NIFT Sarthak Scholarship 2026 – Important Dates
Key Dates for NIFT Sarthak Scholarship 2026
| Event | Date / Schedule |
| Eligible/ineligible list announced after scrutiny | July 31, 2026 |
| Last date to appeal at Campus SDAC | August 7, 2026 |
| Physical document verification | August 11, 2026 – August 31, 2026 |
| Final list of eligible students notified on CMS | September 8, 2026 |
What is NIFT Sarthak Scholarship?
SARTHAK, meaning ‘purposeful’ or ‘meaningful’ in Hindi, is the National Institute of Fashion Technology’s flagship in-house financial assistance programme. It is a centrally administered, needs-based scheme funded through the NIFT Development Fund — a dedicated pool of resources that NIFT sets aside each year for student welfare and development. The scheme was introduced to ensure that the high cost of fashion education at NIFT does not become a barrier for meritorious students from economically weaker sections of society.
NIFT Sarthak Scholarship 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the NIFT Sarthak Financial Assistance Scheme, students must satisfy all of the following conditions:
General Eligibility Conditions
1. Indian Nationals Only: The scholarship is strictly available to Indian national students. NRI and NRI-sponsored students are not eligible.
2. Regular Programme Students: Only students enrolled in regular UG (B.Des / B.F.Tech) and PG (M.Des / M.F.M / M.F.Tech) programmes at any NIFT campus are eligible. Students in part-time, distance, or executive programmes are not covered.
3. Parental Income Within Prescribed Slabs: The student’s parental income from all sources combined must fall within the prescribed income slabs (up to ₹8 Lakh per annum).
5. Clean Disciplinary Record: Students must not have any major or minor disciplinary misconduct recorded at NIFT. Any violation results in immediate and permanent disqualification from the scheme for the entire duration of the programme.
6. No Failed or Repeated Semesters: Students must not have failed or repeated any semester. An exception is made only for documented health issues, with prior approval from campus authorities.
SGPA Requirement for Continuation (Year 2 Onwards)
| Year of Study | Programme | SGPA Requirement |
| 1st Year (Sem 1 & 2) | UG & PG | No SGPA requirement – income-eligible students can apply |
| 2nd, 3rd, 4th Year (UG) | B.Des / B.F.Tech (Sem 3 to 8) | Minimum 6.00 SGPA in last two completed semesters |
| 2nd Year (PG) | M.Des / M.F.M / M.F.Tech (Sem 3 & 4) | Minimum 6.00 SGPA in last two completed semesters |
Important Note: Students who have failed or repeated a semester (except on health grounds) are permanently disqualified from SARTHAK for the rest of their programme. The scholarship is not an entitlement — the Campus Director has full discretion to grant, adjust, or withhold it based on the documents and information provided.
Also Read – Union Territory Scholarships
NIFT Sarthak Scholarship 2026 – Scholarship Amount
NIFT Sarthak Scholarship Amount for Undergraduate (UG) Students – B.Des / B.F.Tech
| Parental Annual Income (All Sources) | Tuition Fee Waiver |
| Up to ₹2,00,000 per annum | 100% of Tuition Fee |
| Above ₹2,00,000 up to ₹4,00,000 per annum | 75% of Tuition Fee |
| Above ₹4,00,000 up to ₹6,00,000 per annum | 50% of Tuition Fee |
| Above ₹6,00,000 up to ₹8,00,000 per annum | 25% of Tuition Fee |
| Above ₹8,00,000 per annum | Not Eligible for SARTHAK |
NIFT Sarthak Scholarship for Postgraduate (PG) Students – M.Des / M.F.M / M.F.Tech
| Parental Annual Income (All Sources) | Tuition Fee Waiver |
| Up to ₹2,00,000 per annum | 75% of Tuition Fee |
| Above ₹2,00,000 up to ₹4,00,000 per annum | 50% of Tuition Fee |
| Above ₹4,00,000 up to ₹8,00,000 per annum | 25% of Tuition Fee |
| Above ₹8,00,000 per annum | Not Eligible for SARTHAK |
Note on Waiver Coverage: The above waivers apply exclusively to the tuition fee component. Other charges such as hostel fees, mess fees, library fees, medical/health insurance, lab charges, and alumni membership fees are not covered under SARTHAK.
NIFT’s UG tuition fee for 2025–26 was approximately ₹3.26 lakh for the first year and is revised upward by approximately 10% annually. The actual benefit varies each year with fee revision.
