![Footwear Design and Development Institute - [FDDI]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1737134042qq.jpg?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
FDDI Chandigarh is currently accepting applications for the 2026-27 academic session, offering design and management programs including B.Des, BBA, M.Des, and MBA. Admission is primarily conducted through the AIST 2026 entrance exam, scheduled for May 10, 2026. Any remaining vacancies may be filled by candidates with valid national-level scores—such as UCEED for B.Des or CAT for MBA—through a centralized counseling process.
Undergraduate Programs
- Courses: B.Des (Footwear Design & Production, Fashion Design, Leather Lifestyle & Product Design), BBA Hons. (Retail & Fashion Merchandise).
- Admission: Based on the FDDI AIST (All India Selection Test), which evaluates Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, General Awareness, and Design Aptitude. Valid UCEED scores may be used for a written exam waiver in B.Des.
- Total Duration: 4 Years (B.Des & BBA Hons).
- Fee Range (Total Course):
- B.Des: INR 5.8 Lakhs.
- BBA Hons.: INR 5.85 Lakhs.
Postgraduate Programs
- Courses: M.Des (Footwear Design & Production, Fashion Design), MBA (Retail & Fashion Merchandise).
- Admission: Based on the FDDI AIST and a centralized counseling process. Candidates with valid CAT/MAT/XAT scores are eligible for an exam waiver for the MBA program.
- Total Duration: 2 Years.
- Fee Range (Total Course):
- M.Des: INR 5.83 Lakhs.
- MBA: INR 5.83 Lakhs.
Table of Contents
FDDI Chandigarh Admission Dates 2026
Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) conducts its admission process primarily through the All India Selection Test (AIST). For the 2026-27 academic session, the institute follows a centralized national schedule for all its undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
The schedule for this year is as follows:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Window | 24th Dec 2025 – 20th April 2026 |
| Late Registration Deadline | 30th April 2026 |
| Application Editing Window | 21st – 22nd April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 1st May 2026 |
| AIST Entrance Exam | 10th May 2026 |
| Merit List | TBA on Official Website |
| Counselling | June 2026 |
| Fees Payment Deadline | 15th July 2026 |
| Commencement of Classes | TBA on Official Website |
FDDI Chandigarh UG Admissions 2026
FDDI Chandigarh offers industry-integrated undergraduate programs under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. it focuses on specialized technical education in footwear, fashion, and retail management. The details of the programs and selection process is provided below:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program |
Bachelor of Design (B.Des) / Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA Hons.) 4 Years (8 Semesters) |
| Entrance Exam | FDDI AIST (All India Selection Test) |
| Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 Pass in any stream (Science, Commerce, or Humanities). Max age: 25 years as of July 1,2026 |
| Admission Process | Based on AIST score (Aptitude + Design), followed by centralized counseling. |
| Total Fees | B.Des: INR 5.8 Lakhs / BBA: INR 5.85 Lakhs (Total program). |
| Core Curriculum | Foundation design studies, technical workshop training, CAD/CAM, and industry internships. |
| Career Path | Footwear Designer, Retail Manager, Merchandiser, Fashion Consultant, or Entrepreneur. |
| Placement | 82% – 86% placement rate with recruiters like Adidas, Nike, Bata, Zara, and Reliance Retail. |
Specialization and Focus Area
| Course | Key Specializations | Seat Intake | Core Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Des Footwear | Footwear Design & Production | 60 | Pattern cutting, Lasting, Closing, Material testing (SATRA/PFI standards). |
| B.Des Fashion | Fashion Design | 60 | Garment construction, Knitwear, Textile studies, Digital illustration. |
| BBA Retail | Retail & Fashion Merchandise | 30 | Consumer behavior, Visual Merchandising, Supply chain, Store operations. |
Application Process
- Online Registration: Visit the official portal (admissions.fddiindia.com) and create a "New Candidate" profile.
- Form Submission: Select "Chandigarh Campus" and your preferred UG program (B.Des or BBA).
- Application Fee: Pay INR 600 (General/OBC/EWS) or INR 300 (SC/ST/PwD) via online gateway.
- Entrance Exam: Download the admit card in May and appear for the AIST at your designated center.
- Counseling: Shortlisted candidates are ranked in a Common Merit List (CML) for seat allotment based on their AIST performance.
FDDi Chandigarh UG Admission FAQS
Ques. Does FDDI Chandigarh offer any creative or design-based interview for UG applicants?
Ans. No. Unlike private design schools, regular admission to FDDI Chandigarh's B.Des and BBA programs is based solely on the All India Selection Test (AIST) merit rank. There is no personal interview or portfolio showcase for general category applicants. Selection is finalized through a centralized online counseling process where seats are allotted based on your rank and campus preference.
Ques. What is the age limit for applying to the B.Des program at the Chandigarh campus?
Ans. The upper age limit for Bachelor’s programs (B.Des and BBA) is 25 years as of July 1, 2026. There is no age limit for candidates applying to the postgraduate (M.Des/MBA) programs.
Ques. What is the seat intake for the different UG specializations at the Chandigarh campus?
