Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) Amethi is a specialized design and management institution under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The institute conducts admissions for the 2026-27 batch through the centralized FDDI AIST (All India Selection Test). FDDI Amethi offers B.Des programs with duration of 4 years and fees of INR 5.8 Lakhs, and MBA program with duration of 2 years and fees of INR 4.7 Lakhs. Admission is based on FDDI AIST scores or valid national entrance exam scores (UCEED for B.Des, CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT for MBA), followed by centralized counselling.

FDDI Amethi specializes in footwear, fashion, and leather lifestyle design education with total undergraduate seat intake of 150 seats across three B.Des specializations and postgraduate intake of 40 seats for MBA. The institute maintains industry partnerships with leading brands including Adidas, Bata, Puma, Zara, and Reliance Retail, ensuring strong placement outcomes of 82-86% for undergraduate and robust industry footprint for postgraduate programs. All admissions are conducted through online registration on admissions.fddiindia.com with transparent merit-based selection and no negative marking in the AIST examination.

Important Dates 2026

Prospective candidates must remain informed about critical admission timelines for FDDI Amethi programs. The following table outlines key dates for the 2026-27 batch admission cycle:

Event Date
Application Deadline 20 April 2026
Application Editing Window 21-22 April 2026
Late Registration Deadline 30 April 2026
Admit Card Release 1 May 2026
FDDI AIST Entrance Exam 10 May 2026
Merit List Announcement TBA on Official Website
Centralized Counselling June 2026
Fees Payment Deadline 15 July 2026
Class Commencement TBA on Official Website

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

Undergraduate Admission 2026

FDDI Amethi offers industry-integrated undergraduate programs under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The campus serves as a specialized technical powerhouse for North India, focusing on footwear, fashion, and leather lifestyle design education with strong industry partnerships and placement outcomes.

B.Des Program Details

Particulars Details
Full Form Bachelor of Design (B.Des)
Course Level Undergraduate (UG)
Total Duration 4 years (8 semesters)
Total Fees INR 5.8 Lakhs (academic/tuition for 4 years)
Entrance Exam FDDI AIST (All India Selection Test) is mandatory. Candidates with valid UCEED scores are eligible for written exam waiver.
Eligibility Criteria 10+2 pass in any stream (Science, Commerce, or Humanities). Maximum age: 25 years as of July 1, 2026.
Admission Process Based on AIST score (Aptitude + Design), followed by centralized counselling and merit-based seat allotment.
Core Curriculum Foundation design studies, technical workshop training, CAD/CAM, and mandatory industry internships.
Career Paths Footwear Designer, Merchandiser, Product Developer, or Fashion Consultant.
Placement Rate 82-86% with recruiters including Adidas, Bata, Reliance Retail, and Puma.

B.Des Eligibility Criteria

  • Passed 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board.
  • Maximum age limit: 25 years as of July 1, 2026.
  • Valid FDDI AIST score or UCEED score for exam waiver.
  • Merit-based selection through centralized counselling.

B.Des Specializations and Seat Intake

Specialization Seat Intake Core Focus Areas
B.Des Footwear Design and Production 60 seats Pattern cutting, Lasting, Closing, Material testing (SATRA/PFI standards), and footwear manufacturing processes.
B.Des Fashion Design 60 seats Garment construction, Knitwear, Textile studies, Digital illustration, and fashion trend analysis.
B.Des Leather Lifestyle and Product Design 30 seats Luxury goods design, Accessory design, Material innovation, and product lifecycle management.

Total UG Seat Intake: 150 seats

B.Des Admission Process

  • Visit official portal at admissions.fddiindia.com and create "New Candidate" profile starting January 1, 2026.
  • Select "Fursatganj (Amethi)" as preferred campus and choose your B.Des specialization.
  • Pay application fee: INR 600 (General/OBC/EWS) or INR 300 (SC/ST/PwD) via online gateway.
  • Download admit card in May and appear for FDDI AIST on May 10, 2026.
  • Shortlisted candidates are ranked in Common Merit List (CML) for seat allotment based on AIST performance and campus preference.
  • Complete document verification and fee payment to confirm admission.

