NIFT was established in 1986 and it is one of the oldest institutions of India that pioneered the education on fashion designing and textile designing in India. It is an autonomous Institution and it has its branches across many states in India. It is rendering knowledge and services for the development of technology in the field of textile and apparel industry. It is one of the best institutions to study fashion and textile designing in India.

In 2006 it was given the status of statutory institution by the Act of Indian Parliament. It offers a wide range of courses on fashion designing and textile designing. It has several branches across India. NIFT is working as a knowledge service provider in the field of fashion technology for the growth and development of handicrafts and handlooms in India.