Exam Date & Shift Timings (Confirmed)
- Date: 9 February 2026 (Sunday)
- Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT) – GAT only
- Two Shifts (All candidates get one of these shifts randomly)
| Shift | Reporting Time | Exam Start Time | Exam End Time | Duration |
| Shift 1 | 8:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 1:00 PM | 3 hours |
| Shift 2 | 1:30 PM | 3:30 PM | 6:30 PM | 3 hours |
Note: Candidates must report at least 60 minutes before the exam start time. Gates usually close 30 minutes before the exam begins.
2. Exam Day Guidelines (Important Instructions)
- Mandatory items to carry:
- Printed NIFT 2026 Admit Card
- Original valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar / PAN / Passport / Voter ID / Driving License)
- Recent passport-size photograph (same as uploaded)
- Not allowed inside exam hall:
- Mobile phones, smartwatches, earphones, calculators, any electronic devices
- Any study material, notes, papers
- Food, water bottles (except transparent bottle without label)
- Dress Code: Light, comfortable clothing (no heavy jewellery, big accessories)
- Biometric & frisking: Mandatory at entry
- Rough work: Only on the provided sheet (will be collected at end)
- No candidate will be allowed to leave the exam hall before the exam ends
3. Question Paper Pattern (GAT 2026 – B.Des & B.F.Tech)
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
| Quantitative Ability | 20 | 20 |
| Communication Ability | 30 | 30 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 25 |
| Analytical Ability | 15 | 15 |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 15 | 15 |
| Total | 105 | 105 |
- No negative marking in NIFT GAT 2026
- B.Des candidates → GAT + Situation Test (later stage)
- B.F.Tech candidates → GAT + GAT (extra section) + interview
4. Expected Difficulty Level (Student & Expert Feedback – Early 2026)
- Overall Difficulty: Moderate (similar to 2024 & 2025)
- Easiest sections (most students): English Comprehension, GK & Current Affairs
- Moderate sections: Quantitative Ability, Analytical Ability
- Toughest section (for many): Communication Ability & English (long passages, vocabulary)
- Time management was the biggest challenge for many students in recent years
5. Live Student Reviews & Reactions (9 Feb 2026 – Morning Shift Summary)
(Compiled from social media & student groups – real-time trends)
Morning Shift (10 AM – 1 PM)
- Many students found the paper balanced but lengthy
- English section had long RC passages → time-consuming
- Quant was easy to moderate (arithmetic, percentages, ratio-heavy)
- GK had recent current affairs (2025 events, awards, sports)
- Analytical section had good series, coding-decoding, and blood relations
- Most common feedback: “Time was tight in Communication Ability”
Expected Safe Attempts (for good rank): 78–88 / 105
Expected Good Score: 85+ (for top campuses like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru)
Quick Tips for Students in Afternoon Shift (3:30 PM)
- Reach venue by 2:00–2:15 PM
- Don’t discuss morning paper with anyone
- Stay calm, difficulty is usually similar across shifts
- Attempt strong sections first
- Don’t leave any question unattempted (no negative marking)