The Ministry of Textiles held the Combined Convocation 2026 ceremony of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in New Delhi on 31 August. President Droupadi Murmu, who serves as Visitor to NIFT, attended as chief guest. The event saw 3,793 students graduate across undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes from 18 NIFT campuses nationwide.
What happened at the ceremony
The convocation brought together students, faculty, government officials and distinguished guests to mark the transition of graduating students into professional life. Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh and Secretary of Textiles Neelam Shami Rao also attended. The Director General of NIFT administered a pledge to the graduating students, and degrees were symbolically conferred during the central ceremony.
A significant feature of the event was the award of 10 Gold Medals for Best Academic Performers. These medals recognised students with outstanding academic records, selected based on their CGPA and semester-wise SGPA scores across NIFT’s various programmes. President Murmu presented these awards personally.
After the main ceremony, individual campus-wise degree distribution programmes were held, allowing graduates to formally receive their degrees alongside their respective academic communities.
What the President said
President Murmu stressed that India’s textile and apparel sector is deeply rooted in the country’s cultural heritage and supports millions of livelihoods. She noted that NIFT centres have launched programmes like the Craft Cluster Initiative to teach modern techniques to traditional weavers and artisans and connect them to markets.
She urged the graduating students to balance global ambitions with connection to their cultural roots. The President identified fashion technology as a field with strong potential to strengthen India’s international standing.
What this means for you
If you are a NIFT graduate, this convocation marks your formal entry into India’s fashion, design, textile and creative industries. The emphasis on blending contemporary skills with Indian cultural values reflects what employers and the sector increasingly expect from professionals. For those considering NIFT for higher education, the institute’s focus on both modern techniques and traditional crafts offers a distinctive pathway in creative fields.