Case Study section.

● Quantitative Ability: percentages, ratio and proportion, interest, work and time, and distance.

● Communication Ability and English Comprehension: vocabulary, grammar and reading passages.

● Analytical Ability and Logical Ability: reasoning from given information.

● General Knowledge and Current Affairs: everyday awareness with a design and fashion focus.

● Case Study: an extra section for B.FTech, M.FTech and MFM, with engineering questions added for M.FTech.

NIFT 2026 Merit Weightage

NIFT 2026 written marks are used only to shortlist candidates for the next stage. The final merit is based on a weighted mix that changes by course, shown in the table below. Other year pages link here instead of repeating it.