UPES B.Des Admissions 2026
Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
The Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) is a government-run design and management institute functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Admissions to all FDDI campuses are conducted through the FDDI AIST entrance exam. Candidates seeking admission in 2026 must qualify the FDDI AIST 2026 to secure a seat in their preferred campus and programme. To sign up for the FDDI exam candidates can commence filling the FDDI Application form 2026 online from January 1, 2026 onwards. With multiple campuses offering similar courses, students often wonder which FDDI campus is the best choice. The answer depends on factors such as legacy, infrastructure, industry exposure, and placement opportunities.
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FDDI was established in 1986, and has since grown into a nationwide network of campuses that specialise in Footwear Design, Fashion Design, Leather Goods & Accessories Design, and Retail & Fashion Merchandise. Over the years, FDDI has built a strong reputation for industry-oriented education, practical exposure, and placement support.
Candidates can checkout the FDDI campus list as well as the recommendations for FDDI Campuses on our website. The FDDI college and fees structure has been listed on the our website. Furthermore, the website also shows the rankings for the campuses since there are no official rankings for FDDI campuses. Some campuses are widely regarded as better due to their establishment year, alumni base, industry connections, and placement records. Senior campuses generally offer stronger exposure and facilities compared to newly established ones.
Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
Last Date to Apply: 13th Jan | No. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings
Below is an overview of the most preferred FDDI campuses in India.
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Candidates can check out the list of Institutes below for details on the best campuses for FDDI Design courses, placements and more.
FDDI Noida is considered the flagship and best FDDI campus in India. It is the oldest campus and serves as the institute’s headquarters.
Best for: All design courses, especially Footwear Design and Retail Management.
Why it ranks high: Being the head office, it has the most advanced testing laboratories (SATRA certified) and strong ties with Delhi-NCR’s massive export houses. It consistently secures the highest placement packages.
Infrastructure: 20+ acre campus with state-of-the-art machinery and the largest alumni network.
Due to its legacy and industry presence, FDDI Noida is usually the first preference for most AIST-qualified candidates.
FDDI Chennai is another top-performing campus, especially known for its focus on leather and footwear design. Chennai is known as the "Leather Capital of India," making this campus strategically vital.
Established in 2007 with strong industry linkages with South Indian leather and export hubs.
Furthermore, the institute offers good placement opportunities in footwear manufacturing and design firms
Why it ranks high: Situated near the SIPCOT Footwear and Component Park, students get unparalleled industrial exposure. It is the go-to campus for those wanting to work in technical production and leather research.
Last Date to Apply – 23rd January | Exam Dates – 31st Jan (online), 1st Feb (Online & Offline) | Leading Design College | Highest CTC: ₹12 LPA | Average CTC: ₹7.5 LPA | Scholarships for Deserving Students
Courses offered in- Fashion Design, Product Design, Communication Design, Interior & Spatial Design & Animation & VFX Design
FDDI Kolkata holds a strong position due to its location and industry exposure.
Established in 2007 with a proximity to eastern India’s leather and fashion industries
Offers B.Des, MBA, and diploma programmes
Consistent placement support and experienced faculty
Why it ranks high: Kolkata is a major hub for leather exports. This campus specializes in training students for the high-end leather accessory market.
FDDI Hyderabad is a popular choice among students from southern and central India. Located in the IT and Education hub of Gachibowli, this campus is often ranked as the best in South India.
Established in 2013, and offers offers design and management programmes
Best for: Fashion Design and Leather Goods & Accessories Design.
Why it ranks high: It has a highly modern infrastructure and has secured multiple patents for shoe designs. It is surrounded by other premier institutes like ISB and HCU, offering a great student culture.
Key Feature: Known for having a very high placement rate (90%+ in recent years) and a strong focus on R&D
FDDI Rohtak is among the better campuses in North India. Strategically located near the Delhi border, this campus has quickly risen in the ranks.
Established in 2012 and is best known for Fashion Design and Footwear Design.
Why it ranks high: It houses the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for non-leather footwear (sports shoes). Its proximity to the footwear manufacturing clusters in Bahadurgarh makes internships and job placements very accessible.
The best FDDI campus depends on your priorities. Students aiming for strong placements, alumni support, and exposure usually prefer FDDI Noida, followed by Chennai and Kolkata. Newer campuses may offer fewer seats and developing facilities, but still follow the same curriculum and evaluation standards set by FDDI.
If you are interested in creative fashion and high-tech labs, Hyderabad is a top contender. Or in the case of specialisations in production and technical design, Chennai or Rohtak are the best choices.
Candidates are advised to consider:
Campus ranking and reputation
Programme availability
Location and industry exposure
Placement history
Choosing the right campus after FDDI AIST 2026 can play a key role in shaping your career in design, fashion, and retail management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The FDDI Noida campus is the best campus of the Footwear Design and Development Institute.
FDDI Chennai is known for leather and footwear design. Chennai is known as the "Leather Capital of India," making this campus an ideal choice.
Candidates need to check the Campus ranking and reputation, Programme availability, Location, industry exposure, and Placement history.
On Question asked by student community
To prepare for FDDI AIST, use the following books:
Recommended Books:
Quantitative Aptitude: R.S. Aggarwal
Verbal Ability: Arihant Publications
General Awareness: Manorama Yearbook, Arihant GK
Business Aptitude: R.S. Aggarwal (Reasoning), Disha Experts
Preparation Tips:
Understand the exam pattern and syllabus.
Practice previous years' question papers for better time management.
Stay
Hi there! In response to your query, candidate is highly recommended to check out the official website of the organising authority of the examination. Generally they have a section under their website of archive section, where they store their question papers and respective answer keys. The above mentioned resources can
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Last Date to Apply: 13th Jan | No. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings
Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
Outstanding Track Record in Placements.
Ranked 2nd in the IIRF 2023 Design School Ranking | Approved by AICTE | Highest CTC 13 LPA | Application Deadline: 20th Jan'26