Lateral Entry for Diploma Holders

  • Eligible candidates with 3-year diploma after Class 10 or 1-2 year regular diploma after Class 12 can join directly in 2nd year (3rd semester).
  • Admission based on FDDI AIST 2026 rank and credit mapping by Academic Equivalence Committee.
  • Prior diploma must be relevant to the design stream for eligibility.

Postgraduate Admission 2026

FDDI Amethi offers specialized postgraduate programs designed to transform graduates into advanced management professionals for the global lifestyle and retail industry. As an Institution of National Importance, the PG curriculum emphasizes strategic leadership and industrial efficiency.

MBA Program Details

Particulars Details
Full Form Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Course Level Postgraduate (PG)
Total Duration 2 years (4 semesters)
Total Fees INR 4.7 Lakhs (total program academic fee)
Entrance Exam FDDI AIST is mandatory. Exemption available for candidates with valid national scores (CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT/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 mapping, followed by centralized counselling and seat allotment.
Core Curriculum Retail management, supply chain logistics, consumer behavior, and mandatory industry internship.
Career Paths Retail Manager, Category Head, Merchandising Manager, or E-commerce Strategist.
Placement Strong industry footprint with centralized placements in firms like Adidas, Puma, Zara, and Reliance Retail.

MBA Eligibility Criteria

  • Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
  • No upper age limit for postgraduate programs.
  • Valid FDDI AIST score or national exam score (CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT/CUET-PG) for exam waiver.
  • Merit-based selection through centralized counselling.

MBA Specialization and Seat Intake

Specialization Seat Intake Core Focus Areas
MBA Retail and Fashion Merchandise 40 seats Strategic marketing, store operations, visual merchandising, and inventory management.

MBA Admission Process

  • Create applicant profile on official FDDI portal (admissions.fddiindia.com) starting January 1, 2026.
  • Select "Postgraduate" as program level and "Fursatganj (Amethi)" as primary campus preference.
  • Pay application fee: INR 600 (General/OBC/EWS) or INR 300 (SC/ST/PwD) online.
  • Appear for FDDI AIST on May 10, 2026 (Aptitude + Management sections).
  • Shortlisted candidates (including those with national score waivers) participate in online counselling to freeze seats based on merit ranks.
  • Complete document verification and fee payment to confirm admission.

National Exam Score Exemption

  • Candidates with valid CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, or CUET-PG scores are exempted from FDDI AIST written test.
  • National percentile is equated with FDDI merit list for seat allotment during counselling.
  • Exemption route provides alternative pathway for qualified candidates.

FDDI AIST Entrance Exam 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 assesses both technical aptitude and creative skills.

FDDI AIST Exam Structure

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 General Knowledge. 30 minutes
Design/Business Aptitude B.Des: Sketching, Visualization, and Color. MBA: Branding, Logos, and Management Basics. 60 minutes

Total Exam Duration: 2.5 hours

Total Questions: 126-150 MCQs

Total Marks: 200

FDDI AIST Selection Workflow

Written Phase

  • Candidates appear for offline pen-and-paper test on May 10, 2026.
  • Exam consists of 126-150 multiple-choice questions with total of 200 marks.
  • No negative marking for incorrect answers.
  • Candidates encouraged to attempt all questions within 2.5-hour duration to maximize scoring potential.

Merit Listing

  • AIST scores are used to generate Common Merit Rank (CMR).
  • Merit list is prepared based on total marks obtained in examination.
  • Candidates ranked according to performance across all sections.

Exemption Route

  • Applicants with valid national scores (UCEED for UG, CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT for PG) can skip written test.
  • Candidates positioned in merit list based on equated percentile from national exam.
  • Exemption provides alternative pathway for qualified candidates.

Centralized Counselling

  • Unlike personal interview stage, admission finalized through online counselling.
  • Seats allotted based on rank, category, and campus preference.
  • Amethi campus is most competitive among FDDI centers.
  • Candidates freeze their seat choice during online counselling process.

Application Process 2026

Online Registration and Application

  • Visit official FDDI portal at admissions.fddiindia.com.
  • Create "New Candidate" profile starting January 1, 2026.
  • Select program level (UG or PG) and preferred campus (Fursatganj/Amethi).
  • Choose specialization: B.Des (Footwear/Fashion/Leather) for UG or MBA (Retail and Fashion Merchandise) for PG.

