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FDDI Kolkata is currently accepting applications for its 2026-27 academic session. FDDI Kolkata offers admission to its popular program B.Des based on national-level entrance exams, primarily the AIST 2026 entrance exam, which is scheduled for May 10, 2026. While admissions are based on AIST Exam scores mostly, if seats remain, other national-level exam scores like UCEED may also be accepted for seat allotment through a centralized counseling process. The total fee is around INR 5.8 Lakhs .
Undergraduate Programs
- Courses: B.Des (Footwear Design & Production, Fashion Design, Leather Lifestyle & Product Design)
- Admission: Based on the FDDI AIST (All India Selection Test), which evaluates Analytical Ability, Verbal Ability, General Awareness, and Design/Business Aptitude.
- Total Duration: 4 Years
- B.Des Fees Range : INR 5.8 Lakhs.
Table of Contents
FDDI Kolkata Admission Dates 2026
Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) Hyderabad follows the centralized admission timeline managed by the Noida headquarters.The Kolkata campus adheres to a single national schedule for all B.Des and Certificate programs for the 2026-27 session.
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 Kolkata B.Des Admissions 2026
FDDI Kolkata offers industry-integrated undergraduate programs under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It provides specialized technical education designed to create global professionals in footwear, fashion, leather lifestyle, and retail management.
The details of the programs and selection process are provided below:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program |
Bachelor of Design (B.Des) 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 | INR 5.8 Lakhs (Total program inclusive of tuition and other fees). |
| Core Curriculum | Hands-on workshop training, CAD/CAM labs, specialized leather tanning studies, and industry internships. |
| Career Path | Footwear Designer, Product Developer, Fashion Consultant, Merchandiser, or Leather Goods Specialist. |
| Placement | 82% – 85% placement rate with recruiters like Adidas, Bata, Sabyasachi, and Reliance Retail. |
Specialization and Seat Intake
| Course | Key Specializations | Seat Intake | Core Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Des Footwear | Footwear Design & Production | 30 | High-end technical manufacturing, 3D footwear design, and material science. |
| B.Des Fashion | Fashion Design | 30 | Garment construction, textile innovation, and trend forecasting for global markets. |
| B.Des Leather | Leather Goods & Accessories Design | 60 | Craftsmanship in luxury bags, belts, and lifestyle product development. |
FDDI Kolkata B.Des Admission FAQs
Ques. Is a portfolio required for the B.Des admission?
Ans. Unlike NID or NIFT, FDDI’s regular B.Des admission through AIST does not mandatory require a creative portfolio. Selection is 100% based on your entrance exam performance and subsequent counseling.
Ques. Is there an age limit for the B.Des program?
Ans. Yes, the maximum age limit is 25 years as of July 1, 2026.
Ques. Can I apply for the Kolkata campus if I have a valid UCEED score?
Ans. Yes. Candidates with a valid UCEED 2026 score are exempted from the AIST written test. However, you must still register on the FDDI admission portal and pay the application fee to be included in the merit-based counseling.
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. | 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.
FDDI Kolkata Admission FAQs
Ques. Is there a medical fitness requirement for admission?
Ans. Yes. At the time of physical reporting/counseling, you must submit a Medical Fitness Certificate issued by a Registered Medical Practitioner. This ensures you are physically capable of handling laboratory and workshop-intensive tasks, which are core to the B.Des curriculum.
Ques. Can I change my campus from Kolkata to Noida or Hyderabad later?
Ans. Upgradation or campus transfer is only possible during the Counselling rounds based on your AIST rank and seat availability. Once the session begins, transfers between campuses are extremely rare and only considered under exceptional circumstances with administrative approval.
Ques. What is the reservation policy for seat allotment in 2026?
Ans. As an Institute of National Importance, FDDI follows the Government of India's reservation norms:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 27%
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 15%
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 7.5%
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 10%
- Persons with Disability (PwD): 3% (Horizontal reservation across categories)
Ques. How does the seat allotment work for UCEED/CUET applicants?
Ans. Candidates with valid national-level scores are exempted from the AIST. Their percentile is equated with the AIST merit list. During counseling, these candidates are positioned in the merit list based on their equated scores and allotted seats accordingly.
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