Footwear is intrinsic to any attire to provide the complete fashionable look, and with growing awareness about fashion and the need to look presentable at all times, the emphasis on proper shoes is on the rise. Every individual wants to own quality footwear that will enhance ones appearance and also be comfortable, and suit the occasion. But you should also note that though this seems an exciting venture, but the making of a shoe is quite complex. The rising demand and complexity of the procedure has led to the establishment of a number of Shoe Design Colleges in India, that mould students, with a sense of design and creativity, into efficient craftsmen with apt technical know-how. You are taught the use of various raw materials like leather, fabric, plastic, or wood. And also to make different utility shoes, that include party shoes, working shoes, athletic shoes, outdoor shoes, men’s shoes, women’s shoes, children’s shoes, sandals, beach and bathroom shoes, boots, slippers, dance shoes, and orthopedic shoes. 

1. Footwear Design and Development Institute, Noida

It offers UG and PG level courses. Admission is on the basis of All India Selection Test (AIST) which consists of a written examination, GD or Creative Ability Test, and interview. Those applying for the PG Diploma in Creative Designing and CAD /CAM (PGDCD), and Diploma in Leather Goods and Accessories Design (DLGAD) courses, have the Creative Ability Test. At the undergraduate level, where the eligibility criteria is a 10+2, the courses offered are – Diploma In Leather Goods and Accessories Design (DLGAD), Diploma In Fashion Merchandizing and Retail Management (DFMRM), Diploma in Footwear Technology (DFT), Diploma in Retail Sales Management (DRSM), Supervisory Course in Footwear Technology (SFT), and Footwear Manufacturing Technology (FMT). Graduates can apply for the following – PG Diploma in Creative Designing & CAD-CAM (PGDCD), PG Diploma in Retail Management (PGDRM), and PG Diploma in Footwear Technology & Management (PGDFTM).  

2. Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai

CLRI is a research laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which handles research in leather technology. It is involved in providing qualified professionals also. It offers five footwear training programs at the certificate, diploma, and postgraduate diploma levels. 

3. Central Footwear Training Institute, Agra

The institute took its present form in 1996. It offers a 2 year diploma course in shoe design and technology. The eligibility criteria is XII pass and age being between 17-25 years, and admission is through an entrance test and interview. There is also a 1 year Certificate course in footwear design and product development, for Class XII pass outs, admission on test and interview. Also is offered a 1 year certificate course in Shoe Design and Sketching, open for students who are class X pass outs or equivalent. Admission is on the basis of an entrance examination and interview. There are also a number of short term courses available – advance certificate course in computer aided design, certificate course in basic shoe design and pattern making, certificate course in CAD 3D modeling, certificate course in CAD 3D modeling and CNC, crash course in shoe designing and production technology, operators course in bottom and making technology, course in clicking and material technology certificate course in upper stitching.  

4. Indian Institute of Leather Products, Chennai

It offers Certificate Course in Footwear in collaboration with the Central Leather Research Institute. Independently, the programs in shoe design offered by the institute are – Diploma in Footwear Technology (12 months), Diploma in Garments Manufacture (10 months), and Diploma in Leather Goods Manufacture (10 months), Postgraduate Diploma in Footwear Technology (15 months). The minimum eligibility requirement is 10+2. 

5. AVI School of Fashion and Shoe Technology, Chandigarh

At the UG level, it offers a one year Certificate Course in Shoe Designing and Pattern Cutting, and at PG level for graduates, it offers a 2 year course in Shoe Production. 

6. MSME Technology Development Center, Chennai

Founded in 1957, MSME is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Small Scale Industries, Government of India. It provides various long term, short term, part-time and evening courses in shoe design. At the PG level (graduation in any discipline needed), the courses are Post Graduate Diploma in Footwear Technology and Post Diploma in Footwear Technology. For school pass outs, the courses offered are Diploma in Footwear Design and Production, and Certificate Course in Footwear Technology. 

7. Government Tanning Institute, Jalandhar  

The institute, in existence since 1034, is a component of the Department of Technical Education and Industrial Training of Punjab, and is administered by the Ministry of Technical Education. It offers 3 years diploma level training in Leather Technology and Leather Technology (Footwear). Admission is based on the Joint Entrance Test (JET), conducted by the State Board of the Technical Education and Industrial Training, Punjab. The eligibility criteria is Xii pass. 

The Shoe Design Colleges in India, are specialized training institutes that cover all aspects of manufacturing of a shoe. The rising demand in the market is seen as a sign of more institutes being introduced in the near future.