Ph.D. Programme at FDDI – Admission Overview

🔸Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI), an Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, invites applications for its Ph.D. Programme. The doctoral programme is designed to promote advanced research, innovation, and knowledge creation across the specialized domains of design, technology, fashion, retail, and management. With 12 state-of-the-art campuses and experienced faculty, FDDI offers an enriching research ecosystem aligned with industry needs and global standards.

Why Pursue a Ph.D. at FDDI?

🔸Access to advanced labs: CAD/CAM, biomechanics, leather, textiles, materials, retail simulation, and innovation centres.

🔸Interdisciplinary research across design, technology, materials, sustainability, and management.

🔸Strong industry linkages for collaborative, applied, and impactful research.

🔸Opportunities to publish, patent, and contribute to national and global knowledge ecosystems.

🔸Access to CoE labs at 7 centers in India.

Programme Offered

1. Full Time (Minimum 3 years)

2. Part Time (Minimum 3 years)

Schools Offering Ph.D. Programme

FDDI offers doctoral research opportunities through the following four schools:

1. School of Footwear Design & Production (SFDP)
Focus on footwear design, technology, biomechanics, materials, ergonomics, manufacturing systems, sustainability, and performance innovation.

2. School of Leather Goods & Accessories Design (SLGAD)
Craft-based leather and non-leather accessories, lifestyle products, and bag design; manufacturing processes for leather bags and garments; circular design and sustainable product development; craft studies and design interventions.

3. School of Fashion Design (SFD)
Covers areas such as functional clothing, textile design, textile innovation, digital fashion, sustainability, craft documentation, fashion systems, and emerging technologies in design.

4. School of Retail & Fashion Merchandise (SRFM)
Offers research pathways in Retail Business Management, Human Resource Management, Consumer Behaviour, Supply Chain & Logistics Management, Merchandising, Visual Communication, Marketing & Branding, E-commerce, Digital marketing, Luxury Retailing, Rural Retailing and related fields

Campus Offering Ph.D Programme

Noida, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Rohtak, Chandigarh(Banur), Patna, Chhindwara, Jodhpur, Fursatganj, Guna, Ankleshwar

Eligibility

🔸 Master’s degree in Design/Management/Technology or related fields with 55% marks or equivalent CGPA OR

🔸 Master’s degree in any discipline + 10 years of relevant professional domain/teaching experience, OR

🔸 4-year Bachelor’s degree in relevant area with 75% marks or equivalent CGPA.Relaxation of 5% for SC/ST/OBC (Non-creamy layer)/PwD candidates.

Admission Process

1. Application Submission: Application form along with Research Proposal to be submitted online on ERP link. (Apply Now)

2. Application Fee: Rs. 1,000 / No application fee for eligible FDDI faculty & Govt officials coming under Ministry of Commerce

3. Entrance Test (Research aptitude & subject knowledge)Exemptions: UGC-NET/JRF, CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, or FDDI faculty with 2+ years of service.

4. Interview

5. Final Selection & Registration

6. Last Date of Application: 31 Jan 2026

7. Research Proposal should include problem statement, research gap, primary objective and proposed methodology.(Indicative word limit: 3000 Words)

Note: For working professionals - NoC (No Objection Certificate) from employer to be furnished at the time of admission

Programme Duration (For Full and Part Time)

🔸 Minimum: 3 years (including coursework)

🔸 Maximum: 6 years (extendable up to 8 years; 10 years for women and PwD scholars)

Programme Structure

The Ph.D. programme includes:

🔸 Coursework: Research Methodology, Research & Publication Ethics, and two domain-specific electives recommended by the supervisor (interdisciplinary options allowed).

🔸 Comprehensive Examination: Evaluation of research competence through oral exam, synopsis presentation, and proposal defence.

🔸 Research Work: Guided research under supervisor(s), periodic progress reviews, seminars, conferences, and publications.

🔸 Thesis Submission & Viva-Voce: External evaluation followed by an open defence.

Fee Structure

Application Fee

🔸 Application Fee: ₹1,000/-

Semester-wise Fees

🔸 Tuition Fee: ₹30,000/- per semester

• 25% tuition fee waiver for FDDI faculty and Government officials under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (subject to Governing Council approval).

🔸 Library Fee (Non-Refundable): ₹5,000/-

🔸 Mediclaim (Non-Refundable): ₹800/- (For Full Time Students)

🔸 Examination Fee: ₹2,000/-

One-Time Fees

🔸 Registration Fee (Non-Refundable): ₹10,000/-

🔸 Security Deposit (Refundable): ₹10,000/-

🔸 Student Development Fee : 8500/-

📝Admissions Open        Apply Now New