NIFT Gandhinagar lists SARTHAK tuition assistance, UDAAN support for approved overseas academic programmes, student laptop assistance, government scholarship routes and PM Vidyalaxmi education loans. SARTHAK is the main need-based NIFT scheme: the published 2024 policy sets different tuition-support percentages for undergraduate and postgraduate students by annual household income, subject to eligibility, documents and campus approval. The 2026-27 application windows have passed; check NIFT’s current notices and the Gandhinagar financial-aid page for the next cycle’s dates. NIFT Gandhinagar Financial Aid · SARTHAK Policy · NIFT SARTHAK 2026-27 timelines
SARTHAK tuition assistance at NIFT
The NIFT SARTHAK policy applies to eligible regular undergraduate and postgraduate students, excluding students admitted under NRI or NRI-sponsored categories. It is not an automatic fee waiver or an entitlement. Students apply through NIFT’s campus process, submit income and other required documents, and receive support only after scrutiny and approval under the scheme.
The policy’s tuition assistance varies by level. For regular undergraduate students, the income bands are: annual household income up to ₹2 lakh, 100% of tuition; above ₹2 lakh and up to ₹4 lakh, 75%; above ₹4 lakh and up to ₹6 lakh, 50%; and above ₹6 lakh and up to ₹8 lakh, 25%. For postgraduate students, the bands are: up to ₹2 lakh, 75% of tuition; above ₹2 lakh and up to ₹4 lakh, 50%; and above ₹4 lakh and up to ₹8 lakh, 25%.
These percentages apply to tuition under the scheme. Do not read “100%” as a waiver of every campus charge, hostel, mess, material, travel or personal expense. Compare the current Gandhinagar fee schedule line by line with the support offered; the tuition basis and other charges are separate. The rates above come from NIFT’s July 2024 policy and should be reconfirmed against the current policy and campus notice before budgeting for a later academic year.
Eligibility and continuation rules
First-year regular students may apply irrespective of entrance-exam ranks and marks, if they meet the applicable income and other policy conditions. For continued support in UG years two through four or the second PG year, the policy requires a minimum average SGPA of 6.00 in the last two consecutive semesters and no carry-forward in any semester, subject to the stated policy rules and approved exceptions. Students must also clear previous dues and must not have been declared failed in a previous semester, except for specified mitigating circumstances. The scheme can be withdrawn for policy violations or failure to meet academic conditions.
The policy also restricts receiving support from another source for the same educational expenditure. It says students who receive other financial assistance or reimbursement are not eligible under SARTHAK; if a student receives another source after NIFT aid has been granted, the SARTHAK amount must be returned. Reserved-category students are directed to apply through the National Scholarship Portal or a state-level scholarship scheme and submit proof of applying to the campus. Because the applicable rules depend on the award and student circumstances, ask the campus before combining aid or accepting a second reimbursement.
2026-27 application dates and next cycle
NIFT’s 2026-27 timelines separated first-year applicants from continuing students. The central NIFT notice invited first-year applications from 1 September to 30 September 2026. For second-, third- and fourth-year applicants, the revised central timeline opened online applications on 20 April 2026 and set 17 July 2026 as the last date. The later scrutiny, appeal and document-verification stages could vary by campus with notice to students; the central document fixed the application opening and final-recipient notification dates.
Those dates are historical and closed as of 9 November 2026. They do not establish a 2027-28 deadline. Students joining the 2027 intake should monitor NIFT’s central notices and the Gandhinagar financial-aid page, then follow the date and application route specified for their year and student category. Current deadlines should not be inferred from last year’s calendar.
Other support routes listed by Gandhinagar
NIFT Gandhinagar’s financial-aid page also lists UDAAN for students selected for approved international academic exchange or study-abroad programmes. The page describes it as support for meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds and says awards depend on the approved policy and scholarship availability. It is not a general travel grant for any overseas plan; check that the academic programme is approved and ask the campus for the current policy and selection conditions.
The Student Laptop Assistance Scheme offers eligible regular UG and PG students interest-free financial assistance for a laptop, subject to income and policy requirements. It is a loan-like interest-free assistance route for the stated purpose, not a tuition scholarship. NIFT’s page also points students to the National Scholarship Portal for applicable central or state schemes and to PM Vidyalaxmi for eligible education loans through participating financial institutions. Scheme eligibility and lender terms are set by the relevant authority, so check those portals before relying on a specific amount or approval.
NIFT’s Student Assistantship Programme is a separate work-study option. The institute describes part-time campus assignments across academic, administrative, research, library, workshop and event activities; selection depends on need, campus requirements and available positions. It can provide practical experience alongside assistance, but the central page does not promise a position or payment amount to every applicant.
Build a realistic funding plan
Before accepting an award, confirm its income definition, required income certificate and other documents, eligible tuition base, application deadline, renewal conditions and whether another scholarship or reimbursement affects eligibility. Ask the Gandhinagar campus Student Development Activity Club or the official contact listed in the current notice when a document or exception is unclear. Keep copies of forms, receipts and approval notices.
Prepare a semester budget that separates tuition, other academic fees, hostel and mess, materials, travel and living costs. Model the SARTHAK percentage against tuition only, then treat any UDAAN, laptop assistance, government scholarship or assistantship as conditional until an official approval arrives. The published policies establish possible routes and rules; they do not guarantee an award, a particular net fee or complete funding for a student’s course.