THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 31, 2026

Students should maintain a global outlook while remaining firmly connected to their roots and the core values of Indian culture, President Droupadi Murmu said on Monday, urging graduating students of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to use their knowledge and creativity to enhance India's global footprint while contributing to the preservation and enrichment of the country's cultural heritage.

Addressing the Combined Convocation 2026 of NIFT here, Murmu, who is the Visitor of the institute and was the chief guest at the ceremony, said India is expanding its role on the global stage with greater confidence than ever before and fashion technology has immense potential to further strengthen the country's global presence.

She urged the graduating students to seize the opportunities emerging in the fashion, textile and creative sectors and said that by combining a global outlook with a strong connection to India's roots and cultural values, they would not only become successful professionals but also contribute to the preservation and enrichment of the country's rich cultural heritage.

The President said the textile and apparel sector is not merely a part of India's cultural heritage but is also the backbone of the livelihoods of millions of people. Supporting traditional artisans with appropriate guidance and opportunities, she said, would encourage the next generation to remain engaged in the profession with pride and confidence.

Murmu expressed happiness over initiatives undertaken by various NIFT centres, including the 'Craft Cluster Initiative', to familiarise weavers and artisans in their respective regions with modern techniques in the textile and apparel sector and help connect them with markets.

The Combined Convocation 2026, held in New Delhi on August 31, brought together graduating students from 18 NIFT campuses across the country, marking a significant milestone in their transition from academic learning to professional and creative careers.

Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, Secretary, Textiles, Neelam Shami Rao, Director General, NIFT, Tanu Kashyap, distinguished dignitaries, members of the Board of Governors, senior officials, faculty members, PhD scholars and graduating students attended the ceremony.

Addressing the gathering, Singh urged the students to dream big and work hard to become an integral driving force in building a Viksit Bharat.

Rao congratulated the graduating students and advised them to pursue continuous learning and keep upgrading their skills to make the most of the vast opportunities emerging in the sector.

The convocation recognised the dedication and achievements of students who completed their undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes at NIFT. Their academic journey was marked by exploration, collaboration and exposure to the evolving requirements of the fashion and creative industries.

During the ceremony, the Director General, NIFT, administered the pledge to the graduating students and symbolically conferred degrees upon the graduating batch.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of 10 Gold Medals to the best academic performers from NIFT's various academic programmes across the country. The awardees were selected on the basis of outstanding academic performance, taking into account their CGPA and semester-wise SGPA. The Gold Medals were presented to the awardees by the President, recognising their academic excellence.

Following the central convocation ceremony, campus-wise degree distribution ceremonies were held, giving graduates an opportunity to formally receive their degrees and celebrate the milestone with their respective academic communities.

Founded in 1986 under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, NIFT is a statutory institute governed by the NIFT Act, 2006. It has played a pioneering role in shaping India's fashion education landscape by fostering an interdisciplinary learning environment where design, technology, craftsmanship, research, innovation and industry perspectives converge.

Across its 20 professionally managed campuses, NIFT continues to nurture diverse talent and encourage students to explore new ideas, challenge conventional approaches and develop solutions relevant to a rapidly changing creative economy. Its educational approach combines contemporary learning with an appreciation of India's rich craft, cultural and design traditions.

For the graduating cohort, the 2026 convocation marked a transition from preparation to possibility, with the knowledge gained, projects undertaken, collaborations forged and challenges overcome during their time at NIFT serving as foundations for their future careers and creative pursuits.

The graduates now join a growing community of NIFT alumni contributing to fashion, textiles, design, technology, entrepreneurship, communication and allied creative fields. Equipped with an understanding of India's cultural inheritance as well as contemporary global trends, they are poised to bring fresh perspectives to the industries and communities they serve.

With 3,793 students graduating across undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes, the Combined Convocation 2026 brought together achievement, aspiration and the promise of new possibilities. As the graduates step into diverse professional and creative spaces, they carry with them the learning, values and experiences shaped by their time at NIFT and are poised to add new dimensions to India's fashion, design and creative landscape while contributing to the making of a Viksit Bharat.