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What’s NIFT’s Reservation Policy? Unlocking NIFT Admissions

Understanding NIFT’s reservation policy is crucial for a smooth admission journey. This guide demystifies seat quotas for SC/ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD candidates, certificate rules, and critical deadlines. Miss these details, and your application could face rejection.

NIFT Seat Reservation: Your Simplified Guide
NIFT reserves seats across programs to ensure equal opportunities. Here’s how it works:

Reservation Breakdown
SC (Scheduled Caste): 15%
ST (Scheduled Tribe): 7.5%
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 27%
GEN-EWS (General Economically Weaker Section): 10%
PwD (Persons with Disability): 5%*
**5% horizontal reservation cutting across all categories (SC, ST, OBC, Open). Requires 40%+ disability certification.*

Critical Rules You Can’t Ignore
Certificate Validity: Submit verifiable, category-specific certificates. Invalid docs = rejected candidature.
No Category Swaps: Your application category is FINAL. No changes allowed later.
Fee Adjustments: If moved from reserved to open category, pay the difference in application fees.

Unfilled Seats:
OBC/EWS/Domicile seats → Converted to Open category (spot round).
PwD seats → Merged with respective categories (SC/ST/OBC/Open) if vacant.
Domicile SC/ST seats → Merged with general SC/ST pool.

Category-Specific Requirements
1. SC/ST Candidates
Submit a valid caste/tribe certificate from state/UT authorities.
Certificate must be in the candidate’s name (not parents/guardians).
Language: English/Hindi only. Non-compliant? Submit a certified translation.

2. OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
Certificate must:
Be issued after April 1, 2024.
Explicitly state “Non-Creamy Layer” status.
Mention a caste from the Central OBC List.
Be in the candidate’s name (married women: no husband/family certificates).
Note: Creamy Layer OBC candidates must apply under Open category.

3. GEN-EWS Candidates
10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (Open category).
Certificate must:
Be issued by competent authorities (District Magistrate/Revenue Officer/etc.).
Follow guidelines from MHRD OM No. 20013/01/2018-BC II.
Be dated after April 1, 2024.
Provisional exam entry allowed, but invalid certificates = canceled admission.

4. Persons with Disability (PwD)
Mandatory documents:
Disability Certificate (40%+ disability).
Unique Disability ID (UDID) from Swavlamban Card Portal.

NIFT’s Evaluation Committee:
Assess physical/psychological fitness for your chosen program.
Appear in-person at your expense; skipping = disqualification.
Program allotment depends on committee approval.
Assistance during tests: Permitted but self-funded.

Avoid These Costly Mistakes
Using expired/invalid certificates: Double-check issue dates and authority.
Availing reserved benefits without proof: If caught, you’ll be moved to Open category or rejected.
Ignoring translation rules: Non-English/Hindi certificates need certified translations.

Key Takeaways
Deadlines matter: Certificates must be recent (post-April 2024).
No second chances: Category selection is irreversible.
PwD candidates: UDID + Evaluation Committee clearance = non-negotiable.
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