Ph.D programme

The award of PhD degree is in recognition of high academic achievements, independent research and application of knowledge in various areas of Fashion. Creative and productive enquiry is the basic concept underlying the research work.
NIFT offers doctoral Full time and Part time programme through its Head Office in Delhi. The programme is in recognition of high academic achievements, independent research and application of knowledge in the areas of Design, Management and Technology. The programme is designed for the purpose of carrying out research in textiles, fashion and the apparel sector to create a body of original knowledge for the use of academia and industry at large.

Programme Structure- The programme has two phases: course work and thesis research. The first phase covers the first two years of course work (compulsory and selected). Successful completion of the first phase requires passing the comprehensive exam. The student then begins the second phase, i.e. thesis research work.

PhD Program was launched in 2009 with 7 students and currently 58 students are pursuing PhD from NIFT. 35 scholars have been awarded PhD till now.

A categorisation the research areas where NIFT Ph.D. scholars have worked is given below:

1. Craft Studies: Research in this area focuses on traditional crafts, artisans, and their techniques. Scholars may study craft preservation, revival, and innovation to promote and sustain indigenous crafts.

2. Green Fashion: This research area explores sustainable practices in the fashion industry, such as eco-friendly materials, recycling, reducing waste, ethical sourcing, and promoting environmentally conscious fashion choices.

3. Teaching Pedagogy and Design Education: Scholars in this field investigate teaching methods and strategies for design education. They explore innovative approaches to curriculum development, pedagogy, and evaluation in fashion and design institutes.

4. Colour Forecast and Fashion Trends: Research in this area involves analyzing color trends, forecasting future color palettes, and studying the impact of color on fashion and consumer behavior.

5. Creative Pattern Making: This research area focuses on developing innovative techniques and technologies for pattern making in the fashion industry. Scholars explore new methods for creating patterns that enhance design possibilities and improve garment fit.

6. Textile Chemical Finishing: Scholars working in this area study various chemical processes and treatments used to enhance textile properties, such as dyeing, printing, and finishing techniques.

7. Garment and Footwear: This research area involves studying garment and footwear design, production techniques, material selection, and technological advancements to improve the quality, functionality, and aesthetics of clothing and footwear.

8. Studies on Period Costumes and Textiles: Scholars in this field research historical costumes, textiles, and their significance in various periods and cultures. They explore historical fashion trends, techniques, and cultural contexts.

9. Textile and Fashion Recycling: This research area focuses on developing sustainable practices for recycling textile waste and post-consumer garments. Scholars study recycling technologies, circular economy models, and the environmental impact of textile waste.

10. Sustainability, Consumer Behavior, and Brand Study: Scholars in this area investigate consumer behavior related to sustainable fashion choices. They examine consumer attitudes towards sustainable brands and the influence of sustainability on brand image and marketing strategies.

11. Supply Chain Management: This research area explores the efficient management of the fashion supply chain, including sourcing, production, distribution, and logistics. Scholars study strategies to optimize the supply chain, reduce lead times, and improve sustainability.

12. Zero Waste Patterns: Research in this field focuses on developing innovative design techniques and patterns that minimize fabric waste during garment production. Scholars explore zero waste design principles and their application in the fashion industry.

13. Textile and Apparel Industry: This research area involves studying the overall dynamics of the textile and apparel industry, including market trends, industry structure, global trade, and technological advancements.

These research areas demonstrate the diverse fields of study that NIFT Ph.D. scholars have engaged in to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the fashion and textile industry.

The areas of research of the thirty-five PhD awardees there batch and topic of study are given below:

Patents

Patent process has been initiated for:

• A PRESSER FOOT FOR A SEWING MACHINE, invented by Ms. Abhilasha, Prof.Dr. Prabir Jana &Dr. Deepak Panghal et.al
• A Needle Replacement System, invented by Mr. Shubham Tilara& Prof. Dr. Suhail Anwar et.al
• Self Defence Wearable, jointly invented by Dr. Noopur Anand and Dr. Deepak Panghal
• Computerised Sewing Skill Evaluation System, invented jointly by Dr.Prabir Jana and Dr. Deepak Panghal with Mr. Dinesh Kumar of Design Innova
• Advance Needle Guard, Inventors -Inventors- Mr. Sirfraj Ahmed &Dr. Deepak Panghal
• Pedal-Less Attachment for SNLS Sewing Machine; Invented and self-funded by Mr. Abhishek Gangopadhyay, Mr. Ankur Makhija, NIFT Gandhi Nagar
• Automatic Detachable Cycle Time & Output calculator for Industrial Sewing Machine (ADCTOC); Invented by Ms. Meenakshi Gupta, Mr. Ankur Makhija, NIFT Gandhi Nagar; supported and sponsored by M/S. Shahi Exports Pvt Ltd, Faridabad
• An Automatic Sewing Needle Vending Machine, Patent Application Number: 201921006345, Patent Filing Date: 18.02.2019, Inventors: Ms. Akshita Mishra, Mr. Ankur Makhija, Applicant: National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
• An On Machine Broken Needle Collecting System for Sewing Machine, Patent Application Number: 201921006747, Patent Filing Date: 20.02.2019, Inventors: Ms. Ishita Upreti, Ms. Nitika Yadav, Mr. Ankur Makhija , Applicant: National Institute of Fashion Technology ( NIFT)
• A PNEUMATIC FOLDER, Patent Application No: 202311028472, Patent Filing Date: 19.04.2023, Inventors: Mr. Naveen Ghanghas, Dr. Deepak Panghal, Dr. Prabir Jana, Applicant: National Institute of Fashion Technology ( NIFT)
• Dr. Pavan Godiawala has joint patent (with three other inventors from ATIRA, Ahmedabad) to his credit on production monitoring system for sewing machines in a garment manufacturing unit (patent no. 206591).
• Indian Patent Application No. 201911053167, Filed on: December 20, 2019, the name of: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY, Title: A NEEDLE REPLACEMENT SYSTEM, Inventors: Shekhar Ravi, Shubham Tilara, Prabir Jana & Suhail Anwar
• IPAC Assessment has been conducted on 30.09.2021, IP-Inline Detection of Skip Stitch and automating live feedback, Inventors: Tejas Vilas Shirore, GaganSinghvi and Prof. Dr. Pavan Godiawala-NIFT Mumbai
• IPAC Assessment has been conducted on 24.09.2022, Kewra Fiber as Textile Products, Inventors: Biswajeet-MDes. Student, Prof. Dr. Sharmila J. Dua (Mentor) and Dr. Rashmi Thakur (Mentor) from NIFT Mumbai
• IPAC Assessment has been conducted on 12.04.2023, Textile Electrode design allowing electronic component embedding below the fabric surface, Inventors: Md. Vaseem Chauhan, Asstt. Prof., NIFT-Hyderabad

Publication

NIFT faculty members are also actively engaged in writing books, chapters in books and research papers in journals. There are more than 1000 papers in leading academic research journals, approx. 20 articles in commercial magazines/newspapers, approx. 140 books/book chapters and approximately 800 paper presentations in seminars and conferences, and creative works of more than 40 faculties were displayed in various exhibitions.