Ans. As the largest campus, FDDI Chandigarh has a total of 280 seats for undergraduate programs. The breakdown for the 2026 session is as follows:
- B.Des Footwear Design & Production:60 Seats
- B.Des Fashion Design: 60 Seats
- BBA (Hons.) Retail & Fashion Merchandise: 30 Seats
FDDI Chandigarh PG Admissions 2026
FDDI Chandigarh offers specialized postgraduate programs designed to transform graduates into advanced technical, design, and management professionals for the global lifestyle industry. As an Institution of National Importance, its PG curriculum emphasizes industrial research and strategic leadership.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program |
Master of Design (M.Des) / Master of Business Administration (MBA) 2 Years (4 Semesters) |
| Entrance Exam |
FDDI AIST. Exemption available for candidates with valid national scores (CAT/MAT/XAT/CEED/CUET-PG). |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university. No upper age limit for PG programs. |
| Admission Process | Based on AIST score or National exam merit, followed by a centralized counseling process. |
| Total Fees | M.Des: INR 5.83 Lakhs / MBA: INR 5.83 Lakhs (Total program). |
| Core Curriculum | Advanced technical design, global supply chain, retail analytics, and a mandatory 8-week industry internship. |
| Career Path | Creative Director, Senior Merchandiser, Category Manager, Retail Strategist, or Product Developer. |
| Placement | Strong industry footprint with 85%+ placements in firms like Adidas, Puma, Zara, Reliance Retail, and H&M. |
Specialization and Focus Area
| Course | Key Specializations | Seat Intake | Core Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA Retail | Retail & Fashion Merchandise | 30 | Strategic marketing, retail operations, consumer behavior, and e-commerce. |
Application Process
- Online Registration: Create an applicant profile on the official FDDI portal (admissions.fddiindia.com).
- Form Submission: Select "Postgraduate" as the program level and "Chandigarh" as your primary campus preference.
- Application Fee: Pay INR 600 (General/OBC/EWS) or INR 300 (SC/ST/PwD) online.
- Entrance Exam:
- M.Des: Appear for the AIST (Aptitude + Design sections).
- MBA: Appear for the AIST (Aptitude + Management sections).
- Counseling: Shortlisted candidates (including those with exam waivers) participate in online counseling to freeze their seats based on merit ranks.
FDDI Chandigarh PG Admission FAQs
Ques. Are there any exemptions for the PG entrance exam if I have a valid CAT or MAT score?
Ans. Yes. For the MBA (Retail & Fashion Merchandise) program, candidates with valid scores in national-level exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, or CUET-PG are exempted from the AIST written test. Your national percentile will be equated with the FDDI merit list. For M.Des, a similar exemption is often granted to those with a valid CEED score.
Ques. Is there a personal interview or Group Discussion (GD) stage for PG admissions?
Ans. For the MBA and M.Des programs at the Chandigarh campus, the selection process typically involves a Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD/PI) following the entrance exam. While UG admissions are strictly merit-based through the AIST, PG candidates are evaluated on their leadership potential, industry awareness, and communication skills through these additional rounds.
Ques. What is the seat intake for Master’s programs at the Chandigarh campus for 2026?
Ans. FDDI Chandigarh, being the premier campus, has the highest PG intake. The seat matrix for 2026 is:
- MBA (Retail & Fashion Merchandise): 30 Seats
FDDI AIST Entrance Exam Details 2026
The FDDI All India Selection Test (AIST) is a centralized national-level assessment conducted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Unlike private institutes, FDDI evaluates candidates through a comprehensive single-stage written examination (Paper-Based Test) that tests both technical aptitude and creative skills.
| Component | Focus Areas | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Ability | Basic mathematics (Class 10-12), Logical Reasoning, and Data Interpretation. | 45 Minutes |
| Verbal Ability | English Grammar, Reading Comprehension, and Vocabulary Usage. | 45 Minutes |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs, History, Sports, and Fashion/Design-related GK. | 30 Minutes |
| Design / Business Aptitude | B.Des: Sketching, Visualisation, and Color. BBA/MBA: Branding, Logos, and Management Basics. |
60 Minutes |
Selection Workflow
- Written Phase (The AIST): Candidates appear for the offline pen-and-paper test. The exam for B.Des/BBA typically consists of 126–150 questions with a total of 200 marks.
- Merit Listing: Scores from the AIST are used to generate a Common Merit Rank (CMR). There is usually no negative marking in the FDDI AIST.
- Exemption Route: Applicants with valid national scores (like UCEED for UG or CAT/MAT for PG) can skip the written test and are positioned in the merit list based on their equated percentile.
- Centralized Counseling: Unlike a personal interview stage, admission is finalized through Online Counseling. Seats are allotted based on your Rank, Category, and Campus preference (with Chandigarh being the most competitive).
FDDI Chandigarh Admission FAQs
Ques. Is there a reservation policy for NRI or Industry-Sponsored candidates?
Ans. Yes, FDDI reserves 10% of seats over and above the regular intake for NRI, Industry-Sponsored, and Foreign National candidates. Selection for this category is based on a Personal Interview rather than the AIST written exam. Note that tuition fees for NRI/Sponsored candidates at the Chandigarh campus are typically double the regular fee.
Ques. Does FDDI Chandigarh offer lateral entry for students with a diploma?
Ans. Yes, FDDI Chandigarh offers a Lateral Entry pathway directly into the 2nd year (3rd semester) of B.Des and BBA programs. To be eligible, you must have completed a 3-year diploma (recognized by AICTE/UGC) after Class 10, or a 1-2 year regular diploma in a relevant field after Class 12. Admission is based on your FDDI AIST 2026 rank and a credit mapping process conducted by the institute's academic committee.
Ques. Can I apply for both B.Des and BBA programs simultaneously?
Ans. Yes. Candidates have the option to apply for "Both" programs in a single application. In the AIST 2026, such candidates must attempt sections relevant to both streams (Analytical, Design, Business, and Verbal Aptitude). During counseling, you can list your preferences for both B.Des and BBA across various FDDI campuses.
Ques. Is there any negative marking in the FDDI AIST 2026?
Ans. No, there is no negative marking in the AIST. The exam consists of approximately 126–150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Candidates are encouraged to attempt all questions to maximize their score.
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