Which is the Best FDDI Campus in 2026?

Which is the Best FDDI Campus in 2026?

Achyuth NambiarUpdated on 14 Jan 2026, 06:30 PM IST

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.

This Story also Contains

  1. FDDI Campus Ranking and Reputation in India
  2. Which FDDI Campuses are Best for Design Courses?
  3. Which FDDI Campus Should You Choose?
Which is the Best FDDI Campus in 2026?
Which FDDI Campus is Best?

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.

FDDI Campus Ranking and Reputation in India

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.

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Below is an overview of the most preferred FDDI campuses in India.

Best FDDI Campuses in India

Name of Campus

Courses offered

FDDI Noida (Uttar Pradesh)

  • B.Des (Footwear Design & Production) - 80 seats

  • B.Des (Fashion Design) - 80 seats

  • B.Des (Leather, Lifestyle & Product Design) - 80 seats

  • M.Des (Footwear Design & Production) - 50 seats

  • M.Des (Fashion Design) - 30 seats

FDDI Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

  • B.Des (Footwear Design & Production) - 80 seats

  • B.Des (Fashion Design) - 60 seats

  • M.Des (Footwear Design & Production) - 30 seats

FDDI Kolkata (West Bengal)

  • B.Des (Footwear Design & Production) - 30 seats

  • B.Des (Fashion Design) - 30 seats

  • B.Des (Leather, Lifestyle & Product Design) - 60 seats

FDDI Rohtak (Haryana)

  • B.Des (Footwear Design & Production) - 60 seats

  • B.Des (Fashion Design) - 60 seats

FDDI Hyderabad (Telangana)

  • B.Des (Footwear Design & Production) - 60 seats

  • B.Des (Fashion Design) - 60 seats

  • B.Des (Leather, Lifestyle & Product Design) - 60 seats

  • M.Des (Fashion Design) - 30 seats

Which FDDI Campuses are Best for Design Courses?

Candidates can check out the list of Institutes below for details on the best campuses for FDDI Design courses, placements and more.

1. FDDI Noida (Uttar Pradesh)

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.

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Due to its legacy and industry presence, FDDI Noida is usually the first preference for most AIST-qualified candidates.

2. FDDI Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

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.

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3. FDDI Kolkata (West Bengal)

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.

4. FDDI Hyderabad (Telangana)

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

5. FDDI Rohtak (Haryana)

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.

Which FDDI Campus Should You Choose?

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)

Q: Which is the best FDDI Campus in India?
A:

The FDDI Noida campus is the best campus of the Footwear Design and Development Institute.

Q: Which FDDI campus specialises in Leather?
A:

FDDI Chennai is known for leather and footwear design. Chennai is known as the "Leather Capital of India," making this campus an ideal choice.

Q: What are some important factors to consider when selecting a FDDI campus?
A:

Candidates need to check the Campus ranking and reputation, Programme availability, Location, industry exposure, and Placement history.

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I sincerely hope that education in footwear

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