Also Read – Mukhya Mantri Jan Kalyan Yojana (MMJKY)
NIFT Sarthak Scholarship 2026 – Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
| Tuition Fee Waiver | 25%–100% (UG) or 25%–75% (PG) based on parental income slab |
| Applicable Semesters (UG) | All 8 semesters (4 years) of B.Des / B.F.Tech, subject to semester-wise renewal |
| Applicable Semesters (PG) | All 4 semesters (2 years) of M.Des / M.F.M / M.F.Tech, subject to semester-wise renewal |
| Maximum Annual Benefit | Up to full tuition fee (UG ~₹3.5 Lakh/year) for income ≤ ₹2 Lakh/year |
| Coverage Scope | Tuition fee only – hostel, mess, library, medical, other charges not covered |
| Disbursement Mode | Direct tuition fee waiver applied at the time of semester fee payment |
| Interest-Free Laptop Loan | Available to eligible students (parental income ≤ ₹4 Lakh for UG; ₹2.5 Lakh for PG) |
| Education Loan Tie-ups | NIFT has tie-ups with IDBI Bank & Union Bank of India (loans up to ₹20 Lakh) |
| Campus Employment | Income-eligible students may also avail campus employment opportunities |
NIFT Sarthak Scholarship 2026 – How to Apply?
The NIFT Sarthak scholarship application is submitted online through the NIFT Campus Management System (CMS) portal at cmsnift.com. Students with parental income up to ₹8 lakh per annum as declared at the time of NIFT admission are automatically given access to the SARTHAK application form on the CMS portal. Applications must be submitted at the beginning of each semester, strictly before the fee payment deadline. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances, and no extension is provided.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Log in to the NIFT CMS portal at cmsnift.com using your NIFT student credentials (Application Number / Enrollment Number and Password).
Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Scholarship’ section and open the ‘SARTHAK Application Form’.
Step 3: Fill in the application in ‘Format A’ with complete personal, academic, and parental income details. Ensure all information matches the supporting documents exactly.
Step 4: Prepare the Income Affidavit in ‘Format B’ (for Parent/Guardian 1) and ‘Format C’ (for Parent/Guardian 2) on a ₹10 non-judicial stamp paper, signed by both parents in the presence of a Notary.
Step 5: Upload all required documents in the prescribed format and size. Ensure scans are legible and complete. Carry hard copies of all uploaded documents, as physical verification is mandatory on campus.
Step 6: Submit the application on the CMS portal and also send the physical form and documents to the Campus Director through your Course Coordinator before the semester deadline.
Step 7: The Scrutiny Committee reviews all applications and documents for completeness and authenticity. The Screening Committee shortlists eligible candidates.
Step 8: The Campus Director gives final approval. Tuition fee waivers are applied before semester fee collection. Approved candidates receive the benefit directly in the fee payment stage.
All documents uploaded to the CMS portal are subject to third-party verification and must be physically produced on campus. In the absence of hard copies, the SARTHAK application will not be considered. No additional time for document production will be provided under any circumstances.
NIFT Sarthak Scholarship 2026 – Documents Required
The following documents must be submitted along with the SARTHAK application (uploaded on CMS and carried as hard copies for physical verification):
Mandatory Documents
1. Completed SARTHAK Application Form – Format A
2. Income Affidavit – Format B (for Parent/Guardian 1) on ₹10 non-judicial stamp paper, notarised
3. Income Affidavit – Format C (for Parent/Guardian 2) on ₹10 non-judicial stamp paper, notarised
4. Self-attested recent passport-sized photograph with signature
5. Proof of Permanent Address (Aadhaar Card / Voter ID / Passport / Utility Bill)
6. PAN Cards of both parent(s)/guardian(s) (front and back, self-attested)
7. Passports of both parent(s)/guardian(s) (relevant pages, self-attested)
8. Class 10 School Leaving Certificate
9. Class 12 School Leaving Certificate
10. Tuition fee receipt of the current semester (the semester for which assistance is sought)
11. NIFT Admission / Enrollment Certificate
Additional Documents (Where Applicable)
1. Affidavit declaring non-availability of PAN Card – if either parent does not have a PAN Card
2. Affidavit declaring non-availability of Passport – if either parent does not have a Passport
3. Medical certificate – if seeking relaxation for a failed/repeated semester due to health issues
Income Certificate from a competent government authority (Tehsildar / SDM / Revenue Officer)
4. Bank statements of parents (last 6 months) – may be requested for income verification
5. Caste/Category certificate – SC/ST/OBC (if applicable as supporting income documentation)
NIFT Sarthak Scholarship 2026 – Selection Process
The selection of NIFT Sarthak scholarship beneficiaries follows a multi-stage process at each campus:
Stage 1 – Online Application: Students apply via the NIFT CMS portal at the start of the semester. Applications are accepted only before the fee payment deadline.
