Over the years students from all the NIFT centres have actively participated in numerous national and international events and competitions. Students are encouraged to participate in design competitions like Mittelmoda Premio, Crespi and its #one, Italy; Gifu and Asia Makuhari Grand Prix, Japan; Asia Pacific young designers, Hong Kong; World Gold Council's Swaranjali, Shoppers stop and IWS shawl design competition in India and a host of others. Several students have won laurels for the institute in these prestigious competitions.
From time to time meritorious NIFT students have been awarded scholarship by prestigious institutes like domus Academy, Italy and Textile Institute International, Manchester. 

NIFT honours students in three categories of awards, which are conferred during the convocation. 

• Best academic performance award in each discipline at each NIFT centre.

• Academic excellence with community service performance: one student in each centre.

• Best all round performance: one student in each centre.

All three awards will carry a certification having related citation on a designed certificate and a gold medal. NIFT also institutes awards for graduation shows in various categories for respective discipline. These awards are decided by the external jury and are given to the students who obtain highest marks in the corresponding categories of evaluation criteria.