With 12 state-of-the-art campuses across the country and strong industry linkages, FDDI plays a crucial role in nurturing skilled professionals for the creative and allied industries.
Introduction
The Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) is a premier design and development institution in India dedicated to specialised education in the footwear, fashion, leather goods, accessories, retail, and related industries. Established in 1986 by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, FDDI has played a pivotal role in developing human resources in footwear and allied industries.
Campuses Across India
FDDI has a Pan-India presence with 12 campuses strategically located across the country. Campuses include:
- Noida: The flagship and oldest campus, established in 1986 with extensive infrastructure including International Testing Centre (ITC) certified for ISO & international standards and a unique Visual Merchandising Lab, one of its kind at institutional level.
- Fursatganj (Raebareli): Known for being the only professional footwear & fashion design institute in its region with 100% placement records and proximity to leather and industrial hubs like Kanpur and Lucknow, enhancing internship/industry exposure.
- Chennai: Situated near SIPCOT Footwear & Component Park with a scenic lake-view site, the campus includes an International Testing Laboratory that is a notable landmark of the Chennai center.
- Kolkata: The state of art campus is well equipped with hi tech class rooms, technical workshops, conference hall, auditorium, seminar halls, computer lab, Design Studio, CAD-CAM Lab and resourceful library.
- Rohtak: Spread over 15 acres in Haryana, it is strategically placed to support design, fashion, and technology in one of the country’s rapidly expanding leather & footwear cluster regions (e.g., Bahadurgarh, Faridabad, Karnal and Ambala).
- Chhindwara: Located on a 20-acre green campus in Madhya Pradesh and noted for housing a central library with large collections of design, fashion, retail, and footwear resources within a serene, expansive environment.
- Guna: Conceptually designed to train managers, designers, supervisors, and retail professionals to meet industry manpower shortages, this campus focuses on practical workshops and managerial orientation in footwear design.
- Jodhpur: Notable for its geographical positioning near agricultural university zone, Ambedkar school and good road connectivity, offering ample space with academic buildings, hostels, gyms, sports areas, and cafeterias.
- Ankleshwar (Surat): Located in the GIDC industrial region near Surat, it benefits from proximity to industrial clusters and offers comprehensive technical workshops, CAD/CAM labs and seminar facilities.
- Patna: Situated next to Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna at Bihta, this campus features a large built-up academic area with virtual classrooms and video conferencing, creating a modern learning environment.
- Hyderabad: Spread over approximately 16 acres in Hyderabad’s Gachibowli area, this campus is positioned amid IT, academic, and corporate hubs (like ISB & HCU), providing broad exposure beyond design fields.
- Chandigarh: Located near the heart of the institutional area of Chandigarh/Mohali, this campus offers a digital e-library and modern facilities within one of northern India’s prominent educational corridors.
Undergraduate Programs
- Bachelor of Design in Footwear: 4 Years
- Bachelor of Design in Fashion: 4 Years
- Bachelor of Design in Leather: 4 Years
- Bachelor of Business Administration: 3 + 1 (4th Year Hons)
How to Apply?
A candidate who has passed 10+2 in any stream, from any recognized Board can apply for the undergraduate programs at FDDI. For admissions, candidates are required to submit an online application for the All India Selection Test (AIST) 2026 to be held on 10th May 2026.
- Non-Refundable Application Fee for General/OBC (Non Creamy)/GEN-EWS Category: Rs. 600/- through online payment gateway only.
- Non-Refundable Application Fee for SC/ ST/ PWD Category: Rs. 300/- through online payment gateway only.
Important Dates, 2026
Source: Footwear Design and Development Institute
Conclusion
FDDI equips aspiring designers and industry professionals with the skills, training, and infrastructure needed to excel in footwear, fashion, retail, and allied creative sectors. If you’re ready to begin your journey toward a rewarding career in the creative fields, FDDI is the place to be! Admissions for the academic year 2026–27 are now open; you can apply online through the official FDDI admissions portal and register for the All India Selection Test (AIST) or other eligible entrance scores.
