Tailored to succeed National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad
NIFT's Hyderabad campus is where tradition meets innovation to shape a new generation of fashion designers who are globally attuned, yet deeply committed to India's regional crafts
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY (NIFT) , Hyderabad
No. 4 (2025) up from No. 6 (2020)
Since its inception in 1995, NIFT's Hyderabad campus has grown into a vital hub for fashion education and innovation in South India. From just two courses at launch, it now offers seven, serving over 1,000 full-time and 60 part-time students on its expansive nine-acre campus.
'NIFT's early establishment in Hyderabad placed it at the forefront of design education in a region with a rich handloom and craft tradition,' says director Dr Malini Divakala. That legacy continues through the institute's active role in supporting Geographical Indication (GI) status for nine traditional crafts across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Seminars, workshops and field projects are central to this outreach.
The institute's academic ethos is marked by interdisciplinary learning that's locally rooted yet globally aware. Its faculty includes PhD-holders, published researchers and seasoned industry consultants. Landmark contributions include Pramanik, a comprehensive publication on 10 GI-certified handicrafts and handlooms from the Telugu states.
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
The institute partners with organisations such as the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) to give students hands-on experience with rural artisans. A collaboration with the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society and Satavahana University is paving the way for a new programme in Design & Technology.
Alumni describe their time at NIFT as transformative. 'It was a space of growth, where diverse perspectives, collaborative spirit and academic rigour come together seamlessly,' says Rakesh Ranjan from the class of 2007. For Tuhin Roy, four years his senior and now an entrepreneur, 'NIFT gave me more than just technical skills; it gave me a mindset, vision, a voice and a global perspective rooted in Indian sensibilities.'
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