Stage 2 – Scrutiny Committee: A committee comprising senior faculty and administrative staff reviews applications and documents for completeness, authenticity, and third-party verification.
Stage 3 – Screening Committee Shortlisting: The Screening Committee — comprising the Campus Director, senior faculty, Course Coordinator, and a student representative — shortlists candidates based on income slabs, academic records, attendance, and conduct.
Stage 4 – Campus Director Approval: The Campus Director gives final approval and has the discretion to adjust assistance percentages based on the individual case and available funds.
Stage 5 – Fee Waiver / Disbursement: Approved students receive a direct tuition fee waiver at the time of fee payment. In reimbursement cases, the amount is credited after the fees are collected.
Stage 6 – Appeals: Students dissatisfied with the decision may appeal through the prescribed process. The Board of Governors has final authority in cases of oversubscription or disputes.
Important Note – If the number of applicants exceeds available funds, priority is given to students with the lowest parental income. The Board of Governors determines final allocation in such cases. The scholarship is not an entitlement.
NIFT Sarthak Scholarship 2026 – Renewal Conditions
The NIFT Sarthak scholarship must be renewed each semester. It is not automatically continued. Students must re-apply at the start of every semester and must satisfy all of the following renewal conditions:
1. Minimum SGPA of 6.00 in the last two completed semesters (applicable from 2nd year/Semester 3 onwards).
2. No failed or repeated semester (except on approved health grounds).
3. Not receiving any other scholarship, government grant, PSU aid, or private financial assistance.
4. Clean disciplinary record, no major or minor misconduct at NIFT since the last application.
5. Complete re-submission of the SARTHAK application (Format A, B, C) with updated income documents each semester.
6. Satisfactory attendance record and all campus dues cleared as per campus norms.
7. Failure to renew before the semester fee payment deadline will result in loss of scholarship for that semester.
8. No retrospective or delayed applications are accepted. Students must actively track application windows on the NIFT CMS portal every semester.
Also Read – Vidyadhan Scholarship
NIFT Sarthak Scholarship 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is the NIFT Sarthak Scholarship 2026?
The NIFT Sarthak Scholarship is a need-based financial assistance scheme by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) offering tuition fee waivers of 25%–100% to UG students and 25%–75% to PG students from economically weaker sections, based on parental annual income. It is available across all 19 NIFT campuses and governed by the NIFT Sarthak Policy revised in July 2024.
Q2. When can NIFT 2026 batch students apply for the Sarthak Scholarship?
Newly admitted students of the NIFT 2026 batch, who will enroll in July 2026, can apply for the NIFT Sarthak Scholarship at the commencement of Semester 1 (Odd Semester, July–December 2026) on the NIFT CMS portal at cmsnift.com, before their first semester fee payment deadline at their respective campus.
Q3. How much is the NIFT Sarthak Scholarship amount?
The scholarship amount ranges from 25% to 100% of the annual tuition fee for UG students and 25% to 75% for PG students. Since NIFT’s UG tuition fee for 2025–26 was approximately ₹3.26 Lakh for the first year (with ~10% annual increase), the maximum benefit for UG students with parental income up to ₹2 Lakh/year is a 100% tuition fee waiver, covering the full tuition cost.
Q4. Can first-year NIFT 2026 students apply for Sarthak Scholarship?
Yes. First-year students (Semester 1 and 2) can apply for the NIFT Sarthak Scholarship regardless of their NIFT entrance rank or score. The only requirement for first-year applicants is meeting the parental income criterion. The SGPA requirement of minimum 6.00 applies only from the second year (Semester 3) onwards.
Q5. Can I avail both NIFT Sarthak Scholarship and another government scholarship?
No. Students receiving any other financial assistance from any government body, PSU, trust, NGO, or private source are not eligible for NIFT Sarthak Scholarship. Availing dual funding results in permanent disqualification from the scheme.