NIFT Vs FDDI: Which Design Institute is Best for You?

About National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)

The National Institute of Fashion Technology was established in 1986 as an educational Institute to provide professional human resources to the industry of fashion and textile. The institution has spread across several campuses since then to impart quality education and provide services to the handlooms and handicraft industry of India.

About Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI)

The footwear designer Development Institute, on the other hand, was established in the same year to provide human resources with appropriate knowledge for the footwear and allied industry. FDDI has also created an impact by providing knowledge and skills across the country through multiple Institutions in different states.

NIFT Vs FDDI - Overview

NIFT Vs FDDI: Courses Offered

Both NIFT and FDDI offer multiple courses in the field of fashion. There are undergraduate programs and postgraduate programs that students can opt for. NIFT also has research opportunities for students who want to do a PhD in fashion.
Also Check: NIFT Courses

NIFT Vs FDDI: Which one is better

NIFT Vs FDDI: Entrance Exams

Candidates seeking admission to NIFT or FDDI have to qualify the entrance exam conducted by the concerned authorities.

NIFT: The National Institute of Fashion Technology has a way of screening thousands of applications that are received every year in hopes of getting admission. The national testing agency conducts the NIFT entrance exam every year to select the best students at the undergraduate and postgraduate level to join the courses. This design entrance examination is one of the top design exams that thousands of applicants apply for every year.

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FDDI: Footwear Design and Development Institute conducts the All India Selection Test (FDDI AIST) to shortlist the candidates who are applying for the institution. This entrance exam is conducted once every year at a national level, in which the candidates need to qualify to join the FDDI colleges across India.

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NIFT Vs FDDI Selection Criteria

To appear for the entrance exam, aspirants also have to meet other eligibility criteria as laid down by the authorities.

NIFT Exam Eligibility

The National Testing Agency releases the NIFT entrance exam eligibility criteria on the official website.

Age Limit: The maximum age should be less than 24 years as on August 1, of the year of admission. The upper age limit may be relaxed by a period of 5 (five) years for candidates of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/ Person with Disability (PwD) categories.

Educational Qualification (For BDes Courses)

• Passed the plus 2 level examination in the 10+2 pattern of examination from any recognized Central/State Board of Secondary Examination, such as the Central Board of Secondary Education/State Board New Delhi/Council for Indian School Certificate Examination, New Delhi. OR
• A pass grade in the Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Open School with a minimum of five subjects. OR
• 3 or 4 years diploma recognized by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education after secondary examination/10th standard. OR
• Any Public School/Board/University Examination in India or in foreign countries recognized by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to the 10+2 system. OR
• General Certificate of Education (GCE) Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level/International Baccalaureate (IB).

FDDI Exam Eligibility

Aspirants planning to appear for the AIST exam have to meet the following requirements mentioned in the FDDI eligibility criteria PDF.

Age Limit - The age limit for the Bachelor’s programme shall be 25 years as on July 1, 2026.

Educational Qualification

A candidate who has passed:

• 10+2, in any stream, from any recognised Board (or)
• Any School or Board or University examination in India or in a foreign country recognised by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to the 10+2 system (or)
• School Examination conducted by the National Open School with a minimum of five subjects (or)
• All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approved three–year full–time Diploma after Class X offered by the Board of Technical Education of any state or Union territory.

NIFT Vs FDDI Fees

One of the most important factors in deciding which college is the best for a student is to understand the fee structure. FDDI and NIFT are both Central government institutions which offer affordable education to all students. As per last year's trends, the total NIFT fees for a Bachelor's or design course for all campuses are. Rs. 14,09,400. However, for FDDI, fees vary from one campus to another. Candidates can check detailed fees for NIFT and FDDI through the links mentioned below.

• NIFT fee structure
• FDDI fees

NIFT vs FDDI Campuses

There are several campuses of NIFT across India offering wonderful opportunities to students in terms of design education. Candidates must be aware that the NIFT campuses are located in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Gandhinagar, Patna, Kangra, Jodhpur, Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Shillong, Kannur, Panchkula, Raebareli, Srinagar. On the other hand, FDDI campuses are also widely spread, with campuses located in Noida, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Rohtak, Jodhpur, Surat, Fursatganj, Patna, Guna & Chhindwara.

Is FDDI better than NIFT in terms of career opportunities?

Both the Institutions have provided immense opportunities in the field of design to the students. Both NIFT and FDDI have strong placement teams who bring the best opportunities for candidates in terms of internships and job opportunities. The salaries offered at the placements of both institutions are lucrative, and jobs are found at both domestic and international realms. Most of the NIFT graduates find jobs in fashion houses as fashion designers, illustrators, fashion stylists, merchandisers, etc. While the FDDI graduates are more commonly seen in the footwear and leather industries as merchandisers, designers, retailers, etc.

Check: NIFT Placement | FDDI Placement