Application Fee Payment

  • General/OBC/EWS candidates: INR 600
  • SC/ST/PwD candidates: INR 300
  • Payment through online gateway only.
  • Single application fee covers multiple program applications if applicable.

Application Deadlines

  • Regular application deadline: 20 April 2026
  • Application editing window: 21-22 April 2026
  • Late registration deadline: 30 April 2026
  • Admit card release: 1 May 2026

Entrance Exam and Merit List

  • Download admit card from portal after May 1, 2026.
  • Appear for FDDI AIST on 10 May 2026.
  • Merit list announced on official website (date TBA).
  • Check portal regularly for merit list announcement.

Counselling and Seat Allotment

  • Centralized online counselling conducted in June 2026.
  • Shortlisted candidates participate in online counselling process.
  • Seats allotted based on merit rank, category, and campus preference.
  • Candidates freeze their seat choice during counselling.

Final Admission Confirmation

  • Fees payment deadline: 15 July 2026
  • Complete document verification process.
  • Pay admission fee to confirm seat.
  • Class commencement date announced on official website.

Special Admission Categories

NRI and Industry-Sponsored Candidates

  • 10% seats reserved for NRI, Industry-Sponsored, and Foreign National candidates.
  • Selection through personal interview on merit basis.
  • Amethi campus tuition fee: 50% extra for Sponsored/NRI candidates (compared to double at Noida and Hyderabad campuses).

Multiple Program Applications

  • Candidates can apply for both B.Des and MBA simultaneously if eligible.
  • Single application fee covers multiple program applications.
  • Attempt relevant sections of AIST for chosen streams.
  • Seat allotment finalized during counselling based on rank and choice.

Admission FAQs

Ques. Does FDDI Amethi offer BBA program for 2026-27 session?

Ans. For 2026-27 session, BBA (Hons.) program is restricted to Noida, Patna, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh campuses. Amethi campus focuses exclusively on specialized B.Des streams at undergraduate level and MBA at postgraduate level.

Ques. What is the upper age limit for B.Des program at Amethi?

Ans. Upper age limit for Bachelor's program is 25 years as of July 1, 2026. Candidates must also have completed Class 12 from a recognized board. No upper age limit applies to postgraduate programs.

Ques. What is total seat intake for UG specializations at Amethi campus?

Ans. For 2026-27 session, Amethi campus has total intake of 150 seats for undergraduate programs: B.Des Footwear Design and Production (60 seats), B.Des Fashion Design (60 seats), and B.Des Leather Lifestyle and Product Design (30 seats).

Ques. Does Amethi campus offer M.Des program for 2026?

Ans. For 2026-27 session, Amethi campus focuses on MBA (Retail and Fashion Merchandise) at PG level. Candidates seeking M.Des specializations are encouraged to apply to Noida, Chennai, or Hyderabad campuses through same centralized AIST process.

Ques. Are there exemptions for PG entrance exam with valid CAT score?

Ans. Yes, candidates with valid scores in national-level exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, or CUET-PG are exempted from FDDI AIST written test. National percentile is equated with FDDI merit list for seat allotment during counselling.

Ques. What is seat intake for MBA program at Amethi campus?

Ans. For 2026-27 session, Amethi campus has total intake of 40 seats for MBA in Retail and Fashion Merchandise program.

Ques. Is there negative marking in FDDI AIST 2026?

Ans. No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in FDDI AIST. Exam consists of 126 multiple-choice questions for B.Des. Since no marks deducted for wrong guesses, candidates encouraged to attempt all questions within 2.5-hour duration to maximize scoring potential.

Ques. Is there reservation policy for NRI or Industry-Sponsored candidates?

Ans. Yes, 10% of seats reserved for NRI, Industry-Sponsored, and Foreign National candidates across all programs. Selection for this category conducted through personal interview on merit basis. Amethi campus tuition fee is 50% extra for Sponsored/NRI candidates.

Ques. Does FDDI Amethi offer lateral entry for diploma holders?

Ans. Yes, FDDI Amethi offers lateral entry pathway allowing eligible candidates to join directly in 2nd year (3rd semester). Candidates must have 3-year diploma after Class 10 or 1-2 year regular diploma after Class 12 in relevant field. Admission based on FDDI AIST 2026 rank and credit mapping by Academic Equivalence Committee.